Is unconditional election biblical?
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We don't know who the elect are.
It could be everyone we will ever have contact with.
Do we take it upon ourselves to be respecter of persons and not tell people about Salvation that is available?
If you are a Reformed Calvinist then the people who REJECT CHRIST are the ones who are not elect.
It could be everyone we will ever have contact with.
Do we take it upon ourselves to be respecter of persons and not tell people about Salvation that is available?
If you are a Reformed Calvinist then the people who REJECT CHRIST are the ones who are not elect.
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First of all, I understand your concern about whether you are one of the elect, if election and predestination is true, AND IT IS. I had the same doubts until I was 62 years old. I assure you, that you show evidence that you are one of the elect. You wouldn't even be questioning it if you were not. Anyone that truly believes in a spiritual God and worships him is an elect child of God and has been quickened to a new spiritual life. All that are on this forum are of the elect, unless they are on it as Satan's angels in an attempt to mislead God's elect. Predestination only applies to God adopting us as children and nothing else. Jesus's doctrine, if understood correctly, is the most secure and comforting doctrines of all of the false doctrines that are taught by most of his elect who have not accepted the full knowledge of the gospel. I would welcome any questions that you may have. There is a need for the elect, who have been revealed the full knowledge of the gospel to preach to those elect (God's sheep) who have a lack of knowledge of the gospel. That is why Jesus instructed his Apostles to go and preach to the lost sheep (those having a lack of knowledge of the gospel and are going about to establish their own righteousness by their good works) of the house of Israel.
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Coming to an understanding of the truth of the gospel is a spiritual deliverance that we receive here on earth the moment we have been revealed, by the Holy Spirit, the truth of the gospel. When this happens, we are being delivered (saved) from a lack of knowledge of the gospel. That is not an eternal salvation. Those who appose your belief are teachers of false doctrines, but they are regenerated elect children of God that have not been revealed, by the Holy Spirit, the truth of the gospel.
First, I believe anyone who wants a real relationship with God, and are not just seeking him for their cosmic genie to provide selfish gains, can have one.
Second, my response is to those who have degraded my position by calling it Satanic, and calling me an idiot for believing it. That is why I am addressing the topic, for the most part. Secondarily, though, I don't think the "free-willer" position is God-honoring.
Third, the free-willer position may console unbelievers, but does it console believers going through trials who need assurance that God is sovereign? Does it lead the believer to realize that he is to be worshipping God, and giving him thanks and praise for his salvation? I don't think so. I think many of them view the opportunity for salvation as an entitlement.
Fourth, Reformed theology doesn't deny John 3:16. The question is, what causes faith? The Reformed believer understands it is a gift, and was bought by Christ in the atonement, along with all other things necessary for the believer's salvation. So, the reason why anyone believes is that Jesus bought their salvation. I mean, he BOUGHT their salvation...not bought some possible salvation.
Regarding verses that claim all are saved by Jesus' atonement, I would view those verses, for the most part, as correction by the apostles who thought that the Jews were the only ones who were to be saved.
I see no grounds for a believer to be worrying about whether they are elected, because they are elected unless they are pursuing salvation for selfish reasons. For instance, it is pretty obvious Word of Faith people think God is their cosmic butler, bringing their wishes to them on silver platters. They love the gifts rather than the Giver.
By the way, even the Bible warns against being presumptuous about being saved, if you are in that type of situation. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says to examine one's self to see if you are in the faith.
Second, my response is to those who have degraded my position by calling it Satanic, and calling me an idiot for believing it. That is why I am addressing the topic, for the most part. Secondarily, though, I don't think the "free-willer" position is God-honoring.
Third, the free-willer position may console unbelievers, but does it console believers going through trials who need assurance that God is sovereign? Does it lead the believer to realize that he is to be worshipping God, and giving him thanks and praise for his salvation? I don't think so. I think many of them view the opportunity for salvation as an entitlement.
Fourth, Reformed theology doesn't deny John 3:16. The question is, what causes faith? The Reformed believer understands it is a gift, and was bought by Christ in the atonement, along with all other things necessary for the believer's salvation. So, the reason why anyone believes is that Jesus bought their salvation. I mean, he BOUGHT their salvation...not bought some possible salvation.
Regarding verses that claim all are saved by Jesus' atonement, I would view those verses, for the most part, as correction by the apostles who thought that the Jews were the only ones who were to be saved.
I see no grounds for a believer to be worrying about whether they are elected, because they are elected unless they are pursuing salvation for selfish reasons. For instance, it is pretty obvious Word of Faith people think God is their cosmic butler, bringing their wishes to them on silver platters. They love the gifts rather than the Giver.
By the way, even the Bible warns against being presumptuous about being saved, if you are in that type of situation. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says to examine one's self to see if you are in the faith.
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This wouldn't be Reformed theology as those who are saved persevere until the end. This is part of perseverance of the Saints, the last doctrine of Grace (the "P" in TULIP).
He may go through a long period of struggling, but ultimately he perseveres because the Holy Spirit ensures his perseverance.
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That's where things can get confusing.
It does point to one thinking he is of one mind..
I would say the one of is of one mind and always does whatsoever his soul pleases can make our hearts soft through the born again seed of His word. " Let it be and it was good. It would take away any extreme arrogance and give it to God whose name is Jealous. Rightfully so he owns all things. His love is not jealous. Some hearts remain hard.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: Job 23: 12-14
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
It does point to one thinking he is of one mind..
I would say the one of is of one mind and always does whatsoever his soul pleases can make our hearts soft through the born again seed of His word. " Let it be and it was good. It would take away any extreme arrogance and give it to God whose name is Jealous. Rightfully so he owns all things. His love is not jealous. Some hearts remain hard.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: Job 23: 12-14
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
As I have said, I have never studied Calvin, so I don't know if I hold to his teachings, or not. Persevere, perseveres, perseverance are not words that are used in the KJV bible. Can you give some scriptures that imply perseverance? What is your interpretation of 2 Tim 2:13?
So you are saying that eternal salvation is not a heavenly blessing?
So you are saying that eternal salvation is not a heavenly blessing?
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interestingly, the Bible says that God knows those who are His
because He knows all things
not because He has a whole bunch of spare humans who were created to go to hell
God CHOOSE Israel, but you would not know if for their actions
God is not locked into linear time and knows the end from the beginning
He knows who will respond, therefore He can state unequivacably who will respond
because He knows all things
not because He has a whole bunch of spare humans who were created to go to hell
God CHOOSE Israel, but you would not know if for their actions
God is not locked into linear time and knows the end from the beginning
He knows who will respond, therefore He can state unequivacably who will respond
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Calvinists often cite 2 Thessalonians:2:13
as proof of their position: “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” Being “chosen to salvation,” however, does not mean that one has been predestined for heaven. Numerous scriptures force us to conclude that all of mankind has been “chosen to salvation” by the God who would “have all men to be saved...” (1 Tm 2:4), who is “the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (4:10), and whose Son “gave himself a ransom for all” (2:6).
If all have been chosen to salvation, why are all not saved? Christ said to His disciples, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas...that should betray him...” (Jn:6:70-71
). Judas was one of those chosen to be a disciple, but through his own choice he did not fulfill that calling and is now in hell.
God said to Israel, “The LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself...” (Dt 7:6). That “choosing” did not automatically assure that all Israel would live the part. Unfortunately, Israel as a whole did not fulfill that calling but went into sin, and God had to cast her out of the land.
as proof of their position: “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” Being “chosen to salvation,” however, does not mean that one has been predestined for heaven. Numerous scriptures force us to conclude that all of mankind has been “chosen to salvation” by the God who would “have all men to be saved...” (1 Tm 2:4), who is “the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (4:10), and whose Son “gave himself a ransom for all” (2:6).
If all have been chosen to salvation, why are all not saved? Christ said to His disciples, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas...that should betray him...” (Jn:6:70-71
). Judas was one of those chosen to be a disciple, but through his own choice he did not fulfill that calling and is now in hell.
God said to Israel, “The LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself...” (Dt 7:6). That “choosing” did not automatically assure that all Israel would live the part. Unfortunately, Israel as a whole did not fulfill that calling but went into sin, and God had to cast her out of the land.
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Calvinism defines the elect as that select group whom, alone, God has from eternity past appointed to salvation. All others are predestined by God to eternal damnation. The gospel can be preached day and night to the latter, yet to no avail, because they are totally incapable of believing it. God…gives the faith to believe to the elect alone, though He could do so for all. Yet never is this repugnant doctrine taught in Scripture!
“Moderate” Calvinists would [call this] hyper-Calvinism…. They would say that God merely left the non-elect to the just consequences of their sin. Whether He left to their doom those whom He could have rescued, or predestined them to that fate—what is the difference? The so-called “hyper-Calvinist” simply admits the truth about Calvinism.
What “moderates” try to distance themselves from as “hyper” was taught by Calvin and has been part of mainstream Calvinism from the beginning. The Westminster Confession of Faith states, “By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His own glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death.” Yet having taught this belief, Calvin admitted:
…many…deem it most incongruous that of the great body of mankind some should be predestinated to salvation and others to destruction. The decree, I admit, is dreadful; and yet it is impossible to deny that God foreknew what the end of man was to be before he made him, and foreknew, because he had so ordained by his decree.
Calvin is forced to maintain what he admits is a “dreadful” decree. Why? Not by Scripture but by his unbiblical insistence that God can only foreknow what He decrees. [Then it follows that] He must have decreed everything that would ever happen—from Adam’s fall to the final doom of billions. Thank God that the Bible says the opposite: that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn:3:16
). Both “world” and “whosoever” must be changed to “elect” for Calvinism to be sustained.
Calvinism’s “elect,” without any faith, understanding, or choice on their part, are elected to salvation simply because, in the mystery of His sovereign will, God decided, for no reason at all, to save them and only them. The Calvinist objects when we say, “for no reason at all.” It is claimed that God needs no reason, that it simply pleased Him so to do, or that the reason is hidden in the mystery of His will. Even God, however, must have a reason for saving some and damning others. Otherwise He would be acting unreasonably and thus contrary to His Being. In fact, election/predestination is always said in the Bible to result from God’s foreknowledge. Those whom He foreknew would believe were predestined to special blessings, which He decided would accompany salvation from sin’s penalty (1 Cor:2:9
).
source
“Moderate” Calvinists would [call this] hyper-Calvinism…. They would say that God merely left the non-elect to the just consequences of their sin. Whether He left to their doom those whom He could have rescued, or predestined them to that fate—what is the difference? The so-called “hyper-Calvinist” simply admits the truth about Calvinism.
What “moderates” try to distance themselves from as “hyper” was taught by Calvin and has been part of mainstream Calvinism from the beginning. The Westminster Confession of Faith states, “By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His own glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death.” Yet having taught this belief, Calvin admitted:
…many…deem it most incongruous that of the great body of mankind some should be predestinated to salvation and others to destruction. The decree, I admit, is dreadful; and yet it is impossible to deny that God foreknew what the end of man was to be before he made him, and foreknew, because he had so ordained by his decree.
Calvin is forced to maintain what he admits is a “dreadful” decree. Why? Not by Scripture but by his unbiblical insistence that God can only foreknow what He decrees. [Then it follows that] He must have decreed everything that would ever happen—from Adam’s fall to the final doom of billions. Thank God that the Bible says the opposite: that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn:3:16
). Both “world” and “whosoever” must be changed to “elect” for Calvinism to be sustained.
Calvinism’s “elect,” without any faith, understanding, or choice on their part, are elected to salvation simply because, in the mystery of His sovereign will, God decided, for no reason at all, to save them and only them. The Calvinist objects when we say, “for no reason at all.” It is claimed that God needs no reason, that it simply pleased Him so to do, or that the reason is hidden in the mystery of His will. Even God, however, must have a reason for saving some and damning others. Otherwise He would be acting unreasonably and thus contrary to His Being. In fact, election/predestination is always said in the Bible to result from God’s foreknowledge. Those whom He foreknew would believe were predestined to special blessings, which He decided would accompany salvation from sin’s penalty (1 Cor:2:9
).
source