Did Jesus Die on The Cross for The Just/Elect/Saved Whose Names Are Written in The Book of Life OR

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MerSee

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Jan 13, 2024
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Thank You!

I decided to look at this from your viewpoint and discovered some interesting facts.

For one, the Reformed claim it's the physical/spiritual door to the church at Laodecia and a call to change the churches views.

Secondly, the usage of door in Rev 3:20 is also used in multiple other verses to mean the heart.


The Greek Language in scripture closest to Rev 3:20 is
John 14:23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

It clearly means the heart.
1 Timothy 3:15
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
 

TheDivineWatermark

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^ @FollowerofShiloh 's Post #1180,

Thanks for the question. :)

To save me a bit of typing, I'll just say two things here (to address your question):


--that verse 18 is speaking first of humanity in general [Gentiles]; and then of Israel/Jews in particular (where it says, "WHO HOLD THE TRUTH in unrighteousness");... which verse (18) provides the OUTLINE of what Paul is going to lay out in the first three chpts; which specific OUTLINE I spell out in the post at the LINK I will provide, here:


--the OUTLINE of Paul's first three chapters (scroll down to the bottom half of the following post, and note esp. what I'd put there re: v.18):
Post #733 - https://christianchat.com/threads/i...-restrains-the-antichrist.195880/post-4459983






Hope that helps you see how I understand Wm Kelly's basic point in that quote (in my Post #1179 - https://christianchat.com/threads/d...en-in-the-book-of-life-or.214168/post-5256487 ). :)
 

FollowerofShiloh

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1 Timothy 3:15
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
 

FollowerofShiloh

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Jan 24, 2024
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^ @FollowerofShiloh 's Post #1180,

Thanks for the question. :)

To save me a bit of typing, I'll just say two things here (to address your question):


--that verse 18 is speaking first of humanity in general [Gentiles]; and then of Israel/Jews in particular (where it says, "WHO HOLD THE TRUTH in unrighteousness");... which verse (18) provides the OUTLINE of what Paul is going to lay out in the first three chpts; which specific OUTLINE I spell out in the post at the LINK I will provide, here:


--the OUTLINE of Paul's first three chapters (scroll down to the bottom half of the following post, and note esp. what I'd put there re: v.18):
Post #733 - https://christianchat.com/threads/i...-restrains-the-antichrist.195880/post-4459983






Hope that helps you see how I understand Wm Kelly's basic point in that quote (in my Post #1179 - https://christianchat.com/threads/d...en-in-the-book-of-life-or.214168/post-5256487 ). :)
Wonderful explanation (y)
 

brightfame52

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^ @FollowerofShiloh also :) ,



I'm inclined to agree with those who say that the phrase (in 1:18) saying, "who HOLD THE TRUTH in unrighteousness" was speaking specifically of "[OT] Israel"... who were given special revelation (that the rest of the world/humans were not given).






Later in Romans 11, (speaking of the same "people") the question is posed, "Hath God cast away His people? God forbid" (and then states, of them) "God hath not cast away His people which He FOREKNEW..." (i.e. [Israel] in OT times)... and then further down, in v.7 (speaking of the then present time), "Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded/hardened" and then further down, in v.25 says this (of them), "that blindness/a hardening in part is happened to Israel UNTIL..." (the "until," speaking of a future point in time)
Romans 1 18ff was probably the gentile world, who had the law written or their hearts Rom 2:14-15

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience
also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

But the rest of Rom 2 is about the jews into chpt 3
 

TheDivineWatermark

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Romans 1 18ff was probably the gentile world, who had the law written or their hearts Rom 2:14-15
Here's why I'm inclined to disagree with you (though I understand where you are coming from)...
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
The word here in 2:14 (in BLUE) "having [not] / have [not]" is G2192 - "echo";



The word in 1:18 "HOLD [G2722 - katechontōn / katechō ]" ... "κατέχω katéchō, kat-ekh'-o; from G2596 and G2192; to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively):—have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, × make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold."

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
These (the Gentiles) WHO HAVE NOT the Law... but "shew THE WORK OF" it (while not "HAVING" it, the text states)... ; the "WORK OF" the law not being the same as "HAVING" the law itself, see.





It was the Jews (specifically) who both "HAD [/HAVING / HAVE]" the law, but also "HOLD THE TRUTH [in unrighteousness]" (v.18b, speaking specifically of them).






____________

I guess you could say, similarly to how Rom9 says this (re: them),
"my kinsmen according to the flesh: Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came ... "




... make sense?
 

FollowerofShiloh

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Famous and well known "atheist Richard Dawkins" + others reminds me of the 18th century Voltaire. Most of the time they spend their days "telling others" God is not real. On average, they have at least 2 conferences per month to discuss that "God is not real." They spend countless hours per day researching to prove their viewpoint. They have GOD on their mind as much as Believers in God do, maybe even more.

This tells me that God is working on them DAY after DAY, YEAR after YEAR.

For those pushing this idea that God does not give the unbeliever a chance at repentance, they are clearly wrong. Most unbelievers are thinking about God as much and if not more than believers. Difference between them and us is we "chose in Free Will to believe when God made Himself known to us and they rejected God in Free Will."

But make no mistake, the unbeliever thinks about God because God puts Himself into their minds on a DAILY basis.

And why wouldn't God be making them think about Him, He died for them like He did for you and me.
 

tylerbones1313

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May 1, 2022
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Isaiah 55 is no different than Acts 2. The offer of salvation was given to all and a response was called for. Acts 2, however, explains what occurs in those who do respond. It accentuates the activity of God that produces the responses in man. There is always a response from man, but there isn't always a saving response, which is seldom considered.

Where I believe many err is they focus on the choices of men irrespective of the activity of God. If God is the author of faith, then it follows that He is its cause.
Some truth to Support:

Both Isaiah 55 and Acts 2 indeed extend a universal invitation to salvation. Isaiah 55:1-3 invites all who are thirsty to come to the waters, signifying the free offer of God's salvation to everyone who seeks Him. Similarly, Acts 2 recounts the events of Pentecost and Peter's sermon, culminating in the call to repentance and the promise that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:38-39).

Acts 2 does accentuate the activity of God in salvation, particularly through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which empowers the disciples, fulfills prophecy, and convicts the hearts of listeners, leading about three thousand souls to be saved that day (Acts 2:41). This divine activity underscores the role of the Holy Spirit in initiating and sustaining the believers' response to the gospel.

The statement hints at the theological discussion concerning the nature of saving faith and the reasons why some responses to the gospel result in salvation while others do not. Scripture teaches that salvation involves both God's sovereignty in calling and electing (Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:4-5) and human responsibility in responding in faith and repentance (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10). The mystery of why some people respond in saving faith while others do not is ultimately known only to God and is part of the tension between divine sovereignty and human free will in salvation.

the activity of God in prompting a response, and the necessity of a human response, the complexity of the interaction between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation warrants a higher understanding. Scripture affirms both God's gracious initiative in salvation and the requirement of a faith-filled response from individuals, leaving the ultimate mystery of the differing responses to God's sovereignty and wisdom.
 

BillyBob

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Dec 20, 2023
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I totally agree that it takes both (1. the spirit working in our heart and 2. the sinner turning from unbelief to faith in Christ). This is a mystery we will never totally understand in this lifetime. But I truly believe that without that act of the spirit we would never come to Christ.

To God be the the glory!
 

brightfame52

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Nov 21, 2020
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Some truth to Support:

Both Isaiah 55 and Acts 2 indeed extend a universal invitation to salvation. Isaiah 55:1-3 invites all who are thirsty to come to the waters, signifying the free offer of God's salvation to everyone who seeks Him. Similarly, Acts 2 recounts the events of Pentecost and Peter's sermon, culminating in the call to repentance and the promise that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:38-39).

Acts 2 does accentuate the activity of God in salvation, particularly through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which empowers the disciples, fulfills prophecy, and convicts the hearts of listeners, leading about three thousand souls to be saved that day (Acts 2:41). This divine activity underscores the role of the Holy Spirit in initiating and sustaining the believers' response to the gospel.

The statement hints at the theological discussion concerning the nature of saving faith and the reasons why some responses to the gospel result in salvation while others do not. Scripture teaches that salvation involves both God's sovereignty in calling and electing (Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:4-5) and human responsibility in responding in faith and repentance (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10). The mystery of why some people respond in saving faith while others do not is ultimately known only to God and is part of the tension between divine sovereignty and human free will in salvation.

the activity of God in prompting a response, and the necessity of a human response, the complexity of the interaction between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation warrants a higher understanding. Scripture affirms both God's gracious initiative in salvation and the requirement of a faith-filled response from individuals, leaving the ultimate mystery of the differing responses to God's sovereignty and wisdom.
All who are thirsty refers to the regenerate who have a spiritual thirsty and not natural, and its not an offer, but an imperative to come, they are being drawn
 

brightfame52

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Nov 21, 2020
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I totally agree that it takes both (1. the spirit working in our heart and 2. the sinner turning from unbelief to faith in Christ). This is a mystery we will never totally understand in this lifetime. But I truly believe that without that act of the spirit we would never come to Christ.

To God be the the glory!
Its all of God, a person believes because its been given to them for Christs Sake Phil 1:29

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Paul also understood this when he told the Philippian Jailor Acts 16:31

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
 

FollowerofShiloh

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Its all of God, a person believes because its been given to them for Christs Sake Phil 1:29

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Paul also understood this when he told the Philippian Jailor Acts 16:31

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
But that doesn't make the person believe. They have to to do it, have to believe for themselves. You have faith but if you do not decide to use it it's dead faith. If you don't put the belief God gave to you in use then it's dead belief/unbelief.
 

brightfame52

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But that doesn't make the person believe. They have to to do it, have to believe for themselves. You have faith but if you do not decide to use it it's dead faith. If you don't put the belief God gave to you in use then it's dead belief/unbelief.
Yes it does make them believe. And when Christ gives repentance, it causes them to repent Acts 5:31

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

The word repentance here and in Acts 11:18 is metanoia :

  1. a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done
to give one the ability to repent, or to cause him to repent, Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25
 

FollowerofShiloh

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Yes it does make them believe. And when Christ gives repentance, it causes them to repent Acts 5:31

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

The word repentance here and in Acts 11:18 is metanoia :

  1. a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done
to give one the ability to repent, or to cause him to repent, Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25
Nowhere in the Bible does it say God "FORCES" them to believe.

The one who repents repents on his own doing, not from being forced to do it.

Show me a verse that says God forces you to be saved?
 

brightfame52

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Nowhere in the Bible does it say God "FORCES" them to believe.

The one who repents repents on his own doing, not from being forced to do it.

Show me a verse that says God forces you to be saved?
Nobody said anything about forcing anything, thats you input.
 

BillyBob

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Dec 20, 2023
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Agreed!
But God does not make you accept it.
When God puts His word and Spirit into a sinner's heart and soul, their heart is indeed renewed and they will believe. Turning to Him is not a work on our part, it is grace from Him which cannot be resisted.

Just as He says in John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
If your looking for a verse that claims God forced you to be saved, then you are correct, there is no such verse!
 

FollowerofShiloh

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When God puts His word and Spirit into a sinner's heart and soul, their heart is indeed renewed and they will believe. Turning to Him is not a work on our part, it is grace from Him which cannot be resisted.

Just as He says in John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
If your looking for a verse that claims God forced you to be saved, then you are correct, there is no such verse!
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever

People still have the Free Will to reject God even if He puts His Word into their heart.