By Jack Weaver
Lauren sent to me several partial Bible verses for explanation. She felt her selections, “make some of the strongest arguments for Calvinism.” In a later note she commented, “I would say I am not sure what I believe right now. I used to hold strongly to the reformed or Calvinist view and still think there is a lot in scripture to support it.”
I pray we will be able to present God’s Word convincingly and understandably to Lauren so she can rest in the Security and Peace of Salvation by her personal decision to put her faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone as her Savior and not depend upon the amorphous “promises” of Reformed/Calvinist teaching.
Because of my vision difficulties, I have elicited the help of our dear friend and my former Assistant Pastor, Dr. Tom Cucuzza, Pastor, Teacher, Lecturer and Author of Secure Forever! – on Amazon << Click
We must be aware that Bible verses may be chopped up and taken out of context to prove just about any “religious” point.
Here are the partial, non-contextual verses Lauren submitted for explanation. Thank you Lauren:
Heb 12:2 in part, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,”
Romans 9:16, “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.”
Romans 9:18, “Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.”
John 5:21 in part “No one can come to Me unless the Father draws (drags) him.”, “even so the Son gives life to whom He will.”
John 15:16 in part, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you…”
John 3:3 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again (from above) he cannot see the kingdom of God”
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The complete verses with detailed contextual explanations from Dr. Cucuzza are:
1.
John 6:44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
The word “draw” is never translated as drag in the KJV. It can mean that, but she is insinuating that God does it and accomplishes salvation regardless of man’s will. That is nowhere in the text.
a. How is a person drawn? V.45 gives the clear answer: We are drawn through the ministry of the Word of God. And this is available for all mankind, not just a select few.
John 6:45 “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
b. We are also drawn by the Holy Spirit, but He draws everyone.
John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”
c. Also, through the death of Christ we are drawn.
John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
2.
John 5:21 “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”
This verse is answered in v.24. He gives life to all those who believe.
John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.“
3.
Romans 9:14 “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”
Romans 9-11 is talking about the national election of the Jews for God’s purpose in the world, not personal election to salvation.
In Romans 9:14-16 The Lord didn’t have to show mercy to anyone. But He will accomplish His plan for the ages by showing grace to mankind. Israel is still in existence today because the Lord did not wipe them out in the days of Moses.
Romans 9:17 “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
vs. 17-21 Pharaoh, the leader of Egypt, already had a wicked attitude toward the children of Israel in the early chapters of Exodus. He did not want to let them go, for he wanted them as slaves for his own glory. The Lord knew (foreknowledge) in eternity past that Pharaoh would be the way he was and therefore used him to show the world the power of Jehovah God, the LORD. It had nothing to do with God making it impossible for Pharaoh to be saved and go to Heaven.
The Bible does say in Exodus that the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but it also says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. Which is true? Both! The Lord’s will and plan for Israel was the factor that hardened Pharaoh’s heart. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart by continually testing him. The Lord knew (foreknowledge) that Pharaoh would not change his mind about the Israelites, and therefore used him to accomplish the Divine purpose. Not one verse in the Bible says that Pharaoh couldn’t believe in the Messiah. He chose to reject the God of Moses.
4.
John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
He was speaking to His disciples (already saved people) about their discipleship and service, not salvation. That you should go and bring forth fruit. It was their choice on whether they would obey Him in this regard or not. This verse has nothing to do with salvation, but with the purpose of the Christian life.
5.
John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
This refers of course to the new birth. If we simply read further down to v. 14-18 we see HOW a person is born again- by trusting Christ alone as Savior. And this is open to the world, v.16-17.
John 3:14 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
6.
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Again, v.2 cannot be divorced from v.1
Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
I cannot see anywhere the Calvinistic bent or interpretation in v.2. What is the point? Yes, He is the captain and prince, and author if you will, of our faith. But it means He is the head, the leader. We are looking unto Him to lead us through the entire Christian life.
“Author”: Originator, founder, leader, chief, first, prince, as distinguished from simply being the cause. AMG’s Complete Word Study Dictionaries.
Dr. Tom Cucuzza Northland Bible Baptist Church
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We appreciate the questions from Lauren and especially for Dr. Cucuzza taking his time to answer. We also pray Lauren and others will decide to believe the Truth that salvation is free and only available through an individual’s choice to believe by Grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
We must never depend upon the false Calvinist teaching that some are “elect” by God to be saved and consequently ALL others, (me, you, our friends and relatives) have no choice or chance to make that decision to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Notes From A Retired Preacher 
Another good article… I wish they would hear the Scriptures though… I think of the Sadducees, they did not know the Scriptures or the power of God, and the Pharisees searched the Scriptures which had the testimony of God but did not believe what they testified to, and they would not come to Him that they might have life…
oooooh!!! thank you for the links……..
Hello again
I have an question… well maybe a few questions. If all events are ordained by God would that mean that God has to ordain his reactions to them? And would that mean the Creator is bound to the creations in some way?
Trust in Jesus
Levi
Hi all again,
I believe that Calvinists hold the view that God is not sovereign UNLESS He is in control of every single thing. I know Dr. MacArthur calls God’s divine sovereignty and human responsibility a seeming contradiction and that the Bible supports both. I do think that, in the end, all Calvinist theology must go through the premise that man is totally depraved and cannot choose to believe God for himself. If that premise can be disproved, then all the rest of their theology point by point is disproved as well. Anyone that reads through the bible plainly cannot conclude that man can ONLY choose evil. Adam and Eve were in a state of innocence, yet through their free will chose to disobey God. Now due to original sin, Calvinists believe that every sinner thereon can only choose evil apart from God’s grace. However, what about Noah, who walked with God and found grace in His eyes even when the rest of the world was evil? Man does have free will, but that free will is bounded by man’s sinfulness and is limited. Calvinists just take this TOO far and assert that because man is so sinful he doesn’t want to choose to believe God even with the bare facts laid out in front of him. Thus, a false idea of Calvinistic sovereignty is introduced.
Richard
Thanks Levi,
I think that you are right to focus upon the Calvinists’ wrong conception of God and an improper understanding of sovereignty as essential points where they stray from biblical truth. At every turn they cry, “We must protect the sovereignty of God!” Yet, at the same time, they deny that a sovereign God, in his full sovereign power, could choose to create man with free will (Genesis 1:27) and the ability to believe in God or to reject God (Matthew 23:37). So Calvinists are the ones who limit God’s sovereignty, conceiving of a God who created robotic creatures incapable of believing in him (their “God” must drag people into the kingdom).
For a detailed analysis of this subject, see:
Sovereignty: Calvinist and Lordship “Salvation” Crutch or Catchword
https://expreacherman.com/2012/03/08/sovereignty-calvinist-and-lordship-salvation-crutch-or-catchword/
Calvinism and the Sovereignty of God, Calvinism’s “god” of Limited Sovereignty
https://expreacherman.com/2011/11/07/calvinisms-god-of-limited-sovereignty/
Hello Everyone
I have been watching this blog since it was posted. It seems to be a disconnect in the Calvinist “faith” between the words of God and who God is. By doing this they can prove Calvinism with verses taken out of context. It is born from their doctrine of “Sovereignty of God”. That God can do anything He wants and be “just” in doing so, that he can break his words or failed to keep them. The changing of words definition and “hidden” meanings (ie John 3;16 elect and Romans 9) are justified in this matter.
They could learn the lesson from Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and he shall not make it good?
The words of God reveal who he is.
Trust in them
Levi
Bruce (Marty)
According to Calvinist philosophy, if the drowning man shouts, “Save me” but the rescuers determine he is NOT one of the “elect to be saved” then he would be left to drown.
And conversely, with Calvinist philosophy, a drowning man who does not shout out “Save me,” but is OK with his condition would be hauled aboard to safety anyway because his rescuers deemed him to be “elect to be saved.” That is the ridiculous nature of Calvinism.
In Christ, Jack
This came from the WordPress spammed file from a commenter, Marty:
“The argument advanced by some Calvinists is that to acknowledge any measure of “ability” (i.e., “free will”) in man is to leave room for boasting. The exhausted, drowning man, who hears the voice of those in the boat, cries out, “save me,” and then permits the strong arms of his rescuer to pull him into the boat, has certainly done nothing to contribute to his salvation. Yet we know that some drowning men will push away their rescuers in their unreasoning panic. In each case, both are exercising choice, but neither has cause to boast. There is no room in heaven for a regenerated human heart and mind to indulge in imagined boasting for simply acknowledging one’s inability to save oneself and then not interfering with the subsequent rescue.”
Response:
I find it strange that the “drowning man” metaphor is used often by both Calvinists and Arminians to support their respective theologies. Arminians say that the drowning man is given just a bit of rope, enough to pull himself up. I do not see the analogy as biblical or as a fitting demonstration of true biblical salvation which comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Here are some Scriptures that support the biblical idea of man’s free will to accept or to reject God’s gracious gift of salvation which is offered freely through his Son Jesus Christ:
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Luke 7:50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Luke 17:19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
John 3:16 For God so loved the world [not just the elect], that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 6:40 “And this is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Acts 15:11 “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
Acts 16:31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not by works, lest any man should boast.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all [not just the elect] should come to repentance.
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! [Christ Jesus wanted the people to come to him but they refused—sounds a lot like free will to me!]
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.
I’ll try the link again:
http://www.gracelife.org/resources/gracenotes.asp?id=49
There is a good article by Charlie Bing called “Perseverance Versus Preservation” linked below. The conclusion is as follows:
“Preservation, not perseverance, is the promise of the gospel. If this is misunderstood, the gospel of grace is nullified. Salvation is not based on our persevering performance, but on God’s preserving promise, purpose, and power.
“http://www.gracelife.org/resources/gracenotes.asp?id=49
Dime,
Verses taken out of context can seem more like supports for Calvinism than they really are. He are my initial thoughts about some of the verses.
You mentioned Corinthians 15:1-2.
Look down below at the rest of the chapter and especially verses 14, 17, and 58. One of the ways to make Christ’s sacrifice and the Christian life vanity was to deny the possibility of the resurrection from the dead. We do know though that our labor is not in vain in the Lord because our Lord is risen.
You also mentioned Hebrews 3:6 and Hebrews 3:14.
Look at and consider the whole chapter specifically verses 18 and 19. For this passage in Hebrews, it would also be helpful to look at other passages in scripture that teach on salvation and specifically eternal life. You will not find that the Bible teaches that we must maintain our faith in order to stay saved. It is also important to note that God will not cast us out once we have entered into the rest of Christ at the moment of salvation. Remember that a believer’s eternal life begins the moment we a placed under Christ’s blood through faith and are born again. We are not to stay as babes in Christ. We should grow in sanctification, but regardless we are saved once we come to trust in Christ alone for salvation.
Hi Terry,
It has been our pleasure — and we pray you will subscribe and receive posts by email as we publish them. We appreciate your commenting as you see fit.
We have a great fellowship of Grace believers here who are willing and “ready always to give an answer to every man [/woman] that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15b
In Jesus eternally, Jack
Hi, Jack!
Agreed…left in good hands! Thank you too for taking the time to reply also, and give additional clarity to Acts 13:48.
Thanking God for each one you!
Terry,
Just returned from almost all day at doc’s offices and I see your question is in great hands. I started my answer this AM but was unable to post it before we had to go. I believe we all agree in the basic answer in context. Here is my quick comment:
Hi Terry,
Sure appreciate your stopping by and commenting.
My reading of Acts 13:48 is as follows:
We who understand our choice to believe God’s salvation by Grace alone through Faith alone in Christ alone must look at it from that Biblical perspective.
The word “ordained” there is the Greek word “tasso” (Strong’s 5021) and has several meanings, naturally depending upon the context. Of course as we look at it in the context of free Grace salvation it means those Gentiles “were disposed to” or having a certain inclination or disposition toward Eternal Life.
Remember, these were Gentiles who heard The Word and “they were glad” and were inclined toward and apparently interested in eternal life, — therefore they believed. When folks today hear the Gospel of Eternal Life Salvation from God’s Word, some are glad, some are disposed or inclined toward eternal life and then believe. Others reject the Good news.
Then we see Calvinists, certain Bibles and commentaries with Calvinist leanings who will incorrectly interpret “ordained” to their perspective, “appointed as if predestined” to eternal life. We know that is not in any way Biblical.
I pray all of this helps. (and thanks to all for your help)
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Dime, regarding Colossians 1:22-23, Richard Seymour had this to say (from “Examining Difficult Passages Concerning Eternal Security”):
“Those who continue in the faith, ‘grounded and steadfast,’ and who are not moved away from the anticipation of the Gospel will be presented before the Lord a certain way. That way is ‘holy and
blameless and above reproach in his sight.’ All Christians are going to be presented, but not all Christians are going to be presented ‘holy, blameless and above reproach.’ What proof do I
have for such a statement? 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 says:
‘And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.’”
Tom and Bruce,
Thanks so much for your help with Acts 13:48!
Bruce, for supplying the other options for the use of tasso in Scripture.
I went to your site, and found that great little video titled, “Louie Lordship and Freddie Free Grace on Lordship”…already posted on fb…Thanks!
Tom, what you have explained is how it came to me at one point, but then eluded me at a later time. Why, I don’t know, but thanks for helping me to remember! I like the analogy that you gave…always find analogies to be helpful in clarifying/remembering difficult issues. Looking forward to receiving/reading your book, “Secure Forever”.
I appreciate all the input here!
Hi all,
Thanks to all of you for sharing the truth, as Acts 13:48 is one of the most popular verses. If you look at many Calvinist websites’ statements of faith, this verse is always there to support their view of election. As many as were set to be Calvinists, believed God chose them to believe. Anyway, I know that Calvinists like to use these verses to support their view of perseverance of the saints (1 Corinthians 15:1-2, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, Colossians 1:22-23). Any input on these?
Dime
Hi Terry, Good comments.
Re. Acts 13:48, that’s one of the select verses that Calvinists like to point to. The Greek term in question is tasso. That is the word for “ordained” or “appointed.” Acc. to Thayer and Smith (Grk. Lex.), the word can have a broader meaning including arrange, assign, order, as in, “to appoint one’s own responsibility or authority,” or “to appoint mutually, i.e. to agree upon.” Strongs Lex. puts it, “to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot):—addict, appoint, determine, ordain, set. The NAS Exhaustive Concordance (5021 “tasso”) shows that the term, in addition to the meanings mentioned above, can mean “devoted,” as in 1 Cor. 16:15 (NASB): “Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), . . . Acts 16:14 may shed some light in the sense of one’s being prepared by the Spirit [although “tasso” is not used in this verse] (lit. from the Grk. “opened up the heart to take heed to the things being spoken by Paul”).
If one considers the broader range of meaning for “tasso,” then the phrase that you quote could have the idea:
“and as many were _____________ to eternal life believed.”
devoted
arranged in an orderly manner
agreed upon, i.e. believed
appointed by one’s own responsibility, i.e. believed
Anyway, Terry, these are just some thoughts to chew upon and to investigate further.
Hope this helps a bit.
Jim,
Great explanation of Hebrews 12:1-3.
Terry,
I see the explanation for Acts 13:48 this way: The passage doesn’t mean they didn’t have a choice. Nowhere does it say that.
God knew beforehand (foreknowledge) who would believe and has determined that all who believe, in other words all believers, will have, or are ordained to, eternal life. Anyone who trusts Christ alone as Savior is ordained to eternal life. And God knows who they are before they believe.
It is because they have believed, not because they were appointed and couldn’t do anything else. This is clear from the context: v.46- They (the Jews) judged THEMSELVES unworthy of eternal life. God didn’t judge them unworthy. God didn’t do it to them, they did it to themselves.
An everyday example of this idea would be this: If it was raining outside, and you decided you were going to go outside in the rain, it could be said of you: “As many as were destined to get wet from the rain, went outside.” It is your choice to go outside. And if you do, you will get wet.
Tom Cucuzza
Great article, Jack, and thanks to you, and Tom for taking on these Scripture references that Calvinists use to puportedly support their philosophy. An unbalanced view of God embedded in a philosophy which maligns God’s nature and character, and ultimately make Him the author of sin. God is both loving and just.
Here is another one that I am seeing with more frequency, and with which I could use some help myself. I have yet to find a nice concise rebuttal to the Calvinist view of this Scripture reference.
Acts 13:48 (KJV)
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Here are two great short articles by Dr. Charlie Bing addressing Total Depravity, and whether Faith is the gift of God in Eph 2:8-9 (I believe, Jack, you have the latter one posted elsewhere here at your blogsite).
http://gracelife.org/resources/gracenotes.asp?id=42
http://gracelife.org/resources/gracenotes.asp?id=46
I appreciate that Lauren is open/willing to test these things to see if they are so…
Jim F,
Thanks — very complete analysis of verses which speak of our walk.
You mention the Calvinist idea of “regeneration” preceding Faith. That is but one of the 5 Points of Calvinism that are so totally wrong.
Someone recently posed a number of logical questions to ask a Calvinist. Were you the one — or do you remember them. I think it would be great to ask Lauren those questions (and anyone else leaning that direction.)
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
I truly believe that God’s Word does not prove Calvinism, much less a few verses taken out of context.
The part about using Heb 12:2 as proof of Calvinism sparked my interest. I would assume that one seeking to use this as a proof for Calvinism would use it to try to say that man is so depraved that he can’t believe unless God grants him faith. In essence God regenerates man and allows him to believe, repent and persevere etc. They would then something like God is the finisher of our faith in that he helps us to persevere to the end.
There are many commentaries on this that take it in different directions however one in particular got me thinking along these lines.
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
I feel it is especially important to look at all three of these verses together. Looking at the previous chapter on faith is also helpful along with the rest of chapter 12. Verse one is telling us that, in light of those who endured even to the point of death for the cause of their faith, we should press forward in our walk of faith letting go of anything that would hinder us. We are to do this not only with the example of others that have gone before but with the ultimate example that is Jesus Christ. (Note here that one person pointed out that the word “our” is not in the original Greek text.) This would mean then that Christ is the supreme example for us to look at as one who obeyed the Father in faith despite the circumstances. The verse goes on to indicate that Christ demonstrated this by how he went through the pain of the cross thinking nothing of the shame. He is now victorious sitting at the right hand of God. Verse 3 carries on the idea that we are to consider Him as an example. He was able to endure the accusations and evil against himself. Part of it I think is because Christ looked at the end result. I believe the joy that was set before Him was to do the will of His Father. He loved the Father and mankind so much that He endured all because it was what had to be done to to obey His Father and redeem mankind.
Overall this passage is talking about our walk of faith in sanctification amid adversity, not how one is saved or “given” faith.
Thanks John,
Excellent verses for some who still hang on to Calvinism.
In Christ, Jack
Lauren,
Welcome and thanks for dropping by.. If you will examine scripture carefully you will find that Jesus is the Originator and Provider of our Salvation (The Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord – Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9). Our salvation (the Gift of God) is by Grace THROUGH [our] Faith alone in Jesus alone.
Your Faith is your mental decision to believe/trust in Jesus based on the evidence presented.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for [guaranteed], the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
In Christ eternally, Jack
PS: The Biblical definition of Hope is:
http://www.expreacherman.wordpress.com/what-is-bible-hope/
I think the following verses directly negate the limited atonement facet of Calvinism:
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Titus 2:11 (NKJV): “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men”
John 3:16 (NKJV): “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Revelation 22:17 (NKJV) “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
It seems to me that you just proved that Jesus is the originator of our faith. I probably have more to say but can’t right now. Thanks for your response. I appreciate it so much.
In Christ,
Lauren