TrinityPower
Gold Member
I've read the bible from cover to cover. I've read the new testament at least ten times with concordances close by for additional opinions. While I was still in my 20's I had most of it committed to memory...chapter and verse. Without a doubt the most confusing, contradictory piece of writing in the history of the world. They couldn't even decide what it takes to accomplish what is supposed to be the most important decision a human will ever make that being what will determine eternal fate:
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
James 2
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Then there's the baptism thing. Some churches require no ritual, some sprinkle and the Primitive Baptist believe that if one is never submerged completely their soul is doomed to eternal flames and a pit of molten brimstone.
There are hundreds of contradictions in what might be considered some of the most important issues in the bible. Maybe that's why when the south sea islands are included there are more than 4000 ancient gods being worshipped. That might be when Christianity and it's conventions, denominations, sects, cults, sub cults, etc. are added there are more than 44,000 other ways to believe.
If the all powerful, all knowing, supreme god of the universe dropped off the only keys to the kingdom to a gang of ignorant primitives who believed in witchcraft and thought the earth was flat, he has one helluva sense of humor.
It's easy. Faith, not works will get you into heaven. Works are nice and will get you a cookie or two, but they are a display of your faith. So to make it easy for you. first comes faith, and through that you will have works. So most people have both, but if you only have one, pick faith.
It is not confusing. Look at the ministry of Jesus. What did he always do? He often prayed first then a work happened. There are other examples given that he told someone your faith has made you whole. When you prat for someone both of you put your faith together for a work to take place. If one in his heart does not believe it has not the power. The people of Jesus own town said oh thats just the carpenters son and did not take his message in so because they did not believe there were no great works done there. Faith can only create works when the muscle of faith is put to work.