Jerry Shugart
Well-known member
I do not think that at that point Peter knew Jesus was to be the sacrifice for sin
Then you believe what I said earlier:
What about Peter? At the time when he said the following He did not even know that the Lord Jesus was to die:
"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven" (Mt.24:16-18).
Did not Peter receive the following blessings when he believed what the Father had revealed to him?:
"Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life" (Jn.5:24).
Of course Peter was saved when he believed the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, even though he did not even know that the Lord was to die. But according to you mistaken ideas that could not possibly happen.
Why did you not address that?
Before the Resurrection, of course, Jesus spoke about the new birth and receiving eternal life. However, what he was merely giving them the right to claim the promise when it became available like a gift which is effectively not not actually yours. It was on layaway, if you will.
Why did you not even attempt to answer what I earlier said about that subject?:
According to the Lord Jesus no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again (Jn.3:5-7). But what about Abraham, who died before the atonement? Of course he was born again because he will enter the kingdom:
According to the Lord Jesus no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of God (Jn.3:5-7). But what about Abraham, who died before the atonement? Of course he was born again because he will enter the kingdom:
“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out” (Lk.13:28).
According to the Lord Jesus no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of God (Jn.3:5-7). But what about Abraham, who died before the atonement? Of course he was born again because he will enter the kingdom:
The promise of redemption from sins that were committed under the Old Covenant could be received on the full faith and credit of the one who had the authority to forgive sin. However, all the promises were pending final payment at Calvary. Had Jesus not gone to the cross He could not have forgiven sin. If He could have forgiven sin without the cross the the shedding of His blood was unnecessary and the Father would have shown Him that at Gethsemene but there was no other way.
Of course no sins could be forgiven unless the Lord Jesus died upon the Cross. But that does not mean that people could not receive the blessings which flow from the Lord Jesus'death PRIOR to the Cross.
You asked:
How does a "Son of God" even the promised Messiah save people from their sins?
Do you deny the fact He did that before the Cross, as witnessed by His words to the woman who washed His feet:
“And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Lk.7:48-50).
When Jesus told people they were forgiven He was in a sense giving them a promissory note based upon what He was going to do on the cross. The full benefit could not be enjoyed until the note was paid for after He proclaimed tetelestai.
Are you saying that even though the Lord Jesus told the woman that her sins were forgiven that she really wasn't because the "full benefits could not be enjoyed" until later?
Are you saying that even though the Lord Jesus told her that she was saved she really wasn't because that benefit could not be enjoyed until later?
All I see from you is a failed attempt to defend your idea that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, is NOT born of God. All you are doing is denying what the Apostle John wrote here:
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 Jn.5:1-5).