The Reformation Project: Theses 31-35

31. Building genuine, respectful relationships with unbelievers consistent with the second great commandment can result in opportunities to evangelize our neighbors and is far superior to programs that create artificial and manipulative relationships as the basis for sharing the Gospel.

32. The miraculous healings of Jesus and the Apostles verified the authenticity of Jesus as Messiah and should not be regarded as any indication that physical healing is part of what is offered through Christ’s atonement other than in an eschatological sense.

33. Jesus’ statements about the necessity of the new birth and the teaching of Paul that those apart from Christ are dead in trespasses and sins reveal the necessity of the Spirit’s role in regeneration for anyone to be saved.  While God uses human means to accomplish His purposes, only the work of the Holy Spirit brings the dead to life.

34. The notion that we are the real actors in a spiritual drama, with God intervening only upon our asking, pervades too much of the way that the Christian life is discussed.  This resembles a deism punctuated by occasional miracles more than it resembles Christian faith.

35. Just as our justification is entirely a work of God’s grace, so also our sanctification is entirely a work of the Spirit of God.  While God’s liberated children observe His commands out of