Text Page 8 A Thorough Investigation :Texts
It seems to me that having faith is the 'power to become the sons of God' (John 1:12), not actually the sons of God. In fact, 'to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God'.
Is it not the case the word used in John 1:12 for 'power' is the word in Romans 1:16 which corresponds to 'dynamite' or effect; rather, the word in John 1:12 corresponds to the 'authority' or 'right granted'.
I see that believers who have accepted Christ should use this power. Let's check this out with a thorough investigation. (Let me know of sources I may read about this topic by placing them at the Guestbook. These will be the examples of conversion in the book of Acts. How many are found in Acts and which chapters and verses identify those coming to Christ?)
Many teachers emphasize the 'Sinner's Prayer' , 'Praying Through' and/or 'The Sincere, Trusting Heart' as the way of the new birth and salvation. Is this the method of response to obtain the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ?
We read his own words in Matthew 7:21, "No everyone that sayeth unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter.....but he that doeth the will of my Father". How do these words fit into a prayer or sincere trust?
At this point I'm asking of you to enter a writing exercise. Please check the examples of conversion listed in Acts of the Apostles, the fifth book of the New Testament (chapters 2, 8, 9, 10, 16, 18 and 19) and, please, write down any expectations stated to the groups or individuals in those chapters. How did each one of these use his
faith which gave him, or her, the power to become....how did each one of these use this power or right???
You may have a new understanding. (Let me know at the Guestbook, on the homepage).