Barry, the Bible can be controversial, unless it is studied rightly divided as Paul tells us to study it. For instance how can it say we are saved by faith alone and then compare that with "faith without works is dead?"
During all of this it was being decided by the Jews that since Paul was to take Salvation to the Gentiles that they must be told that the only requirements would be to refrain from strangled animals and blood. It would not be necessary for them to be circumcised or to follow any other "Jewish works and customs." This tells me that the Hewbrew epistles were indeed different and we must distinguish these differences.
Faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will indeed, give us a desire to take the commission that God has given us.
2 Cor. 5:
"18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
James |
