The term "hyper-calvinist" is often defined differently by every individual. It would be helpful for me to define what I consider the proper use of the title "hyper-calvinist" and state that I am not one.
In short a hyper-calvinist would reject any and all forms of proclaiming the Bible, Jesus, grace, salvation, repentance, and faith to the lost; I've meet some (sadly) that even say the elect would not even need to know the name of Jesus or anything of the Bible in order to go to heaven; other stripes in essence reject most forms of sanctification, maturity, obedience, (this is more known as antinominianism (no law); under those banners of hyper-calvinist, I am not one in any shape.
However, in distinction a supralapsarian would say we do tell all mankind about Jesus, heaven, grace, salvation, repentance, faith, the Bible; and Christians do (and will) exhibit and grow in sanctification, maturity, and obedience.... See More
Yet, the reason a supralapsarian gets "lumped-in" (unfairly and inaccurately) with a hyper-calvinist, is that we see God hating Easu before he was born, and completely free to do so. Thus God determined to destroy Easu even BEFORE he fell as a person, and even before a Fall existed in the first Adam.
Here is a short illustration. Before I go to the lumber yard, you ask why am I going, I say to buy two pieces of wood, you ask why, I say, well I am going to burn one for heat, and carve the other into a nicely Engraved sign of "love" to put on my door mantle. You say, but you have not even bought them yet; I say true, but my purpose to please myself in these two fashions has already been determined before I even have them present here. So before God even made Adam (or Jacob and Easu), (and made them present in his shop/reality) he purposed to please himself first, it pleased him to spare one and pleased him to destroy another, though technically neither person had yet disobeyed God nor even present. (not yet created Adam, nor Jacob, nor Easu).
Many are angered at this portrayal of God, and say, "This is unloving and unfair." Well, there is a long defense of Scripture for it, which I could express later on; First, God loves Himself and can "do what He wants." Second, no one in orthodox Christianity preaches, "hey Jesus never died for demons and lucifer, so God is unfair!!!," nor "hey, Adam is made in the image of God, but dogs are not, how unfair of God to make dogs differently." We simply say, God didn't make them that way, and He does not have to do so, and He is not unfair for doing so. A lot of other insights can be shared for those who disagree.
Sometimes other questions come up like, "Well, why witness if God has already determined to destroy Easus before they are ever born"..."Well why witness if God knows all things before they happen if the Easus will always reject him." Responses: Well, God knows, but we don't. So likewise the supralpsarian does not know who the Esau's are either, so we tell all men that Jesus saves the sheep, and He deserves their faith; but Second, if God knows that all the Easu's will say no, then there is likewise no point in Him sending anyone to them; If I know for SURE as God's perfect knowledge knows, that Congress will never give me the burial remains of Abraham Lincoln, would I not be insane to send Gunda out to Congress asking on my behalf, "hi I am Gunda, todd has sent me asking you Congressman if He can have the burial remains of Lincoln." God's perfect infalliable knowledge would know it "isn't going to happen." so why send anyone to Easu.
Thus God will use evangelism to find the sheep and Jacob, and also intends the same evangelism not to "attempt finding Easu's" but in fact to heap hardness and judgment on Easu. God was not expecting 800 people to jump on Noah's Ark on the last day, and Hebrews tells us that by the Ark Noah condemned the world.
I think I upset Shawn and David Barbour over the matter, but there many other issues to explain; John Newton, Augustus Toplady, Issac Watts, Martin Luther (who each wrote key hymns in our hymnal were all calvinists, and also Spurgeon, and also James Kennedy who wrote our Evangelism Explosion material we used at Oak Grove). I did not hold to these views while in Seminary, but God brought me to them about 2 years after.....around 2002;
I had a chance to do 2 days of intense witnessing in Boston, MA about 4 years ago, and me and my buddy handed out 75 tracts of "Romans 3" to people....because we do not know who the sheep are (john 10), we know if they are his sheep, God will draw and convert them, if they are not his sheep God will leave them in their rebellion, in the same manner he has left demons without a Redeemer.
I'd be happy to explain or answer any other concerns, and hope to show in kindness and Scripture why I hold these things;
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
NO CONFLICT
Illustrations for Arminians.
10 people run for the office of USA President, the nation only votes one in.
The choice of 9 runners did not make a differnce, there are numerous places they are not allowed to go, even though they are not guilty of anything, those locations are simply not theirs, and they have no rights to them.
Obviously mankind are all Timothy McVeighs, and we do not suspect anyone to vote-in those 10 criminal candidates, but point being, the 9 did NOT HAVE A CHOICE in being denied access, even when not guilty.
So the Bible teaches, all 10, do NOT HAVE A CHOICE in their being denied access, and how much more denial, when knowing their guilt. The choice was "the voters" or "God's" alone, not those who run; (nice play on the verse, not according to him that runneth, ha ha ha)
2nd illus,
Society votes for a man to be president, and thus does not vote for millions of people, so again it is not based on him who runneth; but now, it is a bonafide fact that millions of people have ABSOLUTELY ZERO interest in running for presidential office. They know nothing of politics, care nothing about politics, have no ideas, no aspirations in the slightest, they do not want to be voted in;
Point here, Adam's fall was akin to "not wanting to run", "not wanting to trust", being upright does not mean "not able to sin", at that rate there was no point in telling him what not to eat, since he would not be able to eat anyhow, this would be like saying, "Adam don't jump to Saturn", when he can't. So upright also has physical and mental limitations. So when people attempt to say, "God predestined Adam's fall, it couldn't have been any other way." That is immaterial, If Adam predetermined his own fall, then it couldn't be any other way either, so how does that fix anything?
They say, well, he was at least choosing not to obey instead of it being forced upon him; not true, you just said it could be any other way; they reply, well, it couldn't be any other way because Adam wanted it that way; No, to determine beforehand, means to determine BEFORE IT HAPPENS, not AS IT IS HAPPENING. So when the scenario arrived Adam had no choice at the moment, since BEFORE HAND HE FORCED HIMSELF to not have a choice when it arrived. If someone jumps off a plane, they have no choice not to hit the earth, that is a separate matter from even jumping off the plane;
But my whole goal was this...upright Adam did not want to trust God, "run for office", obviously God did not choose to stop him and "put him in office against his will" and Adam is glad he didn't; just like there are plenty of citizens who are glad society did not put them in office, they were NOT running, and had no interest of anyone choosing them.
So.....It is not a conflict to say, "God predetermined and Adam freely desired not to trust."
"Soceity predetermines not to vote for 9 candidates, but there are millions who are glad society never votes them in office anyhow." The predetermination did not counter my will.
"North Korea has predetermined not to make me the next successor, and in fact that is OUT OF MY CONTROL, even so, I have no desire to be the next successor, and would upset if they attempted to impose that on me."
10 people run for the office of USA President, the nation only votes one in.
The choice of 9 runners did not make a differnce, there are numerous places they are not allowed to go, even though they are not guilty of anything, those locations are simply not theirs, and they have no rights to them.
Obviously mankind are all Timothy McVeighs, and we do not suspect anyone to vote-in those 10 criminal candidates, but point being, the 9 did NOT HAVE A CHOICE in being denied access, even when not guilty.
So the Bible teaches, all 10, do NOT HAVE A CHOICE in their being denied access, and how much more denial, when knowing their guilt. The choice was "the voters" or "God's" alone, not those who run; (nice play on the verse, not according to him that runneth, ha ha ha)
2nd illus,
Society votes for a man to be president, and thus does not vote for millions of people, so again it is not based on him who runneth; but now, it is a bonafide fact that millions of people have ABSOLUTELY ZERO interest in running for presidential office. They know nothing of politics, care nothing about politics, have no ideas, no aspirations in the slightest, they do not want to be voted in;
Point here, Adam's fall was akin to "not wanting to run", "not wanting to trust", being upright does not mean "not able to sin", at that rate there was no point in telling him what not to eat, since he would not be able to eat anyhow, this would be like saying, "Adam don't jump to Saturn", when he can't. So upright also has physical and mental limitations. So when people attempt to say, "God predestined Adam's fall, it couldn't have been any other way." That is immaterial, If Adam predetermined his own fall, then it couldn't be any other way either, so how does that fix anything?
They say, well, he was at least choosing not to obey instead of it being forced upon him; not true, you just said it could be any other way; they reply, well, it couldn't be any other way because Adam wanted it that way; No, to determine beforehand, means to determine BEFORE IT HAPPENS, not AS IT IS HAPPENING. So when the scenario arrived Adam had no choice at the moment, since BEFORE HAND HE FORCED HIMSELF to not have a choice when it arrived. If someone jumps off a plane, they have no choice not to hit the earth, that is a separate matter from even jumping off the plane;
But my whole goal was this...upright Adam did not want to trust God, "run for office", obviously God did not choose to stop him and "put him in office against his will" and Adam is glad he didn't; just like there are plenty of citizens who are glad society did not put them in office, they were NOT running, and had no interest of anyone choosing them.
So.....It is not a conflict to say, "God predetermined and Adam freely desired not to trust."
"Soceity predetermines not to vote for 9 candidates, but there are millions who are glad society never votes them in office anyhow." The predetermination did not counter my will.
"North Korea has predetermined not to make me the next successor, and in fact that is OUT OF MY CONTROL, even so, I have no desire to be the next successor, and would upset if they attempted to impose that on me."
Saturday, February 20, 2010
BE OF GOOD CHEER, KNOWING THE GOD OF JACOB-ISRAEL
The past 3-4 days a fire has been in my bones in 2-3 different facets, could type 30 pages about it, but here is one facet.
If the God of
...Abraham, and of
...Isaac, and of
...Jacob, and of
...Joseph, and of
...Moses, and of
...the slaves in exodus, and of
...the infants of the jews, and of
...those at the bottom of Mount Siani,
...those sent to spy the land
...those stuck in the wilderness for 40 years, but with manna, the pillar, the ark, the tabernacle, the rod of Aaron,
...those like Joshua and Caleb who entered,
...those like Joshua who conquered, and like Rahab spared.
...those blessed by the numerous Judges
...those heard like Hannah, and those called like Samuel
...those mercied like David, and Solomon
...those sent like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
...forerunners like John the Baptist, unworthy to loose his sandals
...an unamed person like the leper, prostitute, man born blind, theif on the cross
...sinful men like Peter
...those graced like doubting Thomas
...those forgiven like at Pentecost
...murderers like Saul-Paul
...gentiles, whom the believing Jews were astonished that God hath granted them eternal life; Acts 10:45
...countless episodes, events, issues per each individual above and more individuals not named.
AND, realizing Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow
AND realizing Hebrews 13:6 that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
THEN, realizing all these things, what a radical difference it will make in our life,in our:
...obedience,
...prayers,
...study of the Word
...proclamation of the Word and Jesus
...zeal
...denial of self, sacrifice
...labor
...redemption of time;
...stewardship of money, possessions, time, and self.
...joy
...peace
...thankfulness
...hope;
This is mainly for myself, and consideration of my own past and present providences; yet I subsequently pass it along;
We need not worry about our current trials, difficulties, stresses, extremities, circumstances, unknowns.
He sent ravens to Elijah, a nice provision,
He sent Jesus to sinners without strength, a gracious, redeeming, atoning provision,
He sent the Holy Spirit to all his Sheep, a uniting, sealing, indwelling, eternal provision
He sent the Scriptures from Greek to Latin, to Luther's German language for those in bondage to the Pope, to modern English, a provision that will not return to him void, but accomplish it's purpose.
Be of good cheer indeed, He has overcome the world, and greater is He that is in us, than He that is in the world.
Be of good cheer, He is preparing a place for us, He will bring us back unto Himself,
Be of good cheer, all the numerous aspects of Revelation 21 and 22 are true and sure
Be of good cheer, Rev. 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
and so like Piper is trying to say to me: "Todd, Don't Waste your life."
If the God of
...Abraham, and of
...Isaac, and of
...Jacob, and of
...Joseph, and of
...Moses, and of
...the slaves in exodus, and of
...the infants of the jews, and of
...those at the bottom of Mount Siani,
...those sent to spy the land
...those stuck in the wilderness for 40 years, but with manna, the pillar, the ark, the tabernacle, the rod of Aaron,
...those like Joshua and Caleb who entered,
...those like Joshua who conquered, and like Rahab spared.
...those blessed by the numerous Judges
...those heard like Hannah, and those called like Samuel
...those mercied like David, and Solomon
...those sent like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
...forerunners like John the Baptist, unworthy to loose his sandals
...an unamed person like the leper, prostitute, man born blind, theif on the cross
...sinful men like Peter
...those graced like doubting Thomas
...those forgiven like at Pentecost
...murderers like Saul-Paul
...gentiles, whom the believing Jews were astonished that God hath granted them eternal life; Acts 10:45
...countless episodes, events, issues per each individual above and more individuals not named.
AND, realizing Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow
AND realizing Hebrews 13:6 that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
THEN, realizing all these things, what a radical difference it will make in our life,in our:
...obedience,
...prayers,
...study of the Word
...proclamation of the Word and Jesus
...zeal
...denial of self, sacrifice
...labor
...redemption of time;
...stewardship of money, possessions, time, and self.
...joy
...peace
...thankfulness
...hope;
This is mainly for myself, and consideration of my own past and present providences; yet I subsequently pass it along;
We need not worry about our current trials, difficulties, stresses, extremities, circumstances, unknowns.
He sent ravens to Elijah, a nice provision,
He sent Jesus to sinners without strength, a gracious, redeeming, atoning provision,
He sent the Holy Spirit to all his Sheep, a uniting, sealing, indwelling, eternal provision
He sent the Scriptures from Greek to Latin, to Luther's German language for those in bondage to the Pope, to modern English, a provision that will not return to him void, but accomplish it's purpose.
Be of good cheer indeed, He has overcome the world, and greater is He that is in us, than He that is in the world.
Be of good cheer, He is preparing a place for us, He will bring us back unto Himself,
Be of good cheer, all the numerous aspects of Revelation 21 and 22 are true and sure
Be of good cheer, Rev. 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
and so like Piper is trying to say to me: "Todd, Don't Waste your life."
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Matthew 23 Jerusalem
I. Matthew 23:37, 20 evidences of Total Inability are shown.
Evidences of a wicked heart, wicked mind, wicked nature, man's natural choice and response:
Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered YOUR CHILDREN together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! >>Arminians reword "your Children" to "you".
1. Mat 23:4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
2. Mat 23:5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
3. Mat 23:6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues
4. Mat 23:7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. (both errors of v.12 exalting self)
5. Mat 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces.
6. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
7. v.15 you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
8. Mat 23:16 "Woe to you, blind guides
9. Mat 23:19 You blind men!
10. Mat 23:24 You blind guides
11. but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
12. Mat 23:26 You blind Pharisee!
13. within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.
14. Mat 23:28 but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
15. v.30 saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' v. 31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
16. v.33 how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
17. Mat 23:34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,
18. the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
19. v.37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!
20. v.37 ....and you would not!
This is 20 things in one chapter, how much more exists in all of Matthew itself of man's rebellion, and this by the elite minds of Hebrew and OT, the Tiger Woods of OT, the Bill Gates, the Michael Jordan of the OT. To yet not recognize, love, trust, or understand Jesus, but Kill Him? and to think that Todd a gentile like evil Gentile Goliath, or evil Gentile Pharaoh is going to make a better response to the Holy Spirit than they? (???)
II. Matthew 23:37.
A. Jesus states a moral prescription, Jerusalem fails the moral prescription. Romans 9-11 makes it clear God purposed the jews to be blinded and stumble so the gentiles could be engrafted, even as Isaiah 6:9-11 state. Jesus makes it clear that the Father "has hidden" these things from the wise and prudent.. The Father could have said, "I would take every sinless person to heaven, but you would not be sinless." Jesus says, "I would have taken your children in like a hen, but you would not." We both have moral prescriptions, but you will not keep them. I would buy the meal for Abraham Lincoln if he comes and sees me today, but he is not coming.
If the Father gives John the Baptist the Holy Spirit in the womb, the Father can give all of Jerusalem the same thing in the womb, it wasn't John's choice, John could have been another son of Korah bor 2000 years earlier instead, and God could have used Balaam's donkey or a donkey of Jesus' generation to speak and be the forerunner of the Lord. God could have given all of Jerusalem a burning bush to be the forerunner of the Lord.
It is telling that Jesus speaks to Jerusalem, why not travel to Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria and tell them that, is Jesus being selective? So much for universal equality; This verse simply denotes what God said in Deut 7-8-9, you jews are no better than other pagans, you are just as bad. The Jews murmured 10x (Numb 14:22) ironically just like Pagan pharaoh rejected Moses 10x. 14:23 says they will die in the wilderness, just like Pharaoh died too.
John 15:16 you did not choose me, but I choose you; Peter, unlearned fisherman, said "Depart from me! For i am sinful man. " He did not say I will follow, trust, and love you. All Jesus had to do with choose all of Jerusalem just like he choose Peter who said depart. An entire city told Jesus to "Leave" Matthew 8:34, yet Peter alone is chosen and the city shunned. Jesus prayed for Peter despite Satan wanting to sift him like wheat. John 17:9 Jesus does not pray for the world; If He would have prayed for the world, like He prayed for Peter, His prayer would have been answered.
Joh 6:44 and 6:65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." All the Father has to do is grant everyone to come to Jesus.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. All the Father has to do is reveal it unto all Jerusalem.
All Jesus has to do is give a blinding light to all of Jerusalem just like he did Saul of Tarsus, or give all of doubting Jerusalem a nail scared hand like he did for Doubting Thomas.
Luk 24:11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. If Jesus is going to be merciful and later Luk 24:45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures; Jesus can then go to all of Jerusalem who likewise thought it was an idle tale and disbelieve and likewise "open their minds to understand" the Scriptures via one on one lesson.
Evidences of a wicked heart, wicked mind, wicked nature, man's natural choice and response:
Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered YOUR CHILDREN together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! >>Arminians reword "your Children" to "you".
1. Mat 23:4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
2. Mat 23:5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
3. Mat 23:6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues
4. Mat 23:7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. (both errors of v.12 exalting self)
5. Mat 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces.
6. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
7. v.15 you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
8. Mat 23:16 "Woe to you, blind guides
9. Mat 23:19 You blind men!
10. Mat 23:24 You blind guides
11. but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
12. Mat 23:26 You blind Pharisee!
13. within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.
14. Mat 23:28 but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
15. v.30 saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' v. 31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
16. v.33 how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
17. Mat 23:34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,
18. the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
19. v.37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!
20. v.37 ....and you would not!
This is 20 things in one chapter, how much more exists in all of Matthew itself of man's rebellion, and this by the elite minds of Hebrew and OT, the Tiger Woods of OT, the Bill Gates, the Michael Jordan of the OT. To yet not recognize, love, trust, or understand Jesus, but Kill Him? and to think that Todd a gentile like evil Gentile Goliath, or evil Gentile Pharaoh is going to make a better response to the Holy Spirit than they? (???)
II. Matthew 23:37.
A. Jesus states a moral prescription, Jerusalem fails the moral prescription. Romans 9-11 makes it clear God purposed the jews to be blinded and stumble so the gentiles could be engrafted, even as Isaiah 6:9-11 state. Jesus makes it clear that the Father "has hidden" these things from the wise and prudent.. The Father could have said, "I would take every sinless person to heaven, but you would not be sinless." Jesus says, "I would have taken your children in like a hen, but you would not." We both have moral prescriptions, but you will not keep them. I would buy the meal for Abraham Lincoln if he comes and sees me today, but he is not coming.
If the Father gives John the Baptist the Holy Spirit in the womb, the Father can give all of Jerusalem the same thing in the womb, it wasn't John's choice, John could have been another son of Korah bor 2000 years earlier instead, and God could have used Balaam's donkey or a donkey of Jesus' generation to speak and be the forerunner of the Lord. God could have given all of Jerusalem a burning bush to be the forerunner of the Lord.
It is telling that Jesus speaks to Jerusalem, why not travel to Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria and tell them that, is Jesus being selective? So much for universal equality; This verse simply denotes what God said in Deut 7-8-9, you jews are no better than other pagans, you are just as bad. The Jews murmured 10x (Numb 14:22) ironically just like Pagan pharaoh rejected Moses 10x. 14:23 says they will die in the wilderness, just like Pharaoh died too.
John 15:16 you did not choose me, but I choose you; Peter, unlearned fisherman, said "Depart from me! For i am sinful man. " He did not say I will follow, trust, and love you. All Jesus had to do with choose all of Jerusalem just like he choose Peter who said depart. An entire city told Jesus to "Leave" Matthew 8:34, yet Peter alone is chosen and the city shunned. Jesus prayed for Peter despite Satan wanting to sift him like wheat. John 17:9 Jesus does not pray for the world; If He would have prayed for the world, like He prayed for Peter, His prayer would have been answered.
Joh 6:44 and 6:65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." All the Father has to do is grant everyone to come to Jesus.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. All the Father has to do is reveal it unto all Jerusalem.
All Jesus has to do is give a blinding light to all of Jerusalem just like he did Saul of Tarsus, or give all of doubting Jerusalem a nail scared hand like he did for Doubting Thomas.
Luk 24:11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. If Jesus is going to be merciful and later Luk 24:45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures; Jesus can then go to all of Jerusalem who likewise thought it was an idle tale and disbelieve and likewise "open their minds to understand" the Scriptures via one on one lesson.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Romans 5 v10 part 1
Some suppose that Romans 5:10 teaches that all of mankind, including the goats, tares, and non-elect are reconciled to God, but this is not an accurate understanding of the verse, and we will explain here, why it is an inaccurate understanding of the verse.
Here is the verse: (Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. )
#1. The pronouns in this verse are not referring to “goats, tares, the non-elect, or each individual in the world.” Here is the proof.
A. The book is not written to the: “goats, tares, the non-elect, or each individual in the world.”
A2. The book is written to the saints. Romans 1:7-8 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
Romans 1:7,8 begins using plural nouns such as: all those, you. It is wrong then to immediately think that this plural “you” is referring to Pharaoh, Goliath, Korah, Judas. These men are not saints, their faith is not being spoken of in “all the world.”
Consider another use of “we” in Romans prior to Romans 5:10, found in Romans 4:1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
This “we” cannot be referring to Pharaoh, Goliath, and millions of individuals because Abraham is not their forefather, but Paul says “WE gained by Abraham, OUR forefather.”
B. The numerous pronouns (I have counted 17x) found in the immediate context of Romans 5, are all referring to “the saints” of Romans 1:7-8, not “each individual on the planet.”
Despite using the term “we”, all pagans do (are) not:
1. ) v.1 have peace with God; Every individual on the planet does not presently “have peace with God”, because it is a present tense reality, based on a past tense reality of “already been justified”, thus “we” cannot be a reference to every individual on the planet but only the saints of Romans 1:7-8.
2. ) v.1 acknowledge Jesus as "our Lord" relationally, nor by position. (Phil 2:11). The present tense verb "have peace" is stipulated by the past tense verb "having been justified". If one is not already justified he will not have peace with God.
3. ) v.1 "already been justified." Every individual on the planet is not “already justified” , thus they do not have peace with God, thus “we” cannot be a reference to every individual on the planet but only the saints of Romans 1:7-8.
4. ) v.2 stand in God's grace; Every individual does not stand in God’s grace, thus “we” cannot be a reference to every individual on the planet. but only the saints of Romans 1:7-8.
5. ) v.2 rejoice in hope of God’s glory; Every individual does not rejoice in hope of God’s glory thus “we” cannot be a reference to every individual on the planet. (Rom 1:23); Yet it is being done now by saints;
6. ) v.3 glory in tribulations; Pagans do not hate fellow pagans, like the Church. (John 15:18-16:4). Unbelieving Jews murmured, not gloried, in the wilderness, unbelieving gentiles do the same.
7. ) v.5 grow in patience, experience, hope, being unashamed of Jesus; nor given the Holy Spirit. (Else Acts 15:8 is non-sense. “them” is not all mankind, otherwise all mankind is Holy Spirit sealed = universalism). Every individual does not grow in patience, experience, hope, being unashamed of Jesus; nor given the Holy Spirit. thus “we” cannot be a reference to every individual on the planet but only the saints of Romans 1:7-8.
8.) v.9 "now justified" by his blood. (Like v. 1); Readers cannot insert (v.1, v.9) ""if one ever does have faith in Jesus then they…". Paul wrote to specific people/saints about what they presently currently really possess (justification, faith, peace) who are already believing, justified, rejoicing (which is not true of pagans). Paul is not engaging in theories/potentials for unbelievers. Every individual is not “now justified” by his blood thus “we” cannot be a reference to every individual on the planet but only the saints of Romans 1:7-8.
>>>.) v.10 Every "we" addresses Author-reader specifically/only;
(While writing a personal letter to a college classmate) We: went to Wingate College, were handed a diploma from Wingate, shall leave Wingate Dorms. I am not implying all mankind will: attend, graduate, leave the dorms. (even if they read this letter.) Others are enemies of God too, but Paul is not talking about them, even if Hitler reads the letter.
In case you didn’t attend college with me, here is one if you live in America: We: have been given a new president in 2009. When a resident of North Korea, or Iran, or Russia, reads this blog, they are not going to think their own nation has been given a new president. The "we" is referring not to "all mankind" but to "my readers" the "citizens of America" or "my readers" the saints.
"We were reconciled" (All mankind is not reconciled). Reconciliation is by the death of the Son (2 Cor. 5:18-20 Ephes. 2:16 Col. 1:20 Col. 1:22, Jesus' body, flesh, death, cross, blood is the effectual cause of reconciliation).
“we shall be saved by his life.” (Not true of all mankind). "Shall" is a guarantee for the saints, not all mankind. Every individual will not be saved by his life, but the entire flow of the chapter is to use “we” as one set of people the saints ( Romans 1:7-8) thus “we” cannot be a reference to every individual on the planet.
One cannot splice this verse to say, “all are reconciled but only some will be saved if…..” Any one who asserts that every individual is reconciled, must also conclude that every individual will be saved, and every individual has the other attributes provided in this chapter. The term “much more” in v.10 increases the assurance of this salvation by the life of Jesus given to all those who were reconciled by His death.
9.) v.11 rejoice in God, nor reference Jesus as "our Lord."; Sarah called Abraham lord as a bride; Christians call Christ “Lord” as a bride. Every individual does not rejoice in God, nor reference Jesus as “our Lord
“ thus “we” cannot be a reference to every individual on the planet, but only the saints of Romans 1:7-8.
10.) v.11 have now received atonement/ reconciliation.
"Us all" in Rom 4:16 cannot refer to John 8:39 Pharisees, (despite a blood lineage from Abraham, they were not sons of Abraham, nor even true Jews. Rom 2:28-29) so it cannot mean every soul ever born; Keeping the context of chapter 1, 4, 5 there is no basis to think that 5:8 is now suddenly referring to all mankind;
If v.8 "we" means "every soul ever born" then the v.9 "we" has to be the same set of people, thus "every soul ever born" will be saved from the wrath through Jesus. (universalism). The promise of what "will/shall" be done, (saved from wrath v.9) is addressed to the same v.8 "we"
Conclusion: Romans 5:10 does not teach that every single individual is reconciled to God
The verse does not broaden (nor counter) the scope of the atonement as presented in Scripture: only to his “people” (Matt. 1:21); his “friends” (John 15:13); his “sheep” (John 10:11, 15); his “body,” the “church” (Eph. 5:23–26; Acts 20:28); the “elect” (Rom. 8:32–34) as the recipients of His atonement;
C. The meaning of the word “reconciled” precludes that each individual is reconciled to God, otherwise the term itself requires a belief in universalism.
The term “reconciled” is from καταλλάσσω, katallassō and is defined by Thayer’s Dictionary as 1) to change, exchange, as coins for others of equivalent value 1a) to reconcile (those who are at variance) 1b) return to favor with, be reconciled to one; 1c) to receive one into favor; and is defned by Strong’s Dictionary as: to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference: - reconcile.;
If God is reconciled to every individual, then by the very term, He is at peace with every individual, and no longer enemies, and this peace is not merely a peace of “we are even-stephen you keep to yourself and I’ll keep to myself”, but rather a unity, bond, communion among friends and family. It will be impossible for God to throw men in hell, He is no longer their enemy, He has nothing against them, He is reconciled to them. Another proof is seen in the gospels.
Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
One cannot come to Jesus and say, “Well, we are reconciled, but I have not forgiven him yet, so I assume my gift at the altar is acceptable anyway.”
We will not, in this article, examine every text on the matter but close with this one:
Ephes. 2:15-19 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. [17] And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Again, when reconciliation is present, there is no hostility of God to the reconciled. He is at peace with them. All those who are reconciled are also “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Updates Feedback
This blog will now host:
1. Any updates of content and goals for the website and blogs.
2. A means for visitors to post comments, questions, feedback, and pursue conversations via email or Facebook email.
So feel free to use the comment box of "Feedback" headings to reach me, or leave me an email through your Facebook Account.
I can be found at: www.facebook.com/118min
1. Any updates of content and goals for the website and blogs.
2. A means for visitors to post comments, questions, feedback, and pursue conversations via email or Facebook email.
So feel free to use the comment box of "Feedback" headings to reach me, or leave me an email through your Facebook Account.
I can be found at: www.facebook.com/118min
Acts 14, Romans 10
Acts 14:2 (ESV), "But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
On the Arminian Today Blog we find these comments:
I, who affirm the TULIP, see this verse and statement as a clear example of Total Depravity. Man's choice before regeneration is ALWAYS a refusal to believe and a choosing to reject the gospel. (I could digress into a distinction of what the "good news" is, in contrast to the Arminian position, but will not here). In later replies I hope to continue to examine the train of thought presented in the original article at Arminian Today Blog.
But for now, I would like to provide the evidence that Romans 10 actually further demonstrates the Total Inability of the unregenerate. Granted, the writer has not asserted yet that Romans 10 teaches otherwise, but it is helpful to import the full message of Romans 10 into this discussion without merely citing 3 verses for one selective precept that is being used from the chapter.
#1. Romans 10:18-21 goes on to describe that the ethnic jews
a.] had heard. (v.18) and
b.] had understood. (v.19) and yet were
c.] disobedient and
d.] contrary (to God and God's command)
e.] and this disobedience and contrariness occurred "all day long" v.21
Isaiah 65 is riddled with evidence of the jew's sternly and repeatedly rejecting God,
f.] Despite v.2 having a zeal for God,
g.] v.2 but not according to knowledge.
h.] and v.3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God,
i.] and v.3 seeking to establish their own,
j.] and v.3 they did not submit to God's righteousness.
So Romans 10:14-17 provides no hope that ethnic jews of themselves will ever stop: "refusing to believe, rejecting the gospel" nor provides any hope that ethnic jews of themselves will ever start "deciding to believe, accept the gospel." Paul and God clearly communicates a disapproval to the jews, yet does not indicate any praise to the gentiles, because they did not even seek God, nor ask for God,
Furthermore, v.20
j. Isaiah is so BOLD to say,
k. "I have been found........ by those who did not seek me;
l. I have shown myself........ those who did not ask for me."
What is the explanation for this difference? Was the difference made by the gentiles? The gentiles who were not seeking, nor asking, who did not receive a long list of benefits in the book of Moses, the writings in Genesis about God's covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, getting preferential treatment in relation to the Pharaoh, though they lied to him twice, the writings of Exodus how they were spared the hardship of the plagues, delivered from slavery and death, given access to God at Mount Sinai and the covenant He provided, the manna in the wilderness, the promise of land in a few weeks , and 10 more mercies in the wilderness, a history of Joshua conquering the land by God's promise, and a history of David reigning;----and thus the Jews still end up in Isaiah 65 with adamant rebellion and idolatry;
Yet the Gentiles who have no history of this, no heritage of this, no exposure to this, no such blessing, are not seeking YHWH, nor asking for YHWH....just simply "make a better choice" than the jews? It would be the height of pride and arrogance to suggest that individual gentiles made the difference by making a "better choice" than individual jews, when the context does not limit the matter to merely "belief" but "obedience" in general. Neither Romans nor Isaiah allow a notion to credit the Gentiles for making the difference in their salvation.
In brief, Romans 11 says: (Isaiah 29:9-14; and Isaiah 6:9-12)
a. Rom 11:8 as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor,
b. eyes that would not see and
c. ears that would not hear, down to this very day."
d. Rom 11:9 And David says, "Let their table become a snare and
e. a trap,
f. a stumbling block and
g. a retribution for them;
h. Rom 11:10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
i. and bend their backs forever."
How is God "trying to save" them now, when he is making them drunk, blind, deaf, ensnared? Is this a tactic of evangelism that we should employ today?
#2. So far, neither of us have, in citing Acts 14:2, dealt with the larger context of :
Acts 13:45-52 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
nor:
Acts 14:11-19 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
nor:
Acts 14:19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
On the Arminian Today Blog we find these comments:
And later begins to explain:... "these Jews refused to believe. By their own choice they rejected
the gospel. "
....that "without the preaching of the gospel there can be no salvation (Romans 10:14-17) "
I, who affirm the TULIP, see this verse and statement as a clear example of Total Depravity. Man's choice before regeneration is ALWAYS a refusal to believe and a choosing to reject the gospel. (I could digress into a distinction of what the "good news" is, in contrast to the Arminian position, but will not here). In later replies I hope to continue to examine the train of thought presented in the original article at Arminian Today Blog.
But for now, I would like to provide the evidence that Romans 10 actually further demonstrates the Total Inability of the unregenerate. Granted, the writer has not asserted yet that Romans 10 teaches otherwise, but it is helpful to import the full message of Romans 10 into this discussion without merely citing 3 verses for one selective precept that is being used from the chapter.
#1. Romans 10:18-21 goes on to describe that the ethnic jews
a.] had heard. (v.18) and
b.] had understood. (v.19) and yet were
c.] disobedient and
d.] contrary (to God and God's command)
e.] and this disobedience and contrariness occurred "all day long" v.21
Isaiah 65 is riddled with evidence of the jew's sternly and repeatedly rejecting God,
f.] Despite v.2 having a zeal for God,
g.] v.2 but not according to knowledge.
h.] and v.3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God,
i.] and v.3 seeking to establish their own,
j.] and v.3 they did not submit to God's righteousness.
So Romans 10:14-17 provides no hope that ethnic jews of themselves will ever stop: "refusing to believe, rejecting the gospel" nor provides any hope that ethnic jews of themselves will ever start "deciding to believe, accept the gospel." Paul and God clearly communicates a disapproval to the jews, yet does not indicate any praise to the gentiles, because they did not even seek God, nor ask for God,
Furthermore, v.20
j. Isaiah is so BOLD to say,
k. "I have been found........ by those who did not seek me;
l. I have shown myself........ those who did not ask for me."
What is the explanation for this difference? Was the difference made by the gentiles? The gentiles who were not seeking, nor asking, who did not receive a long list of benefits in the book of Moses, the writings in Genesis about God's covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, getting preferential treatment in relation to the Pharaoh, though they lied to him twice, the writings of Exodus how they were spared the hardship of the plagues, delivered from slavery and death, given access to God at Mount Sinai and the covenant He provided, the manna in the wilderness, the promise of land in a few weeks , and 10 more mercies in the wilderness, a history of Joshua conquering the land by God's promise, and a history of David reigning;----and thus the Jews still end up in Isaiah 65 with adamant rebellion and idolatry;
Yet the Gentiles who have no history of this, no heritage of this, no exposure to this, no such blessing, are not seeking YHWH, nor asking for YHWH....just simply "make a better choice" than the jews? It would be the height of pride and arrogance to suggest that individual gentiles made the difference by making a "better choice" than individual jews, when the context does not limit the matter to merely "belief" but "obedience" in general. Neither Romans nor Isaiah allow a notion to credit the Gentiles for making the difference in their salvation.
In brief, Romans 11 says: (Isaiah 29:9-14; and Isaiah 6:9-12)
a. Rom 11:8 as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor,
b. eyes that would not see and
c. ears that would not hear, down to this very day."
d. Rom 11:9 And David says, "Let their table become a snare and
e. a trap,
f. a stumbling block and
g. a retribution for them;
h. Rom 11:10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
i. and bend their backs forever."
How is God "trying to save" them now, when he is making them drunk, blind, deaf, ensnared? Is this a tactic of evangelism that we should employ today?
#2. So far, neither of us have, in citing Acts 14:2, dealt with the larger context of :
Acts 13:45-52 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
nor:
Acts 14:11-19 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
nor:
Acts 14:19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
Monday, February 8, 2010
WHAT BASIS
Science cannot prove that:
1. Truth is better than Lie.
2. Peace is better than War.
3. Life is better than Death.
4. Equality is better than Inequality.
5. Justice is better than Injustice.
6. Intended Results is better than failure to accomplish intended results.
7. Knowledge and Understanding is better than Ignorance.
8. Humans are better than any other organic or inorganic item.
9. Freedom is better than Oppression.
10. Evidence is better than Brute Force.
11. Relevance is better than Irrelevance.
12. Accuracy is better than Inaccuracy.
13. Morality is better than Immorality or Amorality.
14. Social Contract is better than Anarchy.
15. Progress is better than no progress.
1. Truth is better than Lie.
2. Peace is better than War.
3. Life is better than Death.
4. Equality is better than Inequality.
5. Justice is better than Injustice.
6. Intended Results is better than failure to accomplish intended results.
7. Knowledge and Understanding is better than Ignorance.
8. Humans are better than any other organic or inorganic item.
9. Freedom is better than Oppression.
10. Evidence is better than Brute Force.
11. Relevance is better than Irrelevance.
12. Accuracy is better than Inaccuracy.
13. Morality is better than Immorality or Amorality.
14. Social Contract is better than Anarchy.
15. Progress is better than no progress.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
FIVE POINT INTRO
TAKEN ENTIRELY FROM THIS BLOG: http://refocusingoureyes.com/doctrines-grace
I. Total Depravity/Total Inability teaches that man’s nature is so depraved that he cannot even believe on Christ unless God draws him. The Scriptures indicate that man in his sins is, among other things, dead (Ephesians 2:1-5), blind (Ephesians 4:18); powerless (Rom. 5:6); stoney-hearted (Ezek. 36:26); an enemy of God (Rom. 8:7); all of which imply a complete inability (John 6:44) to do anything to remedy his condition.
Key Scripture passages:
Jer. 13:23: Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
1 Cor. 2:14: The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are spiritually discerned.
Rom 3:10-12: As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one; There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God...
Eph 2:1-3: And you did He make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins..
Other references: Gen 2:17; Job 14:4; John 3:19; John 6:53; Rom. 3:10-12; Rom 5:12; 2 1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor 1:9; Eph. 2:12
II. Unconditional Election teaches that those who will be saved are chosen before the foundation of the world, based not on whether one chooses to believe but on God’s eternal decree. The Scriptures teach that God chose His elect completely apart from any merit of our own, even that of believing, which in itself can become a work and a point of boasting. In a key passage on this subject of unconditional election, Romans chapter 9, the Apostle Paul, knowing that this doctrine would be offensive to his readers, does not soften its meaning, but asserts God’s right to do as he pleases: “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?” (Romans 9:20-21)
Key Scripture passages:
Psalm 65:4: Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.
John 5:21: For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom He will.
John 13:18: I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen.
John 15:16: Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit.
Acts 13:48: And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Acts 16:14: And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Acts 18:27: And when he [Paul] wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed.
Rom 8:29-30: For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren; and whom He foreordained, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
Rom 9:11-12: The children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth, it was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger. Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
Eph 1:4-5: He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love; having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
2 Thess 2:13: God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
Rom 9:15-18: For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy…. 18, Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth.
Rom. 11:7-10: What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Jude 1:4: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Other references: Exodus 8:23; Ex. 33:19; Deut. 7:6-8. Deut 10:15. 1 Kings 19:18 Ps. 147:20.. Prov. 16:4; Prov. 21:1; Amos 3:2. John 6:37: John 6:65: John 15:16: John 17:9: Romans 9:12-24; 1 Cor. 1:27-29; Eph. 1:4-14; 1 Thess. 5:9.
III. PARTICULAR REDEMPTION. DEFINITE ATONEMENT (Limited Atonement) teaches that Christ died on the Cross specifically for the elect, and thus all for whom He died will be saved. While this point among the five may raise the greatest objection because of verses that appear to teach a universal atonement, the Scriptures indicate that Christ died for His own people (i.e., the elect) and that His death was completely effectual in accomplishing its purposes, despite the fact that much of mankind does not believe unto salvation. As noted above, unless one is prepared to say that all mankind shall be saved, one is limiting the atonement. It is more in keeping with God’s character to limit the purpose or scope of the atonement than to limit its power.
Key Scripture passages:
Isaiah 53:11: He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many [not all]; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Acts 13:48: As many as were ordained to eternal life [and only they] believed.
Mat 1:21: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people [and only they] from their sins.
Mat 26:28: For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many [not for all] for the remission of sins.
Mark 14:24: And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many [but not for all].
Luke 1:68: Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.
John 6:39: This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
John 6:45: It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
John 10:11: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Act 20:28: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Other references: John 10:14-15, 27-28; John 11:49-52; John 15:13; John 17:2, 6, 9, 12; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 8:28-30.
IV. EFFECTUAL GRACE (Irresistible Grace) teaches that when God’s electing, unconditional saving grace is extended to man, man will respond and the effects will be life-transforming, for God’s purposes will not be thwarted. The term “irrestible” has often been opposed on the grounds that it appears to say that man may try to resist God’s grace but cannot. That argument is irrelevant because when God regenerates the depraved heart, that person’s will is changed, and he will not resist because he is no longer at enmity with God. This is described beautifully in the Westiminster and 1689 Confessions in the section on Effectual Calling, paragraph 1: “Those whom God hath predestinated unto Life, He is pleased in his appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call by his word, and Spirit, out of that state of sin, and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and Salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightning their minds, spiritually, and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by His Almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His Grace.”
Key Scripture passages:
Jer 32:40: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, and I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me.
Ezek. 36:26: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Ps. 51:6: Thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalm 110:3: Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power.
John 3:8: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
John 15:16: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit.
Acts 16:14: And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
2 Cor. 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Cor 9:8: God is able to make all grace to abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work.
Eph 2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
2 Thess 3:3: The Lord is faithful and will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
Tit 2:14: who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Tit. 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
1 John 3:9: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Other references: Ezek. 11:19-20; Jer. 31:18; Rom. 6:14; 1 Cor. 10:13; Eph. 1:19; 1 Pet 2:9; Col. 2:13.
V. Perseverance of the Saints teaches that true saving faith cannot be lost but will cause one to continue in the faith and ultimately be eternally saved. “The saints, even in this world, are compared to a tree that does not wither (Ps 1:3); to the cedars which flourish on Mount Lebanon (Ps 92:12); to Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but which abideth forever (Ps 125:1); and to a house built on a rock, Matt 7:24. The Lord is with them in their old age (Isa 46:4) and is their guide even unto death (Ps 48:14), so that they cannot be totally and finally lost” (Boettner). This is stronger than today’s replacement term, “Eternal Security,” which focuses on eternal life in the future but does not give due recognition to the Holy Spirit’s power in this life to keep the child of God faithful in the Christian walk.
Key Scripture passages:
Ps 34:7: The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them.
Ps 138:8: Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me.
John 5:24: He that heareth my word, and believeth Him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.
Rom 8:29: For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained … and whom He foreordained, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
Rom 11:29: The gifts and calling of God are not repented of.
Rom. 14:4: Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
2 Cor 4:8-9,14: We are pressed on every side, yet not straightened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; … knowing that He that raised up the Lord Jesus Christ shall raise us also with Jesus.
Phil 1:6: Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 4:18: The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto His heavenly kingdom.
Other references: Ps. 23:6 Jer 31:3, John 4:14. John 6:47. John 6:51. John 10:28. John 14:19. 2 Cor 2:14. Eph 1:5. Eph 4:30. Phil 3:20 2 Tim 2:19. Heb 10:14. 1 Pet. 1:5 1 John 5:13.
Adapted from Faith Bible Church.
I. Total Depravity/Total Inability teaches that man’s nature is so depraved that he cannot even believe on Christ unless God draws him. The Scriptures indicate that man in his sins is, among other things, dead (Ephesians 2:1-5), blind (Ephesians 4:18); powerless (Rom. 5:6); stoney-hearted (Ezek. 36:26); an enemy of God (Rom. 8:7); all of which imply a complete inability (John 6:44) to do anything to remedy his condition.
Key Scripture passages:
Jer. 13:23: Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
1 Cor. 2:14: The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are spiritually discerned.
Rom 3:10-12: As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one; There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God...
Eph 2:1-3: And you did He make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins..
Other references: Gen 2:17; Job 14:4; John 3:19; John 6:53; Rom. 3:10-12; Rom 5:12; 2 1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor 1:9; Eph. 2:12
II. Unconditional Election teaches that those who will be saved are chosen before the foundation of the world, based not on whether one chooses to believe but on God’s eternal decree. The Scriptures teach that God chose His elect completely apart from any merit of our own, even that of believing, which in itself can become a work and a point of boasting. In a key passage on this subject of unconditional election, Romans chapter 9, the Apostle Paul, knowing that this doctrine would be offensive to his readers, does not soften its meaning, but asserts God’s right to do as he pleases: “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?” (Romans 9:20-21)
Key Scripture passages:
Psalm 65:4: Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.
John 5:21: For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom He will.
John 13:18: I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen.
John 15:16: Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit.
Acts 13:48: And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Acts 16:14: And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Acts 18:27: And when he [Paul] wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed.
Rom 8:29-30: For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren; and whom He foreordained, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
Rom 9:11-12: The children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth, it was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger. Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.
Eph 1:4-5: He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love; having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
2 Thess 2:13: God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
Rom 9:15-18: For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy…. 18, Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth.
Rom. 11:7-10: What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Jude 1:4: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Other references: Exodus 8:23; Ex. 33:19; Deut. 7:6-8. Deut 10:15. 1 Kings 19:18 Ps. 147:20.. Prov. 16:4; Prov. 21:1; Amos 3:2. John 6:37: John 6:65: John 15:16: John 17:9: Romans 9:12-24; 1 Cor. 1:27-29; Eph. 1:4-14; 1 Thess. 5:9.
III. PARTICULAR REDEMPTION. DEFINITE ATONEMENT (Limited Atonement) teaches that Christ died on the Cross specifically for the elect, and thus all for whom He died will be saved. While this point among the five may raise the greatest objection because of verses that appear to teach a universal atonement, the Scriptures indicate that Christ died for His own people (i.e., the elect) and that His death was completely effectual in accomplishing its purposes, despite the fact that much of mankind does not believe unto salvation. As noted above, unless one is prepared to say that all mankind shall be saved, one is limiting the atonement. It is more in keeping with God’s character to limit the purpose or scope of the atonement than to limit its power.
Key Scripture passages:
Isaiah 53:11: He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many [not all]; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Acts 13:48: As many as were ordained to eternal life [and only they] believed.
Mat 1:21: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people [and only they] from their sins.
Mat 26:28: For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many [not for all] for the remission of sins.
Mark 14:24: And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many [but not for all].
Luke 1:68: Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.
John 6:39: This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
John 6:45: It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
John 10:11: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Act 20:28: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Other references: John 10:14-15, 27-28; John 11:49-52; John 15:13; John 17:2, 6, 9, 12; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 8:28-30.
IV. EFFECTUAL GRACE (Irresistible Grace) teaches that when God’s electing, unconditional saving grace is extended to man, man will respond and the effects will be life-transforming, for God’s purposes will not be thwarted. The term “irrestible” has often been opposed on the grounds that it appears to say that man may try to resist God’s grace but cannot. That argument is irrelevant because when God regenerates the depraved heart, that person’s will is changed, and he will not resist because he is no longer at enmity with God. This is described beautifully in the Westiminster and 1689 Confessions in the section on Effectual Calling, paragraph 1: “Those whom God hath predestinated unto Life, He is pleased in his appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call by his word, and Spirit, out of that state of sin, and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and Salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightning their minds, spiritually, and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by His Almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His Grace.”
Key Scripture passages:
Jer 32:40: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, and I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me.
Ezek. 36:26: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Ps. 51:6: Thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalm 110:3: Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power.
John 3:8: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
John 15:16: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit.
Acts 16:14: And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
2 Cor. 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Cor 9:8: God is able to make all grace to abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work.
Eph 2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
2 Thess 3:3: The Lord is faithful and will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
Tit 2:14: who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Tit. 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
1 John 3:9: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Other references: Ezek. 11:19-20; Jer. 31:18; Rom. 6:14; 1 Cor. 10:13; Eph. 1:19; 1 Pet 2:9; Col. 2:13.
V. Perseverance of the Saints teaches that true saving faith cannot be lost but will cause one to continue in the faith and ultimately be eternally saved. “The saints, even in this world, are compared to a tree that does not wither (Ps 1:3); to the cedars which flourish on Mount Lebanon (Ps 92:12); to Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but which abideth forever (Ps 125:1); and to a house built on a rock, Matt 7:24. The Lord is with them in their old age (Isa 46:4) and is their guide even unto death (Ps 48:14), so that they cannot be totally and finally lost” (Boettner). This is stronger than today’s replacement term, “Eternal Security,” which focuses on eternal life in the future but does not give due recognition to the Holy Spirit’s power in this life to keep the child of God faithful in the Christian walk.
Key Scripture passages:
Ps 34:7: The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them.
Ps 138:8: Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me.
John 5:24: He that heareth my word, and believeth Him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.
Rom 8:29: For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained … and whom He foreordained, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
Rom 11:29: The gifts and calling of God are not repented of.
Rom. 14:4: Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
2 Cor 4:8-9,14: We are pressed on every side, yet not straightened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; … knowing that He that raised up the Lord Jesus Christ shall raise us also with Jesus.
Phil 1:6: Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 4:18: The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto His heavenly kingdom.
Other references: Ps. 23:6 Jer 31:3, John 4:14. John 6:47. John 6:51. John 10:28. John 14:19. 2 Cor 2:14. Eph 1:5. Eph 4:30. Phil 3:20 2 Tim 2:19. Heb 10:14. 1 Pet. 1:5 1 John 5:13.
Adapted from Faith Bible Church.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
IN GENERAL OF THE END OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST, AS IT IS IN THE SCRIPTURE PROPOSED.
By the end of the death of Christ, we mean in general, both, —
[1st] first, that which his
a. Father (intended)
b. and himself (Jesus) intended in it; and,
[2nd] secondly, that which was: effectually fulfilled and accomplished by it.
Concerning either we may take a brief view of the expressions used by the Holy Spirit: —
A. [The Holy Spirit says, i.e. Scripture says]
I. For the first. Will you know the end [purpose, goal, objective] wherefore,
and the intention wherewith,
Christ came into the world?
B. [Jesus says:] Let us ask himself [Jesus]
(who knew his own mind, as also all the secrets of his Father’s bosom),
[Owen highlighting the supremacy of Jesus' mind and knowledge]
and he will tell us
that the “Son of man came to save that which was lost,”
Matthew 18:11, — to recover and save poor lost sinners;
that was his intent and design, as is again asserted, Luke 19:10.
C. [Apostles say] Ask also his apostles, who know his mind,
[Owen highlighting the supremacy of inspired Scripture] and they will tell you the same.
C2. [Paul says] So Paul, 1 Timothy
1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Now, if you will ask who these sinners are towards whom he hath this gracious intent and purpose, himself tells you,
A. Matthew 20:28, that he came to “give his life a ransom for many;” in other places called us,
B. believers, distinguished from the world:
>>for he “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father,” Galatians 1:4.
>> That was the will and intention of God, that he should give himself for us, that we might be saved, being separated from the world.
C. They are his church: Ephesians 5:25-27, “He loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish:”
>> which last words express also the very aim and end of Christ in givinghimself for any, even that they may be made fit for God, and brought nigh unto him;
C2. — the like whereof is also asserted, Titus 2:14, “He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
RECAP: Thus clear, then, and apparent, is the intention and design of
A. Christ and
b. his Father in this great work, even:
>> what it was, and
>> towards whom, —namely,
1. to save us,
2. to deliver us from the evil world,
3. to purge and wash us,
4. to make us holy, zealous, fruitful in good works,
5. to render us acceptable, and to bring us unto God;
for through him “we have access into the grace wherein we stand Romans 5:2.
By the end of the death of Christ, we mean in general, both, —
[1st] first, that which his
a. Father (intended)
b. and himself (Jesus) intended in it; and,
[2nd] secondly, that which was: effectually fulfilled and accomplished by it.
Concerning either we may take a brief view of the expressions used by the Holy Spirit: —
A. [The Holy Spirit says, i.e. Scripture says]
I. For the first. Will you know the end [purpose, goal, objective] wherefore,
and the intention wherewith,
Christ came into the world?
B. [Jesus says:] Let us ask himself [Jesus]
(who knew his own mind, as also all the secrets of his Father’s bosom),
[Owen highlighting the supremacy of Jesus' mind and knowledge]
and he will tell us
that the “Son of man came to save that which was lost,”
Matthew 18:11, — to recover and save poor lost sinners;
that was his intent and design, as is again asserted, Luke 19:10.
C. [Apostles say] Ask also his apostles, who know his mind,
[Owen highlighting the supremacy of inspired Scripture] and they will tell you the same.
C2. [Paul says] So Paul, 1 Timothy
1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Now, if you will ask who these sinners are towards whom he hath this gracious intent and purpose, himself tells you,
A. Matthew 20:28, that he came to “give his life a ransom for many;” in other places called us,
B. believers, distinguished from the world:
>>for he “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father,” Galatians 1:4.
>> That was the will and intention of God, that he should give himself for us, that we might be saved, being separated from the world.
C. They are his church: Ephesians 5:25-27, “He loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish:”
>> which last words express also the very aim and end of Christ in givinghimself for any, even that they may be made fit for God, and brought nigh unto him;
C2. — the like whereof is also asserted, Titus 2:14, “He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
RECAP: Thus clear, then, and apparent, is the intention and design of
A. Christ and
b. his Father in this great work, even:
>> what it was, and
>> towards whom, —namely,
1. to save us,
2. to deliver us from the evil world,
3. to purge and wash us,
4. to make us holy, zealous, fruitful in good works,
5. to render us acceptable, and to bring us unto God;
for through him “we have access into the grace wherein we stand Romans 5:2.
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