Do you know that God changed Jacob's name to be henceforth called Israel, Gen 33:28?
Doesen't anyone understand the difference in the nation of Israel, and Jacob as Israel, by God changing his name to Israel? Gen 33:28.
In my opinion, that is all that you need. Scripture proves scripture, and they must all harmonize.
The "house of Israel" is "the house of Jacob". God changed Jacob's name to Israel, Gen 33:28. Jacob/Israel and the nation of Israel are two different Israels. Jacob/Israel is representative of God's elect, Rom 9:11.
Acts 11:18, The life mentioned in this verse, is not eternal life, but a life that God's regenerated children can enjoy as they sojourn here in this world by following God's commandments. Repentance is not the cause of eternal life, but is a product of already having the security of their eternal inheritance.
Before a person can repent of breaking a spiritual law, he has to be able to understand about spiritual things, by being quickened to a new spiritual life, Eph 2, with his heart having been changed from a stony heart to a fleshy heart, Eze 11:19, that has a conscience that can be pricked by God when he breaks a spiritual law, so, Yes, repentance is a gift from God.
I don't think there is anything i disagree with there . My issue is when i hear we have to repent of our sins to be saved . Or turn from your sins to be saved . obviously sin is transgression of the law . Therefore obey the law to be saved . How Calvinists get round this from their view is to say ' repentance and faith are a ' gift ' .Hello @throughfaith,
Repent means to have a complete and total change of heart and mind.......how often have we said, "If I had it to do all over, I'd do it right this time!"
Sometimes we don't get a chance to do something over but, we can say we're sorry and do our best to make up for it - do what it takes to "fix" the hurt or wrong that was done.
I like that God is the God of Second Chances........meaning that when we do something wrong, we get the "test" again!
The parable you chose, is really more about obedience to the Father's Will and how sinners will actually obey God, while "religious" folk will talk like they do but, do not do the Father's Will.
Opposition to obedience is "pride" and/or "ignorance." God rejects the proud and pride rejects God. Then, there's ignorance........God says, "My people perish for lack of knowledge," even Jesus said on the cross......"Father, forgive them they don't know what they are doing."
Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Its really "turn from your work of trying to be righteous" (which is dirty rags, aka sin) and turn to the One who gives Righeousness as a gift.
But if you mean ' repentance and faith ' are a gift in the sense of ' regeneration precedes faith ' then i would disagree. Not because i don't want it to be true or that it clashes with my worldview or something. No I do not see this in the bible.
