Salvation is of the Lord

[David1701]

There was a recent post, in another thread (now locked), in which a poster claimed that Scripture alone is required for salvation, not a work of God in the person.  This is contrary to orthodox Christianity, so I felt that I should post the reply (the thread was locked as I was composing it) in a new thread, because this is vital.

Scripture, on its own, saves no-one.  Salvation is of the Lord.  It is God who saves, by grace, through faith and that not of ourselves, so that  no-one may boast.

God uses Scripture, as part of the means by which he saves people; but, it REQUIRES the work of the Holy Spirit in someone's life, or no-one will be saved at all.  This is essential Christian doctrine, common to all orthodox Christianity, not only to what men call "Calvinism".

John 16:7-11 (VW)

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe into Me;
10 concerning righteousness, because I go to My Father and you no longer see Me;
11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

1 Thess. 1:4,5 (VW)

4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know of what sort we were among you for your sake.

Edited May 31, 2021 by David1701

[Guest clancy]

I was saved before I had read any Bible, there is some scripture about, where the wind blows etc,

My saving was powerful and awesome!...blew my mind, I thank God every day for His most Precious Gift, I have ever received in my whole life, “ The Holy Spirit “ testified to my spirit as He was indwelling me, that I am His child..

An Honour and Privilege....after my saving, went straight out and bought the NIV Bible, Reading all about Noah and his children. at the moment,?

Edited June 1, 2021 by clancy

[R. Hartono]

50 minutes ago, clancy said:

I was saved before I had read any Bible, there is some scripture about, where the wind blows etc,

My saving was powerful and awesome!...blew my mind, I thank God every day for His most Precious Gift, I have ever received in my whole life, “ The Holy Spirit “ testified to my spirit as He was indwelling me, that I am His child..

An Honour and Privilege....after my saving, went straight out and bought the NIV Bible, Reading all about Noah and his children. at the moment,?

Amen.

[R. Hartono]

Scripture alone without Holy Spirit works is incomplete.

[David1701]

8 hours ago, clancy said:

I was saved before I had read any Bible, there is some scripture about, where the wind blows etc,

My saving was powerful and awesome!...blew my mind, I thank God every day for His most Precious Gift, I have ever received in my whole life, “ The Holy Spirit “ testified to my spirit as He was indwelling me, that I am His child..

An Honour and Privilege....after my saving, went straight out and bought the NIV Bible, Reading all about Noah and his children. at the moment,?

Had you ever heard the gospel, even in very basic form?

[Guest clancy]

26 minutes ago, David1701 said:

Had you ever heard the gospel, even in very basic form?

Of course,I knew all about Jesus, my ex brother in law was a born again...I never read a bible, I also worked for a Vicar...God drew me to Jesus!!

My saving was a miracle...no one knows how God saves his children!.....the Holy Spirit has worked miracles in my life!..since being saved.

Edited June 1, 2021 by clancy

[David1701]

2 minutes ago, clancy said:

Of course,I knew all about Jesus, my ex brother in law was a born again...I never read a bible, I also worked for a Vicar...

Ah, you hadn't read a Bible, but you had heard quite a lot that's in the Bible.  Faith comes by hearing (i.e. the inner hearing that does not need ears) and hearing by the word of God (whether read or heard with the ears).

Edited June 1, 2021 by David1701

[Guest clancy]

1 minute ago, David1701 said:

Ah, you hadn't read a Bible, but you had heard quite a lot that's in the Bible.  Faith comes by hearing (i.e. the inner hearing that does not need ears) and hearing by the word of God (whether read or heard with the ears).

The inner hearing indeed, as I explained ,he testified to my spirit that I was his child, very hard to explain, it was very private and special time, many don’t believe my testimony....some say I have an agnostic spirit.

 

I don’t have to explain my saving to anyone, I know in my heart, I have never doubted my saving, but I have doubted something that God showed me over 28 yrs ago,...I never doubted my heart, it was my head that was the minefield ,the Holy Spirit has brought me through all of that now, it has been a long journey, but I’m nearly at the end of that journey, which is just between God and I.

[David1701]

1 hour ago, clancy said:

The inner hearing indeed, as I explained ,he testified to my spirit that I was his child, very hard to explain, it was very private and special time, many don’t believe my testimony....some say I have an agnostic spirit.

 

I don’t have to explain my saving to anyone, I know in my heart, I have never doubted my saving, but I have doubted something that God showed me over 28 yrs ago,...I never doubted my heart, it was my head that was the minefield ,the Holy Spirit has brought me through all of that now, it has been a long journey, but I’m nearly at the end of that journey, which is just between God and I.

1 Pet. 3:15 (WEB) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:

It's good to give your testimony, even if some do not believe it.

[Waggles]

John 6

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.

36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not 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 and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day.

40 For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”