3 Tactics Calvinists Use Against Non-Calvinists

[ForestGreenCook]

Calvinism informs that our "Dead Resistance" is eternal and called, Total Depravity, unless God intercedes as part of his predetermined plan to excise His Elect from that condition.

Can you tell me why Psalms 53:2 does not describe a totally depraved person?

 

[Whispered]

This person doesn't know what she's talking about.

Her thinking is all scrambled up, just like other individuals on this thread.

She doesn't understand that God ordains both the end and the means.

The end is to form a people for Christ. All things were created by and for him.

The means is through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and being united with Him in faith.

There is nothing about Reformed theology that denies this.

In fact, understanding God's sovereignty and all the pieces represented by Reformed theology defines it thoroughly.

As I mentioned earlier, these people cannot comprehend that the unbeliever needs a heart of flesh to respond to God in faith and repentance. They have a cold and stony heart that cannot respond to God. Reformed theology teaches that God gives them this heart of flesh, and that is why they respond in faith and repentance.

In their theology, the unbeliever must respond in faith and repentance in order to RECEIVE this heart of flesh. As if such a heart can generate faith and repentance. Their claims are absurd.

Additionally, they do not have a coherent narrative of Scripture. One of the elements of this narrative is that Jesus is the second Adam. He reverses the effect of the sin of the first Adam. First, the unsaved person is born in Adam, and then, he is reborn and joined with Christ. They are missing a fundamental aspect of salvation because they don't understand the narrative of Scripture.

By the way, Whispered, I will likely create my own threads supporting each of the five points of Reformed theology, listing out the Scriptural support. I am sure you will fill this thread with your propaganda, so I will present each point in other threads if I deem it worth my while.

To the contrary. I have not only identified correctly Calvinism's doctrine but have issued links to other resources that sustain my perspective.

As to your creating your own thread to preach Calvinism, that has nothing to do with me.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

According to Calvin's view of God and humanity, humans are created equal in that they are all born Totally Depraved. The T, in the TULIP formula that defines the Calvinist Doctrine.
Total Depravity = All men have inherited the sin of Adam through their parents and are morally unable to choose to follow God and be saved because of their own depraved, sinful nature which extends to every part of their personality.

This means no one on earth is able to hearken to the Good News of Christ of their own accord. Furthermore, contrary to the scriptures that tell us God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish in their sins but shall have immortal life, is not applicable under the TULIP formula Calvin created. Because Jesus did not die so as to take the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross.
Jesus, per Calvinism, died to save only those people He, as God, before all of creation, chose to be saved from the sin He'd not yet let come to pass. Because neither the world, nor the garden, nor the forbidden tree, nor Adam and Eve, had yet come to exist.
This is the L in the TULIP formula.
Limited Atonement = Christ died only for those whom God specifically pre-decided to save—the elect—but not for any others.

And once God created Adam and Eve, who had to eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree and then be condemned for that sin, transgression of God's law that had previously commanded they not eat of it, the TULIP plan of God could get underway. All humans born after Adam and Eve were born Totally Depraved.

The faith criteria we read of in the Gospels as pertains to the saving faith through the grace of God in Jesus Christ, only applies to those one's of us God predetermined before creation to receive His grace. And this a process He would have to affect Himself in us. Because we as the Totally Depraved are unable to change that condition of our own accord.
That leads us to the U factor in the TULIP formula.
Remember, all this was formulated by God before creation.

Unconditional Election = God chose from eternity to save certain people, not based upon any foreseen virtue, faith, or anticipated acceptance of the Gospel. God chose to extend mercy to those He has specifically chosen and to withhold mercy from those not chosen. Those chosen receive salvation through Christ alone. Those not chosen receive wrath and damnation.

Now, the U factor has already informed humanity that they are unable to come to Christ of their own accord, nor are they able to have faith, because they are eternally Totally Depraved unless they are one of the chosen God has predetermined to save from that condition so that they are then saved from the resultant damnation that awaits the Totally Depraved.
This is accompished through the I factor in the TULIP formula.

Irresistible Grace, that then removes the state of Total Depravity from that one who was predetermined before creation to be one of God's Elect, that allows that chosen one to then receive God's grace and eternal salvation. And this is because of the U factor in the TULIP formula.

And it all culminates for those predetermined saved persons, the Elect, in the P factor of the TULIP formula. The final step.
Perseverance of the Saints = Since God is sovereign and His will cannot be frustrated by humans or anything else, those whom God has called into communion with Himself will continue in faith until the end. They cannot be eternally lost.

While those who were not predetermined, before anything was created by God, to be the TULIP Elect, will die as the Totally Depraved and suffer eternally in the destiny God predestined for them; Hell.

It is true Calvinism does not lead a people to Christ. Because Calvinism's TULIP principle informs us of that. The Totally Depraved are incapable of overcoming that condition by any means at mortal disposal. Because of God's sovereign authority over all creation.

The question, on a planet populated by billions of people who profess Christ is, how do those who profess Christ now know they are actually truly God's elect?
Because they have faith! May be the response to that question.
And yet, the U factor, Unconditional Election, precludes that from being a proof. Because the Totally Depraved person who is actually to be one of God's Elect, cannot come to faith in Christ unless or until God bestows upon them His Irresistible Grace.

However, what is the discerning factor then between that person whom God knows is His Elect that has been anointed with his Irresistible Grace and that is why that person now claims faith in Christ, and that non Calvinist who holds faith in Christ because they chose to repent and redeem their sins and be regenerated in faith in the name of the Savior?

Is it the label that Elected one affords themselves? "Calvinist". "Reformed Theology faithful"?

See, that is the thing about Calvinism.
It tells us God does all the work and we are all born Totally Depraved until God releases that condition from those He predetermined to save before all of creation.
Meanwhile, in the eyes of the Calvinist, all people are Totally Depraved unless they are the Elect. And yet when there are billions of people who hold faith in Jesus how does that Calvinist discern which one's were actually truly saved according to the TULIP formula predetermined by God's own will?

Is it that there are actually billions of Calvinists alive on earth? And we just don't know that so we call ourselves instead, Baptist and Christian, Methodist and Christian, non-Denominational and Christian?

Calvinism defines an elitist paradigm concerning salvation. But first, it tells us that God is the author not of just the Elect who would be saved, but is the creator of everything that the Elect would need to be saved from.

I'm not sure why you quoted me on this, but I have stated the parts I disagree with, and why.
Men are totally depraved and have no ability of their own to choose God, our free will is only serves to one end and that is to resist God. This does not contradict "who so ever believes" because "who so ever believes" are the same who are broken by the conviction of the Holy Spirit and surrender their rebellion, those who harden themselves and continue in rebellion will not be "who soever believes".
If you recall I don't hold to irresistible Grace, because I find that man's will serves only that purpose; resistance.
Only the broken and contrite man is granted repentance, because his will is broken and he no longer resists. Now repentance, and faith, and regeneration are gifted that man broken, by the weight of his sin, and conviction of the Holy Spirit before God.
"If any man falls on this cornerstone he will be broken, but if the cornerstone fall on him he will be ground to dust."

 

[Whispered]

Can you tell me why Psalms 53:2 does not describe a totally depraved person?

Psalm 53
Overview
The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 ancient Hebrew songs and prayers. As the NIV Quest Study Bible says, psalms give voice to personal feelings; they are poetry, not doctrinal essays. The psalmists frequently were interested in how something felt more than what it meant. Think of the psalms as entries in a diary; they reflect people’s most intimate encounters with God. Watch for figures of speech, exaggerations, and repetitions. Poetic language requires that you read with your heart as well as your mind. The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible says the various psalms help us see that God responds to us in our emotional highs and lows.


Grouping
Writings (Hebrew); Poetic (Protestant); Wisdom (Catholic); Poetic and Didactic (Orthodox)

Author
David, Asaph, the Sons of Korah, Solomon, Heman, Ethan, Moses, and unknown authors.

Timeline
Between the time of Moses (probably about 1440 BC) and the time following the Babylonian exile (after 538 BC).

Genre
Poetry

Original Language
Hebrew

Audience
God’s people.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

Can you tell me why Psalms 53:2 does not describe a totally depraved person?

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.
Psalms 53:1‭-‬3 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.53.1-3.NASB

 

[Whispered]

I'm not sure why you quoted me on this, but I have stated the parts I disagree with, and why.
Men are totally depraved and have no ability of their own to choose God, our free will is only serves to one end and that is to resist God. This does not contradict "who so ever believes" because "who so ever believes" are the same who are broken by the conviction of the Holy Spirit and surrender their rebellion, those who harden themselves and continue in rebellion will not be "who soever believes".
If you recall I don't hold to irresistible Grace, because I find that man's will serves only that purpose; resistance.
Only the broken and contrite man is granted repentance, because his will is broken and he no longer resists. Now repentance, and faith, and regeneration are gifted that man broken, by the weight of his sin, and conviction of the Holy Spirit before God.
"If any man falls on this cornerstone he will be broken, but if the cornerstone fall on him he will be ground to dust."

I quoted you because of what you said and are reiterating in the post above.

When one believes they are totally depraved unable to choose God on their own, they are defining a condition that can only be bestowed by the sovereign will of God.
Totally Depraved, unable to choose on our own necessarily implies God's sovereign control manipulates all things.

"Whosoever" believes is inapplicable in such a construct as that which you affirm is man's condition.
We cannot believe when we are by definition Totally Depraved.
Unless or until God intercedes and bestows a change upon our God given human condition of Total Depravity.

That is the Calvinist TULIP formula that you're referring to there.
What you argue in saying, only the broken and contrite man is granted repentance, does not comport with that prior condition of man that you defined as Total Depravity, also known as absolute inability, radical corruption, or total corruption, because of the factor of man being depraved in totality due to our sin filled nature.
Even being broken emotionally due to life and its struggles, man would remain totally depraved. Because total depravity is not defined as marginal depravity but rather, total depravity. A universal inheritance in man due to the sin of Adam into every part of our being and personality is enslaved to sin.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

I think deep passions enter into a defensive , or even offensive, mode when discussing an individuals doctrinal commitment because that particular person feels their own personal security in Christ is being challenged when their understanding of scripture is.

However, as relates to false doctrine that Jesus told us would come and to be aware and watchful and ready to defend the truth against it, I think it highly important to gently and yet with the firm truth of the Gospels support, hope to lead those who follow false teachings into the light of God's merciful truth.
We're talking about the eternal state of the soul after all. Is it mercy, is it love for one another, to know someone is following a man-made path in their faith and say nothing?
Surely God will catch it and turn that person about, is one excuse to remain mute.
But is that wise? Is that what we're told to do?


The Book of 2nd Peter chapter 2 verse 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.



The Book of Matthew chapter 7 and verses 21 thru 23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

By the way you are understanding Matt 7:21-23 makes me wonder if you believe in eternal salvation is caused by your good works (by doing the will of the Father). All scriptures must harmonize and order for this scripture to harmonize with other scriptures, such as, Rom 11:6, And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace, otherwise work is no more work. The kingdom of heaven does not have reference to eternal heaven, but to the church which Jesus set up when he was on earth.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.
Psalms 53:1‭-‬3 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.53.1-3.NASB

I am agreement with you. My question was for whispered's answer, but thank you.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

I quoted you because of what you said and are reiterating in the post above.

When one believes they are totally depraved unable to choose God on their own, they are defining a condition that can only be bestowed by the sovereign will of God.
Totally Depraved, unable to choose on our own necessarily implies God's sovereign control manipulates all things.

"Whosoever" believes is inapplicable in such a construct as that which you affirm is man's condition.
We cannot believe when we are by definition Totally Depraved.
Unless or until God intercedes and bestows a change upon our God given human condition of Total Depravity.

That is the Calvinist TULIP formula that you're referring to there.
What you argue in saying, only the broken and contrite man is granted repentance, does not comport with that prior condition of man that you defined as Total Depravity, also known as absolute inability, radical corruption, or total corruption, because of the factor of man being depraved in totality due to our sin filled nature.
Even being broken emotionally due to life and its struggles, man would remain totally depraved. Because total depravity is not defined as marginal depravity but rather, total depravity. A universal inheritance in man due to the sin of Adam into every part of our being and personality is enslaved to sin.

According to 1 Cor 2:14 and Eph 2, the natural man is spiritually dead and cannot discern spiritually things until he is quickened by God and given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

Calvinism informs that our "Dead Resistance" is eternal and called, Total Depravity, unless God intercedes as part of his predetermined plan to excise His Elect from that condition.

Because God has given mankind a free will to choose how he wants to live his life here on earth, is why the world is in the corrupt mess that it is in. We cannot blame God for man's depravity unless we blame him for giving them a free will.

 

[Whispered]

By the way you are understanding Matt 7:21-23 makes me wonder if you believe in eternal salvation is caused by your good works (by doing the will of the Father). All scriptures must harmonize and order for this scripture to harmonize with other scriptures, such as, Rom 11:6, And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace, otherwise work is no more work. The kingdom of heaven does not have reference to eternal heaven, but to the church which Jesus set up when he was on earth.

I do not know why anything in the Book of Matthew 7 would lead you to ask such a question as it is not implied by me in the least that eternal salvation is by works.

 

[Whispered]

According to 1 Cor 2:14 and Eph 2, the natural man is spiritually dead and cannot discern spiritually things until he is quickened by God and given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Then according to your understanding Jesus was a Calvinist.
You have the process skewed as pertains to our being saved from our sins.
Like unto Calvinism, you are saying, we are spiritually dead and until God imbues us with his irresistible grace shall we otherwise not be able to find Christ. Which necessarily means, God created all people to be spiritually dead until He elected prior to anything in creation being created, to open the mind and heart of His created dead so that they would then be able to understand His words of Salvation.
The problem with that proposal is the entirety of the Old Testament and the prophets and patriarchs who served God's will and believed in God prior to Jesus Christ's message of atonement and salvation through faith alone.

 

[Whispered]

Because God has given mankind a free will to choose how he wants to live his life here on earth, is why the world is in the corrupt mess that it is in. We cannot blame God for man's depravity unless we blame him for giving them a free will.

To the contrary. As TULIP proves. Man has absolutely no free will according to that formula.

 

[posthuman]

It should be clear to all Christians who do not read the Bible through the lens of TULIP that since Christ died for the sins of the whole world (all humanity) -- and this is clearly stated in the Bible -- then it cannot be possible that (a) Christ died only for the elect (Limited Atonement) or (b) that the offer of salvation is only to the so-called elect (Unconditional Election). Which also means that Irresistible Grace is a myth, and so is Total Depravity (which claims that the elect are regenerated BEFORE they are saved).

And do arminians have a problem explaining this?

Hebrews 9:28
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

 

[Grandpa]

All Christians believe that God is sovereign. There can be absolutely no argument there.

But the Bible makes it crystal clear that in the matter of salvation we are to focus on THE GRACE OF GOD, not the sovereignty of God.

It is the grace of God which brings salvation to ALL MANKIND. Which also means that it is the grace of God which placed the sins of the whole world on the Lamb of God, and it is the grace of God which offers salvation to every sinner (all mankind). Therefore the Gospel is called *the Gospel of Grace* NOT *the Gospel of Sovereignty*.

And it is the power of the Gospel (which is called the power of God unto salvation) which draws all men to the Savior under the convicting and convincing power of the Holy Spirit. We know that all will not be saved. But that is not because God has excluded them but because they have refused to obey the Gospel.

Like I said to begin with. Calvinism isn't designed to bring people to Christ. It is an explanation to people who are ALREADY SAVED on how that Salvation occurred.

I agree with your assessment on what it takes for people to be saved, sort of. It is like the theology of the child. I don't want to be the one to tell that child that Santa Claus doesn't really exist. But when we grow up we have questions that need to be answered. And we find out for ourselves that santa was just a nice fairy tale that we maybe believed when we were young and naive.


When we start really diving into the hard questions of Salvation, meant for the mature Christian, we come away with hard truths.

One being that "IF" God is Sovereign and His Will is to save all people then ALL People will be saved.

However, the bible says that if certain people don't believe in Christ then they are condemned.

By absolute logical extension these people cannot be Atoned For, otherwise they could not be condemned. That is what Atonement is for. Atoning for what previously condemned you.


We can't know before hand who will be saved and who will not. From our point of view it appears to be up to the individual. But if God is Sovereign then it is truly up to God who is saved and who is hardened.

 

[Grandpa]

Limited Atonement = Christ died only for those whom God specifically pre-decided to save—the elect—but not for any others.

Yes, of course.

Those who are not Atoned for are condemned.

Therefore only believers are atoned for by the Blood of the Lamb.


If everyone was already Atoned for then there is no reason to preach Christ, there is no reason for the Gospel, there is no reason for Christianity at all.

Everyone will just go to heaven because they have been Perfectly Atoned for by the Blood of the Lamb. They have no sin with which to judge against them. It has been paid.

 

[Grandpa]

I'm not sure why you quoted me on this, but I have stated the parts I disagree with, and why.
Men are totally depraved and have no ability of their own to choose God, our free will is only serves to one end and that is to resist God. This does not contradict "who so ever believes" because "who so ever believes" are the same who are broken by the conviction of the Holy Spirit and surrender their rebellion, those who harden themselves and continue in rebellion will not be "who soever believes".
If you recall I don't hold to irresistible Grace, because I find that man's will serves only that purpose; resistance.
Only the broken and contrite man is granted repentance, because his will is broken and he no longer resists. Now repentance, and faith, and regeneration are gifted that man broken, by the weight of his sin, and conviction of the Holy Spirit before God.
"If any man falls on this cornerstone he will be broken, but if the cornerstone fall on him he will be ground to dust."

I agree with you that mans will serves only the purpose of resistance to God. At first.

But once a persons eyes are opened and they see that it is by God that they are blessed and not by their work(s) I think that is when Grace becomes irresistible.

Even the carnal man doesn't say no to being blessed of God. And I think that is what Grace does. It shows us Who is Blessing us and How. And that is when Grace becomes Irresistible.

My opinion only. I agree that even sometimes knowing that it is God that blesses us we still resist in those things we don't fully understand or don't want to fully let go of.

 

[Nehemiah6]

And do arminians have a problem explaining this?
Hebrews 9:28: so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

You could have placed another Scripture from Hebrews to maintain the correct balance (Heb 2:9): But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Just ignore the Arminians. What we see here are two different contexts. In chapter 9 Paul is speaking about Christians "those who eagerly wait for Him". These are the "many". But in chapter 2, which is dealing with all mankind, Christ tasted death "for every man". Which means every person, not just males. This takes us right back to verse 6 in the same chapter: But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man [mankind], that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

When we take these two verses and harmonize them, we see that while Christ died for the sins of the whole world, not all are saved, but many are saved, and those are the ones who eagerly wait for Him.

 

[Whispered]

And do arminians have a problem explaining this?

Hebrews 9:28
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

I am not Arminian however, I'll give it a try.
Hebrews 9 verse 28 comports with the prophecy in the Book of Isaiah chapter 53 and verse 12 , "Therefore I will assign him a share with the great,he will divide the spoil with the mighty,for having exposed himself to death and being counted among the sinners, while actually bearing the sin of many and interceding for the offenders.”

Jesus death on the cross was the last sacrifice for the sins of the world. There upon that sin altar He bore the sins of the world upon himself. "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" The Book of John chapter 1 verse 29. Jesus did, as God in the form of a man, what we ourselves could not do. Atone for our sins, though rites previously did think to cover sins using the blood of beasts. However, the blood of the pure unblemished Lamb of God, Jesus the Christ, blotted out the sin debt of all the world. And in return, to receive that redemption from the sins we bear as sinners, all that we need to is to believe in Christ as our Savior from sins.
Our faith and repentance then redeems us of those trespasses that Jesus blood had already covered. All we need do is to accept on faith His sacrifice made us clean. Sin closed our eyes, Jesus sacrifice that took the sins of the world away, opened them.
Jesus was the atonement for the sins of the world. The Book of 1st John chapter 2 and verse 2



The Book of Romans chapter 7 and verse 4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the [a]sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through [b]the law: for I had not known [c]coveting, except the law had said, [d]Thou shalt not [e]covet: 8 but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of [f]coveting: for apart from [g]the law sin is dead. 9 And I was alive apart from [h]the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; 10 and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death: 11 for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. 12 So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. 13 Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.
Read full chapter
Footnotes

1. Romans 7:5 Greek passions of sins.
2. Romans 7:7 Or, law
3. Romans 7:7 Or, lust
4. Romans 7:7 Ex. 20:17; Dt. 5:21.
5. Romans 7:7 Or, lust
6. Romans 7:8 Or, lust
7. Romans 7:8 Or, law
8. Romans 7:9 Or, law

We were told in scripture without the law there is no sin. Where there is no law there is not sin. The Book of Romans chapter 5 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person's account when there is no law. Sin was in the world before the Law came. But no record of sin was kept, because there was no Law. There was sin in the world before the Law was given; but where there is no law, no account is kept of sins.

Jesus took the sins of the world upon himself on the cross. If we were dead and unable to understand the word of God through the ministering Jesus commanded of his Apostles, that they go forth into all the world and spread the Good News of Redemption from Sin and Salvation from death, then He would have stated quite a different line of command for obedience. One that the Saint Apostle Paul would not have followed, if we have to have God imbue us with his Irresistable Grace, as some think to tell us using a different word, quickening, to communicate that same thing.
Recall the jailer who had the Saint Apostle Paul in his custody. After the earthquake that destroyed the jail and would have let all captives free, Paul and his fellow inmates remained in what remained of their cells. Seeing this the Jailer was astonished because had the captives fled he would have had to pay with his life. But Paul shouted for him to stop, that they were still there as captives and to not go that far as to kill himself.
The Jailer was astonished at this, and he certainly would have heard Paul's prayers and leading of the other inmates with the teachings of Christ while there. So the jailer then asked Paul what must he do to be saved?
If the jailer would have had to be quickened before he could understand Paul would have said so. In fact, that the jailer was moved by the captives remaining confined even after the jail was near destroyed to recall the faith of Paul tells us that all the jailer required was Paul's example as one who lived in Christ. And that then led the jailer to witness Paul's faith in action because he was still there in the jail, knowing as he would have that had he and all his fellow captives fled it would have meant the life of the jailer was forfeit.

What did Paul say, when that jailer asked how he too could receive Christ? Read it all in the Book of Acts chapter 16. But for my support of this post I offer this excerpt.

25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. 32 And they spake the word of [k]the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. 34 And he brought them up into his house, and set [l]food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, [m]having believed in God.

 

[Whispered]

Oh, how I do dearly love my Father in Heaven!

Near tears I sit now typing this because of the great revelation of His words that again pricked my heart. It also calmed my fear that I felt after I read someone here state that , rather than using the term, Irresistible Grace, they used Quickened, so as to say unless God quickens our heart we , who are dead in our sins will not be able to understand the scriptures that save. Could that be believed? Did I miss something?
I thought to myself, as they likely intended to communicate in total of their perspective concerning dead in trespasses and sins, that there shall be those who think rather than the I in TULIP, it is instead true of the Q in Quickened, reading that persons statement. Could it be?

No. That fear in me is what I believe led my Father to deliver unto me His words of comfort and so that I may satisfy any fear , any doubt, anyone else may have had reading that they have to somehow be allowed by God, be it Irresistible Grace or Quickening, before they are able to read and understand His word. Or, come to Salvation.

That they would not , if they are a seeker of Christ here among us, or one who holds faith but is unsure they are saved, be able to come to Christ if God did not quicken them first. And then the natural concern after that consideration would be, how would one know God had done this?
And low and behold, my precious Father sent me that Book of Acts chapter 16, and all that I have shared here of God's word prior to that pasting.
The world's people were dead in their sins prior to Jesus taking the sins, those sins of the world, upon Himself on the cross.

He bore them all that we would not perish under them. And all we have to do to receive the free gift of God's irrevocable grace, is to believe in that. To believe God so loved us all that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him shall not perish in their sin , but shall have eternal life!

Believe that Jesus paid your price for your sins that made you dead to the spiritual things. Jesus tasted spiritual death, he took our place on the cross and paid the price , our price, for our sins. The sins of the whole world.

Those who were once dead are made alive in that. ALL people! And in that way, those who are still in their sins, are able to be redeemed through the simple act of faith!
As the Saint Apostle Paul tells us and as he told the church in Ephesus in his epistle, letter, to the Ephesians there.

The Book of Ephesians chapter 2

And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, 2 wherein ye once walked according to the [a]course of this world, according to the prince of the [b]powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; 3 among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the [c]mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:— 4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together [d]with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: 8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, that no man should glory. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

11 Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; 12 that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, 15 having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; 16 and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 and he came and [e]preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: 18 for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. 19 So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; 21 in whom [f]each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy [g]temple in the Lord; 22 in whom ye also are builded together [h]for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Footnotes

1. Ephesians 2:2 Greek age.
2. Ephesians 2:2 Greek power.
3. Ephesians 2:3 Greek thoughts.
4. Ephesians 2:5 Some ancient authorities read in Christ.
5. Ephesians 2:17 Greek brought good tidings of peace. Compare Mt. 11:5.
6. Ephesians 2:21 Greek every building.
7. Ephesians 2:21 Or, sanctuary
8. Ephesians 2:22 Greek into.

Christ and His sacrifice saved the world. And what do you have to do to enter into that eternal irrevocable covenant? Just believe!
Believe you are worth more than the worldly trappings tell you you are and define who you are. Because God does!