Calvin did not invent the doctrines of grace

The thing that you don't understand, is that the natural man will not, and indeed, cannot, repent and confess of breaking a spiritual law that he does not understand, and thinks them to be foolishness. Only the born again spiritually will repent and confess.

Repenting and confessing will deliver (save) the born again, as they sojourn here in this world, but repenting and confessing is not the cause of his eternal deliverance.

Jesus finished his work on the cross by redeeming all of those that his Father gave him, from their sin. There is no more coming to the cross.

No problem.

Yep. But I also think that some of them were of the elect and, at a time of God's choosing, were born again joining spiritual Israel.
Actually, just to make my understanding clear, I think everyone who becomes saved, does so the same way; that is
there is only one way of salvation: Jesus Christ. Either God has elected someone to it, or He hasn't. If so, then they must become saved, if not, then they will never become saved. I do not believe any physical linage, creed, nationality, race, etc, plays a part in it.
We are saved for one reason only - because God had chosen us individually to it - that reason, and that reason alone, is what makes it solely by grace.



I think the wide gate represents a trust in salvation through our works; the strait gate, of salvation through Christ. Of course,
only those born-again fully and who completely trust in Christ as Saviour enter in through the strait gate but are able only because it has been given to them - Christ is that strait gate. Not everyone can enter in that way.



I think all true believers are instructed to share the gospel with anyone not a true believer irrespective of any other factors. I think the significance of the nation of Israel and of physical Jews has long since passed away. All of the elect have become one in Christ Jesus.

[Col 3:10-11 KJV]
10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.

[2Co 2:14-16 KJV]
14 Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?



That depends on how you define idols. As a replacement of Christ? No, not for a true believer - I do not think that possible. Might there be ancillary, incorrect non-foundational, doctrines that some may follow? That could be possible, but for the foundational ones,
no.

[Phl 1:5-6 KJV] 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

[1Pe 1:5 KJV] 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.



No, not for those of God's elect who have become born-again. All of the elect before then, at one time or another, have trusted in their works for deliverance, but afterwards, I don't think that possible. Look at Saul/Paul for example.

And you do not understand the power of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit in convincing and convicting. Together they can bring saving faith to those who are dead in their trespasses in sins. It is only AFTER sinners believe the Gospel and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So you need to understand the power of the Gospel, and a good place to start is Romans 10. Peter calls the Gospel the incorruptible seed of the New Birth and James concurs.

So, am I hearing you correctly, that you believe the elect of God, before they were born again (Eph 2:2) trusted in their works for deliverance? Deliverance from what? Before we are born again, we are the same as the natural man, as described in 1 Cor 2:14, are we not? Is the natural man, before he has been born again, a sweet savour of Christ unto God?

Do you not agree, that when the born again are walking in the flesh, due to being tempted by sin, they are worshiping idols, such as, themselves, their financial status, their new automobile, and such?

I also think that the physical nation of Israel, as God's favored nation has long passed away, but don't you think that the scriptures teach that Jacob, who's name was changed to be called Israel, is the spiritual Israel that consists of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (Rev 5:9)?

So, am I hearing you correctly, that you believe the elect of God, before they were born again (Eph 2:2) trusted in their works for deliverance? Deliverance from what? Before we are born again, we are the same as the natural man, as described in 1 Cor 2:14, are we not? Is the natural man, before he has been born again, a sweet savour of Christ unto God?

Yes. I believe that all those not born again are the natural man. As such, they by nature trust in their works.
Through becoming saved/born again, a knowledge of Christ is given to them by God, by/from which, they completely reject their works
and come to a knowledge and trust fully and completely in Christ as Saviou

Help me get our understanding straight. Are you implying that the natural man, before he has been born again, is trusting in the old law of works that are written in stone, if so, is not that a spiritual work to establish their own righteousness?

That theory does not harmonize with 1 Cor 2:14 that says the natural man cannot discern the things of the Spirit, thinking them to be foolishness.

To me, your theory sounds like the newborn babes in Christ, who have the promise of an eternal inheritance, but have not matured enough to come unto a knowledge of the gospel.

All one has to do is study how Geneva was during his time there.

Calvin lived at a time when a man like himself was able to murder his enemies without fear of retribution.

Is that all you can think about is a man named calvin and not the scriptures he showed forth ?

Is that all you can think about is a man named calvin and not the scriptures he showed forth ?

And you do not understand the power of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit in convincing and convicting. Together they can bring saving faith to those who are dead in their trespasses in sins. It is only AFTER sinners believe the Gospel and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. So you need to understand the power of the Gospel, and a good place to start is Romans 10. Peter calls the Gospel the incorruptible seed of the New Birth and James concurs.

I don't respect the man or the doctrinal errors he espoused.

The thing is, we have the Biblical standards for an officer of the church. Calvin is disquified for his tyranny. So he and his teaxhings are to be wholey rejected. Calvin didnt break any ground anyway. He parroted Augustine, only took it too far. But to be a bit more fair to Calvin, He wasn't even a modern Calvinist.

Three questions then: 1.) What would be the purpose of being "born from above", if a person has the ability to believe already?

2.) You do realize that the "gift of the Spirit" and "being born anew" are not the same thing?

3.) You say that I need to understand the power of the Gospel. (Which I do). Do you classify yourself as a Gospel Regenerist?

All sinners can be converted through the Gospel if all will repent and believe.

Not respecting the man is fine, but the scriptures he set forth is where you fall into not respecting the scriptures.

Calvin misinterpreted the scriptures. It is wrong to respect misinterpretations of scriptures.

Thats just an excuse to not believe the scriptures, you bring up men ! You reject the scripture under the guise of saying its just some mans interpretation.