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Christ Died For Our Sins
 Reaching forth...

By God's grace, still presenting the same message from the same Book...

My understanding of dispensations is they have to do with a distinctive stewardship or rule of life, with a testing of men. Each dispensation shows man to be a failure, and far from man passing a test, and gaining salvation by their merit, they are found sinners, in need of salvation, the testing in every case resulting in an unquestionable demonstration of the utter failure and sinfulness of man.. Soteriology deals with our salvation as effected by Christ, and salvation always has been and always will be effected by Christ. 

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

The different dispensations were brought to prominence by the "Old" Scofield Study Bible. Yet those notes from the "Old" Scofield don't demonstrate different means of salvation that I have found. There is a book by Clarence Larkin, "The Greatest Book On Dispensational Truth In The World." I have looked at that book and have not found in that book where different means of salvation are espoused. One thing I must mention, not Larkin's book, but the Bible is the greatest book on dispensational truth, and my study of that book has not revealed to me different means of salvation. Different dispensations, different ways God deals with men, are clearly revealed in the Bible, by my estimation. But salvation is ever effected by Christ, and that not by our works. 

Just to mention two dispensations, that of the Law, and the present of Grace, reveals much, and is a help to our study and understanding of the Scriptures, and in both the failure of men, our sinfulness, is clearly demonstrated.

Here are two examples from the dispensation of Law. Adultery was punishable by death, yet that did not hinder salvation (Gen 38:24; Lev 20:10; Deut 22:22). Even gathering sticks on the sabbath in the past dispensation was punishable by death (Num 15:32-36). But where does this address the matter of salvation as effected by Christ? The trials attest to the need of salvation. No flesh shall glory before God.

Now consider the dispensation of grace. 

Hebrews 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 

Under the law men were told, obey or die, make continual offerings; now under grace we are told, look and live. 

Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 

Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 

Hebrews 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 

Yet look about, and see all the evidence of how men show themselves utter failures, and while God deals with us different now than during the dispensation of law, it is not because men are better now, but the need of salvation is clearly shown. Salvation is effected by Christ.

Before men looked forward to the advent of the saviour. My saying such a thing has caused some to rail, and insist on works for salvation, and they never would calm down to hear what I had to say. Their loss. But here is a start now. The prophets looked across the time forward to the birth (Num 24:17; Isa 7:14; Mic 5:2), and death of Christ (Isa 53:1-12). 

God deals with men through the dispensation, each dispensation showing man being divinely placed in a new position of privilege, seeing the plan of God further opened, their interest in the word of God being nurtured, and as well they are given new responsibility, and thereby men find their need of a saviour, and look to Christ, as more is revealed about Him.

1 Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

The advent is foretold by Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; the suffering foretold by Isaiah 53:1-12; and the glory by Zechariah 14:4, Jude 1:14, speaking of the second coming. Plus, the Bible foretells the millennial rule, and beyond that, the new heavens and the new earth (Isa 65:17; 66:22), and etc. etc.

How does one convince another of such things? How does one see Luke 2:28-32 without saying such things are wonderful to our sight. That man studied his Bible. He did not have the new and improved perversions issued every six months to fill him with lies and cause him to stumble, and did not have the TV remote to distract him. He had not heard John Baptist preach, and Paul the apostle hadn't expounded these things. He had the word of God and it is wonderful.

Luke 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

The Scripture says, 

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Now how can you get salvation by works from Romans 5:20?

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

So, those that would add works, is Christ almost enough? 

Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

As I understand, Paul in Galatians 5:11 dealt with some adding works as a requirement of salvation.

Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

And how much works are needed? 

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Etc. etc.

All the Scriptures need considered,

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

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

I am faced with "Salvation is of the LORD."

Job looked ahead to the time he would see the saviour. And what of Simeon? His testimony was of the Lord's Christ, and that Christ is the one looked forward to by those of the Old Testament, and the one to be looked to by all men of all time as the only saviour. What Simeon says is it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, and that testimony whereby he said, I have seen thy salvation, did not disagree with the Scriptures that are able to make you wise unto salvation. 

Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Further, the Scriptures say, we love Him, because He first loved us. If we love Him, we are to keep His commandments. Now it is clear to me, He first loved me, and that love was manifest on the cross, and Christ Jesus is the salvation of God.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

To even suggest salvation possible by personal merit is to suggest Christ is dead in vain. What merit monger will stand justified before God? None. The everlasting gospel is made a reproach by merit mongers, claiming Christ is dead in vain. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. No man, and that means no man.

The just shall live by faith. No man is justified by the law in the sight of God. 

Habakkuk 2:4
4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Rom 1:17
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Heb 10:38
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

The faith spoken of in Habakkuk, Romans, and Hebrews 10, and expounded on in Hebrews 11. Faith, not law, for no man is justified by the deeds of the law.

Heb 11:1-2
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

The law was given by Moses, but Moses was justified by faith, apart from the deeds of the law. Moses trusted Christ, esteeming the reproach of Christ. Even today there is reproach, by those claiming salvation possible apart from Christ and Him crucified. By merit mongers Christ and Him crucified is made a reproach. If one could be saved by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. If one could be saved by the law, then law is laid aside, then there is license to sin.

Heb 11:24-26
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Abraham believed God. His children being of all nations are as well of faith. This faith comes by hearing, and not of the flesh as the law is. The Gospel was preached to Abraham, and he was told all nations would be blessed, Jews and Gentiles, apart from the law by Christ the promised one (Galatians 3:8).

Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9), not of antichrist, men thinking they are something when they are really nothing, going about to earn justification of the law. The condition of man is described as, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6). The language of Scripture is clear that the righteousness men might think to earn towards salvation is "as filthy rags." How low men's thoughts of God must be to think of earning salvation. It is God, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim. 1:9).

The law actually kills men that seek salvation of it, all falling short, as the law can't save them. The promise was given apart from the law, even before the law. No man can make that dead, by the law, that Christ has made alive. The promise was given before the law. That law only condemns, and in fact the more vigorously the law is pursued the more thoughts of death are stirred up. Turning to the law is folly.

The holy law, given apart from the promise, even after the promise, is to lead men to Christ, and is a servant of the promise, not a requirement to go along with the promise. To add the law is to make void the promise.

1 Kings 8:46
46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;

Ps 130:3
3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Eccl 7:20
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Isa 6:5
5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Isa 53:6
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isa 64:6
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

1 John 1:8-10
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Rev 5:9
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

To suggest some will have reason to be praising their own selves, merit mongers, is to claim Christ has died in vain.

Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Christ and Him crucified redeemed us to God. Every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation are saved by grace through faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Acts 10:43
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Luke 24:25-27
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus saves. Jesus is the Christ. Without shedding of blood is no remission.

Works are the fruit of faith, and so magnify faith, and is evidence of faith, the faith once delivered. Some speak of a faith that requires a man's personal merit be added for salvation, but that is not the faith once delivered, and those works make the cross of Christ of none effect, thereby they trample under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace. Salvation has always been effected by Christ, and always will be, and therefore not by our works. Let those that preach another gospel be accursed.

Romans 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Faith which worketh by love...

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

No man will gain salvation by their works, but their faith will produce works.

It is written, KJV Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

The law by working, instead of cleansing the heart from sin, gives sin strength. "Whosoever seeketh to be justified by the works of the law, he disclaimeth the righteousness of Christ." (M. Poole) 

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Examine yourselves. 

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

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

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

By God's grace, still presenting the same old message from the same old Book that produces the same old faith...

 

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

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