Struggling reading through romans 8 & 9 and Calvinism.

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
The saving in this scripture does not have reference to eternal deliverance, but to a deliverance that the child of God receives as he lives here in this world.
The audience had not even received the word of God.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
OK.....here you go. Not if, but when.

Act 1:6
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

Amos 9:8 - I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob
 
Jan 14, 2021
1,599
526
113
You still need to reply to the question I asked.

Is the following verse talking about the election of Jacob to eternal life?

Romans 9:13
Just as it is written: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
That is a complicated topic that can't be addressed by that verse alone. Esau gave up his right to the OT promises by his own choice of actions.

The fact that he could have inherited the promises had he chose differently is the real takeaway. The promises are not garaunteed by flesh, the path walked in life determines the eligibilty to the promises. There is a spiritual component to inheriting the promises.

Whether he was saved or not at a later point is completely at God's mercy. It isn't made clear by this passage alone.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
There is something amiss in your understanding of God's plan, that is specifically described in the O.T.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.

Does that ring a bell?

A linear genealogy that continues on after Jacob.

Is Judah the son of Jacob in this chosen lineage?

Does King David appear in this same line of genealogy?

God has chosen this lineage for a purpose.

Jacob, as Israel includes all of God's elect people from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Jacob/Israel, the house of Israel, is not limited to one nation of people, but to some of every nation.
 

KelbyofGod

Senior Member
Oct 8, 2017
1,881
720
113
The Christian life is a bit more than repenting and believing.

You have been commanded to bear fruit and to love others.
True. The "Repent and be baptized" stuff was just the first (not the only) thing. The other stuff comes after.

It seems strange to me that people think that they can skip the first step entirely (like skipping the planting phase) and yet expect to receive a full harvest.

I'm pretty sure some will interpret that statement as judgemental but actually it's a hope that they/we might be humble enough to reconsider the wisdom of our actions.

How can we plant a different seed and yet expect the fruit of the original command?

Love in Jesus,
Kelby
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
That is a complicated topic that can't be addressed by that verse alone. Esau gave up his right to the OT promises by his own choice of actions

This choice by God was made before either child had been born, not based upon whether either had done any good or evil, to show that he elects whom he will, not influenced by their works.

Most on this forum thinks God makes his choice on whom he will deliver eternally, by their believing, accepting, confessing, being baptised, repenting, etc. which is far from the truth of the scriptures.
 

KelbyofGod

Senior Member
Oct 8, 2017
1,881
720
113
Your thinking seems to be scripturally sound.
Yes,, but it is NOT popular. It is spoken against by the majority of pastors, preachers, etc. And it is hard for people to consider Jesus' warning that if the blind lead the blind BOTH fall into the ditch.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
Jacob, as Israel includes all of God's elect people from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Jacob/Israel, the house of Israel, is not limited to one nation of people, but to some of every nation.
Revelation 7:9
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”

Some of these are Jews who became Christians during the Church age, but earlier in this chapter, we see another group who are exclusively Jewish and are called out by tribes:

Revelation 7:4
“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
That is a complicated topic that can't be addressed by that verse alone. Esau gave up his right to the OT promises by his own choice of actions.

The fact that he could have inherited the promises had he chose differently is the real takeaway. The promises are not garaunteed by flesh, the path walked in life determines the eligibilty to the promises. There is a spiritual component to inheriting the promises.

Whether he was saved or not at a later point is completely at God's mercy. It isn't made clear by this passage alone.
Good post. I think you did a fine job of "uncomplicating" the topic.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
Revelation 7:4
“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israe

It is my understanding, that the 144,000 are the remnant of the house of Jacob/Israel, whose name was changed to be called Israel, which includes all of God's elect people. (Gen 32:28). (Rev 14:3-5) (Zeph 3:11-13)
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
It is my understanding, that the 144,000 are the remnant of the house of Jacob/Israel, whose name was changed to be called Israel, which includes all of God's elect people. (Gen 32:28). (Rev 14:3-5) (Zeph 3:11-13)
So, the 144,000 is just figurative?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,102
6,583
113
62
It is my understanding, that the 144,000 are the remnant of the house of Jacob/Israel, whose name was changed to be called Israel, which includes all of God's elect people. (Gen 32:28). (Rev 14:3-5) (Zeph 3:11-13)
Some would even say the number is symbolic. 12 x 12 is 144. These numbers representing the entirety of the redeemed in both the old and new testament times. The thousand number just representing a vast number and possibly just enumerating in another way the number that no man can number found elsewhere. 12 of course representing the fulness or entirety as represented by the 12 tribes and the 12 Apostles.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
Btw, sovereign is not in the bible.
Agreed that the word is not, but the concept is.

Colossians 1:18
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Colossians 1:17
“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Fortunately for us, He is also good and gracious and has given all men the opportunity to come to the cross and choose to be cleansed by His blood.

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
 
Dec 21, 2020
1,825
474
83
All of God's elect are born into this world, by natural birth, dead in their sins, and full of wrath, even as others, until God quickens them to a new spiritual life (Eph 2:1-5).
God quickens them to spiritual life when they choose to believe the Gospel (Eph 1:13; Rom 10:9; John 3:16).
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
Some would even say the number is symbolic. 12 x 12 is 144. These numbers representing the entirety of the redeemed in both the old and new testament times. The thousand number just representing a vast number and possibly just enumerating in another way the number that no man can number found elsewhere. 12 of course representing the fulness or entirety as represented by the 12 tribes and the 12 Apostles.
Please read Revelation 7 and you will see that it is not symbolic. They are broken down by tribes and differentiated from the Church.

Revelation 7:9
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”

Some of these are Jews who became Christians during the Church age, but earlier in this chapter, we see another group who are exclusively Jewish and are called out by tribes:

Revelation 7:4
“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

Within this chapter you will see that the writer even details the exact number from each tribe. Note the transition that begins verse 9: "After this I beheld..." We see two distinct groups in Heaven before Jesus returns at the Second Coming.
 
Dec 21, 2020
1,825
474
83
This choice by God was made before either child had been born, not based upon whether either had done any good or evil, to show that he elects whom he will, not influenced by their works.
That's a specific record about specific people. Rebekah was having twins. God had to choose one over the other to carry the Christ-line. He chose Jacob.

Most on this forum thinks God makes his choice on whom he will deliver eternally, by their believing, accepting, confessing, being baptised, repenting, etc. which is far from the truth of the scriptures.
No, that IS the truth of scriptures. God wants people who want Him.

Anyone has the capacity to believe the Gospel.
 
Apr 15, 2022
255
54
28
Sure. That's your argument. But not a Calvinist. But read the post I responded to. In it was an inaccurate argument credited to Calvinism.
I didn't advocate either way and I said so expressly. My point is that so many who speak against Calvinism don't actually understand the claims of Calvinism. And that can be clearly demonstrated from any number of posts.
I understand heresy when I see one. The fact that Calvinists believe in limited atonement makes a joke of the cross and chips away the blood of Jesus that is accessible for total cleansing from sin to all who believe. No buts, no ifs.

As for your posts, I will look for them. Thanks.
 

Snacks

Well-known member
Feb 10, 2022
1,410
771
113
Not believing is ABSOLUTELY forgivable.
People who go through life never believing are not forgiven but rather condemned. How can you say otherwise?