Question for Friday: July 11, 2014:............................ I understand that double predestination is not spelled out in the Bible, but isn`t it implied in the case of Judas Iscariot? Was he not created strictly for the purpose of betraying Jesus, thus damming him to hell? God knew before he was born, that he was going to be condemned to hell, so how can that not be double predestination? Judas Iscariot WAS NOT PREDESTINED TO BETRAY JESUS CHRIST, NOR WAS HE OR ANYONE ELSE PREDESTINED TO HEAVEN OR HELL!!! What was predestined was the “way of salvation”, the method, the process of salvation was predestined! It was predestined that ONLY THOSE WHO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR LORD, GOD, and SAVIOR WILL BE ETERNALLY SAVED!!!!!!! Acts 4 v 12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” All those who LOVE Jesus Christ, WILL BE SAVED!!!!!!! John 1 v 12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Though some violently oppose the concept of “free choice”, or “free will” it is NEVER-THE LESS THE BIBLICAL ABSOLUTE TRUTH!!!!!!! Romans 8 v 28-30 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” By God’s omniscience He foreknew WHO would LOVE Jesus Christ, and ALL those who accept Him as THEIR SAVIOR He predestined to conform them to the image of the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD……. Judas like anyone HAD A CHOICE TO MAKE, JUDAS MADE THE WRONG CHOICE! God used Judas’s personal choice to work out His plan, but Judas COULD HAVE MADE THE RIGHTEOUS CHOICE. ***God knew however Judas WOULD NOT MAKE THE RIGHTEOUS CHOICE and used Judas’ evil heart to accomplish His purpose!!!!!!! God cannot violate the “free choice” He in His sovereign will gave to man, so Judas made up his own mind……. Detailed Explanation There are those who cannot reconcile God being SOVERIGN, with God allowing man by free will to accept His free gift of salvation. They believe that God chooses who will be saved, and God chooses who will be eternally lost. It is not up to us in anyway, our desire to be His does not matter. We cannot accept Him or reject Him, that decision is God’s SOVEREIGN WILL, and HE, God decides alone, ABSOLUTELY... That is what is called the Calvinist view of the Doctrine of Predestination; it is grounded in God’s SOVEREIGN WILL. To some that means that God, cannot give anyone a will of their own, it is His will and forever only His will... It does well to stress the truth of God being ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGN (supreme ruler) of everything. ***But it denies that very same SOVEREIGN WILL of God, by declaring God cannot give man “free will”, or free choice. It declares God has the ABSOLUTE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO DO ANYTHING, but He cannot give a “free choice”, a “free will” to man... So in essence God’s SOVEREIGN WILL MUST submit to their idea of what “SOVEREIN” means. They decide not God, what He can and cannot predestine, what His sovereign authority can and cannot allow. The following is a “5” point clarification of both sides of the debate. Calvin’s perspective: 1. Unconditional Election…….Predestination 2. Limited Atonement………...Limited Atonement 3. Natural Inability…………….Total Depravity 4. Irresistible Grace…………...Effectual Calling 5. Final Perseverance ……….Final Perseverance Arminius Perspective: 1. God from all eternity, determined to bestow salvation on those who, as He foresaw, would persevere unto the end in their faith in Jesus Christ, and to inflict everlasting punishment on those who should continue in their unbelief, and resist to the end of life, His divine succors. Conditional Election…….The way of Salvation Predestined 2. That Jesus Christ, by His death and suffering, made an atonement for the sins of mankind in general, and of every individual in particular; that, however, none but those who believe in Him can be partakers of the divine benefit. Universal Atonement…….He died for all, but the Individual must accept that gift. 3. True faith, saving faith cannot proceed from the exercise of our natural faculties and powers, or from the force and operation of “free will”, since man, in consequence of his natural corruption, is incapable of thinking or doing any good thing; and that therefore it is necessary to his conversion and salvation that he be regenerated and renewed by the operation of the Holy Spirit, which is the gift of God through Jesus Christ… Total Depravity 4. Divine grace or energy of the Holy Spirit, which heals the disorders of a corrupt nature, begins, advances, and brings to perfection everything that can be called good in man; and that, consequently, all good works, without exception, are to be attributed to God alone, and to the operation of His grace; that, nevertheless, this grace, does not force the man to act against his inclination, but may be resisted and rendered ineffectual by the perverse will of the impenitent sinner. Free will to choose by grace 5. Those who are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ by faith, are thereby furnished with abundant strength and succor sufficient to enable them to triumph over the seductions of Satan, and the allurements of sin; nevertheless they (man), can give up or lose their salvation. The Beginnings of Salvation The finished atonement of Jesus Christ becomes effective for the salvation of mankind, only when administered to the believers by the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit done in us, is necessary to salvation as the work of Jesus Christ done for us. The redemption Jesus worked for us in the flesh becomes effective only as He works in us through the Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is the continuation of the work Christ accomplished upon the cross. We will now consider the nature of this work, and consequently we turn our attention to what in theology is generally known as the benefits of the atonement. We shall consider these, first in their objective form as words of the covenant, and secondly in their subjective aspects as the inner grace of the covenant. Thus we will cover (1) The Vocation or Call (2) Prevenient Grace. The Gospel Vocation The Holy Spirit as the agent of Jesus Christ, makes known His divine purpose for the salvation of the world, through a Proclamation commonly known in theology as the Vocation or Call. The word comes from the Greek “klesois”, which means a vocation or calling; “kalein” to call, referring backward to the Spirit’s pleading for people to accept the call; and “kletos” the called, carries the thought forward to those who have accepted that invitation, and who are, therefore the elect. In this sense, the Church is the “ecclesia”, or called out ones. Election and Predestination are closely related to Vocation and calling. The understanding of the meaning of Predestination has an intimate connection with the doctrine of the Atonement in regard to the extent of its benefits. Predestination is the gracious purpose of God to save mankind from utter ruin and damnation. It includes provisionally, all mankind in its scope, and is conditioned solely (no mysterious, or humanly inconceivable hidden agenda beyond God’s Word), solely on faith in Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3 v16 “Whosoever”, not whosoever God picked, “loved the world”, all mankind, not a chosen few. It is the plan, the way to salvation that is predestined not the person. Thus predestination is God’s general and gracious plan of saving mankind by adoption as children through Jesus Christ; election pertains to the chosen ones who have accepted Jesus as Lord, God, and Savior. *The elect are chosen, not by absolute decree, but by personal acceptance of the conditions of the call, by any and all who by their “free” will act upon the “grace” of God that is freely offered to all mankind…….Not a predestined few. The vocation or call is God’s offer of salvation to all mankind through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the gracious “Beginnings of Salvation”. The call is universal and includes three things--- the proclamation, the conditions upon which salvation is made, and the command to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ. *Acts 5 v32…Acts 13 v38-40 ***Acts 4 v12*** The agent of the call is the Holy Spirit, and the Word is the instrument of His operations. Awakening is a term used in theology to denote that operation of the Holy Spirit by which the “Totally Depraved” minds are “quickened”, by the Spirit to a consciousness of their lost condition. In this “quickening”, the Spirit not only works through the medium of objective truth, but by a direct influence upon the minds and hearts of all mankind by God’s grace… Free Grace He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8 v 32 But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God, he might taste death for Every one. Hebrews 2 v 9 The person being predestined to heaven or hell as a doctrine or belief system naturally tends to inspire contempt or coldness towards those whom they suppose are unable to comprehend their truth (note, their truth, not necessarily Gods truth). Since obviously, the person is lost, incapable of comprehending spiritual truth, there is no need to explain or defend their faith, their doctrine. You, we, are incapable of understanding. They have the wisdom, the truth, because God chose them, not you or me, or we would naturally agree with their truths. The lost are reprobate in their eyes, eternally rejected and spurned by their loving God. Therefore, they can boldly ignore others doubts. They are set in their ways, No need to defend my faith, they are not worthy of my time or effort, No Point, They cant understand, so there is no reason to study to show themselves approved. The person with this view, can easily be unconcerned about others feelings. They got upset for no reason, I was just stating the truth. The reprobate can be lied to, and since God hates them, so can you. You can laugh at them, call them names, be insensitive to their hurts, pains, and sufferings. Your only real obligation is to love God, and His chosen people. Its the chosen against the reprobates. ***Not, so God loves the world. He didnt, and you can hate anybody who is mean to you, who disagrees with your view, that is perfectly ok. Because they are destined to Hell fire, Praise you know who.... On the other hand, believing in Gods free grace, is more demanding than anything. Not only must we love the lost, and do what we can to seek their salvation even for a bitter enemy. Be willing to give are all for them: Yet now, if You will forgive their sin---but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written. Exodus 32 v 32 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race. Romans 9 v3 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Proverbs 31 v 8 Our love and sacrifice not only extends to our brothers and sisters in Christ, the lost, anyone we might consider our bitter enemy, but even to those who miss-guidedly believe in Predestination of the person. As God did love the world (all the people in it), we are to love all the people of the world too!!! As best we can with His grace!!! That is being a Christian... And they shall know we are Christians by His love in us, for them!!! Ezekiel 18 v23, 32 1 Timothy 2 v 4, 6 2 Peter 3 v9B As such we are not merely to be hearers of the law (Bible), but Doers of the law... James 1 v22 1 John 3 v18 Romans 2 v13 Luke 11 v28 As such we are to take the time and effort to know and defend our faith and beliefs. For all people are worthy of our love!!! 2 Timothy 2 v15; 4 v2 Acts 17 v11B As such, we are to be humble and always teachable... 1 Corinthians 3 v18; 8 v2 1 John 4 v1 1 Thessalonians 5 v 21 As such, we should be forgiving!!! Luke 23 v 34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Conclusion: As Christians we must share the humility of Jesus, we must share the truth of Jesus, and we must share the love of Jesus, who is the Christ!!! Ecclesiastes 12 v 13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Galatians 2 v 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. The impulse or decision to turn toward communion with God depends on the impact of divine agency upon the human heart. The initial awakening or “quickening” may be described as the pressure from God which is given freely to all, (not sought by man’s fallen nature), but whose intent by God’s grace can be acted upon or rejected by the individual at their choice. Awakening or “quickening” is not regeneration, but rather the preparation for the same…The office of “quickening” is to produce the sense of need and the measure of aspiration and desire which are requisite to make one a willing subject in the consummation of adoption into the family of God. It is a serious “contradiction” to believe God gives a universal call to all mankind, and then secretly withholds the power to believe or accept the call from all those He has not given the ability to choose salvation. It is further a very serious contradiction to acknowledge God loves all mankind, then for reasons outside the teachings of God’s inerrant, infallible Word, rejects certain people without giving them the grace or ability to reject Jesus Christ for themselves. (limited atonement ) The divine intention is that all men shall avail themselves of their blood bought privileges in Jesus Christ. ***The call is not fictitious but genuine. *******It is not only an external offer of salvation, but is accompanied by the internal grace (prevenient grace) of the Holy Spirit sufficient to allow the fallen person, in his “total depravity” state, to “freely” accept or reject salvation.******* Jesus Christ atoning blood sacrifice opened the door for this grace, and provided it for all mankind…This grace works with the fallen “totally depraved” nature to allow every human being to exercise his God given “free” will to ultimately make the greatest choice to accept or reject saving grace, saving faith in Jesus Christ. The greatest “good” is to accept Jesus Christ, to deny this choice would be “sin” itself !!! Prevenient Grace Before actually discussing prevenient grace, it may be well to call attention to the fact that the grace of God is itself infinite, and therefore cannot be limited to His redemptive work, unspeakably great as this may be. 1) Grace is an eternal fact in the inner relations of the Trinity. 2) It existed in the form of sacrificial love before the foundation of the world. 3) It extended order and beauty to the process and product of creation. 4) It devised the plan for restoration of sinful man. 5) It is manifested specifically through revealed religion as the content of Christian theology 6) It will find its consummation in the regeneration of all things, of which our Lord testified. *The absolute holiness of God determines the nature of divine grace, and its laws ever operate under that standard. Prevenient Grace, as the term implies, is that grace which “goes before” or prepares the soul for entrance into the state of salvation. It is pre-aratory grace of the Holy Spirit exercised toward man helpless in sin. As it respects the guilty, it may be considered a form of mercy; as it respects the powerless, it is enabling power. It may be defined, therefore, as that manifestation of divine influence which precedes the full regenerate life. We will consider, 1) the Historical approach 2) the nature of Prevenient grace 3) Prevenient grace and Human Will The Historical Approach. The idea of grace (charis) is fundamental in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Genesis 6 v3; Zechariah 4 v6; John 6 v44; 15 v5; Romans 5 v6 (asthenon, helpless) [asebon,godless] Romans 5 v8 (amartolon, transgressors) Romans 5 v10 (echthpoi, under wrath) 1 Corinthians 2 v4-5; 2 Corinthians 3 v5; Ephesians 2 v1; 2 v8; Philippians 2 v13; 1 Thessalonians 1 v5; 2 Thessalonians 2 v13, 1 Peter 1 v2; Titus 2 v11… During the period of the early fathers, the doctrine of prevenient grace seems never to have been questioned, except by the Gnostics and Manichaeans. Justin(165 ad) says, “That we may follow those things that please Him…He both persuades and leads to faith.” Tertullian(220 ad) writes: “the greatness of some good things is unsupportable, so that only the greatness of the divine inspiration is effectual for attaining and practicing them.” Clement of Alexandria(220 ad) bears the same testimony. “It is not without eminent grace,” He states, “that the soul is winged, and soars, laying aside all that is heavy….Neither is God involuntarily good, as fire is warm; but in Him the imparting of good things is voluntary, even if He first receives the request. Nor shall he who is saved, be saved against his will… God ministers salvation to those who co-operate for the attainment of knowledge and good conduct.” Origen(254 ad) makes the statement: “our perfection is brought about not as if we ourselves did nothing; yet it is not completely by ourselves, but God produces the greater part of it.” Cyprian(258 ad) writes to the same effect. “If, depending on God with your whole strength,” he continues, “and with your whole heart, you be only what you have begun to be, power to do so is given you in proportion to the increase of spiritual grace.” Therefore I assert, that in a broard sense, the doctrine of Prevenient grace was indeed held by all the early fathers.**The laxed interpretation of it, however, by the Greek fathers, led to Pelagianism. Augustine and the theologians of his period distinguished five kinds of grace. 1) Prevenient grace which removed the fallen incapacity to choose and invited repentance. 2) Preparing grace which restrained the natural resistance and disposed the will to accept salvation by faith. 3) Operating grace which conferred the power of believing and kindled justifying faith. 4) Co-operating grace which followed justification, and served to promote sanctification and good works; 5) Conserving grace, by which faith and holiness were conserved and confirmed. At a later period in the history of Christian thought, theologians regarded faith as constituting a fourfold office as follows: 1) Elenchtical, or the awakening to a knowledge of sin. 2) Didactic, or instruction in the way of salvation. 3) Pedagogical, or the conversion of the sinner. 4) Paracletic, or consoling and strengthening of the converted. John Wesley had basically four types of God’s graces. 1) Prevenient grace 2) Convicting grace 3) Saving grace 4) Sanctifying grace The Holy Spirit is the Author of preliminary grace; that is, of the kind of preparatory influence which is imparted to the entire human race. It is not recognized and is without meaning to the sinner unless they choose to act upon it. And it must be understood that God’s grace is His grace, it is we who attempt to dissect its various attributes and workings by defining and giving names to various aspects of its manifestations. ******* Grace is Grace******* The Nature of Prevenient Grace The nature of Prevenient grace is found in the fourth article of the doctrine of Remonstrants. 4. Divine grace or energy of the Holy Spirit, which heals the disorders of a corrupt nature, begins, advances, and brings to perfection everything that can be called good in man; and that, consequently, all good works, without exception, are to be attributed to God alone, and to the operation of His grace; that, nevertheless, this grace, does not force the man to act against his inclination, but may be resisted and rendered ineffectual by the perverse will of the impenitent sinner. This proposition is analyzed by the theologian Watson in his institutes. 1) Everything that can be called good in man, previous to regeneration is the direct working of God’s prevenient grace. Man himself is totally depraved and incapable of any good thing. 2) God’s prevenient grace works upon the unregenerate allowing them to do good things. And gives them the ability to choose or reject saving faith in Jesus Christ. 3) There is human co-operation with the Holy Spirit, aiding and “quickening” the human’s “free will to reject or accept Jesus Christ. 4) That prevenient grace is given to all mankind to bring them to salvation through Jesus Christ, but that this grace is so given, that man’s “free” will can resist the pleading or calling of the Holy Spirit. This analysis suggests five main points. 1) Mankind is totally depraved, incapable of seeking God without his loving grace. 2) Prevenient grace is an unconditional benefit of the atonement 3) The continuity of grace as excluded the Calvinistic distinction between common and Efficacious grace. 4) synergism, or co-operation of grace and free will. 5) Mankind does have power to reject or accept Jesus Christ before regeneration. The doctrine of natural depravity affirms the total inability of man to turn by himself to faith and salvation in Jesus Christ. This being postulated, the affirmation that all have an equal probation involves the doctrine of a gracious influence unconditionally secured as the common inheritance of the race: this gracious influence so secured; by the same blood that purchased for mankind a conscious existence procured for them all grace needful (deon) for the responsibilities of that existence. Prevenient Grace and Free Will Prevenient grace is exercised upon the fallen nature of mankind. This grace is exercised upon his entire being. This grace operates upon the intellect, the feelings or will, upon the person or central being which is beneath and behind all affections and attributes. It thus preserves a belief in the unity of the personality. Prevenient grace has to do with man as a “free” and responsible agent. Prevenient grace has to do further, with the person as enslaved by sin. This grace assists man’s fallen nature to rise above his depravity and allows him to assert his “free” will. If the person co-operates with this grace it can ultimately lead to saving grace, salvation… This prevenient grace of the Holy Spirit, unconditionally bestows upon all mankind, the power and responsibility of “free” will. To choose or to reject the call of God to salvation through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ… At this point, I have shared everything necessary to clearly articulate my position…Therefore at this time I find it unnecessary to discuss repentance, faith, or conversion. The sole purpose in this paper was to explain my position on the topic that anyone by God’s grace can be saved!!! Any human being, but they must make the choice for themselves, which is possible by God’s prevenient grace… This paper cannot change or correct anyone’s stand, only God’s Holy Spirit can do that. And God gives us the right to say yes or no, so I can do no less. But I am satisfied that by the Power of the “Eternal” God, I have stated my position appropriately, concisely, and adequately. God’s will be done!!!!!!! Glory to God in the Highest!!! Answered by: Dr. Harold Chris Smith, sbc
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 01:21:20 +0000
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