Lesson 2806

(Lesson 2806)(08-30-19) Romans 3:21-31
    “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

   Although Paul gave was adressed explicitly to the Jews, there is no clearer message as to how a lost soul is to be saved, than what Paul related in today’s quote.
    In the quote, Paul very clearly laid out that obeying, or disobeying, the rules of the old Hebrew lawshave nothing to do with attaining eternal salvation. That salvation comes through faith in the blood if Jesus Christ, ONLY.
    Sadly, there are too many today who still contend that parts of the law are required as pre-requisites to eternal salvation. Water baptism was very clearly a part of that law; Therefore, the contention that water baptism is a required step to gaining salvation, is, by what Paul verified in today’s quote, a bogus contention. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)