Results 81 - 100 of 100
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: bjanko Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | Predetermined or Free Will | Luke 8:13 | bjanko | 479 | ||
It simply sounds to me as if you are redefining many terms. I have answered your verses by arguing that mere verses are insufficient; they must be accompanied by the use of Scripture as a whole as the context in which to interpret them. I believe you, like all Arminians, are not setting all your "verses" in light of the whole of Scripture. So rather than parroting verses out of context, we must also be able to understand and explain the rationale behind them and how they must necessarily all "add up." If you want to answer my questions, you can review my previous posts and simply look for the sentences which end with this symbol: ? But frankly, I think it would be much more important for you to answer them FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT than for mine. I'm glad you have researched this topic. I feel you need to research it further, but that is up to you. As for me, I think I have answered you fairly well already. I do not think you have thought much about the issues I raised, but I really do not have more to say on the issue. By reviewing the previous posts, you can see what I have stated and WHY I have stated it. |
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82 | Predetermined or Free Will | Luke 8:13 | bjanko | 465 | ||
You apparently did not read my post very carefully. For example, in citing Eph. 2:1 -- "dead in transgressions and sins" -- you made the point that it was not a literal term and then answered as though I claimed the verse referred to literal death. However, I specifically said "spiritually dead," which is how the apostle meant it. Spiritually dead is still dead, spiritually speaking, and so man cannot choose God. It's right there in black and white. You are not taking the words in their normal sense, but reading your view into them. You seem to have presupposed the correctness of your own view and begun with a bias against Calvinism and will accept nothing else. Rather than starting with what you would like to be true, you ought to consider what Scripture says to be true. (Whether Calvinism is true is irrelevant.) You also seem to not understand the term "predestined." That has the word "destiny" in it. It means that ones destiny is already decided. It does not mean that God knows what is going to happen in advance; God knowing in advance would be omniscience. If you do not know the meanings of these basic terms, how can you interpret the verses correctly? Finally, I notice that you have answered NONE of the questions I have posed to you. If you want to let us know your "verses," that's fine. But if you want dialogue, you need to respond to my questions as I have responded to yours. |
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83 | How do you then interpret the verses... | Luke 8:13 | bjanko | 461 | ||
The common trait of all the verses you quote is that they all say that the man who chooses Christ will be saved. BUT THEY NEVER SAY WHAT KIND OF MAN CHOOSES CHRIST! This is the case with all so-called "free will" verses. The verses supporting predestination, on the other hand, are very explicit: they all say that no man can choose God unless God enables them to; or they say that God has chosen certain people to respond to His call. Taking this in view, it is very consistent to conclude that God foreordains whom He will save; and when these people choose God, they will have everlasting life. But if you simply say that sinful people who despise God somehow, magically, choose God; then you are really saying that man is not thoroughly sinful, that the inclinations of his heart are not evil continually, and you still have no explanation for how a corrupt man could choose Christ and a way of life which is entirely against all the sinfulness within that sinful man. And you also have no explanation for all the verses which explicitly state that God has predestined a people to Himself. I suggest YOU read John 6:44 in context. In the midst of telling people how to be saved, Jesus makes the EXPLICIT point that they cannot do it on their own. They have not ears to hear. Only the elect, those few who are responding to Christ, are saved; and He makes it clear, properly giving glory to God, that the ones responding have been chosen and predestined by God -- in other words, they are not choosing on their own, but God Himself is drawing them. So, clearly, God's drawing precedes their choosing. In context, the point is clear that Jesus says ONLY the ones who are drawn will be saved; for indeed they are the only ones who are enabled to come to Christ. |
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84 | Predetermined or Free Will | Luke 8:13 | bjanko | 460 | ||
You wrote: '3: To renounce your salvation would be to turn your back on God, to no longer believe or accept his Gift. To no longer follow the teachings of Christ. Granted, you could always say that person wasn't really saved then. But then what would you say would have happened to that person if they died prior to that drastic change?' My reply: Since they were never saved to begin with, then they would have gone to hell. You wrote: 'And if you say that the person must not have been chosen by God to be saved and was only fooling themselves when they truely believed in Christ and thought they were saved -- ' Me: That's not what I'm saying; that's what the Bible says. You cont'd: ' -- then can you say for sure that anyone is saved?' My reply: No. Of course not. How can I tell if you are saved or if someone else is saved? Am I God? It would be quite presumptuous for anyone to claim he could tell if someone is saved or not, don't you think? You wrote: 'Did Jesus die for everyone or just for a select few?' My reply: He obviously died for only a select few. In Romans 9, Paul calls them "the elect." If God HAD died for everybody, then everybody would be saved. Do you really think that people whom God has decided to save can resist His will? Do you put mere man on the same level as God? You wrote: 'I can show you several versus that show that He died for all, can you show one that says otherwise?' My reply: Although I have shown you several, you do not seem interested in what they say. Again, a mere smattering a verses (not versus) means nothing if you do not take the whole of Scripture into account in interpreting them. You wrote: 'Then if Jesus did die for all, how could there be some that God predetermined not to be save?' My reply: Indeed, you finally understand me. If Jesus died for all, then all would surely, without question, be saved, for Jesus' blood is in no way ineffectual. However, all are NOT saved; therefore, Jesus did NOT die for all, but only for His people, only for the elect. |
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85 | Predetermined or Free Will | Luke 8:13 | bjanko | 459 | ||
You wrote: '2: God has predetermined that his plan of salvation will be carried out. This does not mean that he has predetermined who will and will not be saved.' My reply: That simply does not make any sense. How can the predetermined will of an all-powerful God NOT come to pass? You wrote: 'God wants everyone to be saved (If you need several versus to back this up, let me know). He provided the means for that to happen through the death and ressurection of Jesus. It is our choice whether to accept his Gift or not.' My reply: Eph. 2:1-2 "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins" How do the spiritually dead choose anything? When's the last time you have seen a corpse make a choice o do anything else for that matter? John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." This is pretty explicit. Sure God desires that all be saved, but He did not PROVIDE so that all will be saved. Since all will not be saved, then if you say that God PROVIDED atonement for all, then you are saying that the atonement which God has provided has FAILED. But a failing God is NOT the God of the Bible! It makes more sense to understand that, while God desires all will be saved, He only PROVIDED atonement FOR HIS PEOPLE whom He has elected from eternity past. As for the numerous verses you quoted: it is not proper to pick and choose numerous verses which support your view while ignoring all the verses which do not support your view. You seem to be ignoring all the verses which speak of election and God's will from before eternity and the fact that God is the ONLY acting party in the regeneration of the soul. What about the verses I have quoted? You simply say things like, "but that doesn't necessarily mean thus and such".... but your responses are really no answer; you are begging the question. My answer to all your verses is that we certainly do choose God: AFTER He has regenerated us and given us the gift of salvation. But as the Bible explicitly and clearly says, we are DEAD in our trespasses and sins and NO ONE comes to Jesus UNLESS the Father draws him. |
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86 | Predetermined or Free Will | Luke 8:13 | bjanko | 456 | ||
You wrote: '1: Where does it say that Jesus is omnipotent? Jesus says in Mat 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father." If Jesus were omnipotent as you say, He would have known the day and hour.' My reply: You are confusing omniscience with omnipotence. What you are describing is omniscience -- having all knowledge. I was speaking of omnipotence -- having all power. If you study the doctrine of Christ in more depth, you will learn that Jesus was one Person (of the Trinity) with two natures, fully man and fully God. Being fully God, Jesus would be fully omnipotent and omniscience. The verse you quote is obviously Jesus speaking as fully man. |
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87 | Can a believer lose his salvation? | Luke 8:13 | bjanko | 293 | ||
How does a "saved" person "renounce" his salvation? It's not common for a saved person to blaspheme the Holy Spirit, is it? If a "saved" person renounced his salvation, it would only demonstrate that he had never been saved to begin with. Since when does the omnipotent Jesus save someone only to have them cast off what He has predetermined to do for them since the beginning of time? |
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88 | Would you please give scripture evidence | 1 Cor 13:12 | bjanko | 265 | ||
I do not think any verses really address this. However, it is a reasonable assumption that our loved ones who are saved will be recognizable to us. We all have our same bodies, although they will be glorified. It is not a stretch to believe we will be able to recognize one another; but, frankly, I think we will be more interested in the recognition and worship of Christ. | ||||||
89 | Is Passover celebrated by Messianic Jews | NT general Archive 1 | bjanko | 264 | ||
I would say that it would be all right to appreciate the rich Christological symbolism of the Passover. But if one actually "celebrates" Passover, it is like ignoring the work of Christ because Christ IS our Passover. Passover is the shadow; Christ is the substance. Christ is the Real and Glorious and Beautiful. To actually "celebrate" Passover would be to turn from the worship of the Real and to be enamored with the picture of the Real, to look at the picture more than the object of the picture. "For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed" (1 Cor 5:7b) |
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90 | why were Eli's sons permitted to do this | 1 Samuel | bjanko | 244 | ||
This is evidence that Eli's faith grew cold in his later years. This is evidenced by the way God judged him at the end of his life. |
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91 | What does Bible teach on election? | Bible general Archive 1 | bjanko | 225 | ||
Election is unconditional. "And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." (Rom 9:10-13) |
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92 | Does Jas 2 contradict Rom 4? | James | bjanko | 221 | ||
No, because Paul, in Romans, is talking about our imputed justification which makes us righteous in the sight of God and is a gift from Him; whereas, James is discussing our obedience to live out our faith, to live out the Christian life, and he uses the word "justification" in the sense of our faith being vindicated before men. They are using the same word "justification" in two DIFFERENT ways. (This can be discerned by carefully studying the context.) | ||||||
93 | Can women serve as elders in the church? | 1 Tim 3:1 | bjanko | 220 | ||
No. That is not proper. See the preceding chapter of the very book you quote. "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet." (1 Tim 2:12) |
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94 | Can a believer lose his salvation? | Luke 8:13 | bjanko | 218 | ||
If one is truly saved, he cannot lose his salvation. Read these words of assurance: "But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day." (John 6:36-39) |
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95 | Can one who commits suicide be saved? | Mark 3:28 | bjanko | 217 | ||
P.S.... but just because you could still be saved does not mean it is acceptable to commit suicide. If you have suicidal feelings, you should seek counsel. The Lord wants to bless you in this life. | ||||||
96 | Can one who commits suicide be saved? | Mark 3:28 | bjanko | 216 | ||
Salvation comes through believing in Jesus. If you believe in Christ, but are brought to a point of despair where you killed yourself you would still be saved. This would not be the common course for a believer, but it could theoretically happen. | ||||||
97 | Was Noah's Ark ever found? | OT general | bjanko | 169 | ||
No. | ||||||
98 | Fear of what? The cured man? | Luke 8:37 | bjanko | 151 | ||
They were probably afraid of this breach of the natural. An incredible miracle had taken place and the people, being faithless, feared because this indicated that power of God had visited them. The unmistakable presence of God always strikes fear in the hearts of unrepentant sinners. | ||||||
99 | Abel's sacrifice better than Cain's? | Heb 11:4 | bjanko | 100 | ||
Heb. 11:4 says that Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain. That is a clear statement in Scripture. We next need to ask, "Why was Abel's offering better?" It is clear from the Gen 4 account that first each person's offering is described and then the text says the LORD had regard (or did not have regard) for that person AND their offering. So, the person was connected to the offering because -- as Hebrews points out -- the kind of offering brought was a clear demonstration of the person's faith. Finally, if one studies the nature of sacrifices made throughout Scripture, it is clear that God requires a blood sacrifice to atone for the sins of His people. It is completely a sound inference to say that Abel's offering was pleasing because it was a blood sacrifice. In the previous chapter, God kills an animal (blood) to get the skins for Adam and Eve's clothes. Later, Abraham is about to make a blood offering of his son Isaac, (though he substitutes a ram instead). This is the most important reason for understanding that - IN CONTEXT - Abel's offering was preferred was because it was a blood offering: because it was a type of the ultimate blood sacrifice and substitute, Jesus Christ. Abel's blood even cried out from the ground! Abel himself was a picture of Jesus Christ: though innocent he was killed, and the Lord replaced him, "resurrecting" the line of the promised Seed of the woman, by causing Eve to give birth to Seth. Just like the word "trinity" is not in the Bible but is clearly taught, so it is legitimate to infer the meaning of something like this when so much of the rest of Scripture in totality is in support of it. |
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100 | when did it rain for the first time? | Genesis | bjanko | 74 | ||
At first, the plants were watered by a mist that used to rise from the surface of the ground. Rain did not begin till after the "floodgates" of the sky were opened. Compare these verses: Gen 2:5 Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. Gen 2:6 But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. AND Gen 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. Gen 7:12 The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. |
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