By Ed Vasicek on
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Bible, Theology & Philosophy
Featured Poll

Poll Results

Were Cornelius and Apollos regenerate before they believed in Jesus, in your opinion?

Probably so. Votes: 3
Probably not. Votes: 4
No strong opinion Votes: 1
I believe people today are regenerate for periods of time before hearing about Jesus. Votes: 0
Other Votes: 0
One of them, but not the other Votes: 2
They were not regenerate but still saved or safe Votes: 0
They were regenerate but not fully regenerate Votes: 0

(Migrated poll)

N/A
0% (0 votes)
Total votes: 0

Discussion

Wed, 08/26/09
One of the difficult issues is about people saved in the first century who came to know the Lord perhaps even before Jesus was born, but lived beyond Easter. Were their individuals who were regenerate, saved, and yet did not have their faith in Jesus during the transition.

Were Cornelius and Apollos regenerate and saved before they accepted Christ, but obviously incomplete in their faith until that time. I believe so. Is it conceivable that someone was saved, waiting for the Messiah — but not hearing of Jesus and died in say 34AD?

I have no doubt that the elect were saved, but this is a discussion about the mechanics of it all.

I added some pretty bizarre choices to the poll just to get people thinking and perhaps to draw out some minority opinions.

"The Midrash Detective"

Thu, 08/27/09
[Jerry Shugart]
[Ed Vasicek] Were Cornelius and Apollos regenerate and saved before they accepted Christ, but obviously incomplete in their faith until that time. I believe so.
Hi Ed,

Good question!

Perhaps first we can discuss Cornelius. Was he regenerated and therefore saved before hearing Peter present the gospel of Christ to him? If he was then how do you explain that Peter was sent to Cornelius for the express purpose of telling him words by which he would be saved? Here Peter recounts the events leading up to his meeting with Cornelius:

“And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:13-14).

What do you make of these verses?

In His grace,

Jerry
Yes, they (those verses) would indicate that he was not regenerate in all likelihood. But then again, I imagine they could be pressed to indicate the basis of his future salvation. Perhaps he had been saved by faith that Yahweh would provide salvation, and now his faith is transitioned to salvation based in Jesus Christ. The idea might be that he was saved by trusting in Yahweh’s provision of salvation before the Messiah came, but now he would be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Still, that might be a stretch.

We have similar issues with the apostles.

"The Midrash Detective"

Thu, 08/27/09
IMHO Cornelius is described by the inspired writer of Acts as having that which only one indwelt by the Holy Spirit and regenerated can have. He is spoken of in terms that described O.T. believers. The fact that he would hear words about Jesus the Messiah that would bring salvation in His name does not exclude that he was already saved by believing the message of salvation as given in the Hebrew scriptures. Acts is a book revealing the transition from the Old covenant to the New Covenant. The original Apostles were also probably saved under the Old Covenant and the call by their Messiah was heeded because of this spiritual regeneration which gave them spiritual insight and conviction of heart. They of course had doubts and confusion putting it all together which was later solved at and following Pentecost. Of course Judas was not saved at all and Paul may not have been saved prior to his Acts 9 experience.

Sat, 08/29/09
[Bob T.] IMHO Cornelius is described by the inspired writer of Acts as having that which only one indwelt by the Holy Spirit and regenerated can have. He is spoken of in terms that described O.T. believers. The fact that he would hear words about Jesus the Messiah that would bring salvation in His name does not exclude that he was already saved by believing the message of salvation as given in the Hebrew scriptures. Acts is a book revealing the transition from the Old covenant to the New Covenant. The original Apostles were also probably saved under the Old Covenant and the call by their Messiah was heeded because of this spiritual regeneration which gave them spiritual insight and conviction of heart. They of course had doubts and confusion putting it all together which was later solved at and following Pentecost. Of course Judas was not saved at all and Paul may not have been saved prior to his Acts 9 experience.
This is the position that I have held to for years, and it seems to still be the best. Jerry’s pros and cons did a good job of presenting the issues involved. I liken it to a free website I have that is changing…they are asking me to “migrate” my stuff to another site. I think the word “migrate” fits well. Cornelius was migrating his faith from the promises of a coming Messiah to “the Messiah has come.”

"The Midrash Detective"

Sat, 08/29/09
Ed, I would like to ask that if you believe Cornelius was “regenerate”, Before Peter was sent, how do you explain scripture like the following.

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye 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:

I have tried to get people to see this without blinders on. Until GOD made the gentile clean, He was without hope. Not a chance.

While I allow that it can be thought that this “Cleaning” took place on the cross, We see no reason to believe that simply because Jesus could have sent the 11 to gentiles before he left, But he instead told them to wait.

It would seem more likely that until Peter was sent to Cornelius, the gentiles were still without hope.That Cornelius was blessed is a huge understatement but why him ? Was it his faith that set him apart ?

Take a second look at Eph 2:12.. Does it not say clearly that at one time they/we ( gentiles ) had no hope and were without Christ BECAUSE the gentiles were not part of Israel ?

A new door was opened with Cornelius And I do believe that he was the first. But as to what he was before Peter spoke to him ? I would think to say he was would be to denigh what Paul says in Eph 2:12

Very good question.

Sun, 08/30/09
Marty,

Is it not true, however, that Israel accepted proselytes and a Gentile could convert under the OT? If this is the case then it isn’t that the man who was a Gentile could not be regenerated, rather it is speaking to the nature of the faith and those commissioned to carry the gospel which was specifically Israel and now is all people. By virtue of one being a Gentile, in the OT or former times, they were by default “cut off” but it didn’t mean they could not convert.

My blog: http://thepedestrianchristian.blogspot.com/

Sun, 08/30/09
Quite right Alex. They could become a Jew. But when the Jews could not talk to you by law, I have to wonder just how hard this was to do. Or how often it happened.

But at the same time, I would wonder about Cornelius. Now I could be altogether wrong in my thinking but the way I understand things there are a few rules about such.

IE a Jewish father could disown his blood children but could not do so to an adopted child. ( I was told this by a Jewish man who said he was a rabi. but can’t say for sure one way or another. ) At any rate, Had this been the case and had Cornelius been such, Peter would not have made the remarks about Cornelius being a gentile IMO and the visions Peter saw would be out of place.

Do you have any thoughts along these lines ?

Sun, 08/30/09
[Marty H] Peter would not have made the remarks about Cornelius being a gentile
Marty,

What specific verse are you citing here?

Jerry has expressed that at which I was at best moderately successful so instead of repeating Jerry, I will answer you by pointing to Jerry’s thoughts on the matter and say they represent how I wish to answer your follow up

question.

Alex

My blog: http://thepedestrianchristian.blogspot.com/

Sun, 08/30/09
Jerry,

Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Rom 9:14 ¶ What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

It is not my place to judge GOD. I try and understand, and I believe with all my heart that GOD is righteous. and that is enough. I can be wrong in the way I understand what is said. But the “string” is there for anyone to follow that cares to do so. You have the 4 gospels and Acts. And in those, not counting such meetings as Jesus meeting Pilate how many were direct interaction between Jew and Gentile ? Was there any single case where a gentile was shown the way to salvation ? Before Peter is sent I mean..

And while I could allow what you say about hope, What do you do with “Without GOD in the world” ?

Alex, I was speaking of

Act 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Act 10:29 Therefore came I [unto you] without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

I’m sure you know already what I meant with this was that Peter could not have spoken of this man in this way had he been a Jew, blood or otherwise (Unless I am badly mistaken)

Sun, 08/30/09
Ah, thanks Marty. So, if he were a proselyte, it appears Peter would not speak to him as a Gentile, gotcha. And let me commend you on pointing this out. It isn’t a mere observation but very critical in considering whether Cornelius was a proselyte to Judaism awaiting the announcement of the Messiah, an unconverted man who is unusually described with the language of one who posses faith or a believer in the Messiah already.

This point does significantly weaken the proselyte consideration.

After re-auditing the text, having never taken the time to examine the element of the timing of Cornelius’ conversion and taking in hand this strong disqualifier for the position of Cornelius being a proselyte to Judaism we are left with one of two much stronger possibilities:

1. He was unconverted, hence not regenerate.

2. He was a believer in Christ as Savior, hence regenerate.

I will post the relevant text and point out why I believe he was indeed converted already:

Acts 10 (bold and italics mine):
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
It is the statement by Peter, and more than a statement but the recognition by Peter to Cornelius and those with him (kinsmen and near friends) that what he is about to say, Cornelius and those with him (irregular plural) already knows.

Therefore with the earlier language of Cornelius being described as a man of faith, one fearing God and one whose prayers are received by God, in view and the subsequent reaffirming nature of Peter’s dialogue which included a recognition that Cornelius and those with him “knew” this to be true already, I am much more persuaded that Cornelius was already converted which means with certainty he was regenerate.

The notion that a man can be regenerate without believing is something I believe the Bible categorically rejects.

My blog: http://thepedestrianchristian.blogspot.com/

Mon, 08/31/09
Is the question about whether they were regenerate before they believed in Jesus Christ (in the sense of the fully revealed Christ) or in the office and reputation of Christ as Redeemer, because I would hold that no one has ever been saved without faith in Christ as the Redeemer.

Mon, 08/31/09
[Jerry Shugart]
[Alex Guggenheim] So, if he were a proselyte, it appears Peter would not speak to him as a Gentile, gotcha.
Hi Alex,

I do not remember where I read it but I do remember that there were full proselytes (who had been circumcized) and “proselytes of the gate,” which would describe Cornelius.
Therefore with the earlier language of Cornelius being described as a man of faith, one fearing God and one whose prayers are received by God, in view and the subsequent reaffirming nature of Peter’s dialogue which included a recognition that Cornelius and those with him “knew” this to be true already, I am much more persuaded that Cornelius was already converted which means with certainty he was regenerate.
Then how do you explain that Peter was sent to Cornelius for the express purpose of telling him words by which he would be saved? Here Peter recounts the events leading up to his meeting with Cornelius:

“And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:13-14).

In His grace,

Jerry
LOL, now my head hurts. I neglected this portion, focusing on chapter 10. Well then, with this said and your clarification of the “kinds” of proselytizes, I jettison the conclusion that it is a weak position and now elevate it with the other 3, and possibly return it to its favored status. As well I did some searching and discovery on the PAG and it appears this description is very justified.

Thanks.

My blog: http://thepedestrianchristian.blogspot.com/

Mon, 08/31/09
Please note the following, which is a synopsis of what some leading Rabbis (like Hillel) would have thought of gentile conversion:

A pagan would be an idolater or worship many gods, or one not serving the true God. This is the category of most mankind then (and now).

An alien believer (an alien at the gate) would be a gentile who wanted to be saved, repented from his sins and turned to the God of Israel in faith; he was expected to abide by the Noahide commands. This is what the Jerusalem council decided about gentile believers. Alien believers and the categories below were considered “saved” if they remained faithful to Adonai.

A God-fearer was an alien believer who also observed the Sabbath, abided by the dietary laws of Israel, and participated in synagogue training and worship. This is probably the category of Cornelius and the Centurion in Luke 7.

A Jewish convert (proselyte) to Judaism was a God-fearer who submitted to circumcision and was immersed (baptized). He would be expected to have sacrifices offered in the Temple and pay the Temple tax. He might even become a Rabbi! It was usually baptism (ritual immersion) that was the official act of conversion, not circumcision (although that would be required, too).

The Noahide commands deduced from the Covenant with Noah and all mankind after the flood (Genesis 9). The Rabbis stretched the text to imply the following standards: (1) no idolatry, (2) no incest/adultery, (3) no murder, (4) no blasphemy (profaning God’s Name), (5) no theft, (6) justice toward others, and (7) no eating flesh with blood in it and/or cutting off flesh from a living animal.

[Source for above, “The Enduring Paradox: Exploratory Essays in Messianic Judaism “by Dr. John Fischer, editor, pp. 176-178].

But Judaism was not a cohesive belief system— there were Sadduccees, Pharisees who followed Hillel, Pharisees who followed Shammai, Helenists, Zealots, Hasidics, Essenes, etc. The Judaizers in Galatians were obviously not sympathetic to the views of Hillel, views that were often validated by Jesus and the Apostles.

We can note a similar God-fearing gentile in Luke 7:1-5, “When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

"The Midrash Detective"

Mon, 08/31/09
Jerry,

I thought I got it from the Bible, when Jesus says that Abraham rejoiced to see his day and that he saw it and was glad and when scripture says that the gospel was preached before Abraham, so that when it says that Abraham believed God, we know that it was Christ he was believing in.

Charles

Tue, 09/01/09
Jerry, I am afraid I find all this a little hard to understand so lets break it down into a few seperate questions.

Are you telling us that during the age of conscience a person could do as say Noah and or that a Jew living in the years just before Christ came and died on the cross recieved the same salvation that we recieve under the gospel preached by Paul ?

“I believe that anyone from the beginning of time can be saved by believing whatever revelation from God that is available to him. Paul says that nature by itself is a revelation from God that provides ample evidence that there is a God (Ro.1:20). And from a reading of Hebrews 11:6 I would say that that in itself is enough for those who only have that revelation to be saved.”

Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God] , and the promises;

Rom 9:5 Whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came] , who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Rom 9:6 ¶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Rom 9:9 For this [is] the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

Rom 9:10 And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac;

Rom 9:11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

I wish to call your attention to a couple of things here. The first being that while you are right in part about who would serve whom, verse 11 speaks of more. (IMO)

And even more so, I would ask that you explain ( in light of the stand you make that saved is saved without reguard to the economy ) Just why Paul would make such a statement (9:3). If as you seem to offer, 1 they have the law and the prophets and thats all they need or 2 if he is only speaking of who will serve whom and not about salvation, how on earth would that be reason to make such a statement as in verse 9:3 ?

Maybe I’m missing something here. I can’t get that to add up.

Tue, 09/01/09
Jerry,

Christ was the means by which Abraham became the father of many nations. You say I’m not responding to your point, but your “point” is that Abraham believed that God was able to perform what he promised. What you forget or ignore is that Paul looks back at this promise and says the promise was not of Isaac, Paul says it was of Christ. If it was not of Christ, then we are not of Abraham, and if we are not of Abraham, then we have no hope, for all that is left is the condemnation of the law. You say that Abraham may have seen Christ and his day, but that this was not what he put his faith in, but I say, if Charles Churchill is saved, it is because he has believed God and that he has done what he promised he would perform in accepting Christ’s sacrifice and in raising Christ from the dead. I heard the gospel that the scriptures preached unto me, and I believed it. This is salvation, and it always has been.

Charles

Tue, 09/01/09
Jerry,

So your position is that Abraham is not in Christ?

Curiouser and curiouser,

Charles

Tue, 09/01/09
Jerry,

Who did Abraham become the father of many nations by?

Thanks,

Charles

Wed, 09/02/09
Jerry,

I really am trying to hear all of the clear Words of God. What is interesting is your belief that one verse is the whole of the matter. I’ve pointed out that Christ said Abraham saw his day and was glad and that the gospel was preached to Abraham (back in Genesis 12) when he was told that all nations would be blessed through him - and let’s be clear, it was THE gospel, not a purely physical gospel, but the gospel of which there is only one, Jesus Christ. Then we have Paul’s words that the promise made to Abraham was a promise made in and of Christ.

Abraham did believe the promise of God, but scripture goes out of it’s way to let us know the nature of this promise and the revelation of God concerning Christ and His gospel to Abraham.

And I’m still interested in the answer to the question: Is Abraham in Christ?

Wed, 09/02/09
The fact is, guys, we don’t really know all that Abraham knew. We just know what the Scriptures reveal.

We do know that the promise of Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity

between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will crush your head,

and you will strike his heel.”

was known to the ancients. It was distorted in its Babylonian form. We can assume Abraham knew this. Job, who lived at the time of Abraham, knew that he had a Redeemer in Job 19:25-16,

I know that my Redeemer lives,

and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

26 And after my skin has been destroyed,

yet in my flesh I will see God;

We do not know what Abraham did or did not know, or whether he understood that His promised seed would produce the Messiah. The point Paul is making is that Abraham was justified by faith. His faith may have been in God’s character to fulfill His promise, but I do think it IS likely that Abraham understood a Messiah was coming.

Why does God justify by faith? If you think about, faith is the highest form of worship, because it affirms God’s very character. Unbelief is an insult and suggests that God is not trustworthy.

"The Midrash Detective"

Wed, 09/02/09
Ed,

I have no problem with this. What is truly interesting is that I would pretty much agree with Jerry’s statement that anyone could be saved with the revelation that they had. I would just modify it to say that it is their revelation of Jesus Christ/of their need and belief in the Messiah that would be coming. In Hebrews it says that all those who had faith knew that they were pilgrims on the earth and that they were looking for a better country.

My point in all of this, has not been to say what Abraham specifically knew about Christ, but rather to point out that faith and revelation are both of God, and that all true faith in the end is in the work of Christ. We see those who had so much less factual knowledge of Christ than we do understand so much and my mind boggles at it. In one way, I don’t believe that Job’s revelation of the Redeemer was special, and yet in another way, all revelation is special. There are those today who have read the whole Bible and yet see nothing. There were those who had but fragments and yet see Christ. This is the glory of God.

Thanks for letting me take part in the discussion,

Charles

Wed, 09/02/09
Jerry and Charles,

I think you have good point. My point, however, is that you are making a logical error. It is like saying all women are human, therefore all humans are women.

For example:

“Here we read exactly what Abraham believed when he received the imputed righteousness of God”

This is certainly PART of what Abraham believed, but the text does not say that he believed this ONLY. I think we can say this is the only thing we can be sure he believed when he was justified.

I am saying that the idea of a coming Messiah was widespread in the region, and the ancients seemed to know about it, even during the time of Abraham. So it is conceivable (but cannot be proved) that Abraham did understand that a redeemer was coming, as did Job. We don’t know what we don’t know. Yet we can only camp on what we do know.

And I think you gentlemen are doing a fine job of that. My admonition for you is not to confuse truth with whole truth, but to leave room for that which is not stated as exclusive.

"The Midrash Detective"

Thu, 09/03/09
Jerry,

A few closing points. There’s little point in arguing any longer it seems. Here is the core of my problem with your thinking. Your position is that Abraham’s saving faith was in a purely physical thing (God opening Sarah’s womb). Hebrews says that all those who had faith received the promises, seeing them afar off, and embracing them. It goes on to say, that they were seeking a heavenly country. To me, this slights the faith of Abraham and the testimony of the Scriptures as to the nature of his faith. And if Hebrews, which is speaking of the faith of the righteous, points out that this faith was a heavenly faith, then I must take it at its word.

Now understand, I am not alleging that they knew what their Redeemer would look like or how He would come or what the specifics were of His coming. But they knew that God would provide a Redeemer. Hebrews pulls back the curtains and explains to us the nature of their faith, and I rejoice in this.

I should also say, that I hope I haven’t been too impertinent. Defending theology is sacred, but so is brotherhood among believers. The internet makes it possible to debate with those we barely know and makes it easy to treat them in an unbrotherly manner, when that is what is demanded. I hope I have not given offense.

Charles

Thu, 09/03/09
[Jerry Shugart] The language in regard to seeking a heavenly country is figurative and it is speaking of the fact that these men of faith believed in a heavenly God and knew that they would eventually be with Him in heaven
I’d like to come back to this at some point, as this suggests that they believed that they would be in heaven with God without redemption, hence their need of a redeemer. And again, I have no problem with them believing that God is their Redeemer, because, well, He is.

This ties into your question:

I agree with your earlier post, that the world that God has made speaks and preaches of His nature and of our nature as well. We are all without excuse because that which may be known of God is manifest

Thu, 09/03/09
I’m not sure about Apollos but Cornelius definitely was not. When Peter describes his Acts 10 experience he told of the messengers who came to him having heard of the angel, “Send…for Peter…who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14). A person can be religious and God-fearing and yet unregenerate.

Thu, 09/03/09
[Jerry Shugart]
[Ed Vasicek] Jerry and Charles,

I think you have good point. My point, however, is that you are making a logical error. It is like saying all women are human, therefore all humans are women.

For example:

“Here we read exactly what Abraham believed when he received the imputed righteousness of God”

This is certainly PART of what Abraham believed, but the text does not say that he believed this ONLY.
Ed, let us look at these verses again:

“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness” (Ro.4:18-22).

Paul writes that “therefore” it was imptued to him for righteousness. The word “therefore” ties the reason why righteousness was imputed to him back to the previous verses. And there it is explicit that the reason why he received the imputed righteousness of God was because Abraham believed that he would be made the father of many nations despite his age and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. If believing in a coming Messiah was one of the resons that the righteousness of God was imputed to Abraham then Paul would have included that fact in the verses prior to verse twenty-two.

And besides, earlier Paul said that Abraham was justified by faith, and there he expicitly ties the revelation of Abraham’s justification to the OT:

“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Ro.4:2-3).

The Scripture that Paul refers to is found here:

“And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Gen.15:2-6).

Again, there is no mention of Abraham receiving the righteousness of God because he believed in a coming Messiah. To attempt to make a belief in a coming Messiah a part of what Abraham believed to receive the imputed righteousness of God is nothing more than adding to the Scriptures.

In His grace,

Jerry
Jerry, show me where the text says that this is the ONLY thing he believed?

"The Midrash Detective"

Fri, 09/04/09
[Jerry Shugart]
[CharlesChurchill] I agree with your earlier post, that the world that God has made speaks and preaches of His nature and of our nature as well. We are all without excuse because that which may be known of God is manifest
Charles, from the context the words in regard to having no excuse is not in regard to all men but instead those spoken of in verse 18:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Ro.1:18-20).

The ones who are without excuse are the ones who “hold the truth in unrighteousness.”

Surely Cornelius would not be in that category since he is described in the following way:

“A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:2).

Since Cornelius feared God by Peter’s own words can we not conclude that Cornelius was “accepted” by God?:

“But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:35).

Could it be that the word “saved” at Acts 11:14 be in regard to a physical deliverence, the same sense where the same word is used here?:

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mt.24:13).

My point is that those spoken of at Romans 2 as “holding the truth in unrighteousness” could have been regenerated if they would have only believed in God based on the revelation of nature. Since they did not believe they are without excuse.

Also, I find it difficult to believe that Cornelius was not regenerated before he heard the words of Peter.

In His grace,

Jerry
I’m very confused by your position. Now you are saying that the gospel of Jesus Christ is superfluous, because all men already have all the information that they need to be saved…

On top of that, your position is that all men know that they need a redeemer (God is righteous, they are not, that must be fixed = Redeemer)

I would not hold that in and of itself nature speaks a sufficient gospel for salvation. This verse says it speaks a sufficient gospel for knowledge of condemnation.

Can you help me out here?

Charles

Fri, 09/04/09
[Jerry Shugart]
[Ed Vasicek] Jerry, show me where the text says that this is the ONLY thing he believed?
Ed, let us look at the verses again and pay particular attention to the last verse:

“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness” (Ro.4:18-22).

The word “therefore” in verse twenty-two means “in consequence of that; as a result.”

So Abraham received the imputed righteousness of God as a result or consequence of what is said in the previous verses. We can then know that he received the imputed righteousness of God as a result of his believing that he would be the father of many nations despite his old age and despite the deadness of Sarah’s wonb.

Nothing else!

In His grace,

Jerry
Jerry, you’re not getting it. I agree that you are pointing out all that the TEXT says. But there are lots of things Abraham knew that are not in the immediate text, but in his background. He knew there was only ONE God, and that His Name was Yahweh. He probably knew how to count, multiply, and tan a hide. There are lots of things Abraham already knew about life and theology, some of which may come to bear on how he understood God’s promise. Maybe not. But maybe so. The text is a summary, an abbreviated account to make the point.

I am not saying there is necessarily more, but that there COULD be more. The “nothing else” is only correct if you mean, “nothing else is STATED HERE.” I’ll give you that “nothing else is stated here.” But you cannot prove to me that there was “NOTHING ELSE” said or believed, simply because the text does not claim to be a complete account of Abraham’s belief.

Personally, I think he believed that God would provide a seed, as you do. But I also think (but do not know) that he had known a Messiah was coming for years before this justification experience. I might be wrong about this. My viewpoint is reasonable but admittedly conjecture. But it still is a valid argument from silence. You cannot disprove it (you can only disprove the texts mentions it, something I never claimed) and I cannot prove it.

"The Midrash Detective"

Fri, 09/04/09
Quote

“My point is that those spoken of at Romans 2 as “holding the truth in unrighteousness” could have been regenerated if they would have only believed in God based on the revelation of nature. Since they did not believe they are without excuse.”

I’m afraid you’ve lost me again Jerry. Those being spoken of in Rom 2 DID believe. They “Held the truth” but They “Suppressed” What they knew. And they did it because they loved the wicked things of this world and did not want even the thought of God to bother them.

Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Jam 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Jam 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Jam 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Jam 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

So Abraham had faith. Abraham had a great deal of faith for a good many years and all of it lead up to the point in Jam 2:23. But I have to wonder at the link you seem to be trying to make. Abraham was not under the law of Moses and the priests of Aaron.

I don’t know a great deal about it, but as far as I can tell he was under Melchisedec. Maybe someone knows what that meant in Abraham’s day but I do not other than a few things. Melchisedec was a priest that was not limited to a single people. I have no idea what the “Rules” were. Do you ?

My point being this. Once Moses showed up and the law was given to him the rules changed. God no longer delt with everyone directly. There were Jew’s and there was the rest of the world. The Jews had the law and the prophets, What did the Gentile have ?

Do you know where Melchisedec went ? Do you know if those “Rules” under Melchisedec were left in effect ?

I think the fact is that we don’t know. Could a man shipwrecked on an island somewhere who has never heard of Jesus or the Bible come to a saving faith like Abraham ? Maybe you can see it but I can not. Unless he was one of the “Elect” and in such a case I believe God would send someone to him to share the word. (Just as Peter was sent)

But in a nutshell, While you try and see Rom 2 - as being a reason that they could find salvation, I see it as showing why they would not. I see nothing to say that they were “called” do you ?

Fri, 09/04/09
Jerry,

First of all, your taking more than is in this text. This text is about the knowledge of condemnation. Look at verse 18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men”. This is what is being made known to them. They are wicked and God’s wrath and anger are against them. There is no mention here of a cure. (though I would hold that if they truly seek after God, he will bring sufficient revelation to them, either through mundane or miraculous means)

But let’s tie this back into our discussion about Abraham:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:19-24

Belief in God is insufficient as James says here. The fulfillment of the verse you’ve been citing is seen here where Abraham is ready to offer his son upon the altar. Where he believes that God can raise his son from the dead. Where he believes in the resurrection. This is the fulfillment of Abraham’s faith, it is not separate from it in any way, because Abraham is justified by it.

The knowledge of the world is insufficient to salvation.

What is sufficient?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 1:16-17

As far as your argument that the saved do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness, would you like to tell me what Nathan’s speech to David was about when he confronted him in his sin? Would you like to explain to me what was happening at Corinth when the one in the church was having a relationship with his mother and the church cast him out and then he was restored? The saved suppress the truth in unrighteousness. All men do.