Faith is the introduction into grace. Salvation takes place by faith apart from works .

Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ ~ April 30,2006

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Jack is just one of a growing number influenced by men such as F. Lagard Smith, who teach a NEW way to look at the scriptures . . .

Views the church as JUST another denomination . . .

Jack is actively seeking members of the church who are weak and discontent . . . (NICOCSTUDY.NET)

Some of his arguments are popular . . . And we need to know how to answer them!!


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The Scriptures teach that that one

becomes a Christian at the point of faith, before and without

water baptism.


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Faith is the introduction into grace.

Salvation takes place by faith apart from works . . .

Baptism is just a symbol of salvation . . .

Baptism is sometimes uses as a figure of speech in the New Testament (synecdoche) –

There are Biblical examples of people who were saved prior to or apart from the baptism of the Great Commission


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Thayer Definition:

Προσαγωγη - prosagoge

1) the act of bringing to, a moving to

2) access, approach 2a) to God, i.e. that relationship with God whereby we are acceptable to him and have assurance that he is favorably disposed towards him

Romans 5:1-2 (NASB-U)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through

our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we

have obtained our introduction by faith into

this grace . . .


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Access – KJVRomans 5:1-2 (NASB-U)




this grace . . .

Ephes. 2:18 (NKJV) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the

Father.

Ephes. 3:12 (NKJV) in whom we have boldness and

access with confidence through faith in Him.


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Galatians 3:26-27 (NKJV)

For you are all sons of God through faith in

Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as were

baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

State - You are sons of God!!

Access – through faith in Christ!!

When?? – For, (gar) as many of you as were baptized INTO Christ . . .

Access – KJVRomans 5:1-2 (NASB-U)




this grace . . .


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In Romans 4 Paul says we are saved initially by faith apart from works. ~

Church of Christ Mailing List 2/20/06

Romans 4:6 (NKJV) just as David also

describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes

righteousness apart from works:


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Romans 4:6 (NKJV) just as David also

describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes

righteousness apart from works:

What kind of works?? -(4)

Paul is NOT referring to obedience to the gospel in this text – (Rom. 1:5; 2:7,8; 6:3-6,16-18; 16:25,26)

Paul is NOT dealing with initial salvation in this text – (4:3;Gen 15:6)

Paul is protesting against the judaizers in this text!


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Romans 4:1-6Justified

Counted forrighteousness

FulfilledGenesis 15:6

StrongNot of works

James 2:21-24

JustifiedCounted forrighteousne

ssFulfilledGenesis

15:6Perfect

By works

There MUST be two

classes of “works” or

else a contradiction!


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Romans 4:2-6 (Jack Holt’s Perversion)

For if Abraham was justified by obeying the gospel, he has something to boast about, but

not before God. . . . [4] Now to him who obeys the gospel, the wages are not counted as grace

but as debt. . . .


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[5] But to him who does not obey the gospel but

believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his

faith is accounted for righteousness,


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[6] just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God

imputes righteousness apart from obedience to

the gospel :

Works = Perfectly

keeping the Law of God,

specifically, in context - the

Law of Moses!!


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[6] just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God

imputes righteousness apart from obedience to

the gospel :

ConsequencesConsequences:: Blessed is the man that does NOT obey the

gospel!!!Mat 7:21-23

Rom. 2:8; 6:3-18; 10:16

1 Peter 1:22,232 Thes. 1:7-9


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Christian baptism is a shadow and type of

salvation, but not the reality of it. It pictures that salvation, inward

transformation, cleansing, and forgiveness that takes

place in the heart. It pictures the death of

Christ and faith in Christ, which are the substance, but baptism itself is not

the substance but a shadow or symbol.

Marslist-1/21/06


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In Hebrews 9, speaking of the washings

(Greek, baptismos) of the Old Testament the

Bible says such washing were a

"symbol" (NASB). I see no reason to consider

New Testament baptism any differently.

~ Nicocstudy 2/24/06


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In Hebrews 9, speaking of the washings (Greek, baptismos) of the Old Testament the Bible says such washing were a "symbol" (NASB). I

see no reason to consider New Testament baptism any differently. ~ Nicocstudy 2/24/06

9:11 – Christ came – shed His blood – (Real or symbolic?)

9:15-20 - Established the NEW Covenant, (real or symbolic?)

Hebrews 10:19-23 –To enter the Holiest & draw near to God - True heart – Full assurance of faith – Hearts sprinkled with blood of Christ – Bodies washed!


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Baptism is a sign and seal

like Old Testament

circumcision was –

Romans 4:9-11

Romans 4:11 (NKJV) And he received the sign of

circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those

who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,


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like Old Testament


Romans 4:9-11

Circumcision was a sign of faith & Righteousness only to Abraham - All others were circumcised involuntarily . . .

Abraham was the father of both Jew and Gentile – the SIGN that separated them was circumcision – Paul points to Abraham as being accepted by God before the commandment was ever given!


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like Old Testament


Romans 4:9-11

Where does the Bible EVER refer to baptism as a “sign” or “seal”????

Where does the Bible EVER refer to baptism as being equivalent to the “sign” and “seal” of circumcision?

Colossians 2:11-13


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like Old Testament


Romans 4:9-11

The circumcision of Christ was without hands!!! – 11

The circumcision of Christ is an inward act performed directly by Christ – 11; (Rom 2:28,29)

The operation of God – 12

The question is WHEN??

Colossians 2:11-13


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Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV) And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He who believes and is

baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be

condemned.

“. . . For all the outward works one

does after he believes and becomes a

Christian.” Mark 16:16

Holt/Welch debate – 1st Aff


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Matthew 28 Mark 16 Luke 24 Jack Holt

All PowerRight Hand of

GodThe Christ Literal

Initial Salvation

Go Ye Go Ye Ye are Witnesses LiteralInitial

Salvation

Teach all Nations

Teach Every Creature

Preach to all Nations

LiteralInitial

Salvation

Disciples Believeth LiteralInitial

Salvation

Repentance LiteralInitial

Salvation

Baptize Baptized FigurativeOngoing Salvation

In The Name SavedRemission of Sins

In His NameLiteral

Initial Salvation

Teach LiteralOngoing Salvation


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“. . . The Eunuch, Cornelius, Those

baptized with John’s baptism,

Thief on the cross, Old Testament

saints . . .”Holt/Welch debate – 1st Aff

“God has had ONLY

ONE plan for all ages!!”


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“. . . The Eunuch, Cornelius, Those

baptized with John’s baptism,

Thief on the cross, Old Testament

saints . . .”Holt/Welch debate – 1st Aff

Period of transition!!

Same principles with different requirements!

Which of these were NOT following the instructions applicable to them???


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I have stated that those who do not have access to written revelation can, through the

revelation of creation itself and God’s providence, come to see their guilt as sinners and turn to God in faith as a solution, and I have stated I believe

such will be saved by the blood of Christ.

Marslist 1/11/06


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My position is that those who are without written revelation

can, through natural revelation, know that there is a God, that they are sinners, and

turn to God in faith for the forgiveness of their sins and

that such will be saved through the blood of Christ. Marslist 1/19/06


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“Thus, yes, I have hope that pagans who do not have access to written revelation, can, on the

basis of the revelation of creation, yield to God, and I believe they are saved by the blood of Christ just like

I am when they do so.”Marslist 1/19/06


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Mat. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38,39

Hebrews 1:1,2 – “Hath in these last days . . .”

Acts 17:30 – “Commands all men everywhere to repent . . .”

Acts 4:12 – “No other name . . .”

John 14:6 – “The way, the truth, and the life”

Rom. 1:16,17 – “Power of God to salvation to all who believe . . .”


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Jericho-Hebrews 11:30

Samson-Judges 13:16

Brass Serpent-John 3:14-15

Pool Of Siloam-John 9

Noah-Hebrews 11:7

Naaman-2 Kings 5

Baptism-Mark 16:15-16


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Faith is the introduction into grace.

Salvation takes place by faith apart from works . . .

Baptism is just a symbol of salvation . . .

Baptism is sometimes uses as a figure of speech in the New Testament (synecdoche) –

There are Biblical examples of people who were saved prior to or apart from the baptism of the Great Commission


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Hear

Believe Repent

Confess

Be Baptized


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Faith is the introduction into grace. Salvation takes place by faith apart from works .