Discuss Romans 10 Page 12

Hi Hafford Please show me in the Book of Romans Chapter 10 where to be born again water is mentioned, now the reason why many are born again and not water baptised is because they read this first and got delivered. I also know people who were water baptised taught that this was all you need and didn't get delivered , and I know people who did both and got delivered. All I know is when I confessed Romans 10:9+19 and believed I was born again. I'm aware of alk other scripture references.

Rick, good post. I do not think that many people realize the important, powerful, effective work of the Word spoken for someone to hear it. In Romans 10:17 Paul says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. This does not exclude "hearing" the Word of God by reading, but I think there is something spiritually effective about hearing the Scriptures spoken. I don't mean this in any superstitious way, but to encourage believers to practice reading the Word out loud to one another, one reads out loud, the other listens only, then they switch roles. This is easy to practice using Psalms where one person reads one line, pause, and the other person reads the next. They trade roles back and forth until the whole psalm is completed. Do this in a quiet, peaceful environment is helpful.

Hi Jennifer Gods knows your need better than anyone else, also he knows your heart, these are for the mind to heal, He sent His Word and healed them. Romans 5:1+2 Peace with God, greatest cargoes of life come in over quiet seas.

Romans 8:28-39 more than a conqueror and nothing [think about that] can separate us from the Love of God which was in Christ Jesus our lord. You and God are not at odds anymore he is your Father and fathers meet the need of all His Children.

1 John 3:1+2 Beloved now are we the Sons of God, also 3:20-22 he's there to answer prayer and needs during confusion quilt, condemnation, because he knows we will deal with this stuff.

2 Timothy 1:7 Anything opposite of these three is not of God.



Change your mind change your heart

Put on in the mind Colossians 3:15-17 also Colossians 1:11-14 and Ephesians 3:14-20 notice how many times Christ is mentioned. We were saved by confessing Romans 10:9+10 and at that time we received the spiritual power that raised Him from the dead that why Paul wrote Christ in us the hope of Glory

Ephesians 4:23-32 Putting on the new man in the mind that's why I said change your mind change your heart. Proverbs as a man thinketh in His heart so is he.

Philippians 4:6-9 Be careful for nothing means anxious in verse 6, now verse 13 notice through Christ again that's the power that works in us.

Colossians 1:11-13 we are strengthen with might and we have been made partakers of the saints in light its incredible.

We have been made more that conquerors through Him that loved and loves us and those scripture are part of that. There are over 400 promises in Gods word to us who believe we can only do whar we know and act on.

Prayerfully this helps.

Bro Dan Your second statement is absolutely non biblical and unscriptural, Gods Gift is given by confessing Romans 10:9+10 and grace free gift by believing its not let me give them something and see what they do. That is taking scripture and saying this is what I think God was thinking or doing. Gods motivation was pure love not a game to see what they would do, they being us were lost. Salvation is not based on works of the flesh, hence Gift. Believe what you please I'll stick with Ir Is Written! Let God be True In All His Works And Ways.

Hi Delores Keeping it simple if genuinely born again i.e. saved meaning confessed[ Romans 10:9+10 and believed i your heart] we will see you upstairs so to speak.

Hello Laura First you must be born again,[confess Romans 10:9+10 and believe it in your heart] also the information will never contradict Gods Word, it will always be a profit to you and Glorify Him. In James 3:17 The wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easy to be intreated full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy. God works with you individually, you can just know what to do a gut feeling, always a still small voice, and stay peaceful and focused.It will always be decent and in order no confusion, any confusion wrong source. Many times early in my walk I would ask myself where did that thought come from but then I carried it out and I was blessed. Also something to keep in mind theres a lot of horse sense to walking with God Think Phillipians 4:6-8 As much of Gods Word you know the better and remember Phillipians 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. He knows us better than we do our hard part is believing that. Last thing do whats written because if you don't do what you can see how can you believe what you can't see. Remember the bible is God Talking also only in print.

Prayerfully this helps God Bless

Hello and God Bless Nic God cannot protect people from sin, sin is the state we were born in Ephesians 2:1 or driven by the desires of flesh five senses. Now when you are born again confessing Romans 10:9+10 and believe and walk out on the faith given the faith of jesus Christ Gods viewpoint of you is sinless, all sin past present and future paid for and forgiven. The challenge for the Christian is now to learn to listen to the new man created in righteous by God which is the spirit inside and act or to do everything same as you did before you were born again i.e. old man nature which by nature was against God. Also a really big deal is not to beat yourself up when you sin, not saying don't tell yourself its ok, in contrast know or understand what was done wrong thank god for forgiveness and move on. Don't think that all believers aren't in the same boat so to speak that we don't all act in our old man nature unwillfully that's part of the renewed mind battle. Notice I said battle because the battlefield is the mind, Godly thoughts and actions or your going south. Prayerfully this helps.

Hi Nic Brother there is a major difference between what you think in your head and believe with your heart, example there's times when someone can make you angry and you want to kick there butt but you don't carry that out. It was just a thought with no action, but a thought of the heart innermost part of being which is the seat of your personnel life is a whole different issue, confessing Romans 10:9+10 and believing that in the heart innermost part of your being and taking action on those scripture. Action on scripture gets results, mental accent says ill do it someday or may way but never acts on Gods Word.

Do you believe you don't need to follow Jesus to be saved?

A Christian is literally a Christ follower, so if someone prays and accepts Jesus into 'his heart' as a teen then spends a lifetime of sin and blapheming God is he 'saved' to you?

What I meant previously by calling the name of the Lord is this verse: Matthew 7:21 - some will beg 'Lord Lord' and assume they were a Christ follower when in fact they weren't. Most people will go to hell. Jesus warns us of that repeatedly through parables and says to fear God. Paul says to run the race that he would 'win' the prize. Thse things they preached involve a life of action and effort- to transform into 'slaves of righteousnes', not someone kicking back smoking weed on the couch and enjoying being 'saved'. So, whenever I hear someone saying good works are bad, I know it doesn't come from God.

Romans 10:13 presumes you're choosing to follow Christ in calling on the name of the Lord. It doesn't mean Hitler can mass murder millions and curse God's name, but a take 5 second break and just say the name of the Lord and be saved. It presumes someone is genuinely pursuing Jesus Christ which is what the definition of a Christian is. God knows our hearts and whether we are genuine or not. Satan loves deceiving people into believing they can sin all they want with no consequence, but that's far from what Jesus says in the Bible. God bless.

I hope these are helpful Philippians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, Romans 10:17, 1 John 1:9,

Hi Jonas In Gods word there are a few translations of the word know or to know according to context, one is the word oida which would be i know mentally that there is this being called God I've been told about Him. The other is ginosko experienced by some one born again of Gods Spirit. Example of first I know Romans 10: 9+10 but haven't done it, the other Ephesians 1 :18 The eye of your understanding being being enlightened that ye may know [I.E. experienced understanding God works in your life and you manifest that] what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of his inheritance in the saints.

Also with The WORD of GOD ALMIGHTY, HIS promises, faith: Romans 10:17, Psalm 19:14, Matthew 18:20, James 5:14-16, Psalm 1:1-3,

Matthew 17:15-21

And Phillip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Mark 8:37

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Matthew 13:16

Then Peter said into them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

John 6:38

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 3:17

And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

Genesis 17:11

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the word of God.

Romans 10:17

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:11-12

Know ye not, that so many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Romans 6:3

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the likeness of his resurrection:

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Romans 6:4-8

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Hi louie If you confess with your heart innermost part of your being it is not mental accent its not like going to get a glass of water its more like digging the well to get to the water needed and you can't live anymore if you don't do this and really believe then you confess Romans 10:9+10 and then as you reach out the father works within and trust me you will know because he will make it known to you.

Hello Bill,

Here is what I believe about immediate salvation. I believe that salvation takes place the moment that the Spirit of Christ enters into our spirit. Without His Spirit, there is no salvation. Romans 10:13 says that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. I believe that to be a promise that if we call upon Him to have mercy on us that He will at some point save us. I can't say it is immediate because only the Lord knows our hearts. But the promise that He will is still there. It's as it is a guarantee.

We are also told in Romans 8:9 that if we do not have the Spirit of God in us, we do not belong to Him. In other words, without His Spirit in us, there is no salvation that took place. So as far as when salvation takes place, I believe it is when His Spirit enters into our spirit. That's is when I believe that salvation takes place.

What I mean by saying for some it is immediate, and for others it could take a while, and it is something that you yourself touched on when you said if it is sincere and spiritually made it is immediate. I completely agree with you on that, amen! I can say that that was the case for me. I said a so called "sinners prayer" years before I actually received Christ. It wasn't sincere. I did it in front of my mother and her evangelist friend in order to please my mother, not because I wanted to surrender to Christ. There was no immediate salvation there at that time for me, even though I called upon the name of the Lord. He had to prepare my heart and it took years before I was ready to receive Him and make Him the Lord of my life.

I have a little more to say but am running out of space here. I am going to try and finish this up in a second post. I just wanted to clarify what I was saying. I don't see you as being argumentative at all. I'll send more as a (Part 2).

Dgjot,

Something that sort of stood out to me was where you said that "You just had to take God/Jesus at their word." What I am understanding is that you were expecting some sort of grand experience after calling upon the Lord to save you, and when that didn't happen, you decided to just trust that the Lord would do what He said He would. That's about all we can do is take Him at His word and trust in His promises.

I received Christ almost 25 years ago. There was nothing spectacular as far as experience goes. But like you say, I had to take the Lord at His word. Romans 10:13 says that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, not might be, but will be.

But with that, let me share this with you. It doesn't say that this salvation is immediate. But the promise is still there. Some get saved immediately, and for others it could take a while. You see, the Lord knows our heart. He knows if and when we are ready to completely surrender our life to Him. He prepares our heart until we are ready to turn from our ways and make Him the Lord of our life.

As far as the incident you have been agonizing over for 48 years, the only advice I can offer you is to let it go. 1 John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If you've asked the Lord for forgiveness, you need to trust that He has forgiven you. He is a faithful and just Lord.

And you are very welcome for what I shared with you on Hebrews 10:26. God Bless!!!

Dgjot,

I would like to share a couple of things with you. You mention getting saved so I have to assume that you have surrendered your life to Christ and been born of His Spirit. If so, you belong to Him. Just as Paul professed himself to be a slave to Jesus Christ, we also are a slaves to Christ if indeed we belong to Him.

The section you mention in Hebrews Chapter 10 is not talking about a saved person losing their salvation. Those who don't believe in the eternal security of the believer will use Hebrews 10:26 to show that a person can lose their salvation. That's not what it's talking about. It's talking about those Jews who were following along with the teachings, "receiving the knowledge of the truth," but instead of surrendering their lives to Christ, they were turning away and going back into Judaism.

Those Jews had a very tough decision to make, either denounce Judaism and surrender to Christ, or turn back because it would be much easier for them to do so. If they received Christ as their Savior, their family would disown them, they would lose their jobs, and they would be kicked out of their own temple. That was their dilemma.

So Hebrews 10:26 is speaking of those Jews who were considering turning back. So the writer is basically telling them that Jesus Christ is the final sacrifice for your sin. If you want to turn away from this gospel message and go back into your system of Judaism, your system of sacrificing for sin, there remains no other sacrifice.

As far as where you stand, only you know where you stand with Christ. Only you know if you've fully surrendered your life to Him. If you have, your salvation is firm and complete in Christ Jesus. He is the final sacrifice for your sin. He purchased you with His precious blood. It is by His power alone that you are being kept until the day He comes to redeem His purchased possession (You and I). My friend, you have to trust in His promise ( Romans 10:13, John 6:39, 1 Peter 3:5).

Hello Joyjay. No human being, however wicked they may be, can be considered a demon. Demons are spirit beings sent out by Satan, the prince of devils. Those demons can certainly afflict or indwell a person who gives themselves over to them through various means, but every person remains fully human & fully in need to be saved through Jesus Christ.

You haven't shared about your forefathers or how you may be considering them as demons, so I can't give anymore specifics. Your forefathers will always be related to you no matter how they have lived their lives. You are responsible for your own life & if you have family members, also to care for them, nurture them & lead them to live carefully & responsibly. I don't know your culture, but I would think that a person in any culture will never deny his heritage & his responsibilities to his fellow-man.

As far as loving your forefathers, that depends on a person's inclination; some pay no heed to any one other than those about them - others, will go to great lengths to prepare (endless) genealogies & retrieve historical records/photos, so as to keep their memories alive. So be free to give love, respect or consideration to your forefathers, if you deem them worthy, but if their lives have been filled with evil, then we can learn to stay far away from their errors, & turn to the One Who promises us forgiveness of our sins, a new abundant life on Earth, & a sure hope of an eternity with Him. And of course, His Name is Jesus Christ, Who came as the Saviour for all men, no matter their religion, country of birth, or their deeds. Jesus gave His Life for you & me, so that we wouldn't have to suffer eternity without God & in everlasting punishment. John 3:16-19; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9, all giving us assurance that when we come to God through His Son, He will forgive & He will accept. Your forefathers may have not heard this Good News - today no one has any excuse. May you receive God's comfort.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Romans 10:15

My heart is & has been sad for Africa. GOD Almighty knows, HE is just

Jeremiah 22:13

Hopefully these are somewhat helpful

Verse 10-we must make known publicly the faith that is within us.

As ChrisE has stated, that God, by His Spirit, wins souls, i.e. enlightens the lost to their severity of their sins, makes the Gospel which they receive from us their healing balm, & brings about contrition of their sins & appealing to the Lord Jesus Who died for them.

Romans 10:13 -15: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

For the bearing & sharing of this Good, soul-saving News, God has given His children this responsibility. All we have to do is to share with conviction & love for the lost - the Spirit does the rest of the work. But when you ask of the "most effective way", then the matter of contextualizing comes in, i.e. when the Gospel is shared, it is done in terms of who is being reached, his culture, the situation he is in, & his understanding of biblical Truth. My ministry in the past was mainly to Muslims in Pakistan & some in the U.K. I wouldn't use the same approaches or Scriptures I use for them as I would to someone in a Western culture, who is probably not religiously-inclined & has a different world-view or different issues in life. So, we need to know about the people group, or the person (if you're referring to witnessing on a one-on-one basis in your country/neighbourhood).

So, are you thinking of open-air street preaching, a personal one-on-one meeting, or even going over to a foreign land (on God's call)? Depending on your direction, you will need to adapt to the situation & the people. Most Christian workers going to a foreign land usually spend a number of years learning the language & culture & developing a rapport with the people. Only then will hearts begin to open.

The elect,.. are not automatically saved ,.. they are the ones , that help make the evil ones Jesus' footstool, an they have a job to do ,.. an are the only ones able to commit the unpardonable sin ,..

peace

Brother Leonard, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ordained you ...

Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is GIVEN in the behalf of Christ, not ONLY TO BELIEVE on him, but also to suffer (in the flesh) for his (name) sake.

Ephesians 2:10 For we (the pot) are his (the potter's) workmanship, CREATED in Christ JESUS....

Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD (SPIRIT) that WORKETH IN US both TO WILL (his will becomes our will, only truth reveals this; otherwise, we incorrectly believe it is OUR FREE WILL) and TO DO his good pleasure.

Ephesians 1:11 In whom we also have obtained an INHERITANCE, being predestinated according to the PURPOSE of him who WORKETH ALL THINGS after the council of HIS WILL.

Psalms 92:4 For thou, LORD, has made me glad through THY WORK: I will triumph in the WORKS of THY HANDS.

Psalms 92:5 O LORD, how great are THY WORKS! and thy thoughts are very deep.

Psalms 92:6 A brutish man (beast) knoweth not; neither doth a FOOL understand this.

We are ONLY the pot, pots are made to HOLD something. We were made to hold GOD (SPIRIT).

The SPIRIT does ALL THE WORK.

Colossians 1:27 ....this mystery.... CHRIST IN US (the pot) .....

Brother adam, may christ in is grace us with his wisdom and his understanding.

romans 9:18 therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

romans 9:19 thou wilt say unto me, why doth he yet find fault (say we sin)? for who hath resisted his will?

no one has resisted his will; therefore, no one has free will.

philippians 2:13 for it is god (spirit) that worketh in you both to will (his will not your free will) and to do his good pleasure.

ephesians 1:11 in whom we also have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him, who worketh all things after the council of his will.

the father is at present calling out; only, the chosen (by his will; those to be priest and judges in the kingdom of god).

obadiah 1:21 and saviours (the elect) shall come upon mount zion to judge the mount of esau (at the resurrection of the dead), and the the kingdom shall be the lord's.

romans 8:19 for the earnest expectation of creation waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of god (the seed of christ, the elect, the chosen, the judges, the saviours).

romans 8:21 for the creature (creation) itself also shall be delivered (through judgement) from the bondage of corruption (flesh) into the liberty of the sons of god.

isaiah 26:9 ......for when thy judgements (at the resurrection of the dead) are in the earth the world will learn righteousness.

proverbs 16:6 by mercy and truth iniquity is purged ......

romans 11:31 even so have these (the vessels of dishonour that god hardened) also not believed, that through your mercy (at the judgement of the dead) they also obtain mercy.

god has a plan for all creation, god's will, will be done.

Hello Leonard. What you've shared & what that Baptist Church has declared, I believe is dependent on whose viewpoint is considered; that of God or of man. That is, both that Baptist Church & Adam's comments are correct.

If you consider 1 Peter 1:2, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ", we can clearly see that the Elect (i.e. God's chosen) are in that blessed position because God has selected some according to His Foreknowledge. In other words, all whom God has foreordained to be His elect, will be saved. Now this is in God's department, so to speak, & not ours.

We cannot concern ourselves with what God knows, as sinful man must be in a position to hear the Gospel, be convicted of sin, & respond. So, the one who does hear & believe, can be assumed to be part of the "elect according to God's Foreknowledge". That is, God knows beforehand who will respond to the call. Those who reject the Gospel are outside of grace & can never be saved. Our "choice in the matter" is still a conscious decision we make, but made in concert with the Holy Spirit's working. Without the Gospel & without the Holy Spirit = no salvation. Many try to come another way; they're imposters.

In hyper-calvinism, God's election is taken to an extreme; where it even becomes unnecessary to share the Gospel, as God's choosing requires no response from man. Does that Church evangelize? If it does, then it's clear that they expect the sorrowful sinner to repent, believe, & be saved. The sinner's 'choice' is already in God's Plan to save him. We could ask the opposite question: can a sorrowful sinner be rejected by God because he is not foreordained to be saved? John 6:37, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." There's God's Promise of election & receiving a penitent sinner.

Hello, if we have no free will, what is the purpose of evangelism? If we have no free will what is the purpose of the gospel? If we have no free will, what is the purpose of following Jesus? Did you have freewill to write your question or did something force you to? Did it force you onto this website and are you a prisoner? When you brush your teeth is a force making you do that?

That's an interesting concept that we have no freewill, but it just seems to fall apart quickly with pure logic. Adam and Eve were given an choice and disobeyed God and received a punishment. Today we are given choices of whether to do good or evil and then are judged after this life according to what we have done. Romans 2:6. If there was no free will, why would anyone be judged?

I believe a movement in our society is against Christianity and they like to claim that we're only clumps of cells and that morality is only relative and that we have no choice when we do wrong. It just seems like a lazy way to rationalize committing sin and defying God. The word says to fear God who can send you to hell. Matthew 10:28. Obviously, if there was zero free will or choice then we wouldn't be continually warned to obey, avoid sin, follow Jesus. No freewill would mean everything is a charade and is meaningless. Obviously that idea is a lie and we do have freewill. I choose to respond vs not respond to this question out of my own freewill and hope to help others and help spread truth to replace lies. God bless...

This page might have more related verses.

Link

My friend's Baptist church teaches that God chooses our eternal destination (Calvinism) and that we do not have any choice in that matter. I have always believed that although God's Holy Spirit draws us to himself, that we have free will and must make a decision for Christ. Which is correct and how do you prove it in a discussion, including scripture verses to back it up?

Basic Distinctions between Prophecy and the Mystery (C.R. Stam)

1) Concerns a kingdom: a political organization ( Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:10)

Rightly Divided ( 2 Timothy 2:15) From {RDf} "Things That DIFFER!":

1) Concerns a body; a living organism ( 1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12-16)

2) The kingdom to be established on earth ( Jeremiah 23:5; Matthew 6:10)

RDf

2) The Body given a position in Heaven ( Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 3:1-3)

3) Christ to be its King ( Jeremiah 23:5; Isaiah 9:6-7)

RDf

3) CHRIST Is The Living Head ( Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 1:18)

4) The Body Chosen In CHRIST "Before the world began," but "kept secret since the world began" ( Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:4-11; Ephesians 3:5-9)

RDf

4) The kingdom prophesied "since the world began" ( Luke 1:68-70; Acts 3:21)

5) Israel to be given supremacy over the nations ( Isaiah 60:10-12; Isaiah 61:6)

RDf

5) Jew and Gentile place on the same level before God ( Romans 10:12; Romans 11:32; Ephesians 2:16-17)

6)The Gentiles to be blessed by Israel's instrumentality ( Genesis 22:17-18; Zechariah 8:13)

RDf

6) The Gentiles blessed through Israel's obstinancy ( Acts 13:44-46, Romans 11:28-32)

7)The Gentiles to be blessed by Israel's rise ( Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:22-23)

RDf

7) The Gentiles blessed through Israel's fall ( Acts 28:27-28; Romans 11:11-12; Romans 11:15)

Hi Sydney, I prayed for you.

I noticed what you wrote "I don't create my own belief. I understand that I must be born again, and that it is totally a gift from the Holy Spirit." and thought I'd share my belief as well.

I'm not sure what you mean by you don't create your own belief. Believing is a choice. We are given freewill to choose who we want to follow and whether to obey. I choose to follow and obey Jesus Christ. John 14:15

Some believe faith is a gift. We can gain faith through hearing the Word of God as it says in Romans 10:17. This verse indicates that God can control the measure of faith we have: Romans 12:3. Some interpret Ephesians 2:8-9 as faith as being a gift, but I believe it means salvation is the gift. I believe we already have the freewill to choose and we gain faith through reading God's Word, just like it says.

Do you want to follow Christ? Have you read the Bible verses about how to do that? Link

Basic Distinctions between Prophecy and the Mystery (C.R. Stam) - continued:

8) Prophecy mainly concerns nations as such ( Isaiah 2:4; Ezekiel 37:21-22)

Rightly Divided ( 2 Timothy 2:15) From "Things That DIFFER!":

8) The Mystery Concerns individuals ( Romans 10:12-13; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17)

9) Prophecy concerns blessings, both material and spiritual, on earth ( Isaiah 2:3-4; Isaiah 11:1-9; etc.)

RDf

9) The Mystery Concerns "all spiritual blessings in The Heavenlies" ( Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 3:1-3)

10) Prophecy concerns Christ's Coming to the earth ( Isaiah 59:20; Zechariah 14:4)

RDf

10) The Mystery Explains Christ's absence from the earth ( Ephesians 1:20-24; Colossians 3:1-3)

11) In prophecy, salvation by Grace through faith alone is not contemplated ( Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 23:1-3; Luke 7:29-30; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; James 2:17)

RDf

11) Salvation "By GRACE Through faith" Alone lies at The Very Heart Of The Mystery! ( Romans 3:21-26; Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9)

12) The proclamation of the prophetic program committed particularly to the twelve ( Matthew 10:5-7; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 3:19-26)

RDf

12) The proclamation of The Mystery program committed particularly to Paul ( Ephesians 3:1-3; Ephesians 3:8-9; Colossians 1:24-27)

13) The prophetic program revealed through many of God's servants Luke 1:70; 2 Peter 1:21)

RDf

13) The Mystery revealed through one man: Paul! ( Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:11-12; Galatians 2:2; Galatians 2:7; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:2-3)

14) Old Testament writers frequently did not understand the prophecies made through them ( Daniel 12:8-10; 1 Peter 1:10-12)

RDf

14) Paul Both understood And longed that others might understand The Mystery revealed through him ( Ephesians 1:15-23; Ephesians 3:14-21; Colossians 1:9-10; Colossians 2:1-3)

{borrowed from "Things That Differ" by C.R. Stam}