Did Jesus Die on The Cross for The Just/Elect/Saved Whose Names Are Written in The Book of Life OR
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AMEN, brother! And welcome to the board. I haven't been here that long myself.
That is precisely what I mean by "regeneration". Regeneration is the precursor to our spiritual birth, just as conception in the womb is the precursor to physical birth. I know this to be a fact both from scripture and my own personal salvation experience. Looking back...I can see clearly now that God's hand was upon me for a long time before I accepted his Beloved Son as my Lord and Savior. Again, I think the account of Cornelius and his household in Acts 10 graphically portrays this truth.
In fact, there's another very intriguing passage that comes to mind that seems to illustrate this truth: Acts 18:24-26. What is fascinating about this passage is that Appolos "taught about Jesus accurately", nonetheless Priscilla and Aquila, evidently, saw something lacking in his preaching and had to explain "to him the way of God more adequately". Clearly something crucial was missing from Apollos' preaching. Or perhaps Apollos was already saved when he met Priscilla and Aquila, and what he needed was a little more schooling in the discipline of Apologetics (cp. Act 18:27-28). But either way, God is always intimately and personally and lovingly involved with his chosen ones.
That is precisely what I mean by "regeneration". Regeneration is the precursor to our spiritual birth, just as conception in the womb is the precursor to physical birth. I know this to be a fact both from scripture and my own personal salvation experience. Looking back...I can see clearly now that God's hand was upon me for a long time before I accepted his Beloved Son as my Lord and Savior. Again, I think the account of Cornelius and his household in Acts 10 graphically portrays this truth.
In fact, there's another very intriguing passage that comes to mind that seems to illustrate this truth: Acts 18:24-26. What is fascinating about this passage is that Appolos "taught about Jesus accurately", nonetheless Priscilla and Aquila, evidently, saw something lacking in his preaching and had to explain "to him the way of God more adequately". Clearly something crucial was missing from Apollos' preaching. Or perhaps Apollos was already saved when he met Priscilla and Aquila, and what he needed was a little more schooling in the discipline of Apologetics (cp. Act 18:27-28). But either way, God is always intimately and personally and lovingly involved with his chosen ones.
The OP asks for whom Jesus died on the cross. Personally, I don't even know why this is being discussed.
Jesus Christ, 1) 1/3 of the Godhead, 2) God's son, 3) through whom the world was created, is sacrificed as a penalty for all sin.
Does anyone seriously think that the sacrifice of the Son of God is only partially effective??? That it applies to only a part of the human population, all of which is God's creation?
If anyone actually believes that Jesus' sacrifice was not all-inclusive, what other sacrifice is necessary???
Jesus Christ, 1) 1/3 of the Godhead, 2) God's son, 3) through whom the world was created, is sacrificed as a penalty for all sin.
Does anyone seriously think that the sacrifice of the Son of God is only partially effective??? That it applies to only a part of the human population, all of which is God's creation?
If anyone actually believes that Jesus' sacrifice was not all-inclusive, what other sacrifice is necessary???
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Yes, but the passage above does not mean that God "forced" the kings of the earth to confront the Lord and his Christ. They were being acted upon by God by his withdrawal of his restraining grace from them! If it weren't for God's common grace in this world, this planet would be hell -- literally! Nothing restrains evil in this world like God's powerful grace. Of course, God is not culpable when he removes that grace, since no deserves it in the first place; therefore, he is never morally obligated to give his grace to anyone. He is not morally obligated, in other words, to make life more livable or pleasant or comfortable for anyone on this earth.
So, what we have in the above passage is a classic example of the famous Shakespeare quote, which you're likely familiar with and reads in part:
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts...
What is so fascinating about this quote from an unbeliever, yet, is that it succinctly captures the implied sovereignty of other persons involved with the play, such as the [divine] Director and Playwright, while simultaneously implying that the "mere players" willingly play their roles, otherwise would they participate in the production?
So, what we have in the above passage is a classic example of the famous Shakespeare quote, which you're likely familiar with and reads in part:
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts...
What is so fascinating about this quote from an unbeliever, yet, is that it succinctly captures the implied sovereignty of other persons involved with the play, such as the [divine] Director and Playwright, while simultaneously implying that the "mere players" willingly play their roles, otherwise would they participate in the production?
My earlier question was can regeneration take place early in life so that we are unaware that it happened?
Regeneration to me is the preparing of the heart. This could happen at any time, well before we actually believe. In order to believe, our heart must be prepared to receive the good word.
God could perform this act well in advance of actual belief. But, when He does this work He will certainly carry it to completion!
At the appointed time He will cause the exact words needed to be planted into our heart. In other words, He will plant the seed into the heart which was made receptive to hear and believe.
He may do this for several reasons:
Just a thought to be considered!
Regeneration to me is the preparing of the heart. This could happen at any time, well before we actually believe. In order to believe, our heart must be prepared to receive the good word.
God could perform this act well in advance of actual belief. But, when He does this work He will certainly carry it to completion!
At the appointed time He will cause the exact words needed to be planted into our heart. In other words, He will plant the seed into the heart which was made receptive to hear and believe.
He may do this for several reasons:
- To bring us to faith, though it may be weak at the time.
- To encourage His messenger, showing him that his preached word can be used for a) hardening the hearts of some while b) bringing other to faith.
Just a thought to be considered!
Here we go again!!!!
IGNORING THE CALVINIST THEOLOGY OF ELECTION, because it's totally unimportant, the Evangelist doesn't know who's "elect", or who's not, and the individual doesn't know whether they're "elect" or not before they're saved, so essentially "Election" means nothing of practical value.
Roman 9 makes it clear that GOD DRAWS PEOPLE TO JESUS according to HIS WILL. The "Drawing" (in my case) was CONVICTION OF SIN by the Holy Spirit. If a Person is CONVICTED OF THEIR SIN, then the ball's in their court to REPENT OF THEIR SIN, and call out to God in FAITH for His salvation by the SIN OFFERING of Jesus on the cross. When they do, they are Christians at that point, and indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
IF a person is convicted of their SIN by the Holy Spirit, then they KNOW that they're "ELECT" - period. God doesn't call those who are NOT ELECT. Simple as that.
If a person IS NOT convicted of their sin, they won't even be thinking seriously about God, or anything to do with Him.
IGNORING THE CALVINIST THEOLOGY OF ELECTION, because it's totally unimportant, the Evangelist doesn't know who's "elect", or who's not, and the individual doesn't know whether they're "elect" or not before they're saved, so essentially "Election" means nothing of practical value.
Roman 9 makes it clear that GOD DRAWS PEOPLE TO JESUS according to HIS WILL. The "Drawing" (in my case) was CONVICTION OF SIN by the Holy Spirit. If a Person is CONVICTED OF THEIR SIN, then the ball's in their court to REPENT OF THEIR SIN, and call out to God in FAITH for His salvation by the SIN OFFERING of Jesus on the cross. When they do, they are Christians at that point, and indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
IF a person is convicted of their SIN by the Holy Spirit, then they KNOW that they're "ELECT" - period. God doesn't call those who are NOT ELECT. Simple as that.
If a person IS NOT convicted of their sin, they won't even be thinking seriously about God, or anything to do with Him.
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That's an excellent way of putting it! 
PREPARATION! And that concept fits in perfectly with my New Birth Analogy in my 1869. Isn't conception all about that? That tiny life is in the womb for 9 months for a reason. It's being "prepared" and tenderly nurtured and nourished and protected by its mother for the big event -- BIRTH! It needs all that TLC so that it can survive in a world that is hostile and cruel and uncaring. It needs to be born healthy and strong. And so it would be with God's elect! At some point in our life, God enters it and starts to change our course of thinking, usually by the Word of God, by one or more other Christians entering into our lives, by select extra-biblical material providentially deposited into our laps, by peculiar circumstances in which we have never found ourselves previously, etc., etc. God has an infinite number of ways to bring us safely and finally to the point of "delivery" -- and in each case all individually tailored since he's greater than our hearts and knows each of us better than we know ourselves.
Again...I think the Cornelius narrative in Acts 10 is an excellent illustration of God preparing him, his family and close friends for the Big Event, i.e. the New Birth for which God used Peter to facilitate! Evidently, Cornelius and others close to him were very likely Gentile proselytes. They had converted to Judaism --- but now it was time to leave the "womb" of Judaism to hear the Gospel and take the Name of Christ for their own by becoming Christians. And the huge tip offs that this is very likely the case is that Cornelius was a God-fearer and God was pleased with him! God was pleased with him because He was already very active in this Gentile's heart! Cornelius was very likely spiritually alive when that angel visited him, but he hadn't left the "womb" yet. The actual birth didn't occur until Peter's visit. This all reminds me of one of my favorite NT passages:
Phil 1:6
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
NIV
Thanks for sharing. I plan on expanding my analogy with your idea for future use.
PREPARATION! And that concept fits in perfectly with my New Birth Analogy in my 1869. Isn't conception all about that? That tiny life is in the womb for 9 months for a reason. It's being "prepared" and tenderly nurtured and nourished and protected by its mother for the big event -- BIRTH! It needs all that TLC so that it can survive in a world that is hostile and cruel and uncaring. It needs to be born healthy and strong. And so it would be with God's elect! At some point in our life, God enters it and starts to change our course of thinking, usually by the Word of God, by one or more other Christians entering into our lives, by select extra-biblical material providentially deposited into our laps, by peculiar circumstances in which we have never found ourselves previously, etc., etc. God has an infinite number of ways to bring us safely and finally to the point of "delivery" -- and in each case all individually tailored since he's greater than our hearts and knows each of us better than we know ourselves.Again...I think the Cornelius narrative in Acts 10 is an excellent illustration of God preparing him, his family and close friends for the Big Event, i.e. the New Birth for which God used Peter to facilitate! Evidently, Cornelius and others close to him were very likely Gentile proselytes. They had converted to Judaism --- but now it was time to leave the "womb" of Judaism to hear the Gospel and take the Name of Christ for their own by becoming Christians. And the huge tip offs that this is very likely the case is that Cornelius was a God-fearer and God was pleased with him! God was pleased with him because He was already very active in this Gentile's heart! Cornelius was very likely spiritually alive when that angel visited him, but he hadn't left the "womb" yet. The actual birth didn't occur until Peter's visit. This all reminds me of one of my favorite NT passages:
Phil 1:6
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
NIV
Thanks for sharing. I plan on expanding my analogy with your idea for future use.
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Every believer will give an account for his own labor, what they have done in their body whether it be good or bad. These are choices individuals make in laboring for the Lord. Rewards are at stake.
2 Corinthians 5:
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Romans 14:
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
2 Corinthians 5:
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Romans 14:
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
While I concur with the passages above, at the same time I also believe:
Prov 16:1
6 The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
NASB
And,
Prov 16:9
9 The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
NASB
And,
Prov 19:21
21 Many are the plans in a man's heart,
But the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.
NASB
And,
Prov 20:24
24 Man's steps are ordained by the Lord,
How then can man understand his way?
NASB
And,
Jer 10:23
23 I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself;
Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.
NASB
I especially take Prov 20:4 to heart; for it is impossible for a finite mind to understand how at once man can be a free moral agent, while God is simultaneously the sovereign ruler over each and every one us. Yet, this is what scripture teaches and we should just humbly accept that tension between God's sovereign rule and man's moral responsibility to this Sovereign Ruler. See my quote of Shakespeare's well known words in my 2045 which implicitly captures this tension quite poignantly.
P.S. Another passage just came to mind about all those rewards the faithful servants will receive in the next age: Rev 4:10
Prov 16:1
6 The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
NASB
And,
Prov 16:9
9 The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
NASB
And,
Prov 19:21
21 Many are the plans in a man's heart,
But the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.
NASB
And,
Prov 20:24
24 Man's steps are ordained by the Lord,
How then can man understand his way?
NASB
And,
Jer 10:23
23 I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself;
Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.
NASB
I especially take Prov 20:4 to heart; for it is impossible for a finite mind to understand how at once man can be a free moral agent, while God is simultaneously the sovereign ruler over each and every one us. Yet, this is what scripture teaches and we should just humbly accept that tension between God's sovereign rule and man's moral responsibility to this Sovereign Ruler. See my quote of Shakespeare's well known words in my 2045 which implicitly captures this tension quite poignantly.
P.S. Another passage just came to mind about all those rewards the faithful servants will receive in the next age: Rev 4:10