JSM17 said:
What scripture do you find that statement in?
I gave you Scripture already. It is quite evident that if you must be born into God's family (John 1:12,13), then you were not in God's family to begin with, but (like the Pharisees) were in the family of the devil (John 8:44).
Furthermore:
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein
in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in
the children of disobedience:
Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and
were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
--You acted as if you were in the devil's family. You walked according to his actions, according to his spirit, that same spirit that works in the children of disobedience--that child of disobedience that either you are or were.
--Your behaviour is by nature the same as "the children of wrath, which either you are or were.
In other words you are either in or were the child of the devil, in his family. The Scripture is very clear on this point, and therefore must be born again into God's family.
If salvation is by faith alone then where is grace? Where is the blood? Where is love?
How can one be saved by faith alone and then besaved by anything else. If anything else is envloved, even one thing then it is not alone.
Scripture doesn't contradict itself.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
Only faith is required.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Only faith is required.
There are scores of other Scriptures that I could quote, but space and time does not permit. They all say the same thing. One is saved by faith, and faith alone. There is nothing more that is needed than faith. Your problem is in definitions of words, and in taking Scripture out of context. We will examine one passage that makes salvation clear. If you cannot accept this passage concerning salvation I doubt if you will accept any passage concerning salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
"For by grace"--This refers to the grace of God, specifically the grace that Christ showed to us on the cross when he paid the penalty for our sins. It is nothing that we do; nothing that we merit. In that way we are saved by grace, God's grace--the work of Christ on the cross. This has nothing to do with us; everything to do with what Christ has done for us. It points to the sacrifice of Christ.
"are ye saved through faith" This is how a man is saved. He is saved by putting his faith in Christ, specifically the saving work of Christ, which by grace, Christ died for us. He didn't have to die for our sins. We don't deserve it. It was by grace that he died for our sins. Look carefully at what it says in Romans 11:6:
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
--Grace and works and incompatible. If salvation is by the grace of God, then it is not of works. There can be no works involved if salvation is by grace. Works nullify salvation by grace. If it is by works, then grace is no longer grace. The teaching is clear.
It is "not of yourself" There is nothing you can do to merit salvation. Baptism does not merit salvation. It has nothing to do with salvation. Baptism is something you do; something man does. Salvation is "not of yourself." It excludes baptism and all other works of man, and everything else a man may even think of doing. There is nothing that man can do to merit salvation. Salvation is by faith and faith alone in the shed blood of Christ which comes to us by the grace of God.
"It is the gift of God" A gift cannot be earned. A gift is received. It is received without payment. Works are a type of payment. Salvation is a gift. You don't earn a gift. You don't pay for it through baptism, confirmation, going to church, or any other church rite. It is a gift, full and free, given freely, because of the grace of God, to be accepted by faith and faith alone.
"It is not of works" This is clearly stated. Baptism is ruled out completely for baptism is a work. It is done by man, and received by man. Jesus does not come down in the flesh and baptize anyone. It is a work of man. The only thing man must do is believe (or have faith). It is God's grace that provides salvation. Man must simply believe (have faith).
"lest any man should boast" Think of it. Jesus paid it all. He claimed "It is finished." But when the COC people get to heaven (if they do), they will jump around boasting, saying: Jesus paid 90% and I paid the other 10% through my works, through my baptism. Jesus did not pay it all; I had to pay some of that salvation myself. "Lest any man should boast." You cannot boast in your salvation. Yet that is what you claim by insisting that salvation is part of your salvation. You take away from the atoning work of Christ on the cross. You say that Christ did not pay the full penalty of your sin; that you paid part of that penalty by being baptized, by doing works.
Salvation is by faith and faith alone. It is a gift of God, to be received by faith.
It is His grace that provided it.
There is no other way, no other message.
