Predestination is misunderstood...

  • 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.

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,578
9,094
113
Although I agree with your post and the Scriptures given-full of dunamis-I hope you are not a Calvinist?-no offense.
J.
No. i don't really label myself anything but a Christian.
 

BillyBob

Active member
Dec 20, 2023
404
173
43
Texas
When it comes to deciding for salvation?

Grace changes the 'status' of your heart.
It does not change your heart in the realm of who and what you really are - when made free by grace to be.

Grace is God's power that removes the dominance of the sin nature over your soul,
so you are being made free by grace to discover what was in your heart towards the Lord.

Its after one chooses for believing in Jesus that God changes out heart via regeneration.
Don't get me wrong! I take no credit in the fact that I was saved, as in "a work". God gets all the glory!
I am only saying that the order in which it took place seemed like my heart being changed came first, enabling me to believe.
When it comes to deciding for salvation?

Grace changes the 'status' of your heart.
It does not change your heart in the realm of who and what you really are - when made free by grace to be.

Grace is God's power that removes the dominance of the sin nature over your soul,
so you are being made free by grace to discover what was in your heart towards the Lord.

Its after one chooses for believing in Jesus that God changes out heart via regeneration.
Don't get me wrong! I take no credit in the fact that I was saved, as in "a work on my part". God gets all the glory!
I am only saying that the order in which it took place seemed like my heart being changed came first, enabling me to believe.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
It's still not answering my question. Believing in Christ is salvation. Being born from above is salvation. If we have to be born again before we can believe then we are being saved to be saved. It makes no sense.

That's because you have failed to understand that saved, according to Strong's concordance, means delivered.

There is a one time eternal deliverance=salvation that took place on the cross, but there are many deliverance's that the born again people receive as they sojourn here in this world. Example: When a born again child of God repents of a sin they have committed they are saved (delivered) from the results of that sin, and are back in fellowship with God.

Eternal salvation (deliverance) took place on the cross, for all of those that God gave to his Son ( John 6:37-40). There will be no more sacrifices for sins. Those that Christ died for will, at sometime in their life, be born again. Being born again is the result of having already been given the promise of an eternal inheritance on the cross.

After Christ died for those that his Father gave him, God looks upon them as holy and without blame and their sins are as far away from from God as the east is from the west (Psalms 103:12), however, when they are born, by natural birth, into this world they have inherited the sin of Adam, which makes it necessary for God, by his grace, to quicken them to a new spiritual life, in order to have a people that will honor and praise him. (Luke 19:37-38).

If you apply all of the salvation scriptures to eternal salvation, they will tend to make you believe that eternal deliverance is accomplished by our good works.

I am sure that you have a lot more questions. Let's hear them.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
3,471
453
83
You are sidestepping the question.

I’ll simplify it for you.
Did YOU choose to believe Jesus was the Christ, who died for your sins and rose to life again?

And if so why?
I critiqued your original questions, told you why they were foolish questions, and told you what I do believe.

Another foolish question. The Pharisees believed Jesus was the Messiah but did not want to believe it and behaved as though they did not believe. and were not justified. The demons believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but they do not want to believe it and behave contrary to what they believe. and are not justified.
I was convinced by a vision and an answered prayer that Jesus is the Creator, my Saviour and my Lord, but after believing I wanted to believe it and I chose to begin to act in accord with that belief.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,578
9,094
113
I critiqued your original questions, told you why they were foolish questions, and told you what I do believe.

Another foolish question. The Pharisees believed Jesus was the Messiah but did not want to believe it and behaved as though they did not believe. and were not justified. The demons believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but they do not want to believe it and behave contrary to what they believe. and are not justified.
I was convinced by a vision and an answered prayer that Jesus is the Creator, my Saviour and my Lord, but after believing I wanted to believe it and I chose to begin to act in accord with that belief.
Umm... Ok

Be Blessed
 

Johann

Active member
Apr 12, 2022
928
212
43
I critiqued your original questions, told you why they were foolish questions, and told you what I do believe.

Another foolish question. The Pharisees believed Jesus was the Messiah but did not want to believe it and behaved as though they did not believe. and were not justified. The demons believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but they do not want to believe it and behave contrary to what they believe. and are not justified.
I was convinced by a vision and an answered prayer that Jesus is the Creator, my Saviour and my Lord, but after believing I wanted to believe it and I chose to begin to act in accord with that belief.
Then why speak in such a condescendingly manner to a fellow brother in Christ?
That's why we all need a thorn to buffet us-keeping us humble since pride comes in many forms and manifestations-and by the way-there is no such thing as a foolish question.
J.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,938
29,304
113
Don't get me wrong! I take no credit in the fact that I was saved, as in "a work on my part". God gets all the glory!
I am only saying that the order in which it took place seemed like my heart being changed came first, enabling me to believe.
Deuteronomy 30:6~ The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. :)
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
The Bible gives us the answer.

Ephesians 1:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

1. Hear the gospel of Jesus Christ (how Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day)
2. Trust/believe the gospel
3. Sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise

All scriptures must harmonize before you can understand the doctrine of Christ. Your theory, by misinterpreting the scriptures, does not harmonize with 1 Cor 2:14.
 

Johann

Active member
Apr 12, 2022
928
212
43
All scriptures must harmonize before you can understand the doctrine of Christ. Your theory, by misinterpreting the scriptures, does not harmonize with 1 Cor 2:14.
I believe @John146 is correct-

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1Co 2:14 Ψυχικὸς Psychikos|G5591|Adj-NMS|[The] natural δὲ de|G1161|Conj|however ἄνθρωπος anthrōpos|G444|N-NMS|man οὐ ou|G3756|Adv|not δέχεται dechetai|G1209|V-PIM/P-3S|accepts τὰ ta|G3588|Art-ANP|the things τοῦ tou|G3588|Art-GNS|of the Πνεύματος Pneumatos|G4151|N-GNS|Spirit τοῦ tou|G3588|Art-GMS|- Θεοῦ· Theou|G2316|N-GMS|of God; μωρία mōria|G3472|N-NFS|foolishness γὰρ gar|G1063|Conj|for αὐτῷ autō|G846|PPro-DM3S|to him ἐστίν, estin|G1510|V-PIA-3S|they are, καὶ kai|G2532|Conj|and οὐ ou|G3756|Adv|not δύναται dynatai|G1410|V-PIM/P-3S|he is able γνῶναι, gnōnai|G1097|V-ANA|to understand [them], ὅτι hoti|G3754|Conj|because πνευματικῶς pneumatikōs|G4153|Adv|spiritually ἀνακρίνεται. anakrinetai|G350|V-PIM/P-3S|they are discerned.

Just in case you are interested-^^^^^^

the natural man. Note: psukikos, the animal man, one who lives in a natural state, and under the influence of his animal passions; for psukē means the inferior and sensual part of man, in opposition to nous, the understanding, or pneuma, the spirit. While the preceding explanation of the words involved has validity, it is not strictly correct for this context. Would "natural man" be in contrast with "intellectual man" or "rational man"?

Rather, "natural man" refers to unrenewed or unregenerate man, without the Holy Spirit; Hodge states "spiritual, when used in the New Testament of persons, never means intellectual. It always means one under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It therefore must have that meaning here" (p. 43).

Which ties in with this-

natural man -- The verse itself identifies him. A reference to a man who does not discern spiritual things.
NLTSB says "people who aren't spiritual", Unbelievers, whose minds are blinded, function in the natural world and see life only through physical eyes (see 2Co_4:4). They cannot appreciate the significance of the Good News, for it is essentially a spiritual message.

But the natural man -- The NIV inserts "the man without the Spirit" for the Greek "the natural man" or "physical man". In 1Co_2:12-13 the word "know" becomes "understand", and erroneously teaching that we cannot understand the Scripture without the direct operation of the Spirit.

the natural man -- Literally, “a natural man,” that is, a man who is not spiritual minded; one un-converted to Christ, one whose interests are confined to the things of this life.

Such a man depends on human wisdom for the solution of all his problems. He lives to please himself and to gratify the desires of the unconverted heart, hence is incapable of understanding and appreciating the things of God.
To him the plan of salvation, the wonderful revelation of God’s love, is folly. He cannot distinguish between worldly philosophy and spiritual truth.

%1Co_3:1; 1Co_15:44; 1Co_15:46, Psa_92:6, Pro_28:5, +*Jer_13:23, +Jas_3:15 g (sensual). Jud_1:19 g (sensual).
receiveth not. FS175B, +Gen_21:16, 1Ki_22:13, 2Ch_18:12, Amo_7:12, Mat_6:23; Mat_13:11, etc. Mat_16:23, *Joh_3:3-6; Joh_8:37; Joh_8:43; Joh_10:6; Joh_10:26-27; Joh_12:37-38; *Joh_14:17, *Rom_8:5-8, *2Co_4:3; *2Co_4:4, 1Jn_4:5.
the things. 1Co_2:12-13, 1Co_3:1, *Joh_14:26; Joh_15:26; Joh_16:8-15.
they. 1Co_1:18; 1Co_1:23, Joh_3:4; Joh_8:51-52; Joh_10:20, Act_17:18; Act_17:20; Act_17:32; Act_18:15; Act_25:19; Act_26:24-25.
foolishness unto. +1Co_1:18; 1Co_4:10, Gen_6:5; Gen_8:21; Gen_31:28, 2Sa_6:16, 2Ki_5:11, 1Ch_15:29, Pro_24:7, Ecc_9:3, +*Jer_17:9, *Mar_7:21-23, *Joh_3:19; Joh_4:11; Joh_4:15; Joh_6:52; Joh_7:36, *Act_17:18, *Rom_8:7; *Rom_8:8, Eph_4:17-19; Eph_5:8, Tit_1:15.
neither can. *Pro_14:6, *Jer_6:10, Joh_1:5; *Joh_3:3; Joh_5:44; +*Joh_6:44; +*Joh_6:45; *Joh_8:43; *Joh_8:47; *Joh_14:17, Act_16:14, *Rom_8:7, **2Co_4:4-6, Col_3:3, *1Jn_2:20; *1Jn_2:27; 1Jn_5:20, Jud_1:19, Rev_2:17; Rev_14:3.
are spiritually. T598, *Pro_25:14, *Pro_1:7; Pro_16:23; *Pro_28:5, *Ecc_8:5, Isa_8:16, *Dan_12:10, +*Joh_7:17, *2Co_4:6, Eph_5:8, Col_1:12-13, 1Th_5:4-5, 1Pe_2:9, +2Pe_3:5 (T707). *1Jn_2:8-11; *1Jn_2:20; *1Jn_2:21, Rev_11:8 g.
discerned. 1Co_4:3-4; 1Co_9:3; 1Co_10:25; 1Co_10:27; 1Co_14:24, 2Sa_14:17, 1Ki_3:9, Psa_25:14, +*Pro_8:9, Mat_11:6, Luk_7:23; Luk_7:35; Luk_23:14, Act_4:9; Act_12:19; +*Act_17:11; Act_24:8; Act_25:26; Act_28:18 g.

Go through some of the references and see if we can understand the doctrine of Christ Jesus and cease from telling others of misrepresenting the Hagios D'varim of YHVH.


Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches and the chochmah (wisdom) and da'as (knowledge) of Hashem. How unfathomable are His mishpatim and unsearchable His ways.
Rom 11:34 For who has known the Ruach of Hashem? Or who has been ISH ATZATO ("His Counselor") [Isa 40:13]?
Rom 11:35 Or who has given in advance to Him so that His presents come only as a (choiv) debt repaid? [IYOV 41:3 (11); Ro 4:4]

Rom 11:36 Because from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. Lo HaKavod l'Olamim. Omein. ("To Him be glory forever. Amen.")

Shalom
J.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
And this is why GOD, not Paul, but GOD said to both Abram/Abraham and Moses
3 ... and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'
+
49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.'
...because Israel is intended to be for ALL People whoever lived from Adam until Judgement Day.

And those who are not a part of Israel are because they "CHOOSE" not to be. There is "no other reason" than they chose not to be followers of God as to why they are not part of Israel, or descendants of Abraham. They "CHOOSE" not to be a part of God. No other reason. When God shows us "every family" is to be part of Abraham. That means "every human being" "who ever lived" was supposed to be part of Israel. But if you "CHOOSE" to reject God, He will not force you to be with Him.

Your theory is false. You have been indoctrinated to limit God's power in accomplishing his will
Grace is God's power that will suppress the influence of our flesh over our soul when presented salvation.
In doing so? The soul (while grace is doing its work) will be made free to make a non compulsive choice
either 'for,' or 'against' what the Spirit desires for us to accept.

Mankind is not made free to make a choice to be saved (delivered) eternally. To make such a choice would be to have the ability to choose spiritual things in which he cannot receive, and thinks them to be foolishness.

Your false theory will not harmonize the scriptures.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
All scriptures must harmonize before you can understand the doctrine of Christ.
You do know that all scripture does not have the same audience. Also, there are portions of scripture that have doctrine for the Jews that does not "harmonize" with the doctrine set forth for the church. The Jews are God's elect people, yet they are enemies of the gospel.
 

Johann

Active member
Apr 12, 2022
928
212
43
You do know that all scripture does not have the same audience. Also, there are portions of scripture that have doctrine for the Jews that does not "harmonize" with the doctrine set forth for the church. The Jews are God's elect people, yet they are enemies of the gospel.
Correct-
Miles Coverdale-died in 1569.
 

FollowerofShiloh

Well-known member
Jan 24, 2024
4,321
714
113
All scriptures must harmonize before you can understand the doctrine of Christ. Your theory, by misinterpreting the scriptures, does not harmonize with 1 Cor 2:14.
Then what Paul wrote ""MUST"" harmonize with what God directly in person "told Abraham and Moses."
 

FollowerofShiloh

Well-known member
Jan 24, 2024
4,321
714
113
Your theory is false. You have been indoctrinated to limit God's power in accomplishing his will
I am quoting God's "Direct Words" to Abraham and Moses. So, it is absolutely God's Will because those words came from the literal Mouth of God. And it is clearly something you have no understanding about.
 

Rufus

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2024
2,395
258
83



"For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world
to be holy and blameless in His presence."


Ephesians 1:4​

It does not say that we were simply chosen by Him.
But, specifically, that we were "chosen in Him."

What does "chosen in Him" mean?

Understanding that phrase is the key to understanding predestination.

grace and peace ..............
I don't get the point you're trying to make. The text does say "He chose US in Him..." The real question is how did God chose "us" before any of us ever existed? My answer to this question would be that our names were in the "Book of Life" for all eternity; therefore, our existence was guaranteed by God's mere decree.
 

BillyBob

Active member
Dec 20, 2023
404
173
43
Texas
When it comes to deciding for salvation?

Grace changes the 'status' of your heart.
It does not change your heart in the realm of who and what you really are - when made free by grace to be.

Grace is God's power that removes the dominance of the sin nature over your soul,
so you are being made free by grace to discover what was in your heart towards the Lord.
I do not think grace is what changes you. I believe that it is the death and resurrection of Christ along with the indwelling of the Spirit which works a miracle, causing you to believe. However, this is given to God's elect by grace “it is undeserved”.
 

Rufus

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2024
2,395
258
83
Don't get me wrong! I take no credit in the fact that I was saved, as in "a work". God gets all the glory!
I am only saying that the order in which it took place seemed like my heart being changed came first, enabling me to believe.

Don't get me wrong! I take no credit in the fact that I was saved, as in "a work on my part". God gets all the glory!
I am only saying that the order in which it took place seemed like my heart being changed came first, enabling me to believe.
And that is precisely what happened! I can certainly relate to what you say with my own experience, as well. The "heart being changed" means we were raised from our [spiritual] tomb. We were once dead, but then became alive unto God. And only the living have any power to believe the gospel and repent of their sins.