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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth |
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In the account of the ministry of Apollos in Achaia (modern southern Greece) recorded in Acts 18:24-28, we read that the Achaian converts had "believed through grace" (v.27).
Believing through grace explained. To believe is to forsake all hope of acceptance before God through every sort of self-righteousness; and to instead look to and trust in Jesus Christ alone for life and salvation. To believe through grace is to receive saving faith from God alone and to be enabled thereby to trust in Jesus Christ for life and salvation.
Therefore, the faith with which converts believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is bestowed by God in a special operation of grace unto them at the time of their conversion. They possess no faith until God bestows it. As soon as God bestows it, they exercise it to the conversion of their souls. Believing through grace distinguished. This Scriptural doctrine of believing through grace is distinguished from the heretical doctrine of believing through works. According to this heresy, all persons by nature possess faith, but only some will of their own "free will" perform the good work of exercising it.
Their assertion is heretical for at least two reasons. 1) It is illogical. There is no faith possessed where no faith is exercised. Such a person is faithless. It is impossible for faith to be latent. It must of necessity be manifest. Therefore, faith is possessed only by those who exercise it. 2) It is unscriptural: "not all have faith" (2 Thessalonians 3:2). "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Every one who has never heard the gospel is devoid of faith, and remains so until God graciously bestows faith through the effectual hearing of the gospel.
Believing through grace confirmed. Consider a few texts confirming to believers this truth of "believing through grace."
1) "Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1). This second question answers the first. No one will of his own volition believe the gospel (Romans 3:11). But all to whom God graciously reveals the power and strength of His mighty arm will indeed believe. It is said of them, "And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord" (Acts 11:21).
2) "Blessed is the man whom You choose, and cause to approach You" (Psalm 65:4). Who will approach God? None but His chosen people. How will they approach Him? Through faith alone. How will this faith be exercised? God will cause it.
3) "Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power" (Psalm 110:3). As already observed, none will of his own volition ever volunteer to trust in Christ. But God's elect will volunteer when God makes them willing in grace and power.
4) "God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). None will believe in the truth except those who are graciously sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
5) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8f). Saving faith is "by grace" and "the gift of God"; it is "not of works" and "not of yourselves, lest anyone should boast."
6) "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ ... to believe in Him" (Philippians 1:29). God must grant faith in order for sinners to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation.
7) "Jesus [is] the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). As faith's author, it originates with Him. As faith's finisher, it is perfected by Him in salvation and conversion.
Believing through grace experienced. Sinners who believe in Jesus Christ for salvation readily acknowledge their inability to do so apart from His grace. They therefore pray, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24); and "Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). Have you believed through grace?
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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