When I came to the reformed faith, from a lifetime of Arminianism, God became to me so much greater, holier, and revered. When God is not completely in control and sovereign over everything - everything, including salvation - then He’s greatly diminished, wringing His hands over the decisions of man.
Thank you Toonybrian, Growing up in Romanism, Arminianism is a doctrine failure, hopelessness, and trying to achieve my own salvation, God had his Soverign had on my life , ALL MY LIFE and I knew and always knew Gods hand was on my life. Once God saved me, and I quit saving myself, through Gods word, not a church. I knew that I had been deceived by Romanism and the Truth set me free. I know exactly what you mean, thank you for sharing your testimony
Me too it was just like the Blinders was taken off and now instead of living in fear of dying with an unrepentanted sin (from an sinful thought to murder) before I could repent then I'd go to the same Hell as a drunk on a barstool. I now have peace in my Salvation and am more in awe of my Sovereign God.
Oscar Gold First of all, I want to distance myself from Arminianism and all of its baggage. I believe in Free Will. God gave us the free will to accept or reject Him. Just like he created Adam and Eve to have the capacity to obey or disobey Him. Why would an all powerful being in total control create other beings with their own free will? Why would He give up a certain amount of control willingly? Because He desires authenticity. He wanted Adam and Eve to obey Him on their own. He wants us to choose Him on our own. Obeying and following God without Him forcing us to makes Him honest and fair. It makes our servitude genuine and by our own choice. I disagree with the theory that mankind is too depraved to decide to follow Christ on his own. I think all of us were born with the law written on our hearts and that we have an inherent knowledge of what is right and wrong. Mixed in with this is the old sin nature, which does contaminate our desires. We are born into sin. God gave us the free will to choose Him and then He pulls us out of death. God created a seraphim named Lucifer that rebelled against Him. One third of the angels He created rebelled against Him. He didn’t create robots. He created beings that choose to follow Him because He is worthy. Not because He MAKES them follow. God is so genius and powerful that He created Creation with the capacity to make mistakes. Computer programmers can assign a variable a RANDOM number. The variable changes value every time the program runs. The random number can be assigned a number from 0 to 10 or from -100 to 100 or negative billion to positive billion and greater. Can can operate like this. He chooses random on purpose in order to make something better than robots. He gave us all an immortal soul with a free will. I’m not saying we are mini gods but we are amazing creations modeled after the Most High. Our immortal souls will be in the presence of God or separated from Him for all eternity. A truly great God is capable of creating Creation and then letting go enough for Creation to breath on its own. God is not a control freak. A brilliant Creator can create something and let it go but at the same time reserve the right to control it whenever He wants. Everything is under God’s command at all times but not everything is being actively controlled by Him at all times. He COULD control all things at all time but He chooses not too. Because He is rational. And He loves us.
I was first introduced to reformed theology through my husband, who I was only dating at the time. It shook me so much that I considered breaking up with him. (Even though we were/are both born again Christian’s) Not until I started reading my Bible for myself and praying for understanding did I realize that I just didn’t want to believe it. I was reading what I wanted to into it because I didn’t want my salvation not to be up to me. If we choose, we’d make the wrong choice every time. How could it be any other way but that He chose us?? And It makes perfect sense that he chooses unconditionally because I certainly would not have been chosen any other way
Amen, sister! Same thing happened to me when I was dating my husband. He gifted me a wonderful book for Christmas called A Journey in Grace that really helped me as I wrestled with my understanding. As I read it, we opened the Bible & talked through all my questions. Praise the Lord that my eyes were opened to the truth! God is so good!!
I was a charismatic for years... I started getting into Apologetics by listening to the Bible Answer Man program...from there I got into Frank Turek...then I found James White/ Justin Peters and John Mcarthur...I began learning the doctrines of GRACE.... the doctrine of election CRUSHED my pride and self righteousness!! I THANK GOD that HE OPENED MY EYES!!! The people who are against the doctrine of election ( like Leighton Flowers) NEVER walk through the scriptures and get their understanding from the TEXT...instead they INJECT their OWN opinions into GOD'S WORD....the problem is NEVER with scripture but with men who don't want to bow the knee. Thank GOD for saving us, calling us and keeping us!!!!
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to accept or reject Christ. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” or “elect” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
I believe in election because I have experienced it. I have ran from God so many times in life. I run from him every day in all kinds of small ways. But God pursues me, put himself on my mind, softens my heart, and brings me back to himself. I know this isn't my own work. This is supernatural work that I can neve take credit for.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@@jedimasterham2 That you ‘chose’ to not believe it, doesn’t mean it’s not true. The comments above, I myself and millions of others testify otherwise. Because we rejected God and had *chosen* against Him. But God, without any reason in us, choose to stop us on our way to destruction and miraculously turned our hearts and desires towards Himself.
@@Lena.9 I have no problem with God working in us to help lead us to Christ. However, this idea that God picks individuals before creation to end up in heaven or hell is completely unbiblical, and it is false doctrine. It turns God into the bad guy, and Jesus into the bad news. That's why we reject this.
These videos are the true blessing. R.C. Sproul is one of my favourite pastors-teachers. But we definitely are Christians firstly and then Calvinists. Knowledge is so important, but debating with the Arminian bretheren with love is more important. Greetings from Ukraine (Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian church of Odesa).
I appreciate what you said about being "Christians first and then Calvinists" ; there are actual Christians within both persuasions; even as there are Christians who have different eschatological interpretations; it doesn't mean that all teachings are correct, but it doesn't automatically disqualify a person of a different persuasion (*that is, in areas that are NOT "core" doctrines) from being truly regenerate or born again.
Beloved you can't be a Christian and a calvinist at the same time. The calvinist doctrine denies the loving nature and essence of God. Can a loving God justifiable send you to hell if he is the one preventing you from coming to faith in him? No. But yet this is the position calvinist take.
@@truth_merchant7839 @Truth_Merchant @Truth_Merchant @Truth_Merchant Without contention and in all earnestness.... You have taken this understanding invertedly. God is not preventing "you" (as you put it) from Coming to faith in him. Rather, it is the inverted condition of our minds (noetic sin) that is the orientation of how we see things and who we live for that prevents faith in coming to him. In a sense, we are "condemning ourselves" because of the born noetic orientation that is to Adam's posterity. And yes, God ordains this... But God is NOT preventing people who really love Him (for who He really is) from coming to faith in Him. The fact that you are stating this invertedly and think you are not ...DEMONSTRATES THE VERY POINT! This is showing you that you are not thinking correctly. And this proves what you're saying is wrong. You need to reorient how you're thinking. You might be saved -and it not hit you yet. But you need to reread your sentence and see where what you're saying is inverted and incorrect because it is false the way you've got it written. But this is just precisely how so many people think they believe correctly when they don't. It's actually gracious for this to be recorded so you can reread and rethink what you're saying under the very video itself that teaches what wrong thinking is and how it is wrong thinking. Please think harder about this because you're showing it.... right in front of your eyes! God bless (earnestly)
@@truth_merchant7839 Yes a loving God can send you to Hell. In the same way a loving judge can sentence a criminal to death. It is God's love what dictates that there must be hell, so that no wrong goes unavenged. God owes salvation to no one, he owes wrath for our sin. So if he saves you, he saves you out of mercy, but because he has mercy on one, does not mean it is incumbent on him to have mercy on another
@@thomasnorton2679 Beloved a Holy God can only do holy things. If God is the reason for my sin he can't judge me for it. A good judge does not sentence the innocent or the one who cannot be held responsible for his action. For this reason a cognitively impaired person is judged differently than the average person. If i am spiritual impaired it becomes incumbent on a holy God to provide means of restoration and leave it to the person to choose since love does not force itself on anyone without becoming unloving. The error you are making is assuming that a holy God can act unholy.😔🙏📖♨️⏳
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@@truth_merchant7839except for the fact that those whose minds are set on the flesh (everyone on the planet prior to conversion) do not and cannot please God (repentance and faith are pleasing to God). We have free will, we just constantly choose sin in thought in deed daily. You need grace to believe, and God loses none of which come (believe) in Him.
@@KnightFelAn analogy to help explain the body of Jesus Christ is, unstoppable body armor against bullets, but bullets are sins, and the impact of the bullets is hell. The body armor saves us from the impact. Yes, the body of Christ does include believers, but it's significantly more than just that. We see God's word repeated "in Him" and "in Christ," because it's fundamental to salvation.
I’m slowly coming to a true understanding of this doctrine, was still looking for faults and inconsistencies but really there is so much scripture that shows it to be the truth of what it is. As hard as it is to accept and comprehend but also be totally grateful for, God has chosen his people and through the word and spirit we exist with him for eternity. I’m 45 years old and grew up in a reformed religious family and went to church and fell away as a young teen then came back to what I thought was Christianity at 24 years of age in the false Pentecostal/ charismatic style churches for 20 years then last year had an awakening and saw that what I was involved with was false and left. After searching for a good church, I went back to my traditional Anglican roots and have been in a church for 8 months. My mother passed away in April and I believe her to be someone who passed through the narrow gate, I hope so....I have only recently really seen that I am truly God’s and on my way to eternity. Born of the spirit and born again. No more wacky uninterpreted tongues and false prophecy and false teaching, people falling over in fake meetings to please man. It really is amazing when you can identify yourself as chosen from the beginning to be like his Son our Lord Jesus Christ, adopted as a son to be a brother of Jesus for eternity. To think of yourself to be part of a Kingdom to inherit a coming eternal life. Already PREpared. The whole 1 Peter chapter 1 letter is incredible when you understand the truth it contains. My church is studying 1 Peter at the moment. I think also when you really grasp the significance of being chosen you will live in a way that makes ‘election sure’. You will aim to live in a way that pleases Christ, obedient to him. We were chosen to be obedient to Christ, amazing! The only problem I thought of though was that once people realise they are chosen they can then relax and not be so worried about the self-control of oneself as it doesn’t matter anymore because their names are written in the book of life. Then I answered my own question with well if their life isn’t obedient to Christ or at least trying then no sanctification is going on because they were not chosen perhaps. Regeneration and sanctification happens in God’s time also as I have seen this happen in myself as I evaluate my strange path of Christianity so far. God has brought me to where I am over 45 years from a natural birth into a Christian family, but in reality you can have a Christian upbringing but it is God who chooses. Understanding Predestination makes understanding that self proclaimed Christians who were not born of the spirit were never a Christian in the first place, they will enter through the wide gate and Jesus won’t know them because they were not chosen. By their fruits you will distinguish those who are born again of the spirit. This is hard for me now seeing who is real and who isn’t, I feel as though I can now see who is and who isn’t going to be in eternity, including my family....It is hard to comprehend that no matter how much we might want someone to be born of the spirit and be with us in eternity, it’s not our choice. If this is the case, does this mean our prayers for those people who think themselves as saved but from what you can discern of them, seem not, ever be answered? I guess it’s wrong to judge but the whole fruit bearing thing just shows people for who they really are...People caught up in false movements who are good people that are deceived and don’t really see the truth, are they just not called and elected? We can only pray and if they are one of God’s elect he will wake them up like myself eventually. Amazing grace takes on another meaning when you REALLY comprehend being selected to be included along with Christ. I hope this might be helpful or encouraging for someone. Who knows, maybe someone reading this will be a chosen brother or sister in Christ that I will meet in the Kingdom to come. We didn’t choose our own birth and we don’t choose our own spiritual birth and place for eternity, when you ponder on that......
@Victorious Spirit Those who God has chosen still needed to be awakened to the truth by hearing the Gospel message, which is basically the command to repent from sin, that is to stop living a sinful life and turn to Jesus Christ and live in a way which abides in the original laws of God (10 Commandments) and believe in him as our God and saviour. Acts 2:38-39 is still relevant today and everyday until Jesus returns. This offer of eternal life is either accepted or rejected, those who accept the message and live in obedience to Jesus Christ are obviously the chosen. Many will claim to be Christian but only those who live in obedience really are the ones who will receive salvation. Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away -all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2 vs 38-39 NLT When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.” Acts 11 vs 18 NLT *Note: 'The privilege'- chosen to fathom the need for, and also be capable of, repentance in order to receive the gift of salvation for an eternal life. The alternative is the second death of hell. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Ephesians 1:4-5, 11 NLT Regarding: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Apostle Peter is writing to Christians, look at who these letters are addressed to at the beginning of 1&2 Peter. 'Any should perish' would be referring to a Christian who is going astray and going back to a sinful life and not living in repentance and obedience to Christ, a Christlike life, holy, blameless. A Christian is not free from the sin they are born with but with the help of the Holy Spirit, aims to live according to Gods expectations (10 commandments). Jesus says, if you love me keep my commandments. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord . Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? “But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord . Repent and live! Ezekiel 18:23-24, 32 NIV
@Victorious Spirit Why bother sharing the gospel? First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. Acts 26:20 NIV
20 years as an adult pretending to speak in unknown languages… and now the theological doctrine you believe is true now makes you feel like you were preselected over others to be in the kingdom? You know what the symptoms of schizophrenia are?
@Iron Sword Yes. Are you a man or woman of God who understands and believes in what Jesus has asked of us in order for a place in his Kingdom? It doesn't matter what brand of Christianity someone is involved with, it all gets exposed and judged in the end, specifically though, some brands seem obviously more geared to being wrong than others. Reformed vs Catholic vs False (deformed). The whole pentecostal/ charismatic faith and their offshoot cults, sects and false movements are all brainwashed by false teachers. Both scenarios are the same; the small groups of devoted false converts in their rented halls and schools, and the huge congregations in the mega churches of thousands of people being entertained with useless preaching and music. The social aspect it brings binds them altogether in false 'Christian Fellowship'. Unfortunately they don't read their bibles and realise they are being manipulated of their money, time and eternal destiny. The pentecostal movement has only been around for 120 odd years. Worldwide they are only deceiving the masses. Mind control over ignorant people who don't know the truth. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. 2 Peter 2:3 NIV These verses of scripture below describe these fake movements who are infiltrating the world. It is the whole wheat and tares parable on display. The true and the false. An empty Gospel void of the message of salvation by repentance and belief in Jesus Christ alone. Plenty of people claim to know Jesus Christ but those the Father has chosen in the beginning to be his through his foreknowlege have repented of sin and will live in obedience to him. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Galatians 1:6-9 NIV One thing that is evident in a false church is the lack of acknowledging sin and that repentance is required for the forgiveness of sins. How is a big wig false teacher, who is more than likely a multi-millionaire living in luxury, or one of his brainwashed disciples wanting the same in life, going to be able to teach his congregation on repentance from the patterns of Greed in this world? For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a person is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Ephesians 5:5-6 NIV False teaching breeds more false teaching and false thinking and false understanding and so on and so on....Just look at the deceiving and false movements like hillsong, bethel, elevation, potter's house, joel osteen disciples, joyce meyer etc, the list goes on. $$$$ They don't preach 'Repentance for the forgiveness of sins.' They preach a distorted version of the bible, abundance and success for this life in this world, no mention of the wrath of God and the coming punishment of the second death.....These people are OBVIOUSLY NOT chosen or elected for the real abundant life, an ongoing everlasting life in the Kingdom of God which has already been prepared for those he chose, those who repented and believed in Jesus Christ.... Jesus said these words below about repentance, which is the TRUE Gospel message. You can tell the difference from a false church and also a false Christian by the fruit they bear in life... I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:3 NIV He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47 NIV *Repentance isn't a prayer when feeling guilt or remorseful for sin in life, it is a changed way of life towards God and his expectations outlined through his word, his commands....It is a decision that either does show or doesn't show the commitment of dying to sin and the sinful ways of life, the pattern of the world. Someone who has been chosen by God is born again by the work of the Holy Spirit and their life will show this, it bears good fruit as the word of God puts it. The gospel message came to fruition in that person's life. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. Acts 26:20 NIV
Hello can I ask is it possible for God's chosen to perish before being regenerated? And in Ezekiel God said He does not delight in the death of the wicked but all come to repentance, was he talking to saved people?... Does it apply to the unsaved, we have a choice to live or die? Or does God determine that?
All i know is , that i was once blind and now i see . Thank you Abba Father God for sending Lord Jesus , your only begotten Son , that whosoever believeth in him should not parish , but have everlasting life .
God bless you John in the Mighty Name of the LORD Jesus Christ 🙏🏽 That‘s wonderful, that the Grace of God found you! Prais be to him! This simple Fatih is Heart warming if indeed it is the Work of God! But let us remeber that there was a Time of great darkness, where the Gospel wasn‘t the Gospel but „Do this and that and maybe one day after purification in pregatory you Will be in Heaven“. A time where The death of Christ, was „a merit“ the greatest of course! But not enough for salvation by true Fatih“. Let us prais the Lord that he send godly men, that studied the Word and preached it, even with the fear of death they preached it, because the Spirit of God was moving them for His Glory 🙏🏽🕊❤️✝️ Let us Therefore not be ignorant and prais the Lord, that he keep his promiss of the Great comandment. That still today he is saving sinner. And i prais him for that, because I‘m one of these siner which where found by the Grace trough my Good Shepherd, My Lord and God Jesus Christ 🙏🏽❤️🕊
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
@Truth_Merchant, idk man romans 9 is pretty clear. Election is obviously presented in scripture multiple times. Gods sovereign choice is plainly illustrated. God elects everything he does. Yes, yes, God desires all to come to repentance, he takes no pleasure in the condemnation of the wicked.. I don't know how these paradoxical things work. The Bible has a lot of things that are paradoxical. How does the doctrine of the trinity work? One God, three persons? Doesn't make sense to our limited human reasoning or limited human experience. I think the will and emotional life of God combined with his unlimited power is far beyond what we can possibly understand. But it will all make sense for us one day. The bottom line is that we must look to God's loving heart because this is what's revealed about him, but have reverence for his will and his choices above our own. We gotta be humble and not make God out to be a monster. Because he isn't. We are the monsters and all are guilty. God dispenses either justice or mercy. All of use deserve hell but God in his mercy allows some to be saved. He gives the wicked what they want - eternity separate from God. And he give the elect what they want - salvation because of their renewed hearts. I have no ego staked in this argument bro. Scripture is what scripture is. God is who he is. No getting around it.
@@smokingcrab2290 Beloved God is not the author of confusion. By your own admission you recognize that the calvinistics systematic is illogical. Its not enough to say its beyond our capacity to understand when we have the answer in scripture. Your use of the Trinity to justify an adoption of a irrational position is disappointing, when there is nothing complicated about it. If 7 billion persons can share the same nature why can't three. Even at the individual level we are body soul and spirit three in one. Are your conclusions of Romans 9 as a result of presuppositions or do you examine the context of the chapter in which Paul pulls verses from the old testament into it to establish is points. Have you visited these verses in the old testament and determined the context in which they were uttered at that time? What those verses meant then remains the same in the time of Paul and in our time as well. The biblical God is not just almighty but all holy. He cannot deny his nature or be a respecter of men and remain holy. God cannot be holy if he predetermined from eternity past to disable a persons ability to have faith and then condemn them to eternal separation for the absence of faith. In reality no one wants to go to hell. A more realistic perspective is that everyone wants heaven but few are prepared to do what it takes to get there. Think on these things my friend. Grace mercy of peace
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours." John 17:6-9
Why did you stop at verse 9? Have you ever read the whole chapter before? JOHN 17:20 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
I never liked Jesus because you reap what you sow by God God allows things to happen God can do whatever he wants he's God look at he's wiping out everyone your faith should only ly with your creator and judgement
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
The Dr election breaks our pride, pride of being a simple human leads to wanting to do something to / for God, a.k.a. commitment, look at my free will to know God, versus being submitting to God, FOR HIM TO BE LORD, SAVIOR AND PROVIDER ALL TO HIS GLORY, SDG, and all to me HUMBLY NEEDING HIM IN ALLTHINGS!! Grace upon Grace in JC
To hold to the belief that God looked down through time to LEARN who will accept His Son,and then chooses them,would change scripture to say,WE LOVED HIM FIRST,THATS WHY HE LOVED US.
This is the main reason why “the Gospel is an offence” to a natural mind. It was on this stone my kinsmen according to flesh have stumbled and still do. Please pray that the Father wills have mercy on my family and draw them to Yeshua. Your brother in Messiah, Albert Israeli
This is the best explanation and teaching of this difficult doctrine I've ever heard. Oh, the love of God -- and His grace, His unmerited favor -- how rich and pure! All praise, glory and honor to our God and King through Jesus Christ our Lord!
I like it when RC Sproul said this concerning unconditional election: "You need to teach what the bible says, not what you would like it to say". Election is clearly in the bible whether we like it or not. Salvation is a gift to those people whom God freely chooses to bestow upon them. How blessed are those the Father has chosen. When you think about it, Jesus bore an eternal punishment for each and every one of them. Now that is true love.
@dan-lansingmi9169 I agree. This is without doubt the most difficult thing to understand. God definitely chooses who will be saved, namely his elect to whom he grants faith. But everyone is responsible for believing or not believing. Hard to grasp. This is one of the main reasons I don't believe Christianity was "made up by men".
@@yordanvidenov6554 Yes like noah being told to build an Ark . All I'm saying is that verse is saying before the cross that men ' can come ' so they ' can ' . But not unless the Father draws them. It doesn't say how he does this . But we know that people could come and they who followed moses ect were the ones who recognised the shepherd. But look at john 12 , 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL men unto me. . So now if your saying that the all those that are drawn by father are the secret elect ones who are awakened , irresistibly dragged to come and are forced to believe . Then are you saying that Jesus has drawn all men and all men will be saved ?
@@TheKnowledgeOfTheTruth Well it is sure that ALL will be drown but in the Greek text it is mentioned just the word ALL without "men/people". We need other text with similar theme to get what is happening. It sounds funny at first but ALL does not mean "literally everyone in the planet" every time we use it. My mom frequently said that when we prepare a meal there should be enough for ALL. I didn't question weather that means literally everyone or just the people who were going to have the meal. In a similar fashion if we look at John 12:32 in the context of John 11:50-52, it seems probable to me that ALL means the children of God of all sorts, both Jews and Gentiles.
I find it interesting how when trying to reason with Catholics regarding scripture that it is a lot like dealing with mormons. Christ plus, added books, twisting scripture to justify things in ways you could never come up with on your own by reading. I am so thankful God delivered me from that false Church to the true body of Christ.
I know, I hear it from my dear mom. Its hard for Mexican catholics because this religion is the heart of Mexican tradition. 😢 Im a follower of Jesus Christ, Yeshua. And I was saved in Dec. 2018, im so happy im not of this world anymore. Its hard but we have to keep our faith and path towards the Kingdom of God.
The Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church believe in Justification by faith alone (the Gospel) and Sanctification - staying justified through good works or fruit. Jesus is the narrow gate and Jesus instructed us to be saved to do the will of the Father and to keep His (Jesus) sayings.
"But there are not a few who would be indignant at having their belief in God questioned, who yet seem greatly to fear imagining Him better than He is." - George MacDonald
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
January 6th, 1972 the invatation was made and I said yes. I heard the gospel for the first time and l knew it was true. Jesus the Son of God died for my sinner. God commanded light to shine in my heart and it's never been the same. He has kept me by his grace.
The hardened Jew is the interlocutor Paul is addressing in Romans 9. Of course the Jew would be choked as he assumed only Abraham’s physical descendants could share in God’s blessings and not the rest of the world! But who was he to say that salvation was only for them? Paul was explaining that GOD COULD CHOOSE WHOEVER HE WANTS and that His purpose all along was INCLUSION of the Gentiles not exclusion. The hardened Jew took offense to this. Paul is telling Him God can have mercy on whoever He wants and who is he to question God! And ironically the reformers of today think salvation is only for them. The hardened Jew in Romans 9 has the same issue with God that He chose to have mercy and offer salvation to all. Calvinists are 21st century Pharisees contending for the same thing the Jews did 2000 years ago who thought salvation was only to the elect nation of Israel. Paul was not grieved that some weren’t chosen but that they were stumbling over faith trying to obtain it by works.
Phil Walker It has the BIBLE to stand on which is all I need. Reformed theology is a false Gospel which stands on sinking sand and not the solid rock of Christ and His Word.
Aaron Pilkey “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath-prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory- even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?” Romans 9:16-24 NIV. You cherry picked the chapter and didn’t view the rest. Exegete the rest of the passage. It is talking about God’s sovereign choice.... not over nations, but individuals. Why would Paul talk corporately about the salvation of every nation and then break down into the leaders of said nations? Either way you slice it, it goes to individuals receiving mercy, or hardening. I agree, Paul is showing hardened Israel that they are not the only ones that will receive mercy. But that does not mean that every single man will be able to receive salvation or mercy. God’s sovereign choice over nations, and individuals.
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
@@truth_merchant7839 wrong You have no idea what love is and you are incapable of judging God arrogant cult fake. YHVH hates those who hate Him and repays them to their face what they deserve and destroys them.
@@iacoponefurio1915 Beloved, before we loved God he loved us. God did not wait on us to love him: 1 John 4:10 (KJV) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 😔🙏📖⏳♨️
If God elected on any other basis than the good pleasure of His will then His choice is determined by people. Either God is primary, ie, the first cause, in salvation, or man is primary. The Bible clearly teaches that God is the Author, the primary cause, not man.
@@jeffouellette9946 the Bible says we can't. If u believe u could that means u don't read the Bible and 2 u don't know the gospel... The Bible says when u receive the holy ghost ITS SEALED..
Jesus loves you all and is coming soon! ❤️ if you haven’t repented and turned from sin and accepted Jesus as Savior believing He died and rose again for you, today is perfect and scripture says that today is the day of salvation!!
Rebecca have you repented 100%.. attained sinless perfection? 1 cor 15 1-6. Faith alone. Repentance will happen, repentance dosen't save you. Carefull what you say.
@@kenkelble358 Yes repentance only shows us how filthy we are and that we need God to change our filthy hearts in order to enter his heavenly kingdom to come. Jesus said Repentance and Forgiveness of sins be preached to people. This is the message John the Baptist came preaching,unless you repent and believe the gospel ,you will not be saved. He told people to believe in the one coming after him referring to Jesus Christ.
Salvation through "Faith in Jesus Christ" is not a reward for the Righteous, it is a gift to the guilty, for we have all fallen short of the Glory of God. Faith in Christ and the Salvation that results are both gifts from God. God bless everybody in finding the truth. Jesus is truly God the Son.
O my dear, sweet Brother Sproul! Oh how I wished you kept reading through at least chapter 11, and read through them as deeply and as fervently as you did chapter 9! How I pray that every Calvinist and Arminian would do the same. Brother Sproul may you be blessed and at peace in Heaven!
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
pas is used thousands of times throughout the New Testament, both in respect to the parties gathered and in a totally inclusive way. Matthew 2:3 is a prime example of pas being used to speak of a group of religious leaders, but is mentioned as all Jerusalem. The entire council of scripture must be taken into account in the formation of doctrine. Acts 2:21 and 2:39 both use the word pas in regards to whom will be saved. We must take into account all of scripture for sound doctrine! And that is only 4 passages that pas is used.
@@HollowHeartMedia all Jerusalem and all the chief priests. All men etc. The grèek dictionary says pas is inclusive of everyone in a group spoken of. Grace has appeared to ALL men. No human being is left out. All have an opportunity to be saved. I reject the reformed Calvinist theology.
I confess to having a hard time with this one - and I'm very sympathetic to Reformed theology ( and I love RC Sproul's work! ). I just can't get my head around a loving God creating souls for eternal damnation. The ramifications are enormous: HE chose YOU for Eternal Life but your mother/ wife or whoever for eternal damnation - just because.
@@samniumspyder Be careful with statements like this. You have no idea if this person has been saved or not by his statement. In your own statement you added to the Gospel, much like the Judaizers added the circumcision. I'll take this statement to mean you weren't careful when you said you must read the Bible.
@@samniumspyder be careful with what u are saying, nothing in his answer indicates that he is not saved, its very hard for the majority of people to understand this, thats the reason R.C. held this sermon and thats the reason this is a big debate. imagine when u were young you and your brother did something wrong and you will be punished for that thing but your brother will be pardoned, you would feel treated unfairly because you weren't treated equally.This is a comparison that is human and not 1:1 transferable to God's election, but it illustrates why it may feel unfair to us
@@HowNow🤡 no one needs to be careful to promote lies like you. you have no idea what salvation is apparently you are on the side of mans self righteousness and against God. you are also evil
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@@friendyadvice2238 It’s not that I’m right. Scripture does NOT support this idea of “unconditional election.” This idea is based on a misunderstanding. “Elect” doesn’t mean God picks individuals to be saved before creation. It means God picks anyone who choose to believe in Jesus for heaven. Big difference. We can know this is accurate, because m God’s own word says he loves the world, and wants all people saved, and that anyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life. Scripture in no way tells us God pick people for heaven and hell prior to creation. One example that confirms anyone can be saved if they choose to believed. 1 Timothy 4:10 “We have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”
@@friendyadvice2238 No, it’s still election. Being sovereign, God set up freewill, made salvation possible for every person, and set a condition to salvation, which is repentance and belief. This comes from scripture.
@@rogofe0964self righteous narcissist evildoer.. mankind is desperately wicked..why would he elect anyone? that's the right question arrogant narcissist you have zero self awareness or connection to reality 😢
I like the idea of God's purpose. God's elects were handpicked for a service needed for God's purpose even from the dawn of time. The elects are for the purpose and the sinners are for salvation. Great lecture RC, thank you.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
@@bufflegend he never watches just makes up ridiculous lies with fity million fske profiles and like his own insane comments haha. They don't read the bible either them claim it says the opposite of what it says
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
@@truth_merchant7839 it might not have been in the video, but brother you are barking up the wrong tree. Romans 9:13-15 are a staple of unconditional election. v11: for though the twins were not yet born and not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls v15: For He says to Moses: I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. v18: So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom he desires. You can consider both Pharaoh and Edomites as God's choice to harden, as He desires. What i'm curious about is how you got to v13 but skipped v11 and v15 surrounding it. I mean honestly.... do you just blot out the scripture that doesn't work for you out of your mind completely?
I think a lot of times we try to express using human language what our spirit understands about God. God's word is not contradictory, however, the human mind cannot fully comprehend the ways of God. Therefore, it seems to our minds that God's word contradicts itself. For example, when God told King Hezekiah that he would surely die and not recover it seemed the end. Yet, King Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and received additional 15 years. I think it's important to understand that we cannot explain all the ways of God. The same Jesus who said no man can come to me unless my Father in Heaven draws him to me is also the same Jesus who said whosoever come, let him come. So, as believers we need to learn how to hear from God in our spirit man and once our spirit man understands God's truth then it will no longer looks contradictory. Romans chapter 9 was not part of the Bible that I frequently went to when I was a baby Christ follower. After walking with the Lord over 20 years I now have no fear of Romans chapter nine because God has revealed it to me and my spirit man gets it even though my brain cannot explain it. Thank you Father.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
I really like Romans in the bible. And so many Christians believe God loves EVERYONE! If He loves everyone than why is the road leading to hell so broad and many will go there?!? While the path to heaven is narrow and few will find it................that says so much! I also wish more pastors would preach on being born again!! Jesus specifies this to Nicodemus that we MUST be born again of water and SPIRIT! Too many people think and act with their human minds and unregenerate hearts, when we need the Holy Spirit to take over from an act of God. God chooses us, we don't choose God
GOD doesnt love EVERYBODY. Its hard for people to accept the fact God doesnr love everybody. God loves his chosen ones more...others...we are at the mercy and just hope we are luckly enough to attact Gods favour.
True...if i were a pastor actually the theme of my sermon will be salvation, repentance and heaven and hell...thats all that matters. It's interesting because some of those rejected by God due to certain could actually do far greater things for God if given the chance. but they are not.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
I must say. I find it interesting people are arguing about what God does is fair or not. So to be honest free will and election are entirely possible congruently dependent on your perspective. I know our God operates outside of time and space. He is Alpha and omega. That being said he already knows “foreknows” what and who are going to be save and who won’t. Is that fair? Yes. Does that mean it’s already determined? Yes. In our lives today to we have a choice to make to accept him? Yes. I find it kind of arrogant of us to believe we can come into know such a great God at all and say what he does is fair or not. His ways aren’t our ways. Every time I think I know I can say how he works I don’t. He is not in my realm of comprehension. That’s the beauty of this theology. To be quite honest as I always thought growing up in church I was like how we teach god is so... cut and dry. He does things justly and rightly but he also knows everything. If he is sovereign he can’t be wrong and he has deemed these things of his OWN glory and accord. I’m grateful to even be alive and even more so to come into knowing him. I don’t want to say I’m an elect because that implies I know what God is going to judge me but I do know I want to be with him and for the rest of my days he’ll bring others to know him. Let’s not argue guess it’s silly. Just think about how God is so great who can know how this all works? I love you guys. Hope you all find peace in whatever you’re sticking to and spread the gospel. Whatever we do though we as brothers and sisters in Christ let’s not discourage one another. That’s working against ourselves and we all have work to do. Also I don’t know anything so I can’t debate my point. I’m just trying to better understand some viewpoints I’ve held for while and trying to learn more. Have a good day. 😊
@Curt Christensen then if that is the case then blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not accepting the Holy Spirit to work in a person's life. God told me again again I tell people that we could lose the Holy Spirit. Why? Living in sin. Living in sin is wickedness. Salvation isn't granted to the wicked. Psalms 119:155. That's the way God showed me that scripture is.
Curt: "All" is based on the context. ALL that the Father giveth Me (Christ) shall come to Me (John 6:37). Why do you assume that "all" means every last human who would ever live? That's not biblical. Jeff: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is clearly spelled out in Mark 3:28-30. It's believing that Christ was powered by the devil, and not God. Everyone is a sinner before salvation. Everyone is dead in sins; everyone is wicked in God's eyes. If you believe that you are saved, and you also believe that God only saves those who are "good," then you essentially believe that God saved you because you met some standard of holiness. But that is not biblical. We're not saved based on anything of ourselves---if we were, we could boast, but boasting is not allowed in salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10). A truly saved person cannot lose his salvation. Salvation means that all of a person's sins have been paid for. What possible future sin could make them lose their salvation? This is a complete misunderstanding of what salvation is. Salvation is not doing something or reaching some level of holiness, and then maintaining that level of holiness until the end of one's life. Salvation is about God having undeserved mercy on a person. With salvation, there will be a new desire to obey God, but falling into sin cannot threaten a truly saved person's relationship with God. If it could, then our salvation would be one based on works, not on grace.
Jesus said: John 17:9 ► “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. "those YOU have given me" = Those whom The God Head Council, chose; or ELECTED, to be found in Christ.
The un - elect and the elect both continue to sin the bible teaches when judgement comes those sinners called to Christ will be covered by his blood and god will not judge those for their sins , so belief in the total atonement of Christ's intercession is the way not to be judged ,it doesn't mean the elect become sinless . When you are called the propensity to sin dies down in you and you want to follow the teachings of the bible ,you start to bear fruit , what I mean is ..you have experience more love for the world and people , you don't get angry about things that you once did , your a better son a better dad and so on .... this is called regeneration which happens after your calling ( election ) you never achieve a sinless state ever ! trust me on that ,but you strive for it out of respect for god and his mercy . You don't know why because logic and common sense teaches us based on what we know in the world today and shows us God cant be true. so you can see it is not a conscious decision to believe in something you once didn't . On the other side of the coin it is a beautiful fact that those who don't believe the word of god and his message and callings don't really care what it says ! as they feel it is fiction ! they view believers as deluded and fair enough why not ? the word has not been made clear to them as absolute truth, no man can decide this on his own . True non believers are not afraid of a fictional judgement . So its a perfect marriage of believers and non believers . God in his infinite grace can show mercy where he pleases or not at all .
@@jeffouellette9946 Once saved always saved. You and I sin everday, So if we lost our salvation everytime we sinned then Christ would have to be crucified everyday over and over. What makes you think that you can control your own salvation? Do you have a formula? Is it after 10 sins that you lose your salvation? 15? 20? 100? Which Bible verse is it that says how many?
+Shaun Ince The "Reformed" view on the TULIP did not come from God's Word, but spawned from Augustine who is also the father of Roman Catholicism. All 5 points of the TULIP can be found in Augustine's "City of God" book of false teachings. All 5 points of the TULIP are false as Scripture refutes each point. 1) TOTAL DEPRAVITY IS THE FIRST LIE OF CALVINISM. God's Word does teach that man is depraved, BUT not to the extent that Calvinism teaches. Calvinism teaches spiritual annihilation, but the Bible teaches SPIRITUAL SEPARATION. Man still has the image of God in him and can still respond to God by BELIEVING the Gospel. Man is aware of the existence of God: Romans 1:19-21 - 19 since what may be known about God IS PLAIN TO THEM, because God has made it PLAIN TO THEM. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE. 21 For although THEY KNEW GOD, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Calvinism falsely teaches that man cannot and is incapable of coming and believing in God, and that "faith" comes directly from God on a person and bypasses the preacher. Calvinism puts the cart before the horse falsely claiming that "regeneration precedes faith". Calvinism also falsely teaches that people are saved monergistically making man a predestined puppet. The Bible teaches that people are saved synergistically. The Calvinist teaching that "faith" is a gift from God bestowed on a person would nullify man's responsibility to BELIEVE the gospel. Calvinism falsely teaches that man cannot come and cannot believe in God, BUT THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT MAN WILL NOT COME. ( John 5:40 - And ye WILL NOT come to me, that ye might have life.) Calvinism falsely teaches that unregenerate man is incapable of doing good, but God's Word in Acts 28: 1-10 teaches differently. Cornelius who was clearly a Gentile unbeliever in Acts 10 exercised faith in God when he prayed and offered alms to the poor, but he was not saved until Peter preached the gospel to him and he believed and became saved in Acts10:44-48. NO, the Bible teaches that faith precedes regeneration and that "faith cometh by hearing". Romans 10:14 - How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:17 - 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 2) UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION - Calvinism's "God" is partial and biased because he handpicks only a few called the "elect chosen few" to salvation and the rest of mankind is "predestined" to hell. This happens way before anyone was born. Man therefore, is a predestined puppet with no free will. If the majority of mankind is "predestined" to hell, then one wonders how God will hold man accountable for sin at the Great White Throne Judgment if he was already predestined for hell way before birth. Calvinism's definition of election is utterly absurd and ridiculous. The true Biblical definition of election is that God chooses people, a city, a nation for MINISTRY, NOT ETERNAL DESTINY. God chose Moses to lead His people, God chose Jonah to preach to the Ninevites, God chose Abraham, God chose Mary and Joseph, God chose Paul as an apostle to the Gentiles, God chose Jesus, God's chosen Messiah and Savior, God chose Jerusalem to be His chosen city. If man has been predestined to perish wherefore is God's legal right to punish? Wherefore is sin? For if a man has been predestined to fulfill God's plan and he does so because he has no choice, then therefore whatever sins he does is because God predestined him to do, where is his sin? God therefore becomes the author of sin. So man was created to be what God predestined him to be, he has fulfilled God's plan, then he has obeyed God's will. Where then is man's sin? How can God proclaim a righteous wrath against those who do not obey His commands if He has predestined them not to obey His commands? How can God proclaim to be just when He creates a person to disobey Him, and then punishes that person for doing what he was predestined to do? So why would God predestine a person to love Him which is in essence God loving Himself through that person because that person has no choice? This doctrine of Calvin takes accountability and blame out of man's hands and throws it right into God's lap. If man creates a weapon and uses it to fulfill his plan to kill someone; who is guilty? the man who created the weapon or the weapon itself? In Genesis God says, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil" Does this mean we don't know how to choose between good and evil?
+Shaun Ince 3) LIMITED ATONEMENT - IS A LIE in that it falsely teaches that Christ's death only atoned for the "elect chosen few" making the "saved" a member of a special Calvinistic elite club. This also a direct attack on the true nature and character of God. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRIST DIED FOR ALL MANKIND AND THE BIBLE TEACHES UNLIMITED ATONEMENT: John 1:29 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away THE SIN OF THE WORLD Acts 10:34 - God is no respecter of persons. Hebrews 2:9 - But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for EVERYONE. John 3:16 - For God so loved the WORLD.....( It does not say "For God so loved the chosen elect few") 1 Timothy 2:4 - Who will have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:6 - Who gave himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time. 1 John 2:2 - And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD. Romans 2:11 - 1 For God DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM. Titus 2:11 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL MEN. Job 34:19 - who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one DIED FOR ALL, and therefore all died. 15 And HE DIED FOR ALL, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 4) IRRESISTABLE GRACE IS ANOTHER LIE: Calvinism falsely teaches that the "few" that God chooses for salvation will be overcome by "irresistable grace" by way of coercion nullifying man's free will. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD USES PERSUASION USING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TO DRAW A PERSON TO HIM. "Irresistible grace" implies coercion/force. God does not force anyone to believe the gospel. Calvinists will use passages like John 6:44 and others taken out of context and eisegeted in an attempt to prove "irresistible grace". Calvinism falsely teaches that the ones that God "chooses" will be saved monergistically, but God's Word teaches that man is saved synergistically because God has given man freewill. The Bible also teaches that people whether saved or unsaved DO INDEED RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT - Acts 7:51 Acts 7:51 - “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: YOU ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT! The Jews in John 12:37 RESISTED THE HOLY SPIRIT despite Jesus performing many miracles in their presence. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law in the New Testament ALWAYS RESISTED THE HOLY SPIRIT when they were in Jesus presence. JONAH RESISTED THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Israelites, God's chosen people, were ALWAYS RESISTING GOD over and over again as God referred to them as "stiff-necked" people recorded in Exodus 32:9. Exodus 33:3-4, Exodus 34:9, Deuteronomy 9:6, Deut 9:13, Deut 31:27, Jeremiah 7:26, Jeremiah 17:23, Jeremiah18:12, Jeremiah 19:15. 5) PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS IS THE 5TH LIE OF CALVINISM: Perseverance of the Saints strongly implies that Kingdom entrance is dependent upon the perseverance of the Christian. Perseverance takes work and effort. This contradicts Ephesians 2:8-9 and many other passages which clearly teaches that salvation is not of works. This falsely teaches that only the "chosen elect few" who "persevere" in their faith to the end will be saved and that those who do not "persevere" will prove that they were never saved to begin with. This is clearly teaching a works salvation gospel and adding works to the salvation equation. This is based on faulty interpretations of Matthew 24:13, Luke 8:13-14, Romans 2:6-7, and others ALL TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT WHERE THE CALVINIST READS HIS THEOLOGY INTO THE TEXT, RATHER THAN LETTING THE TEXT DETERMINE HIS THEOLOGY. "Perseverance of the Saints" is a faulty teaching of Calvinism because there are clear Biblical examples of God's people failing to persevere, but were still saved. King Solomon is a classic example and so were the Christians in the Corinthian church, but Paul affirms the reality of their salvation by addressing them as "brethren" that were "carnal" and "babes in Christ" in 1 Cor 3:1. Paul would not have addressed them this way if they were not saved. He addresses them as "brethren" all throughout 1 Corinthians. According to Calvinism, since the "faith" that God bestows on a person comes from God, it then logically follows according to Calvinism that that faith will automatically result in "obedience' and "perseverance" in the person. If Christians automatically "persevere" then all the Biblical exhortations for Christians to be faithful and persevering would be unnecessary. THE BIBLE TEACHES PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS BY AN UNFAILING SAVIOR - JOHN 5:24, 6:47, 10:28-29, ROMANS 8:38-39, 2 TIMOTHY 2:13. The Christian's perseverance is susceptible to faltering and failure in their walk with God, but it is Christ's FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS WITH HIS SHED BLOOD, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION THAT KEEPS A BELIEVER ETERNALLY SECURE. CHRIST DID IT ALL. WE DO NOTHING. Calvinists who embrace "perseverance of the saints" have little or no assurance of their salvation because it is based on what they "must do" rather than on what Christ has already done with His finished work on the cross. Their assurance level fluctuates all the time depending on how well they "persevere". Their assurance level can fluctuate from 99% assurance down to 15% or less depending on how well they "persevere". They "persevere" until they are blue and purple in the face and vomiting, and only then, can they be somewhat "certain" of their assurance, but still not entirely sure. They still have to wait until AFTER they die to find out. They are always plagued with doubt and self-introspection because many of them are unsure if they are among the "chosen elect few". John Piper and RC Sproul who are among the most well known Calvinists/Lordship Salvationists are known to express concern over whether or not they are among the "elect" from time to time. Calvinists have to wait until the very end AFTER they die to find out whether or not they "made it into the Kingdom". This is not true Biblical assurance because true Biblical assurance is what Jesus said, done, and promised and those who believe in His finished work are eternally saved. A person needs to have assurance before death knowing that he/she is eternally secure. They do not wait until after they die to find out which is absurd. Chronic self-introspection is so common among many Calvinists that Calvinists themselves warn about it. In the book, "The Five Points of Calvinism" by Steele, Thomas, and Quinn they state on page 195: " Another odd pitfall that characterizes some Calvinists is chronic introspection. Now, I do not mean normal self-examination (2Cor. 13:5). I mean the sort that goes too far. This sort seems to glory in introspection with the proper results. What do I mean? True self-examination should lead to renewed faith and love and obedience. False introspection leads to more introspection, and actually less faith. It produces more doubt, not faith. For example, some worry that they might not be among the elect. But this does not lead them to put faith in Christ. If that is the result, then it is not true self-examination."
wtom04 Care to find the proper platform and debate all the accusations you just made? Idc to post 10,000 words on TH-cam. I will give you 2 quick observations. Firstly, you don't have a "free will" according to scripture. Your will is slanted always toward evil, and without God's sovereign grace you will always choose evil. You may not have grasped this from scripture, which brings me to point 2. Your view on scripture is based on a very surface level reading. You disregard those things we gather from the Word by digging deeper and contemplating the entire body of scripture. For instance, I'm sure you believe John 3:16 means that anybody can be saved. You do so by sacrificing the rest of the book of John that informs us of God's sovereignty in all things. (John 6:44 for example)
That is indeed One of the Many Beautiful Tapistries, Interwoven by YHWH. How do you feel about "Sovereign Decree", and then "Special Revelation" (Duet.29:29), as Revealed in Holy Scripture?
I don't want to say which side I lean towards on this topic because I want this comment to be read without undermining, but I want every person here to know that it's ok to be in ignorance on this issue. This is not something worth dividing over. You are not adopted into the body of Christ by simply subscribing to Calvinism or Arminianism. It's by true repentance and genuine faith in Jesus Christ. John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
I FULLY believe that Salvation is a work of God. What I don’t fully understand about election is how verses like “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” and “it’s Gods will that none should perish but that all should come to repentance” play into it. Any insight is appreciated, I sure don’t want to be teaching this wrongly
I'm still looking into these things myself, but I would point out, calling on the Lord and being saved would be no different than saying whoever believes in the Lord will be saved. It's just stating Salvation from a Human perspective. It doesn't help or hurt the idea of election. The second would maybe be an issue if that's all it said. But 2 Peter 3:9 in it's context is talking to Christians about coming to repentance "but is patient toward you". If it were all people, the time of his coming (which is the context leading up to this verse) wouldn't make much difference anyhow since we know that when he does come there will be young people who are not given time to come to reach repentance since he will come like a thief in the night. On the other hand it does make sense if he has chosen a certain number of people who will be saved. I hesitated in saying anything as I don't feel I am qualified to teach so please keep that in mind. Hope this helped, God bless.
The main driving idea for declaring myself a Calvinist is that the Our all knowing Sovereign God knows absolutely everything from the time of the beginning. Men cannot comprehend that and we cannot try to make sense of or understand why this is all necessary or how he knows everything before it happens, that includes your coming to salvation or not. Think about the character of the Antichrist….if there was ever anyone in the Bible (besides Jesus) who’s fate has already been sealed and determined, it’s him. I don’t know if that helps, but I hope it does
If properly understood, the scriptures Will not contradict. Sovereign election simply means that God is sovereign and man is not. If you understanding this way, you Will have no Problem understanding all the seemingly contradicting pass ages. God bless you.
Alpha Chaser Sovereign means to be ruler and have total authority. Every Christian believes that. The question is , can God we the ruler of all, and still allow His creation to make choices? Well, if He can't do that, then He's not sovereign at all. You've just exercised your authority over Him, by mandating what He can, or cannot do.
The passages don't contradict each other. God commands everyone to believe, to call upon the name of the Lord, etc., but because humans are dead in sins those are impossible tasks. This is why God had to elect individuals to salvation. This is what the Bible plainly teaches.
Well, that's your belief, but it's not supported by Scripture. The Bible plainly teaches that humans are dead in sins and incapable of coming to God on God's terms. The Bible even says in various places that we're not saved by our works.
I love good Biblical teaching. And I prefer to discuss the actual doctrine rather than the "heading" (eg Calvinism, Arminianism) as they can be unhelpful at times (sure, they can also be helpful, but I find people benefit from focusing on the real matter rather than a "I support Appolos" type approach.)
i have not found one place in scripture where someone is " elect " to salvation , only a task or purpose . if im missing something please provide it for me, thank you
TRUTH & LIFE For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. 1 Thess 1
You are so right and don't let no hypocrite lie to you like they have been lied too. Unconditional believers love their sin or have been mislead. Listening to man's word over God's word has consequences.
Romans 9:15-23 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. 19One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” 21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? 22What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath-prepared for destruction? 23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory-
Acts 13:48 ► When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers
No. Look up the rest of tulip we have periods where we are closer to God or not close to God for purposes of his Will. It is not something that just comes to you one morning, although it might. It comes over time through reading scripture and learning and understanding God.
As one that might claim calvinism, I was always saved, just not living the gospel. I could never change my life back, though especially after learning about election and calvinism. There is no choice. Like I said look up thebrest of TULIP
@@1947DMLo but it was in God's sovereign plan to save me. That is correct you must be born again? How does someone become born again their own will their own strength? "So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." Romans 9:16
@@intothekey I don't know how anyone can take a persons willingness and turn it into some kind of "work". There is no exertion in saying "yes". If that is "work" in any way, I'm glad I don't have anyone like that "working" for me. So when the Bible says that it is NOT GOD'S WILL that any should perish, how is it that some will perish? It's because God "willingly" gives us all a choice...yes or no. There is NO involved in that. Can you imagine being paid to do a job, and the one who hires you asked if you can start work that day and you say "yes?" But then you do nothing else that day, and when he asks why you did not get any work done that day and you say, well, I did work when I said yes. That gave me out and I went home and rested the rest of the day. Saying "yes" to God does not mean I "worked" for my salvation, and neither did I do anything to "earn" my salvation. I simply said "yes" to the offer. What about the publican who went to the temple to pray? He simply asked God to have mercy on him, and Jesus said he went to his house justified. I will even say this, if you did not accept God's offer of salvation, then you are still in your sins.
From ancient Apostolic times, all Christians believed because of Jesus' saving redemption on the Cross for all Mankind, that God's Grace was available to every human being. He calls every single one of us poor lost sheep. The question is our response to His call. It was only during the 16th century at the tragic Rupture of the Church that people started to believe the novel doctrine that God would only choose to save certain people.
@@iacoponefurio1915 Of course God draw us all to him. But we must respond also. As for me, I will continue to believe in what Jesus and the Apostles taught not some novel doctrine of man like Calvin. Read the Bible and the early Church Fathers to understand the Christian Faith. Unfortunately, Calvin did not. God bless you.
I'm perfectly comfortable with this doctrine. For some reason this hasn't bothered me, but I've noticed that it deeply offends others in the faith. Ultimately, however, God's thinking is beyond ours. I've long sense left the thinking that this doctrine would be "unfair". These lessons have purged out some of my initial conclusions as a new believer. However, some could take a view that God is arbitrary out of this teaching. Meaning, no rhyme or reason. It would be interesting to bounce a few questions of R.C., if I could. There won't be answers to these questions in my Church, they teach, mostly, reformed theology but they stop short on things like the doctrine of election. Let's see where the Spirit takes me in my study. My mind keeps going back to God's discussions with those in the Bible that didn't understand why God would have mercy on certain people. I keep getting the impression that maybe we take a deep dive into a doctrine individually and maybe we don't look enough at how they interact with each other. While comfortable with this, I'm not satisfied. I've really enjoyed going through some of his teachings, he had a way about him.
"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:4 "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?" Ezekial 18:23 "For I take no pleasure in anyone's death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!" Ezekial 18:32 Kinda weird God wills all men to be saved but only wills some to be saved... Yes, God gives us life and the energy to repent, we can choose to use that life and energy for repentance or for our own pleasure
@@Terror1Void I'm not trying to put scripture against itself, I'm putting scripture against what the calvinists exegete. Double predestination goes against the character of God that is clearly defined in the scriptures.
I split from Sproul on this issue. Calvin was either misunderstood in his definition of predestination, or we wrongly understand his definition, or he was wrong.
TULIP which is also known as the five points of Calvinism is a summary of Biblical theology held by the faithful church since the days of the apostle Paul but formalized at the Synod of Dordt in 1618-19 “The Synod gave a very close examination to the ‘five points’ which had been advanced by the Remonstrants, and compared the teaching in them with the testimony of Scripture. Failing to reconcile that teaching with the Word of God, . . . they unanimously rejected them. They felt however, that a mere rejection was not sufficient. It remained for them to set forth the true Calvinistic teaching in relationship to those matters which had been called into question. This they proceeded to do, embodying the Calvinistic position in five chapters which have ever since been known as the five points of Calvinism." (Steel and Thomas, The Five Points of Calvinism.
LAStreetPreacher Calvinism is a heresy introduced to the church in the time of Augustine, who brought in his previously held, gnostic beliefs, and mixed it in with Christianity. Calvinism is best defended using philosophical rhetoric, rather then scripture. God bless.
If salvation is based on the sovereign and predestination of God's free will to chose, then what of the need of man's need of repentance? He then can awaken to his salvation, and say I therefore am saved, not because of my actions or behavior but because God wills that I am his elect and am saved. Why then throughout scripture is there a call upon God people that they turn from their path of unrighteousness, in order not to receive God's judgement against their rebellion. Why does John the Baptist state in his approach to Israel before Jesus appears and before the claimed Messiahship of Jesus, "Repent, and believe!"? To me, this reveals a type of condition, that moves God's heart of compassion, grace, and mercy, on that of the repentance of the heart of him who has the condition of the soul toward the act of contrition (ie. Repentance of sin). Why then did Jesus preach repentance as well? Mark 1:14-15 The end of vs. 15 Jesus specifically commands, "Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!". Why then (if election is sovereign and based only on God's choice) would Jesus petition a request to his audience to repent (an action/participation of the will of Man) and believe (an action/participation of the will of Man)? I am confused between the two positions... God's sovereignty to save and elect, and Man's response to God's invitation to repent and turn from sin.
John Calvin did not get his version of "predestination/election" from the Bible, but he borrowed it from his idol, Augustine. His version of it is identical to Augustine's perversion of it. 1) ....."salvation is freely offered to some while others are barred from access to it." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion - Book 3, Chapter 21, Paragraph 5. 2) "We call predestination God's eternal decree, by which he compacted with himself what he willed to become of each man. For all are not created in equal condition; rather, ETERNAL LIFE IS FORE-ORDAINED FOR SOME, ETERNAL DAMNATION FOR OTHERS." - John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion - Book 3, Chapter 21, Paragraph 5. 3) ..."we say that God once established by his eternal and unchangeable plan those whom he long before determined once for all to receive into SALVATION, and those whom, on the other hand, he would devote to DESTRUCTION...he has barred the door of life to those whom he has given over to damnation." - John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 21, Paragraph 7. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "That owing to one man all pass into condemnation who are born of Adam unless they are born again in Christ, even as He has appointed them to be regenerated, before they die in the body, whom He PREDESTINATED TO EVERLASTING LIFE, as the most merciful bestower of grace; while to those whom He HAS PREDESTINATED TO ETERNAL DEATH, He is also the most righteous awarder of punishment not only on account of the sins which they add in the indulgence of their own will, but also because of their original sin, even if, as in the case of infants, they add nothing thereto. Now this is my definite view on that question, so that the hidden things of God may keep their secret, without impairing my own faith." - Augustine, City of God, On the Soul and its Origin, 4.16. It appears that Calvin's definition and Augustine's definition of "predestination/election" is identical to Islam's belief in FATALISM and also identical to Stoicism's belief in DETERMINISM. Satan has packaged the same thing under different names - "Predestination/Election", "Foreordination", "Fatalism", and "Determinism."
These are verses that explicitly state man’s inability to save himself. With the exercise of man’s free will, all he’s bound to have is damnation. That’s the only destination man has left on his own. Do you disregard total depravity which is a solid biblical doctrine? Show me the verses that support your idea of justification. Yours are philosophies that come from an unregenerate heart. God is sovereign. No one will be saved unless God wills it. Romans 3:11 “there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.” 1 Cor 2:14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” Jer 13:23 “Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.”
Gi Joe Your comment - "Do you disregard total depravity which is a solid biblical doctrine? Show me the verses that support your idea of justification. Yours are philosophies that come from an unregenerate heart. God is sovereign. No one will be saved unless God wills it." My comment - Man is indeed depraved, but not to the extent that Calvinism falsely teaches. Man still has the image of God in him and can still respond to God by believing, otherwise God would not have given the following exhortations: Joshua 24:15 - And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, CHOOSE you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:22 - Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have CHOSEN to serve the Lord.” “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied. The word "chosen" in Joshua 24:22 indicates that man has free will and indicates the action taken by the people as a result of the exhortation given in Joshua 24:15. Deuteronomy 30:19 - 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Again, the word "choose" indicates that God has given us FREE WILL.
Gi Joe Your comment - " Show me the verses that support your idea of justification. Yours are philosophies that come from an unregenerate heart. God is sovereign. No one will be saved unless God wills it." My comment - Your Calvinist understanding of how God saves is based upon the man made presuppositions of John Calvin and his idol Augustine. Genesis 15:6 - Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 5:24 - "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has CROSSED OVER from death to life. Romans 4:2-6 - 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God 3For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Revelation 22:17 - And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And WHOSOEVER WILL, let him take the water of life FREELY. Your assertion that no one can be saved unless God "wills" it does not come from the Bible, but comes from Augustine's perverted interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:4. His perverted teachings on this subject are found in his book, "City of God", On the Predestination of the Saints, Book 1 Chapter 16, and in his book entitled, "Enchiridion" Chapter 103. John Calvin's "theology" was very heavily influenced by Augustine as Calvin idolized him. Augustine was the father of Roman Catholicism. Calvin's obsession with Augustine's teachings is obvious as he quotes Augustine over 400 times in his "institutes of the christian religion".
How do you know for sure that his view (you said philosophies) come from an unregenerate heart, when you, as Paul said, "only know in part"? What is the part that you don't know is actually his correct view? Or what if he is regenerate (born again) or the part he does not know is Calvinism (if it were in fact true)?
Rom 10:17 faith cometh by HEARING and HEARING and HEARING and HEARING the word of God. Remember when you make decision to give your heart to the Lord, you will never FAIL because it is the HOLY SPIRIT telling you.
But spiritually dead men cannot hear, they must first be made alive. God's elect hear the Gospel and respond with faith in Christ. But not all who profess are truly saved, only those who God has first made alive by His Spirit. If our faith saved us, then all who said they had faith would be saved. But Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 that many would call him lord, but he would not recognize him as one of his. The difference is, those God saves, will be true professors and they will grow in spirit, by following God's commands. They will be in agreement with what God says in His word and desire to be sanctified and made holy, by the Holy Spirit of God, who wrote out the bible for us.
@@gordoncrawley58262Ths 2:13: ¹³ But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
If man has been predestined to perish wherefore is God's legal right to punish? Wherefore is sin? For if a man has been predestined to fulfill God's plan and he does so because he has no choice, then therefore whatever sins he does is because God predestined him to do, where is his sin? God therefore becomes the author of sin. So man was created to be what God predestined him to be, he has fulfilled God's plan, then he has obeyed God's will. Where then is man's sin? How can God proclaim a righteous wrath against those who do not obey His commands if He has predestined them not to obey His commands? How can God proclaim to be just when He creates a person to disobey Him, and then punishes that person for doing what he was predestined to do? So why would God predestine a person to love Him which is in essence God loving Himself through that person because that person has no choice? This doctrine of Calvin takes accountability and blame out of man's hands and throws it right into God's lap. If man creates a weapon and uses it to fulfill his plan to kill someone; who is guilty? the man who created the weapon or the weapon itself? In Genesis God says, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil" Does this mean we don't know how to choose between good and evil?
wtom04 All of what you just said stems from a complete lack of understanding of the doctrines of grace. The natural man is a rebel sinner against God, scripture makes that clear. man loves the darkness rather than light because he is fallen, held captive by a love for sin and cannot understand the things of God therefore before man can want God a new nature must be imparted to him. In other words, be born again. But understand that God is the one who overcomes his elects total depravity and makes them responsive to him because they are dead in sins and unresponsive. scripture makes it clear that God chooses his elect people and preserves them and makes others the objects of his judgement to display his power. (which all man deserve to be the objects of his wrath and he's under obligation to save any)
+Theology Matters Man is indeed depraved, BUT not to the extent that Calvinism teaches. Calvinism teaches spiritual annihilation, but the Bible teaches spiritual separation. Man still has the image of God in him and can still respond by willfully believing the gospel. Man still has the image of God in him - Romans 1:19-21: 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; FOR GOD HATH SHEWED IT UNTO THEM. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; SO THAT THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE. 21 Because that, WHEN THEY KNEW GOD, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. The issue is not "total inability". If man was "totally incapable", then God would not have given the following exhortations in Scripture to CHOOSE and to RETURN TO GOD. Joshua 24:15 - And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, CHOOSE you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:22 - Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have CHOSEN to serve the Lord.” “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied. The word "chosen" in Joshua 24:22 indicates that man has free will and indicates the action taken by the people as a result of the exhortation given in Joshua 24:15. Deuteronomy 30:19 - 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Again, the word "choose" indicates that God has given us FREE WILL. Will continue in my next comment.
+Theology Matters The following exhortations by God would not have been given to man if man had no free will and was "incapable" of returning to God. Also, the below passages that have the word "RETURN," that indicates that these people once had a good relationship with God. "Return" in those contexts are exhortations to return back to a former relationship of closeness and fellowship with God. Jeremiah 3:12 - Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, RETURN, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Jeremiah 3:14 - RETURN, O faithless sons,' declares the LORD; 'For I am a master to you, And I will take you one from a city and two from a family, And I will bring you to Zion.' Jeremiah 3:22 - "RETURN, O faithless sons, I will heal your faithlessness." "Behold, we come to You; For You are the LORD our God. Malachi 3:7 - "From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them RETURN TO ME, AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU," says the LORD of hosts. "But you say, 'How shall we return?' Jeremiah 15:19 - Therefore, thus says the LORD, "IF YOU RETURN, THEN I WILL RESTORE YOU-- Before Me you will stand; And if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman. They for their part may turn to you, But as for you, you must not turn to them. Deuteronomy 4:30 - "When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days YOU WILL RETURN TO THE LORD your God and listen to His voice. Isaiah 31:6 - RETURN TO HIM from whom you have deeply defected, O sons of Israel. Isaiah 55:7 - Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; AND LET HIM RETURN TO THE LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. Jeremiah 4:1 - If thou wilt RETURN, O Israel, saith the LORD, RETURN UNTO ME: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. Hosea 6:1 - COME, AND LET US RETURN UNTO THE LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. Hosea 12:6 - THEREFORE TURN THOU TO THY GOD: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually. Hosea 14:1 - O Israel, RETURN UNTO THE LORD THY GOD; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Zechariah 1:3 - Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; TURN YE UNTO ME, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Joel 2:12 - "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "RETURN TO ME with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; Job 22:23 - If thou RETURN to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. Lamentations 3:40 - Let us search and try our ways, and TURN AGAIN to the Lord. 2 Chronicles 15:4 - But when they in their trouble DID TURN UNTO THE LORD GOD of Israel, and sought him, HE WAS FOUND OF THEM. Psalm 78:34 - When He killed them, then they SOUGHT Him, And RETURNED and SEARCHED DILIGENTLY FOR GOD.
+Theology Matters Your other comment - " But understand that God is the one who overcomes his elects total depravity and makes them responsive to him because they are dead in sins and unresponsive. " My comment - The Calvinist teaching of "irresistible grace" does not come from God's Word, but this false concept was originated by Augustine ("St. Augustine") who is also the father of Roman Catholicism whom John Calvin heavily emulated and idolized. Augustine states in "City of God", under "Enchiridion, Chapter 103, "Interpretation of the expression in 1 Tim 2:4: "Who will have all men to be saved." "Accordingly, when we hear and read in Scripture that He "will have all men to be saved," although we know well that all men are not saved, we are not on that account to restrict the omnipotence of God, but are rather to understand the Scripture, "Who will have all men to be saved," as meaning THAT NO MAN IS SAVED UNLESS GOD WILLS HIS SALVATION: not that there is no man whose salvation He does not will, BUT THAT NO MAN IS SAVED APART FROM HIS WILL; AND THAT, THEREFORE, WE SHOULD PRAY HIM TO WILL OUR SALVATION, BECAUSE IF HE WILL IT, IT MUST NECESSARILY BE ACCOMPLISHED." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My comment - In other words, Augustine is saying that no man is saved UNLESS God overcomes the person with "irresistible grace". The Word of God is clear that man can indeed RESIST God. Acts 7:51 - Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always RESIST the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Jonah RESISTED God. The Israelites, God's people were RESISTING God time and again as God continuously addressed them as "stiff necked" people.
John 12:32, "And I, if I am [e]lifted up from the earth, will draw all to Myself.” Note the words "men" and "peoples" were added to the text and not in the original greek. That means ALL are drawn by Jesus
ron jordan Not Only did He know Esau in the womb, He also knew him before the foundation of the World where He declared/ordained him to be the lesser. This passage just confirms what has already been predetermined.
ron jordan When does scripture say God hated Esau? Was it before Esau was born or was it after? Please provide a scripture verse that proves your answer.
Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and *_ye would not!_*
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13. What about that verse is unclear? So many false prophets like this one out there. Be wise people. Be wise.
RC is speaking the truth here. Romans 10:13 is also true. But who can call on the name of the Lord? Dead people? Of course not. Individuals who are dead in sins are incapable of pleasing God. This is what the Bible teaches in multiple places. God commands the human race to believe, to repent, to call upon the Lord, etc., but because of our deadness, nobody can do those things. We're all doomed to eternal damnation apart from the mercy of God. You can't just read Romans 10:13, John 3:16, or other verses without comparing them to everything that the Bible teaches on the subject. For example, compare Romans 10:13 with Isaiah 64:7. The latter teaches that no one calls upon God's name. Nobody will call upon God in a way that is pleasing to God until after God saves them (or is drawing them). In addition, the Bible teaches that salvation is of grace, not works. Clearly, calling upon the Lord is a work.
@@terminat1 Are blind people dead people? The Bible calls lost sinners blind as well. Blind people can do all sorts of stuff. If they were given a chance to receive sight it would be good news and they may accept it, right? Your Bible analogies are lacking here.
Sproul loves to hear himself talk and he doesn't have a clue about salvation.Reformed theology comes straight from hell.sproul,MacArthur hanegraaff etc are all working to send people to hell with their faith-works salvation.These false teachers put more stock in what Calvin believed taught than what Scripture says.
Blind people are dead. People with sight are dead. Everyone is dead in sins before God. This is what the Bible plainly teaches. Individuals who aren't trusting 100% in the mercy of God are trusting in their own works for salvation. That is a bad place to be.
@@terminat1 Non-Calvinists including myself trust 100% in the mercy of God for salvation. Admitting that you cannot save yourself is not the same things as saving yourself. Admitting you can't work for salvation is not a work. Remember Faith vs. Works in the Book of Romans. Placing faith is the opposite of works salvation according to the Bible. That is the whole point of Paul's letter. The Bible doesn't say that blind people are dead. That is just silly and analogies shouldn't be put in a theology blender like that. The Bible uses various analogies to describe the lost condition. Lost people are lost, but when given good news of "The Way" they may admit they are lost and follow the way. Blind people are blind and when given good news of Jesus who can help them see, they are perfectly able to respond to that life-giving truth. Remember Romans 1:16 says the "gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes". If Calvinism were true, it would have to say, "The effectual calling of God is the power that saved to only the elect called arbitrarily before time began". It is very different than the Bible. That is why you should consider how it might be totally wrong. God's word needs to come first. "Dead" in Ephesians doesn't mean corpse-like state. That is obvious from the context and other places where people are called "dead" in the Bible ie. David, Mephibosheth, Prodigal Son etc. Use the Bible to help you interpret the Bible.
John 17, Jesus prays for those whom the Father gave him (Jesus). The ones being prayed for are the elect. Jesus even reiterates and says he prays not for the world, but for those who “The Father” gave him. Jesus’ sacrifice is the only compatible with unconditional election. God bless, I love you all and hope God will open up minds that have a hard time letting God be Himself.
Reading the parable of the "Prodigal Son", which Jesus used to explain Salvation, I wonder why the younger son wasn't "elected" to return, because Jesus explains that the younger son made a freewill decision to return & appeal to his dad's mercy. 🔸Luke 15:18 I WILL get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight"
One verse refutes Calvinism. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, that WHOSOEVER, BELIEVETH in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. First John 2:2 And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. First Timothy 2:4 Who would have all men be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. The Gospel. First Corinthians 15:1-4 That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. When we believe that gospel, and that we can never be condemned again, John 3:18 We are given the seal of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. Ephesians 1:13-14. Galatians 1:7-9 Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let them be accursed. As we said before, so say I again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let them be accursed. RC is a wolf in sheep's clothing according to Matthew 7:15-23. Preaching a false gospel of works salvation. Romans 11:6 Romans 4:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9.
There is no grace in Calvinism, and there is no gospel in Calvinism. And the Jesus of the bible said, all who believe will be saved. John 6:47 John 6:40 Not just the frozen chosen. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVETH.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believe on Him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The gift of God is eternal life when we believe it. The Calvinist says, Yes, it is a free gift, but you have to give up everything you have, take up your cross and follow Jesus, repent of your sins, submit your life to Christ, commit yourself to the Lord, go to church every time the doors are open, give at least 10 percent of all you have or will get, and never sin again. I thought you said it was a free GIFT?
@@jimkraft9445 You said *The Calvinist says, Yes, it is a free gift, but you have to give up everything you have, take up your cross and follow Jesus, repent of your sins, submit your life to Christ, commit yourself to the Lord, go to church every time the doors are open, give at least 10 percent of all you have or will get, and never sin again. I thought you said it was a free GIFT?* - Are you sure you're talking about the Calvinist? I mean, in this video, it's clearly mentioned that salvation is of God's grace, not of works, unconditional.
God told me that everyone has a place in Him if they will just let it happen. According to this, there is none whom He has not predestined. Is there anyone whom God did not know from the very beginning? Or, is it that, after the manner of Lucifer's rebellion, who thought to make a name greater than God's, who thought to make himself something more or better than what God had already created him; that the reason God may not know you when it comes time to give an account to Him is that you did not do the things that already meant for you to be who you are to Him? And how will we do what it already means for us to be who we are to God? We certainly can't depend on ourselves for it! But if we depend on our own works or abilities then we make ourselves to be someone according to it. But we deserve no credit for God doing what He has chosen to do through us! It is no intellectual debate! Are you willing to persevere until death? Do you really love God more than your own life? Will you choose to suffer persecutions for the sake of righteousness and to prefer them over a life of pleasure and ease with sincere joy not counting yourself worthy to even endure them? This is not humanly possible! It must actually be the work of God bringing it to pass! But will you commit yourself to Him for it or will you break off from the vine and join the others in the world who love evil more than good? Let God have His way (but give no place to the devil) and you will prevail. God has not created anybody to destroy them. All things were created by him and for him and through him for his own good pleasure. He takes no pleasure from the destruction of the wicked. The wicked are punished because they fail to bring God pleasure due to the fact that they seek their own pleasure instead. This is not what God created them for. This is what they choose to do in their disobedience.
The BIBLE says that HEAVEN rejoices to see that 1 sinner has repented and turned to GOD. Yet calvanism says God Chooses to withhold his Grace too some children and Condemms them to hell before they are Born an Jesus rejoices In This. Complete non-sense.
It is a difficult truth to wrestle with but it is all over the Bible. The truth is that we could never choose God, we are too depraved. So you may be focusing on the wrong thing, don't focus on the withholding- focus on that he would save anyone of us. Constant treasoners to his throne, yet he has chosen, his choice, his kingdom, his rules. Remember your place.
Marissa i beg to differ with you completely after being a calvanist, and you must not just get stuck with Paul in romans 8,10,11, and if you do some studying you will no be so sure and probably realize its not what you think. We are made in GODS image an that means we have some attributes which we were endowed with. One of them is clear ,god set a tree in the garden so that man can exercise his free will that He was born With.Otherwise why would GOD set that tree!! The Bible says god created man an it was Very Good. How can that be if before we were born We were all Evil! Why Does GOD acts 30-17 command mankind everywhere to REPENT greek Metanoia to change and make a u turn from yourself to God!! Man died Spritually as result of adams sin an we in turn also sin and do the evil,but that does NOT Mean man is tottaly inabled to do any good.We see acts of Heroism all over the world along with the evil. Soldiers sacrifice themselves many times to save there comrades. Yes we cannot in any way be good enuff to save ourselves but we ALL get Grace an THru FAITH we can accept or reject.Scripture says Faith comes by Hearing. So we can hear and perhaps follow and trust in Chrsist.Marrissa why does Jesus grieve at man an say turn, come to me. Jesus also tells the Pharsees i say these things in order that you Might be Saved.And may believed on HIM. gospel of John. Why would GOD say i do not delite in the wicked but ask them and plead with them to turn but many were not WILLING!! oh jerusalem Jesus cries out, how i wish that i could gather you under my wing but you were NOT willing.Over and over god asks man to turn to HIM.
please view this from two former calavnists an they give pro and cons with gentelness and respect. let me know. th-cam.com/video/Yo-MXxd0Nug/w-d-xo.html
Bob Free, you can't equate the emotions of God with the sovereign decree and will of God. God is not like us where His emotions dictates His actions; His emotions are dictated by His other many attributes. And notice the example you gave about heaven rejoicing comes from the parable found in Luke 15. Yet in the parable itself (which is actually three parables) notice Jesus equates someone seeking and finding a lost sheep or a coin with repentance. In the parable, He gives examples of someone seeking something and finding it, but the application is repentance. This goes right in line with election because the Bible says the Lord gives or grants repentance in Acts 5:31, 11:18, and 2 Timothy 2:25. In addition, 2 Corinthians 7:10 says a godly sorrow (sorrow to God) works repentance to salvation, not a worldly sorrow. Yet mankind, in his own sin nature, can only have worldly sorrow. Why? Because Romans 8:5-8 clearly shows that the carnal mind is at enmity (or hostility) against God and no one in the flesh (their nature of sin) can please God. As for the argument about God choosing to withhold grace; God gives sinful mankind common grace every day to live, eat, and even prosper, but sinful mankind is not even thankful. We somehow think sinners deserve God's grace when they actually hate God. Look at this breakdown of the definition of sinful man in the Bible (not my opinion, but the scriptures) Romans 3:10-20 A) There is none righteous B) There is none that understands C) There is no one that seeks after God D) All are unprofitable E) There is none that does good F) They have wicked, deceitful mouths G) They’re murderers H) Their ways are destructive and miserable I) They don’t know the way of peace J) They have no fear of God K) They are all guilty before God L) Nothing they do justifies them before God Ephesians 2:1-3 A) Spiritually dead B) Walking according to the world (which is according to Satan) C) Lusts/desires of the flesh and mind dictate their lives D) Children of disobedience E) Children of wrath Jeremiah 17:9 A) Deceitful heart B) Desperately wicked heart John 15:18-23 A) They hate Christ B) They hate Christians C) They hate God the Father John 3:18-19 A) Condemned already B) Loves darkness instead of light C) Their deeds are evil Romans 8:7-8 A) The carnal mind is at enmity against God (The Greek word for enmity means hostility or opposition) B) Those in the flesh can’t please God (The Greek word for flesh is sarx, which literally means the skin, but in other contexts, as with these verses, means the carnal, human nature) 1 Corinthians 2:4 A) Can’t receive the Spiritual things of God B) Can’t know the Spiritual things of God Romans 1:21 A) They don’t glorify God B) They are not thankful to God C) They are vain in their imaginations D) They have darkened, foolish hearts Proverbs 14:12 A) Man’s ways seem right to him B) The end of man’s ways is death Romans 3:23 A) All have sinned (there is no exception as it pertains to Jew or Gentile) B) All come short of the glory of God We somehow think we're deserving of God's grace but the scriptures show there is no good in us and we will never cry out to God until we have a heart change first. This is the reason God the Father must draw us to Christ (John 6:37-44). Without God choosing us from the foundation of the world in Christ (Ephesians 3:4-5), we would reject Him until our judgment day, which we deserve. I know our human mind think this is unfair, but we should never equate our attributes with God as if we have some sort of freedom in our will to choose something we hate.
You don't have all of the answers or some truth mixed in. please view this th-cam.com/video/P9diyt5UVLU/w-d-xo.html it will go over much in a fair rendition. I left calvanism for the many points you have stated an no doubt I did the right thing. careful exegesis needs to be clarify with key scriptures.
When I came to the reformed faith, from a lifetime of Arminianism, God became to me so much greater, holier, and revered. When God is not completely in control and sovereign over everything - everything, including salvation - then He’s greatly diminished, wringing His hands over the decisions of man.
toOnybrain So what makes you think you are elected for salvation? Just because you have converted to Calvinism doesn’t mean God elected you.
Thank you Toonybrian, Growing up in Romanism, Arminianism is a doctrine failure, hopelessness, and trying to achieve my own salvation, God had his Soverign had on my life , ALL MY LIFE and I knew and always knew Gods hand was on my life. Once God saved me, and I quit saving myself, through Gods word, not a church. I knew that I had been deceived by Romanism and the Truth set me free. I know exactly what you mean, thank you for sharing your testimony
Me too it was just like the Blinders was taken off and now instead of living in fear of dying with an unrepentanted sin (from an sinful thought to murder) before I could repent then I'd go to the same Hell as a drunk on a barstool. I now have peace in my Salvation and am more in awe of my Sovereign God.
Oscar Gold First of all, I want to distance myself from Arminianism and all of its baggage.
I believe in Free Will. God gave us the free will to accept or reject Him. Just like he created Adam and Eve to have the capacity to obey or disobey Him.
Why would an all powerful being in total control create other beings with their own free will? Why would He give up a certain amount of control willingly?
Because He desires authenticity. He wanted Adam and Eve to obey Him on their own. He wants us to choose Him on our own. Obeying and following God without Him forcing us to makes Him honest and fair. It makes our servitude genuine and by our own choice.
I disagree with the theory that mankind is too depraved to decide to follow Christ on his own. I think all of us were born with the law written on our hearts and that we have an inherent knowledge of what is right and wrong.
Mixed in with this is the old sin nature, which does contaminate our desires. We are born into sin. God gave us the free will to choose Him and then He pulls us out of death.
God created a seraphim named Lucifer that rebelled against Him. One third of the angels He created rebelled against Him. He didn’t create robots. He created beings that choose to follow Him because He is worthy. Not because He MAKES them follow.
God is so genius and powerful that He created Creation with the capacity to make mistakes. Computer programmers can assign a variable a RANDOM number. The variable changes value every time the program runs.
The random number can be assigned a number from 0 to 10 or from -100 to 100 or negative billion to positive billion and greater.
Can can operate like this. He chooses random on purpose in order to make something better than robots.
He gave us all an immortal soul with a free will. I’m not saying we are mini gods but we are amazing creations modeled after the Most High. Our immortal souls will be in the presence of God or separated from Him for all eternity.
A truly great God is capable of creating Creation and then letting go enough for Creation to breath on its own. God is not a control freak. A brilliant Creator can create something and let it go but at the same time reserve the right to control it whenever He wants.
Everything is under God’s command at all times but not everything is being actively controlled by Him at all times.
He COULD control all things at all time but He chooses not too. Because He is rational. And He loves us.
@@first99967 I want to follow God and love Jesus but I fail often and feel sorry for myself how do I get out of this :(
I was first introduced to reformed theology through my husband, who I was only dating at the time. It shook me so much that I considered breaking up with him. (Even though we were/are both born again Christian’s) Not until I started reading my Bible for myself and praying for understanding did I realize that I just didn’t want to believe it. I was reading what I wanted to into it because I didn’t want my salvation not to be up to me. If we choose, we’d make the wrong choice every time. How could it be any other way but that He chose us?? And It makes perfect sense that he chooses unconditionally because I certainly would not have been chosen any other way
Amen!
He would never leave important stuff up to blind screwups!
@@iacoponefurio1915 Bravo!
Bet you're glad you know the truth now huh. Love you sister in Christ. Glad your eyes have been opened.
Amen sister. You got that right!
Amen, sister! Same thing happened to me when I was dating my husband. He gifted me a wonderful book for Christmas called A Journey in Grace that really helped me as I wrestled with my understanding. As I read it, we opened the Bible & talked through all my questions. Praise the Lord that my eyes were opened to the truth! God is so good!!
I was a charismatic for years... I started getting into Apologetics by listening to the Bible Answer Man program...from there I got into Frank Turek...then I found James White/ Justin Peters and John Mcarthur...I began learning the doctrines of GRACE.... the doctrine of election CRUSHED my pride and self righteousness!! I THANK GOD that HE OPENED MY EYES!!! The people who are against the doctrine of election ( like Leighton Flowers) NEVER walk through the scriptures and get their understanding from the TEXT...instead they INJECT their OWN opinions into GOD'S WORD....the problem is NEVER with scripture but with men who don't want to bow the knee. Thank GOD for saving us, calling us and keeping us!!!!
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to accept or reject Christ. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” or “elect” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@@jedimasterham2 Did you even watch the video lol
@@outsider427 Yes, I’ve watched this, and many hours of RC’s videos.
@@jedimasterham2 Have you ever read your bibles?
@@jedimasterham2 liar you never watchd the video or read the bible 😂😂😂😂😂
I believe in election because I have experienced it. I have ran from God so many times in life. I run from him every day in all kinds of small ways. But God pursues me, put himself on my mind, softens my heart, and brings me back to himself. I know this isn't my own work. This is supernatural work that I can neve take credit for.
Amen. I wholeheartedly sympathize.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@@jedimasterham2 That you ‘chose’ to not believe it, doesn’t mean it’s not true.
The comments above, I myself and millions of others testify otherwise. Because we rejected God and had *chosen* against Him. But God, without any reason in us, choose to stop us on our way to destruction and miraculously turned our hearts and desires towards Himself.
@@Lena.9 I have no problem with God working in us to help lead us to Christ. However, this idea that God picks individuals before creation to end up in heaven or hell is completely unbiblical, and it is false doctrine.
It turns God into the bad guy, and Jesus into the bad news. That's why we reject this.
@@jedimasterham2 But on what basis does God help lead people and not others?
These videos are the true blessing. R.C. Sproul is one of my favourite pastors-teachers. But we definitely are Christians firstly and then Calvinists. Knowledge is so important, but debating with the Arminian bretheren with love is more important. Greetings from Ukraine (Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian church of Odesa).
I appreciate what you said about being "Christians first and then Calvinists" ;
there are actual Christians within both persuasions; even as there are Christians who have different eschatological interpretations; it doesn't mean that all teachings are correct, but it doesn't automatically disqualify a person of a different persuasion (*that is, in areas that are NOT "core" doctrines) from being truly regenerate or born again.
Beloved you can't be a Christian and a calvinist at the same time. The calvinist doctrine denies the loving nature and essence of God. Can a loving God justifiable send you to hell if he is the one preventing you from coming to faith in him? No. But yet this is the position calvinist take.
@@truth_merchant7839
@Truth_Merchant
@Truth_Merchant
@Truth_Merchant
Without contention and in all earnestness....
You have taken this understanding invertedly.
God is not preventing "you" (as you put it) from Coming to faith in him. Rather, it is the inverted condition of our minds (noetic sin) that is the orientation of how we see things and who we live for that prevents faith in coming to him.
In a sense, we are "condemning ourselves" because of the born noetic orientation that is to Adam's posterity. And yes, God ordains this... But God is NOT preventing people who really love Him (for who He really is) from coming to faith in Him.
The fact that you are stating this invertedly and think you are not ...DEMONSTRATES THE VERY POINT!
This is showing you that you are not thinking correctly. And this proves what you're saying is wrong.
You need to reorient how you're thinking.
You might be saved -and it not hit you yet.
But you need to reread your sentence and see where what you're saying is inverted and incorrect because it is false the way you've got it written.
But this is just precisely how so many people think they believe correctly when they don't.
It's actually gracious for this to be recorded so you can reread and rethink what you're saying under the very video itself that teaches what wrong thinking is and how it is wrong thinking.
Please think harder about this because you're showing it.... right in front of your eyes!
God bless (earnestly)
@@truth_merchant7839 Yes a loving God can send you to Hell. In the same way a loving judge can sentence a criminal to death. It is God's love what dictates that there must be hell, so that no wrong goes unavenged. God owes salvation to no one, he owes wrath for our sin. So if he saves you, he saves you out of mercy, but because he has mercy on one, does not mean it is incumbent on him to have mercy on another
@@thomasnorton2679 Beloved a Holy God can only do holy things. If God is the reason for my sin he can't judge me for it. A good judge does not sentence the innocent or the one who cannot be held responsible for his action. For this reason a cognitively impaired person is judged differently than the average person. If i am spiritual impaired it becomes incumbent on a holy God to provide means of restoration and leave it to the person to choose since love does not force itself on anyone without becoming unloving. The error you are making is assuming that a holy God can act unholy.😔🙏📖♨️⏳
Great 👍 teaching from Dr R C Sproul on Election! I miss this man who has gone to glory!
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@@jedimasterham2the body of Christ is made up of individuals.
@@truth_merchant7839except for the fact that those whose minds are set on the flesh (everyone on the planet prior to conversion) do not and cannot please God (repentance and faith are pleasing to God). We have free will, we just constantly choose sin in thought in deed daily. You need grace to believe, and God loses none of which come (believe) in Him.
@@KnightFelAn analogy to help explain the body of Jesus Christ is, unstoppable body armor against bullets, but bullets are sins, and the impact of the bullets is hell. The body armor saves us from the impact.
Yes, the body of Christ does include believers, but it's significantly more than just that. We see God's word repeated "in Him" and "in Christ," because it's fundamental to salvation.
I’m slowly coming to a true understanding of this doctrine, was still looking for faults and inconsistencies but really there is so much scripture that shows it to be the truth of what it is. As hard as it is to accept and comprehend but also be totally grateful for, God has chosen his people and through the word and spirit we exist with him for eternity. I’m 45 years old and grew up in a reformed religious family and went to church and fell away as a young teen then came back to what I thought was Christianity at 24 years of age in the false Pentecostal/ charismatic style churches for 20 years then last year had an awakening and saw that what I was involved with was false and left. After searching for a good church, I went back to my traditional Anglican roots and have been in a church for 8 months. My mother passed away in April and I believe her to be someone who passed through the narrow gate, I hope so....I have only recently really seen that I am truly God’s and on my way to eternity. Born of the spirit and born again. No more wacky uninterpreted tongues and false prophecy and false teaching, people falling over in fake meetings to please man.
It really is amazing when you can identify yourself as chosen from the beginning to be like his Son our Lord Jesus Christ, adopted as a son to be a brother of Jesus for eternity. To think of yourself to be part of a Kingdom to inherit a coming eternal life. Already PREpared. The whole 1 Peter chapter 1 letter is incredible when you understand the truth it contains. My church is studying 1 Peter at the moment. I think also when you really grasp the significance of being chosen you will live in a way that makes ‘election sure’. You will aim to live in a way that pleases Christ, obedient to him. We were chosen to be obedient to Christ, amazing! The only problem I thought of though was that once people realise they are chosen they can then relax and not be so worried about the self-control of oneself as it doesn’t matter anymore because their names are written in the book of life. Then I answered my own question with well if their life isn’t obedient to Christ or at least trying then no sanctification is going on because they were not chosen perhaps. Regeneration and sanctification happens in God’s time also as I have seen this happen in myself as I evaluate my strange path of Christianity so far. God has brought me to where I am over 45 years from a natural birth into a Christian family, but in reality you can have a Christian upbringing but it is God who chooses. Understanding Predestination makes understanding that self proclaimed Christians who were not born of the spirit were never a Christian in the first place, they will enter through the wide gate and Jesus won’t know them because they were not chosen. By their fruits you will distinguish those who are born again of the spirit. This is hard for me now seeing who is real and who isn’t, I feel as though I can now see who is and who isn’t going to be in eternity, including my family....It is hard to comprehend that no matter how much we might want someone to be born of the spirit and be with us in eternity, it’s not our choice. If this is the case, does this mean our prayers for those people who think themselves as saved but from what you can discern of them, seem not, ever be answered? I guess it’s wrong to judge but the whole fruit bearing thing just shows people for who they really are...People caught up in false movements who are good people that are deceived and don’t really see the truth, are they just not called and elected? We can only pray and if they are one of God’s elect he will wake them up like myself eventually. Amazing grace takes on another meaning when you REALLY comprehend being selected to be included along with Christ. I hope this might be helpful or encouraging for someone. Who knows, maybe someone reading this will be a chosen brother or sister in Christ that I will meet in the Kingdom to come. We didn’t choose our own birth and we don’t choose our own spiritual birth and place for eternity, when you ponder on that......
@Victorious Spirit Those who God has chosen still needed to be awakened to the truth by hearing the Gospel message, which is basically the command to repent from sin, that is to stop living a sinful life and turn to Jesus Christ and live in a way which abides in the original laws of God (10 Commandments) and believe in him as our God and saviour. Acts 2:38-39 is still relevant today and everyday until Jesus returns. This offer of eternal life is either accepted or rejected, those who accept the message and live in obedience to Jesus Christ are obviously the chosen. Many will claim to be Christian but only those who live in obedience really are the ones who will receive salvation.
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away -all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
Acts 2 vs 38-39 NLT
When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
Acts 11 vs 18 NLT
*Note: 'The privilege'- chosen to fathom the need for, and also be capable of, repentance in order to receive the gift of salvation for an eternal life. The alternative is the second death of hell.
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Ephesians 1:4-5, 11 NLT
Regarding:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
The Apostle Peter is writing to Christians, look at who these letters are addressed to at the beginning of 1&2 Peter.
'Any should perish' would be referring to a Christian who is going astray and going back to a sinful life and not living in repentance and obedience to Christ, a Christlike life, holy, blameless. A Christian is not free from the sin they are born with but with the help of the Holy Spirit, aims to live according to Gods expectations (10 commandments). Jesus says, if you love me keep my commandments.
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord . Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? “But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord . Repent and live!
Ezekiel 18:23-24, 32 NIV
@Victorious Spirit Why bother sharing the gospel?
First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.
Acts 26:20 NIV
20 years as an adult pretending to speak in unknown languages… and now the theological doctrine you believe is true now makes you feel like you were preselected over others to be in the kingdom? You know what the symptoms of schizophrenia are?
@Iron Sword
Yes.
Are you a man or woman of God who understands and believes in what Jesus has asked of us in order for a place in his Kingdom?
It doesn't matter what brand of Christianity someone is involved with, it all gets exposed and judged in the end, specifically though, some brands seem obviously more geared to being wrong than others. Reformed vs Catholic vs False (deformed).
The whole pentecostal/ charismatic faith and their offshoot cults, sects and false movements are all brainwashed by false teachers. Both scenarios are the same; the small groups of devoted false converts in their rented halls and schools, and the huge congregations in the mega churches of thousands of people being entertained with useless preaching and music. The social aspect it brings binds them altogether in false 'Christian Fellowship'. Unfortunately they don't read their bibles and realise they are being manipulated of their money, time and eternal destiny. The pentecostal movement has only been around for 120 odd years. Worldwide they are only deceiving the masses. Mind control over ignorant people who don't know the truth.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
2 Peter 2:3 NIV
These verses of scripture below describe these fake movements who are infiltrating the world. It is the whole wheat and tares parable on display. The true and the false. An empty Gospel void of the message of salvation by repentance and belief in Jesus Christ alone. Plenty of people claim to know Jesus Christ but those the Father has chosen in the beginning to be his through his foreknowlege have repented of sin and will live in obedience to him.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
Galatians 1:6-9 NIV
One thing that is evident in a false church is the lack of acknowledging sin and that repentance is required for the forgiveness of sins. How is a big wig false teacher, who is more than likely a multi-millionaire living in luxury, or one of his brainwashed disciples wanting the same in life, going to be able to teach his congregation on repentance from the patterns of Greed in this world?
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a person is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Ephesians 5:5-6 NIV
False teaching breeds more false teaching and false thinking and false understanding and so on and so on....Just look at the deceiving and false movements like hillsong, bethel, elevation, potter's house, joel osteen disciples, joyce meyer etc, the list goes on. $$$$
They don't preach 'Repentance for the forgiveness of sins.' They preach a distorted version of the bible, abundance and success for this life in this world, no mention of the wrath of God and the coming punishment of the second death.....These people are OBVIOUSLY NOT chosen or elected for the real abundant life, an ongoing everlasting life in the Kingdom of God which has already been prepared for those he chose, those who repented and believed in Jesus Christ....
Jesus said these words below about repentance, which is the TRUE Gospel message. You can tell the difference from a false church and also a false Christian by the fruit they bear in life...
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Luke 13:3 NIV
He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke 24:46-47 NIV
*Repentance isn't a prayer when feeling guilt or remorseful for sin in life, it is a changed way of life towards God and his expectations outlined through his word, his commands....It is a decision that either does show or doesn't show the commitment of dying to sin and the sinful ways of life, the pattern of the world. Someone who has been chosen by God is born again by the work of the Holy Spirit and their life will show this, it bears good fruit as the word of God puts it. The gospel message came to fruition in that person's life.
First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.
Acts 26:20 NIV
Hello can I ask is it possible for God's chosen to perish before being regenerated? And in Ezekiel God said He does not delight in the death of the wicked but all come to repentance, was he talking to saved people?... Does it apply to the unsaved, we have a choice to live or die? Or does God determine that?
All i know is , that i was once blind and now
i see . Thank you Abba Father God for
sending Lord Jesus , your only begotten
Son , that whosoever believeth in him should
not parish , but have everlasting life .
God bless you John in the Mighty Name of the LORD Jesus Christ 🙏🏽
That‘s wonderful, that the Grace of God found you! Prais be to him!
This simple Fatih is Heart warming if indeed it is the Work of God!
But let us remeber that there was a Time of great darkness, where the Gospel wasn‘t the Gospel but „Do this and that and maybe one day after purification in pregatory you Will be in Heaven“. A time where The death of Christ, was „a merit“ the greatest of course! But not enough for salvation by true Fatih“.
Let us prais the Lord that he send godly men, that studied the Word and preached it, even with the fear of death they preached it, because the Spirit of God was moving them for His Glory 🙏🏽🕊❤️✝️
Let us Therefore not be ignorant and prais the Lord, that he keep his promiss of the Great comandment. That still today he is saving sinner. And i prais him for that, because I‘m one of these siner which where found by the Grace trough my Good Shepherd, My Lord and God Jesus Christ 🙏🏽❤️🕊
The purest gospel you ever heard...Amen
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
@Truth_Merchant, idk man romans 9 is pretty clear. Election is obviously presented in scripture multiple times. Gods sovereign choice is plainly illustrated. God elects everything he does. Yes, yes, God desires all to come to repentance, he takes no pleasure in the condemnation of the wicked.. I don't know how these paradoxical things work. The Bible has a lot of things that are paradoxical. How does the doctrine of the trinity work? One God, three persons? Doesn't make sense to our limited human reasoning or limited human experience. I think the will and emotional life of God combined with his unlimited power is far beyond what we can possibly understand. But it will all make sense for us one day. The bottom line is that we must look to God's loving heart because this is what's revealed about him, but have reverence for his will and his choices above our own. We gotta be humble and not make God out to be a monster. Because he isn't. We are the monsters and all are guilty. God dispenses either justice or mercy. All of use deserve hell but God in his mercy allows some to be saved. He gives the wicked what they want - eternity separate from God. And he give the elect what they want - salvation because of their renewed hearts. I have no ego staked in this argument bro. Scripture is what scripture is. God is who he is. No getting around it.
@@smokingcrab2290 Beloved God is not the author of confusion. By your own admission you recognize that the calvinistics systematic is illogical. Its not enough to say its beyond our capacity to understand when we have the answer in scripture. Your use of the Trinity to justify an adoption of a irrational position is disappointing, when there is nothing complicated about it. If 7 billion persons can share the same nature why can't three. Even at the individual level we are body soul and spirit three in one. Are your conclusions of Romans 9 as a result of presuppositions or do you examine the context of the chapter in which Paul pulls verses from the old testament into it to establish is points. Have you visited these verses in the old testament and determined the context in which they were uttered at that time? What those verses meant then remains the same in the time of Paul and in our time as well. The biblical God is not just almighty but all holy. He cannot deny his nature or be a respecter of men and remain holy. God cannot be holy if he predetermined from eternity past to disable a persons ability to have faith and then condemn them to eternal separation for the absence of faith. In reality no one wants to go to hell. A more realistic perspective is that everyone wants heaven but few are prepared to do what it takes to get there. Think on these things my friend. Grace mercy of peace
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@@truth_merchant7839 True and the cross hardly gets a mention with the Calvinists its completely negated.
Finally, I understand! Praise God, all glory to Him in 3 persons. I miss R. C. actually being here.
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours." John 17:6-9
Why did you stop at verse 9?
Have you ever read the whole chapter before?
JOHN 17:20
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
I never liked Jesus because you reap what you sow by God God allows things to happen God can do whatever he wants he's God look at he's wiping out everyone your faith should only ly with your creator and judgement
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@@jedimasterham2God gave us Free Agency, but many confuse that with Free Will.
@@intoreality1189 We do have free will, and I would tell you to please stop confusing people with Calvinist cult beliefs.
The Dr election breaks our pride, pride of being a simple human leads to wanting to do something to / for God, a.k.a. commitment, look at my free will to know God, versus being submitting to God, FOR HIM TO BE LORD, SAVIOR AND PROVIDER ALL TO HIS GLORY, SDG, and all to me HUMBLY NEEDING HIM IN ALLTHINGS!!
Grace upon Grace in JC
To hold to the belief that God looked down through time to LEARN who will accept His Son,and then chooses them,would change scripture to say,WE LOVED HIM FIRST,THATS WHY HE LOVED US.
Such a good point. Thank you. The Bible certainly doesn't teach that.
Yes. To suggest that God had to look down through time implies that he didn’t know on his own but had to look ahead for the answer.
THANK GOD FOR HIS GRACE TOWARD MANKIND AND THE GIFT OF GOD -
Thank you for bringing this beautiful explanation of being born again by the Holy Spirit
This is the main reason why “the Gospel is an offence” to a natural mind. It was on this stone my kinsmen according to flesh have stumbled and still do. Please pray that the Father wills have mercy on my family and draw them to Yeshua. Your brother in Messiah, Albert Israeli
Yes amen
This is the best explanation and teaching of this difficult doctrine I've ever heard. Oh, the love of God -- and His grace, His unmerited favor -- how rich and pure! All praise, glory and honor to our God and King through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen to the Sovereign will and Grace of God🙏
I had this question as a kid and my parents and pastor just brushed it off. By Gods sovereign grace He was calling me to Him so long ago
I like it when RC Sproul said this concerning unconditional election: "You need to teach what the bible says, not what you would like it to say". Election is clearly in the bible whether we like it or not. Salvation is a gift to those people whom God freely chooses to bestow upon them. How blessed are those the Father has chosen. When you think about it, Jesus bore an eternal punishment for each and every one of them. Now that is true love.
How do you reconcile all of the scriptures that say Christ died for all and Whomever Repents and Believes will Not perish but have everlasting life?
@dan-lansingmi9169 I agree. This is without doubt the most difficult thing to understand. God definitely chooses who will be saved, namely his elect to whom he grants faith. But everyone is responsible for believing or not believing. Hard to grasp. This is one of the main reasons I don't believe Christianity was "made up by men".
Rom 9:15 is taking about God’s mercy and compassion. God’s grace through Jesus Christ is our salvation, two different things.
Jesus himself said NO man can come to Him unless the Father draw him and he will raise him the last day.
This was before the cross .
@@MrBazinthenow Most was before the cross.
@@yordanvidenov6554 Yes like noah being told to build an Ark . All I'm saying is that verse is saying before the cross that men ' can come ' so they ' can ' . But not unless the Father draws them. It doesn't say how he does this . But we know that people could come and they who followed moses ect were the ones who recognised the shepherd. But look at john 12 , 32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL men unto me.
. So now if your saying that the all those that are drawn by father are the secret elect ones who are awakened , irresistibly dragged to come and are forced to believe . Then are you saying that Jesus has drawn all men and all men will be saved ?
Lord Jesus also said that after the cross, He will draw (same word as in John 6:44) ALL men to Him. John 12:32.
@@TheKnowledgeOfTheTruth Well it is sure that ALL will be drown but in the Greek text it is mentioned just the word ALL without "men/people". We need other text with similar theme to get what is happening.
It sounds funny at first but ALL does not mean "literally everyone in the planet" every time we use it. My mom frequently said that when we prepare a meal there should be enough for ALL. I didn't question weather that means literally everyone or just the people who were going to have the meal.
In a similar fashion if we look at John 12:32 in the context of John 11:50-52, it seems probable to me that ALL means the children of God of all sorts, both Jews and Gentiles.
God has saved me by his grace through my faith in his only son, Jesus Christ.
RIP RC... I was fortunate to have met you. I know you are in the arms of God! Your teaching o truth will live on.
If you're blessed by this, please share it, for those who need it the most.
God bless.
th-cam.com/video/r9U6fccu1vM/w-d-xo.html
Rip Sproul
I find it interesting how when trying to reason with Catholics regarding scripture that it is a lot like dealing with mormons. Christ plus, added books, twisting scripture to justify things in ways you could never come up with on your own by reading. I am so thankful God delivered me from that false Church to the true body of Christ.
I know, I hear it from my dear mom. Its hard for Mexican catholics because this religion is the heart of Mexican tradition. 😢 Im a follower of Jesus Christ, Yeshua. And I was saved in Dec. 2018, im so happy im not of this world anymore. Its hard but we have to keep our faith and path towards the Kingdom of God.
@@virginiasanchez4614 Amen Sister : )
The Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church believe in Justification by faith alone (the Gospel) and Sanctification - staying justified through good works or fruit. Jesus is the narrow gate and Jesus instructed us to be saved to do the will of the Father and to keep His (Jesus) sayings.
"But there are not a few who would be indignant at having their belief in God questioned, who yet seem greatly to fear imagining Him better than He is."
- George MacDonald
George MacDonald is THE MAN
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday , today and tomorrow. Forever.
Beautiful Biblical message on unconditional election.
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
January 6th, 1972 the invatation was made and I said yes. I heard the gospel for the first time and l knew it was true. Jesus the Son of God died for my sinner. God commanded light to shine in my heart and it's never been the same. He has kept me by his grace.
What a wonderful lecture!
I love R.C.
The anticipated objection and response by Paul is such a brilliant observation by R.C.
What makes it "brilliant"? Such a "radical" position should be anticipated by many who believe God is "Love and Loves all"
The hardened Jew is the interlocutor Paul is addressing in Romans 9.
Of course the Jew would be choked as he assumed only Abraham’s physical descendants could share in God’s blessings and not the rest of the world!
But who was he to say that salvation was only for them?
Paul was explaining that GOD COULD CHOOSE WHOEVER HE WANTS and that His purpose all along was INCLUSION of the Gentiles not exclusion.
The hardened Jew took offense to this.
Paul is telling Him God can have mercy on whoever He wants and who is he to question God!
And ironically the reformers of today think salvation is only for them.
The hardened Jew in Romans 9 has the same issue with God that He chose to have mercy and offer salvation to all.
Calvinists are 21st century Pharisees contending for the same thing the Jews did 2000 years ago who thought salvation was only to the elect nation of Israel.
Paul was not grieved that some weren’t chosen but that they were stumbling over faith trying to obtain it by works.
@@apilkey Your view of the reformers doesn't have a leg to stand on.
Phil Walker It has the BIBLE to stand on which is all I need.
Reformed theology is a false Gospel which stands on sinking sand and not the solid rock of Christ and His Word.
Aaron Pilkey “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath-prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory- even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?”
Romans 9:16-24 NIV. You cherry picked the chapter and didn’t view the rest. Exegete the rest of the passage. It is talking about God’s sovereign choice.... not over nations, but individuals. Why would Paul talk corporately about the salvation of every nation and then break down into the leaders of said nations? Either way you slice it, it goes to individuals receiving mercy, or hardening. I agree, Paul is showing hardened Israel that they are not the only ones that will receive mercy. But that does not mean that every single man will be able to receive salvation or mercy. God’s sovereign choice over nations, and individuals.
Beautiful conclusion. The unspeakable mercy and grace of God.
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
@@truth_merchant7839 wrong
You have no idea what love is and you are incapable of judging God arrogant cult fake.
YHVH hates those who hate Him and repays them to their face what they deserve and destroys them.
@@iacoponefurio1915 Beloved, before we loved God he loved us. God did not wait on us to love him: 1 John 4:10 (KJV) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
😔🙏📖⏳♨️
If God elected on any other basis than the good pleasure of His will then His choice is determined by people. Either God is primary, ie, the first cause, in salvation, or man is primary. The Bible clearly teaches that God is the Author, the primary cause, not man.
Amen
@Curt Christensen I agree that's also the doctrine of the elect... He chooses those whom he saves!
@@minisight2000 then tell me why God told me we can loose the Holy Spirit.
@Curt Christensen it's mutual
@@jeffouellette9946 the Bible says we can't. If u believe u could that means u don't read the Bible and 2 u don't know the gospel... The Bible says when u receive the holy ghost ITS SEALED..
Amen. Thanks God for showing yorself to us.
Jesus loves you all and is coming soon! ❤️ if you haven’t repented and turned from sin and accepted Jesus as Savior believing He died and rose again for you, today is perfect and scripture says that today is the day of salvation!!
Rebecca have you repented 100%.. attained sinless perfection? 1 cor 15 1-6. Faith alone. Repentance will happen, repentance dosen't save you. Carefull what you say.
@@kenkelble358 Yes repentance only shows us how filthy we are and that we need God to change our filthy hearts in order to enter his heavenly kingdom to come.
Jesus said Repentance and Forgiveness of sins be preached to people.
This is the message John the Baptist came preaching,unless you repent and believe the gospel ,you will not be saved. He told people to believe in the one coming after him referring to Jesus Christ.
@@davidochieng2975 GRACE TO YOU DAVID. REPENTANCE IS HOURLY DAILY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
@@kenkelble358 Amen
Even so come!
Salvation through "Faith in Jesus Christ" is not a reward for the Righteous, it is a gift to the guilty, for we have all fallen short of the Glory of God. Faith in Christ and the Salvation that results are both gifts from God. God bless everybody in finding the truth. Jesus is truly God the Son.
Another wonderful, clear, and well reasoned exposition of God’s Holy Word!
O my dear, sweet Brother Sproul! Oh how I wished you kept reading through at least chapter 11, and read through them as deeply and as fervently as you did chapter 9! How I pray that every Calvinist and Arminian would do the same. Brother Sproul may you be blessed and at peace in Heaven!
Love this comment! Bless you!
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@@jedimasterham2 I agree with you. God chose Jesus on behalf of all humanity! Everyone is invited
Titus 2:11 "The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to ALL men."
Mike read the Greek. The word “all” is translated in the Greek as “óla” which is interpreted as “many”
@@jonathanestrada1859 In Titus 2:11 The gk word translated "all" is "pas" word number 3956. It means all and includes every person.
Mike does it actually? Because if I’m wrong then that could be huge. I’ll look at it again thanks brother.
pas is used thousands of times throughout the New Testament, both in respect to the parties gathered and in a totally inclusive way. Matthew 2:3 is a prime example of pas being used to speak of a group of religious leaders, but is mentioned as all Jerusalem. The entire council of scripture must be taken into account in the formation of doctrine. Acts 2:21 and 2:39 both use the word pas in regards to whom will be saved. We must take into account all of scripture for sound doctrine! And that is only 4 passages that pas is used.
@@HollowHeartMedia all Jerusalem and all the chief priests. All men etc. The grèek dictionary says pas is inclusive of everyone in a group spoken of. Grace has appeared to ALL men. No human being is left out. All have an opportunity to be saved.
I reject the reformed Calvinist theology.
I confess to having a hard time with this one - and I'm very sympathetic to Reformed theology ( and I love RC Sproul's work! ). I just can't get my head around a loving God creating souls for eternal damnation. The ramifications are enormous: HE chose YOU for Eternal Life but your mother/ wife or whoever for eternal damnation - just because.
You dont know God.
You must be born again and read the bible. Its thru the whole thing. You are at war with reality. We all were😮😢
He is not mickey mouse the Disneyland western feelgood cult masquerading as Christianity 😢
@@samniumspyder Be careful with statements like this. You have no idea if this person has been saved or not by his statement. In your own statement you added to the Gospel, much like the Judaizers added the circumcision. I'll take this statement to mean you weren't careful when you said you must read the Bible.
@@samniumspyder be careful with what u are saying, nothing in his answer indicates that he is not saved, its very hard for the majority of people to understand this, thats the reason R.C. held this sermon and thats the reason this is a big debate. imagine when u were young you and your brother did something wrong and you will be punished for that thing but your brother will be pardoned, you would feel treated unfairly because you weren't treated equally.This is a comparison that is human and not 1:1 transferable to God's election, but it illustrates why it may feel unfair to us
@@HowNow🤡 no one needs to be careful to promote lies like you. you have no idea what salvation is apparently you are on the side of mans self righteousness and against God. you are also evil
To say God is not in control is to say He's not God!
These opponents are atheists they themselves in their self righteousness are their own god
The Lord God is perfect in everyway. "There is no darkness in him at all". We are all saved through grace.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
@jedimasterham2 In a way, I really hope you are right. But in the end, I know you're not.
@@friendyadvice2238 It’s not that I’m right. Scripture does NOT support this idea of “unconditional election.” This idea is based on a misunderstanding. “Elect” doesn’t mean God picks individuals to be saved before creation. It means God picks anyone who choose to believe in Jesus for heaven. Big difference.
We can know this is accurate, because m God’s own word says he loves the world, and wants all people saved, and that anyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life. Scripture in no way tells us God pick people for heaven and hell prior to creation. One example that confirms anyone can be saved if they choose to believed.
1 Timothy 4:10
“We have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”
@@jedimasterham2 then it's not Election!! God is reacting to people's choice, so it is a doctrine of Divine Reaction. The Bible doesn't say this.
@@friendyadvice2238 No, it’s still election. Being sovereign, God set up freewill, made salvation possible for every person, and set a condition to salvation, which is repentance and belief.
This comes from scripture.
God is fair and just.
If God can elect anyone He wants to why not elected everyone?
@@rogofe0964Romans 9:19-26
@@rogofe0964self righteous narcissist evildoer..
mankind is desperately wicked..why would he elect anyone?
that's the right question arrogant narcissist you have zero self awareness or connection to reality 😢
I like the idea of God's purpose. God's elects were handpicked for a service needed for God's purpose even from the dawn of time.
The elects are for the purpose and the sinners are for salvation.
Great lecture RC, thank you.
You are clueless
He made all souls and all personalities simpleton. He designed all as they are and will be. You puny mindless mope
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
Preach RC. Preach.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
God brings us back alive from being dead in tresspasses and sin in Christ, just as Christ came back alive when He was resurrected.
Excellence in explaining the 2 point of the 5 points of Calvinism.
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
@@truth_merchant7839 you must have not watched the video. Sproul brings up your exact point and shows how the scripture itself refutes it
@@bufflegend he never watches just makes up ridiculous lies with fity million fske profiles and like his own insane comments haha. They don't read the bible either them claim it says the opposite of what it says
@@truth_merchant7839 watch the video carefully. He clearly answers your question.
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
Well said RC!
This perspective total denies the nature of a loving God who would have all men to be saved. Mr. Sproul neglects to acknowledge that the verse about Esau and Jocob in Romans was a quotation by Paul from Malichi 1: 1-3 hundreds of years after the lifetime of Jacob and Esau. The context here is the Kingdom of Esau(Edomites) which was established after his death which treated the decendants of Jocab as enemies although they were family which displeased God. This is why Esau's decendants were under condemnation by God. The hatred for Esau is not at the individual level or in the life time of Esau but rather at the level of a nation/Kingdom that Esau's decendants built. So God did not arbitrarily hate the decendants of Esau from eternity past but rather their abuse of their freewill choices in time and space were judged by God.
@@truth_merchant7839 it might not have been in the video, but brother you are barking up the wrong tree. Romans 9:13-15 are a staple of unconditional election.
v11: for though the twins were not yet born and not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls
v15: For He says to Moses: I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.
v18: So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom he desires.
You can consider both Pharaoh and Edomites as God's choice to harden, as He desires. What i'm curious about is how you got to v13 but skipped v11 and v15 surrounding it. I mean honestly.... do you just blot out the scripture that doesn't work for you out of your mind completely?
I think a lot of times we try to express using human language what our spirit understands about God. God's word is not contradictory, however, the human mind cannot fully comprehend the ways of God. Therefore, it seems to our minds that God's word contradicts itself. For example, when God told King Hezekiah that he would surely die and not recover it seemed the end. Yet, King Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and received additional 15 years. I think it's important to understand that we cannot explain all the ways of God. The same Jesus who said no man can come to me unless my Father in Heaven draws him to me is also the same Jesus who said whosoever come, let him come. So, as believers we need to learn how to hear from God in our spirit man and once our spirit man understands God's truth then it will no longer looks contradictory. Romans chapter 9 was not part of the Bible that I frequently went to when I was a baby Christ follower. After walking with the Lord over 20 years I now have no fear of Romans chapter nine because God has revealed it to me and my spirit man gets it even though my brain cannot explain it. Thank you Father.
What did you look at as a baby Christian?
Praise God!
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
I really like Romans in the bible. And so many Christians believe God loves EVERYONE! If He loves everyone than why is the road leading to hell so broad and many will go there?!? While the path to heaven is narrow and few will find it................that says so much! I also wish more pastors would preach on being born again!! Jesus specifies this to Nicodemus that we MUST be born again of water and SPIRIT! Too many people think and act with their human minds and unregenerate hearts, when we need the Holy Spirit to take over from an act of God. God chooses us, we don't choose God
GOD doesnt love EVERYBODY. Its hard for people to accept the fact God doesnr love everybody. God loves his chosen ones more...others...we are at the mercy and just hope we are luckly enough to attact Gods favour.
True...if i were a pastor actually the theme of my sermon will be salvation, repentance and heaven and hell...thats all that matters. It's interesting because some of those rejected by God due to certain could actually do far greater things for God if given the chance. but they are not.
@@defcon1africa676 What a lot of blasphemic nonsense 😄 I've never heard of anything more ridiculous. Pure pride at work
Seek love, joy, peace, kindness, patience and be not envious .
There is no such thing as “unconditional election.” God gave us freewill to choose. People misunderstand that God’s word “chosen” doesn’t mean individuals. It refers generally to the church, or the body of Christ, which is open to any person to join.
I must say. I find it interesting people are arguing about what God does is fair or not. So to be honest free will and election are entirely possible congruently dependent on your perspective. I know our God operates outside of time and space. He is Alpha and omega. That being said he already knows “foreknows” what and who are going to be save and who won’t. Is that fair? Yes. Does that mean it’s already determined? Yes. In our lives today to we have a choice to make to accept him? Yes. I find it kind of arrogant of us to believe we can come into know such a great God at all and say what he does is fair or not. His ways aren’t our ways. Every time I think I know I can say how he works I don’t. He is not in my realm of comprehension. That’s the beauty of this theology. To be quite honest as I always thought growing up in church I was like how we teach god is so... cut and dry. He does things justly and rightly but he also knows everything. If he is sovereign he can’t be wrong and he has deemed these things of his OWN glory and accord. I’m grateful to even be alive and even more so to come into knowing him. I don’t want to say I’m an elect because that implies I know what God is going to judge me but I do know I want to be with him and for the rest of my days he’ll bring others to know him. Let’s not argue guess it’s silly. Just think about how God is so great who can know how this all works? I love you guys. Hope you all find peace in whatever you’re sticking to and spread the gospel. Whatever we do though we as brothers and sisters in Christ let’s not discourage one another. That’s working against ourselves and we all have work to do. Also I don’t know anything so I can’t debate my point. I’m just trying to better understand some viewpoints I’ve held for while and trying to learn more. Have a good day. 😊
Putting faith and trust in Chrrist is not a condition to justification---it is a manifestation of eternal election. God justifies.
Thank you!
Tough message but it is the Word of God. We either trust it fully or not at all.
Basically the Father grants a pardon to whom He wills ... Those who refuse to accept this Biblical truth reject the Supreme sovereignty of God ..
@Curt Christensen then if that is the case then blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not accepting the Holy Spirit to work in a person's life. God told me again again I tell people that we could lose the Holy Spirit. Why? Living in sin. Living in sin is wickedness. Salvation isn't granted to the wicked. Psalms 119:155. That's the way God showed me that scripture is.
It’s all about grace
Curt: "All" is based on the context. ALL that the Father giveth Me (Christ) shall come to Me (John 6:37). Why do you assume that "all" means every last human who would ever live? That's not biblical.
Jeff: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is clearly spelled out in Mark 3:28-30. It's believing that Christ was powered by the devil, and not God.
Everyone is a sinner before salvation. Everyone is dead in sins; everyone is wicked in God's eyes. If you believe that you are saved, and you also believe that God only saves those who are "good," then you essentially believe that God saved you because you met some standard of holiness. But that is not biblical. We're not saved based on anything of ourselves---if we were, we could boast, but boasting is not allowed in salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10).
A truly saved person cannot lose his salvation. Salvation means that all of a person's sins have been paid for. What possible future sin could make them lose their salvation? This is a complete misunderstanding of what salvation is. Salvation is not doing something or reaching some level of holiness, and then maintaining that level of holiness until the end of one's life. Salvation is about God having undeserved mercy on a person. With salvation, there will be a new desire to obey God, but falling into sin cannot threaten a truly saved person's relationship with God. If it could, then our salvation would be one based on works, not on grace.
terminat1 amen
Jesus said:
John 17:9 ►
“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.
"those YOU have given me" = Those whom The God Head Council, chose; or ELECTED, to be found in Christ.
Thank you
The Bible says that God wants all men to be saved, and that He does not desire the death of the wicked. What are we to make of this?
Isolating verses shows that you don't exegete the scriptures. Apply yourself.
Please could you pray for myfamily to get this important truth... I get it because of God's mercy...😑🙏
Well said, R.C.
So so good!
The un - elect and the elect both continue to sin the bible teaches when judgement comes those sinners called to Christ will be covered by his blood and god will not judge those for their sins , so belief in the total atonement of Christ's intercession is the way not to be judged ,it doesn't mean the elect become sinless . When you are called the propensity to sin dies down in you and you want to follow the teachings of the bible ,you start to bear fruit , what I mean is ..you have experience more love for the world and people , you don't get angry about things that you once did , your a better son a better dad and so on .... this is called regeneration which happens after your calling ( election ) you never achieve a sinless state ever ! trust me on that ,but you strive for it out of respect for god and his mercy . You don't know why because logic and common sense teaches us based on what we know in the world today and shows us God cant be true. so you can see it is not a conscious decision to believe in something you once didn't . On the other side of the coin it is a beautiful fact that those who don't believe the word of god and his message and callings don't really care what it says ! as they feel it is fiction ! they view believers as deluded and fair enough why not ? the word has not been made clear to them as absolute truth, no man can decide this on his own . True non believers are not afraid of a fictional judgement . So its a perfect marriage of believers and non believers . God in his infinite grace can show mercy where he pleases or not at all .
Your just a once saved believer. That's it. A backsiden hypocrite.
Amen
@@jeffouellette9946 Once saved always saved. You and I sin everday, So if we lost our salvation everytime we sinned then Christ would have to be crucified everyday over and over. What makes you think that you can control your own salvation?
Do you have a formula? Is it after 10 sins that you lose your salvation? 15? 20? 100?
Which Bible verse is it that says how many?
Wonderful
Amen❤
Apostle paul a chosen vessel
The Reformed views on the TULIP is 100% biblical either you get it or you don't it there interwoven in scripture as a thread from Gen-Rev.
+Shaun Ince The "Reformed" view on the TULIP did not come from God's Word, but spawned from Augustine who is also the father of Roman Catholicism. All 5 points of the TULIP can be found in Augustine's "City of God" book of false teachings. All 5 points of the TULIP are false as Scripture refutes each point.
1) TOTAL DEPRAVITY IS THE FIRST LIE OF CALVINISM.
God's Word does teach that man is depraved, BUT not to the extent that Calvinism teaches. Calvinism teaches spiritual annihilation, but the Bible teaches SPIRITUAL SEPARATION. Man still has the image of God in him and can still respond to God by BELIEVING the Gospel. Man is aware of the existence of God:
Romans 1:19-21 - 19 since what may be known about God IS PLAIN TO THEM, because God has made it PLAIN TO THEM. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE. 21 For although THEY KNEW GOD, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Calvinism falsely teaches that man cannot and is incapable of coming and believing in God, and that "faith" comes directly from God on a person and bypasses the preacher. Calvinism puts the cart before the horse falsely claiming that "regeneration precedes faith". Calvinism also falsely teaches that people are saved monergistically making man a predestined puppet. The Bible teaches that people are saved synergistically. The Calvinist teaching that "faith" is a gift from God bestowed on a person would nullify man's responsibility to BELIEVE the gospel.
Calvinism falsely teaches that man cannot come and cannot believe in God, BUT THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT MAN WILL NOT COME. ( John 5:40 - And ye WILL NOT come to me, that ye might have life.)
Calvinism falsely teaches that unregenerate man is incapable of doing good, but God's Word in Acts 28: 1-10 teaches differently.
Cornelius who was clearly a Gentile unbeliever in Acts 10 exercised faith in God when he prayed and offered alms to the poor, but he was not saved until Peter preached the gospel to him and he believed and became saved in Acts10:44-48.
NO, the Bible teaches that faith precedes regeneration and that "faith cometh by hearing".
Romans 10:14 - How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Romans 10:17 - 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
2) UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION - Calvinism's "God" is partial and biased because he handpicks only a few called the "elect chosen few" to salvation and the rest of mankind is "predestined" to hell. This happens way before anyone was born. Man therefore, is a predestined puppet with no free will. If the majority of mankind is "predestined" to hell, then one wonders how God will hold man accountable for sin at the Great White Throne Judgment if he was already predestined for hell way before birth. Calvinism's definition of election is utterly absurd and ridiculous. The true Biblical definition of election is that God chooses people, a city, a nation for MINISTRY, NOT ETERNAL DESTINY. God chose Moses to lead His people, God chose Jonah to preach to the Ninevites, God chose Abraham, God chose Mary and Joseph, God chose Paul as an apostle to the Gentiles, God chose Jesus, God's chosen Messiah and Savior, God chose Jerusalem to be His chosen city.
If man has been predestined to perish wherefore is God's legal right to punish? Wherefore is sin? For if a man has been predestined to fulfill God's plan and he does so because he has no choice, then therefore whatever sins he does is because God predestined him to do, where is his sin?
God therefore becomes the author of sin. So man was created to be what God predestined him to be, he has fulfilled God's plan, then he has obeyed God's will. Where then is man's sin?
How can God proclaim a righteous wrath against those who do not obey His commands if He has predestined them not to obey His commands? How can God proclaim to be just when He creates a person to disobey Him, and then punishes that person for doing what he was predestined to do?
So why would God predestine a person to love Him which is in essence God loving Himself through that person because that person has no choice? This doctrine of Calvin takes accountability and blame out of man's hands and throws it right into God's lap.
If man creates a weapon and uses it to fulfill his plan to kill someone; who is guilty? the man who created the weapon or the weapon itself? In Genesis God says, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil" Does this mean we don't know how to choose between good and evil?
+Shaun Ince 3) LIMITED ATONEMENT - IS A LIE in that it falsely teaches that Christ's death only atoned for the "elect chosen few" making the "saved" a member of a special Calvinistic elite club. This also a direct attack on the true nature and character of God.
THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT CHRIST DIED FOR ALL MANKIND AND THE BIBLE TEACHES UNLIMITED ATONEMENT:
John 1:29 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away THE SIN OF THE WORLD
Acts 10:34 - God is no respecter of persons.
Hebrews 2:9 - But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for EVERYONE.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the WORLD.....( It does not say "For God so loved the chosen elect few")
1 Timothy 2:4 - Who will have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:6 - Who gave himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time.
1 John 2:2 - And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD.
Romans 2:11 - 1 For God DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM.
Titus 2:11 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL MEN.
Job 34:19 - who shows no partiality to princes
and does not favor the rich over the poor,
for they are all the work of his hands?
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one DIED FOR ALL, and therefore all died. 15 And HE DIED FOR ALL, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
4) IRRESISTABLE GRACE IS ANOTHER LIE:
Calvinism falsely teaches that the "few" that God chooses for salvation will be overcome by "irresistable grace" by way of coercion nullifying man's free will. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD USES PERSUASION USING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TO DRAW A PERSON TO HIM. "Irresistible grace" implies coercion/force. God does not force anyone to believe the gospel. Calvinists will use passages like John 6:44 and others taken out of context and
eisegeted in an attempt to prove "irresistible grace". Calvinism falsely teaches that the ones that God "chooses" will be saved monergistically, but God's Word teaches that man is saved synergistically because God has given
man freewill.
The Bible also teaches that people whether saved or unsaved DO INDEED RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT - Acts 7:51
Acts 7:51 - “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: YOU ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT!
The Jews in John 12:37 RESISTED THE HOLY SPIRIT despite Jesus performing many miracles in their presence.
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law in the New Testament ALWAYS RESISTED THE HOLY SPIRIT when they were in Jesus presence. JONAH RESISTED THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The Israelites, God's chosen people, were ALWAYS RESISTING GOD over and over again as God referred to them as "stiff-necked" people recorded in
Exodus 32:9. Exodus 33:3-4, Exodus 34:9, Deuteronomy 9:6, Deut 9:13, Deut 31:27, Jeremiah 7:26, Jeremiah 17:23, Jeremiah18:12, Jeremiah 19:15.
5) PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS IS THE 5TH LIE OF CALVINISM:
Perseverance of the Saints strongly implies that Kingdom entrance is dependent upon the perseverance of the Christian. Perseverance takes work and effort. This contradicts Ephesians 2:8-9 and many other passages which clearly teaches that salvation is not of works. This falsely teaches that only the "chosen elect few" who "persevere" in their faith to the end will be saved and that those who do not "persevere" will prove that they were never saved to begin with. This is clearly teaching a works salvation gospel and adding works to the salvation equation. This is based on faulty interpretations of Matthew 24:13, Luke 8:13-14, Romans 2:6-7, and others ALL TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT WHERE THE CALVINIST READS HIS THEOLOGY INTO THE TEXT, RATHER THAN LETTING THE TEXT DETERMINE HIS THEOLOGY. "Perseverance of the Saints" is a faulty teaching of Calvinism because there are clear Biblical examples of God's people failing to persevere, but were still saved. King Solomon is a classic example and so were the Christians in the Corinthian church, but Paul affirms the reality of their salvation by addressing them as "brethren" that were "carnal" and "babes in Christ" in 1 Cor 3:1. Paul would not have addressed them this way if they were not saved. He addresses them as "brethren" all throughout 1 Corinthians. According to Calvinism, since the "faith" that God bestows on a person comes from God, it then logically follows according to Calvinism that that faith will automatically result in "obedience' and "perseverance" in the person. If Christians automatically "persevere" then all the Biblical exhortations for Christians to be faithful and persevering would be unnecessary.
THE BIBLE TEACHES PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS BY AN UNFAILING SAVIOR - JOHN 5:24, 6:47, 10:28-29, ROMANS 8:38-39, 2 TIMOTHY 2:13.
The Christian's perseverance is susceptible to faltering and failure in their walk with God, but it is Christ's FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS WITH HIS SHED BLOOD, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION THAT KEEPS A BELIEVER ETERNALLY SECURE. CHRIST DID IT ALL. WE DO NOTHING.
Calvinists who embrace "perseverance of the saints" have little or no assurance of their salvation because it is based on what they "must do" rather than on what Christ has already done with His finished work on the cross. Their assurance level fluctuates all the time depending on how well they "persevere". Their assurance level can fluctuate from 99% assurance down to 15% or less depending on how well they "persevere".
They "persevere" until they are blue and purple in the face and vomiting, and only then, can they be somewhat "certain" of their assurance, but still not entirely sure. They still have to wait until AFTER they die to find out.
They are always plagued with doubt and self-introspection because many of them are unsure if they are among the "chosen elect few". John Piper and RC Sproul who are among the most well known Calvinists/Lordship Salvationists are known to express concern over whether or not they are among the "elect" from time to time. Calvinists have to wait until the very end AFTER they die to find out whether or not they "made it into the Kingdom". This is not true Biblical assurance because true Biblical assurance is what Jesus said, done, and promised and those who believe in His finished work are eternally saved. A person needs to have assurance before death knowing that he/she is eternally secure. They do not wait until after they die to find out which is absurd.
Chronic self-introspection is so common among many Calvinists that Calvinists themselves warn about it. In the book, "The Five Points of Calvinism" by Steele, Thomas, and Quinn they state on page 195:
" Another odd pitfall that characterizes some Calvinists is chronic introspection. Now, I do not mean normal self-examination (2Cor. 13:5). I mean the sort that goes too far. This sort seems to glory in introspection with the proper results. What do I mean? True self-examination should lead to renewed faith and love and obedience. False introspection leads to more introspection, and actually less faith. It produces more doubt, not faith. For example, some worry that they might not be among the elect. But this does not lead them to put faith in Christ. If that is the result, then it is not true self-examination."
wtom04 Care to find the proper platform and debate all the accusations you just made? Idc to post 10,000 words on TH-cam. I will give you 2 quick observations. Firstly, you don't have a "free will" according to scripture. Your will is slanted always toward evil, and without God's sovereign grace you will always choose evil. You may not have grasped this from scripture, which brings me to point 2.
Your view on scripture is based on a very surface level reading. You disregard those things we gather from the Word by digging deeper and contemplating the entire body of scripture. For instance, I'm sure you believe John 3:16 means that anybody can be saved. You do so by sacrificing the rest of the book of John that informs us of God's sovereignty in all things. (John 6:44 for example)
This is totally false. It was made-up and based off of some very squirly interpretations of a few passages. It is totally not Biblical.
That is indeed One of the Many Beautiful Tapistries, Interwoven by YHWH. How do you feel about "Sovereign Decree", and then "Special Revelation" (Duet.29:29), as Revealed in Holy Scripture?
Excellent
I don't want to say which side I lean towards on this topic because I want this comment to be read without undermining, but I want every person here to know that it's ok to be in ignorance on this issue. This is not something worth dividing over. You are not adopted into the body of Christ by simply subscribing to Calvinism or Arminianism. It's by true repentance and genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
John 13:35
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
@@Stanzi18 Yes. I was a believer many years before I began to explore these doctrines and yet saved the whole time.
I FULLY believe that Salvation is a work of God. What I don’t fully understand about election is how verses like “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” and “it’s Gods will that none should perish but that all should come to repentance” play into it.
Any insight is appreciated, I sure don’t want to be teaching this wrongly
I'm still looking into these things myself, but I would point out, calling on the Lord and being saved would be no different than saying whoever believes in the Lord will be saved. It's just stating Salvation from a Human perspective. It doesn't help or hurt the idea of election. The second would maybe be an issue if that's all it said. But 2 Peter 3:9 in it's context is talking to Christians about coming to repentance "but is patient toward you". If it were all people, the time of his coming (which is the context leading up to this verse) wouldn't make much difference anyhow since we know that when he does come there will be young people who are not given time to come to reach repentance since he will come like a thief in the night. On the other hand it does make sense if he has chosen a certain number of people who will be saved. I hesitated in saying anything as I don't feel I am qualified to teach so please keep that in mind. Hope this helped, God bless.
The main driving idea for declaring myself a Calvinist is that the Our all knowing Sovereign God knows absolutely everything from the time of the beginning. Men cannot comprehend that and we cannot try to make sense of or understand why this is all necessary or how he knows everything before it happens, that includes your coming to salvation or not. Think about the character of the Antichrist….if there was ever anyone in the Bible (besides Jesus) who’s fate has already been sealed and determined, it’s him. I don’t know if that helps, but I hope it does
If properly understood, the scriptures Will not contradict. Sovereign election simply means that God is sovereign and man is not. If you understanding this way, you Will have no Problem understanding all the seemingly contradicting pass ages. God bless you.
Alpha Chaser
Sovereign means to be ruler and have total authority. Every Christian believes that. The question is , can God we the ruler of all, and still allow His creation to make choices?
Well, if He can't do that, then He's not sovereign at all. You've just exercised your authority over Him, by mandating what He can, or cannot do.
I agree, which is why I could never be a Calvinist!
The passages don't contradict each other. God commands everyone to believe, to call upon the name of the Lord, etc., but because humans are dead in sins those are impossible tasks.
This is why God had to elect individuals to salvation. This is what the Bible plainly teaches.
@@terminat1 this is false.
Well, that's your belief, but it's not supported by Scripture. The Bible plainly teaches that humans are dead in sins and incapable of coming to God on God's terms. The Bible even says in various places that we're not saved by our works.
I love good Biblical teaching. And I prefer to discuss the actual doctrine rather than the "heading" (eg Calvinism, Arminianism) as they can be unhelpful at times (sure, they can also be helpful, but I find people benefit from focusing on the real matter rather than a "I support Appolos" type approach.)
incoherent
incorrect @@JakkWagon
i have not found one place in scripture where someone is " elect " to salvation , only a task or purpose . if im missing something please provide it for me, thank you
TRUTH & LIFE
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. 1 Thess 1
TRUTH & LIFE
how is this a example of elect or chosen to salvation though ?
You are so right and don't let no hypocrite lie to you like they have been lied too. Unconditional believers love their sin or have been mislead. Listening to man's word over God's word has consequences.
Romans 9:15-23
For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
19One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” 21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
22What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath-prepared for destruction? 23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory-
Acts 13:48 ►
When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers
The parable of a man who showed seeds anc his enemy who shows the tares.
So, does the Elect Calvinist just wake up one morning and he’s a Christian?
No. Look up the rest of tulip we have periods where we are closer to God or not close to God for purposes of his Will. It is not something that just comes to you one morning, although it might. It comes over time through reading scripture and learning and understanding God.
As one that might claim calvinism, I was always saved, just not living the gospel. I could never change my life back, though especially after learning about election and calvinism. There is no choice. Like I said look up thebrest of TULIP
@@nikkin7405 You were always saved? So you were born a Christian? Was Jesus confused when he said "You MUST be born AGAIN?"
@@1947DMLo but it was in God's sovereign plan to save me. That is correct you must be born again? How does someone become born again their own will their own strength?
"So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." Romans 9:16
@@intothekey I don't know how anyone can take a persons willingness and turn it into some kind of "work". There is no exertion in saying "yes". If that is "work" in any way, I'm glad I don't have anyone like that "working" for me. So when the Bible says that it is NOT GOD'S WILL that any should perish, how is it that some will perish? It's because God "willingly" gives us all a choice...yes or no. There is NO involved in that. Can you imagine being paid to do a job, and the one who hires you asked if you can start work that day and you say "yes?" But then you do nothing else that day, and when he asks why you did not get any work done that day and you say, well, I did work when I said yes. That gave me out and I went home and rested the rest of the day. Saying "yes" to God does not mean I "worked" for my salvation, and neither did I do anything to "earn" my salvation. I simply said "yes" to the offer. What about the publican who went to the temple to pray? He simply asked God to have mercy on him, and Jesus said he went to his house justified. I will even say this, if you did not accept God's offer of salvation, then you are still in your sins.
Did someone else shared the same reaction as RC Sproul shared, concerning the sentiment of unfairness towards unsaved people?
I strongly recommend youtube channel soteriology 101. God bless you all
That guy is rabbid. His whole ministry is just raging against Calvinism.
@@intothekey not his whole ministry... His channel yes, and is very helpful against unbiblical doctrine called Calvinism
From ancient Apostolic times, all Christians believed because of Jesus' saving redemption on the Cross for all Mankind, that God's Grace was available to every human being. He calls every single one of us poor lost sheep. The question is our response to His call. It was only during the 16th century at the tragic Rupture of the Church that people started to believe the novel doctrine that God would only choose to save certain people.
Totally wrong
No man can come to me unless the Father draws Him
He will gather his elect from the 4 winds
You are in error liar.
Paul suffered all for the sake of the elect.
@@iacoponefurio1915 Of course God draw us all to him. But we must respond also. As for me, I will continue to believe in what Jesus and the Apostles taught not some novel doctrine of man like Calvin. Read the Bible and the early Church Fathers to understand the Christian Faith. Unfortunately, Calvin did not. God bless you.
You wanna ask a question on this subject, then ask yourself this question? Why did he choose me, when I was perfectly fine in my sin .
I'm perfectly comfortable with this doctrine. For some reason this hasn't bothered me, but I've noticed that it deeply offends others in the faith.
Ultimately, however, God's thinking is beyond ours. I've long sense left the thinking that this doctrine would be "unfair". These lessons have purged out some of my initial conclusions as a new believer. However, some could take a view that God is arbitrary out of this teaching. Meaning, no rhyme or reason.
It would be interesting to bounce a few questions of R.C., if I could. There won't be answers to these questions in my Church, they teach, mostly, reformed theology but they stop short on things like the doctrine of election. Let's see where the Spirit takes me in my study.
My mind keeps going back to God's discussions with those in the Bible that didn't understand why God would have mercy on certain people. I keep getting the impression that maybe we take a deep dive into a doctrine individually and maybe we don't look enough at how they interact with each other. While comfortable with this, I'm not satisfied.
I've really enjoyed going through some of his teachings, he had a way about him.
the others are not in the faith
american fundamentalist cults are not Christianity 😢
No one is elected for salvation before they are ' in christ ' .
"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:4 "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?" Ezekial 18:23 "For I take no pleasure in anyone's death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!" Ezekial 18:32
Kinda weird God wills all men to be saved but only wills some to be saved... Yes, God gives us life and the energy to repent, we can choose to use that life and energy for repentance or for our own pleasure
Apply exegesis to the scriptures. You eisogeting, or trying to put scripture against itself will always lead you to in error.
@@Terror1Void I'm not trying to put scripture against itself, I'm putting scripture against what the calvinists exegete. Double predestination goes against the character of God that is clearly defined in the scriptures.
I split from Sproul on this issue.
Calvin was either misunderstood in his definition of predestination, or we wrongly understand his definition, or he was wrong.
Holy, Holy, Holy!
Thought the darkness hide there
Though the eye of sinful man they glory may not see
TULIP which is also known as the five points of Calvinism is a summary of Biblical theology held by the faithful church since the days of the apostle Paul but formalized at the Synod of Dordt in 1618-19
“The Synod gave a very close examination to the ‘five points’ which had been advanced by the Remonstrants, and compared the teaching in them with the testimony of Scripture. Failing to reconcile that teaching with the Word of God, . . . they unanimously rejected them. They felt however, that a mere rejection was not sufficient. It remained for them to set forth the true Calvinistic teaching in relationship to those matters which had been called into question. This they proceeded to do, embodying the Calvinistic position in five chapters which have ever since been known as the five points of Calvinism." (Steel and Thomas, The Five Points of Calvinism.
LAStreetPreacher
Calvinism is a heresy introduced to the church in the time of Augustine, who brought in his previously held, gnostic beliefs, and mixed it in with Christianity. Calvinism is best defended using philosophical rhetoric, rather then scripture.
God bless.
If salvation is based on the sovereign and predestination of God's free will to chose, then what of the need of man's need of repentance? He then can awaken to his salvation, and say I therefore am saved, not because of my actions or behavior but because God wills that I am his elect and am saved.
Why then throughout scripture is there a call upon God people that they turn from their path of unrighteousness, in order not to receive God's judgement against their rebellion.
Why does John the Baptist state in his approach to Israel before Jesus appears and before the claimed Messiahship of Jesus, "Repent, and believe!"?
To me, this reveals a type of condition, that moves God's heart of compassion, grace, and mercy, on that of the repentance of the heart of him who has the condition of the soul toward the act of contrition (ie. Repentance of sin).
Why then did Jesus preach repentance as well?
Mark 1:14-15
The end of vs. 15 Jesus specifically commands, "Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!".
Why then (if election is sovereign and based only on God's choice) would Jesus petition a request to his audience to repent (an action/participation of the will of Man) and believe (an action/participation of the will of Man)?
I am confused between the two positions...
God's sovereignty to save and elect, and Man's response to God's invitation to repent and turn from sin.
John Calvin did not get his version of "predestination/election" from the Bible, but he borrowed it from his idol, Augustine. His version of it is identical to Augustine's perversion of it.
1) ....."salvation is freely offered to some while others are barred from access to it." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion - Book 3, Chapter 21, Paragraph 5.
2) "We call predestination God's eternal decree, by which he compacted with himself what he willed to become of each man. For all are not created in equal condition; rather, ETERNAL LIFE IS FORE-ORDAINED FOR SOME, ETERNAL DAMNATION FOR OTHERS." - John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion - Book 3, Chapter 21, Paragraph 5.
3) ..."we say that God once established by his eternal and unchangeable plan those whom he long before determined once for all to receive into SALVATION, and those whom, on the other hand, he would devote to DESTRUCTION...he has barred the door of life to those whom he has given over to damnation." - John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 21, Paragraph 7.
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"That owing to one man all pass into condemnation who are born of Adam unless they are born again in Christ, even as He has appointed them to be regenerated, before they die in the body, whom He PREDESTINATED TO EVERLASTING LIFE, as the most merciful bestower of grace; while to those whom He HAS PREDESTINATED TO ETERNAL DEATH, He is also the most righteous awarder of punishment not only on account of the sins which they add in the indulgence of their own will, but also because of their original sin, even if, as in the case of infants, they add nothing thereto. Now this is my definite view on that question, so that the hidden things of God may keep their secret, without impairing my own faith." - Augustine, City of God, On the Soul and its Origin, 4.16.
It appears that Calvin's definition and Augustine's definition of "predestination/election" is identical to Islam's belief in FATALISM and also identical to Stoicism's belief in DETERMINISM. Satan has packaged the same thing under different names - "Predestination/Election", "Foreordination", "Fatalism", and "Determinism."
These are verses that explicitly state man’s inability to save himself. With the exercise of man’s free will, all he’s bound to have is damnation. That’s the only destination man has left on his own. Do you disregard total depravity which is a solid biblical doctrine? Show me the verses that support your idea of justification. Yours are philosophies that come from an unregenerate heart. God is sovereign. No one will be saved unless God wills it.
Romans 3:11 “there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.”
1 Cor 2:14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”
Jer 13:23 “Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.”
Gi Joe Your comment - "Do you disregard total depravity which is a solid biblical doctrine? Show me the verses that support your idea of justification. Yours are philosophies that come from an unregenerate heart. God is sovereign. No one will be saved unless God wills it."
My comment - Man is indeed depraved, but not to the extent that Calvinism falsely teaches. Man still has the image of God in him and can still respond to God by believing, otherwise God would not have given the following exhortations:
Joshua 24:15 - And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, CHOOSE you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:22 - Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have CHOSEN to serve the Lord.”
“Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.
The word "chosen" in Joshua 24:22 indicates that man has free will and indicates the action taken by the people as a result of the exhortation given in Joshua 24:15.
Deuteronomy 30:19 - 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Again, the word "choose" indicates that God has given us FREE WILL.
Gi Joe Your comment - " Show me the verses that support your idea of justification. Yours are philosophies that come from an unregenerate heart. God is sovereign. No one will be saved unless God wills it."
My comment - Your Calvinist understanding of how God saves is based upon the man made presuppositions of John Calvin and his idol Augustine.
Genesis 15:6 - Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 5:24 - "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has CROSSED OVER from death to life.
Romans 4:2-6 - 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God 3For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
Revelation 22:17 - And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And WHOSOEVER WILL, let him take the water of life FREELY.
Your assertion that no one can be saved unless God "wills" it does not come from the Bible, but comes from Augustine's perverted interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:4. His perverted teachings on this subject are found in his book, "City of God", On the Predestination of the Saints, Book 1 Chapter 16, and in his book entitled, "Enchiridion" Chapter 103.
John Calvin's "theology" was very heavily influenced by Augustine as Calvin idolized him. Augustine was the father of Roman Catholicism. Calvin's obsession with Augustine's teachings is obvious as he quotes Augustine over 400 times in his "institutes of the christian religion".
How do you know for sure that his view (you said philosophies) come from an unregenerate heart, when you, as Paul said, "only know in part"? What is the part that you don't know is actually his correct view? Or what if he is regenerate (born again) or the part he does not know is Calvinism (if it were in fact true)?
wtom04 weird that those words predestine and election is shown throughout scripture huh?
Rom 10:17 faith cometh by HEARING and HEARING and HEARING and HEARING the word of God. Remember when you make decision to give your heart to the Lord, you will never FAIL because it is the HOLY SPIRIT telling you.
But spiritually dead men cannot hear, they must first be made alive. God's elect hear the Gospel and respond with faith in Christ. But not all who profess are truly saved, only those who God has first made alive by His Spirit. If our faith saved us, then all who said they had faith would be saved. But Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 that many would call him lord, but he would not recognize him as one of his. The difference is, those God saves, will be true professors and they will grow in spirit, by following God's commands. They will be in agreement with what God says in His word and desire to be sanctified and made holy, by the Holy Spirit of God, who wrote out the bible for us.
@@gordoncrawley58262Ths 2:13:
¹³ But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
If man has been predestined to perish wherefore is God's legal right to punish? Wherefore is sin? For if a man has been predestined to fulfill God's plan and he does so because he has no choice, then therefore whatever sins he does is because God predestined him to do, where is his sin?
God therefore becomes the author of sin. So man was created to be what God predestined him to be, he has fulfilled God's plan, then he has obeyed God's will. Where then is man's sin?
How can God proclaim a righteous wrath against those who do not obey His commands if He has predestined them not to obey His commands? How can God proclaim to be just when He creates a person to disobey Him, and then punishes that person for doing what he was predestined to do?
So why would God predestine a person to love Him which is in essence God loving Himself through that person because that person has no choice? This doctrine of Calvin takes accountability and blame out of man's hands and throws it right into God's lap.
If man creates a weapon and uses it to fulfill his plan to kill someone; who is guilty? the man who created the weapon or the weapon itself? In Genesis God says, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil" Does this mean we don't know how to choose between good and evil?
Makes sense too me! I don't know why they don't see it. Thank you for the comment!
wtom04 All of what you just said stems from a complete lack of understanding of the doctrines of grace. The natural man is a rebel sinner against God, scripture makes that clear. man loves the darkness rather than light because he is fallen, held captive by a love for sin and cannot understand the things of God therefore before man can want God a new nature must be imparted to him. In other words, be born again. But understand that God is the one who overcomes his elects total depravity and makes them responsive to him because they are dead in sins and unresponsive. scripture makes it clear that God chooses his elect people and preserves them and makes others the objects of his judgement to display his power. (which all man deserve to be the objects of his wrath and he's under obligation to save any)
+Theology Matters Man is indeed depraved, BUT not to the extent that Calvinism teaches. Calvinism teaches spiritual annihilation, but the Bible teaches spiritual separation. Man still has the image of God in him and can still respond by willfully believing the gospel. Man still has the image of God in him - Romans 1:19-21:
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; FOR GOD HATH SHEWED IT UNTO THEM.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; SO THAT THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.
21 Because that, WHEN THEY KNEW GOD, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
The issue is not "total inability". If man was "totally incapable", then God would not have given the following exhortations in Scripture to CHOOSE and to RETURN TO GOD.
Joshua 24:15 - And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, CHOOSE you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:22 - Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have CHOSEN to serve the Lord.”
“Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.
The word "chosen" in Joshua 24:22 indicates that man has free will and indicates the action taken by the people as a result of the exhortation given in Joshua 24:15.
Deuteronomy 30:19 - 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Again, the word "choose" indicates that God has given us FREE WILL.
Will continue in my next comment.
+Theology Matters The following exhortations by God would not have been given to man if man had no free will and was "incapable" of returning to God. Also, the below passages that have the word "RETURN," that indicates that these people once had a good relationship with God. "Return" in those contexts are exhortations to return back to a former relationship of closeness and fellowship with God.
Jeremiah 3:12 - Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, RETURN, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Jeremiah 3:14 - RETURN, O faithless sons,' declares the LORD; 'For I am a master to you, And I will take you one from a city and two from a family, And I will bring you to Zion.'
Jeremiah 3:22 - "RETURN, O faithless sons, I will heal your faithlessness." "Behold, we come to You; For You are the LORD our God.
Malachi 3:7 - "From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them RETURN TO ME, AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU," says the LORD of hosts. "But you say, 'How shall we return?'
Jeremiah 15:19 - Therefore, thus says the LORD, "IF YOU RETURN, THEN I WILL RESTORE YOU-- Before Me you will stand; And if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman. They for their part may turn to you, But as for you, you must not turn to them.
Deuteronomy 4:30 - "When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days YOU WILL RETURN TO THE LORD your God and listen to His voice.
Isaiah 31:6 - RETURN TO HIM from whom you have deeply defected, O sons of Israel.
Isaiah 55:7 - Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; AND LET HIM RETURN TO THE LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Jeremiah 4:1 - If thou wilt RETURN, O Israel, saith the LORD, RETURN UNTO ME: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
Hosea 6:1 - COME, AND LET US RETURN UNTO THE LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
Hosea 12:6 - THEREFORE TURN THOU TO THY GOD: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually.
Hosea 14:1 - O Israel, RETURN UNTO THE LORD THY GOD; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
Zechariah 1:3 - Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; TURN YE UNTO ME, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
Joel 2:12 - "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "RETURN TO ME with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning;
Job 22:23 - If thou RETURN to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
Lamentations 3:40 - Let us search and try our ways, and TURN AGAIN to the Lord.
2 Chronicles 15:4 - But when they in their trouble DID TURN UNTO THE LORD GOD of Israel, and sought him, HE WAS FOUND OF THEM.
Psalm 78:34 - When He killed them, then they SOUGHT Him, And RETURNED and SEARCHED DILIGENTLY FOR GOD.
+Theology Matters Your other comment - " But understand that God is the one who overcomes his elects total depravity and makes them responsive to him because they are dead in sins and unresponsive. "
My comment - The Calvinist teaching of "irresistible grace" does not come from God's Word, but this false concept was originated by Augustine ("St. Augustine") who is also the father of Roman Catholicism whom John Calvin heavily emulated and idolized.
Augustine states in "City of God", under "Enchiridion, Chapter 103, "Interpretation of the expression in 1 Tim 2:4: "Who will have all men to be saved."
"Accordingly, when we hear and read in Scripture that He "will have all men to be saved," although we know well that all men are not saved, we are not on that account to restrict the omnipotence of God, but are rather to understand the Scripture, "Who will have all men to be saved," as meaning THAT NO MAN IS SAVED UNLESS GOD WILLS HIS SALVATION: not that there is no man whose salvation He does not will, BUT THAT NO MAN IS SAVED APART FROM HIS WILL; AND THAT, THEREFORE, WE SHOULD PRAY HIM TO WILL OUR SALVATION, BECAUSE IF HE WILL IT, IT MUST NECESSARILY BE ACCOMPLISHED."
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My comment - In other words, Augustine is saying that no man is saved UNLESS God overcomes the person with "irresistible grace". The Word of God is clear that man can indeed RESIST God.
Acts 7:51 - Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always RESIST the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Jonah RESISTED God. The Israelites, God's people were RESISTING God time and again as God continuously addressed them as "stiff necked" people.
John 12:32, "And I, if I am [e]lifted up from the earth, will draw all to Myself.” Note the words "men" and "peoples" were added to the text and not in the original greek. That means ALL are drawn by Jesus
All are responsible
None will respond favorably on our own
@@iacoponefurio1915 why won't we respond favorably on our own? Are you saying even if we hear the gospel?
No the scripture said he knew Esau in the womb and hated his character. Conditional election is more correct.
ron jordan Not Only did He know Esau in the womb, He also knew him before the foundation of the World where He declared/ordained him to be the lesser. This passage just confirms what has already been predetermined.
ron jordan When does scripture say God hated Esau?
Was it before Esau was born or was it after?
Please provide a scripture verse that proves your answer.
God desires all men to be saved.
Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and *_ye would not!_*
@KTTGHMTJWYCBLAC ??
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13. What about that verse is unclear? So many false prophets like this one out there. Be wise people. Be wise.
RC is speaking the truth here. Romans 10:13 is also true. But who can call on the name of the Lord? Dead people? Of course not. Individuals who are dead in sins are incapable of pleasing God. This is what the Bible teaches in multiple places.
God commands the human race to believe, to repent, to call upon the Lord, etc., but because of our deadness, nobody can do those things. We're all doomed to eternal damnation apart from the mercy of God.
You can't just read Romans 10:13, John 3:16, or other verses without comparing them to everything that the Bible teaches on the subject. For example, compare Romans 10:13 with Isaiah 64:7. The latter teaches that no one calls upon God's name.
Nobody will call upon God in a way that is pleasing to God until after God saves them (or is drawing them). In addition, the Bible teaches that salvation is of grace, not works. Clearly, calling upon the Lord is a work.
@@terminat1 Are blind people dead people? The Bible calls lost sinners blind as well. Blind people can do all sorts of stuff. If they were given a chance to receive sight it would be good news and they may accept it, right? Your Bible analogies are lacking here.
Sproul loves to hear himself talk and he doesn't have a clue about salvation.Reformed theology comes straight from hell.sproul,MacArthur hanegraaff etc are all working to send people to hell with their faith-works salvation.These false teachers put more stock in what Calvin believed taught than what Scripture says.
Blind people are dead. People with sight are dead. Everyone is dead in sins before God. This is what the Bible plainly teaches.
Individuals who aren't trusting 100% in the mercy of God are trusting in their own works for salvation. That is a bad place to be.
@@terminat1 Non-Calvinists including myself trust 100% in the mercy of God for salvation. Admitting that you cannot save yourself is not the same things as saving yourself. Admitting you can't work for salvation is not a work. Remember Faith vs. Works in the Book of Romans. Placing faith is the opposite of works salvation according to the Bible. That is the whole point of Paul's letter. The Bible doesn't say that blind people are dead. That is just silly and analogies shouldn't be put in a theology blender like that. The Bible uses various analogies to describe the lost condition. Lost people are lost, but when given good news of "The Way" they may admit they are lost and follow the way. Blind people are blind and when given good news of Jesus who can help them see, they are perfectly able to respond to that life-giving truth. Remember Romans 1:16 says the "gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes". If Calvinism were true, it would have to say, "The effectual calling of God is the power that saved to only the elect called arbitrarily before time began". It is very different than the Bible. That is why you should consider how it might be totally wrong. God's word needs to come first. "Dead" in Ephesians doesn't mean corpse-like state. That is obvious from the context and other places where people are called "dead" in the Bible ie. David, Mephibosheth, Prodigal Son etc. Use the Bible to help you interpret the Bible.
Well said
Doesnt unconditional election undermine the sacrifice of Jesus?
+fitbyfaith No, because the elect had to be redeemed.
Not at all. Election is not the same as justification.
fitbyfaith : Absolutely!
Yes it does. They think they can sin and get away with it. I wonder why God told me we could lose the Holy Spirit.
John 17, Jesus prays for those whom the Father gave him (Jesus). The ones being prayed for are the elect. Jesus even reiterates and says he prays not for the world, but for those who “The Father” gave him. Jesus’ sacrifice is the only compatible with unconditional election. God bless, I love you all and hope God will open up minds that have a hard time letting God be Himself.
Reading the parable of the "Prodigal Son", which Jesus used to explain Salvation, I wonder why the younger son wasn't "elected" to return, because Jesus explains that the younger son made a freewill decision to return & appeal to his dad's mercy.
🔸Luke 15:18
I WILL get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight"
One verse refutes Calvinism. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, that WHOSOEVER, BELIEVETH in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
First John 2:2 And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. First Timothy 2:4 Who would have all men be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. The Gospel. First Corinthians 15:1-4 That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. When we believe that gospel, and that we can never be condemned again, John 3:18 We are given the seal of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. Ephesians 1:13-14.
Galatians 1:7-9 Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let them be accursed. As we said before, so say I again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let them be accursed. RC is a wolf in sheep's clothing according to Matthew 7:15-23. Preaching a false gospel of works salvation. Romans 11:6 Romans 4:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9.
There is no grace in Calvinism, and there is no gospel in Calvinism. And the Jesus of the bible said, all who believe will be saved. John 6:47 John 6:40 Not just the frozen chosen. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVETH.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believe on Him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The gift of God is eternal life when we believe it.
The Calvinist says, Yes, it is a free gift, but you have to give up everything you have, take up your cross and follow Jesus, repent of your sins, submit your life to Christ, commit yourself to the Lord, go to church every time the doors are open, give at least 10 percent of all you have or will get, and never sin again. I thought you said it was a free GIFT?
@@jimkraft9445 You said *The Calvinist says, Yes, it is a free gift, but you have to give up everything you have, take up your cross and follow Jesus, repent of your sins, submit your life to Christ, commit yourself to the Lord, go to church every time the doors are open, give at least 10 percent of all you have or will get, and never sin again. I thought you said it was a free GIFT?*
- Are you sure you're talking about the Calvinist? I mean, in this video, it's clearly mentioned that salvation is of God's grace, not of works, unconditional.
God told me that everyone has a place in Him if they will just let it happen. According to this, there is none whom He has not predestined. Is there anyone whom God did not know from the very beginning? Or, is it that, after the manner of Lucifer's rebellion, who thought to make a name greater than God's, who thought to make himself something more or better than what God had already created him; that the reason God may not know you when it comes time to give an account to Him is that you did not do the things that already meant for you to be who you are to Him?
And how will we do what it already means for us to be who we are to God? We certainly can't depend on ourselves for it! But if we depend on our own works or abilities then we make ourselves to be someone according to it. But we deserve no credit for God doing what He has chosen to do through us!
It is no intellectual debate! Are you willing to persevere until death? Do you really love God more than your own life? Will you choose to suffer persecutions for the sake of righteousness and to prefer them over a life of pleasure and ease with sincere joy not counting yourself worthy to even endure them?
This is not humanly possible! It must actually be the work of God bringing it to pass! But will you commit yourself to Him for it or will you break off from the vine and join the others in the world who love evil more than good? Let God have His way (but give no place to the devil) and you will prevail.
God has not created anybody to destroy them. All things were created by him and for him and through him for his own good pleasure. He takes no pleasure from the destruction of the wicked. The wicked are punished because they fail to bring God pleasure due to the fact that they seek their own pleasure instead. This is not what God created them for. This is what they choose to do in their disobedience.
The BIBLE says that HEAVEN rejoices to see that 1 sinner has repented and turned to GOD. Yet calvanism says God Chooses to withhold his Grace too some children and Condemms them to hell before they are Born an Jesus rejoices In This. Complete non-sense.
It is a difficult truth to wrestle with but it is all over the Bible. The truth is that we could never choose God, we are too depraved. So you may be focusing on the wrong thing, don't focus on the withholding- focus on that he would save anyone of us. Constant treasoners to his throne, yet he has chosen, his choice, his kingdom, his rules. Remember your place.
Marissa i beg to differ with you completely after being a calvanist, and you must not just get stuck with Paul in romans 8,10,11, and if you do some studying you will no be so sure and probably realize its not what you think. We are made in GODS image an that means we have some attributes which we were endowed with. One of them is clear ,god set a tree in the garden so that man can exercise his free will that He was born With.Otherwise why would GOD set that tree!! The Bible says god created man an it was Very Good. How can that be if before we were born We were all Evil! Why Does GOD acts 30-17 command mankind everywhere to REPENT greek Metanoia to change and make a u turn from yourself to God!! Man died Spritually as result of adams sin an we in turn also sin and do the evil,but that does NOT Mean man is tottaly inabled to do any good.We see acts of Heroism all over the world along with the evil. Soldiers sacrifice themselves many times to save there comrades. Yes we cannot in any way be good enuff to save ourselves but we ALL get Grace an THru FAITH we can accept or reject.Scripture says Faith comes by Hearing. So we can hear and perhaps follow and trust in Chrsist.Marrissa why does Jesus grieve at man an say turn, come to me. Jesus also tells the Pharsees i say these things in order that you Might be Saved.And may believed on HIM. gospel of John. Why would GOD say i do not delite in the wicked but ask them and plead with them to turn but many were not WILLING!! oh jerusalem Jesus cries out, how i wish that i could gather you under my wing but you were NOT willing.Over and over god asks man to turn to HIM.
please view this from two former calavnists an they give pro and cons with gentelness and respect. let me know. th-cam.com/video/Yo-MXxd0Nug/w-d-xo.html
Bob Free, you can't equate the emotions of God with the sovereign decree and will of God. God is not like us where His emotions dictates His actions; His emotions are dictated by His other many attributes. And notice the example you gave about heaven rejoicing comes from the parable found in Luke 15. Yet in the parable itself (which is actually three parables) notice Jesus equates someone seeking and finding a lost sheep or a coin with repentance. In the parable, He gives examples of someone seeking something and finding it, but the application is repentance. This goes right in line with election because the Bible says the Lord gives or grants repentance in Acts 5:31, 11:18, and 2 Timothy 2:25. In addition, 2 Corinthians 7:10 says a godly sorrow (sorrow to God) works repentance to salvation, not a worldly sorrow. Yet mankind, in his own sin nature, can only have worldly sorrow. Why? Because Romans 8:5-8 clearly shows that the carnal mind is at enmity (or hostility) against God and no one in the flesh (their nature of sin) can please God.
As for the argument about God choosing to withhold grace; God gives sinful mankind common grace every day to live, eat, and even prosper, but sinful mankind is not even thankful. We somehow think sinners deserve God's grace when they actually hate God. Look at this breakdown of the definition of sinful man in the Bible (not my opinion, but the scriptures)
Romans 3:10-20
A) There is none righteous
B) There is none that understands
C) There is no one that seeks after God
D) All are unprofitable
E) There is none that does good
F) They have wicked, deceitful mouths
G) They’re murderers
H) Their ways are destructive and miserable
I) They don’t know the way of peace
J) They have no fear of God
K) They are all guilty before God
L) Nothing they do justifies them before God
Ephesians 2:1-3
A) Spiritually dead
B) Walking according to the world (which is according to Satan)
C) Lusts/desires of the flesh and mind dictate their lives
D) Children of disobedience
E) Children of wrath
Jeremiah 17:9
A) Deceitful heart
B) Desperately wicked heart
John 15:18-23
A) They hate Christ
B) They hate Christians
C) They hate God the Father
John 3:18-19
A) Condemned already
B) Loves darkness instead of light
C) Their deeds are evil
Romans 8:7-8
A) The carnal mind is at enmity against God (The Greek word for enmity means hostility or opposition)
B) Those in the flesh can’t please God (The Greek word for flesh is sarx, which literally means the skin, but in other contexts, as with these verses, means the carnal, human nature)
1 Corinthians 2:4
A) Can’t receive the Spiritual things of God
B) Can’t know the Spiritual things of God
Romans 1:21
A) They don’t glorify God
B) They are not thankful to God
C) They are vain in their imaginations
D) They have darkened, foolish hearts
Proverbs 14:12
A) Man’s ways seem right to him
B) The end of man’s ways is death
Romans 3:23
A) All have sinned (there is no exception as it pertains to Jew or Gentile)
B) All come short of the glory of God
We somehow think we're deserving of God's grace but the scriptures show there is no good in us and we will never cry out to God until we have a heart change first. This is the reason God the Father must draw us to Christ (John 6:37-44). Without God choosing us from the foundation of the world in Christ (Ephesians 3:4-5), we would reject Him until our judgment day, which we deserve. I know our human mind think this is unfair, but we should never equate our attributes with God as if we have some sort of freedom in our will to choose something we hate.
You don't have all of the answers or some truth mixed in. please view this th-cam.com/video/P9diyt5UVLU/w-d-xo.html it will go over much in a fair rendition. I left calvanism for the many points you have stated an no doubt I did the right thing. careful exegesis needs to be clarify with key scriptures.
Ty 🙏