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• Question: Rom 10:9 Do you have to confess with your mouth?
  • Bob,
  • What's your take on Romans 10:9, where "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved?" Is there a definite necessaty to "confess with the mouth" to be saved? A lot of people from the Lordship camp bring this verse up a lot, since "with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
  • Thanks.
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Anthony,
  2. Some dispensationalists believe this passage refers to Israel since it is in the middle of the section, 9-11, dealing with Israel's position in this present dispensation. We must read it in context. Rom 10:1-13 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them." 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess (The word translated confess, has many meanings. See the BGD definitions below. I will make bold the definitions that I think are possible.) with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
  3. (homologew, w= a long o.) B G D. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979. (I edited out all the Greek and extraneous material.)
  4. 1. promise, assure; promise that God had made to Abraham Ac 7:17; promise with an oath Mt 14:7; Solemnly promise, vow.
  5. 2. agree, admit; admitting that they were (only) foreigners. we admit that we have not received grace.
  6. 3. confess a. in judicial language make a confession, confess. Foll. by acc. and inf. [He confessed that He was Christ. I translated the Greek.]-The transition to sense b may be illustrated by John the Baptist's action in reply to questioning by the authorities [I translated the Greek. And he confessed and did not deny and he confessed that] (dir. disc. follows). b. as a term in religious and moral usage if we confess our sins 1J 1:9.
  7. 4. declare (publicly) , acknowledge, confess, also confess that one is someth. I will say to them plainly Mt 7:23. W. inf. foll. they claim to know God Tit 1:16. they acknowledge all of them Ac 23:8. Esp. of confessing Christ, or the teaching of his church; w. double acc. [The following is possible syntactically, but I don't agree with the theological conclusions of the lordship theology of salvation.] if you confess Jesus as Lord Ro 10:9. confess that he is the Messiah J 9:22. acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh 1J 4:2 (in the text); W. a single acc. of the pers. whom one confesses, or whom one declares to be someth. revealed by the context: 1J 2:23. The acc. (auton) is supplied fr. the context J 12:42; whoever confesses me before men Mt 10:32a; cf. Lk 12:8a. Jesus' acknowledgment of the believer on the Judgment Day forms the counterpart to this confession.
  8. 5. praise w. dat.` the fruit of lips that praise his name Hb 13:15.
  9. I believe this is based on the rest of the book of Romans. If you agree with the content of Romans and believe it in your heart, you are saved.
  10. In Christ,
  11. Bob
• Question: Is there a difference between saved and born again?
  • Hi Bob
  • Does the term born again apply to the time of God's dealing with the world now or was it applied to the Earthly ministry of Christ?
  • Is there a difference between saved and born again?
  • thanks
  • Albert
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Albert,
  2. The term born again is found three times in the Bible.
  3. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again [gennhqh`/ a[nwqen], he cannot see the kingdom of God."
  4. John 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again [gennhqh`nai a[nwqen].'"
  5. 1 Pet 1:23 having been born again [ajnagegennhmevnoi], not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.
  6. All of these instances are in Scripture that deals with the circumcision gospel. The word a[nwqen means from above. So, it could be translated born from above, but it really means, "become the father of".
  7. The word saved, swv/zw, is also found in John 3. It has the meaning, "save, keep from harm, preserve, rescue".
  8. I could make a dispensational distinction, but since the born again word is used today in the broad sense of being saved, I don't belabor the technical difference.
  9. In Christ,
  10. Bob
• Question: Can a saved person ever be lost?
  • Hi, I get this question often my answer is no (I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish) I am sure with myself but I don't claim to know it all, so I ask you am I wrong on this point? thank you very much.
  • p.s. I am interested in your online school, thanks again tansni1@aol.com bye
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Let me ask you a few questions to think about. Is a man saved by faith alone, or is he saved by faith + works, or is he saved by faith that produces good works?
  2. Further, when does a person get saved? Also, can a person lose his salvation after he believes? One theologian wrote the following: “There are two extremes in religion, equally false and equally fatal. And there are two classes of hypocrites that occupy these two extremes. The first class make religion to consist altogether in the belief of certain abstract doctrines, or what they call faith, and lay little or no stress on good works. The other class make religion to consist altogether in good works, (I mean, dead works) and lay little or no stress on faith in Jesus Christ, but hope for salvation by their own deeds.
  3. Let’s consult Gal 5:6: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” Paul was writing about our life in Christ. Faith working through love avails. Paul was not writing that faith had to work through love in order for a person to get saved, because Paul also wrote this in 1 Co 7:19, “Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God.” And if you think that Paul thought keeping the commandments justified a person, remember, he wrote in Gal 2:16 “that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by [the] faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by [the] faith of Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
  4. In Gal 6:15 he wrote, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.”
  5. The reason there is confusion is the fact that there are 2 gospels in the New Testament. First we’ll look at the Circumcision Gospel: Jam 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty [the Mosaic law] and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law [the Mosaic law] according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
  6. Now we’ll look at the Uncircumcision Gospel given to the Apostle Paul: Rom 3:19-28 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faithfulness of Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Gal 3:11,12,24,25 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for the just shall live by faith. 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but the man who does them shall live by them. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
  7. We find that God gave the uncircumcision gospel to Paul for us today, while He gave the Circumcision Gospel to Peter, James, and John for Israel.
  8. In the Circumcision Gospel they could lose their salvation if they did not endure. In the Uncircumcision Gospel for us, we cannot lose our salvation.
  9. What do you think? Let me know.
  10. Also, what aspect of our school of theology are you interested. The online course or on site in Denver course?
  11. In Christ,
  12. Bob Hill
• Question: How can I know I am saved?
  • Sir
  • As I am reading your site I am wondering if you hold the calvanistic view. Sometimes I think yes and sometimes I think no. LOL It has nothing to do with anything I guess I am just wondering. Which churches are calvanistic?
  • I have prayed several times for Jesus to be Lord of my life but continue to doubt my salvation. I want Him to at the time I pray. Everything I read tho I should love praying, reading the bible, going to church etc. And I dont. I have stood on the verse that says If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth you shall be saved but still nothing.
  • Thank You
  • Karen Norris
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Karen,
  2. I strongly disagree with the Calvinist view. I believe the Scriptures show us that God wants everyone to be saved, not just the elect, as the Calvinists say.
  3. God inspired the Apostle Paul to write this in 1 Tim 2:3-6: For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
  4. When the Philippian jailor asked Paul and Silas what he should do, their response in Acts 16:31 was: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved".
  5. Since you have believed, I recommend that you read the book of Philippians. Read it for understanding. Anything you don't understand, ask me a question or two. As you read, focus on who God is and what He has done for you.
  6. In Christ,
  7. Bob Hill
• Question: Is everyone saved?
  • Hi Bob,
  • Concerning John 12:32 when Christ says that He will draw (drag) all unto Himself-should we take this to mean that no one will go to hell but that everyone living at the time will be raptured? Does this include people that have already died and gone to hell or just the Body of Christ?
  • Thanks and God bless,
  • Ryan
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Ryan,
  2. First let's read the verse in its context. John 12:30-32
  3. Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all to Myself."
  4. In order to understand the meaning of our passage, I believe we must go back to John 6 for a similar verse. Let's start with John 6:37-39: "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day."
  5. When He says, "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing," I believe this "all" refers to the apostles.
  6. Notice how John 17:6 and 18:9 substantiate this. John 17:6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word." John 18:8,9 Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore , if you seek Me, let these go their way," 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me [He is quoting John 6:37-40 and 10:29.], I have lost none."
  7. What does this mean? John 6:44 says, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws [helkusay, drags] him." Yet John 12:32 says, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, [will draw, drag, all to Myself, pantas helkusw pros emauton]."
  8. The way the Father draws them is by teaching, because John 6:45 says, "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me." If they will listen and learn from God, they will be drawn by the Father. Once they are drawn, they will be given to the Son. I believe this group of apostles is the little flock of Luke 12:22,32.
  9. At that time, Judas was included. "Then He said to His disciples, 'Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on 32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'"
  10. Was He referring to Mat 19:28, "you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel"? There is a strong condition.
  11. In Luke 22:3,4, Judas had already left. "Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. 4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them." Then, Christ spoke to the remaining disciples in verses 28-30, [In contrast to Judas,] "you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." The twelve are apostles of the circumcision with the earthly hope of the kingdom which was promised to David. Our hope is heavenly.
  12. Later, Peter wrote to the extended little flock. He told them about the prophecy of Ex 19:5,6. "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." In 1 Peter 2:8-10, he wrote that Jesus was "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed." Notice! "Their disobedience is not ordained; the penalty of their disobedience is."
  13. Compare this with John 11:9, "Jesus answered, 'Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.'" Also see 2 Peter 1:10, "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble". The natural result of their disobedience is their stumbling. Syntactically, the participle, "being disobedient", is the reason for their stumbling. They refused to believe. But in fulfillment of Exodus 19:5,6, he wrote in verse 9 to these circumcision believers who expected the kingdom, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy" (Cf. Hos 1:9,10; 2:23).
  14. Now, in 1 Tim 2:4, God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." John 7:17 shows who will know the Lord. "If anyone wants [thelei, is willing] to do His will [to thelayma autou, the will of Him], he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority."
  15. John 6:40-45 shows who will know Him. John 6:40-45: "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees [ho thewrwn] the Son and believes [pisteuwn] in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." 41 The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." 42 And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, 'I have come down from heaven'? 43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard [Therefore everyone who is hearing, pas oun ho akouwn The Majority Text supports this contra Nestle-Aland, Scriveners, TR.] and learned [kai mathwn] from the Father comes to Me.
  16. John 5:38-40 shows it negatively: "But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." Now we know how it was granted by the Father. Everyone who was willing to hear and learned was granted by the father to come to Christ in John 6:61-65: "When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, 'Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the beginning [The beginning of their unbelief.] who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, 'Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.'"
  17. Second Peter 3:9 shows what God counsels for all. Counsel [boulomai] is the strongest term for will. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance [may boulomenos tina apolesthai - not counseling any to perish], [alla pantas eis metanoian cwraysai - but counseling all to have room for repentance]." This means all are able to believe the gospel. But, if they resist God's dragging, they will be lost.
  18. Of course, according to 2 Pe 1:5-11 their salvation is conditional. They must make their election sure: "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
  19. Therefore, many will not go into the kingdom, and many from this dispensation will not be raptured. Only those who believe in this dispensation are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption, the rapture. All unbelievers from every dispensation will be separated from God for eternity.
  20. In Christ,
  21. Bob Hill
• Question: Did Christ die for our sins or Adams?
  • Bob Hill,
  • How we deal with the doctrine of federal headship of Adam? If you believe in this doctrine do you believe that God has distributed the grace sufficient for salvation to all men? If you do not believe this doctrine what do you do with Romans chapter five and in 1Corithians.
  • Keith Elmore
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Keith,
  2. This is an excellent question. As I would phrase it, does mankind die for their own sins or Adams? This is one of my favorite passages. I was tested with this passage when I was quite young because my wife's dear uncle was a Universal Reconciliationist, and this was one of their strongest points. I didn't have an answer for some years, and could not sign the doctrinal statement of the church we were going to for a time. I studied it assiduously, and here is my conclusion.
  3. I want to begin with the underlying Greek. I will use English letters for Greek letters. Omega is w. The word wsper (just) as-1. in the protasis of a comparison, the apodosis of which begins w. outws (kai) (just) as. . . , so; Mt 12:40; 13:40; 24:27, 37; Lk 17:24; J 5:21, 26; Ro 5:19, 21; Js 2:26.-wsper.. In anacoluthon. the apodosis to be supplied Ro 5:12; for it is just like; Mt 25:14. BGD. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979.
  4. From the info in the 2nd paragraph, above, Rom 5:18 shows us that this passage in Romans teaches an equal amount that die in the first Adam shall be made alive in Christ. In fact, that's why there is a recognized parenthesis that starts with Rom 5:13 and ends with Rom 5:17 in all the major translations. Greek syntax demands it.
  5. Rom 5:12-21 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned- 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  6. Therefore, I would like to take out the verses in between Romans 5:12 & 18 for the time being.
  7. Rom 5:12&18 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
  8. We can see that the same group who sinned in Adam in verse 12 were also justified through one Man's righteous act in verse 18. We can also see that the ones who sinned in Adam had nothing to do with the sinning. Just because they were seminally in Adam, they took part of Adam's sin and death. Likewise, they had nothing to do with the free gift that came to them all resulting in justification.
  9. It was Christ's righteous act for Adam's sin that resulted in the justification for Adam's sin. Therefore, we can confidently say there was universal justification for all who sinned in Adam.
  10. When we look at the material within the parenthesis, we see a different story. Here, we see that God is writing about many, not all. Death passed over all because of Adam's sin, but the many are the ones who "who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness". Inside the parenthesis we find the many, who did their own sinning, are those who respond to God's gracious gift. When they responded to God's gift, their act of belief resulted in justification for their sins, and they "will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."
  11. Therefore, the universal justification is for the sin of Adam. The whole world is justified for Adam's sin. We still suffer the act of dying physically since that seems to be a genetic change that took part when Adam sinned. We also inherit that thing called flesh, which is always contrary to God's will.
  12. We are responsible for our own sins. There is no universal justification for the sins of those who do not receive the "abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness" of "the One, Jesus Christ."
  13. Universal vivification is different. In 1 Co 15:22, it shows us that all were in Adam. Because of that, all died. It is a different story with Christ. All are not in Christ. Romans 6 shows us that those who receive Christ are the ones who die to sin. Only those who have trusted in Christ are in Christ. That's why it says in 1 Co 15:22, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive." All of us were in Adam. Only those who believe are in Christ. There is no universal vivification here.
  14. The same goes for universal reconciliation. God wanted Christ to have the preeminence in everything. He was the firstborn of all creation in Col 1:15. In Col 1:18, it says, "He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." And for us, His Church, He was the firstborn among many brethren. Rom 8:29 "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
  15. The Father's purpose for all this was to show the preeminence of our Lord Jesus. Col 1:13b and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son. We have redemption: Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption. We have forgiveness of sins: Col 1:14 in whom we have . . . the forgiveness of sins. We, the fullness, dwell in Him. Col 1:19 for He delighted to have all the fullness (to playroma) dwell in Him. How do we know this fullness is talking about us? Col 2:9,10 For in Him dwells all the fullness (to playroma) of the Deity bodily; 10 even you are filled (peplayromenoi) in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. That's us according to Eph 1:22,23 And He . . . gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness (to playroma) of Him who fills (playroumenou) the all (ta panta) in all.
  16. Now, we get to our reconciliation. He reconciled the all things (ta panta, That's us.) in Christ, making peace. Col 1:19 He delighted to have all the fullness (to playroma) dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile the all (ta panta) things in [eis] Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, whether the things (ta) on the earth or the things (ta) in heaven, 21 even you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death.
  17. How do we know the all, ta panta, refers to believers who are members of the body of Christ because they were baptized into Christ when they believed? Eph 2:11-16 tells us. "Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh-who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands- 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made the both (ta amfotera) one, and has destroyed the middle wall of separation, 15 having annulled in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity by Him." The both, were the Jews and the Gentiles who believed and were made one body in Christ.
  18. Christ reconciled us to present us holy and blameless. Col 1:22 to present you holy, and blameless before Him. This was the most important thing: Christ's work for the whole world. At one time, we were all alienated from God because of our sin and evil deeds. But our wonderful God was delighted to do something about our rotten condition. Col 1:19-22 for He delighted to have all the fullness [That's us] dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile the all things [That's the Jews and the Gentiles-the body of Christ.] in (eis) Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, whether the things on the earth or the things in heaven, 21 even you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works [That's us, the Gentiles.], yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death [Again, in the body of Christ.].
  19. Our security in Christ is for this purpose: Col 1:21,22 He has reconciled (you) 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless. Eph 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
  20. In Christ,
  21. Bob Hill
• Question: Do you HAVE to accept JesusChrist in public to really saved?
  • Dear Bob:
  • Do you HAVE to accept JesusChrist in public or can you do so alone, to be sure that you are really saved?
  • Maria Armenta
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Maria,
  2. Some people get that idea from Romans 10:9, where it says "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." But is there a definite necessity to "confess with the mouth" or "Do you HAVE to accept Jesus Christ in public" to be saved?
  3. Some believe this passage refers to Israel since it is in the middle of the section of Romans, 9-11, dealing with Israel's position in this present dispensation. But, we must read it in context. Rom 10:1-13 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
  4. Right here, Maria, we see that everyone who believes has righteousness. When Paul and Silas were in jail in Philippi, there was an earthquake. The jailor thought all the prisoners had escaped. Acts 16:28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." Then the jailor, in Acts 16:30-32, brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
  5. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them." 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way,
  6. The reason the ninth verse says "confess with your mouth" refers back to this 6th verse, "the righteousness of faith speaks in this way". Paul is explaining how the person who has faith speaks.
  7. "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess
  8. The word translated confess, has many meanings. The standard Greek dictionary that Greek scholars use gives the following definitions: agree, admit, confess, acknowledge, say.
  9. with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
  10. I believe this is based on the rest of the book of Romans. If you agree with the content of Romans and believe it in your heart, you are saved. But if you are speaking about your faith, or "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Even after that statement is made, the 11th verse says, "the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.'"
  11. It is your faith, belief in Christ as your savior that is important.
  12. In Christ,
  13. Bob Hill
• Question: Do I have to confess my sins after I have received the salvation from Jesus Christ?
  • Dear Bob
  • Please help me with this one..
  • Do I have to confess my sins after I have received the salvation from Jesus Christ? I can't seem to find any scripture after Jesus died for us on the cross… God sees me through Jesus who became sin for me. I also understand Rom 6:1 that we are not supposed to let the sin increase (the Holy Spirit will point this out to me). Isn't 1 John 1:9 for people who must still except Jesus? I believe my sin does not take away my salvation, it cause a guilt feeling in my mind that separates me from God - but God does not withdraw from me - I withdraw from Him. Isn't it unbelief in what Jesus did for me on the cross, where he died for my sins. If I walk in a relationship with God why must I confess my sins if Jesus did a complete work for me on the cross? Please clear this for me.....
  • Thank you
  • God bless
  • Henry Strachan
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Henry,
  2. I am what they call, a mid-Acts dispensationalist. When I study the circumcision writings (Hebrews-Revelation), I believe I should teach their theology and contrast it with Paul's epistles. The flesh is always contrary to God's law. It is always lusting contrary to the lust of the Spirit according to Gal 5:17: "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you may not do the things that you wish
  3. As you said, our personal sins have already been taken care of according to Rom 6:3-15: "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, (We died to our sin in the body of Christ.) that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, (We were united with Him when the Holy Spirit baptized us into His body, 1 Co 12:13.) certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, (Why were we crucified with Him? It tells us immediately.) that the body of sin might be done away with, (That's why we in this dispensation can see that we are not slaves of sin. In fact, all our sins are taken care of, past, present and future.) that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed (The word here is justified, dedikaiwta. We have been justified from all sin.) from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 (This is what we should do.) Likewise you also, reckon ([BGD Greek Lexicon, edited] logizesthe count, take into account ti someth. hay agapay ou logizetai to kakon love does not take evil into account 1 Co 13:5. But 'place to one's account' can also mean credit . . . a workman's wages are not credited to him as a favor (but as a claim) Ro 4:4. credit someth. to someone as someth. pass. put on someone's account, charge to someone b. as a result of a calculation evaluate, estimate, look upon as, consider; Ac 19:27. the children of the promise are looked upon as seed Ro 9:8 (cf. La 4:2). will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 2:26. w. acc. consider, look upon someone as: 1 Co 4:1. 2 Co 10:2b. Pass. Ro 8:36 (Ps 43:23). foll. by acc. and inf. (Is 53:4) consider yourselves dead Ro 6:11. we hold that a man is justified 3:28.) yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!
  4. We deal with our personal sins by thanking God for already forgiving us of all our sins. We may even be accused as Paul was in Rom 3:8 "And why not say, 'Let us do evil that good may come'?-as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just." We praise God for our complete forgiveness of all sin. We glory in this fact. Now, as we focus on loving God, He produces His fruit in us by the Holy Spirit as shown in Gal 5:16 -25: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you may not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
  5. In contrast to this freedom and security, when we rightly divide the truth, we cannot appropriate the salvation material in any of the circumcision epistles without severe hermeneutical problems. We, in the dispensation of grace, have our salvation. We're sealed. We can't lose it. It was different for believers under the gospel of the circumcision. They were in the process of salvation. They had to endure in their belief in order to be saved. They had to remain in Christ, the vine (John 15:6).
  6. According to 1 Jo 1:9, they had to continue confessing their sins to attain their salvation. If they did not abide in a relationship with Christ, they'd be lost. It wasn't just John who wrote this way, they all did. A good example is James in 1:12. He wrote: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
  7. Why is this so? We can't understand why God did things differently in different dispensations, but we can study the method of salvation in each one and see what God's requirements are. Endurance is a theme of the circumcision gospel, the gospel of the kingdom. Circumcision believers had to endure in their belief in order for them to be saved.
  8. This method is also shown by John in the Apocalypse in 2:10,11. The reward here is the "crown of life." This "crown of life" is salvation? What could be clearer than, "He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." In contrast to this endurance theme, Paul wrote about the security we have in the body of Christ in Ephesians 1:4-14.
  9. A good example of this method is found, again, in John's first epistle, 1 Jo 5:4,5: "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
  10. "He who believes" is a substantive use of the present participle. The most common interpretation of the present participle would give the meaning, "The person who continues believing that Jesus is the Son of God is the one who continues overcoming the world."
  11. The Lord shows that those who continue in faith are the ones who overcome the world. James shows the same method of salvation in 1:21: "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." In light of the context, 1:2-20, this is a serious conclusion. They have not yet received the implanted word to the extent that they are sure of salvation. The use of the complementary infinitive, to save (swsai), emphasizes the fact that they are not yet sure of their salvation. A woodenly literal translation would be, "receive the implanted, able to save your souls word."
  12. How can they do this? It seems that the result of this reception is further developed in the next five verses, 1:22-26: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless."
  13. We can be sure they do not have security because receive is an aorist imperative. The thought expressed by an imperative is future action, doing what is commanded. Its use here implies that they need to fo this. They need to receive this word sincerely and endure in it so they will be saved. In contrast, we, the body of Christ, already possess salvation according to Tit 3:5.
  14. John 15:4-6 is an interesting passage which drives this point home since it is spoken to the 11 after Judas left. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
  15. Receiving the implanted word, then, is being a doer of the word by faith. We can't emphasize to much, that faith is the all important heart attitude necessary for salvation in every dispensation. Also, under the covenant of circumcision, God required their faith to be displayed by works.
  16. Looking more pointedly at your question about 1 Jo 1:9, what sins would be forgiven the person confessing his sins? We don't have to confess our sins at all. We already have been justified from all sin (Rom 6:7) and set free from it (Rom 6:18). Again, we do not have to ask for forgiveness. We already possess it. In contrast, the circumcision believers had to confess their sins (Jam 5:16; 1 Jo 1:9) to have them forgiven. This agrees with the principle of abiding we observed in John's gospel.
  17. As we analyze this passage, we should start with verses 1:6,7: "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
  18. There are two 3rd class conditions in this passage. When a 3rd class conditional sentence is used, it means there is a matter of doubt as well as probability that the condition in the if clause will be met. The first conditional clause is, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness". To show the conditional aspects better, we could translate it this way: "If we should say that we have fellowship with Him, and would be walking in darkness, we lie and are not doing the truth." We must draw this conclusion from this sentence: They cannot be walking in darkness and be in fellowship with Him.
  19. The next one has a greater consequence. If they continue walking in the light, they have fellowship with one another. But more important - the blood of Christ is continuing to cleanse them from all sin.
  20. The continuous cleansing of their sins depends on their continuous walking in the light. This is like the third class condition made in John 15:6,7: "If anyone does not abide in Me [Maybe he will, maybe he won't.], he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me [Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't.], and My words abide in you [Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't. They must let His words abide.], you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
  21. 1 Jo 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Greek scholar, Nigel Turner gives us further information about the protasis of a 3rd class condition, "ean with the subjunctive [If, with the subjunctive] . . . points to future probabilities which may not actually be realized." In plain English, maybe it will, maybe it won't. We could translate this verse: "If we would continue confessing our sins, He would be faithful and just that He may forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." If they did not continue confessing their sins, He would not forgive them their sins or cleanse them from all unrighteousness."
  22. Our salvation is totally different. This is shown by contrasting 1 Jo 1:9 and Col 2:13. Col 2:13 reveals that all of our trespasses, sins, were forgiven at one point in time, at the cross, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses".
  23. They were participating in a process of salvation. As long as they were abiding in Christ, they would not sin, but even that seems true only for high handed sins when we consider 1 Jo 1:9 again, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The highhanded sin never had a sacrifice designated for it. Read Numbers 15:29,30: "You shall have one law for him who sins unintentionally, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwells among them. 30 But the person who does anything presumptuously [with a high hand], whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people."
  24. Compare this with Hebrews 10:26,27: "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."
  25. In this dispensation, God has dealt with our sin. We could live a sinless life if we focused completely on our Father and His Son and were willing to let the Holy Spirit control our every thought and action. But how many of us do that? Their salvation was on the line. Only our blessings and happiness in the Lord are on the line.
  26. There seem to be three commandments that are high handed sins when they are broken in the tribulation: Blaspheming the Holy Spirit; Breaking one of the ten commandments; Receiving the mark of the beast. Sinners may be forgiven the lesser sins if they continually confess them (1 Jo 1:9). Therefore, I believe the person who has the knowledge of the new covenant (1 Jo 2:20-27) and is abiding in Him and focusing on Him will not, is unable to sin. But if he goes too far and does what is mentioned in 2 Jo 8,9, he's in trouble: "Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses [goes too far, or deviates - anyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching". Both readings seem to have about the same meaning.] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son."
  27. It's easy to see why those who believe that the circumcision epistles are written to the body of Christ hold to the Lordship salvation position. They want to be consistent with God's word, and it teaches it. What else could they believe? I admire them for their consistency and desire to honor God's word. First John and the rest of the circumcision epistles are extremely difficult for them to explain.
  28. Conditional Salvation
  29. 1 Jo 1:9;2:3,4 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
  30. Salvation & Security
  31. Rom 10:9,10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 6:6,7,18 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed [justified dedikaiwtai] from sin. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
  32. In Christ,
  33. Bob Hill
• Question: Am I a "Born Again" Christian?
  • Dear Bob,
  • I feel that I finally met my soul mate. Unfortunately I met him in a bar and had no idea he was a "Born Again Christian". I am Methodist. We have been dating for 3 months now and he continues to break up with me and make comments about how I am the "Devil" or that I am "Worldly". I love this man so much and he is a good person. I do not drink, do drugs or smoke. I go to church every Sunday and consider myself to be a good person. My boyfriend is trying to convert me to a "Born Again Christian". I am confused because I thought if I believed that Jesus Christ died for me and he is my savior, then I am "Born Again". Is this true? He keeps telling me that I need to get a strong walk with God and that then, and only then, we could be together. Can you please explain to me what a strong walk with God means? I thought I had a strong walk with God. I don't want to lose this person, but he says he will not be with me unless I have this walk with God. He also seems to get very frustrated with me because he tells me that I am an intelligent woman and I just don't seem to get it?????
  • HELP
  • Debbie
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Debbie,
  2. God bless you. If you have put your trust in the fact that Christ died for you, He was buried, and He was raised from the dead, here is what God says: 1 Cor 15:1-4
  3. "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you -- unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." Further, it says in Rom 3:21-26, But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God, through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, ²⁶ to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Since you know that He died for your sins, what does that mean? God says a person who believes that Christ is her savior, is saved.
  4. I would encourage you to read the book os Ephesians and ask me any questions that you may not understand.
  5. I Christ's love,
  6. Bob Hill