Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It’s one thing to read and understand Calvin’s principles, but quite another to develop agreements or disagreements about them.

Some motivation there to get reoriented and do some soul searching.

Dear Arnold or shall I call you Presario?,

I read your testimony and here are some of your statements

“So what do I consider my self now? I’m a Christian, saved by grace thru faith, plain and simple. I have not joined any denomination although I attend regularly to a non-denominational, non-sectarian Christian church right now.
I’m not against the SDA church. In fact, I do believe that if an SDA is truly born again and has received Christ as his personal saviour, he is a brother to me. The good thing is, my family in Christ has grown tremendously. I have never seen Christianity this way before. I can now embrace a Baptist and call him “brother”. Same thing with the “born again” Christians and other believers in Christ. I am now part of a huge family of believers”

According to your statements above, you regularly attend a non-denominational, non-sectarian Christian church right now”. Are you telling me you left the SDA church because you believe a church/religion will not save you and yet you attend this denominations right now? I am really confused, buddy.

What you have not told in your testimony is how you met your wife. Was/Is she a a member of this denomination you regularly attend to right now before your “grace awakening” and might have had an influence in your so-called conversion? You know that happens a lot. It happened to me when I met my wife in the Mormon church. Just curious.

Now, I know for a fact that there are lots of “born-again” Christian inside the SDA. Are you saying that they will be saved too even if they are in the SDA church? Aren’t you the one who keeps on saying a church/religion will not save you? So, in other words, it does not matter whether you ar Adventists, JW, Baptists etc. you have the chance of salvation, right? So, what’s all these fuss about these people in these religions you call cults? If they are truly born again Christians which, I am sure, they are, who are you to judge them, sir? Have you not read what Jesus said, Judge not, that ye be not judge? Why then do you continually judge these people who are in these “cults” in your own website and the Bereans Apologetics Ministry (where you are using another name for reason I don’t understand).

If you truly believe that a religion/church cannot save you, why do you then regularly attend one, non-sectarian though it may be? It is still a church, don’t you agree?

Just as I suspected, you now belong to the belief that “once saved, always saved’ which you probably got from John 20:28. But what does the Bible really say about this verse and this kind of belief? Coming to Jesus, accepting his forgiveness by faith, receiving his grace, we receive the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8; Rom: 3:22-25)Salvation is a free gift. It is not something we earn by our obedience. Salvation is by grace through faith. When the Philippian jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?”. Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:30-31). Belief is a function of the will. The same mind which chooses to believe can chhose to disbelieve and unbelief leads to spiritual death (Heb. 3:12-14). If we do not hold our confidence in God to the end, we will develop a heart of unbelief. “He that endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13). we are saved only only if we keep in memory what was preachec and live the life of faith (I Cor. 15:1,2). It is always possible to return to the old life of sin, have our names blotted out of the Book of Life and be eternally lost (2 Pet. 2:19-22, Rev. 3:5: I Cor. 9:27). In John 10:28, when we come to Jesus we receive eternal life. Just as his coming into the heart by faith brings life, our unbelief brings spiritual death. We cannot be unborn, but we can die. Nothing can take us from his hand except our own choice.

More power to your familia, my friend. Like I said in my last reply to you in the Bereans website, if you are happy with where you are right now, God bless you. But please don’t judge the myriads of good members in the SDA church and other churches who. like you, have accepted Christ as their personal saviour.

Honestly speaking, what I see in you is what you have been preaching against in your website. You want these very faithful Christians who are happy with their churches to get out of their churches and join your systems of belief one of which is the old unBiblical dogma that “once saved, always saved”, and then attend another church which you have been preaching will not save you. What’s wrong with that picture, my friend? It’s your call.

It’s been nice having a dialogue with you, Mr. Presario/Arnold Gamboa. Like you, my wife and I are very happy where we are. Maybe one of these days, when I find time, I will share with you and your readers my journey of faith starting from my membership in different churches (including “born again, non-sectarian churches) the last of which was the Mormon church.

May God bless you and your family.

Willy Q

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It’s one thing to read and understand Calvin’s principles, but quite another to develop agreements or disagreements about them.

Some motivation there to get reoriented and do some soul searching.

Dear Arnold or shall I call you Presario?,

I read your testimony and here are some of your statements

“So what do I consider my self now? I’m a Christian, saved by grace thru faith, plain and simple. I have not joined any denomination although I attend regularly to a non-denominational, non-sectarian Christian church right now.
I’m not against the SDA church. In fact, I do believe that if an SDA is truly born again and has received Christ as his personal saviour, he is a brother to me. The good thing is, my family in Christ has grown tremendously. I have never seen Christianity this way before. I can now embrace a Baptist and call him “brother”. Same thing with the “born again” Christians and other believers in Christ. I am now part of a huge family of believers”

According to your statements above, you regularly attend a non-denominational, non-sectarian Christian church right now”. Are you telling me you left the SDA church because you believe a church/religion will not save you and yet you attend this denominations right now? I am really confused, buddy.

What you have not told in your testimony is how you met your wife. Was/Is she a a member of this denomination you regularly attend to right now before your “grace awakening” and might have had an influence in your so-called conversion? You know that happens a lot. It happened to me when I met my wife in the Mormon church. Just curious.

Now, I know for a fact that there are lots of “born-again” Christian inside the SDA. Are you saying that they will be saved too even if they are in the SDA church? Aren’t you the one who keeps on saying a church/religion will not save you? So, in other words, it does not matter whether you ar Adventists, JW, Baptists etc. you have the chance of salvation, right? So, what’s all these fuss about these people in these religions you call cults? If they are truly born again Christians which, I am sure, they are, who are you to judge them, sir? Have you not read what Jesus said, Judge not, that ye be not judge? Why then do you continually judge these people who are in these “cults” in your own website and the Bereans Apologetics Ministry (where you are using another name for reason I don’t understand).

If you truly believe that a religion/church cannot save you, why do you then regularly attend one, non-sectarian though it may be? It is still a church, don’t you agree?

Just as I suspected, you now belong to the belief that “once saved, always saved’ which you probably got from John 20:28. But what does the Bible really say about this verse and this kind of belief? Coming to Jesus, accepting his forgiveness by faith, receiving his grace, we receive the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8; Rom: 3:22-25)Salvation is a free gift. It is not something we earn by our obedience. Salvation is by grace through faith. When the Philippian jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?”. Paul responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:30-31). Belief is a function of the will. The same mind which chooses to believe can chhose to disbelieve and unbelief leads to spiritual death (Heb. 3:12-14). If we do not hold our confidence in God to the end, we will develop a heart of unbelief. “He that endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13). we are saved only only if we keep in memory what was preachec and live the life of faith (I Cor. 15:1,2). It is always possible to return to the old life of sin, have our names blotted out of the Book of Life and be eternally lost (2 Pet. 2:19-22, Rev. 3:5: I Cor. 9:27). In John 10:28, when we come to Jesus we receive eternal life. Just as his coming into the heart by faith brings life, our unbelief brings spiritual death. We cannot be unborn, but we can die. Nothing can take us from his hand except our own choice.

More power to your familia, my friend. Like I said in my last reply to you in the Bereans website, if you are happy with where you are right now, God bless you. But please don’t judge the myriads of good members in the SDA church and other churches who. like you, have accepted Christ as their personal saviour.

Honestly speaking, what I see in you is what you have been preaching against in your website. You want these very faithful Christians who are happy with their churches to get out of their churches and join your systems of belief one of which is the old unBiblical dogma that “once saved, always saved”, and then attend another church which you have been preaching will not save you. What’s wrong with that picture, my friend? It’s your call.

It’s been nice having a dialogue with you, Mr. Presario/Arnold Gamboa. Like you, my wife and I are very happy where we are. Maybe one of these days, when I find time, I will share with you and your readers my journey of faith starting from my membership in different churches (including “born again, non-sectarian churches) the last of which was the Mormon church.

May God bless you and your family.

Willy Q

This is material I used in a power point presentation. You state that you agree with the first point of Calvinism, namely “total depravity”. All Christians that are orthodox in their theology should agree with total depravity of a sinner, unable to save himself or herself.

The point you are missing, however, is that you have not carefully studied what Calvin (and Calvinists) mean by “total depravity”. Their belief moves beyond Scripture and leads to the other points of their doctrine.

Remember: When you discuss Calvinism, you are addressing a logical or theological system for understanding Scripture. This is not a strictly Biblical system; on all 5 points, including “perseverance” Calvin (and Calvinists) deviate from Scripture.

If you think the following information is helpful, I have much more to provide on the remaining 4 points, especially the 5th on “perseverance”.

God Bless You!!!

_______________________________________________________

1. Tulip – Examining “total depravity”

Evangelical Christians generally would say they believe in the total depravity of man. This is expressed as follows:
–Man inherently a sinner, both by birth and choice.
–He cannot in any way save himself, or contribute to his own salvation.
–Without God’s supernatural intervention, a person is hopelessly lost.

Each of these points find full Scriptural support. This is man’s condition according to the Bible.

Calvinism, however, goes much farther than this. Calvinism contends that man is totally incapable of responding to the Gospel, or choosing to accept God’s offer of grace.
–Free will is illusory; we cannot even choose to accept God’s free offer of salvation.
–Ephesians 2:1 is referenced as a proof text, where Paul states that we were “dead in our sins”. See also Rom. 5:6.

Calvinists infer from this text that man in his natural, fallen state is totally incapable of responding to God.

Calvinists ask, “Can a dead man hear?”, or “Can a dead man respond?” The obvious answer to these questions is “no”.

Paul, however, was not referring to death literally, but figuratively. “Being “dead in sins” is the equivalent of being hopelessly lost, being totally incapable of saving ourselves. Paul was not saying we could not respond to God’s grace, but that without God’s grace, we are helpless and hopeless. Paul was not saying we could not respond to God’s grace. Rather, without God’s grace, we are helpless and hopeless: “12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” Eph. 2:12.

Scriptures contradicting Calvinist view of “total depravity”

The Bible shows God as making direct appeals to the reasoning ability of unsaved men:
–Rev. 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
–Isa. 1:18 “Let Us Reason“ “Come now, and let us reason together,“ Says the LORD, ” Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”
–Isa 45:22 ” Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.
–Isa 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

These are all general offers to all unsaved. They all imply that all that choose to come can be saved.

Example of “reprobates” (KJV) or those with a “deprived mind” (NASB)

Paul in Romans 1 describes individuals God has given over to a “derived mind” as a result of their constant refusal to acknowledge Him, after repeatedly being enlightened and drawn by Him. Romans 1:16-28.
–`These individuals fit the Calvinist’s idea of “total depravity.”
–None of these persons, however, were born that way. They became depraved only after continued resistance of God’s offers of mercy and grace.

Unsaved individuals have knowledge of God. Vs. 19, 20 & 21.
They become hardened as a process, i.e., as a result of their decisions or choice, not as a fixed state at birth. Vs. 21, 24, 26 & 28.

–Contrary to Calvinism: An individual’s original fallen condition is not so “depraved” or “reprobate” as to foreclose individual from responding to God.

God draws all men to repentance:

Calvinists belief that only enlightens and draws the few “elect” individuals to salvation is contrary to Scripture.

The Bible teaches that God enlightens and draws all men to repentance:
 John 1:6 The Witness John There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
 John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
 Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men

1. Total depravity — under Calvinism necessarily leads to — 2. Unconditional election

2.In short, being “dead in sins” or “total depravity” means that a person cannot save himself, and without enlightenment cannot choose God.
a.This does not mean, however, that God only gives such light to the “elect.” As noted above, He enlightens all men.
b.God draws and enlightens all men, by revealing Himself through His creation and the Gospel (even to those who through continuous rejection become depraved or reprobate to their eternal destruction).
3.Under Calvinist theology, man in his “totally depraved” state is completely incapable of responding to God’s offer of salvation. It is then presumed—as the next logical step—that God enlightens only those who are elect with supernatural understanding withheld from the non-elect.
a.Without this illumination, or infusion of understanding, which God gives or withholds according to His choice, man cannot respond to God.
b.Man’s free will is ultimately illusory. Under Calvinism, God alone, in His sovereignty, decides whether to provide what is necessary for man to believe the Gospel: God withholds this revelation from all non-elect, but provides it for the “elect.”
c.Thus, under Calvinistic theology, Calvinistic view of “total depravity” necessarily leads to the Calvinistic view of “unconditional election”.

This is material I used in a power point presentation. You state that you agree with the first point of Calvinism, namely “total depravity”. All Christians that are orthodox in their theology should agree with total depravity of a sinner, unable to save himself or herself.

The point you are missing, however, is that you have not carefully studied what Calvin (and Calvinists) mean by “total depravity”. Their belief moves beyond Scripture and leads to the other points of their doctrine.

Remember: When you discuss Calvinism, you are addressing a logical or theological system for understanding Scripture. This is not a strictly Biblical system; on all 5 points, including “perseverance” Calvin (and Calvinists) deviate from Scripture.

If you think the following information is helpful, I have much more to provide on the remaining 4 points, especially the 5th on “perseverance”.

God Bless You!!!

_______________________________________________________

1. Tulip – Examining “total depravity”

Evangelical Christians generally would say they believe in the total depravity of man. This is expressed as follows:
–Man inherently a sinner, both by birth and choice.
–He cannot in any way save himself, or contribute to his own salvation.
–Without God’s supernatural intervention, a person is hopelessly lost.

Each of these points find full Scriptural support. This is man’s condition according to the Bible.

Calvinism, however, goes much farther than this. Calvinism contends that man is totally incapable of responding to the Gospel, or choosing to accept God’s offer of grace.
–Free will is illusory; we cannot even choose to accept God’s free offer of salvation.
–Ephesians 2:1 is referenced as a proof text, where Paul states that we were “dead in our sins”. See also Rom. 5:6.

Calvinists infer from this text that man in his natural, fallen state is totally incapable of responding to God.

Calvinists ask, “Can a dead man hear?”, or “Can a dead man respond?” The obvious answer to these questions is “no”.

Paul, however, was not referring to death literally, but figuratively. “Being “dead in sins” is the equivalent of being hopelessly lost, being totally incapable of saving ourselves. Paul was not saying we could not respond to God’s grace, but that without God’s grace, we are helpless and hopeless. Paul was not saying we could not respond to God’s grace. Rather, without God’s grace, we are helpless and hopeless: “12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” Eph. 2:12.

Scriptures contradicting Calvinist view of “total depravity”

The Bible shows God as making direct appeals to the reasoning ability of unsaved men:
–Rev. 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
–Isa. 1:18 “Let Us Reason“ “Come now, and let us reason together,“ Says the LORD, ” Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”
–Isa 45:22 ” Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.
–Isa 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

These are all general offers to all unsaved. They all imply that all that choose to come can be saved.

Example of “reprobates” (KJV) or those with a “deprived mind” (NASB)

Paul in Romans 1 describes individuals God has given over to a “derived mind” as a result of their constant refusal to acknowledge Him, after repeatedly being enlightened and drawn by Him. Romans 1:16-28.
–`These individuals fit the Calvinist’s idea of “total depravity.”
–None of these persons, however, were born that way. They became depraved only after continued resistance of God’s offers of mercy and grace.

Unsaved individuals have knowledge of God. Vs. 19, 20 & 21.
They become hardened as a process, i.e., as a result of their decisions or choice, not as a fixed state at birth. Vs. 21, 24, 26 & 28.

–Contrary to Calvinism: An individual’s original fallen condition is not so “depraved” or “reprobate” as to foreclose individual from responding to God.

God draws all men to repentance:

Calvinists belief that only enlightens and draws the few “elect” individuals to salvation is contrary to Scripture.

The Bible teaches that God enlightens and draws all men to repentance:
 John 1:6 The Witness John There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
 John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
 Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men

1. Total depravity — under Calvinism necessarily leads to — 2. Unconditional election

2.In short, being “dead in sins” or “total depravity” means that a person cannot save himself, and without enlightenment cannot choose God.
a.This does not mean, however, that God only gives such light to the “elect.” As noted above, He enlightens all men.
b.God draws and enlightens all men, by revealing Himself through His creation and the Gospel (even to those who through continuous rejection become depraved or reprobate to their eternal destruction).
3.Under Calvinist theology, man in his “totally depraved” state is completely incapable of responding to God’s offer of salvation. It is then presumed—as the next logical step—that God enlightens only those who are elect with supernatural understanding withheld from the non-elect.
a.Without this illumination, or infusion of understanding, which God gives or withholds according to His choice, man cannot respond to God.
b.Man’s free will is ultimately illusory. Under Calvinism, God alone, in His sovereignty, decides whether to provide what is necessary for man to believe the Gospel: God withholds this revelation from all non-elect, but provides it for the “elect.”
c.Thus, under Calvinistic theology, Calvinistic view of “total depravity” necessarily leads to the Calvinistic view of “unconditional election”.

Yup 2 point din ako.. but we’ll know OSASaved people when we die.. Since God is the Judge of that.

Yup 2 point din ako.. but we’ll know OSASaved people when we die.. Since God is the Judge of that.

Throughout the Gospel Accounts and in some of the epistles statements simalar to “in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled” arise. Including but not limited to the Pharisees rejection of Jesus, Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and the death of Christ. These clearly point to a Sovereign God who is in control of His creation. Others that come to mind are the conversion of Paul, Balaam’s attempt but Sovereignly silenced curses against Israel, Pharaoh’s rise to power intended by God to show His glory to His people. God is not a diviner of truth. His is not looking to the future and guessing what will take place. He is the uncaused causer. Have you ever read the account of Creation, or Ezekiel prophesying to the dry bones, or maybe the resurrection of Lazarus? In each of these cases where does the person’s will fall? It falls behind the Will of a Sovereign God. Look to the prophet Jonah. He did what God told him to do despite a bit of resistence.
Look also to the fall of man. God did not tell them, “if you eat of the fruit… Instead He said, “in the day that you eat from it…” If we cannot trust that God is powerful enough or High enough above His creation to “Show mercy to whom I will show mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15). Then we have no hope in the death of Christ. Romans 9:16-17, “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says, to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.”
It might do you well to read Ephesians 1 concerning predestination. The word and concept are stated clearly in Scripture not just in Ephesians 1 but throughout the Bible. And you do not have to read into the meaning to see it. Remember, Context, Context, Context!
May the God of the Bible continue to open your hearts to the truths of His word (refer to Acts 16:15-15).

Throughout the Gospel Accounts and in some of the epistles statements simalar to “in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled” arise. Including but not limited to the Pharisees rejection of Jesus, Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and the death of Christ. These clearly point to a Sovereign God who is in control of His creation. Others that come to mind are the conversion of Paul, Balaam’s attempt but Sovereignly silenced curses against Israel, Pharaoh’s rise to power intended by God to show His glory to His people. God is not a diviner of truth. His is not looking to the future and guessing what will take place. He is the uncaused causer. Have you ever read the account of Creation, or Ezekiel prophesying to the dry bones, or maybe the resurrection of Lazarus? In each of these cases where does the person’s will fall? It falls behind the Will of a Sovereign God. Look to the prophet Jonah. He did what God told him to do despite a bit of resistence.
Look also to the fall of man. God did not tell them, “if you eat of the fruit… Instead He said, “in the day that you eat from it…” If we cannot trust that God is powerful enough or High enough above His creation to “Show mercy to whom I will show mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15). Then we have no hope in the death of Christ. Romans 9:16-17, “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says, to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.”
It might do you well to read Ephesians 1 concerning predestination. The word and concept are stated clearly in Scripture not just in Ephesians 1 but throughout the Bible. And you do not have to read into the meaning to see it. Remember, Context, Context, Context!
May the God of the Bible continue to open your hearts to the truths of His word (refer to Acts 16:15-15).

Throughout the Gospel Accounts and in some of the epistles statements simalar to “in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled” arise. Including but not limited to the Pharisees rejection of Jesus, Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and the death of Christ. These clearly point to a Sovereign God who is in control of His creation. Others that come to mind are the conversion of Paul, Balaam’s attempt but Sovereignly silenced curses against Israel, Pharaoh’s rise to power intended by God to show His glory to His people. God is not a diviner of truth. His is not looking to the future and guessing what will take place. He is the uncaused causer. Have you ever read the account of Creation, or Ezekiel prophesying to the dry bones, or maybe the resurrection of Lazarus? In each of these cases where does the person’s will fall? It falls behind the Will of a Sovereign God. Look to the prophet Jonah. He did what God told him to do despite a bit of resistence.
Look also to the fall of man. God did not tell them, “if you eat of the fruit… Instead He said, “in the day that you eat from it…” If we cannot trust that God is powerful enough or High enough above His creation to “Show mercy to whom I will show mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15). Then we have no hope in the death of Christ. Romans 9:16-17, “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says, to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.”
It might do you well to read Ephesians 1 concerning predestination. The word and concept are stated clearly in Scripture not just in Ephesians 1 but throughout the Bible. And you do not have to read into the meaning to see it. Remember, Context, Context, Context!
May the God of the Bible continue to open your hearts to the truths of His word (refer to Acts 16:15-15).

Throughout the Gospel Accounts and in some of the epistles statements simalar to “in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled” arise. Including but not limited to the Pharisees rejection of Jesus, Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and the death of Christ. These clearly point to a Sovereign God who is in control of His creation. Others that come to mind are the conversion of Paul, Balaam’s attempt but Sovereignly silenced curses against Israel, Pharaoh’s rise to power intended by God to show His glory to His people. God is not a diviner of truth. His is not looking to the future and guessing what will take place. He is the uncaused causer. Have you ever read the account of Creation, or Ezekiel prophesying to the dry bones, or maybe the resurrection of Lazarus? In each of these cases where does the person’s will fall? It falls behind the Will of a Sovereign God. Look to the prophet Jonah. He did what God told him to do despite a bit of resistence.
Look also to the fall of man. God did not tell them, “if you eat of the fruit… Instead He said, “in the day that you eat from it…” If we cannot trust that God is powerful enough or High enough above His creation to “Show mercy to whom I will show mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15). Then we have no hope in the death of Christ. Romans 9:16-17, “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says, to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.”
It might do you well to read Ephesians 1 concerning predestination. The word and concept are stated clearly in Scripture not just in Ephesians 1 but throughout the Bible. And you do not have to read into the meaning to see it. Remember, Context, Context, Context!
May the God of the Bible continue to open your hearts to the truths of His word (refer to Acts 16:15-15).

Do you realize that the term “Calvinist”, “Calvinism”, or the “5 Points of Calvin” only refer to the five points that were debated by the Remonstrants and that the name “5 Points of Calvin” was only given to these 5 statements as a means of honor. Calvin never systematized any such statements. Furthermore, the Canon of Dordt did not just breeze through or shrug thier proverbial shoulders at the charges brought against the Church by the Remonstrants. They took weeks to deliberate and study their claims with Scripture before deeming Arminianism heresy. These heresies do not begin with Jacob Arminius either. You can look back further in Church History and see men such as Pelagius. He too was deemed a heretic. That was less than 500 years after Christ’s death. Read that Canons of the Council of Orange 529 AD and that Canons of Dordt 1618. It would be of great advantage to readers to go back into church history and see what the early church fathers said. It would be a better thing to lay aside preconceived notions and just read the Bible in context under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Remember, Jesus taught in parables so that the Pharisees would not believe and repent.(look it up and read it for yourselves).

Do you realize that the term “Calvinist”, “Calvinism”, or the “5 Points of Calvin” only refer to the five points that were debated by the Remonstrants and that the name “5 Points of Calvin” was only given to these 5 statements as a means of honor. Calvin never systematized any such statements. Furthermore, the Canon of Dordt did not just breeze through or shrug thier proverbial shoulders at the charges brought against the Church by the Remonstrants. They took weeks to deliberate and study their claims with Scripture before deeming Arminianism heresy. These heresies do not begin with Jacob Arminius either. You can look back further in Church History and see men such as Pelagius. He too was deemed a heretic. That was less than 500 years after Christ’s death. Read that Canons of the Council of Orange 529 AD and that Canons of Dordt 1618. It would be of great advantage to readers to go back into church history and see what the early church fathers said. It would be a better thing to lay aside preconceived notions and just read the Bible in context under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Remember, Jesus taught in parables so that the Pharisees would not believe and repent.(look it up and read it for yourselves).

Bro,

Some Arminian Christians believe that the Calvinists (of various points) are smug and proud of their “election” or are (over)confident because they believe in eternal security.

In my case, I am simply awed by the completely undeserved mercy of God. I am humbled by the fact that my salvation does not depend on me: I see how little I am beside God, and yet He deigns to speak to a speck of dust like me…that He would love me enough to send His Son to pay for my sins…who am I to deserve such mercy?

Rightly understood, I believe, Calvinism leads to a realization of who God is, and just how much higher He is from us. Wrongly interpreted, it is a harsh and unforgiving system of belief, devoid of love.

But God does not call us to be Calvinists or Arminians. He calls us to be Christians.

Bro,

Some Arminian Christians believe that the Calvinists (of various points) are smug and proud of their “election” or are (over)confident because they believe in eternal security.

In my case, I am simply awed by the completely undeserved mercy of God. I am humbled by the fact that my salvation does not depend on me: I see how little I am beside God, and yet He deigns to speak to a speck of dust like me…that He would love me enough to send His Son to pay for my sins…who am I to deserve such mercy?

Rightly understood, I believe, Calvinism leads to a realization of who God is, and just how much higher He is from us. Wrongly interpreted, it is a harsh and unforgiving system of belief, devoid of love.

But God does not call us to be Calvinists or Arminians. He calls us to be Christians.

Realize that predestination is a word the Bible uses, and that predestination of an osas arminian is not the same as for a calvinist. The latter believe they were premade for salvation, thus predestinated to choose. Whereas, an osas arminian believes God foresaw the choice they would make and predestinated by foreknowing our choice. Total depravity is a false teaching because it demans the person be premade like a zombie to choose to come out of the total depravity. The calvinist does not realize that grace began in making man in His image and we all, no matter how fallen, all are made in God’s image forever. A calvinist will say we are not made in God’s image, but when God made man in His image it was forever. This is why God’s way of salvation leads one to believe in the spirit of osas arminian.

I have spoken with Abugain, and I am convinced he is not saved. He is one of the tares in the outward appearace of the kingdom of heaven,
http://www3.telus.net/trbrooks/bereans.htm

Hope this helps.

Realize that predestination is a word the Bible uses, and that predestination of an osas arminian is not the same as for a calvinist. The latter believe they were premade for salvation, thus predestinated to choose. Whereas, an osas arminian believes God foresaw the choice they would make and predestinated by foreknowing our choice. Total depravity is a false teaching because it demans the person be premade like a zombie to choose to come out of the total depravity. The calvinist does not realize that grace began in making man in His image and we all, no matter how fallen, all are made in God’s image forever. A calvinist will say we are not made in God’s image, but when God made man in His image it was forever. This is why God’s way of salvation leads one to believe in the spirit of osas arminian.

I have spoken with Abugain, and I am convinced he is not saved. He is one of the tares in the outward appearace of the kingdom of heaven,
http://www3.telus.net/trbrooks/bereans.htm

Hope this helps.