10 Flashcards
List six basic principles necessary to a discussion of proposed exceptions to the New Testament plan of salvation.
a. God alone will judge the salvation of each person.
b. God is sovereign in His bestowal of mercy.
c. The Bible is the sole authority for doctrine and instruction.
d. We must not formulate doctrinal teaching on the basis of unusual or hypothetical situations.
e. God is the most loving, merciful and just judge anyone could have.
f. We cannot compromise God’s plan because only a few follow it (pp. 305-308).
By what standards will God judge those who have never heard the gospel?
Creation and conscience. All have a witness of His glory and power in nature and should glorify Him, and God will judge men by the conscience He has given them. Failure to glorify God and failure to obey the voice of conscience are the basis for His judgment, and all fail by these standards (pp. 309-310).
What are the implications of the argument that the heathen are saved without the gospel?
That Christ’s death was unnecessary and Christ’s commandment to preach the gospel to every creature was a mistake (p. 311).
Why cannot we call God unfair for making salvation totally dependent on the gospel?
God was not responsible for man’s sin and is under no obligation to provide a plan of salvation. Everyone deserves to be lost, but His grace has given us salvation according to the plan He has revealed (p. 312).
Why cannot a moral person be saved on the basis of his morality?
No one is righteous in himself. In fact, all are sinners. No one can be saved by good works, for one sin is enough to condemn the soul (Romans 3:10-12, 23, 27-28; Ephesians 2:8-9) (p. 312).
a. Some who profess Christ may have a certain degree of faith in Him and a valid religious experience with God, but what might those people lack?
b. What is a biblical example of someone in this situation?
c. How might we describe their position?
a. Belief in and obedience to the gospel.
b. Apollos in Acts 18:14-18; the disciples of John in Acts 19:1-6.
c. They are pre-Pentecostal believers. Perhaps we can say they are in the conception stage and have not yet experienced the new birth (pp. 313-314).
What can be said about professing church leaders who were important in church history?
Many appear to have been aware of key apostolic doctrines, but we do not know everything about their spiritual lives. Though some of these men were of noble character and of historical significance, no special exceptions for salvation can be granted on their behalf due to their zeal, courage, and determination. These qualities are not the basis for salvation. Ultimately, God is their judge, not us (pp. 315-317).
a. What two passages are frequently used to support a doctrine of a second chance for salvation after death?
b. How can I Peter 3:18-20 be explained differently?
a. I Corinthians 15:29 and I Peter 3:18-20.
b. (1) The Spirit of Christ preached in Noah’s day through Noah to those who are now in prison. The wording and tense of I Peter 4:6 support this interpretation.
(2) While His body lay in the tomb, the Spirit of Christ went to the underworld and announced His victory over death to the fallen angels in prison (II Peter 2:4) or to all the satanic forces.
(3) The Spirit of Christ made this announcement to human spirits in the underworld, but did not offer a second chance to be saved (pp. 318-319).
Some point to Old Testament examples or to the thief on the cross in order to show that God saved people in an unconventional or unexpected way. Should we try to generalize these examples and teach exceptions to the new birth message today?
No. These examples show that God has the liberty to fulfill His plan in His own way, but they do not
become examples of salvation for us. Indeed, these examples are limited by the unique situations and time periods in which they occurred (p. 319).
How would the Bible address the hypothetical example of someone being born of water without involving the name of Jesus at baptism, due to a lack of knowledge or understanding of such a doctrine?
The Bible teaches the complete apostolic experience without alluding to exceptions (p. 320).
a. Must one know about speaking with tongues to experience this when receiving the Holy Ghost?
b. Give a biblical example to support this.
a. No.
b. Acts 10:44-48. Cornelius received the Holy Ghost without expecting to speak in tongues (p. 320).
a. What can one conclude from the Bible concerning the destiny of infants and the mentally incompetent?
b. Does this give us justification in withholding the gospel from children?
a. The Bible does not address the destiny of these people since it is a practical book written to those who are able to respond to its message (pp. 321-322).
b. No. We are responsible for the training of children and no specific age of accountability to the gospel is given us. Thus, children must be approached according to their own personal capabilities and developmental levels, taking into account their previous training (pp. 321-322).
On what basis will God assess varying degrees of punishment to sinners?
On the basis of the knowledge and opportunity they had on earth (p. 322).
a. According to Scripture, what two groups of individuals will receive a more severe punishment?
b. For what reason will backsliders be punished more severely?
a. Hypocrites and backsliders (Mark 12:38-40; Matthew 12:43-45; II Peter 2:20-22).
b. They have once known the truth.
a. What scriptural passages state that everyone will be judged according to his works as evaluated
by the knowledge available to him?
b. What is the implication of such a statement?
a. Romans 2:6, 11-16.
b. That there are different levels of punishment according to God’s justice (p. 323).
