You wrote...
Paul mentions that the conscience works together with the Spirit to lead us (Rom 2:15). I think the real question is to determine if the Spirit indeed works in the heart of everyone or only Christians. I mentioned several passages earlier which I think say that the Spirit is at work in everyone's heart, but probably the most plain one is John 16:8 which states that the Spirit convicts the world of sin; I don't think that is limited to Christians, but includes everyone. Also, consider this passage....Are you sure you are not confusing the work of the conscience, that God has placed in all people, with the work of the Holy Spirit? You make no mention of our conscience.
Rom 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
If Christians are freed from condemnation, doesn't that mean that the unsaved are being condemned? When we yield to the Spirit we become free from condemnation. What is the condemnation Paul is referring to?...isn't it the condemnation (or conviction) of the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin? Paul descibes the internal struggle that wages war in the soul in the latter part of Rom 7. I think that all people are convicted by the Spirit, although there are many who harden their heart against it.
It does seem so, I agree. But this would limit salvation to a very small fraction of mankind. I don't think that is the right answer. Besides, "hearing" could also mean responding to the Spirit's conviction as it "speaks" to your heart.Romans 10:8-16 (New King James Version):
8 . But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
14. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15. And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” 17. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
It seems apparent that Paul did not conceive of any answer other than "they can't" to his three rhetorical questions in verse 14.
I'm not sure what you are referring to here. I did not claim that people are saved by keeping the Law of Moses. I said that people are saved by yielding to the Holy Spirit.Do you believe there is a law(s) given whereby those who adhere to it are saved? The Law was "holy, just, and good". Is there another one that is easier to keep or somehow more able to save?
Heb 5:9Galatians 2:20-21 (New King James Version)
20. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
It is my understanding that Paul is stating a principle here - that is, if man can be saved by obedience (even one person, for then all potentially can) or lawkeeping, then Jesus died for nothing. Do you see it otherwise?
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
What I have said is that those who respond to the Spirit with obedience receive eternal salvation. It seems reasonable to me that this verse from Hebrews could be so affirming.
Terms like Indwelling and receiving, referring to the presence of the Holy Spirit in one's life, could be referring to the same thing as Romans 8:1 (quoted above). When someone yields to the Spirit's leading, he is no longer condemned by it and has "received" the Spirit. Conversely, those who are carnal minded remain convicted and have not "received" but continue under God's wrath.Acts 5:32 (New King James Version)
32. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
And here we see in the Greek text that the obedience is an on-going result of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which was given prior to the obedience. Do you believe that all men are indwelt by the Holy Spirit? If so, wouldn't all men obey God? Peter is saying the obedience is the sign of the indwelling Spirit.
A person like this seems conflicted within himself and has probably never heard the truth of the Gospel properly taught; however, he may unknowingly be responding to the Spirit's leading as he is motivated to do good works.Do you believe people who despise the cross of Christ, and yet abound in good deeds are justified in the sight of God?
Todd