more on common grace and saving grace

accepting common grace (general revelation) is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for accepting saving grace (special revelation). it is possible to accept common grace without accepting saving grace, but it is not possible to accept saving grace without accepting common grace.

likewise, accepting the Old Testament (the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms) is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for accepting the New Testament (the gospel of Christ). it is possible to accept the Old Testament without accepting the New Testament (as in Judaism), but it is not possible to accept the New Testament without accepting the Old Testament.

"He [Abraham] said to him [the rich man], 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" - Luke 16:31 (NIV)

"He [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."" - Luke 24:44-49 (NIV)

"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." - 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (NIV)

links: common grace and saving grace (27 aug 08), even more on common grace and saving grace (23 jun 09)