Predestination is misunderstood...

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Genez

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Oct 12, 2017
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If they know they are a sinner,

and Know there is a God, who is just and holy

then they know they need help and can call out to God

that does not take regeneration

That's what the Gospel does.

It defines for the unregenerate what has been working actively in their subconscious mind.
The Gospel defines what they could not define, and now can know what is needed.

That same undefined working is why some enter into false religions. Its in hopes of resolving that conflict.
 
Dec 18, 2023
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You miss entirely the larger principle taught in the the passage. The persecuted audience to whom the writer was addressing (primarily Jewish believers) was in danger of falling away (apostatizing) from the faith, hence the repeated calls throughout the epistle for perseverance (Heb 3:12-19; 10:36; 12:1.) Professing Christians, too, can apostatize, just as Judas did and king Saul did, etc.
If you read the end of chapter 5 its about new converts 😊 ( babes im christ)

If you read the begining of chapter 6 it's also addressed to hardened Judaism,

There is two lots of people being preached to.

There for the ones who are in error are the one practicing useless rituals, the Jews, not Christians, hebrews 6

The Jews also brough first fruits to the temple ( the tabernacle as offerings).

The problem is what you read afterward, becomes a puzzle because this point is missed.

Not only is it a puzzle to many, but is probably the biggest most miss represented verse in history.
 

Genez

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Oct 12, 2017
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You were doing well until the bolded part. BUT that grace does not guarantee our salvation? I guess we can't call that kind of grace saving grace, can we? But I ask: Who can thwart God's purposes?.
That's not what I said.

Here is what I said again...

Grace when given reverses the helplessness of our condition of our fallen state to choose and do God's will.
But, that grace only frees our soul to make a right choice, not guarantee it.
That is why God is now free to judge us... because, it is our own choice!

As far as our salvation?

Once you choose to believe in Jesus Christ?
Then you are His Property! He seals us with the Spirit.
You can not lose salvation once its entered into!


Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20​

God can not be robbed of what He has purchased!

Jesus said that God will lose no one who believes in Him!


For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me,
but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son
and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:38-40

When being presented the Gospel, God's power of grace makes the hearer's soul free to reject it as well as to accept *freely.*.
How is he made free to do so? For, with the sin nature locked up and silenced by grace, then its our choice is from our soul
alone and not dominated by the tyranny of our sin nature which never would allow anyone to believe!

That is why God's grace makes that one who rejects to be without excuse!
For with grace being applied no one can blame it on their fallen state!
Grace makes it so one can't blame it on the sin nature if you reject!
Their soul wanted to reject just like Satan and his angels wanted to!

grace and peace ..................
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
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Here we have an example of what I was saying. It is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance. It is a Godly sorrow that is not to be repented of. The source of the sorrow is God Himself. It didn't originate with you or me. If God doesn't do this, men will never repent.
Agreed 100%
Here's another. Jesus is God. He hung out with sinners. So God, in choosing not to destroy Adam and Eve has done nothing but encounter sin and its effects. So the understanding you gave of God concerning His relationship to sin must have another explanation.
Its called grace, Given to all men.

Again, The wage of sin is death.

By law (temporal or spiritual it does not matter) Someone can not then be made alive UNTIL the wage is paid in full. or redeemed, This is called justification.

You can;t have a person made alive still under the penalty of sin.

And He made us alive so we would discover our sinfulness.
Romans 1 says we know already.

Then He gave sorrow so we would confess it. He also gave hearing so we would hear the gospel and believe. I've laid this out for you from Acts 2:37. It's all included.
Your interpretation of Acts 2 is flawed. as I already laid out.
I realize this isn't likely to alter your perspective. But your understanding has spiritually dead people understanding spiritual reality apart from the Spirit.
1. This is your perspective
2. You still have shown no prove anyone thinks they come to faith apart from Gods help.
 

Rufus

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Feb 17, 2024
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Your right,

But God seeks after the world. and he can change them,, He did that to me.. It took over a year. but he kept coming.

Saying a person can not of their own free will call out for salvation is to deny the love, righteousness and holiness of God.
I would say the opposite is true, if by "free will" you mean the spiritually dead can free make a decision to believe the gospel and repent of their sins prior to the new birth (or "birth from above") as some prefer to call it. How can the natural, unregenerate, evil heart filled with sinful desires "call out for salvation" when that heart is at enmity with God!?

Why cannot God be loving, righteous and holy when he raised his elect up from the dead (Eph 2:4)? Is God a tyrant when he does this or is he a benevolent, merciful, loving King? When he raises his people up from their spiritual tombs, is he doing harm to them or good to them? Are the people he raises up, better off than what they were previously or worse off? When God does something good for anyone that they cannot do for themselves, how does this make him a power-hungry tyrant forcing his will upon anyone? According to 1Cor 13 that defines "agape" love, God must have exercised patience and kindness toward his elect, wanting to protect them, so how is this wrong?

Is any loving parent who prohibits his/her child from engaging in harmful or potentially harmful activity a wicked tyrant for acting in the child's best interest by not allowing the child to have his own way? If you say, "no", then how much less is our all wise, heavenly Father a tyrant for "overriding" our corrupt will that is moved only by sinful desires, than if he had left us to our own wicked devices, which surely would have lead to our eternal destruction? Which kind of parent is loving: The one who is patient, kind, wise and protective or the one who would dare not impose his or her will upon a child even for a good reason?
 

Rufus

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2024
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That's not what I said.

Here is what I said again...

Grace when given reverses the helplessness of our condition of our fallen state to choose and do God's will.
But, that grace only frees our soul to make a right choice, not guarantee it.
That is why God is now free to judge us... because, it is our own choice!

As far as our salvation?

Once you choose to believe in Jesus Christ?
Then you are His Property! He seals us with the Spirit.
You can not lose salvation once its entered into!

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20​

God can not be robbed of what He has purchased!

Jesus said that God will lose no one who believes in Him!


For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me,
but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son
and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:38-40​

When being presented the Gospel, God's power of grace makes the hearer's soul free to reject it as well as to accept *freely.*.
How is he made free to do so? For, with the sin nature locked up and silenced by grace, then its our choice is from our soul
alone and not dominated by the tyranny of our sin nature which never would allow anyone to believe!

That is why God's grace makes that one who rejects to be without excuse!
For with grace being applied no one can blame it on their fallen state!
Grace makes it so one can't blame it on the sin nature if you reject!
Their soul wanted to reject just like Satan and his angels wanted to!

grace and peace ..................
Then what do you mean by the qualifying clause, "not guarantee it"? I interpreted that as meaning that God frees or soul to make the right choice, BUT we could still make the wrong one!
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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Agreed 100%

Its called grace, Given to all men.

Again, The wage of sin is death.

By law (temporal or spiritual it does not matter) Someone can not then be made alive UNTIL the wage is paid in full. or redeemed, This is called justification.

You can;t have a person made alive still under the penalty of sin.


Romans 1 says we know already.


Your interpretation of Acts 2 is flawed. as I already laid out.

1. This is your perspective
2. You still have shown no prove anyone thinks they come to faith apart from Gods help.
Romans 1 says we can know God exists through creation and conscience. It does not say that this understanding is sufficient to recognize our need for salvation nor how to attain it. He does not understand spiritual things. Romans 1 is sufficient to make man accountable, but does nothing to meet his need.
Your understanding of the natural man's estate has him understanding the spiritual activity that you agreed that God must do in his life without the ability to understand what God is doing which must come first, yet somehow after that has happened he is able to understand enough to believe. You have the same natural man both understanding and not understanding spiritual activity.
 

Everlasting-Grace

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Dec 18, 2021
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I would say the opposite is true, if by "free will" you mean the spiritually dead can free make a decision to believe the gospel and repent of their sins prior to the new birth (or "birth from above") as some prefer to call it. How can the natural, unregenerate, evil heart filled with sinful desires "call out for salvation" when that heart is at enmity with God!?
Because God calls them to him.

How can a righteous judge make someone the penalty of sin and make them alive while still UNDER the penalty of sin (death?

That is what goes against Gods judgment righteousness and holiness
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
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Romans 1 says we can know God exists through creation and conscience. It does not say that this understanding is sufficient to recognize our need for salvation nor how to attain it. He does not understand spiritual things. Romans 1 is sufficient to make man accountable, but does nothing to meet his need.
Romans 1: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

1. It says they suppress the truth. it does not say they do not know it.

19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

2. It says the things of God are fully understood by men. That would include not only his wrath, but his love and forgiveness..

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

3. God allowed them to live in sin
4. THEY exchanged the truth for the lie. God did not keep the truth from them


26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions

5. God also allowed to them have their vile passions, Again, He allowed it, he did not keep the truth from them as you insist

and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

6. They recieve the penalty they were due (all sinners are do, who hide and suppress the truth..

32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

7. They know the righteous judgment of God. Again, God does not keep the truth from them, THEY KNOW.

Thats why they HAVE NO EXCUSE.

Your giving them an excuse.. saying they have no ability to know


Your understanding of the natural man's estate has him understanding the spiritual activity that you agreed that God must do in his life without the ability to understand what God is doing which must come first, yet somehow after that has happened he is able to understand enough to believe. You have the same natural man both understanding and not understanding spiritual activity.
Concerning the gospel. Everyone can understand the gospel. that's why God said they have no excuse.
 

Johann

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Apr 12, 2022
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Romans 1: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
The context of Romans 1:18 highlights the universal condemnation of humanity due to their ungodliness and unrighteousness, as they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. The verse introduces a section where Paul builds a case against the sinfulness of all mankind, emphasizing that God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. This wrath is not arbitrary but is based on the rejection of revelation and the suppression of the truth that God has made known to humanity through various means such as nature, conscience, and Scripture.
The verse underscores that all individuals, regardless of their background or moral standing, are under the condemnation of God because they have failed to live up to His standard. The rejection of God's revelation and the deliberate suppression of the truth lead to ungodliness and unrighteousness, resulting in humanity being deserving of God's righteous judgment.
The passage in Romans 1:18 sets the stage for Paul's argument that all people are sinners in need of a Savior. It emphasizes the seriousness of sin, the universal guilt of humanity, and the necessity for salvation through faith in Christ. The verse serves as a foundational statement leading into Paul's discussion on the sinful state of humanity and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ.
 

Nehemiah6

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Jul 18, 2017
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How can the natural, unregenerate, evil heart filled with sinful desires "call out for salvation" when that heart is at enmity with God!?
Have you never heard about the POWER of the Gospel? Which is actually "THE POWER OF GOD"? For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Rom 1:16),

And that is why we have Romans chapter 10. And then Romans concludes with this: 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Have you never heard of "the obedience of faith" which is obedience to the Gospel? It is simply amazing how the Calvinists have such utter disregard for the power of the Gospel. Which is to be preached to THE NATURAL MAN. If the natural man already had the gift of the Holy Spirit, why would he need the Gospel?
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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Romans 1: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

1. It says they suppress the truth. it does not say they do not know it.

19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

2. It says the things of God are fully understood by men. That would include not only his wrath, but his love and forgiveness..

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

3. God allowed them to live in sin
4. THEY exchanged the truth for the lie. God did not keep the truth from them


26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions

5. God also allowed to them have their vile passions, Again, He allowed it, he did not keep the truth from them as you insist

and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

6. They recieve the penalty they were due (all sinners are do, who hide and suppress the truth..

32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

7. They know the righteous judgment of God. Again, God does not keep the truth from them, THEY KNOW.

Thats why they HAVE NO EXCUSE.

Your giving them an excuse.. saying they have no ability to know



Concerning the gospel. Everyone can understand the gospel. that's why God said they have no excuse.
We're not going to agree whether I go through verse by verse or not. Thanks for the discussion.
 

Rufus

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Feb 17, 2024
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Because God calls them to him.

How can a righteous judge make someone the penalty of sin and make them alive while still UNDER the penalty of sin (death?

That is what goes against Gods judgment righteousness and holiness
First, there is a specific/inward and general/outward call to the gospel. The latter is not effectual; the former is and this call is expressed in different ways in the NT (Jn 6:44; Act 2:39; 13:48; 16:14; Rom 1:6; 8:28; 9:12; 28-30; 2Pet 1:3). And Jesus distinguishes between the two (Mat 22:14) and even more poignantly in his Parable of the Marriage Feast, especially in Luke's version (Lk 14:16-24); and I would particularly call attention to v. 23 wherein the Gr. term "anangkason" (Strong's 315) is rendered "compel" in many translations, and it literally means "to necessitate", to compel, to constrain. This parable harmonizes quite nicely with Paul's universal indictment of mankind because man's depravity is total, affecting all human faculties (Rom 3:10-18), and this accounts for why the natural man wants nothing to do with God, which the above mentioned parable clearly and unmistakably illustrates.

Secondly, how does God "make someone the penalty of sin"? It seems to me Adam did that for himself and for all his posterity.

To answer your third objection, God had to raise them from the dead in order to free them from the power of death, otherwise they would not have been able to respond positively to the gospel. We cannot raise ourselves from either our physical or spiritual graves, can we? How God is just is that after his elect respond positively to the gospel, he imputes his own righteousness to them through Christ and his work of redemption! That makes God just and the justifier of all those who believe in Him (Rom 3:26). And we should not forget that God chose his elect in eternity "past" (Rom 8:28-30) before any of us did anything good or bad (Rom 9:11); for at the end of the day, salvation does not depend on man who wills or who runs but on God who has mercy (Rom 9:16-18).
 
Dec 18, 2023
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C. People Are Elect in Christ's Spiritual Body, the Church.
Passages
Ephesians 1:3-14 - Paul is addressing the elect in Christ. But the rest of the book refers to them as the church, the body of Christ - this is the theme of the book.

1:22,23 - Jesus is head of the church, His body.

2:13,16 - To be reconciled "in Christ" is to be reconciled in His body or household (v19), the temple of the Lord (v21,22).

3:10,11 - We are predestined according to God's purpose (1:11), but His eternal purpose is revealed in the church.

5:22-33 - Jesus is Head and Savior of the body, having loved it and gave Himself to sanctify and cleanse it. Note that it is a body or group that is destined to be saved. [Cf. 3:21; 4:4,16

1 Peter 2:9,10 - The ones "chosen" or elected are a race, a nation, a priesthood, a people. We are chosen as a body, a group, the church.

Note the circumstances of those in the church.
Acts 20:28 - Jesus purchased the church with His blood.

Acts 2:47 - All the saved are added to the body (church) by the Lord.

Clearly the church is the elect, those destined to be saved. [Matt. 16:18]

But how does one enter the church?
1 Peter 1:22,23 - The elect (1:1,2; 2:9) are those who "purified your souls" in obedience to the truth and so were born again - born into God's family, the church (1 Tim. 3:15)

1 Corinthians 12:13 - We are baptized into the one body.

Acts 2:38,41,47 - When we repent and are baptized, we receive remission and are added by the Lord to the church.

So, from eternity, God knew there would be people willing to obey Him. He purposed to establish the church (Eph. 3:10,11) as the body that would contain all saved people (5:23,25). These would be His special people, the elect (1:3-14). This body He decreed to be destined for eternal glory (1:3-14).

However, each individual has been given by God the power to choose to meet the conditions to enter that body or not enter. Once in the body, each has the power to continue faithful and receive the reward or to fall away and be lost (these will be removed from the body before it enters glory - Matt. 13:41-43; Rev. 17:14; 2 Peter 1:10).

II. The Sovereignty of God
Since God is the absolute, all-powerful ruler of the Universe, it is argued that He must absolutely govern everything that happens on earth (see quotes from Westminster Confession). This means He must personally choose whether or not each individual will be saved. The decision must be completely His, and no one else can determine the outcome. To say that man has a choice is to deny the absolute sovereignty of God. [Eph. 1:11; Rom. 8:28; 11:36; 1 Chron. 29:11; 1 Tim. 6:15; Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:10]

Response: There is no doubt that God has the sovereign right to do whatever He wills to do. The question is: What is it that God has willed to do? Has God chosen to unconditionally determine the eternal destiny of each individual, or has He chosen to offer salvation to all men and give each man the choice whether or not to accept based on conditions? If God is truly sovereign, then if He wishes, He has the right to give man the power to choose!

A. Has God Ever Granted Anyone the Right to Choose Anything?
If God has ever granted anyone the right to choose anything, then it would not violate His sovereignty to give man the right to choose salvation.
Calvinists admit that Adam had the right to choose whether or not to obey God. If so, then God's sovereignty is not violated simply because He gives man the power to choose. Why then would it violate His sovereignty to give us also the right to choose?

If man never has the right to choose about anything, then God must have decided to make man (and Satan) sinners!
If God's sovereignty means He has decreed everything about men, and we have no choice about anything, then He must have decreed that Adam and all men must commit sin. This means God is responsible for the fact men commit sin and suffer the consequences. Man had no choice. We are all sinners because God chose for us all to become sinners.

Yet God hates sin and commands men not to sin (Prov. 15:9; 6:16,17; etc.). So the consequence of Calvinism is that God decreed that man must do the very thing God hates and commands men not to do. God is therefore divided against Himself (Matt. 12:25; 1 Cor. 1:13; 14:33). How can they avoid the charge that their view makes God hypocritical?

Illustration: Calvinism makes God like a father who commands his son not to go in the street, and if he goes, the father will spank him. Then the father carries the son into the street and spanks him for going there!

B. There Is a Difference Between What God Unconditionally Decrees and What He Chooses to Permit.
God is the absolute ruler of the Universe. But this does not deny His right to give men the power to choose.

God unconditionally decrees that some things must come to pass.
In this case, His decree must come to pass, and no one can change it. [1 Chron. 29:11; 1 Tim. 6:15; Psa 115:3; 33:11; Job 23:13; Isaiah 14:27; 46:9,10; Prov. 21:30]

Yet the Scriptures teach that God has decreed to allow men (and Satan) to have the power to choose and make some decisions.
Consider some examples:

* God does not tempt man to sin (James 1:13). Yet man faces temptation. Why? Because God permits Satan (within limits) to tempt man (Job 1). [Note 2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31]

* God hates sin and commands men not to practice it (see above). Yet sin exists. God is not the source of it, else He is not righteous but contradicts Himself and forces men to do what He Himself hates!

The truth is that God gave man the power to choose to obey or disobey, having warned them of the consequences. Having decreed that man has the power to choose, God respects His own decree and permits His creatures to choose, even when those choices displease God.

* In the same way, God has decreed (as shown in the Scriptures already studied) that man has the power to choose whether or not to obey His conditions of forgiveness and thereby become one of His elect.

No, man is not free to do absolutely anything we want (can we destroy God?). God has placed limits on us, but one thing He has granted us is the power to obey Him or not. This is not a violation of God's sovereignty, nor is it weakness on His part, for He is the one who decreed that man has this power!

Do you deny that a sovereign God could give man the power to choose?
If God is truly sovereign, then He can decree whatever He chooses. If so, then He can decree that man has the power to choose! If you deny this, then it is you, not us, who deny the sovereignty of God!

The question is not whether or not God is sovereign. The question is: What did the sovereign God decide to do? The Bible says God decreed to give man the power to choose whether or not to obey. This is what it means for "all things" to work according to His purpose.

C. God's Sovereign Government Is Controlled by His Will and Character.
God must act in harmony with His own will.
Man can never limit God, but God can and often does limit what He does according to His will. He may choose not to exercise certain powers He possesses in order to accomplish some higher purpose.

The consequence of Calvinism is that God acts in ways that are contrary to His own revealed will. He says that man can choose whether to obey or disobey Him and that salvation is for all and that there are conditions everyone can meet to be saved (as shown in preceding Scriptures). However, Calvinism says none of this is true, we have no choice, etc.

God must act according to His character
There are some things God cannot do because they would violate His character.

* God cannot lie - Titus 1:2

* God cannot sin (He is always righteous) - 2 Chron. 19:7

* God cannot deny Himself - 2 Tim. 2:13

* God cannot change - Hebrews 13:8

The consequence of Calvinism is that God continually acts contrary to His character. He hates evil, yet He decrees that men practice evil. He cannot lie, yet He says things in the Bible that are not true, etc.
I believe there is really good faith here, I believe you are a good brother at heart, and.im starting to appreciate you,

I have a question.

What are your thoughts on once your baptised in Jesus name for the forgiveness of sins,. It is only then that you've have entered into the new covenant.

Acts 2:37-39

New International Version



37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

as you can see here, and I don't know why I have not seen it before.

but here it states, Gods promise is to call those even far of, ?

we see God will call far of people to him, to be baptised,for 2 reason for remissions of sins and to receive the gift of the holy spirit.

on this note would you say this is done to enter the far off into the new covenant. 🤔
 

Johann

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Apr 12, 2022
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I believe there is really good faith here, I believe you are a good brother at heart, and.im starting to appreciate you,

I have a question.

What are your thoughts on once your baptised in Jesus name for the forgiveness of sins,. It is only then that you've have entered into the new covenant.

Acts 2:37-39

New International Version



37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

as you can see here, and I don't know why I have not seen it before.

but here it states, Gods promise is to call those even far of, ?

we see God will call far of people to him, to be baptised,for 2 reason for remissions of sins and to receive the gift of the holy spirit.

on this note would you say this is done to enter the far off into the new covenant. 🤔
I'm not here to enter into dialogue re Law-Sabbath and water baptism-


Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”


I am. Psa_31:17; *Psa_40:9; *Psa_40:10; Psa_71:15-16; *Psa_119:46, Jer_9:3, +*Mar_8:38, *Luk_9:26, Act_17:18; Act_23:11; Act_27:35, 1Co_1:18; 1Co_2:2, *2Ti_1:8; *2Ti_1:12; *2Ti_1:16, 1Pe_4:16.
not. FS175B, +Gen_21:16.
ashamed. Rom_6:21, Isa_50:7, +Mar_8:38, Luk_9:26, 2Co_4:2, Php_1:20, 2Ti_1:8; 2Ti_1:12; 2Ti_1:16-17, Heb_2:11; Heb_11:16.
the gospel. Rom_1:1; Rom_1:9, Rom_10:8; Rom_15:19; Rom_15:29, Luk_2:10-11, Act_5:42, 1Co_9:12; 1Co_9:18, 2Co_2:12; **2Co_4:4 g. 2Co_9:13; 2Co_10:14, Gal_1:7; Gal_6:14, *Eph_1:13, Php_1:27, 1Ti_1:11.
for it is. FS4, +Rom_1:13.
the power of God. **Rom_10:17, 2Ch_6:41, *Psa_110:2, Isa_53:1, **Jer_23:29, Mat_10:28 g (is able). *1Co_1:18-24; *1Co_2:4; 1Co_4:20; 1Co_14:24-25; *1Co_15:2, *2Co_2:14-16; +*2Co_10:4; +*2Co_10:5, Eph_1:19, *Col_1:5; *Col_1:6, *1Th_1:5; *1Th_1:6; **1Th_2:13, *Heb_1:3; **Heb_4:12, 1Pe_1:5.
unto salvation. Rom_7:24-25; Rom_13:11, Isa_12:2; Isa_49:8; Isa_51:5, Mat_1:21, Luk_1:69; Luk_1:71; Luk_1:77, Joh_4:22, Act_11:14; Act_13:26; Act_16:17, +*2Co_6:2; 2Co_7:10, Gal_1:4, Eph_1:13, Php_1:28, 1Th_5:8-9, 2Th_2:13, Heb_1:14; *Heb_2:14; *Heb_2:15; *Heb_5:9; +*Heb_9:28 note. +*Jas_1:21, 1Pe_1:5.
to every one. Rom_3:29, See on Rom_4:11, Luk_2:30-32; +*Luk_24:47, Act_3:26; Act_16:32, +*1Ti_2:4, 1Pe_2:6, +*2Pe_3:9, **1Jn_5:10-13.
believeth. or, believing. Gr. pisteuonti. Believing translates pisteuonti, a present tense active voice participle, thus the Gospel is power from God for salvation to all the ones continuing to believe (Malcolm Lavender, Lavender Translation, fn. i). FS121F, +Gen_49:6, The belief is the effect of the power of God through the preaching of the gospel. Rom_4:5, Joh_3:16, +*Act_16:31; Act_20:21.
to the Jew. See on Rom_2:9, Luk_24:47.
first. In point of national precedence and privilege (CB). Rom_2:9-10; Rom_3:1-2; Rom_9:1-5; Rom_11:16, Joe_2:28 note. +*Dan_9:25 note. Zec_13:1, Mat_8:12, +*Act_1:8; *+Act_3:26; Act_13:26; Act_13:46; Act_19:10, Gal_3:28.
and also. *Rom_3:28-30.
the Greek. Representing all non-Jews (CB). +Rom_1:14, Rom_15:9, Mar_7:26, +Joh_7:35; Joh_12:20, Act_10:11; Act_14:1; Act_14:3; Act_19:10, 1Co_10:32, Gal_3:28.



1Co 15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,
1Co 15:2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
1Co 15:4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
1Co 15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
1Co 15:6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
1Co 15:8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
1Co 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
1Co 15:11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.



Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.


Of the doctrine of baptisms,.... Some read this divisively, "baptism and doctrine", as the Ethiopic version; as if the one respected the ordinance of baptism, and the other the ministry of the word; but it is best to read them conjunctively: and by which most understand the Gospel ordinance of water baptism, so called by a change of number, the plural for the singular, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, who render it baptism; or because of the different persons baptized, and times of baptizing, as some; or because of the trine immersion, as others; or because of the threefold baptism of spirit, blood, and water, which have some agreement with each other; or because of the baptism of John, and Christ, though they are one and the same; or because of the inward and outward baptism, the one fitting and qualifying for the other; and so the doctrine of it is thought to respect the necessity, use, and end of it; but since there is but one baptism, and the above reasons for the plural expression are not solid, and sufficiently satisfying, it is best to interpret this of the divers baptisms among the Jews, spoken of in Heb_9:10 which had a doctrine in them, to that people; teaching them the cleansing virtue of the blood of Christ, and leading them to it, to wash in for sin, and for uncleanness; but now, since this blood was shed, they were no more to teach nor learn the doctrine of cleansing by the blood of Christ this way; nor any more to be led unto it through these divers baptisms, ablutions, and purifications.

Sound advice-from the Scriptures.
J.
 

Rufus

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2024
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Have you never heard about the POWER of the Gospel? Which is actually "THE POWER OF GOD"? For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Rom 1:16),

And that is why we have Romans chapter 10. And then Romans concludes with this: 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Have you never heard of "the obedience of faith" which is obedience to the Gospel? It is simply amazing how the Calvinists have such utter disregard for the power of the Gospel. Which is to be preached to THE NATURAL MAN. If the natural man already had the gift of the Holy Spirit, why would he need the Gospel?
Another strawman rebuttal! I have even said in the past that we are brought forth by the Spirit and the Word!

Have you never heard of the Power of the Holy Spirit? Do you not know that the new birth requires Grace (regenerating power of the Holy Spirit) and [Gospel] Truth (Jn 1:17). Jesus brought both to his ministry because both are absolutely necessary. We are even called to worship Almighty God in Spirit and in Truth (Jn 4:23-24). Why do you think Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3 that he MUST born again because until he was he cannot see (understand) the kingdom of God, which includes the gospel of the kingdom! We MUST be born of God (1Jn 5:1, 4, 5) and of his Word (1Pet 1:22-23; Jas 1:18).

Even Jesus very likely himself taught Nicodemus this truth (Jn 3:5), for he does liken the spiritual birth to a physical one; so the Lord was in fact drawing an analogy. When you, sir, were brought forth into this world, were you not the product of procreation by two parents!? Assuming, you were, I would be so bold as to suggest that this is the meaning of Jesus' words in in the above text. See also Eph 5:26; Tit 3:5).

P.S. You might also want to acquaint yourself with the New Covenant promises in Jer 31 and Ezek 36.
 
Dec 18, 2023
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Only God can give that based on his sacrifice.
But you think you have to earn it.. So it would make a difference either..
nobody earns an unmerited favor, that's ludicrous.

There no such thing as an unmerited favor

God opposes the proud but favours the humble. 😊