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:

... "these Jews refused to believe. By their own choice they rejected
the gospel. "

And later begins to explain:

....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.