1 Peter

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NASB	1 Peter 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
AMPLIFIED 2015 2015	1 Peter 1:2 ¶ according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing abundance [as you walk closely with God]. [John 14:27]

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Bible Question: In his post #351 concerning Calvinism Kalos made the following statement
" . . . WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT ELECTION?
Election is the act of God whereby in eternity past He chose those who will be saved. Election is unconditional, because it does not depend on anything outside of God, such as good works or foreseen faith (Romans 9:16). This doctrine is repeatedly taught in the Bible, and is also demanded by our knowledge of God."

Though I know that there are many who are much more learned than I will ever be, I simply do not read the words of scripture as making such a statement as is noted above. No doubt, they can be read as saying such, but the following is how I read it.

God is an all knowing God. Before He created the heavens and earth, He knew each and every soul who would ever walk the face of the earth. He also knew who and who would not accept His Word, which was and is His one and only Son. Thus, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will . . . . . . “ Ephesians 1:4-5,11

Is it not his will, as is stated in scripture, that none should perish. If it were as is stated by Kalos, in having chosen His Elect, would it not be His will that the non elect would perish?

Who are those he knew?
Are they not those whom, from the beginning, He knew would know Him? I think this is more likely to fit the description of the loving and Graceful God of scripture.

Is our faith not by His Grace?

No, I do not believe that God just “picked and chose” from the pot of humanity, who would, and who would not be saved by His Grace. And though many interpret otherwise, I do not believe such a statement can be found in scripture if one takes scripture as it was intended, “as a whole,” not a bit here and another bit there. “Cover to cover.”

I am called a Republican, but I am not a Republican.
I am called a conservative, but I am not a conservative.
I am called a Calvinist, but I am not a Calvinist.

I tend to vote Republican because the party tends to poses morals, and lean toward what is scripturally founded, though they do not always operate by either.
I tend to be a bit conservative. I believe the bible teaches such, but it also teaches charity and sympathy.
I am called Calvinist because I believe what scripture teaches, even though others read it differently.

I once looked up the biblical definition of the word “sin.” One of the many definitions of sin in scripture, is “anything done to the excess. It appears to me that Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, Calvinists and Armenianists, or what ever they are called, all tend to be ULTRA--Republican, ULTRA- Democrats, ULTRA-Conservatives, ULTRA-this and, ULTRA-that. Even when the opponent is right, they refuse to admit it and change their views.

Why can we not just be Christians; All members of one body; the body of Jesus Christ, our savior?

Bible Answer: I believe that we are doing God's will by participating in these types of discussions.

One of the ways in which Jesus (and all the Rabbis during His time) taught was by asking a question, and the answer would be formed as another question, therefore adding to the discussion.

AND, during Jesus time, there were 8 great debates (and hundreds of little debates). Jesus participated in all of the big 8 debates. Now, we know that Jesus' answers were the right ones, but one thing Jesus NEVER did was to denounce the debates, rather he encouraged them.

The election/forknowledge/free choice debate is one of my favorite. I think Paul gives a great reply to these discussions by saying . . .

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:33-36
MJH

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1 Peter