Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 11/2/2009

Question
"I read on the net the following and need to know if it is true. Especially the last portion.

As you will see in the way these verses are worded, they will specifically tell us that no one can come to Jesus to receive His gift of eternal salvation unless God the Father first starts to draw that person to Him. And then it says that no one can say that Jesus is Lord unless it is done "by" the Holy Spirit.



That no one can say Jesus is Lord? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. regards, Mr. Stroud

Answer
Hi Mr. Stroud

Let's look at these two verses in their context:

John 6:41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, "I am the bread which came down out of heaven." 6:42 They said, "Isn't this Y'shua [Jesus], the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he say, 'I have come down out of heaven?'"

6:43 Therefore Y'shua answered them, "Don't murmur among yourselves. 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 6:45 It is written in the Prophets, 'They will all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who hears from the Father, and has learned, comes to me.

The Pharisees and others were questioning the Master's right to speak in the name of God. He told them that it was God Who was drawing the people to him.

The religious establishment of First Century Judaism had become overwhelmed by the authority of the Oral Torah. Rather than seeking God directly the religious teachers sought Him through the words of the Babylonian Talmud etc. This was one of Jesus' biggest complaints, that they followed "the traditions of men." Here he is saying that God is alive and can be known personally, directly.

He was also warning them not to oppose him, because by opposing him they would be opposing God Who was directly calling his followers by his Holy Spirit.

And understand also that God is always in control. It is He who draws people to repentance. So it is also correct to say that no one can come to salvation unless they are drawn by God, but everyone is drawn by the Holy Spirit and can be saved.

The second verse:

I Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don't want you to be ignorant. 12:2 You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led. 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God's Spirit says, "Y'shua is accursed." No one can say, "Y'shua is Lord," but by the Holy Spirit. 12:4 Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit...

Throughout the ages many Atheists and even Luciferians have said the words "Jesus is Lord" in open defiance of God based on the superstitions that have arisen from this verse. Saying these words is not a litmus test for salvation. ANYONE who can speak can say these words: and remember that Lucifer appears as an Angel of Light (II Cor. 11:14) and so he and his followers may say these words to deceive people as well.

Rather, in context Paul is saying, "Therefore [i.e. to answer this question] I make known to you" that the Gentile converts to the Way had previously worshiped other gods, not knowing the One True God. The question is assurance: How one can know:

A) That one is really "saved"
and
B) If someone else is really "saved" seeing as how the Pagans also believed themselves to be correct in their beliefs.

This verse is part of Paul's answer:

As Pagans they did not accept the lordship (kurios: spiritual ownership) of/by Jesus. So Paul says:

A) No one who "says" or believes that Jesus is accursed, that he is not from God should be accepted as a brother/sister in the Faith.
and
B) Those who can honestly "say" or confirm that they accept Jesus as their lord or spiritual master should be considered brothers/sisters in the Faith. He gives other teachings on this elsewhere of course.

Hope this helps,

~ John of AllFaith