FreeGrace2 said:
Why the Calvinists continue to push their talking points when they CAN'T provide any clear verses that say what they claim is a real mystery.
You are completely wrong!
It is easy to see who has no Scriptural support regarding election.
I will quote several verses where the purpose of election, which is for service, is clearly indicated. So, you quote any verse that clearly teaches that election is to salvation.
27 But
God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;
God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
28
God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—
to nullify the things that are,
Red words are who God chose. The blue words are the purpose His choosing in this context. Service, not salvation.
Eph 1:4 - For
he chose us in him before the creation of the world
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Red words are who God chose. In this case, the "us" is defined in v.19 as "us who believe". Therefore, this verse is about God choosing believers. They are already saved. The blue words are the purpose of God's choosing. Which is service, not salvation.
1 Pet 1-
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
2
who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,
to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
2 Tim 1:9 - He has saved us and
called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
"calling" is equivalent to election. This verse parallels 1 Pet 1.
Acts 9:15 - But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go!
This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
OK, your turn. I have given you 7 verses that directly and clearly speak to election to service.
Do you have any verses that speak directly to election to salvation?
Are you saying that you believe in works for salvation, thereby putting Christ's salvation at naught ?
Of course not. Salvation is by grace through faith. Eph 2;8,9
The Bible is replete with doctrine of Election
Maybe you weren't paying that close of attention to what I posted. I never said there is no doctrine of election in the Bible. I DID say that there is NO doctrine of election as the Calvinists claim. Big difference.
. Have you read the book of Ephesians?
Monthly for about 2 decades. Same for all the other books in the NT.
What do you think these verses mean?
Exactly what they SAY. And NONE of them say that God chose anyone for salvation.
But you are free to show me any verse that says what Calvinists claim.
They are a 100% supportive and as clear as clear can be.
Then it should be easy to refute my claim and prove that Calvinists are correct.
When you read the Bible do you actually understand what it is you're reading -- what it is telling you?
I sure do.
Obviously not. Answer how these verses are wrong
Why would I give an answer as to how the verses you cite below "are wrong". That would be absurd. No verse is "wrong". The problem is how one understands verses.
All I'm asking for are any verses that clearly state the Calvinist position; that God elects people to salvation.
I have provided 7 verses that clearly indicate that God elects to service. And there are plenty more.
[Eph 1:1, 3-7, 11 KJV]
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: ...
3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ...
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
I've already explained v.4. The "us" is defined by Paul in v.19 as "us who believe", so v.3 is an election of believers for service.
And that is the only mention of "chose/elected" in these verses.
You claimed there are verses in Ephesians that are "100% supportive and clear as can be". So I invite you to quote at least 1 of these verses that show that God elects to salvation.
Thank you.