Of First Importance

We believe because we are saved

10 Comments Leave a comment

1. On July 1, 2008 at 10:27 am Rachael said:

   I believe in predestination, but, from a practical human perspective and in evangelism I wonder if one might treat the matter as though belief comes first, even if in their heads they understand that God is the one who knows and chooses his flock.

   The story of the jailer in Acts 16:29-31 is interesting:

   “And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”

   Thanks for your website and for putting some good insightful nuggets on here!

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2. On July 1, 2008 at 11:05 am Quotable Quotes. « BRYANLOPEZ.COM said:

   [...] 2008 · Filed under Theology &#183 Tagged Boettner, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination Of First Importance put this up today.  This book is yet another book that sits on my shelf was was only read about [...]

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3. On July 1, 2008 at 11:35 am Damian M. Romano said:

   Great quote, thanks for sharing.

   Reply
4. On July 1, 2008 at 12:13 pm Pedro Gelabert said:

   Have to disagree with this one. The Scriptures plainly teach that salvation comes by believing on Jesus Christ! It is a basic New Testament Tenet!

   Mark 16:16 NIV Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

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5. On July 1, 2008 at 12:29 pm We Believe Because We Are Saved « sheep fodder said:

   [...] HT to Of First Importance [...]

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6. On July 1, 2008 at 5:24 pm Lee said:

   Pedro – The picture is more complex than that. Yes, the only way to receive salvation is by believing on Jesus Christ – but what happens before that? Who moves first? Yes we obviously seek God – but who makes the first move? Is our seeking a response to His moving in our hearts? See 1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us” and Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (NASB)

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7. On July 1, 2008 at 9:51 pm Dylan said:

   This may be the first quote on this blog with which I’ve disagreed. Yes, God takes the initiative and the faith comes as a blood bought gift before we had anything but enmity toward God. But, it’s not salvation that precedes faith–it’s election and foreknowledge. A man is saved because he believes because he was foreknown and elected and predestined.

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8. On July 2, 2008 at 2:40 pm Bart Byl said:

   We understand why some of our visitors were concerned by this quote. After all, Scripture clearly teaches in many places that we are not saved until we believe.

   But, as Boettner points out, that very faith is part of the salvation that has been purchased for us by Christ.
   That is good news!

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9. On July 2, 2008 at 5:09 pm Lee said:

   Dylan – excellent point, thanks! I think that an understanding of the context of Boettner’s quote would help here…

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10. On July 2, 2008 at 5:31 pm Bart Byl said:

    Lee, the entire book is in the public domain and available online.

    Here’s the context (II.11.4):

    The Scriptures and Christian experience teach us that the very faith and repentance through which we are saved are themselves the gifts of God. “By grace have ye been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8. The Christians in Achaia had “believed through grace,” Acts 18:27. A man is not saved because he believes in Christ; he believes in Christ because he is saved. Even the beginning of faith, the disposition to seek salvation, is itself a work of grace and the gift of God. Paul often says that we are saved “through” faith (that is, as the instrumental cause), but never once does he say that we are saved “on account of” faith (that is, as the meritorious cause).

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