How are you all doing?
Hi, folks. This is Antonio da Rosa, owner (so-to-speak) of this here blog. How are you all doing?
It sure has been a while since I have posted anything here. I just read the article that I wrote about Charlie Bing's two quotes. Good stuff if you haven't read it yet.
I am still a fan of Zane C. Hodges.
I am still an advocate of a "Promise-Only" Gospel.
I still have eternal life, on the authority of Jesus Christ, Himself.
And I am still your brother-in-Christ.
What has changed about me, you may ask? I have had little over a year's worth of many humbling experiences. God has been bringing me through trials for His glory. I can't say that I brought much glory to Him during this time, but it will ultimately turn out to His glory. God is good, all the time.
I am Antonio da Rosa, a grateful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave me the absolutely free gift of eternal life when I simply entrusted unto Him my eternal destiny by believing in Him in His promise. I say God Bless You!
I do not suppose I will hit the floor running. But I do say that I will be posting articles once again. At what calibre, at what time and rate, I do not know. Your thoughts and opinions are welcomed if they are left in a spirit of humility and love for Christ.
It sure has been a while since I have posted anything here. I just read the article that I wrote about Charlie Bing's two quotes. Good stuff if you haven't read it yet.
I am still a fan of Zane C. Hodges.
I am still an advocate of a "Promise-Only" Gospel.
I still have eternal life, on the authority of Jesus Christ, Himself.
And I am still your brother-in-Christ.
What has changed about me, you may ask? I have had little over a year's worth of many humbling experiences. God has been bringing me through trials for His glory. I can't say that I brought much glory to Him during this time, but it will ultimately turn out to His glory. God is good, all the time.
I am Antonio da Rosa, a grateful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave me the absolutely free gift of eternal life when I simply entrusted unto Him my eternal destiny by believing in Him in His promise. I say God Bless You!
I do not suppose I will hit the floor running. But I do say that I will be posting articles once again. At what calibre, at what time and rate, I do not know. Your thoughts and opinions are welcomed if they are left in a spirit of humility and love for Christ.
posted by Antonio at 5:53 PM
46 Comments:
WELCOME BACK ANTONIO~!!!
I've missed you~!!!
This is the best news of the day, week, month, and even year!!!
Well..... One of the best~!!!
:-)
I will be waiting for your posts. The Lord is so good all the time~!!!
I've been praying for this day.
Your free grace friend always,
Diane
:-)
You da man Antonio! Glad you're doing well. Look forward to reading your great articles!
Gary
Hi Antonio, it's very good to see you again :) You were missed.
Welcome back, Bro. Look forward to engaging.
Antonio,
this is great to see.
Welcome back Antonio . . . . glad to see you back an running:)
alvin
Look forward to reading what you have to say, brother. Welcome back.
God bless you, Antonio. So glad to
hear from you.
Life couldn't come by the law
(Gal 3:21)
and Life couldn't come by works for that would be merit and not according to grace
(Romans 4:4)
Life could only come by faith which is according to grace which made the promise sure to the one who believes:)
(Romans 4:16; Gal 3:22)
Great to hear from you Antonio - the silence has been excruciating! Any new books or articles out on the subject or related subject that you've read???
- Jon
Hey Antonio,
Glad you're back; I wondered what happened to you, brother!
I'm going through a "humbling spell" myself; I am glad salvation is unconditional and completely free (not based on us).
Anyway, look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Hey it hasn't changed~!
All are invited to take of the living water freely~!
Why?
Because Jesus is the Lamb who took away the sin of the world~!
(John 1:29b Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!)
God is both the "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Rom 3:26).
This is why God Himself can offer the living water to everyone without any mention of sin.
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!"
And let him who hears say, "Come!"
And let him who thirsts come.
Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:17)
On God's word a thirsty sinner is invited to come and take the living water freely~!
The living water is the promise of everlasting life to the one who believes in Jesus.
This is the same living water that the woman at the well drank.
The content has not changed: Jesus, eternal life, believe.
alvin:)
Hi Antonio (and all my other friends),
I've been anxiously awaiting some good teaching from you. But I don't mean to rush you into that.
So while I'm waiting, I hope it's OK to type in just a "portion" from an article in the most recent GES Journal by Lon Gregg...
GOTGES 2009 Vol 22, Number 43*
It's EXCELLENT~!!!
Pg. 94 - QUOTE.....
*To begin with an everyday example, a woman I recently met, about 50 years old, with at least some college education, reported she will not fly. This woman was otherwise very reasonable, but she still will not board an airplane; flight is too dangerous for her. My psychologist brother-in-law reports that this woman represents a fair-sized class of people; in his practice, he has helped such people gain the confidence necessary for taking flight. On the other hand, my four-year-old granddaughter gives absolutely no thought to the dangers of air travel. Armed with her mother's and father's assurance alone, she anticipates flying to see her extended family with relish. What is the difference between my granddaughter and the grandmother who will not fly? The granddaughter has every good and right reason to believe her parents; meanwhile, the older woman apparently has found no one yet to convince her that flight is safe.*
*(continued below)*
(continued from above quote...)*
Of course, great numbers of fliers board aircraft every day completely and blissfully unaware of the underlying mechanics. Lifting a 350-ton conveyance 32,000 feet in the air and descending safely to the passenger's destination thousands of miles distant, often across vast spaces of water, must, after all, depend on very strong principles. But few passengers give any thought to the physical laws of Bernoulli or Newton that underlie aeronautical lift. How many consider the billions of dollars spent every year to orchestrate departures and arrivals and to keep pilots and support staff trained and disciplined? Fliers of course really need not know the sustaining principles to be confident of their destination. It is enough, and millions find it so, to depend on what can be as simple a reason as "my mommy said I'm going to go see Grandpa."
*(continued below)*
(continued from above quote...)
Christian faith is much the same. A four-year-old can have full confidence, with none of the underlying knowledge, that her flight will arrive where and when it should. Should we think it necessary that an inquirer know the principles of substitutionary atonement, or hypostatic union, or any number of other truths about Christ before believing His promise of eternity? To ask the question in this way is to highlight the illogic of requiring theology before claiming eternal life. Truth naturally helps toward the saving persuasion, but what is absolutely necessary may be completely different for each individual; a checklist cannot be prescribed. It is belief in the bottom line, eternal life, that counts; instrumental beliefs are just that--the means of attaining to faith.
Hope you all have the opportunity to read the whole article. It's excellent~!!!
Rejoicing always in HIM,
Diane
:-)
CORRECTION~!!!
I meant to say above....
JOTGES
Sorry!
da little chillion can come ta Jesus by simply believing His promise of everlasting life as stated in John 3:16:)
Some believe there has been a dispensational change in the content of the gospel. Which is true in the sense that the mystery of the gospel has been revealed in this dispensation which was hidden in the past. This was given to Paul FOR the Gentiles (Eph 3:1-12) that they are fellow heirs with the Jews in the One New Man "in Christ." What they don't realize is that the living water has not changed (bulls-eye) Jesus promise to give eternal life to all that believe in Him. The same living water that Jesus gave to the woman at the well is offered again in Reveation 22:17 which proves it has not changed. They are confusing the saving of the saved which is only by way of the cross with "what must I do to be saved" (eternal condemnation) believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17,36; 4:10,13,14; 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-27; 20:31). There has always been salvation in Christ for everlasting life, the ONLY dispensational change concerning the core of the gospel is that we know that the Christ is Jesus, and the one believing has life in His name.
alvin:)
Dear Antonio,
We need you! In the new FG world of shifting "truths" about the content of belief necessary to receive the gift of Eternal Life, the clarity of this blog is very much needed. I just watched again John Neimela's excellent presentation at the 2006 Chafer Pastor's Conference and I would encouage everyone to request a copy from www.deanbible.org. It is entitled "What About Believr's Who Have Never Known Christ's Promise of Life." The Truth simply could not be clearer as he distinguishes between the ends and means in a clear gospel presentation. Why is this so difficult for people to grasp? Why all the confusion of check-list evangelism? I really do not understand nor do I appreciate some of the attacks coming out of CE folks. Satan is winning as we once again confuse the clarity of the Gospel, the Message of Life. Keep up the good work, brother Antonio! Pastor David www.doctrinepastor.com
This is John Neimela's testimony in his own words:
" Church was a regular part of my life since childhood. I had long believed in the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, that He died for the sins of the world, that He rose on the third day, that He ascended into heaven, and so forth.
Despite believing these truths, it was not clear to me whether I had ever believed “the right thing in the right way,” so an eternity in the Lake of Fire was a real concern to me. I started attending a Bible believing church and talked with pastors, staff of various campus ministries, and fellow students. My main question boiled down to: “How will I know when I have believed the right thing in the right way?” Invariably, they would query me about issues relating to being saved from hell. Before long, they would seek to guide me through a tract. At the end, they would want me to pray a prayer, invite Jesus into my heart, or something like that. I would respond, “You haven’t answered my question. How will I know when I have believed the right thing in the right way?”
A number of people gave me an answer like this: “Pray this prayer and see how you are doing twenty years from now.” After hearing that several times, I came up with a standard reply: “That doesn’t sound like the God of the Bible. The Bible showed me that I needed a Savior. Shouldn’t it also show me when I have a Savior?”
During October 1972, my quest ended. In a movie, a black college student said something like this: “I always thought it was hard to become a Christian, but then found out how easy it was. Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins and He promised that I would be with Him forever, if I believed in Him. I believe in Him, so I know that He will do what He promised.”
What he said met my expectation: That the Bible would show me when I have a Savior. Prior to that point, I had believed many wonderful truths about Jesus, but had never believed that He would give me everlasting life. Jesus gives an assuring promise: Amen, amen, I tell you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life (John 6:47). When one believes Him for His promise of everlasting life, that individual passes from death into life (John 5:24). 1 John 2:25 says, And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
Jesus does not play a cosmic guessing-game. One need not wonder whether he has believed the right thing in the right way. A person receives everlasting life the moment he believes in Jesus Christ for His irrevocable promise of everlasting life. On the basis of who He is and what He has done—He promises everlasting life to believers. He who promised is faithful. Believing an assuring promise was a satisfying solution to my dilemma. There is no cosmic guessing game when we focus on the promise of everlasting life given by the Messiah, the Son of God."
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This comment has been removed by the author.
Thank you David,
I will check that link out first chance I get... whenever my grandchildren give me back my computer long enough to do that~!!!
:-)
Looking forward to reading over your website, too.
I agree with you.... that the clarity that Antonio brings is very much needed today.*
I hope and pray that all who comment on his blog will be gracious and kind in all their words.
LOOKING FORWARD TO READING YOUR FIRST POST IN A LONG TIME, ANTONIO~!!!
From a big fan~!!!
Diane :-)
P.S. Always glad to see Alvin's name pop up~!!!
Thank you Diane for the simple truth about plane flight! And I appreciate the John Neimela testimony. I had never heard that before. It seems to me that most Christians - especially pastors, sorry to say - are afraid of grace. Just believing the simple promise of Jesus that He is the only One who gives eternal life is just too much grace! And then to define believing as "to be convinced that it is true" also sends shudders down their spine. What has made me sad is that free grace people have become afraid of free grace. David www.doctrinepastor.com
Antonio, It seems to me that a second issue among FG advocates is "inevitable results." For example, I heard Dr. C. Ryrie (whom I deeply appreciate) state "One is saved by faith alone but not faith that is alone." I cannot find anything in Scripture that points to such inevitable changes. I find only that as one is transformed by the steady intake of Bible Doctrine the mind is renewed and the comes transformation (Rom. 12:1-2). I would appreciate any thoughts you may have. David
www.doctrinepastor.com
David,
I agree with all you've said and share your distress. It's unfortunate that many well-meaning FG people continue to hold on to so much unbilbical baggage from the Reformed theological tradition, such as ""One is saved by faith alone but not faith that is alone."
Some of them still retain so many of these unbiblical incongruities in their theology that's its difficult to tell at times whether they are LS or FG. Some of these ideas are just so ingrained in the commentary tradition that they continue to be perpetuated in FG circles.
That's what I love so much about Zane Hodges--he spent his life in focused study of the actual text of scripture--and then had the courage to try and point out and correct many of the unscriptural traditions which have been handed down to us. But, not surprisingly, he was shunned and persecuted by some for doing so. I just thank God for how He used Zane to provide much needed clarity for the church and encourage us all to follow his example in "search(ing) the scriptures...to find out whether these things (are) so." (Acts 17:11)
I praise the Lord for the freedom I discovered from Zane Hodges being first introduced to him through Dr. Robert Dean. I was on the path to Lordship when I read Absolutely Free and Grace in Eclipse. What a new confidence in sharing the Truth there has been! Keep living in grace, David
Hey, I'm seriously late on making a comment here, but I've been periodically checking this blog for like a year and waiting to see if any new posts were coming. Antonio, Í'm glad to see you're back. I'm sure God will use the things you've been through for your growth and His glory. Looking forward to posts in the future.
Ken
Amen brother David . . . it is a JOY to share the Lord knowing that He has ALREADY done all the work . . . not POTENTIALY but as a matter of FACT . . . behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world . . . . not counting their sins against them . . . and we have been given the JOY to invite them to take of the living water freely . . . . as Ambassodors for Christ we plead with them to be reconciled to God simply by believing in His Son for everlasting life.
The Joy of the Lord is our strength and His finished work for everyone is our confidence:)
No one has been left out, and knowing that gives us confidence in sharing God's lovingkindness towards sinful man . . . . . Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
alvin:)
PS. And we dont make the word "believe" into something that is impossible to know if they have done it . . . . .Ha!Ha! so simple a child can know:)
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters"
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!"
And let him who hears say, "Come!"
And let him who thirsts come.
Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, "Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."
Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thrirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord.
(Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.)
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?
No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me.
For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
Ok Antonio I'll rest my mouth now . . . .looking forward always to what you have to say:)
alvin:)
Alvin,
you said "The same living water that Jesus gave to the woman at the well is offered again in Reveation 22:17 which proves it has not changed."
That's a great point. I knew the
gospel had not changed, but I didn't
connect the dots. Thanks for your insights.
Greetings Everyone!
Yes Peggie, the living water is what Jesus is offereing over and over in the Gospel of John, when He told her He was the Christ she drank (believed) springing up into everlasting life. The one who has believed has already drank, that's why when Jesus says "Most assuredly I tell you he who believes in Me "has" everlasting life. Anyone believing that Jesus is the Christ already has everlasting life because the life is in His name (John 20:31). And the living water offered again in Revelation 22:17 is the same "it's life in His name" drank (believed) springs up into everlasting life:)
I'm quiet now . . . .heeeeeheeeee
PS. and that is the core of the Gospel . . . .yep dat be right:)
Dear Alvin,
So you iz sayin da livin water still good fer all thuisty chirrens in dis present time dispersashun...da livin water still fresh fer da chuich-age pilgrim ta take freely?
It okay ta come back out yer mud hole ta anser my questin..I aint carryin my piece...I jext be a unarmed hawngry pilgrim...
Dear Brother Gary . . . . the living water that Jesus offered the woman at the well is the same living water that can be taken freely now . . . . . it's life in His name . . . so da thuisty chirrens can simply believe Jesus in a verse like John 3:16 an have their thirst eternaly quenched:)
now i shut my mouf . . .heeeeheee
come on now Antonio . . . .we be waitn. . . .real patient an all fur yur proclamation desertation ta commence . . . .yah gots da way wid yah wurids dat make tings clear an help us plain folk see da light . . . . .soooo ta marrow be one mumff since yah first proclamate . . . .i knows yah can do it . . . . between Bad an Di Di an Ugly we be needn sum fresh vitals ta chaw on . . . . . heeeeehaaaaw
Who talkin bout vittles? Yaaaah...vittles...I be wonderin when da Rosa gonna get da fire burnin fer vittles too...my belly be growlin...
I have John Niemela's message on one of my servers. I don't know how the link will look here, and you might have to cut an paste the parts together, but it is correct.
http://locker.palcs.org/~dreiher/GES2006SP05_jniemela_The_Place_of_Promise_in_Evangelism_fix1.mp3
Let me try that again!
http://locker.palcs.org/~dreiher/GES2006SP05_jniemela_The_Place_
of_Promise_in_Evangelism_fix1.mp3
Cut and paste them together.
This is one of my top 50. If you don't know me, that is 50 out of about 1000 Free Grace messages.
- Don Reiher
Hi, ya'll. Thanks for your comments. I have been listening to my mp3s of the 2 breakout sessions I gave at the 2009 GES national conference. They have been encouraging.
I am far right now from much theologizing. But I am getting fodder for thought. I have purchased many books from Schoettle that I haven't yet read. I am in the process of devouring them.
Of course, we must compare anything we read with the Scriptures, but I have always been left with much encouragement anytime I have read a book from Schoettle Publishing.
I wanted to publicly thank Don Reiher for sending me out his mp3 from this years GES conference. Don, thank you! If you ever want to put something up here for discussion, I would love it.
Ya'll, Diane, David, Peggy, Ken, Alvin, Rose, Michele, Mr. Case, Bobby, Gary, and Jim ( hope I got ya'll!) thanks for your continued support.
Please continue to make intercession for me before our Lord. I appreciate your prayers. This has been a trying time in my life.
Antonio
Brother Antonio,
You are in my prayers. Is there any help we can render to you?
I am in the process of trying to develop a 24 lesson course called "Understanding Free Grace Theology" for the Free Grace Bible Institute we are developing at West Side Baptist Church. I am planning to use face-to-face teaching along with DVDs, etc. and would appreciate any recommendations you might have. Has anyone developed such a Bible School course that I could access? Thank you for your time.
Pastor David
www.doctrinepastor.com
Brother Antonio . . .I'll be lifting you up brother . . . and if there is anything I can do let me know:)
alvin:)
Hi Antonio,
So glad to hear from you again. You take as much time as you need before posting. But it's good to hear from you and know that all is well~!!! Hope you'll keep doing that. Makes us all feel good.
:-)
It's a joy to pray for you.
Because of Jesus,
Diane
:-)
I, too, want to thank Don Reiher for sending me his MP3 from the GES Conference, and also his excellent paper about Zane. Great work Don--I have learned a lot and been blessed.
Antonio, take as much time as you need. We could all benefit from more time spent with the Lord like you have done. Whenever He's ready for you to start moving out more He will let you know. Grace and peace to you.
Gary
Gary
Still checking in here, Antonio.
Praying that God is refreshing you each day from His Word.
:-)
Hi Antonio,
I keep checking in to see if you're here yet. Can't wait for that day that you are~!!!
Praying for you.
Your friend always because of Jesus,
Diane
:-)
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