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NASB | Matthew 12:40 for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 12:40 for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Jon 1:17] |
Subject: Did Jonah die in the belly of the fish? |
Bible Note: Dear Jesusman, You appear to be implying that "redemption is purely from God" is entirely a Calvinist doctrine. There's a lot of confusion about theology these days, and not much efforts in our churches to correct it. John Wesley, one of the more prominent proponents of Arminian theology wrote, "It [redemptive grace] does not depend on any power or merit in man; no, not in any degree, neither in whole, nor in part. It does not in anywise depend either on the good works or righteousness of the receiver; not on anything he has done, or anything he is. It does not depend on his endeavors. It does not depend on his good tempers, or good desires, or good purposes and intentions... Whatsoever good is in man, or is done by man, God is the author and doer of it." You wrote, "Look at Paul's sermon on Mar's Hill. ... He got onto their level without compromising his own." (sic) I'm glad you brought that up. It is an excellent case in point. Let's exegete it together. (Acts 17:22-31) Actually, Paul uses a point of connection, he does not leverage their own thinking to validate the truth. Note that he asserts and affirms that they don't know who they are worshiping (v23). Then he identifies God as the creator who -- fully contradicting their own theology -- does not live in temples (v24), nor does He need anything from His creation (v25), nor does He draw His existence from anything (26a). Indeed, all creation is foreordained, bounded (v27), and dependent on Him (v28). Paul continues to contradict their thinking by asserting that God cannot be compassed by man's creative powers or cognition (v29). Consequently, this God which was utterly contrary to the thinking of the Athenians, has the full authority as creator to judge their foolishness and ignorance (v30), and to command them to repent of such things -- showing the same logic of Romans 1 that it is a moral matter rather than a matter of persuasion. Further, that God's judgment was imminent through Christ (v31a). Finally, that this was all proven by the resurrection of Christ (v31b). Do you see how it was proven? By the resurrection of Christ to which thing Paul testifies. He does not say, "It is proven by your own beliefs." Paul uses their error as a starting point to rebuke and correct them -- which is precisely what we are told that Word of God is for (2 Timothy 3:16-17). (And, yes, Paul can make all these assertions about the attributes of God because God has formerly revealed them... in the Word! (Hebrews 1:1-2)) You asked, "...why are we commanded to teach the unsaved?" (sic) Correction: We are not to simply teach. Lost people are not simply in need of a tutor; nor are they sick, in need of a doctor; but the Scripture says the lost are dead in their sins (Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13; 1 Peter 2:24)... therefore they need a miracle! Anyway, to answer your question, God has ordained preaching as the means by which grace is bestowed on men. Please read 1 Corinthians 1:21-29. God has specifically chosen "the foolishness of preaching to save believers" (v21). Frankly, son, I'd rather use the ordained means of God for reaching the lost, than to try to leverage their own failed, vain, and deceitful philosophies (Colossians 2:8). All redeemed people are persuaded people. All persuaded people are not redeemed people (Matthew 13:20-21, 38). In Him, Doc |