What does Ephesians 2:8-9 say about how we are saved?

Question

It is by grace that you are saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, but it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

Doesn't that pretty much seal up the debate of who salvation is for?

When you believe in God's Salvation having come to ALL mankind, you are saved.

Then take a look at I Timothy 4:9-10

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

If you believe it is by your faith, or your works, reread Ephesians 2:8-9.

Confess it and believe it, then tell others the truth.

For those still stuck on believing in eternal punishment, check out the meaning of the translation in the greek. It is until the end of a time.

He will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Even hypocrites and those in outright rebellion have THE hope of being reconciled to God.

Death where is thy sting?

And let us not forget, we will always have the self righteous who will think that they have to do something to be worthy of the Lord.

Don't let them bother you, the Lord is dealing with them in His way.

Answer 1

There is more to it than that

Check out
Acts 2:38
Mark 16:16

Then post a response......curious to see how you view those two

KP

Answer 2

I've come to the conclusion that if many people DO bother to read the Scriptures, they will often not take the additional time to
check it out in the Greek, Hebrew or Chaldee - -its much easier to just listen to the preacher or the pastor. Unfortunately, whether its the people who misunderstand or whether its the churches not properly teaching them, I don't know but I do know that Bible illiteracy is at an all-time high;
My question is: what do they think is to happen when Christ returns? A millinium or
1000-yr period of what? TEACHING. Nobodys getting thrown anywhere until after that teaching period, and then as its written Satan is released for a very short time, and AFTER that, and ONLY after that is the Judgement. Not even Satan will be destroyed until after that 1000 year period.
I wanna know what the hell kind of God they are painting out there (???????????).

Answer 3

I've heard this before. You interperet the Scriptures to say that everyone is saved. Then why all the parables that Jesus spoke of that people will be sent to a place of weeping and of nashing of teeth? Why does it say in Revelation that all those who's names are not found in the Book of Life are cast into eternal fire? Why is it that the rich man who did not give to the homeless man, Lazarus, was sent to hell and asked God if he could go and tell his brothers not to live the way he did? Do not misinterperet Scripture. If you do not understand it find out who does and seek guidance. Do not spread lies and cause more people to suffer in hell because of your ignorance and sin.

Answer 4

"It is by grace that you are saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, but it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."

Even in the English, it it obvious what the "this" in the verse is referring to the last mentioned noun (faith). Faith is a gift from God, not of works, since no matter what you do, you cannot earn faith. But neither does faith earn salvation, because our faith is just as imperfect as our works. We are saved by grace--the mystery of the inner life of the Blessed Trinity.

We are not saved by faith "alone". And this is Biblical: "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone." James 2:24.

Answer 5

Hi! If you read James 2:24 it says ''''Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.'''''''
You have to prove your faith everyday with works, with action. You can say you have faith, but if you dont live a life that is in harmony with what the bible says, then your faith is dead.

Answer 6

I'm wondering what the original definition of "saved" was. What did the scripture writers actually mean. We are not saved from death. Everyone dies . No one has come back. We are not saved from wars or starvation or disease or human suffering.

Answer 7

I am in agreement with you 100%. All the glory goes to Jesus. Those who think that they "deserve" heaven because they worked for it are going to get a surprise when they get to the gates and Jesus says "Why do you want the credit for what I did?"

Answer 8

you are correct that even those that come in at the very last have the same pay - salvation!

Answer 9

Great thoughts! I think so too.