A hand book of New Testament Exegisis

Abstract

“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Those who do not do what is right are not God’s children; nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:10). This sounds pretty cut and dried, but don’t most people fall somewhere in between doing what is right and not doing so? “Son though he [Jesus] was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Heb. 5:8–9). Christ had to learn to obey God? He was made perfect? Wasn’t he God from all eternity past and therefore always perfect? And doesn’t this passage, like the last one, clearly teach salvation through obedience to God’s commandments? Isn’t salvation entirely by grace through faith? “But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety” (1 Tim. 2:15). Good grief! Now half the human race is saved not only by good works but by one particular deed— having kids? What about all those women who can’t or don’t have children? “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38). Here it sounds like all people, including women and men alike, must be baptized to be saved. At least that’s easier than having children. Moreover, then we’ll receive a gift from the Spirit. Hmm, I wonder which gift it is. The Scriptures certainly seem confusing.