When I was a new believer I struggled with fear, worrying about whether I was chosen by God or not. Thank you for helping people leave this awful error.
@@ZachFish-if you believe you are saved. Because that is what Jesus says. Because there is simplicity in Christ. Because God’s word is true. Salvation is not based on our subjective feelings or works. Ephesians 2 : 8-10
@@ZachFish- do works save you or is what Jesus did on the cross the saving work? Jesus told the woman caught in adultery that her sins were forgiven her but to go and sin no more. Are we going to say that if that woman sinned again she is not saved? No of course not. We all have sinned, sin, and will sin again. Now that we are saved, we know that we should not sin and should turn from sin. There is a difference between salvation and service. Salvation is free service requires works.
@@ZachFish- also something got lost in the text. I should have written the first comment like this: if you believe, you are saved. Believe the gospel, that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and rose again, is what I meant.
@@Die2Self87 Calvinism teaches that God preordains everything and that we have no choice in the matter. It logically follows that since I was made this way and since I cannot change course that I am not responsible for my life. The one who writes the script is responsible for everything, good and bad.
@@charliep5072 Out of respect to you I will not debate you, simply because what you just explained is not taught in reformed theology. The issue is that leaders of none reformed circles give their bias opinions on what we believe, then create arguments against it. If Leighton was correct about his analysis then he should have completely dismantled Dr. James White in both their debates. But he didn't and not only did he not, he simply couldn't.
@@Die2Self87 I appreciate you being respectful and I will be likewise. I know you said you don’t want to debate but that is exactly what Calvinism claims. It just does so indirectly. I have listened to more debates than I can count and in everyone I always come away with this conclusion. Either way, the important part is that I am convinced through my own research of reading the Bible. I can simply relate to anyone out there that struggles with this Calvinist approach to scripture. Peace to you, brother.
Grammatically, the "he chose" was "in Him" not the "us". All throughout Ephesians 1 are examples of "in him" or "in Christ" and basically all of them reference something happening "in him" not people being chosen who are already in him. Verse 1: Describes the saints as faithful in Christ Jesus. Verse 3: Indicates that believers are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing. Verse 4: States that believers were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. Verse 5: Refers to predestination for adoption through Jesus Christ. Verse 6: Speaks of being blessed in the Beloved. Verse 7: Notes redemption and forgiveness in Him. Verse 9: Indicates that God's purpose was set forth in Christ. Verse 10: Talks about uniting all things in Him. Verse 11: Mentions obtaining an inheritance in Him. Verse 12: Refers to hoping in Christ. Verse 13: Discusses being sealed with the Holy Spirit in Him. Flowers'interpretation is not constant with the context or the Greek grammar in the passage. The "he chose" was "in Christ" not "us".
@jeremywolffbrandt7488 Those who have put their trust/ faith in Him alone are alive their trust is not in vain (empty devoid of truth), and they are no longer in Adam, so they are no longer apart from Christ there is life in Him alone for all who believe. 1 Corinthians 15:22 NKJV - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
@@reg7916 agreed. Doesn't change that the "in him" in the passage discussed is where the choice is made. It isn't saying the people were chosen who already were in him.
@jeremywolffbrandt7488 Disagree. He chose us in Him is word for word from the Greek. The ESV, NASB, NKJV all have it translated correctly. We were chosen when we were in Him, not before we were in Him.
Amen… i’ve been in a reformed/Calvinist church since Covid, although have been a Christian since 2001. Never really understood what Calvinism was, and after learning more about it, I find their teachings to be very off, we were going to leave, however I feel the Lord has me there for time, perhaps an attempt to bring forth the truth of his word. Thank you brother for sharing this because as you said this is one of their main scriptures that they like to use. Along with Romans nine where they totally missed quote what’s being said. Please pray for me that ears and hearts will be opened.
I will pray for you. Remember even if we feel opposition from others around us we know the truth. Hold your ground and let the Lord guide you out of that doctrine. After all you were predetermined not to believe it anyways based upon Calvinistic logic.
I'm in exactly the same boat as you, new church due to covid shutdowns, and after 3 years of developing community, I recently had a couple of instances that directed my attention to what Calvinism teaches. I discovered Dr Flowers TH-cam channel, and was startled to hear pretty much what I've always believed as a believer, only to learn that I fit into the boogeyman category of pelagianism and I didn't even know it. It been bewildering to me to see all the contradictions and mental gymnastics required to hold on to this belief. Struggling now with the decision of whether to stay where I am now, or seek a church that I feel more accurately aligns with scripture.
@@rickpenner7860 thank you for the reply. And actually we did wind up leaving around the end of August, however it wasn’t due to any predestination or any of the tulip doctrine. It was the fact that they believe that the gifts of the spirit ceased to exist in the New Testament church, another words they quench the Holy Spirit.
Hi Brother. I am in a non denominational church and we have some calvinist. My problem with them is that some of them speak and pray like calvinist but they deny being a calvinist. So I am trying to teach a class and educate Christian on both interpretations, but I am being opposed and I don’t know exactly why.
@@saraircrew8517 Genuine ?.... at what point is it ok to standup and walkout when the pulpit isn't preaching the truth. Harder when visiting family. Out of interest, did you discuss this afterwards or just keep the peace?
@@unitedstates3068 I knew that the church is calvinist. Not my first time there. My niece was being baptized is the only reason for the visit. The conversation we have had in the past do not produce much fruit so at this point I pretty much leave it alone.
Thank you, Leighton. Your ministry is a blessing. Another good biblical analogy is this. God said that any Israelites that would paint the blood of the Lamb on his doorpost would be predestined to live when the angel of death passed over.
they mentally add it between the lines and then mentally remove all the words and concepts that go against their preconceived doctrine. augustine said he was glad he read plato before reading the bible. calvinists have a reprobate mind and are unable to hear or read sound doctrine because their brains have been wired to reject it.
@@gk.4102 No. Scripture says that when God finished His creation, He saw everything and declared it "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Many Scriptures affirm that God is not the author of evil: "God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone" (James 1:13). "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). "God is not the author of confusion" (1 Corinthians 14:33)-and if that is true, He cannot in any way be the author of evil. Occasionally someone will quote Isaiah 45:7 (KJV) and claim it proves God made evil as a part of His creation: "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things" (emphasis added). But the New American Standard Bible gives the sense of Isaiah 45:6-7 more clearly: "There is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these." In other words, God devises calamity as a judgment for the wicked. But in no sense is He the author of evil. Evil originates not from God but from the fallen creature. I agree with John Calvin, who wrote, . . . the Lord had declared that "everything that he had made . . . was exceedingly good" [Genesis 1:31]. Whence, then comes this wickedness to man, that he should fall away from his God? Lest we should think it comes from creation, God had put His stamp of approval on what had come forth from himself. By his own evil intention, then, man corrupted the pure nature he had received from the Lord; and by his fall drew all his posterity with him into destruction. Accordingly, we should contemplate the evident cause of condemnation in the corrupt nature of humanity-which is closer to us-rather than seek a hidden and utterly incomprehensible cause in God's predestination. [Institutes, 3:23:8] It is helpful, I think, to understand that sin is not itself a thing created. Sin is neither substance, being, spirit, nor matter. So it is technically not proper to think of sin as something that was created. Sin is simply a lack of moral perfection in a fallen creature. Fallen creatures themselves bear full responsibility for their sin. And all evil in the universe emanates from the sins of fallen creatures. For example, Romans 5:12 says that death entered the world because of sin. Death, pain, disease, stress, exhaustion, calamity, and all the bad things that happen came as a result of the entrance of sin into the universe (see Genesis 3:14-24). All those evil effects of sin continue to work in the world and will be with us as long as sin is. First Corinthians 10:13 promises us that God will not permit a greater trial than we can bear. And James 1:13 tells us that God will not tempt us with evil. God is certainly sovereign over evil. There's a sense in which it is proper even to say that evil is part of His eternal decree. He planned for it. It did not take Him by surprise. It is not an interruption of His eternal plan. He declared the end from the beginning, and He is still working all things for His good pleasure (Isaiah 46:9-10). But God's role with regard to evil is never as its author. He simply permits evil agents to work, then overrules evil for His own wise and holy ends. Ultimately He is able to make all things-including all the fruits of all the evil of all time-work together for a greater good (Romans 8:28).
Min. 10:38 “…since these points were first introduced by Augustine…” Acts 20:29 Paul- “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”
@@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181 Thank you Sydney, I first learned that one from watching Kevin Thompson (BTF). God has given us all the weapons we need to fight back against this scourge of false doctrine.
@@AlreadyApproved Amen!!! Someone sent me a link to a video, from way back in 1990's & rebroadcast in 2011 maybe . . . about how Westcott & Hort started the dissecting of Biblical translations instead of using thousands of scriptures from Textus Recepticus as the KJV was derived from, they were using 2 to 4 copies of Gnostic scriptures . . . primarily with the introduction of the NIV, each revision, coming forward from 1870's, to subtly remove any references to the Trinity of God, until today, over 2,000 verses have been altered. An example is: 1 John 5:7&8 For there are 3 witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word, & the Holy Spirit. And these 3 are 1. And there are 3 witnesses on the earth: the Spirit, the water, & the blood. And these 3 agree as 1. This combining & condensing of these 2 verses is in NIV, ESV, CSB, even 1995 NASB & the new LSB, even in NKJV though it is not altered in KJV or Simplified KJV. Discovering this information aggravated me. I just want a COMPLETE Bible, in modern English that includes comparisons from the Dead Sea Scroll discoveries to verify accuracy & inclusion of all "authenticated" scripture (not Enoch, Tobin & Judith, etc. written during the Maccabbean Era) to read & learn the Truth from Scripture as God inspired it to His Prophets. Is that really too much to ask?
The difference between calvinists and non calvinists is not a difference in scripture interpretation. Scripture is simple and straight forward.....but when a Christian has been taught a philosophy, then they must try to find scripture support.
Yeah the tragedy is great, too bad 2000 years of church history had to suffer reformed theology, I wonder why provisonism didn't get used by God to establish His church?
@user-wq2cx1sp3l Yeah, sad how the world got in with extra help from Constantine, but the Bible does warn of sheep in disguise. And "if" those who call on the Name of the Lord and read His Word they become much more obvious. Matthew 10:16 NKJV - “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
I disagree, slightly . . . REFORMATION was definitely necessary!!! However, just as satan attacked the early church & was successful in corrupting it, then throughout the dark ages caused such violent atrocities - the reformation was trying to get back to the gospel basics, it was necessary . . . but Satan didn't just give up, he again attacked the reformation & corrupted some, more bloodshed!!! Reformation needs to be constantly occurring, searching out the corruption, exposing it & taking steps to correct it with every attack by demonic forces.
Predestined, to determine beforehand, before what? This is similar to Christ the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world, this has always been God’s plan. I watched the short Bible Project video on Ephesians to aid in context, I thought they did a great job.
Bring in the Greek Church Fathers. Heck, even bring in Saint Jerome, a Latin Father. Why does the early Church just not "get" the book of Ephesians? 1500 years later the meaning of this text is FINALLY understood? Who had the visions or divine revelation to figure Ephesians out?
Thank you, well said. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father *through sanctification of the Spirit* unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. {1 Peter 1:2} We cannot be sanctified by the Spirit and sprinkled of the blood of Jesus until we are in Christ, not from the foundation of the world.
FALSE. 2 Thessalonians 2 13-14 states that God from the beginning chose us for salvation through sanctification BY the Spirit and belief in the truth TO WHICH (A PREPOSITION INDICATING A DIRECTIONAL MOVEMENT) HE CALLED US BY THE GOSPEL. ALL OF YOU WHO BELIEVE THIS DON'T KNOW WHAT A PREPOSITION IS. IT'S MIND BOGGLING. I AM GOING 👉TO👈 THE STORE. THAT MEANS I AM HEADING THAT WAY FROM MY CURRENT LOCATION. WHATEVER IS STATED AFTER THE PREPOSITION OCCURS AFTERWARD. II Thessalonians 2:13-14 NKJV [13] But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, [14] 👉👉👉to which👈👈👈 He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grammar 101. Understand why prepositions are used. G1519 - eis Strong's Definitions: εἰς eis, ice; a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose THE POINT REACHED OR ENTERED. THE POINT REACHED IN 2 THESSALONIANS 2 14 IS BEING CALLED BY THE GOSPEL ->>>>> AFTER WE ARE CHOSEN FOR SALVATION THROUGH SANCTIFICATION BY THE SPIRIT
@@JesusIsLord777-lz7mg - " 2 Thessalonians 2 13-14 states that God from the beginning chose us for salvation through sanctification BY the Spirit and belief in the truth" No it doesn't. None of us were alive when those words were addressed to people who were alive. You're reading yourself into Book. (Which is rather narcissistic of you, it seems to me.)
6:37 “Does God give that ability to everybody?” Absolutely, yes. God has given everyone the ability and responsibility to surrender their own supposed god-hood and recognize him as God, and repent and believe. The tragedy with the Calvinist theology is that they dispute this, choosing to believe instead that God has removed man’s responsibility for sins, concocting a soteriology where God saves some people and doesn’t save others, purely by his own choice. Turning man into a helpless victim and God into a monster.
In your Soteriology, could a man who is in a state of rejecting God, and is until death, could he have accepted Christ? No, but he has sufficient access. Calvinist believe everyone is that person, God just unhardens some.
@@ZachFish- Why would you say that in my soteriology, a man who rejects God until his death could NOT have accepted Christ? My soteriology would say that he could have accepted him, definitely. So it doesn’t appear you understand the other side. But then, it doesn’t appear you understand Calvinism all that well either. You say Calvinism teaches that God I hardens some people, but you’re leaving out the part where God made all men hardened in the first place. THAT’s the part that makes the Calvinist God a monster.
@@TheRomans9Guy God made the world knowing who would come to him and spend eternity in heaven. Although they had the ability to repent, there was no world in which they would.
@@ZachFish- Ah. So you think God predetermined everything that has or will ever happen. It’s wrong, but if you’re stuck in that thinking you’re not going to listen to anyone who disagrees with you. I’ll just say for the record, that’s not Biblical.
@@TheRomans9Guy Nope. I agree people have a choice, but God knows their choice, so when he sends the son, he knows the atonement is for let’s say 500 million people, and it will not save 30 billion, so therefore the atonement was sufficient for those who kept in opposition to Christs, as his blood could work if people were faithful, but those 30 billion weren’t, and were known not to have any possibility of being the ones he spends eternity with, so it was not efficient.
This interpretation doesn't make sense to me. It seems like grammatical gymnastics to get the passage to not say what it plainly says. The "if you get in the shelter, you are predestined to live" example makes the use of the predestination term unnecessary. The passage reads roughly we who are in Christ were chosen before the foundation of the world according to his own good pleasure. You have to read conditions into the text to get it to say anything like you are predestined based on your choice rather than his good pleasure.
Lol meanwhile, Reformed (Calvinistic) Christians, are going to state houses fighting to abolish abortion, creating and establishing Seminaries and bible colleges (Masters Seminary, Reformation Bible College, CBTS etc) reaching the most difficult places with the Gospel (Heartcry Mission Society), establishing solid foundations and pillars of expository preaching (One Passion by Dr Steve Lawson), Designing and making available conferences and homeschool programs ( Heritage Homeschool program by G3, and Church and Family Life) I can go on and on about what God is doing through the many men and women who are reformed(Calvinistic), such as Voddie Baucham ( and his defense of Biblical Marriage and dispelling the elies of CRT and social justice) or Joel Beeke ( Reintroducing sound biblical theology from puritans and reformers of old. on the other side we this guy Leighton Flowers and Sam Shoumon and other "professing" Christians who all they do is create videos to undermine reformed theology. smh this is pathetic. I cant remember any time I saw a video that was titled "Romans 9 dearminianized or Ephesians 1 de armenininized). There is no theologian alive that most of us know right now who is reformed that is making videos "primarily" about Arminianism, provisionis or any other belief system. Leighton Flowers is waste of human life.
Yes, God chooses those who are IN Christ and that decision was made before the foundation of the world. But Calvinism says that God chooses people OUTSIDE of Christ. So when the passage says "He chose us IN Him", Calvinists read "He chose us TO BE in Him". They subconsciously insert "to be" without realizing it.
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi Why does it apply only to the 12 This statement occurred at the last supper . John 17 shows that Jesus was also directing his comments to future believers and that we are one body and all come to Christ one way . “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. Referring to 12 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”. Referring to all John 17:9, 20 KJV Same doctrine is seen in Mathew 22:14 in the parable of the great feast “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14 KJV Any thoughts ?
Were not the 12 chosen and distinct from everyone else? But chosen for what? They were chosen to be the foundation of His Church. Christ being the chief corner. Are you an Apostle? Concerning everyone NOT an Apostle: 1 Corinthians 1:21 (KJV 1900): 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to ->save them that believe. We do the believing God does the saving - according to the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul. Calvinists do this wierd thing with grammar. Lump dufferent words together as being synonymous Like Chosen, predetermined, elect, foreknowledge, salvation. All these have different meanings, and you can't know what they mean (semantic range) unless you take context where they are found into account. Calvinists don't do that, but instead, upon seeing any of these in Scripture instantly apply their homogenized "doctrine", (definition) to it. Thats called "Word-think" So Jesus tells the Disciples they were "chosen" The calvinist, who think all scripture was written "to" themselves, that they are chosen unto eternal salvation, "before the foundation of the world", put themselves into that verse, and voila' - PROOF!😢 You thought that about that verse... Didn't you? Why did I say the 12 were the subject of that verse? Because they were. But you think Jesus was talking to you because - of course you do (Word-think) He wasn't speaking about you. Know how I know? Because you're not the subject of that verse. The Apostles were. Take care
This is very good context. There is something even more specific in the context as to why Paul uses the word predestined twice. We have many many time indicators like right here in Ephesians 1 that believers were waiting for the adoption and waiting to receive the full possession of the inheritance. I believe the NT clearly tells us that the general resurrection was about to happen in their generation. The old covenant fully ended when the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, believers were vindicated from their enemies at the same time, and the new covenant was fully consummated when Christ put his enemies at his footstool. This all coincides with the general resurrection, when believers would be conformed to the image of Christ. This is what they were predestined for, this is time when they took possession of the full inheritance. This is the exact same thing Paul is talking about in Romans 8:29
How do you get into a New Covenant relationship with Christ? Eph. 1:12-13 makes it clear, as Dr. Flowers revealed. Calvinists often claim "faith" is the "gift" in Eph. 2:8. Eph. 3:7 and Eph. 4:7 prove "grace" is the "gift" in the Book of Ephesians. New Covenant Whole Gospel: How many modern Christians cannot honestly answer the questions below? Who is the King of Israel in John 1:49? Is the King of Israel now the Head of the Church, and are we His Body? Who is the “son” that is the “heir” to the land in Matthew 21:37-43? Why did God allow the Romans to destroy the Old Covenant temple and the Old Covenant city, about 40 years after His Son fulfilled the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34 in blood at Calvary? What the modern Church needs is a New Covenant Revival (Heb. 9:10) in which members of various denominations are willing to re-examine everything they believe and see if it agrees with the Bible, instead of the traditions of men. We need to be like the Bereans. It will be a battle between our flesh and the Holy Spirit. It will not be easy. If you get mad and upset when someone challenges your man-made Bible doctrines, that is your flesh resisting the truth found in God's Word. Nobody can completely understand the Bible unless they understand the relationship between the Old Covenant given to Moses at Mount Sinai and the New Covenant fulfilled in blood at Calvary.
Technically, I believe it's "saved by grace through faith" is the gift. in Eph 2:8. The 'this' refers to the whole first part of the verse, not only grace and not only faith. Grace is a free gift of God but that verse is structured for the whole process.
Someone after my own heart . . . you picked my favorite "calling His disciples" about Nathaniel, the perfect parable to prove the point, & of course God's promise to "write it upon our hearts & in our minds" that Jesus also recited in the Gospel of John, I believe!!! I also believe that the Reformation was necessary . . . but just as satan was already attacking the early church, then corrupted the church throughout the dark ages, he didn't waste any time attacking the Reformation as well . . . the main problem with the Reformation is that it must be an ever present on-going process . . . so I agree with you completely! I also would add to this, we need to re-furnish the English translation of the Bible & restore it to as comprehensive as it was prior to 1850's or so, then inclusive of dead sea scroll comparisons, over 2,000 deletions have gradually been made to the Bible since Westcott & Hort started tampering with it & this plan for constant revisions has affected every modern translation ever since! 1 John 5:7&8 For there are 3 who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, & the Holy Spirit. And these 3 are 1. And there are 3 who bear witness on earth: the Spirit, & the water, & the blood. And these 3 agree as 1. Go ahead, look that up in your NIV, ESV, CSB, even 1995 NASB, & new LSB, even the NKJV, though it is correct in KJV & Simplified KJV. Even the NET Bible has the condensed & altered variations but at least gives a pretty lengthy explanation for why it was changed, whether a comma or not was in the proper place or not & 2 separated verses were combined into 1 to completely alter the Trinity of God & the unity of salvation, baptism & blood of our Lord!!! This outrages me. God bless you, my sibling in Christ !!!
Correcting the provisionist misinterpretation Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 1:4 The Apostle first told when God's work of election took place: before the Creation of the world. The word for at the beginning of this verse is not as literal a translation of the Greek adverb kathos as " even as" ( ASV, RSV) or " just as" (NASB). " As" suggests that the way God blesses believers (V.3) is through the threefold work of the Trinity. But the adverb can also have a causal sense, and may be rendered " since," "because," or "insofar as" (cf. 4:32). The idea is that spiritual blessings (1:3) for believers are because of or on the basis of the work of the Trinity: God blesses believers because of the Father's electing, the Son's dying, and the Spirit's sealing. Both concepts seem to be included: spiritual blessings are the work of the three persons of the Trinity, and the work of the Trinity is the basis of all a believer's spiritual blessings. Spiritual blessings begin with and are based on election ( He Chose us ) , of which God is the subject and believers are the object. Election is God's sovereign work of choosing some to believe (cf. Rom 8:30; Eph 1:11; 1 Thes. 1:2; 2 Thes. 2:13; Titus 1:1). Salvation is God's doing and not man's ( Eph 2:8-9). Though it is an act of grace ( Rom. 11:5-6; 2 Tim. 1:9), based on His will ( Eph 1:5,9,11), a person is responsible to believe ( v.13). " God chose you to be saved ... though belief in the truth" ( 2 Thes. 2:13). In Him indicates the sphere (cf. " in Christ" in Eph 1:3) of election, as He is the Head and Representative of spiritual humanity (vv. 10,22;Col 1:18 ) . The time of election is in eternity past, and the purpose of election is that believers will be holy and blameless in His sight for eternity. What God has begun in the past will be accomplished and completed in the future. Christians are " holy " ( hagious; cf. hagiois, " saints," Eph 1:1), that is, set apart to God, which is the purpose of His electing grace. In addition, the purpose of His election is to make Christians " blameless." This word amomous, " without blemish," is used eight times in the New Testement ( v.4; 5:27; Phil. 2:15; Col 1:22; Heb 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19; 2 Peter 3:14; Rev. 14:5). In the Septuagint it is used of sacrificial animals; only those without blemish could be offered to God. What does the phrase in love modify? Some agree with the NIV that it modifies the word " Predestinated" ( Eph 1:5). If so, then God's love is seen in predestination. More likely, it modifies the words " to be holy and blemeless in His sight" for the following reasons: ( 1 ) In this context the modifying phrases always follow the action words ( vv. 3-4,6,8-10). ( 2) The other five occurrences of " in love" in Ephesians ( 3:17; 4:2, 15-16; 5:2 [ "of love " ] ) refer human love rather than divine love. ( 3 ) Love fits well with holiness and blemelessness, for this would denote a balance between holiness and love. God is love and believers, because of God's electing love, should manifest love with holiness. Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 1:5 The cause of election is God's predestination of believers unto sonship (cf." predestined" in v.11). Predestinated is from proorisas, " marked out beforehand." Thus the emphasis of predestination is more on the what than the who in that the believers' predetermined destiny is their being adopted as full- fledged sons of God through Jesus Christ, the Agent of the adoption. The concept of adoption is also found in Romans 8:15 ( NIV marg.) , 23; Galations 4:4-7. In adoption a son is brought into a family and is given the same rights as a child who is born into that family. In this context it seems that predestination logically precedes election: after God looked forward to the glorious destiny of adopting believers into His family, He looked down on sinful humanity and chose believers (cf. Rom 8:30 where " predestinated" precedes " Called ," which refers to His efficacious saving). All this was done in accordance with His pleasure (cf. Eph 1:9) and will (cf.vv. 1,9,11), that is, He delighted to impart His spiritual benefits to His children. ( The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty : New Testament, pg. 616-617, Edited by Dr. John F. Walvoord & Dr. Roy C. Zuck )
Great video and amen to the focus to “in Christ”. One remark - Ephesians makes a difference between two groups of people “you” (plural) and “us”. It is addressed to saints in Ephesus and they are addressed as “you”. The first three chapters of Ephesians is about how these two groups become one, called as “us both” or “we all” - into one new man. And though these two groups are still somehow discernible - as Paul still continues “you” and “us”, but there comes a new identify - The New Man - which transcends the other two. Ephesians 1:3-10 refers to group “us” only, later the group “you also” appears… it seems that chapters 1-3 gives a similar narrative as olive tree in Roman’s 11. The separation “us” and “you” also appear in Galatians -“we are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners”.
I write about the distinction Paul made between the two groups in a book (and blog posts) called The Flower Falls: A Careful Examination of Calvinism’s TULIP. I’d love to your thoughts if you’re willing to check out the free blog post titled Ephesians 1: How do I know if I’m Chosen and Predestined?
@@pattitilton8442 one of the main topics of Ephesians 1-3 is the mystery which was hidden but became revealed - the mystery consists of summing up (or recapitulate) all things in heaven and earth in Christ. The theme of recapitulating Jews and gentiles then perfectly fits within this big master plan. Also adoption as sons is used in romans 9 and refers to Jews. Sandra richter made a good point that the rationale for a covenant was fictive kinship - making fictive family relationships. It could be between equal parties or if not equal - then it could represent father- adopted son relationship. Ephesians 2:1-10 and 2:11-22 represent two chiasmus. The central thought of the first is being seated with Christ in heaven, for the second - destroying hostility and making peace. The whole of Ephesians 1-3 is full of such chiastic structures which tell the story of God recapitulating in Christ everything, including Jews and Gentiles.
I agree with your presentation and have fought against this Calvinistic process. First, I find it impossible to believe in a loving GOD that chooses some for salvation and some for destruction. Second, I refuse to believe that if number one is true that a loving GOD then needs to send HIS Son into the world and suffer HIM on the cross. To what end? To make believers out of predestined believers? Doesn't make sense to me. I think the responsibility to recognize all GOD's blessings in our lives is the reciprocation of GOD's Divine love for us. To do anything less is the rejection of HIS love. This is represented in the two greatest commandments of Jesus and of course, our choosing Jesus as our savior.
Yes! Can you imagine a God who commands His children to slaughter thousands of non-believers like Calvinists do? Shocking! Why those people actually believe the following!!!!! Deut 7:1-3 “When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites,...you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them.” Deut 20:16 “But of the cities of these peoples which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance, you shall let nothing that breathes remain alive, but you shall utterly destroy them."
They go to Ephesians 1 & 2 but they stop reading at Eph 2:9. Have them keep reading Eph 2:11-16 and 3:1-6. It’s a lot harder to be Calvinist if you just keep reading.
@@TheRomans9Guy I agree. I did a full study on eph 1 & 2 with Flower’s long breakdown videos, but sadly it wasn’t fresh in my head to best convey it to them quickly. Time wasn’t on my side. Would have been an hours long back and forth. I’ll do better next time.
I like to imagine Calvinism personified, standing at the gate of Heaven and whenever someone rushes in, eyes set on Jesus, fervently trying to run to the feet of Jesus and thank Him for His forgiveness; Calvinism steps in front and says "Whoa there buddy! Let's see your hand stamp! Don't you know? You gotta be regenerate before you can go see the big guy...alright, recite the TULIP and say 3 hail John Calvins." And the angels have to come around and chase Calvinism off like a sneaky squirrel trying to steal from the bird feeder. 😂
The reason calvinist reject the truth that we are 100% responsible for our bad actions is because that means we are 100% not responsible for our good decisions.....like believing the gospel. Their belief is that we are hopelessly doomed unless God regenerates a person so that they can believe. Independent ideas like those of Augustine create a mess.
What is the purpose of the preposition "to eis g1519" between the words "born again" and "a living hope"? Explain why that preposition is there instead of a conjuction, adverb etc. 1 Peter 1:3 NASB2020 [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again 👉👉👉to👈👈👈 a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
@@JesusIsLord777-lz7mg - "What is the purpose of the preposition "to eis g1519" between the words "born again" and "a living hope"? Explain why that preposition is there instead of a conjuction, adverb etc." ???? . . It seems like basic English to me. Please explain yourself.
Proving a soteriology from a preposition? Come on my dude! To what (or whom) do you think Paul is referring by "living hope"? My "living hope" is Jesus. Before born again I was without God, and without hope. Now, in Christ I have hope of a future with Him, forever, first in Heaven, then on earth after the Tribulation - because He is "living".
In your example , how do dead people , that do not see or hear , get into a shelter. I am sure you agree that would be impossible . Salvation is of the Lord . Most exampltes you present all require a person to do something . That is not the Gospel . God reveals him self to the elect and then they will choose him .
Oh David, you are as I once was . . . you can't fall back on the Calvinist indoctrination of Jesus calling forth Lazarus that WE humans are already dead . . . that was so NOT the point Jesus was trying to make with that tremendous miracle. Consider these examples using the definition of "elect" or specifically "being elected of God" Yes of course Abram, Gideon, Deborah, etc., were all chosen of God for a specific purpose, but so were, Pharoah in Egypt, King Saul, King Nebuchadnezzar, King Cyrus, etc. - we have no idea if any of these people will be in heaven, only God knows but HE still chose them for a specific purpose to accomplish His goal. The definition of "elect" does not mean "chosen by God for salvation", or "chosen by God for damnation", it only means "chosen by God for a specific purpose". For the wages of sin is death! Jesus died our death for us, in our place because of our sins, not HIS - because Jesus had NO SIN, death could not hold HIM - Jesus rose from death to prove to all humanity that only perfect righteousness could defeat death & overcome sin - since no human can live a righteous sinless life, we must choose to believe that Jesus is who He says He is & accomplished all that He set out to do, only belief in Jesus as the Son of God can save us from the wrath of God upon the world of sin. Abraham was counted as righteous because of his faith! Faith is what is required to receive the free gift of salvation. Faith is not "works" it is the choice we must make to believe in our heart! I pray for your awakening that you are struggling with in your heart!
Lots of things don't make sense when you insist on reading analogies to a wooden extreme. You are the analogy of death far too woodenly. A husband and wife are used as an analogy for Christ and the church, but does that mean the husband can literally save his wife's soul? Of course not. Does that mean the wife should worship her husband as God? Of course not. But if you took that analogy as literally as you take the one of spiritual death, that's the kind of extreme doctrine you would end up with.
@@tayh.6235 So I assume you do not believe spiritual blindness and spiritually deafness. Go is using earthly and fleshly things to demonstrate spiritual principals, Nicodemus in john3 did not understand and I do not think that you understand either . Ask and pray that the Lord shows you the truth from a spiritual perspective .
@stevet2265 arminianism is a false gospel that says a person can lose their salvation. if someone believes the true gospel of jesus christ then they cannot become unsaved, they have everlasting life in the present.
Dr. Flowers, you should do a video on Christians in Israel (Israeli Messianic Jews). I’ve talked to a former member of this movement via email (Dr. Eitan Bar). The messianics in Israel are almost all Calvinist, and as of such they have very few converts. They are actually declining, and many people consider them to be a cult. Their views on God do not match up with the Jewish view of God as a loving father, which should be a huge red flag. Calvinism does not spread the Gospel.
Can it be any clearer. according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4 KJV The sovereign choice of God to save some . It can not be any clearer. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13 KJV
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi Do a word study on in him. And in Christ. Everything we have is in him. Hope , Faith , truth , life , salvation , And we are in Him just as he is in us
Another problem with Calvin is this, because they have no idea how God chooses, it makes them God. As they are telling the world that because we can see that we are predestinated for salvation, we are saved, and because you don't believe the Calvinist doctrine, it's because you weren't chosen to believe. Only the elect before the foundation of the world will be regenerated.
It"s a clever interpretation, and conceivable plausible. But the text says that God chose us (v. 4) and predestined us (v. 5). And what is the basis of election and predestination? Our faith? The text says "according to the purpose of His will" (v.5), "according to His purpose" (v. 9) and "according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the purpose of His will" (v. 11). Paul will go on in the next chapter to say that we were "dead in trespasses and sins," but that it was God who made up alive," and that "we are His workmanship" 2:1-10). The most natural way to interpret this, then, is unconditional election."
Those “in him” are chosen. Nobody outside of Christ was chosen to be put in Christ. Eph 2 comes after Eph 1:13. Election deals w service not a salvation lottery that makes Titus 2:11 and romans 5:18 not true
@@wannabewoodworker9705Those "in Him" are chosen BEFORE the foundation of the world. Chose = elected Us in Him = believers Just as He ELECTED BELIEVERS before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4 NKJV [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
@@jayrodriguez84 - You guys sure like to take verses out of context. Please note what is said later about who is chosen and on what basis. "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Not before they heard the Gospel, and before they Believed it, but after, were they sealed. I think you guys are misconstruing Paul's eagerness to assure those who first believed that everything was going according to His plan, as him letting them know what Calvinists think they know, because it's all about the 'me' with some people . .
@johnknight3529 Before you drop down to those verses, why don't you go to Ephesians 1:5. He predestined us to "adoption AS SONS" = sonship/justification. Huiothesia is used, and it's strongs definition specifies justification and omits glorification. In Galatians 4:4-6 Paul uses Huiothesia and uses the present tense to confirm that the adoption as sons is not a future adoption i.e. glorification but sonship. Romans 8:23 has a descriptor "The redemption of our body" and a coma after Huiothesia is used. Ephesians 1:5 does not have the coma nor descriptor. Why? Because Paul is not talking about glorification. Paul uses Huiothesia in Romans 8:15. He talks about sonship first, then glorification. These two parts of the same adoption are kept separate. Come to the truth.
I have a question: Paul's conversion that says Jesus himself saved Paul while he was on his way to persecute the believers.. which comes first, Paul got saved after he believed in Jesus or Paul came to believe in Jesus after he got saved? I am confused. Thanks for your answer.
If your question is whether or not the Calvinist mantra 'Regeneration preceeds Faith" is true, the conversion of Paul isn't where I'd look, as it doesn't say either one way or the other. And it is a narrative, Jesus appearing to the entire party in blinding Glory, leaving Paul blind for 3 days, isn't something that's ever happened before or since. If this narrative were prescriptive, then no one else in history was ever saved, because Jesus' appearing in Glory to someone would then be an essential part of salvation. (Sorry if this sounds pedantic, or you already know these things) No one is building and Ark in their back yard, or hitting a rock with a stick to get a drink, because these narratives are descriptive at best, and definitely not prescriptive ("at best" because sometimes what's said in Biblical narratives are the words of heretics, aka: Balaam) The miraculous should never be taken as the norm. So we have to look elsewhere to answer questions like yours. 1 Corinthians 1:21 (KJV 1900): 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to >save them that believe
But God knows who are gonna believe right? So could anyone do anything other way?, what about the ones that never hear the gospel did God chose to not reveal it to them?. To make it seem like your postion never has any baggage is interesting
It's interesting the comments in these videos or Jimmy Akins videos are so strange that it makes me wonder if Calvinism is actually correct. I am on record in saying I have no idea which way I believe, but admitted I slightly lean Calvinist. But when I read the comments from Armenians versus Calvinists it's like listening to JV vs Varsity.
Yet arminians in the comments call calvinists NPC s. I'm similar to you. Slightly lean calvinist. I think the answer to "God's sovereign will or man's choice?" Is "Yes" and scripture is replete with examples 😆
@@AlSwearengen4 I hear you. It's just strange how juvenile the Armenians comments are. I don't understand why they have trouble articulating points when compared to Calvinists. I'm not talking about the host of these videos as he does a pretty good job of at least stating clearly what he believes.
We are baptized into CHrist. Anytime the NT speaks about "in him", the writer is referencing what the reader (CHristians) have already done. They believed in Christ(expressing their faith through baptism) "into him". Before baptism we were outside of CHrist looking in but through baptism we are "made alive in Him"(Col 2:11-13)and our sins are remitted/washed away in HIm(1 Corinthians 12:13). By one Spirit were we all baptized into one body( the church). Baptism of a penitent believer places them in the body of Chirst. All spiritual blessing are in Christ -Eph. 1:3 If all spiritual blessings are in Christ(they are), then there can be no spritiual blessings outside of CHrist. See Galatians 3:26-28. Romans 6. Blessings!
How can any Christian say that the blood of Jesus is insufficient to save all who come to Him? And I don't mean that nonsense that only the elect come to Him. I mean the, "whomsoever." Only to the Calvinist does All not mean All. Does whomsoever not mean whomsoever. Smh
A lot of Calvinist say the atonement is sufficient for all but not efficient. Others will say, God knew before the foundation of the world those that would be in eternity, so he knew exactly who the atonement was for, and so it was only supposed to save those God regenerated or those in flowers view who would come to Christ, therefore it’s only for a select few in a sense no matter what.
@ZachFish- of course not all come but that doesn’t point to the failure of Christ’s sacrifice. It points to the pride of men and their choice not to accept Him.
@@CynVee Right, and so if someone doesn’t come to faith, it’s their rejecting of God that keeps them under wrath, which their sin could be atoned for by Christ, but wasn’t. Another person may have been changed by Gods revelation, and so the atonement cleansed them. It was effective to one, not the other. It is sufficient for those who would have faith in believe, but Calvinist say naturally man rejects the revelation of God (to which should be enough to make them turn to him and be atoned for, so they are responsible for that rejection), and so need regenerated, those who are regenerated/changed by revelation it is efficient for, those who continue to rebel, it was sufficient. But in the end, God knew just who would have faith, he created the world knowing the ends, and so he knew who the atonement would bring into eternal life with him, therefore some say “it doesn’t matter who it potentially could’ve saved, because it only was ever going to save a select few, so Jesus sacrificed to save those said few (along with all other benefits from the cross).
Predestined there isn't unto salvation. It >never< is in Scripture. Those who are already believers are Predestined to do certain things, and receive certain blessings. Calvinism has pulled the wool over the Churches eyes in regards to Biblical terms such as Elect, Predestined, Chosen, Foreknown, so that when believers think of them they automatically think in Calvinist definitions. None of those words mean what you probably think they mean.
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi God wants all men to be saved first Timothy 2:4, second peter 3:9! God, predestines groups or plurals only, never individuals. Ephesians 1 -2 points: “ us and we” are pre-destined never “you and I“! And 11 times in 11 verses from 3-14 you have to remain “in Christ“ (in him, in whom) to be predestined! Romans 9:1-3 Paul is talking about the nation of Israel, all the way to the end of chapter 11 ! So, “Jacob, I loved, Esau I hated“ is genesis 25:23 “there are two nations in your womb“! It’s talking about ‘Nations,’ not individuals in the whole context of those three chapters! Stop taking it out of context, along with Ephesians 1! Of course, we have the story of Jacob and Esau and how Esau despised his birthright ! So God truly does love all people, he truly did make hell for the devil and his angels just as Matthew 25:41 says ! Even the 42 youths, mauled by the 2 bears, was because they mocked Elijah‘s rapture, a.k.a. the resurrection , they were saying “go on up Baldy “ ; and ALL their prophets just recently Were killed by Elijah and they should’ve known to stop worshiping Baal! Bethel was the headquarters of Baal worship, where this took place! 490 priests got killed by Elijah, There was no Priests around,; should’ve been a gigantic clue. So God never arbitrarily and haphazardly deals with any human being ! His love cannot be measured says Romans 8! But if you’re a Calvinist, it’s “his love cannot be measured , (Wink, wink)“! Come out of the false belief system of Calvinism ! Now you have no excuse because you cannot out argue this, let’s hear you try! Read Matthew 25 the parable of the Calvinists, a.k.a. talents ! Where the guy buried his talent calling God,- somebody who doesn’t judge rightly & he was thrown into hell as a result! He had the wrong view of God, & So Will a Calvinist, they’ll have a callous view of God & The love of Christs sacrificial death on the cross! Jesus was crucified before the foundations of the world, but he only had to die one time Says hebrews, so don’t get it wrong like Moses; when did Jesus die ? So this trumps predestination before the foundations of the world, because God chose to to write this to disprove & trump predestination! Revelation 13:8
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi we’re on the same page but God predestines groups only; the church in Ephesians 1 saved Israel in Romans 9-11 so you have to use your free will to be apart of the pre-destined groups to go to Heaven!
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi we’re on the same page but God predestines groups only; the church in Ephesians 1 saved Israel in Romans 9-11 so you have to use your free will to be apart of the pre-destined groups to go to Heaven!
I suggest you not waste your time on details like that. Calvinists have no explanation for why their version of God, Created the material world/universe at all. (I've asked ; ) He knew, they claim, precisely what was going to happen to everyone in the material Creation, and exactly who he was going to be the God of after it all played out, so the whole thing is basically pointless. He could have gone straight to; "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
To be fair, the Calvinist sees God ordaining the ends (those who are saved) and the means (Christ dying on the cross and the gospel being proclaimed to the elect). You don’t have one without the others; they are a group. So, the 3 (minimum) pieces that necessary are conjoined are: 1. For decrees elect people. 2. Christ dies for exactly those elect persons. 3. God sends sufficient gospel proclamation to those elect ones who are then regenerated to receive the gospel. It is an elegant system, which is why so many are drawn to it.
@@chaddonal4331 - It seems to me to be a crude and disobedient "system". Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as our self, for example, but the Calvinist looks upon his neighbor as a degenerate, inferior to himself. They will go to great lengths to justify doing what our Lord told them plainly not to do, unto others as they would definitely rather not be done to them. So He is not their Lord (yet), it seems to me, but rather their own desire to be seen by others and themselves as superior to the "unchosen" ones, is. And to attain that status they casually throw God's holy nature under the bus, so to speak.
@@johnknight3529 The mature Calvinists I know, respect, and have served among generally respond differently. They recognize there is nothing special in them and it is only by God’s grace that they have been chosen. So, there is a humble gratitude that they foster. And they present the gospel to others knowing that God will awaken the elect He has chosen; so they feel free of the burden to convince people. This gives them a freedom to share without a misplaced burden. However, I have also experienced what you describe from the less mature, or from those who’ve been indoctrinated into a TULIP schema that extends beyond their true relating with God. There can be a smugness that they are “in” and secure; and a parallel callousness toward the lost. I.e. If God doesn’t love them and has determined to consign them to His wrath then why should I be concerned? It’s all His plan and He is glorified equally by those He saves and those He damns. I can see the “logic” of this, but it offends my sensibilities. Calvinists see that as a weakness or a problem. I do not, because my sensitivities have been shaped by the Scriptures. In my fallenness, I can desire enemies to be tortured. But in the Scriptures I see Gods mourning over the wicked, pursuing redemption for many, and Jesus as offering the life of God that many may believe. Judgement is God’s strange/alien work. Redemption is His heart. Many Calvinists feel the need to “balance” God’s loving grace and wrathful judgement; something the Bible is generally not eager to do.
@@johnknight3529I don't defend doctrines of calvinism, but that's an absolute miscaracterization. Calvinists that I've been exposed to say that God can save anyone He wants to, regardless of whether they're on their way to have some Christians murdered, or are hanging out in a whorehouse. A calvinist would say that we're not privy to God's plans for a person and therefore, extend the Gospel to any and everybody.
Min. 6:03- “…so how does somebody get in Christ then?” / John 6:56 Eat the bread of life! Matthew/Luke 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God.” John 1:1 “…and the Word was God.” Jesus=bread of life=the Word ! Ever heard the saying, “you are what you eat”? Jesus said his word will outlive the earth…what so ever his word is attached to will do the same. James 1:21 “…receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” By picking up your bible, to read, you are doing the same as the woman who said “…if I could but touch the hem of his garment.”
Not sure why you arrive at that conclusion. We simply differ on how original sin affects man’s ability to respond to the grace freely offered by God to every sinner. You believe man is unable until his heart is changed by God, I on the other hand believe the scriptures which teach it is not too hard or far from any of us….the gospel is the power of salvation to the Jew first and then the gentile
@@sampowellmusic How are you going to say "I'm not sure how I came to my conclusion" then go on to respond to my point? Which means you are sure why I came to my conclusion. And just because you say you use "scripture" to come to your conclusion doesn't mean reformed theology proponents doesnt.
Flowers’ anthropology is incorrect in that we want nothing to do with any provision of salvation from our sin from a holy God. We love the darkness. God is light.
Some of us DO love and seek God and truth from an early age. God leads us to Himself and Truth. We just need to follow that loving lead. We have a free will to follow or reject. We've done it many times in the past and will do so in the future. He leads us to Christ, who leads us to submission to Himself and the promised blessings that follow, which were predestined for the believers.
Nothing was ever created without the word. The word became flesh Jesus and died so the holy spirit could come and create man in his image its the gospel and the holy spirit is creating men in God's image. Those who are willing to deny themselves and picked up their cross and follow Jesus. Revelations 12-17. Those who have kept God's commandments and have the testimony of Jesus christ in their lives they are the body of christ . Made perfect through suffering.
Let's nip that in the bud that He created us for damnation through this one verse. Matthew 25:41 King James Version 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: We go to hell because we are fitted TO destruction, having the image of your father, the devil Vessels of mercy which He foreprepared unto glory by the Father, where they were conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the first born of many brethren.
The idea that free will is worshiped by Provisionists is so disingenuous. If a pastor of a church was holding a night service and this pastor walked into his church at night and was wondering why it was so dark, he might call the Electric company and say, "Hey get down here and turn these lights on". Under the Calvinists view, the reason the pastor would do this is because the pastor doesn't want to boast about turning on the light switch. The Calvinist would call this "works" and doesn't wish to boast.. So he is demanding the power company send a person down to the church and flip the switch. Whereas a provisionist would say that the power is generated by the power company. But turning the light on is at our disposal. WE are supposed to flip the switch. In the same way the power was generated by God. He is the source of the power, but we have to turn the lights on. God already sent the power for salvation to earth. That power is here. It doesn't need to be brought down or pulled up from the depths. It's here already. But we are responsible to flip the switch. Flipping the switch is not "works".
Galatians 3:26-27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. This links faith to baptism. This says, we are baptized INTO CHRIST. Isn't this telling us how to get into Christ? If not what IS it saying?
@@MattCool007 Indeed. That is, of course, one of our favorite passages. By "our" I mean those who tell the unsaved that they need to believe and receive -- as John 1 teaches -- so they can be born from above.
We are not "in Christ" by belief alone. Even the demons believe and tremble. We are in Christ through our submission to water immersion and being faithful unto death. This truth is taught and fully evident when we read the New Testament teachings on baptism, without preconceptions. Peace, and thank you! Believe and be baptized into the ark, the Church, the Body of Christ.
@@grizz4489 I hear you. I would suggest reading through pauls conversion in act 9 and retelling in acts 22. Paul clearly already had faith in him but ananias told hime to be baptized washing away his sins.
My friend, you are teaching? You realize that you Will undergo a stricter judgement? Haw do you park that idea in Revelation or throughout scriptures? You reason away that is written, get the all the scriptures on a idea together, get all the counsel of God ( God's Will, God's Word) together, then obey and with trembling speak.
Say there are two groups of people. Both are under judgement. Both unworthy. If God chooses one group for mercy the other group cannot complain. Both groups deserved judgement.
Ephesians 1:1-6 All born-again children of God are not faithful to Him in this life. This is about FAITHFUL SAINTS who were chosen that they SHOULD be holy and blameless in THIS LIFE. ( NOT talking imputed ) Notice the text does not say " will most certainly be holy and blameless". All born-again children of God will receive ( future) the adoption = the redemption of the body. However, only faithful born-again children of God will receive ( future) the adoption = the redemption of the body AS SONS. Thus ensuring the reward of ruling and reigning with Christ in His Kingdom along with other kingdom privileges and benefits.
Min. 6:03- “…so how does somebody get in Christ then?” / John 6:56 Eat the bread of life! Matthew/Luke 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God.” John 1:1 “…and the Word was God.” Jesus=bread of life=the Word ! Ever heard the saying, “you are what you eat”? Jesus said his word will outlive the earth…what so ever his word is attached to will do the same. James 1:21 “…receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” By picking up your bible, to read, you are doing the same as the woman who said “…if I could but touch the hem of his garment.”
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi your comment assumes that his entire audience were believers. Preachers today give sermons today knowing full well that not every person in the pew has made a sincere profession of faith and it was the same in Paul’s day. Every verse of the Bible is for salvation.
When I was a new believer I struggled with fear, worrying about whether I was chosen by God or not. Thank you for helping people leave this awful error.
How do you know your saved now..?
@@ZachFish-if you believe you are saved. Because that is what Jesus says. Because there is simplicity in Christ. Because God’s word is true. Salvation is not based on our subjective feelings or works.
Ephesians 2 : 8-10
@@goodshorts So if someone believes they’re saved, and they walk in a lifestyle opposed to Christ, they are?
@@ZachFish- do works save you or is what Jesus did on the cross the saving work? Jesus told the woman caught in adultery that her sins were forgiven her but to go and sin no more. Are we going to say that if that woman sinned again she is not saved? No of course not. We all have sinned, sin, and will sin again. Now that we are saved, we know that we should not sin and should turn from sin. There is a difference between salvation and service. Salvation is free service requires works.
@@ZachFish- also something got lost in the text. I should have written the first comment like this: if you believe, you are saved. Believe the gospel, that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and rose again, is what I meant.
Nothing did more harm to my walk with God than Calvinism. Thankfully I am convinced that God is good and not the author of evil.
Calvinism doesn't teach God is the author of Evil
@@Die2Self87 Calvinism teaches that God preordains everything and that we have no choice in the matter. It logically follows that since I was made this way and since I cannot change course that I am not responsible for my life. The one who writes the script is responsible for everything, good and bad.
@@charliep5072 Out of respect to you I will not debate you, simply because what you just explained is not taught in reformed theology. The issue is that leaders of none reformed circles give their bias opinions on what we believe, then create arguments against it. If Leighton was correct about his analysis then he should have completely dismantled Dr. James White in both their debates. But he didn't and not only did he not, he simply couldn't.
@@Die2Self87 I appreciate you being respectful and I will be likewise. I know you said you don’t want to debate but that is exactly what Calvinism claims. It just does so indirectly. I have listened to more debates than I can count and in everyone I always come away with this conclusion. Either way, the important part is that I am convinced through my own research of reading the Bible. I can simply relate to anyone out there that struggles with this Calvinist approach to scripture. Peace to you, brother.
@@charliep5072 Peace to you as well, this conversation was predestined to end well lol.
Thank you Dr. Flowers. "In Him" answers every Calvinist.
Amen in Him matters🌻
Grammatically, the "he chose" was "in Him" not the "us". All throughout Ephesians 1 are examples of "in him" or "in Christ" and basically all of them reference something happening "in him" not people being chosen who are already in him.
Verse 1: Describes the saints as faithful in Christ Jesus.
Verse 3: Indicates that believers are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing.
Verse 4: States that believers were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.
Verse 5: Refers to predestination for adoption through Jesus Christ.
Verse 6: Speaks of being blessed in the Beloved.
Verse 7: Notes redemption and forgiveness in Him.
Verse 9: Indicates that God's purpose was set forth in Christ.
Verse 10: Talks about uniting all things in Him.
Verse 11: Mentions obtaining an inheritance in Him.
Verse 12: Refers to hoping in Christ.
Verse 13: Discusses being sealed with the Holy Spirit in Him.
Flowers'interpretation is not constant with the context or the Greek grammar in the passage. The "he chose" was "in Christ" not "us".
@jeremywolffbrandt7488 Those who have put their trust/ faith in Him alone are alive their trust is not in vain (empty devoid of truth), and they are no longer in Adam, so they are no longer apart from Christ there is life in Him alone for all who believe.
1 Corinthians 15:22 NKJV - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
@@reg7916 agreed. Doesn't change that the "in him" in the passage discussed is where the choice is made. It isn't saying the people were chosen who already were in him.
@jeremywolffbrandt7488 Disagree. He chose us in Him is word for word from the Greek. The ESV, NASB, NKJV all have it translated correctly. We were chosen when we were in Him, not before we were in Him.
Amen… i’ve been in a reformed/Calvinist church since Covid, although have been a Christian since 2001. Never really understood what Calvinism was, and after learning more about it, I find their teachings to be very off, we were going to leave, however I feel the Lord has me there for time, perhaps an attempt to bring forth the truth of his word. Thank you brother for sharing this because as you said this is one of their main scriptures that they like to use. Along with Romans nine where they totally missed quote what’s being said. Please pray for me that ears and hearts will be opened.
I will pray for you. Remember even if we feel opposition from others around us we know the truth. Hold your ground and let the Lord guide you out of that doctrine. After all you were predetermined not to believe it anyways based upon Calvinistic logic.
I'm in exactly the same boat as you, new church due to covid shutdowns, and after 3 years of developing community, I recently had a couple of instances that directed my attention to what Calvinism teaches. I discovered Dr Flowers TH-cam channel, and was startled to hear pretty much what I've always believed as a believer, only to learn that I fit into the boogeyman category of pelagianism and I didn't even know it. It been bewildering to me to see all the contradictions and mental gymnastics required to hold on to this belief. Struggling now with the decision of whether to stay where I am now, or seek a church that I feel more accurately aligns with scripture.
@@rickpenner7860 thank you for the reply. And actually we did wind up leaving around the end of August, however it wasn’t due to any predestination or any of the tulip doctrine. It was the fact that they believe that the gifts of the spirit ceased to exist in the New Testament church, another words they quench the Holy Spirit.
Hi Brother. I am in a non denominational church and we have some calvinist. My problem with them is that some of them speak and pray like calvinist but they deny being a calvinist. So I am trying to teach a class and educate Christian on both interpretations, but I am being opposed and I don’t know exactly why.
Had to sit through a calvinist sermon on this exact passage this morning visiting my parents church. It was painful.
Ugh, sorry, that would be painful and heart-wrenching
@@reg7916 It was. I was squirming in my pew. My heart was physically hurting because most people are ignorant to what is being taught.
@@saraircrew8517 Genuine ?.... at what point is it ok to standup and walkout when the pulpit isn't preaching the truth. Harder when visiting family. Out of interest, did you discuss this afterwards or just keep the peace?
@@unitedstates3068 I knew that the church is calvinist. Not my first time there. My niece was being baptized is the only reason for the visit. The conversation we have had in the past do not produce much fruit so at this point I pretty much leave it alone.
@@saraircrew8517 similar to my circumstances....though I've never experienced a baptism at calvinist church
Thank you, Leighton. Your ministry is a blessing. Another good biblical analogy is this. God said that any Israelites that would paint the blood of the Lamb on his doorpost would be predestined to live when the angel of death passed over.
What verse is this.?
The only Calvanism in the Bible is the Calvanism you read into it.
*Calvinism. Dude's name was Calvin!
they mentally add it between the lines and then mentally remove all the words and concepts that go against their preconceived doctrine. augustine said he was glad he read plato before reading the bible. calvinists have a reprobate mind and are unable to hear or read sound doctrine because their brains have been wired to reject it.
Thank you for clarifying scripture that keeps scripture consistent. Keep up the good work!!!
GOD is LOVE
God is also Holy, Holy, Holy and Righteous
@@Die2Self87 And yet Calvinism claims that God is the one behind every sin and evil in the world.
@@gk.4102 No. Scripture says that when God finished His creation, He saw everything and declared it "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Many Scriptures affirm that God is not the author of evil: "God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone" (James 1:13). "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). "God is not the author of confusion" (1 Corinthians 14:33)-and if that is true, He cannot in any way be the author of evil.
Occasionally someone will quote Isaiah 45:7 (KJV) and claim it proves God made evil as a part of His creation: "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things" (emphasis added).
But the New American Standard Bible gives the sense of Isaiah 45:6-7 more clearly: "There is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these." In other words, God devises calamity as a judgment for the wicked. But in no sense is He the author of evil.
Evil originates not from God but from the fallen creature. I agree with John Calvin, who wrote,
. . . the Lord had declared that "everything that he had made . . . was exceedingly good" [Genesis 1:31]. Whence, then comes this wickedness to man, that he should fall away from his God? Lest we should think it comes from creation, God had put His stamp of approval on what had come forth from himself. By his own evil intention, then, man corrupted the pure nature he had received from the Lord; and by his fall drew all his posterity with him into destruction. Accordingly, we should contemplate the evident cause of condemnation in the corrupt nature of humanity-which is closer to us-rather than seek a hidden and utterly incomprehensible cause in God's predestination. [Institutes, 3:23:8]
It is helpful, I think, to understand that sin is not itself a thing created. Sin is neither substance, being, spirit, nor matter. So it is technically not proper to think of sin as something that was created. Sin is simply a lack of moral perfection in a fallen creature. Fallen creatures themselves bear full responsibility for their sin. And all evil in the universe emanates from the sins of fallen creatures.
For example, Romans 5:12 says that death entered the world because of sin. Death, pain, disease, stress, exhaustion, calamity, and all the bad things that happen came as a result of the entrance of sin into the universe (see Genesis 3:14-24). All those evil effects of sin continue to work in the world and will be with us as long as sin is.
First Corinthians 10:13 promises us that God will not permit a greater trial than we can bear. And James 1:13 tells us that God will not tempt us with evil.
God is certainly sovereign over evil. There's a sense in which it is proper even to say that evil is part of His eternal decree. He planned for it. It did not take Him by surprise. It is not an interruption of His eternal plan. He declared the end from the beginning, and He is still working all things for His good pleasure (Isaiah 46:9-10).
But God's role with regard to evil is never as its author. He simply permits evil agents to work, then overrules evil for His own wise and holy ends. Ultimately He is able to make all things-including all the fruits of all the evil of all time-work together for a greater good (Romans 8:28).
Thank you Flowers.
Thank you Leighton n Richard bringing more clarity to God's word!
Min. 10:38 “…since these points were first introduced by Augustine…”
Acts 20:29 Paul- “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”
Excellent point . . . & use of a scripture verse often overlooked!!!
Thank you!!!
@@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181 Thank you Sydney, I first learned that one from watching Kevin Thompson (BTF). God has given us all the weapons we need to fight back against this scourge of false doctrine.
@@AlreadyApproved Amen!!!
Someone sent me a link to a video, from way back in 1990's & rebroadcast in 2011 maybe . . . about how Westcott & Hort started the dissecting of Biblical translations instead of using thousands of scriptures from Textus Recepticus as the KJV was derived from, they were using 2 to 4 copies of Gnostic scriptures . . . primarily with the introduction of the NIV, each revision, coming forward from 1870's, to subtly remove any references to the Trinity of God, until today, over 2,000 verses have been altered.
An example is: 1 John 5:7&8 For there are 3 witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word, & the Holy Spirit. And these 3 are 1. And there are 3 witnesses on the earth: the Spirit, the water, & the blood. And these 3 agree as 1.
This combining & condensing of these 2 verses is in NIV, ESV, CSB, even 1995 NASB & the new LSB, even in NKJV though it is not altered in KJV or Simplified KJV. Discovering this information aggravated me.
I just want a COMPLETE Bible, in modern English that includes comparisons from the Dead Sea Scroll discoveries to verify accuracy & inclusion of all "authenticated" scripture (not Enoch, Tobin & Judith, etc. written during the Maccabbean Era) to read & learn the Truth from Scripture as God inspired it to His Prophets.
Is that really too much to ask?
Dr. Flowers is on point! Great video
The difference between calvinists and non calvinists is not a difference in scripture interpretation.
Scripture is simple and straight forward.....but when a Christian has been taught a philosophy, then they must try to find scripture support.
Oh thank yall for this excellent conversation.
Yes, i agree this doctrine is tragic for the church! So, thank you for speaking up🌻
Yeah the tragedy is great, too bad 2000 years of church history had to suffer reformed theology, I wonder why provisonism didn't get used by God to establish His church?
@user-wq2cx1sp3l Yeah, sad how the world got in with extra help from Constantine, but the Bible does warn of sheep in disguise. And "if" those who call on the Name of the Lord and read His Word they become much more obvious.
Matthew 10:16 NKJV - “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
I disagree, slightly . . . REFORMATION was definitely necessary!!!
However, just as satan attacked the early church & was successful in corrupting it, then throughout the dark ages caused such violent atrocities - the reformation was trying to get back to the gospel basics, it was necessary . . . but Satan didn't just give up, he again attacked the reformation & corrupted some, more bloodshed!!!
Reformation needs to be constantly occurring, searching out the corruption, exposing it & taking steps to correct it with every attack by demonic forces.
great job, brother. keep up the great work
I think Noah’ ark is a better analogy than a tornado shelter.
Or the Mountain where Lot's family fled (most of them, anyway, not to get salty).
@@bryonhake9236😂😂😂pun noted
Wonderful video!
What a great analogy of the storm shelter!
I thought that too ! It's a great way to explain predestination. 😊
Predestined, to determine beforehand, before what? This is similar to Christ the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world, this has always been God’s plan. I watched the short Bible Project video on Ephesians to aid in context, I thought they did a great job.
Bring in the Greek Church Fathers. Heck, even bring in Saint Jerome, a Latin Father. Why does the early Church just not "get" the book of Ephesians? 1500 years later the meaning of this text is FINALLY understood? Who had the visions or divine revelation to figure Ephesians out?
Thank you, well said.
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father *through sanctification of the Spirit* unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
{1 Peter 1:2}
We cannot be sanctified by the Spirit and sprinkled of the blood of Jesus until we are in Christ, not from the foundation of the world.
FALSE. 2 Thessalonians 2 13-14 states that God from the beginning chose us for salvation through sanctification BY the Spirit and belief in the truth
TO WHICH (A PREPOSITION INDICATING A DIRECTIONAL MOVEMENT)
HE CALLED US BY THE GOSPEL.
ALL OF YOU WHO BELIEVE THIS DON'T KNOW WHAT A PREPOSITION IS. IT'S MIND BOGGLING.
I AM GOING 👉TO👈 THE STORE. THAT MEANS I AM HEADING THAT WAY FROM MY CURRENT LOCATION. WHATEVER IS STATED AFTER THE PREPOSITION OCCURS AFTERWARD.
II Thessalonians 2:13-14 NKJV
[13] But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, [14] 👉👉👉to which👈👈👈 He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grammar 101. Understand why prepositions are used.
G1519 - eis
Strong's Definitions: εἰς eis, ice; a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose
THE POINT REACHED OR ENTERED.
THE POINT REACHED IN 2 THESSALONIANS 2 14 IS BEING CALLED BY THE GOSPEL ->>>>> AFTER WE ARE CHOSEN FOR SALVATION THROUGH SANCTIFICATION BY THE SPIRIT
@@JesusIsLord777-lz7mg
Hello friend, one cannot go throught sanctification until one has been born again.
Gb
@larrybedouin2921 Once you learn about prepositions, then it should make sense for you.
@@JesusIsLord777-lz7mg - " 2 Thessalonians 2 13-14 states that God from the beginning chose us for salvation through sanctification BY the Spirit and belief in the truth"
No it doesn't. None of us were alive when those words were addressed to people who were alive. You're reading yourself into Book.
(Which is rather narcissistic of you, it seems to me.)
6:37 “Does God give that ability to everybody?” Absolutely, yes. God has given everyone the ability and responsibility to surrender their own supposed god-hood and recognize him as God, and repent and believe.
The tragedy with the Calvinist theology is that they dispute this, choosing to believe instead that God has removed man’s responsibility for sins, concocting a soteriology where God saves some people and doesn’t save others, purely by his own choice. Turning man into a helpless victim and God into a monster.
In your Soteriology, could a man who is in a state of rejecting God, and is until death, could he have accepted Christ?
No, but he has sufficient access.
Calvinist believe everyone is that person, God just unhardens some.
@@ZachFish- Why would you say that in my soteriology, a man who rejects God until his death could NOT have accepted Christ? My soteriology would say that he could have accepted him, definitely. So it doesn’t appear you understand the other side.
But then, it doesn’t appear you understand Calvinism all that well either. You say Calvinism teaches that God I hardens some people, but you’re leaving out the part where God made all men hardened in the first place. THAT’s the part that makes the Calvinist God a monster.
@@TheRomans9Guy God made the world knowing who would come to him and spend eternity in heaven.
Although they had the ability to repent, there was no world in which they would.
@@ZachFish- Ah. So you think God predetermined everything that has or will ever happen. It’s wrong, but if you’re stuck in that thinking you’re not going to listen to anyone who disagrees with you.
I’ll just say for the record, that’s not Biblical.
@@TheRomans9Guy Nope. I agree people have a choice, but God knows their choice, so when he sends the son, he knows the atonement is for let’s say 500 million people, and it will not save 30 billion, so therefore the atonement was sufficient for those who kept in opposition to Christs, as his blood could work if people were faithful, but those 30 billion weren’t, and were known not to have any possibility of being the ones he spends eternity with, so it was not efficient.
I love this! Thank you!!
thanks Leighton
This interpretation doesn't make sense to me. It seems like grammatical gymnastics to get the passage to not say what it plainly says. The "if you get in the shelter, you are predestined to live" example makes the use of the predestination term unnecessary. The passage reads roughly we who are in Christ were chosen before the foundation of the world according to his own good pleasure. You have to read conditions into the text to get it to say anything like you are predestined based on your choice rather than his good pleasure.
Lol meanwhile, Reformed (Calvinistic) Christians, are going to state houses fighting to abolish abortion, creating and establishing Seminaries and bible colleges (Masters Seminary, Reformation Bible College, CBTS etc) reaching the most difficult places with the Gospel (Heartcry Mission Society), establishing solid foundations and pillars of expository preaching (One Passion by Dr Steve Lawson), Designing and making available conferences and homeschool programs ( Heritage Homeschool program by G3, and Church and Family Life) I can go on and on about what God is doing through the many men and women who are reformed(Calvinistic), such as Voddie Baucham ( and his defense of Biblical Marriage and dispelling the elies of CRT and social justice) or Joel Beeke ( Reintroducing sound biblical theology from puritans and reformers of old. on the other side we this guy Leighton Flowers and Sam Shoumon and other "professing" Christians who all they do is create videos to undermine reformed theology. smh this is pathetic. I cant remember any time I saw a video that was titled "Romans 9 dearminianized or Ephesians 1 de armenininized). There is no theologian alive that most of us know right now who is reformed that is making videos "primarily" about Arminianism, provisionis or any other belief system. Leighton Flowers is waste of human life.
Yes, God chooses those who are IN Christ and that decision was made before the foundation of the world. But Calvinism says that God chooses people OUTSIDE of Christ.
So when the passage says "He chose us IN Him", Calvinists read "He chose us TO BE in Him". They subconsciously insert "to be" without realizing it.
@@gk.4102 lol what source do you have that Calvinist believe that?
@@Die2Self87 Every Calvinist.
@@gk.4102Great response. I hear from x calvinists, "When I was able to take off my calvinistic glasses then those scriptures made so much sense."
Great stuff love it
Outstanding. This is truly good news!
Some one gets in Christ by being choosen by the father. You have not chosen me but I have chosen you. John 15: 16.
That was the 12.
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi Why does it apply only to the 12
This statement occurred at the last supper . John 17 shows that Jesus was also directing his comments to future believers and that we are one body and all come to Christ one way .
“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. Referring to 12
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”. Referring to all
John 17:9, 20 KJV
Same doctrine is seen in Mathew 22:14 in the parable of the great feast
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:14 KJV
Any thoughts ?
Were not the 12 chosen and distinct from everyone else?
But chosen for what?
They were chosen to be the foundation of His Church.
Christ being the chief corner.
Are you an Apostle?
Concerning everyone NOT an Apostle:
1 Corinthians 1:21 (KJV 1900): 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to
->save them that believe.
We do the believing
God does the saving - according to the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul.
Calvinists do this wierd thing with grammar.
Lump dufferent words together as being synonymous
Like Chosen, predetermined, elect, foreknowledge, salvation.
All these have different meanings, and you can't know what they mean (semantic range) unless you take context where they are found into account.
Calvinists don't do that, but instead, upon seeing any of these in Scripture instantly apply their homogenized "doctrine", (definition) to it.
Thats called "Word-think"
So Jesus tells the Disciples they were "chosen"
The calvinist, who think all scripture was written "to" themselves, that they are chosen unto eternal salvation, "before the foundation of the world", put themselves into that verse, and voila' - PROOF!😢
You thought that about that verse...
Didn't you?
Why did I say the 12 were the subject of that verse?
Because they were.
But you think Jesus was talking to you because - of course you do (Word-think)
He wasn't speaking about you.
Know how I know?
Because you're not the subject of that verse.
The Apostles were.
Take care
This is very good context. There is something even more specific in the context as to why Paul uses the word predestined twice. We have many many time indicators like right here in Ephesians 1 that believers were waiting for the adoption and waiting to receive the full possession of the inheritance. I believe the NT clearly tells us that the general resurrection was about to happen in their generation. The old covenant fully ended when the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, believers were vindicated from their enemies at the same time, and the new covenant was fully consummated when Christ put his enemies at his footstool. This all coincides with the general resurrection, when believers would be conformed to the image of Christ. This is what they were predestined for, this is time when they took possession of the full inheritance. This is the exact same thing Paul is talking about in Romans 8:29
Excellent commentary--always.
How do you get into a New Covenant relationship with Christ? Eph. 1:12-13 makes it clear, as Dr. Flowers revealed. Calvinists often claim "faith" is the "gift" in Eph. 2:8. Eph. 3:7 and Eph. 4:7 prove "grace" is the "gift" in the Book of Ephesians.
New Covenant Whole Gospel: How many modern Christians cannot honestly answer the questions below?
Who is the King of Israel in John 1:49? Is the King of Israel now the Head of the Church, and are we His Body? Who is the “son” that is the “heir” to the land in Matthew 21:37-43? Why did God allow the Romans to destroy the Old Covenant temple and the Old Covenant city, about 40 years after His Son fulfilled the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34 in blood at Calvary?
What the modern Church needs is a New Covenant Revival (Heb. 9:10) in which members of various denominations are willing to re-examine everything they believe and see if it agrees with the Bible, instead of the traditions of men. We need to be like the Bereans. It will be a battle between our flesh and the Holy Spirit. It will not be easy. If you get mad and upset when someone challenges your man-made Bible doctrines, that is your flesh resisting the truth found in God's Word. Nobody can completely understand the Bible unless they understand the relationship between the Old Covenant given to Moses at Mount Sinai and the New Covenant fulfilled in blood at Calvary.
Technically, I believe it's "saved by grace through faith" is the gift. in Eph 2:8. The 'this' refers to the whole first part of the verse, not only grace and not only faith. Grace is a free gift of God but that verse is structured for the whole process.
@@teeemm9456 The "process" is found in Eph. 1:12-13, and proves Calvinisn cannot be correct.
Someone after my own heart . . . you picked my favorite "calling His disciples" about Nathaniel, the perfect parable to prove the point, & of course God's promise to "write it upon our hearts & in our minds" that Jesus also recited in the Gospel of John, I believe!!!
I also believe that the Reformation was necessary . . . but just as satan was already attacking the early church, then corrupted the church throughout the dark ages, he didn't waste any time attacking the Reformation as well . . . the main problem with the Reformation is that it must be an ever present on-going process . . . so I agree with you completely!
I also would add to this, we need to re-furnish the English translation of the Bible & restore it to as comprehensive as it was prior to 1850's or so, then inclusive of dead sea scroll comparisons, over 2,000 deletions have gradually been made to the Bible since Westcott & Hort started tampering with it & this plan for constant revisions has affected every modern translation ever since!
1 John 5:7&8 For there are 3 who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, & the Holy Spirit. And these 3 are 1. And there are 3 who bear witness on earth: the Spirit, & the water, & the blood. And these 3 agree as 1.
Go ahead, look that up in your NIV, ESV, CSB, even 1995 NASB, & new LSB, even the NKJV, though it is correct in KJV & Simplified KJV. Even the NET Bible has the condensed & altered variations but at least gives a pretty lengthy explanation for why it was changed, whether a comma or not was in the proper place or not & 2 separated verses were combined into 1 to completely alter the Trinity of God & the unity of salvation, baptism & blood of our Lord!!! This outrages me.
God bless you, my sibling in Christ !!!
@@SpotterVideo I agree on the premise, but the agreed upon translation is that 'this' refers to the whole first part of the verse.
Correcting the provisionist misinterpretation
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1:4 The Apostle first told when God's work of election took place: before the Creation of the world. The word for at the beginning of this verse is not as literal a translation of the Greek adverb kathos as " even as" ( ASV, RSV) or " just as" (NASB). " As" suggests that the way God blesses believers (V.3) is through the threefold work of the Trinity. But the adverb can also have a causal sense, and may be rendered " since," "because," or "insofar as" (cf. 4:32). The idea is that spiritual blessings (1:3) for believers are because of or on the basis of the work of the Trinity: God blesses believers because of the Father's electing, the Son's dying, and the Spirit's sealing. Both concepts seem to be included: spiritual blessings are the work of the three persons of the Trinity, and the work of the Trinity is the basis of all a believer's spiritual blessings.
Spiritual blessings begin with and are based on election ( He Chose us ) , of which God is the subject and believers are the object. Election is God's sovereign work of choosing some to believe (cf. Rom 8:30; Eph 1:11; 1 Thes. 1:2; 2 Thes. 2:13; Titus 1:1). Salvation is God's doing and not man's ( Eph 2:8-9). Though it is an act of grace ( Rom. 11:5-6; 2 Tim. 1:9), based on His will ( Eph 1:5,9,11), a person is responsible to believe ( v.13). " God chose you to be saved ... though belief in the truth" ( 2 Thes. 2:13).
In Him indicates the sphere (cf. " in Christ" in Eph 1:3) of election, as He is the Head and Representative of spiritual humanity (vv. 10,22;Col 1:18 ) . The time of election is in eternity past, and the purpose of election is that believers will be holy and blameless in His sight for eternity. What God has begun in the past will be accomplished and completed in the future. Christians are " holy " ( hagious; cf. hagiois, " saints," Eph 1:1), that is, set apart to God, which is the purpose of His electing grace. In addition, the purpose of His election is to make Christians " blameless." This word amomous, " without blemish," is used eight times in the New Testement ( v.4; 5:27; Phil. 2:15; Col 1:22; Heb 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19; 2 Peter 3:14; Rev. 14:5). In the Septuagint it is used of sacrificial animals; only those without blemish could be offered to God.
What does the phrase in love modify? Some agree with the NIV that it modifies the word " Predestinated" ( Eph 1:5). If so, then God's love is seen in predestination. More likely, it modifies the words " to be holy and blemeless in His sight" for the following reasons: ( 1 ) In this context the modifying phrases always follow the action words ( vv. 3-4,6,8-10). ( 2) The other five occurrences of " in love" in Ephesians ( 3:17; 4:2, 15-16; 5:2 [ "of love " ] ) refer human love rather than divine love. ( 3 ) Love fits well with holiness and blemelessness, for this would denote a balance between holiness and love. God is love and believers, because of God's electing love, should manifest love with holiness.
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
1:5 The cause of election is God's predestination of believers unto sonship (cf." predestined" in v.11). Predestinated is from proorisas, " marked out beforehand."
Thus the emphasis of predestination is more on the what than the who in that the believers' predetermined destiny is their being adopted as full- fledged sons of God through Jesus Christ, the Agent of the adoption. The concept of adoption is also found in Romans 8:15 ( NIV marg.) , 23; Galations 4:4-7. In adoption a son is brought into a family and is given the same rights as a child who is born into that family.
In this context it seems that predestination logically precedes election: after God looked forward to the glorious destiny of adopting believers into His family, He looked down on sinful humanity and chose believers (cf. Rom 8:30 where " predestinated" precedes " Called ," which refers to His efficacious saving). All this was done in accordance with His pleasure (cf. Eph 1:9) and will (cf.vv. 1,9,11), that is, He delighted to impart His spiritual benefits to His children. ( The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty : New Testament, pg. 616-617, Edited by Dr. John F. Walvoord & Dr. Roy C. Zuck )
Great video and amen to the focus to “in Christ”. One remark - Ephesians makes a difference between two groups of people “you” (plural) and “us”. It is addressed to saints in Ephesus and they are addressed as “you”. The first three chapters of Ephesians is about how these two groups become one, called as “us both” or “we all” - into one new man.
And though these two groups are still somehow discernible - as Paul still continues “you” and “us”, but there comes a new identify - The New Man - which transcends the other two. Ephesians 1:3-10 refers to group “us” only, later the group “you also” appears… it seems that chapters 1-3 gives a similar narrative as olive tree in Roman’s 11.
The separation “us” and “you” also appear in Galatians -“we are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners”.
I write about the distinction Paul made between the two groups in a book (and blog posts) called The Flower Falls: A Careful Examination of Calvinism’s TULIP.
I’d love to your thoughts if you’re willing to check out the free blog post titled
Ephesians 1: How do I know if I’m Chosen and Predestined?
@@pattitilton8442i went trough the blog which was from chapter 5 of your book. Thank you for sharing. Great work!
@@pattitilton8442 one of the main topics of Ephesians 1-3 is the mystery which was hidden but became revealed - the mystery consists of summing up (or recapitulate) all things in heaven and earth in Christ. The theme of recapitulating Jews and gentiles then perfectly fits within this big master plan.
Also adoption as sons is used in romans 9 and refers to Jews. Sandra richter made a good point that the rationale for a covenant was fictive kinship - making fictive family relationships. It could be between equal parties or if not equal - then it could represent father- adopted son relationship.
Ephesians 2:1-10 and 2:11-22 represent two chiasmus. The central thought of the first is being seated with Christ in heaven, for the second - destroying hostility and making peace. The whole of Ephesians 1-3 is full of such chiastic structures which tell the story of God recapitulating in Christ everything, including Jews and Gentiles.
@@pattitilton8442details on some chiasmus in Ephesians you can find on two blogs
Resolving Hostility and Establishing Peace
Seated with Jesus
@@pattitilton8442details on chiasmuses in Ephesians can be found in Seated with Jesus and Resolving hostility and Establishing Peace
I agree with your presentation and have fought against this Calvinistic process. First, I find it impossible to believe in a loving GOD that chooses some for salvation and some for destruction. Second, I refuse to believe that if number one is true that a loving GOD then needs to send HIS Son into the world and suffer HIM on the cross. To what end? To make believers out of predestined believers? Doesn't make sense to me. I think the responsibility to recognize all GOD's blessings in our lives is the reciprocation of GOD's Divine love for us. To do anything less is the rejection of HIS love. This is represented in the two greatest commandments of Jesus and of course, our choosing Jesus as our savior.
Yes! Can you imagine a God who commands His children to slaughter thousands of non-believers like Calvinists do? Shocking! Why those people actually believe the following!!!!!
Deut 7:1-3 “When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites,...you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them.” Deut 20:16 “But of the cities of these peoples which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance, you shall let nothing that breathes remain alive, but you shall utterly destroy them."
Thank you. This is very helpful!
The Shelter analogy is fire!
It just so happens I was having a discussion with some calvinists in person today, and they go straight to Eph. 1 & 2.
They go to Ephesians 1 & 2 but they stop reading at Eph 2:9. Have them keep reading Eph 2:11-16 and 3:1-6. It’s a lot harder to be Calvinist if you just keep reading.
@@TheRomans9Guy I agree. I did a full study on eph 1 & 2 with Flower’s long breakdown videos, but sadly it wasn’t fresh in my head to best convey it to them quickly. Time wasn’t on my side. Would have been an hours long back and forth. I’ll do better next time.
Calvinist went to Eph 2 with me recently. Even with their goggles I didn’t see it?? Eph 2 comes after Eph 1:13
@@wannabewoodworker9705 What didn’t you see? Maybe I can help…
@@TheRomans9Guy I think he’s saying that he couldn’t see where they were coming from with their interpretation placed on it.
I like to imagine Calvinism personified, standing at the gate of Heaven and whenever someone rushes in, eyes set on Jesus, fervently trying to run to the feet of Jesus and thank Him for His forgiveness;
Calvinism steps in front and says "Whoa there buddy! Let's see your hand stamp!
Don't you know? You gotta be regenerate before you can go see the big guy...alright, recite the TULIP and say 3 hail John Calvins."
And the angels have to come around and chase Calvinism off like a sneaky squirrel trying to steal from the bird feeder. 😂
This is corny, you are embarrassing yourself
I think it's adorable!!!
A modern day parable.
God bless you, Alexander!
The reason calvinist reject the truth that we are 100% responsible for our bad actions is because that means we are 100% not responsible for our good decisions.....like believing the gospel.
Their belief is that we are hopelessly doomed unless God regenerates a person so that they can believe.
Independent ideas like those of Augustine create a mess.
What is the purpose of the preposition "to eis g1519" between the words "born again" and "a living hope"?
Explain why that preposition is there instead of a conjuction, adverb etc.
1 Peter 1:3 NASB2020
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again 👉👉👉to👈👈👈 a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
We have no life or hope apart from Christ. When we believe, we are then in Christ. Once we are in Christ, we have life and living hope.
@@JesusIsLord777-lz7mg - "What is the purpose of the preposition "to eis g1519" between the words "born again" and "a living hope"?
Explain why that preposition is there instead of a conjuction, adverb etc."
???? . . It seems like basic English to me. Please explain yourself.
Proving a soteriology from a preposition?
Come on my dude!
To what (or whom) do you think Paul is referring by "living hope"?
My "living hope" is Jesus.
Before born again I was without God, and without hope.
Now, in Christ I have hope of a future with Him, forever, first in Heaven, then on earth after the Tribulation -
because He is "living".
@@johnknight3529 No. You explain it.
The word say 'God chose us' It Never says He chose us because we chose Him!
Flowers is wrong.
In your example , how do dead people , that do not see or hear , get into a shelter. I am sure you agree that would be impossible . Salvation is of the Lord .
Most exampltes you present all require a person to do something . That is not the Gospel . God reveals him self to the elect and then they will choose him .
Oh David, you are as I once was . . . you can't fall back on the Calvinist indoctrination of Jesus calling forth Lazarus that WE humans are already dead . . . that was so NOT the point Jesus was trying to make with that tremendous miracle.
Consider these examples using the definition of "elect" or specifically "being elected of God"
Yes of course Abram, Gideon, Deborah, etc., were all chosen of God for a specific purpose, but so were, Pharoah in Egypt, King Saul, King Nebuchadnezzar, King Cyrus, etc. - we have no idea if any of these people will be in heaven, only God knows but HE still chose them for a specific purpose to accomplish His goal.
The definition of "elect" does not mean "chosen by God for salvation", or "chosen by God for damnation", it only means "chosen by God for a specific purpose".
For the wages of sin is death! Jesus died our death for us, in our place because of our sins, not HIS - because Jesus had NO SIN, death could not hold HIM - Jesus rose from death to prove to all humanity that only perfect righteousness could defeat death & overcome sin - since no human can live a righteous sinless life, we must choose to believe that Jesus is who He says He is & accomplished all that He set out to do, only belief in Jesus as the Son of God can save us from the wrath of God upon the world of sin.
Abraham was counted as righteous because of his faith! Faith is what is required to receive the free gift of salvation.
Faith is not "works" it is the choice we must make to believe in our heart!
I pray for your awakening that you are struggling with in your heart!
Lots of things don't make sense when you insist on reading analogies to a wooden extreme. You are the analogy of death far too woodenly.
A husband and wife are used as an analogy for Christ and the church, but does that mean the husband can literally save his wife's soul? Of course not. Does that mean the wife should worship her husband as God? Of course not. But if you took that analogy as literally as you take the one of spiritual death, that's the kind of extreme doctrine you would end up with.
@@tayh.6235 So I assume you do not believe spiritual blindness and spiritually deafness. Go is using earthly and fleshly things to demonstrate spiritual principals, Nicodemus in john3 did not understand and I do not think that you understand either . Ask and pray that the Lord shows you the truth from a spiritual perspective .
This is good Arminian theology.
@stevet2265 arminianism is a false gospel that says a person can lose their salvation. if someone believes the true gospel of jesus christ then they cannot become unsaved, they have everlasting life in the present.
@Nikwunu my post was sarcasm.
Dr. Flowers, you should do a video on Christians in Israel (Israeli Messianic Jews). I’ve talked to a former member of this movement via email (Dr. Eitan Bar). The messianics in Israel are almost all Calvinist, and as of such they have very few converts. They are actually declining, and many people consider them to be a cult. Their views on God do not match up with the Jewish view of God as a loving father, which should be a huge red flag. Calvinism does not spread the Gospel.
Can it be any clearer. according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
Ephesians 1:4 KJV
The sovereign choice of God to save some . It can not be any clearer.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
John 1:12-13 KJV
"Soveriegn choice of God to save some"
Noticed you left the "in Him" part out.
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi Do a word study on in him. And in Christ. Everything we have is in him. Hope , Faith , truth , life , salvation , And we are in Him just as he is in us
The will to choose is irrevocably tied to image bearing.
Another problem with Calvin is this, because they have no idea how God chooses, it makes them God.
As they are telling the world that because we can see that we are predestinated for salvation, we are saved, and because you don't believe the Calvinist doctrine, it's because you weren't chosen to believe.
Only the elect before the foundation of the world will be regenerated.
It"s a clever interpretation, and conceivable plausible. But the text says that God chose us (v. 4) and predestined us (v. 5). And what is the basis of election and predestination? Our faith? The text says "according to the purpose of His will" (v.5), "according to His purpose" (v. 9) and "according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the purpose of His will" (v. 11). Paul will go on in the next chapter to say that we were "dead in trespasses and sins," but that it was God who made up alive," and that "we are His workmanship" 2:1-10). The most natural way to interpret this, then, is unconditional election."
Those “in him” are chosen.
Nobody outside of Christ was chosen to be put in Christ. Eph 2 comes after Eph 1:13.
Election deals w service not a salvation lottery that makes Titus 2:11 and romans 5:18 not true
@@wannabewoodworker9705Those "in Him" are chosen BEFORE the foundation of the world.
Chose = elected
Us in Him = believers
Just as He ELECTED BELIEVERS before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 1:4 NKJV
[4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
@@jayrodriguez84 - You guys sure like to take verses out of context. Please note what is said later about who is chosen and on what basis.
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Not before they heard the Gospel, and before they Believed it, but after, were they sealed.
I think you guys are misconstruing Paul's eagerness to assure those who first believed that everything was going according to His plan, as him letting them know what Calvinists think they know, because it's all about the 'me' with some people . .
@johnknight3529 Before you drop down to those verses, why don't you go to Ephesians 1:5.
He predestined us to "adoption AS SONS" = sonship/justification. Huiothesia is used, and it's strongs definition specifies justification and omits glorification. In Galatians 4:4-6 Paul uses Huiothesia and uses the present tense to confirm that the adoption as sons is not a future adoption i.e. glorification but sonship. Romans 8:23 has a descriptor "The redemption of our body" and a coma after Huiothesia is used. Ephesians 1:5 does not have the coma nor descriptor. Why? Because Paul is not talking about glorification. Paul uses Huiothesia in Romans 8:15. He talks about sonship first, then glorification. These two parts of the same adoption are kept separate.
Come to the truth.
@@johnknight3529 After you read my comment, go to Ephesians 1:6 and 1:7. BOTH VERSES ARE ADDRESSING JUSTIFICATION.
CHECKMATE ✅️
I have a question: Paul's conversion that says Jesus himself saved Paul while he was on his way to persecute the believers.. which comes first, Paul got saved after he believed in Jesus or Paul came to believe in Jesus after he got saved?
I am confused.
Thanks for your answer.
If your question is whether or not the Calvinist mantra 'Regeneration preceeds Faith" is true, the conversion of Paul isn't where I'd look, as it doesn't say either one way or the other.
And it is a narrative,
Jesus appearing to the entire party in blinding Glory, leaving Paul blind for 3 days, isn't something that's ever happened before or since.
If this narrative were prescriptive, then no one else in history was ever saved, because Jesus' appearing in Glory to someone would then be an essential part of salvation.
(Sorry if this sounds pedantic, or you already know these things)
No one is building and Ark in their back yard, or hitting a rock with a stick to get a drink, because these narratives are descriptive at best, and definitely not prescriptive ("at best" because sometimes what's said in Biblical narratives are the words of heretics, aka: Balaam)
The miraculous should never be taken as the norm.
So we have to look elsewhere to answer questions like yours.
1 Corinthians 1:21 (KJV 1900): 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to
>save them that believe
Paul received everlasting life the very moment he believed in Jesus, which happened on the road to Damascus when Paul referred to Jesus as LORD.
Yet another attempt to twist scripture to match his erroneous teachings.
Excellent exegesis!
But God knows who are gonna believe right? So could anyone do anything other way?, what about the ones that never hear the gospel did God chose to not reveal it to them?.
To make it seem like your postion never has any baggage is interesting
Can someone please buy mr. Henry a microphone?
It's interesting the comments in these videos or Jimmy Akins videos are so strange that it makes me wonder if Calvinism is actually correct. I am on record in saying I have no idea which way I believe, but admitted I slightly lean Calvinist. But when I read the comments from Armenians versus Calvinists it's like listening to JV vs Varsity.
Yet arminians in the comments call calvinists NPC s. I'm similar to you. Slightly lean calvinist. I think the answer to "God's sovereign will or man's choice?" Is "Yes" and scripture is replete with examples 😆
@@AlSwearengen4 I hear you. It's just strange how juvenile the Armenians comments are. I don't understand why they have trouble articulating points when compared to Calvinists. I'm not talking about the host of these videos as he does a pretty good job of at least stating clearly what he believes.
@@HereonTubeYou Agreed.
A Calvinist never lets a minor detail like context to bother him … what matters is, ‘what does Calvin say it means?’ …
So you are saying that the just cannot blasphem the holy spirit??
1 Peter (methinks 1:2), Says that we are predestined according to the foreknowledge of God - not the forechoosing...
It doesn't align with what the Bible says.
What doesn't align?
We are baptized into CHrist. Anytime the NT speaks about "in him", the writer is referencing what the reader (CHristians) have already done. They believed in Christ(expressing their faith through baptism) "into him". Before baptism we were outside of CHrist looking in but through baptism we are "made alive in Him"(Col 2:11-13)and our sins are remitted/washed away in HIm(1 Corinthians 12:13). By one Spirit were we all baptized into one body( the church). Baptism of a penitent believer places them in the body of Chirst. All spiritual blessing are in Christ -Eph. 1:3 If all spiritual blessings are in Christ(they are), then there can be no spritiual blessings outside of CHrist. See Galatians 3:26-28. Romans 6. Blessings!
How can any Christian say that the blood of Jesus is insufficient to save all who come to Him? And I don't mean that nonsense that only the elect come to Him. I mean the, "whomsoever." Only to the Calvinist does All not mean All. Does whomsoever not mean whomsoever. Smh
A lot of Calvinist say the atonement is sufficient for all but not efficient.
Others will say, God knew before the foundation of the world those that would be in eternity, so he knew exactly who the atonement was for, and so it was only supposed to save those God regenerated or those in flowers view who would come to Christ, therefore it’s only for a select few in a sense no matter what.
@@ZachFish- not efficient? That's equally blasphemous.
@@CynVee Could the atonement save an unbeliever? Yes, because Christ blood covers all unfaithful.
Will all come to Christ, no.
@ZachFish- of course not all come but that doesn’t point to the failure of Christ’s sacrifice. It points to the pride of men and their choice not to accept Him.
@@CynVee Right, and so if someone doesn’t come to faith, it’s their rejecting of God that keeps them under wrath, which their sin could be atoned for by Christ, but wasn’t.
Another person may have been changed by Gods revelation, and so the atonement cleansed them.
It was effective to one, not the other.
It is sufficient for those who would have faith in believe, but Calvinist say naturally man rejects the revelation of God (to which should be enough to make them turn to him and be atoned for, so they are responsible for that rejection), and so need regenerated, those who are regenerated/changed by revelation it is efficient for, those who continue to rebel, it was sufficient.
But in the end, God knew just who would have faith, he created the world knowing the ends, and so he knew who the atonement would bring into eternal life with him, therefore some say “it doesn’t matter who it potentially could’ve saved, because it only was ever going to save a select few, so Jesus sacrificed to save those said few (along with all other benefits from the cross).
Paul called it the secret
Ephesians 1 is plurals only are predestined never individuals “us and we” never “you and I“ are predestined.!
Predestined there isn't unto salvation.
It >never< is in Scripture.
Those who are already believers are Predestined to do certain things, and receive certain blessings.
Calvinism has pulled the wool over the Churches eyes in regards to Biblical terms such as Elect, Predestined, Chosen, Foreknown, so that when believers think of them they automatically think in Calvinist definitions.
None of those words mean what you probably think they mean.
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi God wants all men to be saved first Timothy 2:4, second peter 3:9!
God, predestines groups or plurals only, never individuals. Ephesians 1 -2 points: “ us and we” are pre-destined never “you and I“! And 11 times in 11 verses from 3-14 you have to remain “in Christ“ (in him, in whom) to be predestined!
Romans 9:1-3 Paul is talking about the nation of Israel, all the way to the end of chapter 11 ! So, “Jacob, I loved, Esau I hated“ is genesis 25:23 “there are two nations in your womb“! It’s talking about ‘Nations,’ not individuals in the whole context of those three chapters! Stop taking it out of context, along with Ephesians 1!
Of course, we have the story of Jacob and Esau and how Esau despised his birthright !
So God truly does love all people, he truly did make hell for the devil and his angels just as Matthew 25:41 says !
Even the 42 youths, mauled by the 2 bears, was because they mocked Elijah‘s rapture, a.k.a. the resurrection , they were saying “go on up Baldy “ ; and ALL their prophets just recently Were killed by Elijah and they should’ve known to stop worshiping Baal! Bethel was the headquarters of Baal worship, where this took place! 490 priests got killed by Elijah, There was no Priests around,; should’ve been a gigantic clue.
So God never arbitrarily and haphazardly deals with any human being ! His love cannot be measured says Romans 8!
But if you’re a Calvinist, it’s “his love cannot be measured , (Wink, wink)“!
Come out of the false belief system of Calvinism ! Now you have no excuse because you cannot out argue this, let’s hear you try!
Read Matthew 25 the parable of the Calvinists, a.k.a. talents ! Where the guy buried his talent calling God,- somebody who doesn’t judge rightly & he was thrown into hell as a result! He had the wrong view of God, & So Will a Calvinist, they’ll have a callous view of God & The love of Christs sacrificial death on the cross!
Jesus was crucified before the foundations of the world, but he only had to die one time Says hebrews, so don’t get it wrong like Moses; when did Jesus die ?
So this trumps predestination before the foundations of the world, because God chose to to write this to disprove & trump predestination!
Revelation 13:8
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi we’re on the same page but God predestines groups only; the church in Ephesians 1 saved Israel in Romans 9-11 so you have to use your free will to be apart of the pre-destined groups to go to Heaven!
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi we’re on the same page but God predestines groups only; the church in Ephesians 1 saved Israel in Romans 9-11 so you have to use your free will to be apart of the pre-destined groups to go to Heaven!
Its the i am right and all.others wrong situation!
What I don’t understand about Calvinism is, if some are destined to be saved and some are destined to be doomed, why did Jesus have to die?
I suggest you not waste your time on details like that. Calvinists have no explanation for why their version of God, Created the material world/universe at all. (I've asked ; )
He knew, they claim, precisely what was going to happen to everyone in the material Creation, and exactly who he was going to be the God of after it all played out, so the whole thing is basically pointless. He could have gone straight to;
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
To be fair, the Calvinist sees God ordaining the ends (those who are saved) and the means (Christ dying on the cross and the gospel being proclaimed to the elect). You don’t have one without the others; they are a group. So, the 3 (minimum) pieces that necessary are conjoined are: 1. For decrees elect people. 2. Christ dies for exactly those elect persons. 3. God sends sufficient gospel proclamation to those elect ones who are then regenerated to receive the gospel.
It is an elegant system, which is why so many are drawn to it.
@@chaddonal4331 - It seems to me to be a crude and disobedient "system". Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as our self, for example, but the Calvinist looks upon his neighbor as a degenerate, inferior to himself.
They will go to great lengths to justify doing what our Lord told them plainly not to do, unto others as they would definitely rather not be done to them. So He is not their Lord (yet), it seems to me, but rather their own desire to be seen by others and themselves as superior to the "unchosen" ones, is. And to attain that status they casually throw God's holy nature under the bus, so to speak.
@@johnknight3529 The mature Calvinists I know, respect, and have served among generally respond differently. They recognize there is nothing special in them and it is only by God’s grace that they have been chosen. So, there is a humble gratitude that they foster. And they present the gospel to others knowing that God will awaken the elect He has chosen; so they feel free of the burden to convince people. This gives them a freedom to share without a misplaced burden.
However, I have also experienced what you describe from the less mature, or from those who’ve been indoctrinated into a TULIP schema that extends beyond their true relating with God. There can be a smugness that they are “in” and secure; and a parallel callousness toward the lost. I.e. If God doesn’t love them and has determined to consign them to His wrath then why should I be concerned? It’s all His plan and He is glorified equally by those He saves and those He damns.
I can see the “logic” of this, but it offends my sensibilities. Calvinists see that as a weakness or a problem. I do not, because my sensitivities have been shaped by the Scriptures. In my fallenness, I can desire enemies to be tortured. But in the Scriptures I see Gods mourning over the wicked, pursuing redemption for many, and Jesus as offering the life of God that many may believe. Judgement is God’s strange/alien work. Redemption is His heart. Many Calvinists feel the need to “balance” God’s loving grace and wrathful judgement; something the Bible is generally not eager to do.
@@johnknight3529I don't defend doctrines of calvinism, but that's an absolute miscaracterization. Calvinists that I've been exposed to say that God can save anyone He wants to, regardless of whether they're on their way to have some Christians murdered, or are hanging out in a whorehouse. A calvinist would say that we're not privy to God's plans for a person and therefore, extend the Gospel to any and everybody.
Min. 6:03- “…so how does somebody get in Christ then?” / John 6:56 Eat the bread of life! Matthew/Luke 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God.” John 1:1 “…and the Word was God.”
Jesus=bread of life=the Word !
Ever heard the saying, “you are what you eat”? Jesus said his word will outlive the earth…what so ever his word is attached to will do the same.
James 1:21 “…receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
By picking up your bible, to read, you are doing the same as the woman who said “…if I could but touch the hem of his garment.”
So God is loving for creating people that he knows they wouldn't believe?, people he knows they would go to hell?
I think a much better illustration for predestination is a train destined for heaven which you must board. You may steal this!
For this to be true you must believe that Original Sin is not a thing, and you must believe that Original has no spiritual effect of the will of man.
Not sure why you arrive at that conclusion. We simply differ on how original sin affects man’s ability to respond to the grace freely offered by God to every sinner. You believe man is unable until his heart is changed by God, I on the other hand believe the scriptures which teach it is not too hard or far from any of us….the gospel is the power of salvation to the Jew first and then the gentile
@@sampowellmusic How are you going to say "I'm not sure how I came to my conclusion" then go on to respond to my point? Which means you are sure why I came to my conclusion. And just because you say you use "scripture" to come to your conclusion doesn't mean reformed theology proponents doesnt.
Flowers’ anthropology is incorrect in that we want nothing to do with any provision of salvation from our sin from a holy God. We love the darkness. God is light.
Do you consider yourself saved?
@@saraircrew8517 : Yes, by God’s grace (Eph 2:8).
@@scienceandbibleresearch do you still sin?
Some of us DO love and seek God and truth from an early age. God leads us to Himself and Truth. We just need to follow that loving lead. We have a free will to follow or reject. We've done it many times in the past and will do so in the future. He leads us to Christ, who leads us to submission to Himself and the promised blessings that follow, which were predestined for the believers.
@@saraircrew8517 : Yes, however, sin no longer reigns in me. Sin will remain until glorification.
Nothing was ever created without the word. The word became flesh Jesus and died so the holy spirit could come and create man in his image its the gospel and the holy spirit is creating men in God's image. Those who are willing to deny themselves and picked up their cross and follow Jesus. Revelations 12-17. Those who have kept God's commandments and have the testimony of Jesus christ in their lives they are the body of christ . Made perfect through suffering.
I wonder how Leighton can say this with a straight face. It is not Calvinism it is simply taking the plain meaning of the text.
Once you start reading the Bible in context without bringing in Calvinistic presuppositions, you'd begin understand what Leighton is talking about.
Let's nip that in the bud that He created us for damnation through this one verse.
Matthew 25:41
King James Version
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
We go to hell because we are fitted TO destruction, having the image of your father, the devil
Vessels of mercy which He foreprepared unto glory by the Father, where they were conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the first born of many brethren.
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The idea that free will is worshiped by Provisionists is so disingenuous.
If a pastor of a church was holding a night service and this pastor walked into his church at night and was wondering why it was so dark, he might call the Electric company and say, "Hey get down here and turn these lights on". Under the Calvinists view, the reason the pastor would do this is because the pastor doesn't want to boast about turning on the light switch. The Calvinist would call this "works" and doesn't wish to boast.. So he is demanding the power company send a person down to the church and flip the switch.
Whereas a provisionist would say that the power is generated by the power company. But turning the light on is at our disposal. WE are supposed to flip the switch.
In the same way the power was generated by God. He is the source of the power, but we have to turn the lights on. God already sent the power for salvation to earth. That power is here. It doesn't need to be brought down or pulled up from the depths. It's here already. But we are responsible to flip the switch. Flipping the switch is not "works".
You.are nit picking if you need a pat on the back !! Here you go. There there.
Galatians 3:26-27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
This links faith to baptism. This says, we are baptized INTO CHRIST. Isn't this telling us how to get into Christ? If not what IS it saying?
Read Romans 9
The election there is that the elder will serve the younger. Not that one hit the salvation lottery
Read the Bible!
Leighton has videos on Rom. 9 also.
Read John 3
@@MattCool007 Indeed. That is, of course, one of our favorite passages. By "our" I mean those who tell the unsaved that they need to believe and receive -- as John 1 teaches -- so they can be born from above.
We are not "in Christ" by belief alone. Even the demons believe and tremble. We are in Christ through our submission to water immersion and being faithful unto death. This truth is taught and fully evident when we read the New Testament teachings on baptism, without preconceptions. Peace, and thank you! Believe and be baptized into the ark, the Church, the Body of Christ.
Devils believe that there is one God. They never believed the gospel of 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
Water doesn’t save or help save. God’s grace is a gift
The poor thief on the cross....he was never baptized.
The new covenant hadnt gone into effect when jesus was on the cross...... acts 2 was the beginning of the new covenant.@grizz4489
@@ddff5242 Makes no difference. People are saved the same way through every dispensation. It is always through faith in HIM.
@@grizz4489 I hear you. I would suggest reading through pauls conversion in act 9 and retelling in acts 22. Paul clearly already had faith in him but ananias told hime to be baptized washing away his sins.
My friend, you are teaching? You realize that you Will undergo a stricter judgement?
More word salad from Flowers. Stop hating on fellow believers.
My friend, you are teaching? You realize that you Will undergo a stricter judgement?
Haw do you park that idea in Revelation or throughout scriptures? You reason away that is written, get the all the scriptures on a idea together, get all the counsel of God ( God's Will, God's Word) together, then obey and with trembling speak.
Calvinism is not of God
Your videos are great but I’d love to see you teach more on the doctrine of salvation as your name is Soteriology 101 instead of anti Calvinism.
Say there are two groups of people. Both are under judgement. Both unworthy. If God chooses one group for mercy the other group cannot complain. Both groups deserved judgement.
Which has nothing to do with exegeting this passage.
Ephesians 1:1-6
All born-again children of God are not faithful to Him in this life. This is about FAITHFUL SAINTS who were chosen that they SHOULD be holy and blameless in THIS LIFE. ( NOT talking imputed ) Notice the text does not say " will most certainly be holy and blameless". All born-again children of God will receive ( future) the adoption = the redemption of the body. However, only faithful born-again children of God will receive ( future) the adoption = the redemption of the body AS SONS. Thus ensuring the reward of ruling and reigning with Christ in His Kingdom along with other kingdom privileges and benefits.
Min. 6:03- “…so how does somebody get in Christ then?” / John 6:56 Eat the bread of life! Matthew/Luke 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God.” John 1:1 “…and the Word was God.”
Jesus=bread of life=the Word !
Ever heard the saying, “you are what you eat”? Jesus said his word will outlive the earth…what so ever his word is attached to will do the same.
James 1:21 “…receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
By picking up your bible, to read, you are doing the same as the woman who said “…if I could but touch the hem of his garment.”
James 1:21 isn't about eternal salvation.
They're already believers.
@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi your comment assumes that his entire audience were believers. Preachers today give sermons today knowing full well that not every person in the pew has made a sincere profession of faith and it was the same in Paul’s day. Every verse of the Bible is for salvation.