From Jim McGuiggan... Salvation: The entire person

Salvation: The entire person

If you time travelled and met a God-loving and righteous psalmist and asked him, "And why are you so happy?" he might say, "Because God saved me." If you came across a lovely Christian today and asked, "What has you so pleased with life?" she might say, "Because God saved me." Same words but almost certainly meaning something different.

An ancient man of God, a psalmist, might easily say God "saved" him and think of rescue from disease or enemies that sought his life (physically or socially). This would be perfectly legitimate speech and the nation would sing that kind of thing in their assemblies.

A modern Christ could easily use the same speech and on occasions he or she would mean something similar. But almost always when a modern Christian says, "God saved me" he or she means that God in and through Jesus Christ took away his/her sins and restored them into full life and fellowship with himself.

It makes good sense that a modern Christian would do that because we tend to think of salvation almost altogether in terms of sins forgiven and hope of heaven. While it is right and proper that we should make forgiveness a central element in our experience, we nevertheless lose something that ancient psalmists possessed. We tend to draw too severe a distinction between what is spiritual and what is material but that wouldn't occur to a devout and an enlightened Israelite.

Still, it's a mistake to think that enlightened lovers and servants of God in ancient Israel thought only of material blessings. They didn't believe their relationship with God was only about the physical and earthy blessings (crops, flocks, health and material prosperity). They believed that these were the token of a relationship they had with God. Behind the gifts was God. Behind the crops was the God who committed himself to them. There was a meeting of hearts and lives! Give Psalm 119 a slow reading when you have the time. "Oh how I love your law!" he breathes. "I think about it all day every day."

Salvation from enemies or disease wasn't the whole story! These people were embraced by God and in turn embraced him in a covenant relationship. Their relationship was one of friendship (their father, Abraham, was God's friend)—holy friendship and the open-eyed and open-hearted in the nation found that astonishing! That God, the sovereign Lord of creation would commit in love to them (and see Psalms 8 and 67, which relate to humanity at large). But there it was. And when he healed their diseases or delivered them from enemies (and maybe even delivered them to enemies) he was being faithful to his commitment to them (and, of course, through them to the all nations).

This use of the word "saved" or "salvation" continues in the Gospels when it is used of healings or deliverances from death in a storm, for example.

But just as surely as the wicked and thankless get rain and sunshine from God and aren't at peace with him, so an ancient Israelite could be "saved" from disease or enemies and not have peace with God at the personal relationship level. Nevertheless, we don't need to be drawing false conclusions because that's true.

Because God's enemy gets many of God's blessings, proving that you can be blessed without being reconciled with God in its fullest sense, it doesn't follow that material blessings are mere material blessings. God keeping his commitment to his enemy is not the same as his keeping his commitment to his elect; but the elect aren't God's pets. As sinful humans they are loved and God takes them to his heart but as "the elect" they have been called to God's task of bearing witness to a world that has in so many ways given up on itself that God hasn't given up on it.

In any case, all of those who will enjoy salvation in and through Jesus will know that "salvation" is about the redemption of the entire person. And when God has completed that salvation in a coming day they will discover that nothing that was an essential part of them as humans will have been jettisoned!

[Is there a text more ignored than Matthew 8:16-17 that links human suffering to the redemptive life and death of Jesus Christ?]

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com

Two Different Questions: What and When? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

 http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1864

Two Different Questions: What and When?

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

“Do you believe that baptism is essential for salvation?” “Yes.” “So you believe in water regeneration?” “No.” “But you believe that you must be immersed in water before your sins are washed away?” “Yes.” “So you believe that the power to wash away your sins is in the water?” “No.” “How can you say you do not believe in water baptismal regeneration if you think that a sinner is not saved until after he is baptized?” “Because when one is saved and what saves a person are two different questions.”
The Bible makes clear that Jesus saves. “[A]ccording to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). It is by His grace that we have hope of eternal life (Ephesians 2:5,8-9). We are “justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:9). We are “redeemed...with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). “Jesus Christ...loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). As Jesus ate with His disciples the night before His crucifixion, He said, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). What is it that saves a sinner from eternal separation from God? What is the remedy for sin? Without any doubt, “the blood of Christ” is what saves us (Hebrews 9:14). The idea of water having some kind of spiritual regenerative power is never taught in Scripture, nor have I ever met a member of the Lord’s church who believed such.
Another question altogether is when something happens. Naaman was healed of his leprosy (by the power of God!) when he washed in the Jordan River seven times (2 Kings 5:1-19). The blind man of John chapter nine was healed of his blindness (by Jesus!) when he washed in the pool of Siloam. And what about a sinner? When does the blood of Christ save one who is separated from God spiritually? The answer to that question is found in such passages as Acts 22:16 and Acts 2:38 (among others), which discuss water baptism. Once Saul (later called Paul) came to believe and confess that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, and expressed sorrow for his sins (cf. Acts 9:5-11), Ananias, whom God had sent to Saul, instructed him to “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). A sinner has his sins washed away when he is “baptized.” [NOTE: The participial phrase, “calling on the name of the Lord,” describes what Paul was doing when he was baptized and had his sins washed away (cf. Acts 2:21,38)—see Miller, 2003; Lyons, 2004.] Sadly, many have read Acts 22:16 and rejected the necessity of baptism because they approach their study of this verse with the wrong question in mind. This verse does not tell us what saves, but rather when a person is saved, i.e., has his sins washed away. Passages of Scripture such as those previously noted (e.g., Matthew 26:28, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Revelation 1:5) answer what saves, but in order to find out when a person is saved, one must consult passages like Acts 22:16 and Acts 2:38.
In short, the blood of Christ is what saves a sinner. But the blood of Christ washes away sins when a sinner confesses faith in Christ, repents, and is baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16). May God help us to understand the difference between what and when, especially in regard to salvation.

REFERENCES

Lyons, Eric (2004), “Calling on the Name of the Lord,” [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/597.
Miller, Dave (2003), “The Bible is its Own Best Interpreter,” [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2293.

From Mark Copeland... Called To Be Saints (Romans 1:7)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

                       Called To Be Saints (1:7)

INTRODUCTION

1. In his epistle to the Romans, Paul said he was "called to be an
   apostle" - Ro 1:1
   a. I.e., he was summoned to be an apostle, one sent by Jesus for a
      special purpose
   b. That purpose involved the gospel, which Paul was sent to proclaim
      to the nations - Ro 1:1,5

2. All Christians likewise have their "calling"...
   a. We are the "called of Jesus Christ" - Ro 1:6
   b. We are "called to be saints" - Ro 1:7

3. The term "saint" is frequently misunderstood and misapplied...
   a. One might get the wrong impression of what Paul is saying
   b. A proper understanding is important, serving as motivation for
      proper conduct

[So let us ask our first question:  What is a "saint"...?]

I. THE DEFINITION OF A SAINT

   A. ONE SET APART, CONSECRATED, HOLY ONE...
      1. "The word mean set apart, consecrated, sacred...In the NT the
         word hagios, when used as a noun, usually refers to members of
         the...church.  All believers are called 'saints,' even when
         their character is dubiously holy." - Zondervan Pictorial
         Encyclopedia
      2. "A NT believer, belonging exclusively to God.  The saints are
         the church, people called out of the world to be God's own
         people." - Zondervan Topical Bible
      3. "Set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His...this
         appellation is very often in the NT transferred to Christians,
         as those whom God has selected out of the world" - Thayer
      4. "It is used of men and things in so far as they are devoted to
         God.  These are called hagoi, saints, i.e., 'sanctified' or
         'holy ones.'  This sainthood is not an attainment, it is a
         state into which God in grace calls men" - Vine

   B. APPLIED TO ALL CHRISTIANS...
      1. Summarizing what these sources say, a "saint" is:
         a. A Christian, a member of the body of Christ
         b. As such, Christians are considered by God to be...
            1) Set apart, holy
            2) Consecrated for His purpose
      2. A quick survey of the NT confirms this definition and use of
         the term "saint"
         a. Addressing those in various congregations - Ro 1:7; 1Co1:2; 2Co 1:1; Ep 1:1; Php 1:1; Col 1:2
         b. Describing the subjects of brotherly love - Ep 1:15; Col 1:4;
            Phm 4-7
      3. A "saint" is not some super-spiritual Christian...
         a. Now dead and having lived a long time ago
         b. Who is canonized and venerated as an object of worship
      -- Indeed, every Christian is a saint!

[However, we find both now and then that not all Christians behave like
saints.  This raises the question: How should saints live...?]

II. THE LIFE OF A SAINT

   A. AS DESCRIBED IN EPHESIANS...
      1. Saints should live in a manner worthy of their calling - Ep 4:1
         a. Walking in unity - cf. Ep 4:1-16
         b. Walking in truth - cf. Ep 4:17-32
         c. Walking in love - cf. Ep 5:1-7
         d. Walking in light - cf. Ep 5:8-14
         e. Walking in wisdom - cf. Ep 5:15-17
      2. Saints should avoid things not befitting their calling - Ep 5:
         3-4
         a. Fornication, uncleanness, covetousness
         b. Filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting
      -- Saints strive to live this way; they do not always live up to
         their calling

   B. AS DESCRIBED IN COLOSSIANS...
      1. Saints should be filled with the knowledge of God's will - Co 1:9
         a. Involves a good knowledge of the Bible
         b. Accompanied by wisdom and understanding (via prayer - Ja
            1:5)
      2. Saints are to walk worthy of the Lord - Col 1:10
         a. We are called to be Christians as well as saints - cf. Ac 11:26
         b. Our behavior should properly reflect the One whose name we
            wear!
      3. Saints are to fully please Him - Col 1:10
         a. By being fruitful in every good work
         b. By increasing in the knowledge of God
      4. Saints are to be strengthened with all might - Col 1:11
         a. According to God's glorious power - cf. Ep 3:16,20; 6:10,13
         b. For all patience and longsuffering with joy
      5. Saints are to give thanks to the Father - Col 1:12-14
         a. He has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of
            saints
         b. He has delivered us from the power of darkness
         c. He has conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love
         d. He has provided redemption and forgiveness of sins, through
            His Son's blood
      -- The epistles were written to saints; from them we learn how
         saints ought to live!

[We noted that one reason saints are to be thankful is because God has
qualified us to partakers of "the inheritance of the saints".  This
raises a third question:  What is the hope of saints...?]

III. THE HOPE OF A SAINT

   A. RICH AND GLORIOUS...
      1. Which Paul wanted the saints at Ephesus to know - Ep 1:18
      2. Which involves the exceeding riches of God's grace - Ep 2:7
      3. Which is presently reserved in heaven for us - 1Pe 1:4
      -- Paul and Peter describe our inheritance in general terms

   B. NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH...
      1. Promised by God, anticipated by Peter - 2Pe 3:13-14
         a. A future realm in which righteousness dwells
         b. Motivating us to live now in peace, without spot and
            blameless
      2. Revealed by Jesus, described by John - Re 21:1-7
         a. Replacing the present earth and universe
         b. Involving the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of
            heaven
         c. In which God will dwell with men, providing wonderful
            blessings
      -- Peter and John describe our inheritance in figurative terms

[Questions may remain as to the ultimate nature of the saints'
inheritance, but enough is revealed to motivate us to become saints and
live in a manner worthy of our calling.  This leads to our fourth and
final question:  How do we become saints...?]

IV. THE BEGINNING OF A SAINT

   A. CALLED BY THE GOSPEL...
      1. We become saints by being "called" - cf. Ro 1:7
         a. The idea of being "called" is one of being "summoned"
         b. But we are not called or summoned by a small still voice, or
            bolt of lightning
      2. We are "called" by the gospel - 2Th 2:14
         a. God calls people by the gospel
         b. For the obtaining of the glory of our Lord

   B. PRODUCED BY THE GOSPEL...
      1. The gospel reveals God's plan for saving man from his sins
         a. With facts to believe - e.g., 1Co 15:1-3
         b. With commands to obey - e.g., Mk 16:16; Ro 10:9,10
         c. With promises to receive - e.g., Ac 2:38-39; Ro 6:23
      2. When people respond, they become saints
         a. Saved and called by the grace of God - 1Ti 1:9
         b. Even though sinners, as were the saints in Corinth - 1Co 1:2; 6:9-11
      3. Every time the gospel is preached, God is calling people to
         become saints
         a. Those who hear are exhorted to obey
         b. Those who obey are washed, sanctified, justified
         c. Those who are sanctified are set apart, consecrated for
            God's purpose; i.e., saints

CONCLUSION

1. By the wonderful grace of God...
   a. We can be His saints, His holy ones, set apart for His purpose!
   b. We can look forward to the wonderful inheritance reserved in
      heaven for us!

2. Yet as saints, we must walk in a manner worthy of our calling...
   a. We must make our "calling and election sure" - 2Pe 1:10-11
   b. Even Paul, called both as an "apostle" and a "saint", realized the
      risk of his being rejected after preaching to others - 1Co 9:27

Are you a saint?  You are if you have responded to the call of God
through obedience to the gospel!  Are you living as a saint should?  May
the hope of saints motivate you to walk worthy of your calling!

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From Gary... Topsy Turvy

Well, the ground is at the bottom and the liquid obviously isn't being poured from the center of the cup into the water bottle- so how is this being done?  When I saw this picture, my first thought was Topsy - Turvy; that is, the world is upside down.  It seems like that is the condition of the world today as well. And this idea is not new, for I can think of one passage in the book of Acts that seems to go well with this picture...

Acts 17:1-7 ASV
(1)  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
(2)  and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
(3)  opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ.
(4)  And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
(5)  But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people.
(6)  And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
(7)  whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another (heterous in Greek; another of a different kind- Gary) king, one Jesus.
 

Acts 17:6 KJV 

(6)  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Acts 17:6 ESV 

(6)  And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,

Acts 17:6 LITV
(6)  But not finding them, they dragged Jason and some brothers before the city judges, crying, Those turning the habitable world upside down have come here, too;

An assault on what you believe does feel like the world is being turned upside down.  It happened when the Jews learned about Christianity. And they were furious!!!  Instead of receiving the truth that Jesus was a king of an entirely new order (that is, heavenly) they rejected truth and became violent.  The same thing is happening today in the Middle East with those of the Muslim persuasion, where Christians (Men, Women and even young Children) are being murdered to the point of genocide!!!!  And we as a nation do very little (or perhaps it might be more appropriate to say - NOTHING) about it!!! Shame on the leadership of The United States of America for their inaction!!!! I urge all Christians to pray about the situation and do what they can lawfully to change the situation.  Christianity turned the world upside down in the first century and can in the twenty-first!!!

PS.  I think the picture of the water being poured upside down is not faked because the plane is probably doing a roll when this happened. Centrifugal force is at work here!!!