Judith and Doves,
I have been following pastor Bob's
teachings and I do agree with most of his Dispensational stance, but as
Judith, I believe his teaching on salvation is in error. I too hold to
the "Standing" and " State" letter that you provided...thank you.
I dug up some charts that may help.
As
Judith showed in her exhaustive presentation, Standing and State are
how we reconcile the Apostle Paul's seemingly contradictory passages
concerning eternal security of the believer, and warnings against
continuing in sin. These charts above also show the transitional nature
of the 1st century as Israel is finally set aside and the Apostolic
gifts cease.
The book of acts is the critical key to seeing
the transition from Peter to Paul, and the conditions of salvation
changing. Also pastor Bob's teaching is that the church of this age of
grace began at Pentecost. This is untrue. Careful reading of the book of
acts will confirm that those saved at Pentecost were Jews and Proselyte
Jews. Also They were to have all things common and sold all just as
Jesus Commanded. Paul never admonishes to do this. Also in Acts 5, 2
people die because of lying to the Holy Ghost. This is a continuation
and perpetuation of what Jesus commanded, i.e. , the gospel of the
Kingdom of heaven. Signs, wonders, angels ministering, miracles, dead
raised, etc. Anyone who teaches that we are to follow ALL of Jesus
commands, or non-Pauline epistles, that are not confirmed by Paul's
epistles, are applying doctrine that is meant for after the rapture,
which is " The Kingdom of heaven" being at hand. Peter had no way of
knowing that the Kingdom was not imminent, and yet 2, 000 yrs. later it
is still future.
You will also note that Baptism for the Jews
in Acts 2 was done as peter said" 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 Ghost".
Sins can be
remitted back to them if they fall away. We cannot fall away, just out
of fellowship with The Lord as Judith points out. Paul is saved before
he is baptized, and Cornelius is saved before he is baptized...a proof
of the transition from the Jews to "one new man", Jew nor Gentile, male
nor female.
Ro.3:24 " Being justified FREELY by
His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Standing) We
have redemption through His blood" Col.1:14
Ro.3:25
"..to be propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare HIS
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past.."( state)
It is Christ's righteousness and Christ's faith, not OURS that justifies us. Phil. 3:9 ; Ro. 5: 18 ; Eph. 3 : 12 ;
Phil.3:9
" And to be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is
of the law, but that which is through the faith OF Christ, the
righteousness which is OF God by faith"
Many thanks to all for your excellent letters,
Alan T