Question for Paidion

[Guest]

Hi Paidion,

You posted this under another thread:

"As to salvation, some gnostics believed that since they had become of a purely spiritual nature, they are thus saved and can do what they wish.
It reminds us of the "easy-believism" teaching of our own day.

Underlining for emphasis in the following quotes concerning gnostic belief, is mine.

Hippolytus, in his Refutation of all Heresies, wrote:

“For (they would have us believe) that they are not overcome by the supposed vice, for that they have been redeemed…….and that they do whatsoever they please, as persons free; for they allege that they are saved by grace. For that there is no reason for punishment, even though one shall act wickedly; for such a one is not wicked by nature, but by enactment.”
Hippolytus, The Refutation of all Heresies, Book 6, Chap. 14.

Clement of Alexandria wrote:

“These quotations I have adduced in reproof of the Basilidians [Gnostics], who do not live rightly, either as having authority to sin because of their perfection, or as being altogether assured by nature of future salvation, although they sin now, because they are by dignity of nature the elect.”
Clement Strom. III. i.

Do the gnostic teaching as desribed here sound familiar?"

My question to you is: Do you believe that you were "saved by grace?
Do you believe that it was God's grace that enabled you to be cleansed, or do you believe that through certain types of obedience you merited the cleansing blood of Jesus?
My reason for asking is this: You seem to hold(I assume)a view that the doctrine of "salvation by grace through faith" is a Gnostic heresy. I have had Church of Christ people argue the same thing with me.
I should make this clear though before you answer, I believe that man is saved by God's grace through the shed blood of Jesus. And that when a man "gets saved", he will live out his regeneration to attest to the fact that he is saved. I make this point so you don't misunderstand where I am coming from. I DO NOT believe in "easy believism", or "Greasy grace". Thanks in advance for your responce.

[Guest]

Thank you for the question, Brody.

I do not want to give a brief answer to you question as it might be misunderstood.

Please see the area "Misc. Essays by Participants" and go to the thread
"The Supreme Sacrifice of Jesus Christ". That essay expresses my position fully.

[Guest]

Thanks Paidion. I will re-read it and see if we can discuss it further.