The BIG Picture (Q&A)

Phil.2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. There are a few things we must put into context in order to properly understand what Paul says here to the Philippian church about 'working out their salvation'. 1. The Jews had to add works to their faith in order to be inherit salvation The very essence of the law was built on a foundation of works. This is why the book of James hammers home the need to prove your faith with works . Even the need to endure in these works was needed to be able to enter into the Kingdom. Matt.24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. The Jews had to obey the law and prove their faith to be counted worthy. They had to pick up their cross and foll...

What is salvation? The simplest biblical definition of salvation can be summarized into one word, "deliverance". 1 Thess.5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, God provides us a means to be saved from the penalty of death. We are separated from God due to our sins, but we can be delivered from the wrath of God by means of the grace of God which is found in His Son, Rom.6:23 For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Jn.3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Salvation is the most fundamental issue in life. Salvation is the will of God for every person. 1 Tim.2:4 ... Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. ...

Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Who does the least in the kingdom point too? Is it Paul, the least of all the saints? One can compare this verse with Eph.3:8 and 1 Cor.15:9, referring to what Paul said about being the least of all saints and apostles. I wouldn't reject that hypothesis, but I prefer to keep things in their dispensational frames.  An interpretation I am more comfortable with is as follows: Who is the "but he..."? I would say it is the Millennial saints under the 'New' covenant. If this Millennial saint were the one who was least in the kingdom of heaven, then they would be greater than John. In other words, "One who is perfect in the old covenant law", as John was, is inferior to "one who is perfected in the Spirit of the 'New' covenant".  John was greater than all who had b...

What are these two mindsets about salvation? Those who think they're saved but are not. Those who fear they're not saved but are. Let me explain both views. People who think they're saved but are not, are those who think that attending church, giving to the poor, living piously, or doing certain "good works" is all that's necessary for salvation. Their mindset is that through their good works they can build up credits with God and enter into heaven because they have earned it. They don't realize that the only way they can be saved is to hear and respond in faith to the gospel of grace; by believing that Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose again for their justification. Rom.4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. 1 Cor.15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what ...