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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: Doc I purposely kept my response short because it is evident from your replies that you would like to convince me that Reformed teaching and what you describe as "The Doctrines of Grace" is without any fault. Now if thats what you want to believe, then fine. I have studied those same doctrines along side the Scriptures and I personally believe those doctrines which you cherish are not entirely compatable with Scripture. At the same time I prefer not to get into a long drawn out discussion on Reformed doctrine. It's not a matter of which of us is right. The only thing that matters is the fact that Scripture is right. The criteria I use for determining truth from error is Scripture. I don't attempt to make my theology line up with Scripture, I allow Scripture to form my theology. While God has placed many good teachers within the body, we still need to be good Berean's and search the Scriptures daily to see whether or not what we read and hear from men is indeed true (Acts 17:11). The Holy Spirit alone is called the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:17; 15:26). The Holy Spirit guides all those whom He indwells, not just me. (Jn 14:26; 16:13) and leads each genuine believer who trust in Him into a gradual unfolding of the truth. 1 John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him. My theology wasn't formed all at once. It came gradually and painstakingly, line upon line, and by holding up the Scriptures as my final authority for all faith and practice. Today we have the priesthood of every genuine believer (1 Pet 2:5,9) along with all it's entiltlement. Lastly, I agree the men of the past who formed various schools of theology were sincere. However sincerity doesn't guarantee absolute truth. I am not here to defend or support them. I intend to defend the Scriptures. Paul was especially able to state that the gospel which he preached did not come from man, but was received and passed along from him to us by Divine revelation: Gal 1:11 For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. Gal 1:12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. I don't understand why you want to draw my attention away from the Scriptures to devote my attention to the words of men which I have already studied quite intensely in the past. They don't fully line up with Scripture and in some respects can mislead the undiscerning who are not trusting in Sola Scriptura as their final authority. Why did the Reformers cry Sola Scriptura if what they really meant was Sola Scriptura whenever it agrees with the Doctrines of Grace, Westminister Confession, TULIP etc? Ok I better stop here before I too carried away. Peace NC |