Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Why can we not just be Christians? | 1 Pet 1:2 | Not yet | 151519 | ||
In his post #351 concerning Calvinism Kalos made the following statement " . . . WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT ELECTION? Election is the act of God whereby in eternity past He chose those who will be saved. Election is unconditional, because it does not depend on anything outside of God, such as good works or foreseen faith (Romans 9:16). This doctrine is repeatedly taught in the Bible, and is also demanded by our knowledge of God." Though I know that there are many who are much more learned than I will ever be, I simply do not read the words of scripture as making such a statement as is noted above. No doubt, they can be read as saying such, but the following is how I read it. God is an all knowing God. Before He created the heavens and earth, He knew each and every soul who would ever walk the face of the earth. He also knew who and who would not accept His Word, which was and is His one and only Son. Thus, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will . . . . . . “ Ephesians 1:4-5,11 Is it not his will, as is stated in scripture, that none should perish. If it were as is stated by Kalos, in having chosen His Elect, would it not be His will that the non elect would perish? Who are those he knew? Are they not those whom, from the beginning, He knew would know Him? I think this is more likely to fit the description of the loving and Graceful God of scripture. Is our faith not by His Grace? No, I do not believe that God just “picked and chose” from the pot of humanity, who would, and who would not be saved by His Grace. And though many interpret otherwise, I do not believe such a statement can be found in scripture if one takes scripture as it was intended, “as a whole,” not a bit here and another bit there. “Cover to cover.” I am called a Republican, but I am not a Republican. I am called a conservative, but I am not a conservative. I am called a Calvinist, but I am not a Calvinist. I tend to vote Republican because the party tends to poses morals, and lean toward what is scripturally founded, though they do not always operate by either. I tend to be a bit conservative. I believe the bible teaches such, but it also teaches charity and sympathy. I am called Calvinist because I believe what scripture teaches, even though others read it differently. I once looked up the biblical definition of the word “sin.” One of the many definitions of sin in scripture, is “anything done to the excess. It appears to me that Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, Calvinists and Armenianists, or what ever they are called, all tend to be ULTRA--Republican, ULTRA- Democrats, ULTRA-Conservatives, ULTRA-this and, ULTRA-that. Even when the opponent is right, they refuse to admit it and change their views. Why can we not just be Christians; All members of one body; the body of Jesus Christ, our savior? |
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2 | Why can we not just be Christians? | 1 Pet 1:2 | kalos | 151537 | ||
WHAT DOES BIBLE TEACH ABOUT ELECTION 2 (continued from WHAT DOES BIBLE TEACH ABOUT ELECTION 1) 'Occasionally someone will suggest that God's election is based on His foreknowledge of certain events. This argument suggests that God simply looks into the future to see who will believe, and He chooses those whom He sees choosing Him. Notice that 1 Peter 1:2 says the elect are chosen "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," and Romans 8:29 says, "whom He foreknew, He also predestined." And if divine foreknowledge simply means God's knowledge of what will happen in advance, then these arguments may appear to have some weight behind them. 'But that is not the biblical meaning of "foreknowledge." When the Bible speaks of God's foreknowledge, it refers to God's establishment of a love relationship with that person. The word "know," in both the Old and New Testament, refers to much more than mere cognitive knowledge of a person. Such passages as Hosea 13:4-5; Amos 3:2 (KJV); and Romans 11:2 clearly indicate this. For example, 1 Peter 1:20 says Christ was "foreknown before the foundation of the world." Surely this means more than that God the Father looked into the future to behold Christ! It means He had an eternal, loving relationship with Him. The same is true of the elect, whom we are told God "foreknew" (Romans 8:29). That means He knew them--he loved them--before the foundation of the world. 'If God's choice of the elect is unconditional, does this rule out human responsibility? Paul asks and answers that very question in Romans 9:19-20. He says God's choice of the elect is an act of mercy. Left to themselves, even the elect would persist in sin and be lost, because they are taken from the same fallen lump of clay as the rest of humanity. God alone is responsible for their salvation, but that does not eradicate the responsibility of those who persist in sin and are lost--because they do it willfully, and not under compulsion. They are responsible for their sin, not God. 'The Bible affirms human responsibility right alongside the doctrine of divine sovereignty. Moreover, the offer of mercy in the gospel is extended to all alike. Isaiah 55:1 and Revelation 22:17 call "whosoever will" to be saved. Isaiah 45:22 and Acts 17:30 command all men to turn to God, repent and be saved. First Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 tell us that God is not willing that any should perish, but desires that all should be saved. Finally, the Lord Jesus said that, "the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" (John 6:37). 'In summary, we can say that God has had a special love relationship with the elect from all eternity, and on the basis of that love relationship chosen them for salvation. The ultimate question of why God chose some for salvation and left others in their sinful state is one that we, with our finite knowledge, cannot answer. We do know that God's attributes always are in perfect harmony with each other, so that God's sovereignty will always operate in perfect harmony with His goodness, love, wisdom, and justice.' ____________________ Article by John MacArthur at www.gty.org - listed in Issues and Answers archives |
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3 | Why can we not just be Christians? | 1 Pet 1:2 | NYP | 151950 | ||
..."This argument suggests that God simply looks into the future to see who will believe, and He chooses those whom He sees choosing Him. Notice that 1 Peter 1:2 says the elect are chosen "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," and Romans 8:29 says, "whom He foreknew, He also predestined." And if divine foreknowledge simply means God's knowledge of what will happen in advance, then these arguments may appear to have some weight behind them..." Appear to have some weight? They have the weight of scripture. And the only argument contained in this particular post to their contrary, is pure speculation. Inconclusive assumptions, lined with scripture which is no more than neutral to the to either side of the argument. John MacArthur is a Fine Bible teacher, but his word is not the final word. Nor is it scripture. Dear Kalos, I note that you have quoted him much through the years. Can you quote no one else on the matter, for this is a particularly unconvincing argument? Do you believe exactly what he teaches, as he teaches? I believe what scripture teaches, and I believe scripture gives more than just a little weight to the above thought. I wish John and all who desire to bring grace where grace is due, would consider his words concerning this and like subjects which, “we, with our finite knowledge, cannot answer.” Though we all have our firm beliefs concerning such matters, when we learn to respect the beliefs of others by not presenting what is contrary to such matters of insignificance, without absolute scriptural proof of our assertions, perhaps then we can live as scripture teaches, with one mind and of one body. Picture the body of Christ, the Church as a living, breathing human being. Only picture that human being as having all members, i.e. hands, fingers, arms, legs, feet and so on, with the ability to speak and act, individually as the please. Now what does that person look like your minds eye? Personally, I am hard pressed to see Christ as its head.. Sincerely In Him And pondering what is worthy. NYP |
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4 | Why can we not just be Christians? | 1 Pet 1:2 | kalos | 151963 | ||
"If you are of that opinion, pray remain so..." "It seems odd, that certain men who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what he has revealed to others." -- C. H. Spurgeon |
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5 | Why can we not just be Christians? | 1 Pet 1:2 | Not yet | 151982 | ||
I am of no "opinion" not depicted in scripture. Neither do I have to quote the words of others who have filled my head with their "opinions" to say what it is I desire. The Holy Spirit has revealed no more to me than He has to anyone who is willing to take His word as it is written, nor, dear sir, have I made such a claim. I am Not Yet perfect. Neither, unlike some, do I fool myself into making the claim that I fully understand all there is to understand, concerning the entire Word. Nor do I, or have, as some, implied such. Respectfully defending the faith. NYP |
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6 | Why can we not just be Christians? | 1 Pet 1:2 | Wild Olive Shoot | 151984 | ||
Not yet, You stated in your recent post: “I am of no "opinion" not depicted in scripture.” Then closed with: “Respectfully defending the faith.” May I ask whose faith you are defending? From what Scripture shows us, God is more than capable of defending His own. A few selected verses: Jeremiah 50:34 (NIV) Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon. Zechariah 9:8 (NIV) But I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch. Luke 12:10-12 (NIV) 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." Zechariah 12:8 (NASB) "In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD before them. 1 Corrinthians 1:7-9 (NIV) 7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. WOS |
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7 | Why can we not just be Christians? | 1 Pet 1:2 | Not yet | 152019 | ||
Is it that you too, can not understand my words? Please do not take offence, but I cannot help but to wonder how it is that so many are so good at copy and paste, yet retain so little as to ask such a question in this matter. As to who's faith I defend, those who know more than simply how to copy and paste what is professed herein, have no such question. I will only put you in mind of 1Ti 6:12. My profession is good. It is founded on the solid rock of scripture. That there are those who disagree, makes it no less valid. They have every right to believe and profess as they will. I, also have the right to believe, and profess as scripture commands. This is another picture of what was in my mind when I originated this post. My sincere apology if my words are stronger than need be. I mean no ill will toward anyone. I believe as I believe, and what I believe is scripture. That others may read what I read differently, there is no doubt. I read scripture with the rest in mind. In Him and agreeing to disagree. |
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