Calvinists,Im Asking...

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Ariel82

Guest
I understand that the context of those being addressed are the beloved, but the context of what is being addressed is judgement. Which begs the question, do you believe in double predestination? Here's what happens with this verse is those that hold to Biblical election read as to the beloved, which is truth. Those that believe God died for everyone and is waiting for them to repent use this verse to prove that point of free will, which is not the point either. It's in the middle. Verse one sets up the context of who it's addressed to, verses 2-3 is the context of what is being addressed. Verse 4 they mock, verses 5-7 the facts they overlooked. Verse 8 what the beloved should not overlook, that the Lord is outside of time, a thousand years ago is the same as today.

Verse 9 has three parts of the overall context, the Lord, the beloved and the mockers. Look at how Peter addresses the hears, beloved, you, the mockers, they. Verse 11 he addresses the beloved again as you. Why would the Holy Spirit change the direct reference of you and beloved to any and all? Why didn't He keep with the context and say "towards you, not wishing that you would perish, but that you would come to repentance." The general terms of any and all is referring to they, not you or beloved, how He has always addressed in that manner in this context. I understand that the immediate context seems to be all to the beloved, but the context of the chapter help understand that, all references to the hears are beloved and you, the subject of the context are referred to as they, any and all.


Does this mean that any and all can come to the Lord? No, unless the Father draw them, because it's His desire, not His will. His will is always brought about. If you take II Peter 3:9 and I Timothy 2:4 to read about the elect, are you trying to show that the Lord predestines for hell? Because He had no desire that the wicked be saved. Not very verse in an English translation is going to be a clear reference to election, because it's a translation and it's in English one of the
driest languages there is on earth. Angela reads Greek and she believes in election, so why would she say it about the mockers and not the elect, if she believe in election? We can't read the Bible with glasses of election on, we believe what we read, we don't read what we believe, that's not good.

Believe me I read this verse and I Timothy 2:4 as being about the elect or all types of people being elect. When a sister here said that those verses did nutmeat that I did a full study on both in the immediate context and in the overall context of the Bible. That's when I realized that I was viewing these wrong and with the Ezekiel verses it confirmed for me that, God's desire is that all come to repentance, but His will is that the elect will come to repentance. There's no desire, willingness, wanting, wishing or any of the sort when it comes to the elect, because He is going to bring it to pass, because it's the will of His purpose, not something that He would like to happen, it will happen, because He will bring it to pass.
Timothy 2 v 4...

So please clarify, is "all" about only God's elect from all people or All of humanity?

I think you are making a distinction between God's desire and God's will.

In that God's will, will happen. God's desire does not necessarily have to happen, but God's intentions are clear

Just making sure I am not "reading into" what you are saying.
 
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That's when I realized that I was viewing these wrong and with the Ezekiel verses it confirmed for me that, God's desire is that all come to repentance, but His will is that the elect will come to repentance. There's no desire, willingness, wanting, wishing or any of the sort when it comes to the elect, because He is going to bring it to pass, because it's the will of His purpose, not something that He would like to happen, it will happen, because He will bring it to pass.
OK, fair enough.

I would buy your view if the context of 2 Peter 3:9 was in reference to other than the elect in which case it is not. And this makes perfect sense and follows God's ways, which unto us at times doesn't make sense.

For instance, the elect were under wrath, as the rest of mankind - Ephesians 2:3. So, we, the elect were in the same lost state and under wrath as the non-elect, or the rest of mankind according to the text.

Paul was separated from his mothers womb for the Gospel, but was also in lost and under wrath, Galatians 1:15.

Why bother? Why have the elect under the same wrath as the rest of mankind? I do not know, but that is how it works and that is how God decreed it to be. Nonetheless the text at hand is dealing with the elect, because the context is that He is being patient for them. The entire context including the preceding chapters show He is longsuffering to us-ward, the elect, not willing that any of these should perish, but come to repentance. That is the way of God and sometimes it doesn't follow our logic.

But anyhow, good discussion and we agree on the salvation of the elect only, which is Biblical.
 
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Brother Johnny_B I wanted to give this to you concerning my former post:

but is longsuffering to us-ward: not to all the individuals of human nature, for the persons intended by us are manifestly distinguished from "some men" in the text, and from scoffers, mocking at the promise of Christ's coming, in the context, 2Pe_3:3; and are expressly called beloved, 2Pe_3:1; and God's longsuffering towards them is their salvation, 2Pe_3:15, nor is it true of all men, that God is not willing that any of them should perish, and that everyone of them should come to repentance, since many of them do perish in their sins, and do not come to repentance, which would not be the case, if his determining will was otherwise; besides, a society or company of men are designed, to which the apostle himself belonged, and of which he was a part; and who are described, in his epistles, as the elect of God, called out of darkness, into marvellous light, and having obtained like precious faith with the apostles; and must be understood either of God's elect among the Jews, for Peter was a Jew, and they were Jews he wrote to; and then the sense is, that the delay of Christ's coming is not owing to any slackness in him, but to his longsuffering to his elect among the Jews, being unwilling that any of that number among them should perish, but that all of them repent of their sins, and believe in him; and therefore he waits till their conversion is over, when a nation shall be born at once, and they that have pierced him look on him and mourn, and so all Israel shall be saved; or rather of the elect in general, whether among Jews or Gentiles, upon whom the Lord waits to be gracious, and whose longsuffering issues in their conversion and salvation. And upon account of these the Lord stays his coming till their number is complete in the effectual calling; and for their sakes he is longsuffering to others, and bears with a wicked world, with the idolatry, superstition, heresy, profaneness, and impiety, with which it abounds; but when the last man that belongs to that number is called, he will quickly descend in flames of fire, and burn the world, and the wicked in it, and take his chosen ones to himself. The Alexandrian copy reads, "for you", or your sakes; and so the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions. A passage somewhat like to this is met with in a book of the Jews (f), esteemed by them very ancient.


"God prolongs or defers his anger with men; and one day, which is a thousand years, is fixed, besides the seventy years he delivered to David the king.--And he does not judge man by his evil works which he continually does, for if so, the world would not stand; but the holy blessed God defers his anger with the righteous, and the wicked, that they may return, by perfect repentance, and be established in this world, and in the world to come.''


And it is an observation of theirs (g), that when God is said to be "longsuffering", it is not written ארך אף, but ארך אפים, intimating, that he is longsuffering both to the righteous and the wicked; but then he bears with the latter, for the sake of the former: compare with this passage Rev_6:9;


not willing that any should perish; not any of the us, whom he has loved with an everlasting love, whom he has chosen in his Son, and given to him, and for whom he has died, and who are brought to believe in him. These, though they were lost in Adam, did not perish; and though in their own apprehensions, when awakened and convinced, are ready to perish; and though their peace, joy, and comfort, may perish for a while, and they may fear a final and total perishing; yet they shall never perish as others do, or be punished with everlasting destruction: and that this is the will of God, appears by his choice of them to salvation; by the provisions of grace for them in an everlasting covenant; by the security of their persons in the hands of Christ; by sending his Son to obtain salvation for them, and his Spirit to apply it to them; and by his keeping them by his power, through faith, unto salvation.


But that all should come to repentance; not legal, but evangelical, without which all must perish; and which all God's elect stand in need of, as well as others, being equally sinners; and which they cannot come to of themselves, and therefore he not only calls them to it, in his word, and by his spirit and grace, but bestows it upon them; he has exalted Christ at his own right hand, to give it to them; and repentance is a grant from him, a free gift of his grace; and the Spirit is sent down into their hearts to work it in them, to take away the stony heart, and give an heart of flesh; without which, whatever time and space may be given, or means afforded, even the most awful judgments, the greatest mercies, and the most powerful ministry, will be of no avail. - John Gill


(f) Zohar in Gen. fol. 83. 3. (g) T. Hieros, Taanioth, fol. 65. 2. T. Bab. Bava Kama, fol. 50. 2.
 
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Ariel82

Guest
Can someone explain this article?

Is he saying some of the elect won't chose to repent and be lost?

The Certainty of Judgment | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org
patiently enduring the presence of sin, waiting for those whom He has chosen from the foundation of the world to reveal themselves through faith in Christ. He will one day expose the works that are done on the earth to make way for a new creation (v. 10), but at the present He patiently waits for the elect to come to faith. This patience, however, will not last forever, and so sinners who wait to repent may find, to their eternal damnation, that their time has run out..
 
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kaylagrl

Guest
Lol! Made up doctrine! The lost won't repent on the last day, they will still hate God with weeping and gnashing teeth.

So someone who lived in the flesh all their lives,as in they never darkened a church door and lived in sin and accepts the Lord on their deathbed,were they part of the elect?
 
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kaylagrl

Guest
Wow,Im hopelessly behind! I dont know if i'll ever catch up! I am happy to see its still a basically peaceful discussion. I'll jump in when I can and ask a question. But need to spend some time with hubby. :) Happy Mothers Day all!
 

ForthAngel

Senior Member
Aug 31, 2012
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Can someone explain this article?

Is he saying some of the elect won't chose to repent and be lost?

The Certainty of Judgment | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org

I haven't read the whole article, but based on your snippet, it says sinners who wait to repent, nothing about the elect other than God is waiting on the elect to be revealed.

patiently enduring the presence of sin, waiting for those whom He has chosen from the foundation of the world to reveal themselves through faith in Christ. He will one day expose the works that are done on the earth to make way for a new creation (v. 10), but at the present He patiently waits for the elect to come to faith. This patience, however, will not last forever, and so sinners who wait to repent may find, to their eternal damnation, that their time has run out..

Seems to be a clear enough distinction to me, but if I get time I'll read the whole article and comment again. His patience is based on waiting for the elect and once the elect have all been revealed, then judgment will come. All those who didn't repent, the non-elect, will face damnation.
 

ForthAngel

Senior Member
Aug 31, 2012
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So someone who lived in the flesh all their lives,as in they never darkened a church door and lived in sin and accepts the Lord on their deathbed,were they part of the elect?
Could be. These are the kind of questions that seem to be an attempt at putting us up against a wall since we dunno the mind of God. People seem to assume we do. If the person on the deathbed hears the Gospel and truly believes it and responds to it, then I would say yes they are saved. A biblical example would be the thief on the cross. He showed genuine faith even though he was at death's door. Jesus saved him.
 
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Ariel82

Guest
metanoia [metavnoia] without epistrepho [ejpistrevfw] does not equal salvation.
 
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Ariel82

Guest
I haven't read the whole article, but based on your snippet, it says sinners who wait to repent, nothing about the elect other than God is waiting on the elect to be revealed.

patiently enduring the presence of sin, waiting for those whom He has chosen from the foundation of the world to reveal themselves through faith in Christ. He will one day expose the works that are done on the earth to make way for a new creation (v. 10), but at the present He patiently waits for the elect to come to faith. This patience, however, will not last forever, and so sinners who wait to repent may find, to their eternal damnation, that their time has run out..

Seems to be a clear enough distinction to me, but if I get time I'll read the whole article and comment again. His patience is based on waiting for the elect and once the elect have all been revealed, then judgment will come. All those who didn't repent, the non-elect, will face damnation.
But I thought the non elect are unable to repent?
 
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Could be. These are the kind of questions that seem to be an attempt at putting us up against a wall since we dunno the mind of God. People seem to assume we do. If the person on the deathbed hears the Gospel and truly believes it and responds to it, then I would say yes they are saved. A biblical example would be the thief on the cross. He showed genuine faith even though he was at death's door. Jesus saved him.
The thief on the cross showed several signs of regeneration prior to the Christ of God pronouncing his eternal state was to be with Him.
 
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But who is the elect,for the people that believe that God chose who would be saved,and not saved without their input,and faith alone,and not saved by works,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,and the ones who say a person can fall from grace if they hold unto sin,to abstain from sin by the Spirit,a person is justified by works,and not faith alone,both believe the same things about Jesus,which can only be done if God is working in their life.

But if they are at odds with each other believing the other is wrong,then who is the elect.

Isa 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Isa 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.

No person says Jesus is Lord,but by the Holy Ghost.

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

No person comes to the Son,except the Father draw them.

1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.

Every person that believes that Jesus is come in flesh,God is working in that person's life.

Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

1Jn 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

If both those that believe OSAS,and those who say if a person holds unto sin they will lose salvation,believe these things concerning Christ,they can only do so by the Spirit,so God is working in their life.

So who is the elect,and I believe Jesus is Lord and Savior,the Christ,the Son of the living God,and God manifest in the flesh,which I can only believe that if God is working in my life.

But I am against the belief that God chose who would be saved,and not saved,without their input,and sin does not affect our relationship with God.

1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Joh 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

1Jn 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1Jn 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

So who is the elect.

I will have to give it to those that believe that we have an input in our salvation,for God is love,and not evil,and we have to hate sin,and not want sin,and represent goodness,and abstain from sin by the Spirit.

For they seem to be in a better position with God according to the Bible,and they believe that Jesus is come in flesh,Lord and Savior,and the Christ,the Son of the living God,which they could not believe these things concerning Jesus,unless God is working in their life.

So who is the elect.
 

ForthAngel

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Aug 31, 2012
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But I thought the non elect are unable to repent?
They are unable because they are unwilling. Their will is in bondage as has been gone over several times. You seem to be splitting hairs at this point.
 

Grandpa

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But I thought the non elect are unable to repent?
They are unable. The Lord Jesus says so.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Unless you simply mean by repent, feel sorry for bad stuff that you do.

I suppose I have a different definition of repent. Meaning turn away from your own works and understanding and turn to the Lord and His Power and His Wisdom.

I guess that seems kind of convenient to have a different definition of repent which literally means that only the elect can do it. Isn't it hard to communicate when different words even mean different things to different people?
 
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Ariel82

Guest
They are unable. The Lord Jesus says so.

John 6:44 [FONT=&quot]No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

[/FONT]
Unless you simply mean by repent, feel sorry for bad stuff that you do.

I suppose I have a different definition of repent. Meaning turn away from your own works and understanding and turn to the Lord and His Power and His Wisdom.

I guess that seems kind of convenient to have a different definition of repent which literally means that only the elect can do it. Isn't hard to communicate when different words even mean different things to different people?
It's the problem with language & words; they are only symbols of ideas and easily misunderstood.

What is important is what does God mean by His words?
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
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It's the problem with language & words; they are only symbols of ideas and easily misunderstood.

What is important is what does God mean by His words?
Yes, exactly!!

And I think that repent, as used in the bible means to turn from your own work and your own ways and turn instead to God and His Ways and His Work.

Which is pretty much the way our Salvation worked, right?
 
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Ariel82

Guest
Yes, exactly!!

And I think that repent, as used in the bible means to turn from your own work and your own ways and turn instead to God and His Ways and His Work.

Which is pretty much the way our Salvation worked, right?
I was actually looking at the different words for repent,because of blueladybug thread.

Like the different Hebrew and Greek words translated as repentance.
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
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I was actually looking at the different words for repent,because of blueladybug thread.

Like the different Hebrew and Greek words translated as repentance.
I suppose if you define repentance differently than turning from your own ways and turning to Christ then you can make it so anyone can do it. Even people who are not elect.

But I would have to disagree with that definition.
 
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Ariel82

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