Results 41 - 60 of 86
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: JRdoc Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | is it a sin for soldiers | Rom 13:1 | JRdoc | 61408 | ||
No, generally not, if the right “motivation” “Heart” and so forth is present. But if you desire to go to war to just kill, kill, kill, that is kind of obvious. Paul writes of “governmental powers” : Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. The state’s authority is for society’s benefit; this is its normal function, and Paul assumes it may be realized in practical terms even when governments are professedly non-Christian. The power of life and death. Capital punishment is undoubtedly in view. Elsewhere Paul accepts the principle of such punishment where appropriate (Acts 25:11). What the individual must not do out of a motive of revenge (12:19), the state may legitimately do in the pursuit of justice. New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (Ro 13:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. |
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42 | How is the tongues speaker edified? | 1 Cor 14:4 | JRdoc | 61401 | ||
The terms lalein glossei/glossais (to speak in a tongue/in tongues) that Paul uses so frequently in chapter 14 were commonly used in his day to describe pagan ecstatic speech. In the church at Corinth much of the tongues–speaking had taken on the form and flavor of those pagan ecstasies. Emotionalism all but neutralized their rational senses, and selfish exhibitionism was common, with everyone wanting to do and say his own thing at the same time (v. 26). Services were bedlam and chaos, with little worship and little edification taking place. It is an interpretive key to this chapter to note that in verses 2 and 4 tongue is singular (cf. vv. 13, 14, 19, 27), whereas in verse 5 Paul uses the plural tongues (cf. vv. 6, 18, 22, 23, 39). Apparently the apostle used the singular form to indicate the counterfeited gift and the plural to indicate the true. Recognizing that distinction may be the reason the King James translators supplied unknown before the singular. The singular is used of the false because gibberish is singular; it cannot be gibberishes. There are no kinds of pagan ecstatic speech; there are, however, kinds of languages in the true gift, for which the plural tongues is used. The only exception is in v. 27, where the singular is used to refer to a single man speaking a single genuine language. MacArthur, J. (1996, c1984). 1 Corinthians. Includes indexes. (1 Co 14:6). Chicago: Moody Press. |
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43 | How is the tongues speaker edified? | 1 Cor 14:4 | JRdoc | 61399 | ||
Steve: I am on the road so I will post real quick some brief histroy and then in part 2 post part of MacArthur's Commentary, who does an excellent job... The Tower of Babel was man’s first sophisticated, organized counterfeit of true religion (Gen. 11:9). This tower was built to God, and Nimrod was the patriarchal apostate who set it all up. He was the grandson of Ham, who was the son of Noah. They established a false system of religion as a counterfeit to the truth. Every false system since then was spawned out of that. Why? When God judged those people He scattered them all over the world and they took with them the seeds of false religion begun at Babel. They adapted it, altered it, sophisticated it even more, changed it here and there, and added to it so that it became complex in various cultures. But the seeds of it all were at Babel, and that is why Mystery Babylon is called the mother of all false systems. Nimrod spawned a network of false religious systems. That is why there is so much similarity in these false systems around the world. Nimrod had a wife—a very evil person. Her name was Semiramis I. She was the first high priestess of the Tower of Babel religion. She founded what is known today as the mystery religions. She was the mother of it all. Now, when God scattered these people, they took with them Semiramis’s system. God not only scattered them, but He changed their languages. So, she received different names because different cultures have different languages, and that means different pronunciations. So, in Assyria she was called Ishtar, in Phoenicia her name was Ashtoreth, in Egypt her name was Isis, in Greece her name was Aphrodite, and in Rome her name was Venus. They are all names for Semiramis. They were worshiping Semiramis, the priestess that spawned false religion. Tammuz Semiramis also gave birth to a son. His name was Tammuz. His name appears in the Bible in Ezekiel 8:14. In Phoenicia his name was Baal, in Egypt his name was Osiris, in Greece his name was Eros, and in Rome his name was cute, little, lovable Cupid. She said that he was conceived by a sunbeam. That is a counterfeit to the virgin birth. Supposedly he had no earthly father. Satan understood Genesis 3:15; he knew there would be a seed of a woman. Then, amazingly enough, Tammuz was killed by a wild boar and forty days later rose from the dead—another counterfeit. Those in Greece would have known about this system of religion. They would have been worshiping the same system with some sophistication. They had all kinds of sophisticated rites and rituals. For example, they believed in: (a) Baptismal regeneration—They believed that people were saved by being baptized in water, so they had systematic baptisms. (b) Sacrificial systems—They mainly slaughtered pigs, lambs, dogs, and birds. (c) Feasts and fasts (d) Mutilations and flagellations—These came from the mystery system. (e) ecstasy There was one thing that was characteristic about the mystery religions that found their way into Greece—they indulged in what they called ecstasy. Ecstasy is not what you feel when you kiss your girl friend. The word is ecstasis in the Greek and means to “cultivate a magical, sensuous communion with deity.” In other words, they would do anything they could to get themselves into a semiconscious, hallucinatory, hypnotic spell in order to sensually commune with their deity and have a euphoric feeling. They assumed that this was a union with God. Ecstasy and enthusiasm made up the system of religion in which the Corinthians had lived and grown. When they became believers they stayed the same because they were not spiritual but carnal. They manifested the same type of religious behavior as they had every other dimension of the world by dragging this into their assembly. Their kind of religion was ecstatic, orgiastic frenzy. It was chaotic and confusing. Paul said, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40). In addition, he said, “Let all things be done unto edifying” |
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44 | Is the Prayer edified? | 1 Cor 14:4 | JRdoc | 61395 | ||
Are we in the same danger today with the emphasis on signs and wonders but no righteousness. Is God impressed with us doing mighty works? I like what you said there. I believe we are in much danger. You said it correctly “US doing mighty works” and not Him doing the works. I am fearful that not only in the Pentecostal and Holiness movements but in all out churches we are seeing a drawing away to the ways of man vs. the ways of God. I am from the Reformed camp and even within our ranks I see a separation from the truth into many “philosophies that are not biblical. Of course our Lord told us that these days would come. May God Bless as we seek to follow His will and do His bidding. |
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45 | How can anyone be saved? | 1 Cor 2:14 | JRdoc | 61391 | ||
Dear Hank I did not know that Calvinists were not allowed here. I thought it was a place for all Christians. Sorry if I mis-understood the conditions for coming here. I do apologize for any hard aches I have caused you. I just desire to- Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Of course if that is not allowed here than of course I will not violate my privilege of posting. The way I see it if you do not desire to speak about Calvinism all you have to do is not answer any of the posts. That seems to be the simplest solution instead of using attacking statements like the ones "you" posted (you said- nuisance, hard-core soap boxers, et. al.) and yet assert "gentlemanly fashion with kindness and regard for your peers on the forum." I know have not read all the posts and there are probably some that are…bad….but I can only judge what I have seen and read thus far. In actuality when I came here.. one of my very "first posts" was in REPLY to what someone in the ARMINIAN camp mis-stated--and thus began the, “The Sovereignty and Free-will" thread! I replied and have been replying ever since! But, I have replied to other threads as well. How is one to learn if he may not hear and see and how will they without God's "sent ones"? |
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46 | Whats up with Judgement, calvinists plz? | Rom 9:21 | JRdoc | 61386 | ||
2. John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. If NASA said tomorrow whosever goes to the moon will…….it would not imply that ALL could go to the moon, but those that are trained…astronauts. Here the words of Scripture are very clear and they are limited to “whosoever believeth in him,” limiting the term “whosoever.” John insures you understand this by saying that the others are “condemned already” vs 18. 3. Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. It is absolutely amazing how you only quote “part” of the verse and leave the rest out. Let him that heareth—not everyone has “spiritual ears” to hear because they have not been transformed by grace. But the announcement is only to these that HEARETH to “take the water of life freely” for it will only be these that “athirst” for they desire to be in the presence of whom John early called: “living water” (John 4:10). 1 Cor 3:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 4. John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. Yep, they will not! They are dead in trespasses and sins how can they come. Dead men do not come! If you will look at the Scriptures again surrounding the text you will see vs 39 stating they did not understand the Scriptures—compare with 1 Cor 3:14 above… 5. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. And Rom. 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Yes, and “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? (Rom 10:14, the very next verse again). NOTICE that the CALL comes after the BELIEF and the BELIEF comes AFTER the HEARING, but they are deaf and dumb (spiritually dead in trespasses and sins) thus until God changes them they will not hear or call or believe. This is so easy if you will just look at the total context instead of stealing parts of verses or phrases. --- YOU SAID: "….Why doesn’t God just make me good? The answer is: that wouldn’t be goodness, it would be slavery. And God isn’t interested in slaves but in sons and daughters. God will not overpower us into goodness…” Your philosophy is interesting but not biblical. (1) you are blaming God for not making you good (for you are evil—all are), thus accusing God of sin (2) the Bible does speak of you being a slave to sin (Rom 6) (3) Yes, God is interested in His sons and daughters—limited (4) and He must break the sons and daughter free from their slavery—whom the Son sets free…..he is free indeed, not whom the Son gives a will to, to set himself free (John 1:13, et. al.)! --- YOU SAY: "How can man be held accountable to God for his actions in judgment without freewill? Do those who die unbelivers get judged for something that they could not be responsible for? What kind of God would judge someone for his or her inability?"(unknown source) Men are judged for their sin—All have sinned! Men have a will and sin of their own volition. Without God’s call, election, grace, justification, atonement (etc) men will continue to sin and will be held accountable for the same. God is not holding them accountable for their inability to accept Him, but for their sin and in this sin they can not accept Him, unless and until He changes them! --- YOU SAY: "What then, you ask, does free will do? Free-will in your interpretation does one thing confuse and abuse the Scripture. God chose to save the way He did to fulfill His divine purposes. Your argument is not with us, but Him. Rom 9: 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) |
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47 | Whats up with Judgement, calvinists plz? | Rom 9:21 | JRdoc | 61385 | ||
Well, praise God we landed. I will need to make this 2 posts because of length. Now to the question: New Creature wrote: “Many will actually argue that they do not personally have a free will to choose anything…” Calvinists here to my knowledge are not arguing that man has no-will at all. Calvinists do not assert that God forces HIS will on any except to set him free from the slavery of sin that he is in which slavery is “death”. Do dead people raise themselves from death (Rom 6:4-5). The example I posted was VERY CLEAR on this issue (see ‘initial’ post Sovereignty and Free-Will). What the issue is – Is not is man has a will, but when is it used in the process of salvation. An easy way to look at this is how much does a child contribute to his own personal birth. The Mother and Father conceive a child and at an appointed time the child comes forth. In normal child birth the child contributes nothing to its conception and delivery. After it is born the Physician pats it to make it cry (confession—there is you activity, but not before). Amazing things about babies, they do not open their eyes until after they are delivered from the womb and initially they see everything upside down because the muscles in their eyes have not yet matured to the point of normal eye-site (the condition of saved Arminians—they still, because of immaturity in the Word of God look at everything from their perspective—upside down--and not in the normalcy of God’s ways and thoughts—Scripture). The normal process of salvation is as such: Effectual Calling - Divine Act Regeneration - Divine Act Repentance -Divine - Human Faith -Divine - Human Justification -Divine Sanctification -Divine Adoption -Divine Progressive Sanctification -Divine - Human Perseverance IN Holiness - Divine - Human Glorification -Divine --- YOU SAY: “Without free will, many of Bible statements make no sense: 1. "Why do you call me Lord and don't do what I say" Luke 6:46 Why? God willed it that way! 2. "Whosoever believes shall be saved" John 3:16 (Not whosoever God makes a believer) 3. "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. 22:17 4. John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 5. Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Again, in “your examples” you assume free-will to be much more than what is taught in Scripture. 1. Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? You and others continue to insist to take verses out of context to prove your philosophy? You quote vs. 46. Where does it say that the individual CHOSE WHAT TYPE OF HEART HE HAD? (vs 45) The heart is what is given and Christ is explaining what comes out of each type! |
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48 | Sovereignty and Free-Will | John | JRdoc | 61361 | ||
CONTEXT: Look at vs 8 he is speaking to the BELOVED, look at the very verse you quoted US-WARD |
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49 | Sovereignty and Free-Will | John | JRdoc | 61360 | ||
CONTEXT: Look at vs 8 he is speaking to the BELOVED, look at the very verse you quoted US-WARD |
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50 | Sovereignty and Free-Will | John | JRdoc | 61359 | ||
YOU SAID: “But what of John 6:44 - Well, YOU CAN NOT COME, until you are DRAWN. Look at the example of Lazarus, he did not come until called……. One can not go anywhere if he is dead, God first makes one alive to receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save his soul. --- YOU SAID: “Okay, God must draw us out our boxes, as you call them, but what then of the following verse? .. 'They will ALL be taught by God.' Yes, all will be taught, but can not ALL hear what is being taught. We are not speaking of “earthly words” or "earthly ears" here but spiritual words—He that hath ears, let him hear, thus implying some have not spiritual ear to hear with. --1 cor 1: 18 --- YOU SAID: “And boxes? IS each man in a box? I don't think so, God created Man as a corporate identity,.....” We are speaking of spiritual boxes here which is clear from the context. Each man is responsible and accountable for the decisions made in his own soul (or box). Though every box interrelates with several other boxes and some effects, as already described come upon all (for all have sinned), this in no way negates individual responsibility for individual sin. Every man must give an account. Not a “corporate account” but an individual one. When one person is saved NOT every person will be saved—its not corporate. YOU are simply speaking of UNIVERSALISM in clouded language. Corporate Theology—a new one not in the text book yet…or in the Scripture. ---- YOU SAID: “In the mean time, through Jesus, the word in our hearts, we are used by God to reach others. ... Every decision we make clearly affects people around us, to say otherwise is ludicrous.” I agree that everything around another affects and influences one another. What a wonderful design by our Creator who arranged all these things for His glory. But amazing differences are noted because different decisions will be made, though some come across the same words, phrases, incidents, etc. in this life. How can two identical twins (best example in this universe we have) sitting under the same hearing of God’s Holy Word react in different ways? One is effectually called the other is not. One box was opened the other was not. --- YOU SAID: “How then, can we have a relationship with God without him allowing us to choose things?” The example given “clearly” reveals that you have a choice. It does not violate your choice. You have so-called free-will, but the “spirit” (though your physical ears may hear the saving Gospel) of do not hear the Word of God “effectually” because it is dead in trespasses and sin. YOU SAID: “And why would he punish us for sins he made us commit? “ See the Thread that was just started by “Iamhapppy” it is explained more fully there. YOU SAID: “Back it up with scripture (and both sides of this debate can clearly do that), say what you like to me, but this is not something so difficult to understand it makes our heads swim, its something so obviously incorrect it makes our heads swim. “ 1 Cor 1: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. Sorry, I did not write the Word of God. This was God’s decision not mine. Please do not blame Calvinists for one’s lack of understanding. Ask God for Spiritual discernment. May He grant it according to His good pleasure. -- YOU SAID “I don't think God is changing things that happen as they happen, based on Man's decisions, God is outside of time, he created time, clearly he isn't running around going "oh no Oh no what will happen next". But just as I don't blame God for decisions he sees me making now, I don't blame him for decisions he sees me make in the future. God isn't a puppet in our hands through my view, he is a loving father who willingly allows us to make decisions. It doesn't mean he doesn't have the power to take over, it simply means he doesn't.” After salvation you are more free to make decisions and will make wiser decisions because more of God’s light is in your soul. True Calvinism does not negate that fact of the will of man it just negates that it is not as free as Arminians claim it to be. If you are really interested: Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by L. Boettner, Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther, Freedom of the Will by Jonathon Edwards, and the Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink would be good resources for you to study. They about with Scripture. After you are done with those three read Death of the Death of the Death of Christ by John Owen, again abounding with Scripture and the Greek is excellent—a book by the way that Arminians have never been able to refute. |
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51 | Whats up with Judgement, calvinists plz? | Rom 9:1 | JRdoc | 61346 | ||
YOU SAID: I am wondering if a Calvinist could explain to me why God, if all things are ordained by him, would judge people? what I mean is, if God made us all, and God chose everything we would do, why did he give us the 'illusion' of freewill, and why would he judge us for things he made us do? 1. Because HE is God and does as He does as He desires in all the earth (1 Chron 16:14; Psa 105:7; Dan 4:35). 2. For it is the “good pleasure of His will” and for His own glory (Eph 1:4-5, 9-12) 3. Time does not permit me to answer in full, but, May “God” ask you from His Word, “who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” (Rom 9) Your error is that you THINK that everyone is DESERVING of salvation when NONE are. No one is worthy, No one is deserving. No one deserves salvation. Everyone is worthy of eternal death and hell. Everyone has nothing worthy of God’s affection, “but God commendeth his love toward US, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for US.” It is a gift. Gifts are given to whom a person wills to give them. God chose to give the gift of salvation to those He elected. It is not our fault that God chose us, but praise God He did! Who are you to reply against God and His design for the universe that He created? ---- YOU SAID: “I can understand it if I except God delegates Authority to man so that we may choose to love him, then I can see why all the suffering and death and pain are worth it to God, because some will "choose" to love him, But if in the end we cannot choose, why did he not simply make us perfect in the first place?” When God created man—Adam—He was perfect? It is not His fault YOU fell. At least that is what my Bible says, does an Arminian Bible really say that God created man imperfect? ---- YOU SAID: “God is outside of time, so to me words like foreordained, and foreknew, are meaningless in the context of God himself, though they obviously have meaning to man.” Well this is an amazing statement and I guess you do have a different version of the Bible. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. If words like “foreordained, and foreknew, are meaningless in the context of God himself” then why is HE so insistent in affirming IT IS HIS WORD? His WORD is TRUTH and THE TRUTH that defeats Arminianism and THE TRUTH that will set an Arminian free from his works righteousness religion and philosophy of God. -- Refer to a Scripture and lets debate that, but this philosophy and denying the Scripture to be able to make your point is pointless. |
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52 | Predestination: scriptures meaningless? | John | JRdoc | 61342 | ||
Thankyou John Reformed. Glad to be here. May God Bless. I like the name "Reformed" | ||||||
53 | Predestination: scriptures meaningless? | John | JRdoc | 61341 | ||
YOU SAID: (1) the first Passover was a choice to put blood over the door posts. (2) To look upon the bronze serpent was a choice. (3) Noah chose to move with fear and build the Ark of Safety. All of these were types and shadows of Christ involving simple choices to believe God's warning. Salvation is still a gift. It is a lie to call it a "work": (1) Least you forget, Israel was God’s CHOSEN people. He had already CALLED them away from Egypt (type, shadow--sin). Thus, in the order of salvation, as I and other Calvinists assert the choice comes after the “light” has entered into the box of his soul (see initial post )—after one is predestined from before the foundation of the world and called by His grace. The choice came after the call! (2) Again, as I already stated, MANY died PRIOR to the Serpent being raised up on the staff. Where is their Free-Choice? (Num 21:6 ff). Who gave them eyes to see? Only “some” of Israel (God’s elect) looked at the serpent, what about “everyone” else in the world—did they sin, did they look? (3) Again, Noah moved with fear after he was “called” of God to do it (Gen 6:8). God is the one that initiated His covenant (Gen 6:18) and then He saw righteousness (Gen 7:1). Isn’t it amazing here though that the animals did not come ON THEIR OWN. I do not have the time to go over the rest of the symbolism, but again it clearly goes against what you are asserting. I agree Salvation is a gift, but you are attempting to explain it by you works of applying blood to the door post of your own heart, by looking with blind eyes at the cross, and by building your own ark, without the voice of God which appeared before giving instruction in each case. Salvation is the “work of God” and that is not a lie! ---- YOU SAID “the sin condition of the flesh leads to the choice of unbelief” then you quote Gal 5:19-21: One sins because of a sin nature. The nature is unholy. It is totally corrupt. Yes, unbelief is a choice (something you disagreed with above?) and one that is only forgiven for the elect. Sin is one’s nature. The “nature” (the spirit or soul) must be changed so one will not be an unbeliever! Not only is your sin an affront to God, but your very nature…for you are no longer in the image He created you in (in Adam). ----- Then you attempt the use of a proof text: Mat 13: 58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their UNBELIEF. ..." and say “Unbelief is the opposite of faith.” UNBELIEF is the opposite of Faith. We agree! But what does the Scripture: “for whatsoever is not of faith IS SIN.” IS SIN! UNBELIEF is SIN. Now if the UNBELIEF of every man without exception was bore at Calvary (your own proof text and wording proving it is sin) than you assert UNIVERSALISM against the rest of Scripture. --- You SAID: By your reasoning, the parable of the sower is therefore meaningless: The parable of the sower, very briefly without going verse by verse, reveals the different 4-types of hearts the word of God is sown into. God explains those who will believe and those who will not believe. He reveals 3 types of soil that continue to be lost for eternity--these never have any root in themselves, they have been blinded by sin and love the pleasures of this “world” more than God, etc. The remaining type of soil is the one that the Holy Spirit has tilled (turned over, changed) and enabled to receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save their very souls. Now where in the parable of the sower does it say YOU CHOSE what type of heart you would have? P.S. It doesn’t: Rom 9: 20-22 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? HATH NOT THE POTTER POWER OVER THE CLAY, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: Sorry, I can not stay longer but I must go teach. Hopefully someone else will pick up the mantel and answer your reply. |
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54 | Predestination: scriptures meaningless? | John | JRdoc | 61340 | ||
I will have to answer this in two posts:--length YOU SAID: "...unbelief is not "a" sin... Rom 5:18-21" and accused me of “completely ignoring the scripture.” I must apologize for not directly addressing your “particular” Scripture. I thought the other 7 or so verses revealed to you that UNBELIEF IS a SIN. While I would agree man is “totally depraved” and has a sin nature that can only be changed by re-birth (and until then he will never seek for God, neither can -Rom 3), this is not the meaning of the term UNBELIEF. So your proof text: Rom 5: 18-21 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience MANY were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall MANY be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: the free gift came upon all men unto justification (Are “ALL” without exception justified—again UNIVERSALISM). This cannot mean that all men will be saved; salvation is only for those who exercise the gift faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16, 17; 3:22, 28; 4:5, 13). Like the word “many” in v. 15, Paul is using “all” with two different meanings for the sake of parallelism, a common practice in the O.T. (which he knew fluently). …..do I need to give you more examples of how the term “all” is used in Scripture? Again, CONTEXT! Look at: Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one MANY be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto MANY. Paul uses the word “many” with two distinct meanings in v. 15, just as he did the word “all” in v. 18. He has already established that all men, without exception, bear the guilt of sin and are therefore subject to death (Rom 3). So the “many” who die must refer to all Adam’s descendants. CONTEXT, BTW I do not see the term UNBELIEF used? ---- YOU SAID: Everyone IS lost in the sin condition of the “flesh”: Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. After we choose Christ we are born of the Spirit and can live in our new spirit nature by dying to the flesh. So you are saying that every sin (prior to salvation) is “physical” and not “spiritual”? The verse you quoted proves that everyone has a sin nature (thus the spiritual natural leads to the physical one and “both” sin or are in sin or have the nature of sin), but I DO NOT see where it says that “only the flesh sinneth” and not the spirit or soul of man? Why would the spirit need to be created “new” IF it had not sinned against God? Actually if you will look at vs 14 of Rom 5 (since this seems to be your favorite chapter) it disproves what you are asserting: Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Paul is saying even without the law, death was universal. All men from Adam to Moses were subject to death, not because of their sinful acts against the Mosaic law (which they did not yet have), but because of their own inherited sinful nature. |
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55 | Salvation is of the Lord... | 1 John 1:1 | JRdoc | 61323 | ||
Of course I can tell no one that they are lost or saved. Only God and NO ONE else may give you that assurance. But some “highlights” of your post I will make a brief comment on. 1. The fact that you are seeking God is encouraging and I encourage you to continue. 2. You said “There are some things in 1 John that I can say I believe. One, that Jesus is the Son of God.” a. Do you know this just as a fact or a reality. For instance I have met the President of the U.S. before. I know “of” him, but I do not “know” him. I do not have a relationship with him. b. What kind of relationship do you have with Christ. Do you just know “of” Him or do you “know” Him and “knowing” Him everyday more and more. Judge yourself here, no one else can. 3. You said “It also says some things I'm not sure I have, like love for others. I can't say I'm not free of hatred.” a. What do you interpret as the term “love” meaning? Love (agape in Greek) is NOT a feeling that you have towards others nor anything that you will perfect in this lifetime here on earth. “Love” is activity (1 Cor 13, etc) that comes from the heart towards others and God. Do you love with “activity” based upon the Word of God? Do you seek to grow in this area of your spiritual walk? Judge yourself here, no one else can b. Hatred or anger there is a difference. Many individuals have the idea to be angry is a sin. The Scripture says TO BE ANGRY and SIN NOT. In other words anger is an emotion given to us by God, to perform what is right and holy and just. This of course takes patience and continual obedience to reading, studying, and following God’s Word tempered with prayer. The Scripture also says as Christian we are to hate evil, sin, and the like, but handle it according to His Word. Judge yourself here, no one else can. 4. You stated; “I've had people prophesy over me and say that I'm going to be the spiritual father of many. There have been other s as well. They are encouraging to me, but they never end the uncertainty I have in my heart.” This statement gives me grave concern that you are following the prophecies of man and depending on them for your reassurance and not God Himself (prophecies such as you are asserting are not biblical…..). This is where allot of your doubt is stemming from. You said a non-denominational church—I am guessing but it is probably Charismatic/Pentecostal and thus much of their theology I totally disagree with. Again, I am only guessing here, but MAKE SURE you are in a good biblical church (Reformed Baptist to me is the correct “version” of church one should belong too, but I have many friends that are Presbyterian as well). This you need to make an immediate matter of prayer and begin IMHO seeking a new church. 5. YOU SAID “I've read so many different opinions on the how's and why's of salvation it makes my head spin. All I want is to be saved, to be born again. To be able to believe. To be sure.” My counsel to most people when they first get saved is NOT to read ANY OTHER books other than the BIBLE itself for at least 3 years. Attend, attend, attend a good Bible believing Church and serve, serve, serve. Learn from others in the church. After the initial 3 years begin on a limited basis to read other books. Your faith MUST be in CHRIST and it is BY GRACE ALONE. No man may give it to you. Faith cometh by hearing……..Hear God’s Word. God and only He may give you the assurance you need or show you what is lacking. Prayer and study God’s Word. 6. YOU SAID: “Why do I doubt so much. Why can't I believe. People tell me all you have to do is put your trust in Christ.” a. Your doubt may be there because you are not saved, but God is working you through HIS process. b. You may be saved, but doubt is there to make you keep seeking Him and to grow in faith IN HIM and not others—I know whom I have believed and am persuaded Paul said. Ask God to persuade you. c. God is not some cosmic genie whom man controls with a potion of spells and words. God is God. He does thing His way for a specific purpose. He knows what He is doing. Trust Him. Study His Word. Delight yourself in Him. Continue to taste and see that the Lord is good. d. Remember His grace is sufficient in ALL things. 7. You have not committed the Unforgivable sin. You are not a 1st century Jew…erase that thought…. 8. It appears to me that you have reoccurring sin in your life that you have not “fully” dealt with and thus doubt each time it re-occurs. Of course I do not know what that sin is and do not need to. Find two other, same sex, friends and establish an accountability trio of sorts. These individuals should not be “family” members, but people you trust and are mature in the faith. James says confess your faults……begin dealing with issues…confess them…be held accountable to your group for them…..this will help you to grow in grace and truth…… |
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56 | Sovereignty and Free-Will | John | JRdoc | 61320 | ||
YOU SAID: "Considering the unequivocal force of such evidence, there is absolutely no logical reason to deny that when the text says ‘world’ it means ‘world,’ and everybody in it." (Grace of God, Will of Man; p. 80.) 1. I never said the term “world” meant the elect, but I did say it had at least 7 different definitions (see below, from Owen’s work Death of the Death). Thus, your “unequivocal force of such evidence” is once again assumption and once again no Scripture: The word "kosmos", and its English equivalent "world", is not used with a uniform significance in the New Testament. Very far from it. It is used in quite a number of different ways. 1. "Kosmos" is used of the Universe as a whole: Acts 17:24 "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth." 2. "Kosmos" is used of the earth: John 13:1; Eph 1:4, etc.: "When Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world He loved them unto the end. "Depart out of this world" signifies, leave this earth. "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world". This expression signifies. before the earth was founded — compare Job 38:4, etc. 3. "Kosmos" is used of the world-system: John 12:31, etc.: "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the Prince of this world be cast out" — compare Matt. 4:8 and 1 John 5:19, R.V. 4. "Kosmos" is used of the whole human race: Rom. 3:19, etc.-"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." 5. "Kosmos" is used of humanity minus believers: John 15:18; Rom 3:6: — "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you." Believers do not "hate" Christ, so that "the world" here must signify the world of unbelievers in contrast from believers who love Christ, "God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world." Here is another passage where "the world" cannot mean 'you, me, and everybody', for believers will not be "judged" by God, see John 5:24. So that here, too, it must be the world of unbelievers which is in view. 6. "Kosmos" is used of Gentiles in contrast from Jews: Rom. 11:12, etc.— "Now if the fall of them (Israel) be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them (Israel) the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their (Israel's) fulness." Note how the first clause in bold face is defined by the latter clause placed in bold face. Here, again, "the world" cannot signify all humanity for it excludes Israel! 7. "Kosmos" is used of believers only: John 1:29; 3:16,17; 6:33; 12:47; 1 Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19. ---- YOU QUOTE: on John 3:16, Calvin said: ". . . The Heavenly Father loves the human race, and wishes that they should not perish.''11 Concerning the term whosoever in the same verse, he said: "And he has employed the universal term whosoever, both to invite all indiscriminately to partake of life, and to cut off every excuse from unbelievers. Such is also the impact of the term world, which he formerly used; for though nothing will be found in the world that is worthy of the favour of God, yet he shows himself to be reconciled to the whole world, when he invites all men without exception to the faith of Christ, which is nothing else than an entrance into life.'' John Calvin, Commentary on the Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1949), I, p. 125 Once again you are attempting to quote a book and not Scripture. I never once said I agreed with “everything” Calvin ever wrote. See link: http://www.the-highway.com/atonement.html ---- YOU STATE: The fact is the limited view was not popularly held until the Synod of Dort (1619) and the Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) long after Calvin’s death So, now we are to maintain HISTORY and YOUR BOOKS over against what Scripture states. Besides your facts on history being incorrect, your assumption to put both of these “fallible” works above the “infallible” Word of God is inexcusable. --- YOU STATE: "The Term "Limited Atonement" Really Means Limited Love, Limited Grace of God, and So Slanders God, and Is Unscriptural" (source unknown)” Source UNKNOWN, correct, it is NOT GOD’S definition. I do not serve an UNKNOWN GOD who writes his statements, I serve the Living God, you uses terms such as grace, election, predestination, calling. May God give you eyes to see and ears to hear. |
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57 | Predestination: scriptures meaningless? | John | JRdoc | 61316 | ||
YOU SAID: “Unbelief is not “a” sin, it is the sin “condition” of the flesh that we inherited from Adam” 1. Funny, but untrue. What in turn you have said is that NO ONE may be lost because UNBELIEF (which everyone has) is NOT SIN. Since it is not a sin (so you say) it does not need to be forgiven. Thus anyone who is a unbeliever goes to Heaven? Please…Get Real! 2. Next you assume that UNBELIEF is a condition of the “flesh” and not a “spiritual condition” Christ has a different opinion of UNBELIEF than you: Mat 13: 58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their UNBELIEF. Mark 16: 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their UNBELIEF and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen Paul has a different view of UNBELIEF than you: Rom 4: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through UNBELIEF; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Rom 11:20, 23 Well; because of UNBELIEF they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:… 23 And they also, if they abide not still in UNBELIEF, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 1 Tim 1: 2 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in UNBELIEF. The writer of Hebrews has a different view of UNBELIEF than you: Heb 3:12, 18-19 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of UNBELIEF, in departing from the living God…..18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of UNBELIEF. Heb 4: 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of UNBELIEF . UNBELIEF is sin. UNBELIEF is UNRIGHTEOUSNESS and all unrighteousness is sin. --- THEN YOU SAY: “Now I say again: “If we make the choice to believe in the name of Christ, then we do not need to be forgiven for choosing unbelief:” 1. You make an assumption that you may make a choice without the Holy Spirit changing and converting and empowering to do so. Thus, you have a salvation of works, which is no salvation at all. Rom 11: 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 2. Next, you make the assumption that unbelief is not a sin, which is clearly disproven in Scripture (see above). May God give you mercy to see the truth. |
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58 | Predestination: scriptures meaningless? | John | JRdoc | 61294 | ||
Pastor Glenn: You affirm that Christ died for ALL (without exception) the sin of ALL (without exception) men. This is the affirmation of Arminianism and yours as well as you stated and affirmed. Now, UNBELIEF is a sin. If Christ did not die for it than ALL are still in their sin. If Christ died for the sin of UNBELIEF for ALL MEN (without exception) then NONE (without exception) could ever be lost. This is UNIVERSALISM and this is what your doctrine affirms whether you like it or not. 1. Now this doctrine denies the so called free-will of man. After-all your doctrine affirms that the sin of UNBELIEF has been taken care of at Calvary for ALL men without exception and thus THE DECISION has been made. So please do not accuse Calvinists of doing that which you do to the glory of man. 2. Your doctrine of course is indefensible. The Scripture is clear that some go to hell—Judas, and others are good examples. Thus, once again the Scripture defeats your logic and does not support you claim(s). --- Now you quote --John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” –in your defense. See the very Scripture you assert is used against you. They are “condemned already,” thus Christ could not have died for ALL the SINS (without exception) of ALL MEN (without exception). The very Scripture you assert denies your doctrine! Who are the ones that believe? What does the Scripture say? Acts 13: 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. (still the need of preaching—though you assert Calvinists do not understand this) --- Now you say: “If we make the choice to believe in the name of Christ, then we do not need to be forgiven for choosing unbelief: “ So PAST UNBELIEF is not sin? Surely you jest. What ever is not of faith is sin is what the Scripture asserts. That is very poor Arminianism, but again it is what you affirm against Scripture! Of course here you are stuck and thus looking for a way out, but there is none… --- Then you assert: John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” as your defense. As already explained one receives Christ by God (Hebrews says HE is the Author and Finisher of our faith) not by being “born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man” (vs 13).How can one receive a gift when he is dead? Not until one is made alive may he obtain the gift of grace so freely given. |
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59 | Predestination: scriptures meaningless? | John | JRdoc | 61278 | ||
But, even in your theology "if it is a choice" it still must be a forgiven choice, or else you make salvation a "work" and not by grace alone. And this is what you explained and is what you believe, but not what the Scripture asserts. BTW, what about the ones that ALREADY died before they had the opportunity to LOOK upon the serpent....where was their choice. Once again you have not looked at the "compete" context. Salvation by Arminian Free-will Choice: Impossible (John 1:13) Salvation by Predestination The Correct order of salvation (abbreviated form) Effectual Calling - Divine Act Regeneration - Divine Act Repentance -Divine - Human Faith -Divine - Human Justification -Divine Sanctification -Divine Adoption -Divine Progressive Sanctification -Divine - Human Perseverance IN Holiness - Divine - Human Glorification -Divine |
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60 | Sovereignty and Free-Will | John | JRdoc | 61274 | ||
But, if the assumption is false (as it is) there is NO Scripture to support it. Yes, every verse when in context proves that God is sovereign in the Calvinistic viewpoint of the Scripture, show me one that is not? Why argue something that cannot be supported or is just a mere assumption. You are arguing WHAT IF's that DO NOT exist? What you are proposing mounts to a straw-man which is of not value...we then would be reducing the Scripture to "a" philosophy...this I am not willing to do. If you will state a Scripture I will either state the truth ot link you to a site that displays it (some explainations are too long to post here), but away from the Scripture I do not embark...that is a dark, dark road. |
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