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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Why do some believe while others do not? | NT general Archive 1 | hobbs | 185805 | ||
Most American evangelicals believe that one is free to believe the Gospel or not believe the Gospel. My question is this a consious decision, or a reaction based on the spiritual state of their hearts? | ||||||
2 | Why do some believe while others do not? | NT general Archive 1 | jlhetrick | 185806 | ||
Hello hobbs, As you likely know, this question will likely move quickly to a debate of the doctrine of election which the forum already contains numerous posts on and need not be repeated needlessly. I'm not sure I agree with your statement that "most American evangelicals believe that one is free to believe the Gospel or not...." but without stats it's not a provable point anyway. If you do have stats to support that statement those would be interesting to see. In any case, because the doctrine of election has been one of personal struggle for me to grasp, I have relied on a couple of simple, straightforward statements in Scripture. John 14:3 KJV 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 6:44-45 ESV 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Who can come to the Father unless through Christ? No one according to Scripture. Who can come to Christ unless he is drawn by the Father? No one according to Scripture. Who can resist God if he/she is called by God? Perhaps the meat of your question. My belief as I understand the Scriptures is that no one can or in any case, no one will; "Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me." Ephesians 2:8 (ASV) 2:8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Any faith that is a product of my free will to believe is not a saving faith as I understand Scripture; but only that faith which is "the gift of God" is a true saving faith (lest it be called my own work). It's true that Scripture says that "...whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16); but it also says that whosoever believes does so through the faith that has been given by God "as a gift". I believe that Scripture teaches that God's act of creating men was very deliberate. I also believe that His act of saving some is very clearly, just as deliberate. Hope this helps. God bless, Jeff |
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3 | Why do some believe while others do not? | NT general Archive 1 | CDBJ | 185809 | ||
Hi Jeff, Just to pull your chain a little a bit, what is the full meaning of called or can it mean several things? Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. I once heard a Bible teacher say that he about lost it one day when he ask a fellow to read Matt. 22:14 in Sunday school class and the guy stood up, who left his glasses at home, squinted at the verse and said, “many are cold and a few are frozen”! That pretty much hit the nail on the head even if the guy couldn’t see the page that well. Have fun, CDBJ |
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4 | Why do some believe while others do not? | NT general Archive 1 | jlhetrick | 185860 | ||
Hello CDBJ, Thanks for the response and question, however, I still fear this may turn into yet another debate on the doctrine of election. In any case, I have always understood the statement of Christ “…many are called, but few are chosen” in very simple terms. That is, while many hear the message of salvation not all are chosen by God for inclusion to His family. In the context of the passage as a whole it is interesting that many were called (Matt 22:1-6) and never attended the wedding feast, while others were not said to be called at all but instead “gathered”. And the one not properly dressed is as the five virgins with no oil for their lamps (Matt. 25) And these are like those to whom the Lord will say “And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Matthew 7:23 (ESV) As with all but the “elect” of Israel “failed to obtain what it was seeking” (Romans 11:7) that God’s mercy might be extended beyond, so too those who already had the promise of invitation to the feast failed to come. If we agree that these parables and Paul’s teaching in Romans 11 refer to the same thing (as I do), it is an easier thing to understand that God will be gracious to whom He will be gracious and show mercy to whom He will show mercy (Ex. 33:19) and then to finally believe that “…it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (Rom 9:15) KJV God bless, Jeff |
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5 | Why do some believe while others do not? | NT general Archive 1 | CDBJ | 185864 | ||
Hi Jeff, You posted, “I still fear this may turn into yet another debate on the doctrine of election.” Answer: Not by me, I’m just thankful that I’m one of them! Good conclusion! CDBJ |
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