I didn't say that. You did.
Your’s is so typical of Calvinist replies. Almost utter disregard for the conversions displayed in Acts. Yours, and other mainsteam protestant organizations gladly quote Acts 16:31, and avoid the ‘rest of the story’ where the Philippian jailor’s household was taught the Word and baptized.
I have no idea what this tirade is about.
But, I understand, for I was a proud Calvinist up to the age of 28. Our rural Presbyterian church was well stocked with studious, devout, and EXTREMELY conservative members. Going to movie theaters or even eating in an establishment that served liquor was looked down upon. Some refused playing card games and/or listening to music other than gospel.
Proud Calvinist? The two are contradictory. You were one or the other. And perhaps there is your fundamental issue. And since you brought it up, what stream of Presbyterianism did you worship in?
I have been a member of more than a handful of Presbyterian and Reformed churches and a long term visitor of perhaps a dozen or so and I NEVER witnessed what you claim to have studied under.
Whatever we are commanded to do is law. What saves us is grace. I pray that on that great and fearful day I never point to anything that I have done as playing any part of why I should be admitted into the Kingdom>
Psalms 32:2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
And
Romans 4: 7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Sorry for the delay, internet was down last night, and a long workday today.
I said: So, verses such as Acts 2:38, 5:32, and Rms 6:17 (not to mention conversion commands from Jesus Christ himself) are ‘law’ to you?
You said: I didn’t say that. You did.
I say: You are the one, that upon seeing my comments (which included the above mentioned verses) replied, “If you can follow the law you don’t need Jesus”.
**I have no idea what this tirade is about.**
Tirade? That’s the weakness of this medium; the inability to accurately discern someone’s emotional level. No, my ‘Acts conversions’ comment had to do with your implying that you can receive Jesus without obedience. For example: repentance is obedience.
**Proud Calvinist? The two are contradictory. You were one or the other.**
Poor choice of words on my part. More appropriately, I was not ashamed of my Calvinist assembly, and felt we were following the Word faithfully. While in college I attended a Reformed Presbyterian church. We had a piano to set the key, then sang without accompanyment. I remember thinking, “if the piano is a bad thing, then why is it here at all?” lol
You seem proud, or at least judgemental, by using a video clip to show people following others into a great pit, and using it to show your opinion of the ‘megachurches’.
**what stream of Presbyterianism did you worship in?**
It was PCUSA, but a rebel as far as PCUSA churches go. They held on to the same doctrines as the Reformed Calvinist churches, like the one I attended in college, except we used a piano AND organ during hymns. Years ago, the bulk left the liberals, and started a new one affiliated with the PCA. But they still disregard Acts 2:38, so they just as well have stayed put.
**Whatever we are commanded to do is law. What saves us is grace. I pray that on that great and fearful day I never point to anything that I have done as playing any part of why I should be admitted into the Kingdom**
Noble words. You realize that remission of sins (grace) is by baptism in the name of Jesus? For Jesus Christ said:
“And that repentance and REMISSION of SINS should be preached in his name among ALL nations, BEGINNING at Jerusalem.”
The beginning:
Upon hearing about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the listeners were convicted and asked, “men and brethern, what shall we do?” Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION of SINS, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Peter, ‘called the carpet’ back in Jerusalem, for preaching to the Gentiles (Cornelius’ household), replied: “...and as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the BEGINNING.
It’s the ‘new and living way’, and I never heard it preached like that in all my years in Calvinist churches. Why? Because they are mired in a mix of truth and man-made tradition. Example:
John 3:16 is a great verse. That, I’m sure we both agree on. But, the reality is, it’s the start of a closing statement on the rebirth topic that the Lord addresses in his testamony to Nicodemas. Mainstream Christianity declares that being ‘born of the water’ (Jn 3:5) is not water baptism, while the Lord and his Apostles command it FOR remission of sins.
Mainstream Christianity declares one receives the Spirit when one believes; no supernatural sound to confirm it’s presence, contrary to the Lord’s testamony: “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou HEAREST the SOUND thereof, but canst NOT tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is EVERY ONE that is born of the Spirit.”
That is how one ‘believes on the Lord Jesus Christ’ to be saved. His plan, not mine.
To the saints (already born again) at Rome, Paul reminded them of their conversion in chapter 6. With verses 3,4,17, and 18 being quite direct to the issue of being converted.
No Calvinist church I ever attended spent much time in Acts. Which is why I never saw any conversions there like those found in Acts.
So, when Calvinists disobey Acts 2:38, are they predestined to do so?
**Psalms 32:2....Romans 4: 7..**
Wonderful verses! So just do as Paul, and be baptized in the name of Jesus to wash your sins away: “and why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”. (Acts 22:16)
How can being immersed in water and calling on the name of the Lord wash sins away? Well,..God hath chosen the foolish things...and the weak things...and the base things...and things which are not....; and He is the Author of this faith.
Child-like faith. Tell children that baptism in the name of Jesus washes away all the sins, and they believe it.