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Those who receive Him have ALREADY believed.
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[/SUP]He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Now, those who received Him, how did they receive Him? Not those who were born of natural descent[Jews], nor of human decision[shoots decisional regeneration outta the water], nor of a husband's will[we can't will ourselves saved], but those who were born of God. Those are the ones who receive Him. That's the context of John 1:12,13]
[SUP]
[/SUP]He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Now, those who received Him, how did they receive Him? Not those who were born of natural descent[Jews], nor of human decision[shoots decisional regeneration outta the water], nor of a husband's will[we can't will ourselves saved], but those who were born of God. Those are the ones who receive Him. That's the context of John 1:12,13]
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Spiritual death is positional and not literal. Dead in that condemnation has been pronounced but by mercy there is hope because the sentence has not been carried to its fulfillment.
Christ taught that evil men could do good deeds even though they did not count toward eternal righteousness.
Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Christ did something in that He died for us before we knew Him.
Just how was it when you came to know Christ as your Savior?
For the cause of Christ
Roger
Christ taught that evil men could do good deeds even though they did not count toward eternal righteousness.
Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Christ did something in that He died for us before we knew Him.
Just how was it when you came to know Christ as your Savior?
For the cause of Christ
Roger
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood (flesh and blood), nor of the will (desire) of the flesh, nor of the will (desire) of man, . . . . that which is born of the flesh is flesh.
but of God. . . . that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. That new birth, being born of the Spirit is created (born) within those that receive Christ and believe on his name.
but of God. . . . that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. That new birth, being born of the Spirit is created (born) within those that receive Christ and believe on his name.
You are totally wrong about the teaching of Calvinism.
It is true that it teaches irresistible grace but it also teaches that those affected will gladly respond to that grace, for God will work it in them..
Furthermore it teaches that others are resisting the Holy Spirit because He works on them but His word to their hearts is not heeded.
YOU say, 'If people only hear the """outward general call to salvation""" then the Holy Spirit is not involved in that call'. The Calvinist does not necessarily say that (I say necessarily because some might). He says that the Holy Spirit is resisted, rejected and grieved.
I cannot answer for John Calvin himself, but this is the teaching of the majority of 'Calvinists' and is in accordance with Scripture.
It is true that it teaches irresistible grace but it also teaches that those affected will gladly respond to that grace, for God will work it in them..
Furthermore it teaches that others are resisting the Holy Spirit because He works on them but His word to their hearts is not heeded.
YOU say, 'If people only hear the """outward general call to salvation""" then the Holy Spirit is not involved in that call'. The Calvinist does not necessarily say that (I say necessarily because some might). He says that the Holy Spirit is resisted, rejected and grieved.
I cannot answer for John Calvin himself, but this is the teaching of the majority of 'Calvinists' and is in accordance with Scripture.
Lot's of disdain being displayed above toward God's electing grace...really, really sad. It is also a straw man argument intended to be inflammatory toward those of us who believe what Scripture teaches concerning election.
Now, as for children, don't be so certain and presumptuous, use wise caution. I say this from experience of seeing children doing this without even understanding anything about the Gospel. Over-zealous parents are the primary cause, or VBS, where they have gotten the child to raise their hand "if they want to go to heaven" then they get dunked. Maybe that's your gospel method, but it isn't the Bible's Gospel nor method of salvation.
What must the child understand? That they want to go to heaven? That they want to do it because their friend got baptized, so they too want to get dunked? That if they give all the right answers to a check list, they're declared saved? (That's making mental assent to facts).
If you ask a child why he or she wants to be saved, ask them if they know what Jesus is saving them from, without putting words in their mouth like "Do you realize you're a sinner?" and/or "Do you want to go to heaven when you die? Let me show you from the Bible that you can go to heaven when you die?" That is all manipulation. If God is working in them to be saved they'll know this, because they have been convicted, and they don't need to answer a check list of statements and make mental assent to it.
Many are using the false invention of Finney in dealing with people and are clueless to it; (his anxious seat invention, where deciding for heaven is the same thing as making a career choice, and many false converts were added to local congregations). People use "the chair illustration" "Being saved is just like sitting in this chair, you sit in it because you know by faith it will support you. It's the same with Jesus." This is conflating common trust with the supernatural gift of faith. It is spiritual chicanery, manipulation, craftiness in the negative sense, and what Scripture calls underhanded ways of presenting the Gospel; 2 Corinthians 4:2.
This is why there are so many false conversions. Obviously God did a work in the heart of the jailer which is why he believed. We believe only by the power of God that raised Christ from the dead; Ephesians 1:19.
And thou shalt be saved; from sin, and all its miserable effects and consequences; from the curses of the law, from the power of Satan, from the evil of the world, from the wrath of God, hell and damnation: this is to be understood of a spiritual and eternal salvation; for it is said, after that the jailer was inquiring about it, being terrified in his conscience with a sense of sin and wrath; and between believing in Christ, and being saved with an everlasting salvation, there is a strict and inseparable connection, Mar_16:16 though not faith, but Christ is the cause and author of salvation; faith spies salvation in Christ, goes to him for it, receives it from him, and believes unto it:
and thy house; or family, provided they believe in Christ also, as they did, Act_16:34 or otherwise there can be no salvation, for he that believeth not shall be damned. -- John Gill
Now, as for children, don't be so certain and presumptuous, use wise caution. I say this from experience of seeing children doing this without even understanding anything about the Gospel. Over-zealous parents are the primary cause, or VBS, where they have gotten the child to raise their hand "if they want to go to heaven" then they get dunked. Maybe that's your gospel method, but it isn't the Bible's Gospel nor method of salvation.
What must the child understand? That they want to go to heaven? That they want to do it because their friend got baptized, so they too want to get dunked? That if they give all the right answers to a check list, they're declared saved? (That's making mental assent to facts).
If you ask a child why he or she wants to be saved, ask them if they know what Jesus is saving them from, without putting words in their mouth like "Do you realize you're a sinner?" and/or "Do you want to go to heaven when you die? Let me show you from the Bible that you can go to heaven when you die?" That is all manipulation. If God is working in them to be saved they'll know this, because they have been convicted, and they don't need to answer a check list of statements and make mental assent to it.
Many are using the false invention of Finney in dealing with people and are clueless to it; (his anxious seat invention, where deciding for heaven is the same thing as making a career choice, and many false converts were added to local congregations). People use "the chair illustration" "Being saved is just like sitting in this chair, you sit in it because you know by faith it will support you. It's the same with Jesus." This is conflating common trust with the supernatural gift of faith. It is spiritual chicanery, manipulation, craftiness in the negative sense, and what Scripture calls underhanded ways of presenting the Gospel; 2 Corinthians 4:2.
This is why there are so many false conversions. Obviously God did a work in the heart of the jailer which is why he believed. We believe only by the power of God that raised Christ from the dead; Ephesians 1:19.
Acts 16:31
And they said, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,.... Not with a bare historical faith, as only to believe that he was the Son of God, and the Messiah, and that he was come in the flesh, and had suffered, and died, and rose again, and was now in heaven at the right hand of God, and would come again to judge both quick and dead, for there may be such a faith and no salvation; but so as to look unto him alone for life and salvation, to rely upon him, and trust in him; to commit himself, and the care of his immortal soul unto him, and to expect peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life from him; the answer is much the same our Lord returned to the Jews, when they asked, though not with the same affection and sincerity as this man, what they must do to work the works of God, Joh_6:28.
And thou shalt be saved; from sin, and all its miserable effects and consequences; from the curses of the law, from the power of Satan, from the evil of the world, from the wrath of God, hell and damnation: this is to be understood of a spiritual and eternal salvation; for it is said, after that the jailer was inquiring about it, being terrified in his conscience with a sense of sin and wrath; and between believing in Christ, and being saved with an everlasting salvation, there is a strict and inseparable connection, Mar_16:16 though not faith, but Christ is the cause and author of salvation; faith spies salvation in Christ, goes to him for it, receives it from him, and believes unto it:
and thy house; or family, provided they believe in Christ also, as they did, Act_16:34 or otherwise there can be no salvation, for he that believeth not shall be damned. -- John Gill
B
I'm worry because things just what you said, you kick out John 20:17 like it doesn't exists, in your mind you think this happen at the end of the bible. Can you explain why Jesus said this in the morning of the resurrection. He said go and tell His deciples He is ascending, the blind have been leading the blind to many times in this world.
John 20:17
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
did He change His mind and ascend after the forty days. Really open your eyes
John 20:17
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
did He change His mind and ascend after the forty days. Really open your eyes
Ppl are the only ones barring themselves. Look at it through the lens of Ezekiel 37. He comes upon a valley full of very dry bones. Left to themselves, they had no hope of ever living again. God tells Ezekiel to prophesy and the earth quakes and bone comes to its bone and then sinew and then flesh. Yet, they lack one thing, breath, which is symbolic of the Spirit. He then prophesies again and the wind blows upon them and they stand on their feet, a great army.
Now, what will did they exercise for all this to take place to them? None. That's how God works. If Ezekiel had taken this upon himself without God's intervening, nothing would have happened to them.
When we preach, the lost we preach to, spiritual wise, they are in the same boat as those dry bones. However, when God moves through our gospel preaching, these dead sinners come to life and believe.
Now, what will did they exercise for all this to take place to them? None. That's how God works. If Ezekiel had taken this upon himself without God's intervening, nothing would have happened to them.
When we preach, the lost we preach to, spiritual wise, they are in the same boat as those dry bones. However, when God moves through our gospel preaching, these dead sinners come to life and believe.
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Spiritually dead but not physically dead. It is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment. Until you die physically you have hope in hearing the gospel.
Tell me did you have a John 16 experience?
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
Tell me did you have a John 16 experience?
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
No one exerted their wills prior to this birth by God's Spirit??? People are only given the power to become sons of God by receiving Christ and believing in him.
will: 1) the mental power to decide and control what you do (by your decision) 2) a desire; a chosen decision; 3) determination to do something . . . . so when I heard the gospel the word of truth and it was mixed with belief - faith came. I had to hear, i.e. receive what I was hearing; I had to decide if I believed what I heard was true; i.e. Jesus Christ was the Son of God, he died for the remission of my sins and was raised to give eternal life to those that believe in him . . . faith came and I was born again of God. Just what that verse says "to those who received him and believed in his name".
will: 1) the mental power to decide and control what you do (by your decision) 2) a desire; a chosen decision; 3) determination to do something . . . . so when I heard the gospel the word of truth and it was mixed with belief - faith came. I had to hear, i.e. receive what I was hearing; I had to decide if I believed what I heard was true; i.e. Jesus Christ was the Son of God, he died for the remission of my sins and was raised to give eternal life to those that believe in him . . . faith came and I was born again of God. Just what that verse says "to those who received him and believed in his name".
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Greek word for 'dead' in Ephesians 2:1 is 'Nekros'...
- properly
- one that has breathed his last, lifeless
- deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell
- destitute of life, without life, inanimate
- metaph.
- spiritually dead
- destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins
- inactive as respects doing right
- spiritually dead
- destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative