Living in Liberty

A Ministry of Bryce Lowance

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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Romans 1:6-7 Called To Be Saints

14 December 2016

“Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:6-7)

The initial audience of the Biblical letters cannot be ignored when attempting to find the proper interpretation of scripture. This letter was written to children of God who were already “called to be saints.” Quite simply, this means they were already born again.

They had issues with their understanding of how they were saved and their discipleship was lacking, particularly in equality of love. But nevertheless, they were ALREADY saved eternally or born again.

With this in mind, I think we should be wary of the various schemes used in modern evangelism that strain the true meaning of scripture or flat out ignore context altogether.

One of those techniques is the “Roman Road To Salvation.” This step by step process may be catchy but is it true? The technique walks unbelievers through portions of the book of Romans and ends with them praying for salvation in the new birth.

This process completely ignores the purpose of Paul’s writing, and certainly ignores the fact that his initial (and intended) audience was already born again!

This method and other “decision-based” systems of salvation must ignore the true meaning of scripture, and they declare the will of man to be more effective that the blood that Jesus shed on the cross!

« Romans 1:5 Obedience To The Faith | Romans 1:11-12 Established »

Tags: doctrine, grace, romans

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.