Praedstino, a-re, to set before as
a goal, predestine: sibi
triumphos,
See
Isaiah 30 for a picture of Molech.
See
the Engedi.ministries rebuttal on Calvinism
See
our Reformation Index for some good Calvin and
Luther and more
These are collected notes so you have to make use of them as you please:
"Predestination, in Christian theology, the teaching that a person's eternal destiny is predetermined by God's unchangeable decree. Most exponents of the doctrine have maintained that it is only the individual's final destiny that is predetermined, not the individual's actions, which remain of free will. The doctrine customarily takes one of two forms: single predestination or double predestination.
"Single predestination is based on the experience of God's presence and love, and on the understanding that the gift of God's presence is an act of sheer grace. In order to emphasize that the gift is independently willed by God, some Christians have asserted that their relation to God depends only on God and on God's eternal decree established before the foundation of the world.
Double predestination asserts that, because salvation and glory are predestined, condemnation and destruction must also be predestined. Encarta Online.
Baptism offers salvation to all who believe:
Jesus said that without being born AGAIN of Water and Spirit or Water and the Word you CANNOT, SHALL NOT enter into His kingdom or rule which is the Ekklesia or Christian synagogue or school of the Bible. The seven "spirits" of Isaiah 11:1-4 which would rest on the BRANCH are all related to forms of spiritual knowledge. Jesus said "My Words are Spirit and Life." Therefore, you might join a venue for Rock and Roll peddled as "worship" but Jesus Christ WILL NOT be your free-of-charge Teacher until He washes your spirit or mind. Only then do you have access to the seven spirits represented by the Menorah or Candlestick which gave LIGHT to the Holy Place along with the table of bread and the incense altar. Each Christian "priest" must look into the Most Holy Place with their own prayers. Then, you can enter into the Most Holy Place to meet God. Jesus said that the ONLY new PLACE is the human spirit as it gives heed to the Spirit of Truth through the Word. Don't believe the lie that "musical teams" lead you into the presence of God: that makes them claim to be God standing in the Holy Place. Not in the vilest pagan temple could singers and musicians enter into the holy precincts on the penalty of death. Don't follow people making "Christianity" viler than paganism. If you are part of the 5 out of 13,000 congregations then you have become a laughing stock just like the musical idolatrs at Mount Sinai which forfeited and continues to forfeit the Covenant of Grace.
People who refute this have a "spirit" which intends to hurt you real bad.
Calvinism in the Church
# 1: David Lawrence of David Lipscomb on predestinaion Number One.
# 2: A Look at Galatians 3 on PREDESTINATION to a system of FAITH like Abraham who was justified because he obeyed all of God's commands and decrees.
#3: David Lawrence: Predestination Acts 11:8 and 2 Timothy 2
We must begin by saying that when Paul speaks of predestination he means predestination to some quality or nature which one experiences by following Jesus.
All who are predestinated are predestinated to salvation. Paul never speaks of God predestinating inch-long embryos to eternal squirming in a burning hell. Nor does he speak of God predestinating anyone to hell.
One of the worst evils to come into the mind of God was of a people who would put their children in the red hot arms of the iron idol of Molech to be burned up:
And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech;
which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. Jeremiah 32:35
These people did it to get a message from their god or perhaps as a form of birth control. They could dispose of the child and make the god happy because he delighted in the dying screams of little children.
Calvin says that all people are lost just because Adam "ate the apple." Therefore, God is "just" by picking some to live and some to burn for Adam's sin.
But these children were, like those of Calvinists, a worthless bunch. What can a little child do but demand attention and mess its pants. Therefore, the mother is "righteous" in that she picks the "favored" children and burns those with a birth defect.
Now, God is not so practical as John Calvin. He is not even pragmatic. Purely as a form of playing darts He arbitrarily picked some to live and some to burn. Isn't it unfair to burn His unfavored or less than perfect children and then condemn men like King Manasseh for doing the same thing? In fact, Manasseh was a lot kinder to the excess children. He at least had the good grace to put them in the red hot arms and they would be dead and out of their misery within seconds. But God is going to select Calvinists and deselect everyone else and then put them in Satan's "red hot arms" to burn and squirm for ever even though they are not yet an inch long. How grotesque!
Contrary to Calvin (who would burn you at the stake for sassing him), God's pre-plan or order for all of His children was to salvation and conformity to the image of Christ. Those who are lost reject the counsel of God for their lives.
A key text to support predestination is:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called (invited) according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
God's purpose is from the Greek:
Predestination: "In the Scriptures there is not one term in either the Hebrew or the Greek which encompasses the term "predestination." In the OT a number of words indicate the divine plan and purpose: esa (to counsel, Jer. 49:20; 50:45; Mic. 4:12); ya'as (to purpose, Isa. 14:24, 26 - 27; 19:12; 23:9)"
In Hebrew predestination is:
Yaac (h3289) yaw-ats'; a prim. root; to advise; reflex. to deliberate or resolve: - advertise, take advice, advise (well), consult, (give, take) counsel (-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose.
And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. Nu.24:14
The predestinated counsel in Greek:
Boule (g1012) boo-lay'; from 1014; volition, i.e. (obj.) advice, or (by impl.) purpose: - / advise, counsel, will.
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:29
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel (advice, invitation) of God (for) themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
God had a predestinated plan including the Pharisees and Doctors of the Law. They rejected this counsel of God. Therefore, it is possible not to take God's eternal advice. In the end, rejecting God's will predestinates you to damnation.
God is often said to do what He permits man to do:
THE preparations of the heart in man,Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Prov 16: 5
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Prov 16: 2 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Prov 16: 3 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Prov 16: 4
- and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. Prov 16:1
However,
- By mercy and truth iniquity is purged:
- and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. Prov 16: 6
- When a mans ways please the Lord,
- he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Prov 16: 7
Kaphar (h3722) kaw-far'; a prim. root; to cover (spec. with bitumen); fig. to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel: - appease, make (an) atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile (-liation).
Jeremiah speaks of PREDESTINATION or a pre counsel or purpose of God
Because of THEIR OWN SINS:
Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof. Jer 49:17
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the Lord, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it. Jer 49:18
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me? Jer 49:19
Therefore, God has a PURPOSE to carry out:
Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them. Jer 49:20
Counsel:
Ecah (h6098) aw-tsaw'; from 3289; advice; by impl. plan; also prudence: - advice, advisement, counsel ([-lor]), purpose.
Taken:
Yaac (h3289) yaw-ats'; a prim. root; to advise; reflex. to deliberate or resolve: - advertise, take advice, advise (well), consult, (give, take) counsel (-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose.
Purposed:
Chashab (h2803) khaw-shab'; a prim. root; prop. to plait or interpenetrate, i. e. (lit.) to weave or (gen.) to fabricate; fig. to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute: - (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon (-ing be made), regard, think.
It is used of people:
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. Acts 11:23
Prothesis (g4286) proth'-es-is; from 4388; a setting forth, i.e. (fig.) proposal (intention); spec. the show-bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God: - purpose, shew [-bread].
This is a parallelism: those that love God are those who are invited according to His purpose and not our purpose.
To APPOINT does not mean to predestinate but to INVITE:
Kletos (h2822) klay-tos; from the same as 2821; invited, i.e. appointed, or (spec.) a saint: - called.
Klesis (g2821) klay'-sis; from a shorter form of 2564; an invitation (fig.): - calling.
Election is:
Ekloge (g1589) ek-log-ay'; from 1586; (divine) selection (abstr. or concr.): - chosen, election.
But out election is not predestination:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 2Pe.1:10
epilog-ê , hê, picking out, choice, tôn akathartôn
tôn akathartôn is the Greek:
THE akathartos [kathairô]
I. uncleansed, unclean, impure, Plat.:--adv., akathartôs echein id=Plat.
II. of things, not purged away, Soph.kathar-tikos , ê, on, of, fit for cleansing or purifying, elaiou kai gês Pl.Ti.60d ; ta melê ta k. (v. katharsis 11 ) Arist.Pol.1342a15; ta k. purgatives, Phld.Sign. 25; k. aretai Hierocl.in CA2p.422M. : hê -kê (sc. technê) Pl.Sph. 231b. Adv. -kôs Marin.Procl.19 .
Selection speaks of a political election: God votes for us every time.
II. Medic., promoting katharsis, prostheton Hp.Mul.1.74 ; usu . . purgative, dunamis Gal.11.768 (metaph., Cebes 14); pharmakon Plu.2.999f , cf. Gal.5.128; oinos Dsc.5.66 (Comp.); k. alone, Hp.Fract.24, S.E.M.8.480.
In the case of the priest, the SELECTION was made out of a family which had been qualified by various genealogy or events:
However, God had appointed by defining the qualifications. The Jews did not always accept God's election.
(7)[30] For our forefathers did not only appoint the best of these priests, and those that attended upon the Divine worship, for that design from the beginning, but made provision that the stock of the priests should continue unmixed and pure; for he who is partaker of the priesthood must propagate of a wife of the same nation, without having any regard to money, or any other dignities; but he is to make a scrutiny, and take his wife's genealogy from the ancient tables, and procure many witnesses to it
Peter does not speak of "raw" election but how God ordained that we would be elected:
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
> through sanctification of the Spirit,
> unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 1Pe.1:2
This is the same Peter who commanded that the BELIEVERS repent AND be baptized for the REMISSION OF SINS. Only at baptism does God sprinkle our hearts free of sins and then gives us A holy or sanctified spirit.
Those who claim PREDESTINATION and repudiate baptism have PROVEN that they are NOT predestinated.
Eklektos (g1588) ek-lek-tos'; from 1586; select; by impl. favorite: - chosen, elect.
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Mt.20:16
To forsee is not to for-elect
Proginosko (g4267) prog-in-oce'-ko; from 4253 and 1097; to KNOW BEFOREHAND, i.e. FORSEE: - foreknow (ordain), know (before).
Ginosko (g1097) ghin-oce'-ko; a prol. form of a prim. verb; to "know" (absol.), in a great variety of applications and with many impl. (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed): - allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know (- ledge), perceive, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
For instance, Paul noted:
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. Ac.26:5
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 2Pe.3:17
e-lectio , o-nis, f. [id.] , a choice, selection, _ast; Cic. Or. 20, 68; Quint. 1, 12, 4; Prooem. § 2; 3, 4, 8; Vell. 2, 72 fin.; Tac. A. 6, 22; id. Or. 23 al.: vitiatarum electiones,
i. e. the option given to a violated maiden, whether her ravisher shall be put to death or shall marry her, Tac. Or. 35
Esp. of the election of believers to the divine favor (eccl. Lat.), Vulg. Rom. 9, 11; id. 1 Thess. 1, 4.
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 1 Thess 1:4
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 1 Thess 1:5
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 1 Thess 1:6
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel (advice, invitation) of God (for) themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
Again, Counsel is;
Boule (g1012) boo-lay'; from 1014; volition, i.e. (obj.) advice, or (by impl.) purpose: - / advise, counsel, will.
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: Ac.5:38
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ephesians 1:11
God predetermines how He will bless us
Proorizo (g4309) pro-or-id'-zo; from 4253 and 3724; to limit in advance, i.e. (fig.) predetermine: - determine before, ordain, predestinate.
And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed Lu.22:22
But we have just seen that some people REJECT the predestined counsel of God's Will;
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel (advice, invitation) of God (for) themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
This is not based upon the love of God because God IS Love. Rather, those who love God conform to His purpose for their lives including accepting the invitation which was fashioned according to God's purpose. Jesus clearly said that to be accepted according to His purpose one must obey whatever He tells us to do:
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Fathers commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9
Not just those whom God loves because He loves all of His creation, but those who love Him. If God has prepared then He has PREprepared. He has predestinated certain things for those who are elected or invited and decide to become part of the ekklesia or called out.
God calls all people through the Gospel. Those who accept are predestinated to salvation because they, out of all people who are invited, accept God by not rejecting His commandments.
Paul's next statement in Romans 8:29 is:
For whom he did foreknow, (God "knew before" the Jews:)
But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. Rom 10:19
But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. Rom 10:20
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. Rom 10:21
Israel was chosen for a purpose but that purpose was not predestination to salvation which could not be lost:
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Rom 11:1
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Romans 11:2
Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. Romans 11:3
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Rom 11:4
There is no hint that God PREDESTINATED or prevented the seven thousand men from bowing to Baal: those who refused were RESERVED as faithful.
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18
Shaar (h7604) shaw-ar'; a prim. root; prop. to swell up, i. e. be (caus. make) redundant: - leave, (be) left, let, remain, remnant, reserve, the rest.
God foreknew ALL of Israel. However, he RESERVED only the remnant BECAUSE they had neither bowed nor kissed Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Rom 11:5
The remnant when Jesus came were not RESERVED because they keep the Law of Moses. God extended grace because people obeyed Him because obedience is NOT a work of the Law or of human merit.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Rom 11:6
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for;
but the election hath obtained it,
and the rest were blinded Rom 11:7Paul in 2 Corinthians 3 says that they were BLINDED because they did not obey the Words of God. Even still they would not be able to read the Old Testament until they TURNED to Christ Who IS that SPIRIT.
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. Rom 11:8
Jesus points to the Pharisees and Isaiah 29 as well as Ezekiel 33 to show that it was MUSICAL rituals which had starved the people to death.
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isa 29:13
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Isa 29:14
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Rom 11:9
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. Rom 11:10
Isay then, Have they stumbled that they should fall?
God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Rom 11:11
Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? Rom 11:12
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: Rom 11:13
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. Rom 11:14
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? Rom 11:15
Proginosko (g4267) prog-in-oce'-ko; from 4253 and 1097; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee: - foreknow (ordain), know (before).
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. Ac.26:5
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. Ro.8:29he also did predestinate
Notice that there is not a period here. Therefore, we have to look at the rest of the sentence to see to what God predetermined for the Jews
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10
that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. John 1:10
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:11
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: John 1:12Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:30
While most of "his brethren, the Jews" rejected their Creator in the flesh, many were conformed unto His death in purpose both spiritually and physically in baptism:
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 7:29
The Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the plan of God for their lives because they were not baptized for the remission of their sins:
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel (will, pre-plan) of God (for) themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
Why complain that they have rejected God's predertemined, "known beforehand" will for their lives if they have no choice. They rejected the counsel of God (a way to be saved) by refusing to be saved. Therefore, the plan was predestinated and their salvation was predestinated but their choice of good or evil was not predestinated.
God in Malachi shows that if people will not obey and thereby fail to justify or give glory to God's name then He will, future tense, curse them. Nay! Because they did not obey Him they were already cursed because they were out of God's plan which He made from all eternity:
There is no time with God.
Those who are called "BELIEVERS" have all been baptized if they are added to the church or body of Christ. That is because they have obeyed the PREDESTINATED plan God ordained so that we can be "conformed to the image of Christ." That is the PREDESTINATED plan for everyone who is not unrighteous just because they love to sin.If you disobey God then he has ALREADY cursed you:
AND now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. Malachi 2:1
IF ye will not hear, and
IF ye will not lay it to heart,
to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, andI will curse your blessings: yea,
I have cursed them already,
because ye do not lay it to heart. Malachi 2:2Hear was the primary way to worship God:
Shama (h8085) shaw-mah'; a prim. root; to hear intelligently (often with impl. of attention, obedience,
Behold, I will corrupt your
seed,
and spread
dung upon your faces,
even
the
dung of your solemn
feasts;
and one
shall take you away with it. Malachi 2:3
Don't you see? God's curse was foreordaind. It was lying there ready to be picked up if and when they refused to give honor to His Name. But the conditional IF was there as proof of their free will. Whatever God knows beforehand, we live in the finite world of free will. If there is a paradox it does not eleminate free will in the time and space where we live..
By analogy, God predestinated long ago that if I jump off a tall building I will die. If I jump off the building than God's decree for me is carried out. However, He did not force me to take the elevator to the top of the building with the idea of jumping off. Let's try to explain that again in chart form:
|
God predestinated that all who obey Him will be saved. |
Those who obey God hear the gospel |
Those who obey are saved |
Therefore, they were predestinated to be saved because they remained in the saved "path" God laid out |
|
God predestinated that all who do not obey Him will be lost. |
Those who disobey God hear the gospel |
Those who disobey will be lost |
Therefore, they were predestinated to be lost because they remained in the lost "path" God laid out |
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 2 Thes 1:7Thlibo (g2346) thlee'-bo; akin to the base of 5147; to crowd (lit. or fig.): - afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Mt.7:14
Thriambeuo (g2358) three-am-byoo'-o; from a prol. comp. of the base of 2360 and a der. of 680 (mean. a noisy iambus, sung in honor of Bacchus); to make an acclamatory procession, i.e. (fig.) to conquer or (by Hebr.) to give victory: - (cause) to triumph (over).
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them
that know not God, and
that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2Th.1:8Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thes 1:9
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 2 Thes 1:10
Paul obviously did not believe these people were predestinated:
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 2 Thes 1:11
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thes 1:12
Peter also notes that those of the house of God are not predestinated:
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1Pe.4:17
God predestinates the results but it is up to us to determine which route we will take.
Christian Baptism is the same as John's baptism, but after Pentecost converts were to acknowledge that Father-Son-Spirit were all under the name of Jesus. This baptism then brought them into relationship with Lord Jesus Christ who would be pure or Holy Spirit and no longer in the flesh. This meant that Peter, Philip and Paul could baptize in water while Christ the Spirit enfolds or embraces us into the "garments" of His body as a form of baptism. To a few, the Spirit gift was a supernatural power to enable the development of new churches. Not all received this power (1 Cor. 12) but only those upon whom the power was bestowed by the apostle's hands.
Christian baptism was no less a key to the forgiveness of sins than John's baptism because both events were the time and place to accept (and not reject) God's counsel or pre-plan for all of those who would "justify" Him.
In Mark 16:16 the predestinated plan and command of Jesus Christ was for all to hear the gospel, believe it and accept His counsel for their lives. Those who believed and were baptized were saved. However, those who didn't believe naturally repudiated (did not justify) God by not being baptized. This shows that repudiating baptism in either form is to repudiate God by repudiating His "best" judgment.
The argument is often made that "Jesus DIDN'T SAY that 'those who are NOT baptized shall be damned'." Well, Jesus made His inclusive and exclusive will known: if Jesus says that belief + (kai) baptism is what saves then it is obvious that belief - baptism WOULD NOT save. But, we know that those who do not believe are already damned either with or without baptism:
|
Pre-Plan for Salvation |
He
that believeth |
and is baptized |
shall be saved |
|
Pre-Plan for Damnation |
he that believeth not [is already krino] |
. |
shall be damned [katakrino] |
|
He
that believeth on him is not condemned [krino]: Who would be so deprived that he would refute Jesus by saying: He did NOT say that he that is NOT baptized will be damned. If you do not believe you are CONDEMNED and can not be saved: Faith is the POWER to become the children of God. |
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Stated in another way: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. Jn.3:36
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Jn 6:63
When a person hears the WORDS of Christ and believes them as the very words of God he HAS life and he HAS spirit dwelling within him. However, this quickening spirit must give birth before one is added to Christ's kingdom. As a bride or THE ELECT LADYThat he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Eph 5:26KJV
to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's Word; Eph 5:26LIV
to make her holy, cleansing [b] her by the washing with water through the word, Eph 5:26NIVLoutron (g3067) loo-tron'; from 3068; a bath, i.e. (fig.) baptism: - washing.
Louo (g3068) loo'-o; a prim. verb; to bathe (the whole person; whereas 3538 means to wet a part only, and 4150 to wash, cleanse garments exclusively): - wash.
Ab-luo abluere sibi umbras, to remove darkness (by bringing a light), Of the washing away of earth by a shower, Varr. R. R. 1, 35.--In eccl. Lat., of baptism: munere divinitatis abluti,
II. Trop., of calming the passions: omnis ejusmodi perturbatio animi placatione abluatur, be removed (fig. derived from the religious rite of washing in expiation of sin),"Verse 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it] The Church is represented as the spouse of Christ, as the woman is the spouse of the man; and, to prepare this Church for himself, he washes, cleanses, and sanctifies it. There is certainly an allusion here to the ancient method of purifying women, who were appointed to be consorts to kings; twelve months, it appears, were in some instances spent in this purification: Six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours and with other things, for the purifying of women. See the case of Esther, Esth. ii. 12; see also Psa. xlv. 13, 14; Ezek. xvi. 7-14.
"With the washing of water] Baptism, accompanied by the purifying influences of the Holy Spirit.
"By the word] The doctrine of Christ crucified, through which baptism is administered, sin canceled, and the soul purified from all unrighteousness; the death of Christ giving efficacy to all.
Paul to the Galatians speaks of the predestinated promise made to Abraham. He did not speak of the law as having any merit but that it restrained the lawless until God fulfilled His purpose: that was not the PREDESTINATION to be save or lost but that the Gentiles along with the Jews (now stripped of the Law) might become spiritual Israelites:
Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Gal 3:19
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Gal 3:20
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Gal 3:21
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Gal 3:22
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Gal 3:23
Wherefore the law (system) was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (system). Gal 3:24
Dikaioo (g1344) dik-ah-yo'-o; from 1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent: - free, justify (-ier), be righteous.
FAITH existed prior to the New Testament. Therefore, FAITH is objective or the system of faith and not a verb involving JUST personal belief.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Gal 3:25
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Gal 3:26
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27
Children of the ELECT LADY are members of the church of Christ where we dwell as members, children or building blocks in Christ's temple:
THE elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 John 1:1
For the truths sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 2 John 1:2
Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 1 Jn 1:3
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Jn.14:17
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: Jn.15:26
And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning John 15:27
The simple refusal to be baptized meant that the Pharisees and Lawyers did not put their trust in Jesus and therefore rejected the command which had to be obeyed if one believed and was not going to repudiate God's plan for them.
The Jewish converts in Rome were early "Calvinists" in the modern sense of the word. That is, they believed that as Jews under God's predestination, if they were lost it was God's fault or the fault of the Word
Therefore, Paul stopped in the middle of this letter and inserted chapters 9-11.
To understand Romans it is important to see that Paul "switches horses" at the end of Romans chapter eight because he understands that the Jews are not going to understand how God could allow the Gentiles to participate when they believed they were all predestinated to be doomed. He picks up his main thread at the beginning of chapter 12 where he discusses collective worship which can be destroyed unless the Jews comprehend that they are not all of those who will be saved." Some have held that chapters 9-11 are a "synagogue sermon" which Paul needed to "preach" to the Roman Jews
Predestination simply meant that the Jews were God's missionaries to bring his blessings "to all nations" the Jews came to believe that they were chosen because of some inherent superiority. As a result, if predestination was not for the Gentiles then why spend all of that time and money on missionary efforts:
The Jews were God's chosen people predestinated to be a blessing to all nations.
They believed that "Father Abraham stands beside the gates of hell and refuses to allow any Jew to go in."
They were not predestinated to be the only saved people. Some of the ancestors of Jesus were Gentiles. His tribe was not the priestly tribe and his priesthood was after a Gentile priest.
The ignored covenant of Abraham was that they should be missionaries.
The Hebrews were not a blessing but excluded and destroyed other nations.
Therefore, God changed his first choice of missionaries to the world. Remember that Paul tried to teach Jews but changed his plan to go to the field Christ had appointed him to.
This did not doom the "non-evangelist" Hebrews to be unbelievers. They could believe Jesus just like all other people.
Paul referred them to Jeremiah 18 to explain predestination.
The Potter takes a batch of clay. He never sets out to make a vessel just to "burn it" in hell forever and forever.
His predestination is that the clay will be a prize "Ming vase." The clay, without any influence from the potter, mars because of some flaw.
The potter changes his Pre- or first goal to another which fits the "clay"
He makes a vessel for ordinary uses
Only after the clay hardens does it cease to be a vase.
Isaiah notes that the pot can be beyond redemption:
And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit. Isaiah 30:14
In the end, it is good only to be trampled under food.
Paul used this symbolism of God's plan to Timothy:
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his.
And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2 Timothy 2:20
God did not create these vessels for dishonor; it was their own choice. Even then, it is possible for the vessels to "purge" or pour out dishonorable acts and be made into a vessel of honor:
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21
We know that Paul uses the word "predestination" and it is translated to mean neo-Calvinism. On the other hand, he clearly preaches free will. But Peter said that Paul is difficult to understand and people pervert his writings to their own destruction. If we do not make judgments and decree some people lost we fail to teach those we assume to be lost. If we assume that Christ meant to "take the gospel" to "whoever" then we will teach. The assumption of predestination, therefore, is the only view which can do damage. If we teach free will and we have no free will then our teaching has done injustice to neither God nor mankind.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; 2 Timothy 2:24
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 2 Timothy 2:25
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 2:26
How could they be ensnared unless they were predestinated to be snared? Even if they were snared and dishonored how could they be lost if they were predestinated to be saved? How dare Paul demand that by preaching, people could be moved from the dishonorable status to an honorable status?
Did you hear what Paul said? He said that if they listened and believed, God would permit them to believe so that they could recover themselves out of that which they deliberately fell into. topheth, tabret, tambourne, molech, moloch, child sacrifice,
God Loving Jacob and Hating Esau Had Nothing to do with Salvation
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9:13
God did not hate the personal Esau nor did he love the personal Jacob. Rather, Esau himself determined how his descendants would respond to God by his personal "rejection of God's counsel for him" as the eldest son. When God choose Jacob to be the tribal leader he did not predestinate him to neaven nor did he predestinate Esau to hell.
God loves and hates based upon one's obedience to Him. "Jacob" thought that they were predestinated and it did not matter what they did:
I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacobs brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, Malachi 1:2
And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Malachi 1:3
Jacob was not predestinated. AS a people, their continued acceptance by God depended on their obedience to Him:
And if ye (Jacob) offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:8
And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the Lord of hosts.Malachi 1:9
While "Jacob" was directed by God's predestination, when they polluted His name among the nations God had a perfect right to turn to the "Esaus" of the world:
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:11
In a real sense we, by our teaching, predestinate groups to believe or not believe. However, God does not make a personal decree until they have been tested and made a personal decision.
If ye will not hear,
and if ye will not lay it to heart,
to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts,
I will even send a curse upon you, andMeerah (g3994) meh-ay-raw'; from 779; an execration: - curse.
Pr 3:33 - The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Maarab (h3993) mah-ar-awb'; from 693; an ambuscade: - lie in ambush, ambushment, lurking place, lying in wait.
I will curse your blessings: yea,
I have cursed them already,
because ye do not lay it to heart. Malachi 2:2Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. Malachi 2:3
Dung is:
Peresh (h6569) peh'-resh; from 6567; excrement (as eliminated): - dung.
Parash (g6567) paw-rash'; a prim. root; to separate, lit. (to disperse) or fig. (to specify); also (by impl.) to wound: - scatter, declare, distinctly, shew, sting.At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Pr.23:32
Feasts are:
Chag (g2282) khag; or 2283 khawg; from 2287; a festival, or a victim therefor: - (solemn) feast (day), sacrifice, solemnity.
Chaga (h2283) khaw-gaw'; from an unused root mean. to revolve [comp. 2287]; prop. vertigo, i. e. (fig.) fear: - terror.
Chagab (h2284) khaw-gawb'; of uncert. der.; a locust: - locust.
Chagag (h2287) khaw-gag'; a prim. root [comp. 2283, 2328; prop. to move in a circle, i. e. (spec.) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by impl. to be giddy: - celebrate, dance, (keep, hold) a (solemn) feast (holiday), reel to and fro.
God's first plan changed because their conduct changed. Always, if they repented, God's "already" decision would be changed.
Predestination of Pharaoh was as God's agent:
From what is recorded of Israel in Egypt they were no better than Pharaoh. Therefore, they were "predestinated" to return from Egypt only because God had made a promise. His "natural" impulse was to leave them them in Egypt to be destroyed. Therefore,
Pharaoh was raised up (preserved from death) to test the Hebrews.
Moses came in the name of the Lord
Pharaoh's gods failed but he refused to let the people go
God overcame him by the power of active faith at the Red Sea.
Peter said that was typical of baptism.This says nothing about Pharaoh being predestinated to hell.
Jesus said, and we believe:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:15
For God so loved the world (kosmos, everyone), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17
Kosmos or the world never means the elect to salvation while others are elected to damnation. Kosmos includes the "globe" and its inhabitants. Jesus said:
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34 (He had no patience with faith only)
How would Christ extend His free salvation to everyone who believes?
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
How did Peter understand what he heard from the lips of Jesus?
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 (The gift, at one level, was what was promised by Jesus: salvation).
In the last words of the Bible, Jesus is still invithing everyone to come to the water of life:
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17
We conclude that a Holy God does not pick one man who isn't looking for Him to go to heaven and one infant "not an inch long to squirm in hell for eternity." (Used to hear that when I was a kid).
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
God predestinated all people to honor His name and "to be conformed to the image of Christ." However, when a "predestinated" person or nation refuses to be molded like a potter molds clay, God changes His "destination" to another. Only when the clay refuses to conform and becomes hardened in an ugly, useless form does God deem them "beyond redemption."
John Calvin warned us against getting "entangled" with predestination. Perhaps this is because some of Paul's "easily perverted" message can be misunderstood without being careful and because the Bible is filled with the notion that those who make wrong choices are predestinated to be lost and those who believe are predestinated to salvation. In any case:
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; 2 Timothy 2:24
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure (perhaps) will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 2 Timothy 2:25
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 2:26
God's plan from all aternity was that every person was included in that plan. All were pre-planned to be saved. However, that plan works only to those who have regard for God and His purpose for their lives. If they are lost it is not according to God's plan:
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God (showed regard to), being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:29
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
Peter agrees with Paul about Faith and Obedience rather than personal predestination to salvation -- if we understand Paul. Peter agreed that:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Peter, however, warned that Paul's message is not for the simple-minded. For instance, if you have understood Paul to say that you have been predestinated to salvation and that you cannot fall you are in mortal danger. While he agrees that Paul taught that God wanted all to come to repentance, unstable teachers can make you fall:
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 2 Peter 3:15
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16
Oh yes, Paul says, if you are faithful then you are predestinated because you are following God's path. However, if you aren't careful the Calvinists of the world can cause you to blink and you will fall off God's pre-planned path:
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 2 Peter 3:17
These people are walking a steadfast path, not because they were predestinated, because they have obeyed the Word of Christ. Anf if you fall off you are worse than when you began. Therefore, those who were on the salvation-destinated path can fall down to the damnation-destinated path:
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20
Peter, who heard and obeyed the Great Commission, understood that baptism was part of God's predestinated counsel for all mankind. He wrote in his first letter:
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 1 Peter 1:21
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Peter 1:22
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God (Spirit John 6:63), which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1:23
Belief is not by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit (Christ) contra John Calvin and Zwingli, but Peter understood that:
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 1 Peter 1:24
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:25
The gospel is from the same scripture which prophesied that all who believed will not be lost:
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 1 Peter 2:6
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:
but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 1 Peter 2:7
Notice that Peter confirms that a believer is one who is obedient to the preached message. In Acts, the believers who had all things in common were baptized believers.
Those who stumble over Christ the "Corner Stone" fail to believe and obey. This is what they were predestinated to do. If you walk in the dark around the temple you are predestinated to stumble and fall:
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed (made prostrate). 1 Peter 2:8
They were not predestinated to be lost and therefore God forced them to disobey! No. When they refused to believe -- which means that they refused to obey -- it was a natural result that they stumble and be lost. The Living Bible translates "appointed" differently:
And the Scriptures also say, "He is the Stone that some will stumble over, and the Rock that will make them fall." They will stumble because they will not listen to God's Word nor obey it, and so this punishment must follow-that they will fall. 1 Peter 2:8LIV
The
Scripture is clear: God
pre-plans that all be
saved. Those who believe and
obey are part of those predestinated.
God's pre-plan is also that those who do not obey, which means that
they didn't believe, will be lost. Those who are lost, therefore, are
predestinated to be lost.
In neither cases is there any evidence that God predestinated any individual to go to hell.
Thanks to Tim for needed corrections.
Notes: See Calvin Institutes
"The Reformer called Servetus arrogant (he had dared to criticize the "Institutes" in marginal glosses), and uttered the significant menace, "If he comes here and I have any authority, I will never let him leave the place alive." The "Restitutio" appeared in 1553. Calvin at once had its author delated to the Dominican inquisitor Ory at Lyons, sending on to him the man's letters of 1545-46 and these glosses. Hereupon the Spaniard was imprisoned at Vienne, but he escaped by friendly connivance, and was burnt there only in effigy. Some extraordinary fascination drew him to Geneva, from which he intended to pass the Alps. He arrived on 13 August, 1553. The next day Calvin, who had remarked him at the sermon, got his critic arrested, the preacher's own secretary coming forward to accuse him. Calvin drew up forty articles of charge under three heads, concerning the nature of God, infant baptism, and the attack which Servetus had ventured on his own teaching. The council hesitated before taking a deadly decision, but the dictator, reinforced by Farel, drove them on. In prison the culprit suffered much and loudly complained. The Bernese and other Swiss voted for some indefinite penalty.
"But to Calvin his power in Geneva seemed lost, while the stigma of heresy; as he insisted, would cling to all Protestants if this innovator were not put to death. "Let the world see" Bullinger counselled him, "that Geneva wills the glory of Christ." While Calvin may have opted for a faster death, he was assuredly responsible for the burning death of one who had disagreed with him.
"Others burned at the stake usually had the fuel piled at their feet. The flames were inhaled with the smoke, and the victim was speedily unconscious to suffering. For Servetus Satanic ingenuity arranged the burning fagots at a distance. He literally roasted alive, in horrible torture, nearly five hours --in the name of God, of Jesus, of Righteousness, Truth, Justice, Love, Christianity and Civilization."
Counter added at 5010 10/26/04 12.02.07 451
3.04.05 7:30p 364