"Works Salvation"

[brightfame52]

Acts 17 then why command all men everywhere to repent if man himself is unable to repent unless God 'gives' repentance to him?

Thats who the command is to, them He gave repentance to wherever they are

 

[Seabass]

Yes he can be used as proof. So can Cornelius, he was saved b4 he was water baptized. It came after he was a confirmed believer in Christ Acts 10:43-48

43;To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

God had already saved Cornelius and them and had given them the Gift of the Holy Ghost, b4 water baptism.

The water baptism was a ritual to identify with the New Covenant Faith and other believers. But Cornelius was saved even b4 Peter preached to him, Peter realized that from Vs 34-35

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Heb 9:15-17 the NT would not take place until at some point AFTER Christ died. Yet both Christ and the thief were BOTH alive and under the OT law when Christ promised the thief he would be in paradise.

When Christ promised the thief he would be in paradise:

--Christ's death had not happened
--No blood had yet been shed that washes away sin in baptism.
--The thief could not be baptized into the death of Christ and then raised to walk in newness of life as required by the NT in Rom 6.

At the time Christ was on earth (Mt 9:6) he had power to forgive sins as with this thief. After Christ left earth (Acts 1) Christ's NT is now His authority on earth and it requires baptism Acts 2:38; Mk 16:16 to be saved.

I currently have a will but it does not come into effect until AFTER I die.

In Luke's account of the great commission:
24:48: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

The gospel did not begin immediately at Christ's death. Some 50 days later at Pentecost would the gospel message begin and the thief on the cross was already dead before Acts 2.

 

[Seabass]

Thats who the command is to, them He gave repentance to wherever they are

God commanded ALL men everywhere to repent. So if this command is a decree by God and God's decrees cannot be thwarted then why have most men who ever lived not repented? If God alone determines who can or cannot repent then who is at fault for the impenitent Rom 2:4-5?

All men does not mean a few men.

 

[brightfame52]

Heb 9:15-17 the NT would not take place until at some point AFTER Christ died. Yet both Christ and the thief were BOTH alive and under the OT law when Christ promised the thief he would be in paradise.

When Christ promised the thief he would be in paradise:

Both the thief and Cornelius prove salvation is without water baptism Even the Ethiopian eunech professed Faith in the Son of God b4 he was baptized Acts 8:35-38

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Now according to Apostolic Testimony, when one confesses and believes in the Son of God, they have been born of God 1 Jn 5:1,5

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

The Eunech was an overcome and born of God b4 a drop of water on him !

You have been deceived friend