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NASB | Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:4 just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love |
Subject: Predestination |
Bible Note: Scribe: What you are describing here is the difference between orthodoxy (right doctrine) and orthopraxy (right practice). Your examples of baptism and the Lord's Supper are extrememly good ones. However, many Protestant congregations do exactly the thinsg you are describing here. Many churches baptize every Sunday (especially in those Baptist churches you don't seem very fond of). Other congregations celebrate the Lord's Supper in the manner you describe, and I think your arguments here have quite a bit of validity. However, these are questions fo right practice. Nowhere in any respectable Protestant church will you find a teacher saying "You MUST wait to be baptized" (unless there is some concern about that individual's understanding and acceptance of the gospel) or "We MUST use the wafers and cups or it isn't communion." Interestingly enough. my minister was just talking about this just last night before we took part in Communion. I think that the departures from the model we see in Acts is largely based on logistical problems than doctrinal disgreement over THE right way to do it. For example, in a church of 900 communicants, imagine how big a single loaf would have to be! It would be interesting to know how after Pentecost the church at Jerusalem celebrated the Supper, with all those new mouths to feed, wouldn't it? --Joe! |