Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:5 He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will-- |
Subject: Basis of election and predestination? |
Bible Note: Greetings, Please forgive me for this my delayed reply to your comments on 8-Dec-2007. It’s been a busy week. You said: “You stated; "Faith is itself the gift of God to His elect" Based upon that statement, let me counter by saying that if faith is a gift then why does Romans 8:17 say "faith comes by hearing." Because God’s gift of saving Faith comes through the hearing of the good news [i.e. Gospel] of Christ. The Gospel and its proclamation is God’s appointed medium through which He effectually calls and draws His chosen ones to Christ by the irresistible impulsion of God the Holy Spirit. You said: “If faith was merely a gift, it would simply be given without the necessity of hearing.” “Merely a gift”? I'm perturbed that you consider saving Faith as only a “mere” gift? I say this because Salvation in all of its manifold aspects is a Gift; Justification is a gift, God’s indispensable grace is what it says it is - a gift; saving Repentance is a gift; effectual calling is a gift; Christ Himself is God’s gift to all of His elect people. Are all these but “mere” gifts”? You said: “I have read where Spurgeon described faith as a grasp rather than a gift. ‘I believe that, although I cannot swim, yonder friendly plank will support me in the flood, I grasp it, and am saved: the grasp is faith.’ - Spurgeon - The Warrant of Faith.” Spurgeon was speaking metaphorically. Figures of speech are no substitute for Biblical Facts. As a matter of principle, our theology must always be rooted and grounded in God’s infallible Scriptures; not on men’s oratory. The Scriptures state that saving Faith is the gift of God, and that determines the matter. And in reading Spurgeon’s allusion to saving Faith in the excerpt above, whether Spurgeon overlooked that the Biblical truth that Regeneration [the new birth from above – John 3:3-8] always must and does precedes the giving of saving Faith? I've also detected universalistic tendencies in Spurgeon’s oratory and therefore I increasingly treat his writings with caution. To sum up, although he was a prolific preacher, Spurgeon was far from infallible. His sermons and writings, and everyone else’s statements and opinions, must always be very carefully weighed against the sure litmus-test of the Scriptures. Finally, Sola Scriptura is always the incomparable Divinely-established criterion and only sure light and lamp for all authentic believers. The LORD God and His inspired Scriptures are always infinitely worthy of trust; all else is questionable. Regards, Michael |