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NASB | Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, ¶ To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God [that is, by His purpose and choice], To the saints (God's people) who are at Ephesus and are faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus: |
Subject: does God chose who he will save |
Bible Note: Hi Hobbs, Perhaps I may be able to answer this question. I see this, I think, in the same way as New Creature. I think he explained if as well as I've heard. In this case of the Phillipian jailer, when he asked, "what must I do to be saved?", he is asking what conditions must be met in order to receive that which he desires, salvation. Paul answers, "believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved." As a conditional clause, salvation is predicated on believing. Without belief, there is no salvation. Belief, then, must precede salvation. Here, "believe" is in the active voice, something done by the jailer. So as NC said, God does not "believe" for him, he must believe for himself. So salvation is predicated on an action performed by the jailer. It could have been written differently, showing belief simply coming to him, that the jailer "received belief", but that's not what Paul said. So in answer to the jailer's request to know what has to happen for him to be saved, Paul answered that he has to believe on the Lord Jesus, and that if he, the jailer, does that, then he will be saved. I am certain that the jailer experienced the drawing of the Father, as I believe all men do. I hope this helps, and I trust NC will correct me if I did not answer well. Love in Christ, Mark |