The Bible Espouses Liberty

[Van]

Some believe the dark ages, as characterized by Religion being ensconced in government, was brought on by Augustine, who misinterpreted the parable of the feast (Luke 14:16-24). Augustine’s erroneous idea was that compel them (verse 23) meant use force to bring about God’s will and thus the foundation was laid for government compulsion enforcing the decrees of church leaders. Luther and other leaders of the Reformation realized folks should have religious freedom from the corrupted traditions of the Church and its leaders, and thus the foundation for church-state separation was laid.

The gospel of Christ offers the gracious gift of salvation not by compulsion, for that would not be a gift, but by persuasion, everyone believing "into" (eis) Christ will have eternal life.

Acts of the Apostles 11:17 (NASB)
“Therefore, if God gave them the same gift as He also gave to us after believing in (eis) the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?”​

First note the sequence, we obtains God's gift AFTER believing, thus our believing existed before God chose to give us the gift.

Next note that the gift results from believing "into" Christ. Translations that choose "in" rather than "into" leave out God's action of transferring believers with righteous faith into Christ's spiritual body.

 

[Van]

One of the words used to convey being at liberty, is Aphesis (G859) which is also translated as forgiveness, and remission, the idea of becoming unconstrained by slavery to sin.

Another Greek word is eleutheroo (G1659) which is frequently translated as free, referring to not being under of yoke of sin, such as the truth will set you free.

 

[37818]

Acts of the Apostles 11:17 (NASB)
“Therefore, if God gave them the same gift as He also gave to us after believing in (eis) the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?”

A technician note. The word translated "in" is from (epi).

 

[Van]

A technician note. The word translated "in" is from (epi).

You are right and I was wrong.

And thanks, it is great when fellow believers actually interact to better our understanding of God's word.

Here is the edited version.

The gospel of Christ offers the gracious gift of salvation not by compulsion, for that would not be a gift, but by persuasion, everyone believing "into" (eis) Christ will have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Acts of the Apostles 11:17 (NASB)
“Therefore, if God gave them the same gift as He also gave to us after believing in (on/epi) the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?”

First note the sequence, we obtain God's gift AFTER believing, thus our believing existed before God chose to give us the gift.

Next note not only that the gift results after believing on Christ, but our belief is our choice not to stand in opposition to God. Translations that choose "in" rather than "on" leave out the idea of embracing God's existing revelation. Our faith rests on God's revelation.​

 

[Van]

Since we receive God's gift after believing upon God's revelation, our faith, if credited as righteous faith by God, provides our access to God's gracious gift of salvation.

Romans 4:24
but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,​

The "it" refers to righteous faith. The "in" more actually would be translated as "on" or upon Him.

So an interpretive translation would read,
"but for our benefit also, to whom righteous faith will be credited, as those who believe on Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead."