Years ago I went to Park St. Church for the noon sessions to hear Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse teach the New Testament book of Galatians. I have the greatest respect for Dr. Barnhouse because he taught me more about teaching the Bible than anyone I have known. Although I often disagreed with him, that resulted in what he wanted from me study, study and more study.
I'll never forget hearing him wax eloquently from his extreme Calvinistic position. He went into the depths to point out that mankind is in a hole and he can never get out by his efforts. Then man hears the Gospel that calls to faith. God then imparts faith and pulls man out. Then Dr. Barnhouse quoted Ephesians 2:8 to prove that for man to believe as a phase of human responsibility would be "works". He said, "Ephesians 2:8 says even the faith is given by God." Let me quickly add, lest you feel I misunderstand Romans 3:10, that man is in a deep hole and cannot save himself. Now let me amplify today's teaching.
I was with Dr. Harold Ockenga who turned to me with the reminder that the word "that" couldn't possibly refer to faith even though in the English text it looks that way. I started studying to discover why Dr. Ockenga said what he did and discovered something I knew, but had previously failed to apply to Ephesians 2:8; namely, that pronouns have to agree with their antecedents in gender and number. Here's the issue: The word "faith" is feminine gender but the word "that" is neuter. Therefore, the word "that" cannot refer to "faith". This is a rule in the Greek language the New Testament was written in. What then does the word "that" refer to? Your answer is that it refers to the whole salvation package: salvation... faith... grace..., and simply refers to the fact that the whole idea began with God. John 3:16 makes it clear that God is the greatest initiator!
However, God calls us to believe. That is our human responsibility. You see, if Paul wanted to remove all human responsibility he would have had the words "faith" and "that" agree in gender. You have a wonderful example of how the Holy Spirit has guarded even the words used in the Bible. This is the reason for the statements of II Peter 1:21 and Matthew 5:18:
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:21), and "Verily I say unto you, Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matthew 5:18).
By the way, the New American Standard version has a marginal reference that explains this fact. "That" refers to the salvation package so you don't need to understand the Greek use of gender in the text. What all this means is explained in Romans 4:4-5. Let me summarize it: Believing is not an act of works, and is a non-meritorious act. God gives us the human responsibility to accept His gift by believing! Note that there are several "keys" to Romans 4:4-5. For example, why the statement, "His faith?" The answer is because it is man's responsibility to believe. Let me go a step further and note that the word "believe" is a present active participle. For those who were not English majors, the active voice means that the subject produces the action. If Paul, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, had wanted the emphasis to be, "Man who is caused to believe," he would have used the passive voice.
May I congratulate a well known church whose Search Committee for a pastor insists that any candidate must believe in biblical inerrancy. Romans 4:4-5 proves why this is such a vital issue. The use of the active voice is the key to the whole passage.
SUMMARY
We are to call mankind to believe as Romans 10:13 and Acts 16:31 state. There is a strong case for some type of public invitation because believing is a non-meritorious act. Belief represents human responsibility and that is an awesome issue. Because the devil snatches truth (Matthew 13:19), we need to make the issue clear and call people to make the Lord Jesus Christ the object of their faith.
Follow the progression of Acts 16:30-31:
Vs. 30: The recognition of desperate need. When did you last hear that men are sinners? (Romans 3:23)
Vs. 31: Note the return to Romans 4:4,5 that believing is a human responsibility. In other words, if you are an unbeliever, it is because you choose to be.
John 6:37 summarizes it this way:
Divine Election: "All that the Father gives me will come to me."
Human Responsibility: "The one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out."
Can you say as you read this that you have never done a wrong thing in your life? Of course not. The bad news is that according to Hebrews 12:14, you don't stand a chance with God. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." The Good News is that Jesus Christ has the righteousness that the holiness of God demands (I Corinthians 1:30). But, you do have a responsibility believe!
PRAY THIS PRAYER:
"God, I am a sinner. I have nothing that your holiness will accept. I thank You that Christ died for my sins. Right now, I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. God, You said it that settles it I believe it. Forsaking all, I trust Him (FAITH). In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Pray that prayer, mean it and write to me so I can send you an hour-long cassette to help you make it real.
Write:
Songtime
131 Old Route 132
Hyannis, MA 02601
or Call: (508)362-7070
Next Issue: "When Reading Can Be Dangerous." Many times sermons are filled with quotes from human authors. That is fine, but Ephesians 2:19-22 says something else must come first. I also want to demonstrate that all error is truth taken to a logical but unbiblical conclusion!
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