"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (II Tim. 1: 10)
This verse is cited by Hardshells in order to affirm that the gospel does not give life, but only that it manifests those who already have life. That is, the gospel is not God's instrument to give life to the spiritually dead, but is only the instrument for revealing who is already, apart from the gospel, spiritually alive. Thus, they say, those who have spiritual life are "brought to light" by the gospel, or simply manifested, or made known. This is, however, not what Paul is saying.
First of all, "immortality" is not possessed now, and therefore cannot be revealed in the sense of manifesting those who are in possession of it. Paul's mention of "immortality" is a reference to the coming resurrection of the body.
Second, the passage does not say that the gospel reveals the nature and character of people, but reveals "life" and "immortality," which are doctrinal subjects. If Paul were teaching hardshellism, and giving the Hardshell interpretation of his words, he would have rephrased his words to say "and has brought to light those who have eternal life and immortality." But, it does not say that, does not use the personal pronoun, but says that life and immortality, topics of the Christian religion, are what is revealed in the gospel.
By "immortality," in this passage, Dr. Gill, in his commentary, says that it refers to "the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead," not to people. In fact, I know of no commentary that interprets the passage as do the Hardshells. It is a twist on the passage, done in order for it to affirm their idea on the nature and utility of the preached gospel.
Obviously the way the gospel reveals who are saved and who are lost is in the reactions it draws from those who hear it. The gospel is "light," and it therefore "brings to light," that is, it reveals or discovers what was previously hidden and unknown. The gospel does reveal who is elect by its being believed. It also reveals who has been born again, for believing and being born again are intimately connected. But, saying this does not negate believing also in the fact that God uses the gospel to communicate his life and salvation to sinners.
It is interesting how Hardshells affirm that reception of the gospel manifests who is born again but deny that rejection of the gospel does not manifest who is not born again. They believe that millions of unbelievers in Jesus are nevertheless "born again." So, by that idea, rejection of the gospel does not reveal that they are not born again. But, clearly, if gospel reception manifests salvation, then gospel rejection manifests damnation.
The question to be asked, at this point, is this - "is one saved who is fundamentally ignorant of life and immortality, as it is revealed in the gospel?"
Jesus said - "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14: 6) If a man has been "taught of God" (John 6: 45), he will "come to" Jesus (6: 37) for "life." (5: 40) To know Jesus, by that "revelation" that "accompanies salvation," is to have have "life" (Jesus) "brought to light" (revealed) to the heart and mind. When Jesus (life) is "revealed" ('brought to light') to a heart, mind, and conscience, life is not only discovered but received. The great error of hardshellism is its refusal to say with scripture - "and he who believes not will be condemned." (Mark 16: 16)
But, the gospel not only reveals truth relative to spiritual and eternal life, and immortality, but it is a means of giving life.
Paul said that the gospel is an "aroma." And of this "aroma," he said:
"To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life." (II Cor. 2: 14-16)
Paul also said that the "spirit" of the gospel produces spiritual life.
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (II Cor. 3: 6)
"This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me." (Psalm 119: 50) God's word gave life to the Pslamist.
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20: 31)
"And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." (John 5: 40)
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to (eis) life everlasting." (I Tim. 1: 16)
These verses show that there is no "life" apart from "believing" (trusting) in Christ and the gospel.
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