Dr. Andy Woods: What's happening in Matthew 25:1-13 is the rapture of the church has already taken place at least seven years earlier. What is happening here is the division between believing and unbelieving Israel at the end of the tribulation period. That's the distinction between the wise and The unwise Virgins.
It's the play out of Zechariah 13: 8-9 or there's going to be a separation between one third and two-thirds! One Third, the believing remnant. Two Thirds, the unbelievers in Israel at the end of the tribulation period. You'll also see a separation between believing and unbelieving Israel at the end of the tribulation period in Ezekiel 20:33-38.
Basically what is happening is the Lord is returning at the end of the tribulation period and he's separating or leaving from unbelieving Israel just as he's going to be separating the sheep and the goats among the Gentiles at the end of the Tribulation. He's separating believing from unbelieving Israel in fulfillment of Zechariah 13 8-9. Ezekiel 20:33-38 and believing Israel in their mortal bodies will enter the Millennial Kingdom. Unbelieving Israel will be cast off the earth into judgment so that's the context of this parable of the virgins. (Matthew 25:1-13).
Church is Bride of Christ. We arn’t Bridesmaids? Read 2 Cor 11:2! The Bridegroom isn't coming from Heaven to meet the Bridesmaids in the clouds. He is meeting them on Earth? How is this a Rapture passage? Watching or being awake is not a criteria for the Rapture. Here all the bridesmaids were all asleep? Then all should be disqualified! We are all saved by Grace Through Faith and we all baptized into one body. 1 Corinthians 12:13.
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Parable of The 10 Virgins. Dr. Andy Woods.
The Olivet Discourse.
Dr. Andy Woods:
The Olivet Discourse is recorded in three Gospels: Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. The Olivet Discourse is not dealing with Believers in The Church Age. Its written for The Jews during the Tribulation Period that will bring in The Kingdom. We find reference to The Church only in few scriptures like Matthew 16:18; Matthew 18:15-17; Matthew 24-25; Matthew 28:18-20. 99% of Matthew 24-25 is not dealing with the end of the church age, it's dealing with the end of the inner advantage (the time period between Christ's first coming and second). You want to find info about the Inner Advent Age things that will be happening on the earth via the Tribulation Period & the establishment of the kingdom after the church has already been raptured, then you go to, Matthew 24 and 25.
“I never knew you: depart from me” Matthew 7:15-23. Perhaps the most misquoted and abused passage in the entire Bible. It is cited to prove an assertion that the professing Christian, that does not produce enough fruit in their lives, to prove that they are one of the elect, will be cast away from Christ at the final judgement. This is completely taken out of context and abused.
The Gospel of Matthew has 5 Discourses:
Sermon on the Mount (5-7)
Mission Discourse (10)
Kingdom Parables (13)
Humility Discourse (18)
Olivet Discourse (24-25).
The Olivet Discourse is ONE Discourse, not more.
The Holy Spirit didn't put those chapter markers! Stephen Langton did, in the 16th-17th century. Read Matthew 24:1-3, Its context: talking about the Temple (Israel-Jew. Not Church!) When Jesus made the prediction that the Temple would be destroyed brick by brick, the disciples (representing Israel) associated that with the End of The Age. They asked a Jewish question and Jesus starts to map out the Tribulation Period yet future. Jesus says All these are the beginning of birth pains. TRIBULATION. Matthew 24:8 “and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 CONTEXT! For then shall be great tribulation. Unparalleled distress for the Jewish people. Matthew 24:21-22 . See Jeremiah 30:7. Time of Jacob’s Trouble. (CHURCH is already raptured) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man.. Matthew 24:30 Gather together his elect... Matthew 24:31 Jesus is talking about Israel future. “and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Isaiah 11:11-12. Isaiah 27:13. Isaiah 43:5-7.
The Gospel of Matthew was written for 3 Purposes:
1. To explain that Jesus, in whom they had believed, was the long awaited Jewish Messiah.
2. To explain why the Kingdom had been postponed, despite the fact that The King had arrived.
3. To explain the interim program of God during The Kingdom’s absence. (Israel past rejection and future acceptance of Jesus.
One needs to understand proper hermeneutical implementation.
Sowing, Giving, Tithes & Offerings?
The true meaning of a tithe in biblical terms is 10% of your blessing (your First Fruits) from God to be returned to God as a sacrificial offering. He (not the church) is owed and worthy of the best of your blessings. This goes all the way back to the beginning with Adam and Eve after the fall. This is the reason for the conflict with Cain and Abel. Abel gave his best and was blessed even more, Cain gave God his scraps, and was rejected, and envy and pride caused the first murder on earth.
The Old Testament Law commanded the Israelites to tithe (Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:21-28; Deuteronomy 12:6-17; 14:22-28; 26:12-14). TITHES WERE FOR THE JEWS. TITHES ARE NOT FOR THE CHURCH. Jesus fulfilled the Law. Instead of tithing, the New Testament emphasizes Giving, as seen in passages like 1 Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, especially those in need, such as the poor, the hungry, and the sick. We are called to be salt and light in the world, showing Christ's love to those around us. While some may misinterpret passages like 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and Romans 15:25-27 to support tithing, it's important to understand the context of these verses and the broader teachings of the Bible.
Tithes were originally given to the Levites and priests, but under the new covenant, there are no Levites and priests to receive them. Therefore, we should be cautious of those who preach a message of tithing for personal gain. It is right and proper to support the group you are active in (local church) as well as any outside effort, but the final decisions about who, and how much, and what, to be offered are between you and God alone. Life in Christ is a constant sacrifice, as we are all counted dead in Him anyway.
The Apostle Paul exemplified a spirit of generosity and selflessness, choosing not to charge for his ministry in order to freely share the Gospel. He emphasized the importance of running the Christian race with integrity and discipline, seeking an incorruptible crown. As Christians, we are called to give freely and cheerfully, aligning our desires with God's kingdom work and promoting the Gospel. Giving is not burdensome duty; they’re opportunities to partner with God in His work. When we give, we worship, honor God, and participate in His redemptive plan. And remember, giving is not just about money—it’s about our hearts. Giving in any form is good.
Carefully understand the MEAT in: 1 Cor 9:1-19. Paul goes on to explain the Christian race, and how all run, yet one can win the prize. By strictly discipline his body and make it his slave (FREELY share the Gospel). Apostle Paul, personally didn’t charge The Body and earned his own keep. Why? For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then?.. Make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. Understood? He goes on to explain the Christian Race and its aim/purpose: Attain an incorruptible Crown! And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Christ and the Apostles all said the same thing as a first warning: BE NOT DECEIVED. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Paul wrote to Timothy about such people, false teachers who found a way to make a fortune off the gospel (Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6:5). In 2 Corinthians 2:17 he wrote, “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.”
Carefully understand the MEAT in: 1 Peter 5:2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed but with eagerness; (1 Peter 5:2); We are saved by grace, we live by grace, and we give by grace. We give as we purpose in our heart and as God provides. We give freely, cheerfully, not grudgingly or under compulsion. We give sacrificially. It’s all between the giver and God. Giving can be money, time, possessions, etc. The Apostle Paul encouraged Christians to give generously, not reluctantly or under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:6–15). However, be careful who you are giving to.
Are today’s self-made pastors, teachers, online channels, (Facebook YouTube, etc), dreamers/visionaries, rapture date calculators, sensationalists, apostles(?), prophets(?), miracle workers(?), ‘tongues’ speakers (?),... POOR??? Not at all. They are money grabbers. Beware.
In today's world, it is important to discern between true ministry and those who seek to profit from the Gospel. Just as Jesus drove out the money changers from the temple, we should be wary of those who exploit faith for financial gain.
Instead, we should focus on helping the poor and needy, following the example of Christ's love for us. The Bible is clear about God's heart for the poor, encouraging us to be generous and compassionate towards those in need. We are called to consider the poor, show generosity to the needy, and share with those who lack. As Christians, we are to be a light in a dark world, demonstrating love and compassion to all those around us. Love is free, and our giving should reflect the selfless love of Christ. By being mindful of where we sow our resources and following Biblical principles in our giving, we can run our race well and honor God with our generosity.
The Bible is full of verses that demonstrate God’s heart toward the poor among us: For while we were poor and needy, Christ died for us. Blessed is the one who considers the poor! Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. (Proverbs 14:21). Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. (Proverbs 14:31). Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. (Proverbs 19:17). The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9). Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. (Galatians 2:10). Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. (Ephesians 4:28). They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. (1 Timothy 6:18).
WHERE ARE YOU SOWING? Tithes Offerings is a Trillion Dollar Industry today! Stop being scammed. Do we charge those we love? Say, our kids and family to put food on the table? Absolutely not! Love is Free. Then why charge others for sharing and teaching God’s Holy Scriptures? We are commanded to love others. How can we charge them? We are in The New Testament. Know where to sow/give and to whom. Please use caution and Biblical Discernment in Giving.
Why did God allow the suffering of Job? Why does God allow ANY suffering?
Jack Nichols: Why did God allow the suffering of Job? A more general question to answer is why does He allow ANY suffering?
We are never promised good times and easy life in this world, and eternal life in the corrupted flesh is not the goal of the matter. We are destined to be spiritual beings in eternity. We are infants who are maturing into spiritual adults, building character and experience here in the temporal.
In the case of Job, it was a test of Job's faith (as it is with most characters of the Bible), which God already knew the outcome of, and was an example proven out to all who witnessed it (including satan). Satan was certain that Job would curse God for all the suffering and loss, and the kicker is that it wasn't God who caused the suffering, but satan.
Job didn't know why it was happening, but he knew that God allowed it for some reason. Satan was only allowed to go so far, but not to kill him. And there is a lesson here about the nature of satan and who is in control. First, that satan only seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, and two, that satan is limited by God, who is always in control.
Job's faith was so strong in the midst of such an unimaginable onslaught of suffering, he was able to state, "Though He (God) slay me, yet will I praise Him". This faith of his, was in his Redeemer, none other than Jesus (preincarnate), who he would see face to face in that day of redemption.
Job's so-called friends (worst friends a person could have I think), berated him for what in their minds were sure of, was some secret sin that he was being punished for, and told him he needed to repent of it to make it stop.
Here we see that insidious self-righteousness of many, without patience or compassion or forgiveness, who are quick to point a finger in judgment at others and lecture them about their faults and how to fix them. To the point of ruining a friendship by the constant and unqualified assault in the name of being "right", or the opinion of being "superior".
How quickly we all forget the words of Jesus about the "Mote in one man's eye, versus the Beam in another". This is the reason for "Judge not, lest you be Judged in like manner". There is only one judge and that is the Lord.
We are to judge actions, but not the person. And why? Because before our salvation we were all in judgment ourselves. It's not our place, nor should it be our desire or our practice.
This is why I cringe terribly whenever someone brings up "Secret sin", as if God is there ready to pounce and curse you, especially after salvation has come for the person.
What a terrible misrepresentation of God and His nature. Don't we believe from the word when He says in (Romans 5:8) “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”?
Why then, do we portray Him as a vengeful entity ready to decimate us at the first fault? This verse reveals that God’s love is not contingent upon our actions or behavior. His love existed before we were even aware of it, and it remains constant even when we fall short.
This is the lesson about the 3 so-called friends of Job, this was their error, and one that many in the modern world have as well, believers included.
So now, why is God silent for so many chapters? 🙂
Because He reveals the error of each of them (satan, Job, the 3 friends, etc.) by letting it play out to fulfillment, and He has the last word, which is not only judgment for all parties, but restoration for Job and his 3 friends, who are all men under the promise of their Redeemer.
This is why God allowed the suffering of Job. It revealed all the truth, and all the error, and resolved most of it aside from satan.
One might ask "but what about Job's initial family, and how unfair that seems to be for them"?
But is it? Life is not fair by any means, and tomorrow is promised to no one. His family are in their final home, in the spiritual, in eternity. They are not suffering in life anymore.
That's a hard thing to swallow from our perspective sure, because we suffer in the loss of companionship since they have moved on.
Let's remember also that God healed and restored Job, and Job also had a new family afterwards. Even more children, and a double blessing as it was considered in those times and in that culture.
Who sinned first? Adam or Eve?
It is true that, chronologically, Eve sinned before Adam. She was tempted, picked the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and ate. After that, she gave the fruit to her husband, and he ate (Genesis 3:1–6). Yet the Bible places the blame on Adam as the one responsible for the fall of mankind.
In Romans 5, Adam is held culpable, with no mention of Eve: This “one man” Paul refers to is Adam, as Romans 5:14 makes clear. Scripture presents that it was Adam, not Eve, who sinned against God and brought alienation from God and death to all mankind. Adam tried to blame Eve, indirectly (Genesis 3:12), but Adam is the one credited with sin’s entrance into the world. Adam is to blame for the fall of humanity.
God held Adam responsible for his family, as seen in the fact that God sought out Adam specifically (Genesis 3:9). Also, in His conversation with Adam and Eve, God questioned Adam first (Genesis 3:9-13), even though Eve sinned before Adam. Also, the original command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was given to Adam, before Eve was created (Genesis 2:17). Eve knew of the restriction (Genesis 3:2–3) Adam had obviously informed her.
In 1 Timothy 2:14, Paul makes a subtle distinction between the sin of Adam from the sin of Eve: “Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.” Eve fell into sin because of a deception; however, Adam was not deceived, which means he chose to sin. When Adam took the fruit from his wife, he knew full well what he was doing. He was not misinformed or misled; he simply decided to rebel against God’s command. He chose to listen to his wife instead of to God (Genesis 3:17).
As the first man, Adam represented all mankind. He was the head of the human race, and “everyone dies because we all belong to Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:22, NLT). The suffering and death that resulted from Adam’s sin emphasizes our need for a Savior, whom Scripture refers to as the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45). Although Eve was the first to sin, the solution to sin came through “her Seed” (Genesis 3:15, NKJV). The Seed, Jesus Christ, was born of a virgin named Mary (Matthew 1:18–25).
Age of Accountability.
Gotquestions says, if a child dies before reaching the “age of accountability,” that child will, by the grace and mercy of God, be granted entrance to heaven. Is the concept of an age of accountability biblical? All people, including infants and children, are guilty before God because of inherited and imputed sin. Inherited sin is that which is passed on from our parents. In Psalm 51:5, David wrote, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” David recognized even at conception he was a sinner. The sad fact that infants sometimes die demonstrates that even infants are impacted by Adam’s sin, since physical and spiritual death were the results of Adam’s original sin. Each person, infant or adult, stands guilty before God; each person has offended the holiness of God. The only way God can be just and at the same time declare a person righteous is for that person to have received forgiveness by faith in Christ. God’s extending grace to those who cannot believe would seem consistent with His character. We can’t be dogmatic but it would seem that God does apply Christ’s payment for sin to babies and those who are mentally handicapped, since they are incapable of understanding their sinful state and their need for the Savior. God is loving, holy, merciful, just, and gracious. He loves children (Matthew 19:14).
Dr. Andy Woods says, In 2 Samuel 12, David's son from his illicit relationship with Bathsheba dies, and David mourns until he suddenly stops and says he cannot bring his child back, but he will go to him. This passage implies that David believed he would see his child again in the afterlife. This raises questions about Calvinism, which suggests that non-elect children go to hell. However, David's reaction doesn't align with this belief, leading some to think that children are covered by God's grace before a certain age, before they can make a decision.
The exact age is unknown, but many believe that young children are protected by God's grace until they can make a decision. It doesn’t fit right with what I know about God’s Grace who desires all to be saved and all to come to a knowledge of Him. And it really doesn’t fit well with David all of a sudden being comforted with the death of that child.
A book that delves into this topic is Robert Lightner's "Safe in the Arms of Jesus: God's Provision for the Death of Those Who Cannot Believe."
Are The Gifts of The Holy Spirit for The Body of Christ today?
Let’s look at two Greek words used to describe the gifts of the Spirit: Pneumatika refers to their source, the Holy Spirit (pneuma) of God; and Charismata refers to the fact that they are granted as an act of God’s grace (charis).
Dr. Andy Woods: The miraculous sign gifts, including the gift of tongues, (always the ability to speak in a previously unlearned, known language) along with the gift of healings were temporal gifts, given by the Holy Spirit solely to authenticate both the apostles and their message before the close of the canon of Scripture (1 Cor. 13:8-10). It’s clearly believed that these are not active as gifts today. However, it’s affirmed that God is sovereign and may heal today.
Majority of “miraculous” (contemporary charismatic movement ) and “so called prophets, apostles and SPECIAL men of God” today, is some thing dangerous and not from God. There is nothing like ‘Heavenly Tongues’ or ‘Heavenly Languages’ either. That’s completely False Doctrine.
There are various Gifts of The Holy Spirit found in: 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. Cessationism is the view that the “miracle gifts” of tongues and healing have ceased—that the end of the apostolic age brought about a cessation of the miracles associated with that age. Most Cessationists believe that, while God can and still does perform miracles today, the Holy Spirit no longer uses individuals to perform miraculous signs.
We divide those gifts into categories. There are the Foundational Gifts. These are the gifts that God used to lay the foundation of the Church. Church like Apostles and Prophets. Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 3:5, Then, there are what are called the Confirmatory Gifts. These are gifts that are used to confirm a change of plans as God is inaugurating a new Move, a new Dispensation, transitioning us for example from the Age of Law into the Age of The Church. Tongues is one of those gifts we believe, because 1 Corinthians 14:22 tells us that tongues is a sign or the unbeliever rather than the believer. Then there are what we call the Revelatory Gifts like the Gift of Knowledge, the Gift of Tongue with an Interpretation, the Gift of Prophecy, where God is giving new revelation to people on par with scripture itself, and then there are what are called The Edificatory Gifts. These are gifts that are always needed to edify or build up the church. The gift of Pastor Teacher for example. Ephesians 4: 11-16 would be example of an Edificatory gift.
So with all of that being said, we believe that the Foundational gifts have ceased like Apostle and Prophet, because you only lay the foundation of a building once. The Confirmatory Gifts have ceased because there's no need for God to confirm a new age or Dispensation today since we've been in the Church Age for 2,000 years and are still in the Church Age. The Revelatory Gifts have ceased because the cannon of scripture is closed. Jude 3 tells us that the faith has been once and for all given to the Saints.
All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). So 2 Timothy 3:17, tells us that we now have a completed Canon of Scripture which is capable of equipping us for every good work. The Canon of Scripture is sufficient for all matters of faith and practice.
In the very end of the book of Revelation chapter 22: 18-19, offers a very severe warning against those that would subtract or add to that finite body of truth that we call the Old Testament and the New Testament Canon. I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19).
The scripture, Scriptural Canon is shut so therefore, there's no need for fresh Revelation from God on par with scripture, so no Foundational Gifts, no Confirmatory Gifts, no Revelatory Gifts exists today. However the Edificatory Gifts continue on because the Church will always have a need for edification. Gifts like Wisdom, Teaching, Administration, Leadership, Mercy, Faith, Discernment, Knowledge, etc, those gifts continue on today.
What is True Biblical Repentance?
True biblical repentance goes beyond remorse, regret, or feeling bad about one’s sin. The Greek verb translated “repent” is Metanoia., “to change one’s mind.” It’s made up of two different words combined into one. Meta means to change. Noia means notion/mind.
Salvation is based upon one condition of FAITH, so when a person heard The GOSPEL and agreed with it, he was changing his mind and thus repenting. Going from doubt and unbelief to belief in Christ as Savior. Repentance does not mean “a turning from sin.” It is not a Work we do that earns salvation. The Bible's use of the term repentance, particularly referencing to what unbelievers are supposed to do, to be right with God, the Bible is basically telling unbelievers to change their minds. That’s literally what the word repentance means when you understand its etymology.
What about Acts 2:38? Peter tells this audience of Jews gathered on the day of Pentecost, to repent. What is he asking them to do? He’s asking them to change their mind, and what he’s saying is change your mind about who Jesus is; stop being a Christ-rejecting Jew siding with what the nation of Israel just did in rejecting Christ, and change your mind away from the message of unbelieving Israel to my message, Peter says, where Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation.
Repentance is neither a requirement for, nor a part, of Salvation. Neither is Sorrow for our sins, a part of Salvation. “The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past.” (Dr. Harry Ironside).
What, then, is the connection between repentance and salvation? The Book of Acts seems to especially focus on repentance in regards to salvation (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). To repent, in relation to salvation, is to change your mind in regard to Jesus Christ. No one can repent and come to God unless God pulls that person to Himself (John 6:44). Acts 5:31 and 11:18 indicate that repentance is something God gives—it is only possible because of His grace. No one can repent unless God grants repentance. (S. Michael Houdmann).
When John the Baptist told people to “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near,” (Matt. 3:2) he wasn’t telling them to change their behavior to be worthy to receive the kingdom, but to change their minds about their need for the Savior Who was coming. In other words he was warning them that even their best attempts to keep God’s Law would not suffice. (Jack Kelley).
In Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2), he concludes with a call for the people to repent (Acts 2:38). Repent from what? Peter is calling the people who rejected Jesus (Acts 2:36) to change their minds about Him, to recognize that He is indeed “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Peter is calling the people to change their minds from rejection of Christ as the Messiah to faith in Him as both Messiah and Savior.
Repentance and faith can be understood as “two sides of the same coin.” It is impossible to place your faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior without first changing your mind about who He is and what He has done.
ABC'S of Salvation are impractical. Romans 10:9-10 is taken out of context.
Dr. Andy Woods explains that in the ABC method of Salvation, the A (Admit) and C (Confess) are often seen as impractical, with only the B (Believe) being essential. The passages in Romans 10:9-10 and Matthew 10:32-33 regarding confessing Christ before others are often misinterpreted. This, is the works based tenancy in us because we're works based by nature instead of relying on the 200 clear passages to share the gospel.
Instead of focusing on confession, the emphasis should be on belief. Confessing Christ before man is not a condition for justification, but rather an expression of faith. The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin, and our role is to share the gospel with them and invite them to trust in Christ. It is not necessary for someone to verbally confess Jesus in order to be saved.
For example, someone who cannot speak or is in a situation where they cannot openly profess their faith can still come to believe in Christ and be saved. There are many cases of this, like in a hotel room, and they reach into the drawer to find a revolver, and they find a Bible there, and they open up to a John 3:16, and they get saved! You know, but it's like 3 o'clock in the morning, there's no one really to confess to. I mean, I guess you could order room service or something like that! The idea of confessing Christ before man does not always work out practically and may not be possible in certain circumstances, such as in Islamic countries where openly professing faith in Christ can lead to persecution, they could be killed or tortured or maybe even worse their family, their children, their parents, could be tortured, burned to death.. Some people may believe in Christ but choose to keep their faith private due to fear of consequences.
There are examples in the Bible of people who believed in Jesus but did not openly confess Him, such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. In John 12:42, it is mentioned that many believed in Jesus but did not confess Him out of fear of being ostracized from the synagogue. Despite their silence, they were still considered believers. John 20:30-31 emphasizes the importance of belief in Jesus for receiving the gift of eternal life, without the requirement of confessing Him publicly.
Ultimately, belief in Christ is the key to salvation, rather than outwardly confessing Him before others. The focus should be on trusting in Christ for salvation, rather than on performing specific actions, such as confessing Him publicly. God looks at the heart and the sincere belief of an individual, rather than their outward actions. The examples of believers in the Bible who kept their faith private show that salvation is based on faith in Christ alone, not on external expressions of faith.
The mention of confessing in Romans 10:9-10 is often taken out of context, as the book of Romans discusses more than just that. In Romans 8, Paul highlights the unbreakable bond between believers and Christ, emphasizing that nothing can separate us from his love. The question arises about God's faithfulness to Israel and how it relates to his promises to Gentiles. Paul addresses this by explaining God's plan for Israel's redemption in Romans 9-11, showing that Israel is still significant despite their current state of unbelief.
Moving beyond confession, Romans 10:13 reveals a prophecy about Israel’s future acknowledgment of Jesus, linking back to Joel 2:32 which discusses the events of the tribulation. This prophecy indicates that at the end of the Great Tribulation, Israel will call on Jesus for salvation, leading to his return in the Second Advent. Thus, Romans 10:9-10 should be understood in the broader context of God's faithfulness to Israel, not just as a formula for salvation. Romans 9: 10-11 is in the context of vindicating the faithfulness of God!
Romans 9: 10-11 is all about the Nation of Israel. Israel in the Past: Elected. (Rom. 9). Israel in the Present: Rejected. (Rom. 10). Because they stumbled over Christ. Israel in the Future: Accepted. (Rom. 11). Read Romans 10:9-10 again about Confess. Now, don't stop reading there. Keep on moving and go down to verse 13. These evangelistic tracts, never quote verse 13. Verse 13 is a prophecy of the acknowledgment that Israel is going to make one day and you'll notice that he's quoting there, Joel 2:32 which says in verse 13, whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Now study Joel 2:32, what you'll discover is that whole section is dealing with the events of the tribulation and beyond. so Joel 2:32 is the nation of Israel, calling/confessing, calling on Christ to save them at the end of the great tribulation period. The return of Jesus to the earth at the end of the seven year Tribulation Period, in an event we call the Second Advent, is triggered by Israel's public acknowledgment of Jesus, or confession to him. That's what Joel 2:32 is talking about.
That's what Paul is quoting here in Romans 10:13 and that's what he is espousing there in Romans 10: 9-10! It’s Not about ABC’s (Confesss with your mouth) to receive Salvation!
Rightly Dividing The Word.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV.
The whole Bible is written TO US. But not all of it is FOR US.
One of the most important things you could ever learn in your study of the Bible is that All scripture is FOR US. But not all scripture is ABOUT US.
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isaiah 28:9-10 KJV
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable]. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 AMP).
The Greek word translated as “rightly dividing” is Orthotomounta—ortho means “right or proper,” and Tomounta means “to cut.” Literally, success in handling the Word is to cut it properly or correctly. When we are diligent to “cut straight”—to rightly divide the Word of truth—we can understand what He has communicated in His Word.
It is important to distinguish between Paul’s letters and the others. Why? Because Peter, James, John and Jude were apostles to the CIRCUMCISED, meaning the Jewish people, although it is believed that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews. It should be obvious, by the very name of the book, that it is written TO THE HEBREWS, meaning the Jews, and not TO the non-Jewish Church. ALL of Paul’s letters, on the other hand, were written TO ALL BELIEVERS, both Jewish and non-Jewish, except Hebrews of course.
The Council of Jerusalem was held after the conversion of Gentiles at the home of the Roman Centurion, Cornelius. At this meeting, they discussed the issue of whether or not the Gentiles needed to obey the Law to be acceptable to God. Their conclusion was that, since Jesus fulfilled the Law, NO ONE, NEITHER GENTILE OR JEW, IS JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW. This issue was supposed to be settled way back in the 1st century!
Sadly, it has reared it’s ugly head again in these last days, just like in Galatia. Paul’s entire letter to that Church was written to address this issue. Looks like man really hasn’t changed in 2,000 years. He still wants to think there’s something he can “DO” to inherit salvation. When you read Hebrews and see things like, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…” it is not written TO you, Church. The writer is addressing Jewish people, the “Almosts” who turned their back on Jesus. They had NOT accepted Him as their Savior. But the worst part is, they went back to the animal sacrifices of the temple. This is trampling the blood of Jesus underfoot, considering it of lesser value that the blood of bulls and goats!