Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: libdestroyer
Calvinists back up their beliefs with (selective) scripture.

2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So what here Jesus last words to his disciples? “We have already picked who are in and who is out and there isn't anything that is going to change that” or Matt 28: 18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

38 posted on 11/18/2011 8:32:19 AM PST by fungoking (Tis a pleasure to live in the Ozarks)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies ]


To: fungoking

Calvinist (reformed) doctrine acknowledges ALL scripture.

Christ did indeed die for all. HOWEVER the knowledge of Him is given by the Father. Remember when Jesus asked his desciples “who do you say I am?” and Peter said “you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”? Then Jesus says “blessed are you, Peter, for this knowledge was not given to you by man, but by my father in heaven”.

Also let me ask you what “choice” the Pharaoh had during the exodus. God “hardened” his heart. BTW Paul also addresses this very thing in Romans 9.

We are “dead” in our trespasses and slaves to our own sin. What freedom does a dead man/slave have? All of us deserve punishment, but some are set free. That is the point when “free will” comes into existence.

And this does not nullify the great commission. Picture Christians as workers in the field. They sow seeds without knowledge of which seeds will grow and which won’t. God takes it from there! The great commission is our act of obedience and worship rather than an effort to save. Only God saves.


111 posted on 11/18/2011 2:13:27 PM PST by libdestroyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson