Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Basis of election and predestination? | Eph 1:5 | Michael T. | 197199 | ||
Hi, The “foreknowledge” referred to in 1 Peter 1:2 is God the Father’s foreknowledge from before Creation of those persons as such who He had chosen (elected and predestinated) to be brought to salvation by grace. This “foreknowledge” in 1 Peter 2:1 cannot be taken as referring to any hypothetical foreseeing by God that such people would have faith or would trust in Christ or would persevere, because the Scriptures are emphatic that saving Faith is itself the gift of God to His elect (Romans 12:3; Titus 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Galatians 5:22; Acts 13:48; Acts 18:27, and John 10:26), and the preservation of God’s elect people is also declared by the Scriptures to be by God’s grace [John 6:39-40; John 6:44, and John 10:28-29). Ephesians 1:3-11 repeatedly emphasises that God’s election and pre-destination of His people from before Creation took no account whatsoever of any supposed merit or goodness in them because the universally-depraving effects of the Fall of Man (Genesis 3, Romans 12:3; Romans 3:9-18 etc.) ensured that all of 6the human race without any exception were all spiritually-dead in trespasses and sins (Romans 3:23) and were thus incapable of doing and/or being Good in the sight of God. Romans 9:11-13 is a remarkable statement of Election (and therefore salvation) entirely on the basis of underserved grace: Romans 9:11-13 - [9] “For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. [10] And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; [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 Who calls;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Particularly note the phrase in Romans 9, verse 11b “ . . . that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him Who calls.” This is an outstanding declaration of the absolute sovereignty of God’s grace in election and salvation. I hope that these comments are helpful. Please let me know id any point is not entirely clear. Regards, Michael T. |
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2 | Basis of election and predestination? | Eph 1:5 | New Creature | 197236 | ||
Hello Michael You stated; "Faith is itself the gift of God to His elect" Based upon that statement, let me counter by saying that if faith is a gift then why does Rom 8:17 say "faith comes by hearing" If faith was merely a gift, it would simply be given without the neccesity of hearing. I have read where Spurgeon described faith as a grasp rather than a gift. "I believe that, although I cannot swim, yonder friendly plank will support me in the flood, I grasp it, and am saved: the grasp is faith." - Spurgeon - The Warrant of Faith. |
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3 | Basis of election and predestination? | Eph 1:5 | Michael T. | 197511 | ||
Greetings, Please forgive me for this my delayed reply to your comments on 8-Dec-2007. It’s been a busy week. You said: “You stated; "Faith is itself the gift of God to His elect" Based upon that statement, let me counter by saying that if faith is a gift then why does Romans 8:17 say "faith comes by hearing." Because God’s gift of saving Faith comes through the hearing of the good news [i.e. Gospel] of Christ. The Gospel and its proclamation is God’s appointed medium through which He effectually calls and draws His chosen ones to Christ by the irresistible impulsion of God the Holy Spirit. You said: “If faith was merely a gift, it would simply be given without the necessity of hearing.” “Merely a gift”? I'm perturbed that you consider saving Faith as only a “mere” gift? I say this because Salvation in all of its manifold aspects is a Gift; Justification is a gift, God’s indispensable grace is what it says it is - a gift; saving Repentance is a gift; effectual calling is a gift; Christ Himself is God’s gift to all of His elect people. Are all these but “mere” gifts”? You said: “I have read where Spurgeon described faith as a grasp rather than a gift. ‘I believe that, although I cannot swim, yonder friendly plank will support me in the flood, I grasp it, and am saved: the grasp is faith.’ - Spurgeon - The Warrant of Faith.” Spurgeon was speaking metaphorically. Figures of speech are no substitute for Biblical Facts. As a matter of principle, our theology must always be rooted and grounded in God’s infallible Scriptures; not on men’s oratory. The Scriptures state that saving Faith is the gift of God, and that determines the matter. And in reading Spurgeon’s allusion to saving Faith in the excerpt above, whether Spurgeon overlooked that the Biblical truth that Regeneration [the new birth from above – John 3:3-8] always must and does precedes the giving of saving Faith? I've also detected universalistic tendencies in Spurgeon’s oratory and therefore I increasingly treat his writings with caution. To sum up, although he was a prolific preacher, Spurgeon was far from infallible. His sermons and writings, and everyone else’s statements and opinions, must always be very carefully weighed against the sure litmus-test of the Scriptures. Finally, Sola Scriptura is always the incomparable Divinely-established criterion and only sure light and lamp for all authentic believers. The LORD God and His inspired Scriptures are always infinitely worthy of trust; all else is questionable. Regards, Michael |
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