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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How did Paul understand salvation? | Eph 1:5 | John Pilgrim | 114948 | ||
Dear BradK, I am painfully aware that particular doctrines are not appreciated by some members,and I think I understand why. So...for the sake of unity and brotherhood, please let us refrain from labeling one another. The important thing is that we be "in Christ". You asked: "Your last statement that "Jesus died for all of the sins of some men" doesn't appear in scripture though we may view the results as being so?" John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep John 10:26 "But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; Are all or only some "sheep"? You ask: What about Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,". Christ's death had to be efficacious for all to make the offer valid." Only if His death was meant for all men in the first place. Matt 1:21 "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Was the angel of the Lord wrong? He said "He will save"...will save who?... all people?...No!..."His people...". Who are "His people"? The Jews only? Only "some". Jews were saved. The Gentiles? No. Only "some" were saved. I believe all that the Father gave Him were those who are meant by "His people". God Bless, John |
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2 | How did Paul understand salvation? | Eph 1:5 | BradK | 114955 | ||
John, Let me answer by saying this, I respect your position and I agree that being "In Christ" is the important thing. It's not that this particular topic isn't appreciated by many, but rather those of us who have been on this Forum for some time have seen the negative and non-edifying results of heated and dogmatic discussions. Hence Lockman's warning on the Home Page:-) The late and eminent C.H. Spurgeon - a noted Calvinist- has some charitable and fair words to say in this regard. I think they speak volumes to this whole topic and I share them for all to benefit. "DO not imagine for an instant that I pretend to be able thoroughly to elucidate the great mysteries of predestination. There are some men who claim to know all about the matter. They twist it round their fingers as easily as if it were an everyday thing; but depend upon it, he who thinks he knows all about this mystery, knows but very little. It is but the shallowness of his mind that permits him to see the bottom of his knowledge, he who dives deep, finds that there is in the lowest depth to which he can attain a deeper depth still. The fact is, that the great questions about man’s responsibility, free-will, and predestination, have been fought over, and over, and over again, and have been answered in ten thousand different ways; and the result has been, that we know just as much about the matter as when we first began. The combatants have thrown dust into each other’s eyes, and have hindered each other from seeing; and then they have concluded, that because they put other people’s eyes out, they could therefore see. Now, it is one thing to refute another man’s doctrine, but a very different matter to establish my own views. It is very easy to knock over one man’s hypothesis concerning these truths, not quite so easy to make my own stand on a firm footing. I shall try to-night, if I can, to go safely, if I do not go very fast; for I shall endeavor to keep simply to the letter of God’s Word. I think that if we kept more simply to the teachings of the Bible, we should be wiser than we are; for by turning from the heavenly light of revelation, and trusting to the deceitful will-o-the-wisps of our own imagination, we thrust ourselves into quays and bogs where there is nosure footing, and we begin to sink; and instead of making progress, we find ourselves sticking fast. The truth is, neither you nor I have any right to want to know more about predestination than what God tells us. That is enough for us. If it were worth while for us to know more, God would have revealed more. What God has told us, we are to believe; but to the knowledge thus gained, we are too apt to add our own vague notions, and then we are sure to go wrong. It would be better, if in all controversies, men had simply stood hard and fast by “Thus saith the Lord,” instead of having it said, “Thus and thus I think." Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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3 | How did Paul understand salvation? | Eph 1:5 | John Pilgrim | 114968 | ||
Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Dear Brad, If you felt that way about discussing this topic, why did you ask me to answer your questions in the first place? In my own defense (as your post was aimed at me); Neither do I "pretend to be able thoroughly to elucidate the great mysteries of predestination". Did Spurgeon cease to preach the great doctrines of Grace simply because he did not have perfect knowledge of them? No... Should we cease discussing the Trinity just because it is impossible to know it thoroughly! God forbid it. John |
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4 | How did Paul understand salvation? | Eph 1:5 | BradK | 114969 | ||
John, Please don't hear what I'm not saying, brother:-)I merely offered the response in what I intended to be charitable and balanced. I'm not trying to be argumentative or disagreeable, nor was my attempt to "put you on the defensive". You don't need to defend yourself to me! I'm most certainly not advocating avoidance in discussing any theological topic. The problem becomes when we cease (not you in particular) to be agreeable. I hope this clarifies where I'm coming from. I am seriously, Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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