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NASB | Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 22:14 "For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen." |
Bible Question:
God mentions his "Elect in the bible: Isaiah 65:22, Matthew 24:22, Matthew 24:24, Matthew 24:31, Mark 13:20, Mark 13:22, Mark 13:27, Luke 18:7, Romans 8:33, Romans 9:11, Romans 11:5, Romans 11:7, Romans 11:28, Colossians 3:12,1 Thessalonians 1:4, 1 Timothy 5:21, 2 Timothy 2:10, Titus 1:1, 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 2:6, 2 Peter 1:10 God refers to the elect as His Sheep many places in the bible. In John 10:11 Jesus says: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. And: John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. And: John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And: John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: It sems clear that Jesus came into the world to save the election ONLY. Jesus says: John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. If this it true then the reasoning and doctrine that the Churches have held is wrong and we have been lied too. Salvation isn't based on church attendance or anything else anyone can do to get right with our Father. Nothing we can do can save us or others. Our Father is the one who gives his sheep to our Lord Jesus: Romans 9:15 and will have mercy on them if he choses. So sitting in a church isn't going to get anyone saved. In fact, sitting in any church now may do just the reverse. I believe anyone who truly seeks God will come to this conclusion and shake with fear. What do you think? I know I am praying so much more now then ever. |
Bible Answer: AHN, There are many ideals running through this post first understand this you are correct when you make the statement that church membership will not get one into Heaven. Only coming to Jesus Christ in humblr repentance confesing your sins to Him and asking Him to forgive your sin then accepting Him as Lord of your life will get you or anyone elese to Heaven. As far as predestination is concerned there can be no real debate on if God predestines or not He does. The question is on what bsases does He predestine. I would personally argue that it is on His foreknowledge of what choices an indivual will make. There are many who would disagree with me on this and I am sure you will hear from them. With that said let us look to the scriptures You quoted much from the book of John in your post so we will begin there. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; John 3:15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:14-18 NASB Note that twicw in this short passage the word whosoever is used "whosoever belives will be saved" sso to me that makes it clear everybody gets a chance at salvation. So I would say that those who answer the call of Christ are the elect. As I said before this is based on His foreknowledge. To show this point lets look at thebook of Romans chapter 8:28-30 from the NKJV 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified Here Paul gives us a list of what God does for the beliver and if you notice it all starts with those He foreknew. The one point you are 100 percent correct on is there is nothing we can do to get right with God only the finished work of Christ in attonement can put anyone right with God and then through a foreign rightousness not of our own but through Christ Jesus. As to Romans 9:15 God promises that He will have mercy on all who come to Him in the rightousness of His Son Jesus Christ. For a reference read Romans chapter 8. ]As for church attendence that has been a hotly debated topic the last few days on another thread that has also been restricted but in the thread Edb makes some great points concerning this topic I would encourage you to check them out for yourself. I can not come to agree with the last part of your post about being in church is a way to keep from being saved on this I would encourage you to much prayer and to seek out a healthy well balanced church to attend. We all need that support structure in our lives as belivers. Although some may argue there is no such thing as a lone ranger christan. I hope this helps. In The Love Of Christ, tgc |