Biblical Eternal Security vs 'Calvinistic Eternal Security' -by Gregg Jackson

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Yet, you have NO EVIDENCE for your erroneous claim. The jailer was free to respond or reject the gospel. As is everyone.

The jailer came to faith. That is evidence of his being predestinated elect. God foreknew the jailer would redpond and then caused him to respond
.
Please prove that regeneration precedes faith.

It's a simultaneous event, just like a fire: fire is hot and provides light.
.[/QUOTE]

After your attempt, I will show clearly from Scripture that regeneration FOLLOWS faith.

No you won't. You'll try, but it's a simultaneous event.
[/QUOTE]
 
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Why do you keep repeating this garbage?

I never said God wasn't at work. But you deny the clear Scripture that God has already been at work for EVERYONE, not just your so-called "elect".

God created mankind with a conscience, with which to know right from wrong, and understand the gospel message.

God created mankind with the freedom to believe or reject the gospel message.

The Calvinist view reduces Almighty God to a mere puppet master or robot maker.


Please show me any verse that says this. I don't believe you.


Prove it from Scripture.

After your attempt, I will prove what "God's gift" refers to. It isn't faith.
God knows from eternity who will and who will not respond to the gospel message. The ones that do respond are the predestinsted elect whom God causes to come to faith, because the spiritually dead are unable on their own.
 
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Yes, we are all dead in sins and trespasses (Eph 2:1), we are in a fallen state and none is righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10) but All are sinners (Romans 3:23) and we cannot save ourselves. It is only by the grace of God through faith that we are saved (Eph. 2:8-9) and that faith comes from hearing the word of God as in Romans 10:17. The truth that Jesus spoke as in John 8:28-30 resulted in the belief of many people and yet is the same truth that Jesus offers but others do not understand and even didn’t want to hear it John 8:43-47. The point of belief or unbelief speaks of either receiving or rejecting the word of truth. Faith comes but the responses of the people are twofold that is either to accept or reject it (John 6:63-64)

Another thing is that the bible says “whosoever believeth” John 3:16 not as you are saying as “anyone that does come to faith”. We don’t come to faith, rather faith comes to those who hear the gospel of truth. Ephesians 1:13. When describing God something like “guide, and works in our hearts and minds…” I would rather use the Omniscient God so it seems to me there are certain words that need to define and apply to the context being used as well.

And here it is, which you may try to be your proof text to the question I asked but have we really understood what it means? As I’ve read your previous post, what you are trying to explain with the conviction of the Holy Spirit is to convince in the sense to “persuade to believe” just like you are presenting to me, you wanted me to believe what you believe. That the Spirt works to convince sinners to come to faith. I believe the precise word would have been “reproved” rather than convince or convict as they may differ in what the context entails. Your proof text must be understood in the light of its context and is never to be understood just like you are saying. The Holy Spirit works here is to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. It means the Holy Spirit expresses disapproval of the actions, conduct, or beliefs of many people. This point us in John 16:2 when Jesus said that his disciples will be put out of the synagogues when the time that killing them will be a great service to God. Note that Jesus speaks of the “time cometh” refer to Christ going away and the Comforter will take place. Jesus said speaking of those people who think (Judgment) he is doing God’s service (righteousness) by way of killing (sin) his disciples. Will he convince the sinners in the sense, he will persuade them? The sense will fail when it comes to persuade people of their righteousness and persuade the world of judgment. In the fallen nature of man receives not the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:14) as every staunch believer of Calvin usually say and now using it as a staunch believer of God’s word. What made us alive as Eph. 2:1, 5 says? It is hearing and believing the gospel of truth. The word of God brings life to whoever believes, for the word of God has the quickening power and spirit. Hebrews 4:12; John 6:63.

John 16:13 refers to his disciples except for Judas Iscariot who has gone out that night (John 13:30-31). The work of guidance is upon every believer and has nothing to do with the “elect” when even the word “elect” is never used in the context. "Guide" is different from the word convict or the precise word "reprove". A guide is one who leads or shows the way and is applicable to those who already believe.
God is omniscient. He foreknows all who will respond and come to faith, and foreknows all who will not. The ones who will are the predestinated elect. But, because the predestinated elect are as spiritually dead as the ones who will not respond, God causes them to respond. It is by God's sovereign grace alone that HE gifts the predestinated elect with faith.
 

fredoheaven

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God is omniscient. He foreknows all who will respond and come to faith, and foreknows all who will not. The ones who will are the predestinated elect. But, because the predestinated elect are as spiritually dead as the ones who will not respond, God causes them to respond. It is by God's sovereign grace alone that HE gifts the predestinated elect with faith.
Do you have any scripture to back up the claim? Thanks
 
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Do you have any scripture to back up the claim? Thanks
By God's sovereign grace (undeserved favor) we receive the gift of faith that causes us to believe. Ephesians 1:4 "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
 
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Please prove that regeneration precedes faith.
Huh? That's what I asked you. Can you do it?

It's a simultaneous event, just like a fire: fire is hot and provides light.
So what? You previously said regeneration precedes faith. Can you show that from Scripture?

Then I said this:
"After your attempt, I will show clearly from Scripture that regeneration FOLLOWS faith."

No you won't. You'll try, but it's a simultaneous event.
Of course I will. I never make a challenge that I can't prove.

Paul taught that faith precedes regeneration.

Eph 2:5 - made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Red words refer to regeneration.
Blue words refer to our salvation. In this verse, the blue words explain what the red words mean. iow, they go together.

You can't have one without the other. And I'm glad you acknowledged that they occur simultaneously. Because they are equated in that sense.

Eph 2:8 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Here, the red words refer to the mechanism of our salvation, which is through faith.

iow, salvation is by faith. Whether "through faith' or "by faith", they both mean the same thing.

So, from these 2 words, both salvation and regeneration are through faith.

Faith precedes both salvation and regeneration.
 
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God knows from eternity who will and who will not respond to the gospel message.
Of course He does. He is omniscient. But this doesn't lead to the conclusion that God causes faith.

The ones that do respond are the predestinsted elect whom God causes to come to faith, because the spiritually dead are unable on their own.
Your opinion cannot be found in Scripture.

Since you have repeatedly NOT provided any verses that support your claims, I want to point out how I study the Bible.

Paul commended the Bereans and noted they were "more noble" than the Thessalonians.

Why? "Because they received the Word gladly and searched the Scriptures DAILY to see if what Paul said (taught) was true".

So, that's how I study the Bible. And what YOU claim. I search the Scriptures DAILY to see if what Calvinists (YOU) say are true.

And I find that the claims of Calvinists are NOT true. Their claims cannot be found in Scripture.

To be taken seriously, one must be able to defend their position from Scripture. You haven't done that.
 
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Which claim do you believe has no Biblical support? Omniscience? Foreknowkedge? Presdestination? Election? ...?
Boy is this an easy question.

The claim that God chooses who will believe.
The claim that regeneration precedes faith.
The claim that Jesus only died for the elect.
The claim that election is to salvation.

And you haven't even tried to prove any of these claims of yours from Scripture. Which says everything.
 
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By God's sovereign grace (undeserved favor) we receive the gift of faith that causes us to believe.
Again, you have no biblical support for your opinion.

Ephesians 1:4 "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
v.4 actually refutes your opinion. The word "us" is clearly defined by Paul in v.19 - and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

Very clear. Paul used the word "us" to mean "believers".

So in v.4 Paul meant "God has chosen believers...to be holy and blameless".
 
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Huh? That's what I asked you. Can you do it?


So what? You previously said regeneration precedes faith. Can you show that from Scripture?

Then I said this:
"After your attempt, I will show clearly from Scripture that regeneration FOLLOWS faith."


Of course I will. I never make a challenge that I can't prove.

Paul taught that faith precedes regeneration.

Eph 2:5 - made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Red words refer to regeneration.
Blue words refer to our salvation. In this verse, the blue words explain what the red words mean. iow, they go together.

You can't have one without the other. And I'm glad you acknowledged that they occur simultaneously. Because they are equated in that sense.

Eph 2:8 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Here, the red words refer to the mechanism of our salvation, which is through faith.

iow, salvation is by faith. Whether "through faith' or "by faith", they both mean the same thing.

So, from these 2 words, both salvation and regeneration are through faith.

Faith precedes both salvation and regeneration.
Grace is God's unmarried favor. Faith and salvation are the gifts we receive from God's unmerited favor. By grace are you saved through faith: it is a simultaneous event.

Because we are dead in sin, we are morally incapable to come to faith. Our fallen nature inclines us to reject all things spiritual. God gives us the gift of faith in order for us to believe, and Jesus plainly states that we have no power of our own to come to Him, it is the Father that gives us the ability to to respond to Christ. We say yes after God causes us to see the truth.
 
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Of course He does. He is omniscient. But this doesn't lead to the conclusion that God causes faith.


Your opinion cannot be found in Scripture.

Since you have repeatedly NOT provided any verses that support your claims, I want to point out how I study the Bible.

Paul commended the Bereans and noted they were "more noble" than the Thessalonians.

Why? "Because they received the Word gladly and searched the Scriptures DAILY to see if what Paul said (taught) was true".

So, that's how I study the Bible. And what YOU claim. I search the Scriptures DAILY to see if what Calvinists (YOU) say are true.

And I find that the claims of Calvinists are NOT true. Their claims cannot be found in Scripture.

To be taken seriously, one must be able to defend their position from Scripture. You haven't done that.
Jesus plainly states in John 6:63 "The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)

65 Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.”
 
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Again, you have no biblical support for your opinion.


v.4 actually refutes your opinion. The word "us" is clearly defined by Paul in v.19 - and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

Very clear. Paul used the word "us" to mean "believers".

So in v.4 Paul meant "God has chosen believers...to be holy and blameless".
Yes, chosen to believe by God's sovereign grace.
 
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Boy is this an easy question.

The claim that God chooses who will believe.
The claim that regeneration precedes faith.
The claim that Jesus only died for the elect.
The claim that election is to salvation.

And you haven't even tried to prove any of these claims of yours from Scripture. Which says everything.
Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."

Salvation and faith are gifts we receive from God's grace. No one comes to faith on their own steam, because we all are dead in trespasses and sins and wholly incapable.
 
Jan 31, 2021
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Grace is God's unmarried favor. Faith and salvation are the gifts we receive from God's unmerited favor.
Where in the Bible is faith described as a gift of God?

By grace are you saved through faith: it is a simultaneous event.
Not really. The words "through faith" prove that faith is first. Salvation follows.

Because we are dead in sin, we are morally incapable to come to faith.
This is just a Calvinist talking point. Please quote any verse that teaches this.

Our fallen nature inclines us to reject all things spiritual.
Not true. The reality is that our fallen nature is unable to save ourselves. That's the biblical doctrine of total depravity. Calvinism has perverted the true doctrine into something the Bible does NOT say.

God gives us the gift of faith in order for us to believe, and Jesus plainly states that we have no power of our own to come to Him
You still haven't provided any verse that describes faith as a gift, so please quit saying that. And YES, man has no power to come to Him. That's why God has come to US. Which you seem unaware of totally.

When Adam rebelled, he "on that day" died spiritually. Therefore, he hid when the Lord came to the garden in the evening. And the Lord reached out to Adam. That is unmerited favor. Grace.

God's creation of the universe has been "clearly seen" because God "made it plain to them (humanity)" so that man has no excuse. Rom 1:19-21.

it is the Father that gives us the ability to to respond to Christ. We say yes after God causes us to see the truth.
Yes, that ability comes with our conscience that God created mankind with. Rom 2:14,15.

But you are totally wrong to claim that God causes belief.
 
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Jesus plainly states in John 6:63 "The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)

65 Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.”
Let's back up a bit to see the WHOLE context for these verses.

v.65 says basically the same as John 6:44 - “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

But, the very next verse explains who WILL come to Jesus.

v.45 - It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.

Red words indicate that God has taught "all", or everyone. This is seen in Rom 1:19-21.
Blue words indicate the actions that should be taken when being taught. iow, one must listen and learn.
Green words indicate the RESULT of listening and learning from the Father. Such people will come to Jesus.

We see this in the example of Cornelius. He was a listener and learner. And He came to Jesus.

The Bible clearly says that mean seek God. Rom 3 is a quote from Psa 14:1-3 and refers specifically to atheists. They don't seek.
 
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Yes, chosen to believe by God's sovereign grace.
If this is true, why haven't you provided ANY verse to back up your claim?

God's sovereign grace saves those who believe.

1 Cor 1:21 - For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

From all your talking points, it seems Calvinists don't really believe 1 Cor 1:21, even though it's clear enough.
 
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Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."

Salvation and faith are gifts we receive from God's grace. No one comes to faith on their own steam, because we all are dead in trespasses and sins and wholly incapable.
I'll tell again what v.8 really says.

First, in the Greek, genders must match. The word "it" is feminine gender and "saved" is feminine gender. The word "faith" is masculine. So you may cease thinking that "it" refers back to faith. It doesn't.

This is the verse:

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this (salvation) is not from yourselves; it (salvation) is the gift of God.

Receiving a gift in NO WAY suggests or says that the recipient earned the gift. In fact, the very definition of "gift" means an unearned gift.

We don't work for gifts. We DO work for wages. As Rom 4:4,5 clearly explains.
 
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I'll tell again what v.8 really says.

First, in the Greek, genders must match. The word "it" is feminine gender and "saved" is feminine gender. The word "faith" is masculine. So you may cease thinking that "it" refers back to faith. It doesn't.

This is the verse:

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this (salvation) is not from yourselves; it (salvation) is the gift of God.

Receiving a gift in NO WAY suggests or says that the recipient earned the gift. In fact, the very definition of "gift" means an unearned gift.

We don't work for gifts. We DO work for wages. As Rom 4:4,5 clearly explains.
Re: "this" (touto) in Ephesians 2:8, many "ancient exegetes specifically assert that ‘this’ refers back to a feminine noun [faith (pisteōs)] in Ephesians 2:8-9, seven taking touto to refer to ‘faith’ (Chrysostom, Jerome, Augustine, Theodoret, Fulgentius, Œcumenius, Theophylact), and one taking it to refer to ‘grace’ (John of Damascus). These interpreters were either native Greek speakers or, in the case of Jerome and Fulgentius, Latin speakers of undoubted Greek ability, or, in the case of Augustine, the greatest extant theologian of the first Millennium." ... "[A] neuter demonstrative [as in touto] can refer back to a masculine or feminine word."

I'll take their expert opinion over yours (no offense intended),
 
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I'll tell again what v.8 really says.

First, in the Greek, genders must match. The word "it" is feminine gender and "saved" is feminine gender. The word "faith" is masculine. So you may cease thinking that "it" refers back to faith. It doesn't.

This is the verse:

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this (salvation) is not from yourselves; it (salvation) is the gift of God.

Receiving a gift in NO WAY suggests or says that the recipient earned the gift. In fact, the very definition of "gift" means an unearned gift.

We don't work for gifts. We DO work for wages. As Rom 4:4,5 clearly explains.
Re: "this" (touto) in Ephesians 2:8, many "ancient exegetes specifically assert that ‘this’ refers back to a feminine noun [faith (pisteōs)] in Ephesians 2:8-9, seven taking touto to refer to ‘faith’ (Chrysostom, Jerome, Augustine, Theodoret, Fulgentius, Œcumenius, Theophylact), and one taking it to refer to ‘grace’ (John of Damascus). These interpreters were either native Greek speakers or, in the case of Jerome and Fulgentius, Latin speakers of undoubted Greek ability, or, in the case of Augustine, the greatest extant theologian of the first Millennium." ... "[A] neuter demonstrative [as in touto] can refer back to a masculine or feminine word."

I'll take the forementioned experts' opinions over yours (no offense intended), that "this" refers back to "saved" and "faith". The experts say: salvation and faith are gifts of God and not of ourselves, not of works. So, stop boasting.