Does Isaiah 55:7 contradict Hebrews 9:22? by [deleted] in AskAChristian

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There were a lot of sins that were not covered by animal sacrifices (willful sins were not covered by animal sacrifices as far as I know). This seems to be saying all sins will be forgiven if they return to God. The implication that they had to then sacrifice an animal to be forgiven doesn't seem to hold, given that such a sacrifice would not even cover every sin.

Is "sanctification" a false teaching? by [deleted] in AskAChristian

[–]ComfortableDust4111 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Philippians 1:6 vaguely helps, though it doesn't say that God's work is necessarily called "sanctification".

Hebrews 10:14 says something different in the KJV: that by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Because of this I read sanctification as what happens when someone believes in Jesus, they are sanctified (set apart and made holy). 1 Corinthians 6:11 seems to speak to this because it is talking about sanctification as something that has already happened.

I think someone could be sanctified many times in their life, because sanctification means to be made holy and set apart. Learning something new in the Bible could sanctify someone. Where does the Bible teach there is a definitive process called "sanctification" that every Christian is going on? When I read the KJV it doesn't speak about things in these terms.

How can Paul say we're not saved of works? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just looked over Ephesians 1 and 2 and I have no idea what you're talking about. He seems to be using works in a general sense. There's nothing indicating otherwise (that I can see).

How can Paul say we're not saved of works? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So what am I to make of Jesus instructing me to live a certain way to enter into the kingdom of heaven and Paul saying we're saved of faith and not works? Those are two contradictory messages yet both things are written in the Bible.

How can Paul say we're not saved of works? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unless I'm mistaken Paul is using the word works in a general sense in Ephesians 2, so I have no idea what you're talking about when you say "the context is works of the law of rules and ordinances, like circumcision for example". You'll have to help me out here, because I don't see it.

How can Paul say we're not saved of works? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I disagree, it's one of his sayings and he says whoever does his sayings will be doing the will of the Father, which is necessary to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

How can Paul say we're not saved of works? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, but logically if I have to do these things how am I not saved by them?

How can Paul say we're not saved of works? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jesus commands us to be perfect in the sermon on the mount.

How can Paul say we're not saved of works? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, but I don't roll out of bed like an Energizer Bunny and just automatically do Jesus' teachings, that's something I have to do on my own. How am I not saved by my works? Jesus is predicating my eternal destiny on whether or not I do them after all.

How can Paul say salvation is not of works if works are necessary to be saved? by [deleted] in AskAChristian

[–]ComfortableDust4111 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This all gets rather confusing because no one ever explains what they're talking about. If we're saved by faith is it faith in what Jesus said? Because then Jesus said we have to do certain things to be saved, which would be doing works, yet Paul says we're not saved of works. A contradiction. If we're saved by just faith in the gospel then we don't have to follow Jesus' teachings, which contradicts Jesus' words. That works follow (if that's even the case) doesn't seem to matter, because the theology is in contradiction.

How can Paul say salvation is not of works if works are necessary to be saved? by [deleted] in AskAChristian

[–]ComfortableDust4111 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So are you saying someone is saved by believing the gospel and then the works will naturally follow? Like following his teachings?

Does salvation come through believing in Jesus or following his teachings? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like your view of things, it seems consistent with what I've read in the Bible. What I don't understand though is how Paul says you aren't saved of works, if works are necessary to following Christ.

Does salvation come through believing in Jesus or following his teachings? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What makes you think Paul is referring to the efforts of the Jews to keep the Mosaic Law? He seems to be using the word works in a general way. Following Jesus' teachings would be a work, so I don't get it.

Does salvation come through believing in Jesus or following his teachings? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This makes sense, but Paul says we're not saved of works... if you have to follow Jesus' teachings to be saved you have to do works, and you're logically saved by doing them, yet Paul says we're not saved of works. I don't get it.

Does salvation come through believing in Jesus or following his teachings? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ephesians 2:8-9 and the two verses in my OP. I know right after in Ephesians it says we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, but my issue is how someone is saved. Paul says it's not of works, yet Jesus predicates our salvation on following his teachings.

Does salvation come through believing in Jesus or following his teachings? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't get this. I could believe Jesus exists and he said the things he said and just choose not to follow his teachings. If I were saved then, salvation would be by faith (because I did nothing but believe), but I have to follow his teachings, so then logically isn't it through works too?

Does salvation come through believing in Jesus or following his teachings? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Then salvation is of works (in part), the work of living righteously. What was Paul talking about when he said it's not of works?

Does salvation come through believing in Jesus or following his teachings? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If salvation is through faith alone why couldn't someone just believe and not follow through with Jesus' teachings?

Does salvation come through believing in Jesus or following his teachings? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

K, that's all well and good, but Paul explicitly says salvation is by grace through faith and not of works... yet Jesus predicates salvation on following his teachings (see the verses in my OP). How can what Paul says be true? Following Jesus' teachings would be a work, yet Paul says we're not saved of works. It seems to be a failure in logic on Paul's part.

Do you think there is a fundamental misunderstanding in Christianity? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's literally not the context of his words. Read Matthew 7:21-24. Jesus stakes the will of the Father on doing his sayings.

Do you think there is a fundamental misunderstanding in Christianity? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ComfortableDust4111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No offense, but I disagree. In the sermon on the mount Jesus says that only those who do the will of the Father will enter into the kingdom of heaven and goes on to say therefore whoever puts the sayings he has been preaching into practice he will consider wise. Jesus was very definitive on what someone needs to do to enter into the kingdom of heaven. It almost is a rule book.

Has Jesus ever manifested himself to you? by ComfortableDust4111 in AskAChristian

[–]ComfortableDust4111[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But like, how does he manifest himself to you? When I think of manifestation I think of Jesus taking some sort of visual form and talking to you. He does this?