Bill wrote: > In this case of the men in Jude, there is no evidence > to suggest that they had ever believed or were once > Christians at all; this even though they had been > redeemed by the Sovereign -- or Master or Lord > (cf. despotan).
This depends on how you define "Christian." In 1 Cor. 10 that I quoted from in my previous post, he those who came out of Egypt as having been baptized in the sea and as having drank from that rock which is Christ. This would include men like Korah who was cast down into hell while still alive. Was he ever "saved." Well, he was saved from slavery in Egypt, which signifies our being saved from sin, but he never entered the promised land, which signifies the kingdom of God. He also suffered the judgment of God, because of his unbelief. His salvation experience of being delivered from Egypt (the world system and sin) did not help him. Bill wrote: > As for what happens to a "brother" who fails to produce good > works, Paul addresses this in 2 Corinthians 3.12-15: This passage speaks about brothers who were building upon the foundation which Paul had already laid down. The passage is not a comprehensive "get out of jail free card" for anyone who fails to produce good works. Rather, it speaks more to the quality of good works that they do. Following is what Jesus said about those who fail to produce good works: Matthew 25:30 (30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:45-46 (45) Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:11-13 (11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. (12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
