IS THE REFORMED FAITH BIBLICAL?

[Christian Soldier]

What did he mean by die?

As he certainly didn’t die physically did he?

Didn’t they go on to have more children?

God must have meant spiritual death, which must mean that Adam became a carnal creature who was dead in his trespasses and sin. The rest of mankind inherited that dead state from Adam, that's why God has to quicken those He purposed to save, back to life. The carnal/natural man can do nothing to make himself spiritually alive.

1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Gods Word makes it clear that it is impossible for the natural (unconverted) man to receive the things of the Spirit of God. So it's not true to suggest that everyone is born with the ability to choose to accept the things of God.
One must be regenerated and converted and born again before they can receive the Spirit of God. A dead man cannot do this for himself, God must do it all or the man will remain in his dead state forever.

 

[Christian Soldier]

How can a dead person only do what his nature allows?....when they are dead as you are saying / typing?

A dead person to me , ceases to exist, stops breathing, please clarify what dead means?

Is a “ dead person” biblical......remember your wording, you said a “ dead person “.

Death is mentioned hundreds of times in the bible and it never once suggests that death is antihalation, nor is it ever described as ceasing to exist. But it is always referred to as a state of being.

Death is also described as the "king of terror" because the person who dies the second death will continue to experience dying for all eternity. Death is essentially a separation from God and His blessings, those who die the second death a permanently separated from Gods grace and blessings.
They are left in a miserable and depressed state while they are being punished for all eternity, never to know Gods goodness again, they will only know His wrath.

Sinners desperately hold on to the hope that they will cease to exist, but this is wishful thinking and if it were so that would make God evil for not punishing evil doers.

1. Undying Worm and Unquenchable Fire (OT)

Isaiah 66:22-24
For as the new heavens and the new earth
that I make
shall remain before me, says the LORD,
so shall your offspring and your name remain.
From new moon to new moon,
and from Sabbath to Sabbath,
all flesh shall come to worship before me,
declares the LORD.
And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.
2. Everlasting Life/Everlasting Contempt
Daniel 12:1-2
At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3. Eternal Fire/The Fire of Hell
Matthew 18:6-9
Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
4. Eternal Punishment/Eternal Life
Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” . . . Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. . . . And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
5. Undying Worm and Unquenchable Fire (NT)
Mark 9:42-48
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”
6. Everlasting Destruction
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
7. The Punishment of Eternal Fire
Jude 7
Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
8. Blackest Darkness Reserved Forever
Jude 13
[These people are] wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
9. The Smoke of Their Torment Rises for Ever and Ever
Revelation 14:9-11
If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.
10. The Lake of Fire
Revelation 20:10, 14-15
And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. . . . Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

 

[MatthewG]

@GodsGrace, some people believe ya just need to say Jesus and that is it.

Salvation was had to day, with a tally score of 8 people in a 12 hour day of standing on a pier asking people if they know Jesus and if they don’t just say this prayer.

No established relationship, no established really knowing of what he said and did, it’s all the run of the mill fast food gospel, get in and get out, enjoy your coffee and here’s some music and here is maybe a little bit of the Bible and a story of my ski trip in the Andies mountains. Want an answer here it is, and to heck with the context.

I hate all of it. Does it work? Has a heart changed? Only God knows but it truly starts with feeding the mind with who Jesus was, is, said, and did, and what happens because of what Jesus was, is, said and did after the facts, of faithfully believed information.

You can put the gospel down in about 120 words and that’s fine, but seeking and searching and looking for what is the truth of the matter is what I believe stands out to be the most important at least to me, @GodsGrace.

I was 26 when I sought after Jesus cause I wasn’t to sure who he was. I first became a highly judgmental Christian looking down on everyone sometimes I still have my flesh rise like that especially when I’m really feeling badly or desire my life to be different in some way.

It’s all about living in faith and loving Yahavah and loving our neighbor, though sometimes we will be in a kink which we have to cut off communication with another and allow God to deal with them (kicking the dust off one’s feet.)

Cause we can’t save people.

 

[Christian Soldier]

That was my question, I think I quoted you...you said a dead person, ....what is a dead person?

Please clarify, using the Bible what a dead person is in the written word?

Where does God say a “ dead person “ in the Bible?.....I love to be fed the word from the Bible....and my head is full of questions......

Sorry for the confusion, text is often hard to understand,imo.

Below are some verses which mention death, you will notice none of them suggest that death is antihalation nor do they suggest that one can cease to exist.

Colossians 2:13
When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

Ephesians 2:1-2
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

Romans 5:12-15
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Revelation 2:11
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

Romans 8:13
for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

James 1:15
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Matthew 25:41-46
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.

Revelation 21:8
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

 

[Johann]

This is great!
Where do you find this stuff?

As to John 6:44 I'd like to add that the word DRAW is always used in the English, but incorrectly so....
My Italian bible distinguishes between the different Greek words that gets translated as DRAW....
It's getting too late here,,,we could maybe continue tomorrow.

DRAW can mean what you stated above....
or it could mean TO DRAG....the distinction must be made but English does not make this distinction.
In John 6:44 it does indeed mean TO ATTRACT.

Thanks for such a good post.

Which Italian bible are you using?

J.

 

[Christian Soldier]

Where did you correct me?

Where did I say we were saved by faith?....I asked what saved means, as to me if it’s not in its right context it makes no sense....Born Again ...as the minute we are Born Again ( our spirit) we are then immediately saved from eternal damnation/ Gods wrath.

Of course that is one of the reasons why we are Born Again so that we are saved from eternal damnation/ Gods wrath.....that is one reason why we are Born Again....if we aren’t Born Again and saved from eternal damnation.....then we would still be alienated from the Spirit of God? there are other reasons.

That’s interesting, to Glorify Him in what way?

Does the self Glorify God.....or does only the Spirit Glorify God?

How would we know how to Glorify God....just by reading the written word?

What are the differences between the two?

Sorry my friend, how can you die and receive a new spirit?....when you are dead?...

You are being transformed you say into the image of his Son?

When we “ all” get personal, which some seem to do do more than others, ...what’s that all about?

When we throw stones and rocks at a Brother or Sister?

Would you say that is glorifying the Lord?

Should we be concerned after walking many years with the Lord that, if our behaviour doesn’t change, do you think that we should check to see if we are in the faith?

Gosh, is “ stinking corpse “ biblical?



Wow!...they teach that corpses come to life, isn’t a corpse a dead corpse, what’s your understanding of a corpse?

Born Again comes by divine revelation, just as Gods word says.....you can’t see the Holy Spirit birthing our spirit into His.....it most certainly is a mystery how he does it.....

Well, I don’t think anyone is disputing that only God can make our spirit Born Again, I think everyone is clear on that.

Are you an elect of God ,if you are how do you know so?

And who are the ones that aren’t elect?..can you post scripture please to support this...thank you.

I’ve just come to understand Brother, that the elect are the chosen ones I believe by God, I do agree with that as it’s biblical.


What about those who believe they chose God and invited him into their heart....inviting God into one’s heart isn’t biblical is it?...not sure just trying to understand how one chooses God?

I mean my conversion was completely by the will of God.

I would like to know or try to understand how some chose God, what does that mean even?

Shall I start another topic on this question?

As I’m off topic I believe..sorry @GodsGrace ...if Christian Soldier is in agreement I will start another topic.

What do you think?


Look at this.

What does water symbolize in Jesus?
Among the meanings of water in the New Testament, water is a sign of renewal, and of new beginningsas told through the baptism of Jesus in the gospels. God's eternal sustenance, as found in Revelation 22:17: “Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.”

What does let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift?

Isn’t the water of life, Jesus?

If you have a look at post #157 you did write "saved by their faith". I just responded by saying that nobody is saved by their faith, because faith doesn't save anyone.

I may have missed your point, as I'm sure you don't believe that anyone could be saved by their faith.

God wants to be worshiped and glorified in all things, He obviously enjoys it so He saved a remnant of elect Saints for His own pleasure. we had nothing to do with His decision and nothing of us will enter His Kingdom, we must die to self and He must posses us fully before we can enter Hi Kingdom.

The self doesn't glorify God, that's why god must slay self, because it is an abomination in His sight. Gods Holy Spirit, in His elect glorifies Him, so He only loves Himself, there is nothing in man for God to love. The best we have to offer Him is filthy stinking rags.

Gods elect must die to self, His Holy Spirit transforms us into brand new creatures where nothing of you remains. The reason one must be born again, is so that God can can create an entirely new person. So don't think that you get to keep any part of you, you will basically blend into the body of Jesus and no part of your old self will be allowed in.

As an Elect Saint of God, I will still sin every day for the rest of my life and so will every other Elect Saint. But thank Jesus He paid for all of my past, present and future sins. I won't attain sinless perfection in this life, that will be given to me in the life to come.

Jesus described those who hold to the works based Arminian gospel, as stinking corpses, who white wash the outside of their tombs, but inwardly hey are filthy rotten corpses.

Those who believe they chose God and invite Him onto their lives, hold to the man centered, works based Arminian gospel, which teaches that dead men seek after God, but God proves they are liars because God said nobody seeks after Him, so one of them is lying. Either God is a liar or they are liars, you decide.

 

[Johann]

This is great!
Where do you find this stuff?

As to John 6:44 I'd like to add that the word DRAW is always used in the English, but incorrectly so....
My Italian bible distinguishes between the different Greek words that gets translated as DRAW....
It's getting too late here,,,we could maybe continue tomorrow.

DRAW can mean what you stated above....
or it could mean TO DRAG....the distinction must be made but English does not make this distinction.
In John 6:44 it does indeed mean TO ATTRACT.

Thanks for such a good post.

Sempre pronta ad assisterti, sorella

J.

 

[Johann]

"saved by their faith". I just responded by saying that nobody is saved by their faith, because faith doesn't save anyone.

The Bible consistently teaches that faith plays a critical role in salvation, but it is important to understand what or whom that faith is directed toward. Faith, by itself, does not save, but faith in Christ is the means by which we receive salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
This passage shows that salvation is by God's grace and is accessed through faith. Faith is not the cause of salvation, but the means through which God’s grace is received.

Romans 5:1 (NKJV): "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Here, faith is again the instrument through which justification (being declared righteous) is received, but it is God's grace and the work of Jesus Christ that saves, not faith itself.

Faith as Trust in Christ:
Faith, in biblical terms, refers to trusting in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the Cross. So while faith itself is not the saving power, it is the channel through which we receive God's saving grace. It is not faith in itself that saves but faith in Christ who saves.

J.

Those who believe they chose God and invite Him onto their lives, hold to the man centered, works based Arminian gospel, which teaches that dead men seek after God, but God proves they are liars because God said nobody seeks after Him, so one of them is lying. Either God is a liar or they are liars, you decide.

The Bible, as a whole, provides a balanced view on seeking God. Romans 3:10-11 says that no one naturally seeks after God because of humanity's sinful nature. However, other passages indicate that God, through His grace, invites and enables people to seek Him, and when they do, He promises that they will find Him.

Confirming Scriptures:
Acts 17:27: This verse emphasizes that God desires people to seek after Him and is not far from any of us. Paul, in his sermon to the Athenians, speaks about God’s intention that humanity would seek and find Him, showing that God is accessible to those who search.

Jeremiah 29:13: God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, encourages seeking Him with the promise of finding Him. This is a clear biblical instruction that searching for God with sincerity leads to finding Him.

Matthew 7:7-8: Jesus’ teaching on seeking, asking, and knocking demonstrates that God responds to those who pursue Him in faith. This reinforces the biblical promise that active seeking will result in finding.

Hebrews 11:6: This verse outlines that God rewards those who diligently seek Him, indicating that while faith is foundational, it is part of an active pursuit of God.

Isaiah 55:6: Isaiah’s exhortation to seek God while He may be found shows the urgency of seeking God, reflecting His accessibility during certain seasons of grace.

John 12:20-21: Even Gentiles came seeking Jesus during the Passover, which illustrates that people outside of Israel sought Christ, showing that the desire to seek God can transcend cultural and religious boundaries.

Balance of Teaching:
While Romans 3:11 reflects the natural state of humanity's heart apart from God's grace, the broader teaching of Scripture reveals that God invites, enables, and responds to those who seek Him. These two concepts do not contradict but rather complement each other—showing the necessity of God's initiative and human responsibility to respond.

The verses I cited support the idea that while human nature is inclined away from seeking God (Romans 3:11), through God's grace, many are called and invited to seek Him, and those who do so earnestly will find Him.

J.

 

[Christian Soldier]

I've decided to find out who this Arminius fellow is.
I'd think that Calvinists would pick a better example for which to criticize the rest of Christianity...
Seems to me Arminius should not be the choice:
Here are some highlights to his illustrious career.
He was a calvinist but left that theology after careful study of it....



Arminius remained a student at Leiden from 1576 to 1582. Although he enrolled as a student in Liberal Arts, this allowed him to pursue an education in theology, as well. His teachers in theology included Calvinist Lambertus Danaeus, Hebrew scholar Johannes Drusius, Guillaume Feuguereius (or Feugueires, d. 1613), and Johann Kolmann. Kolmann is now known for teaching that the overemphasis of God's sovereignty in high Calvinism made God "a tyrant and an executioner".[3] Although the university in Leiden was solidly Reformed, it had influences from Lutheran, Zwinglian, and Anabaptist views in addition to Calvinism. One Leiden pastor (Caspar Coolhaes) held, contra Calvin, that civil authorities did have jurisdiction in some church affairs, that it was wrong to punish and execute heretics, and that Lutherans, Calvinists, and Anabaptists could unite around core tenets.[3] The astronomer and mathematician Willebrord Snellius used Ramist philosophy in an effort to encourage his students to pursue truth without over reliance on Aristotle.[3] Under the influence of these men, Arminius studied with success and may have had seeds planted that would begin to develop into a theology that would later question the dominant Reformed theology of John Calvin.

"To pious readers, greeting: 'Inasmuch as a faithful testimonial of learning and piety ought not to be refused to any learned and pious man, so neither to James Arminius, a native of Amsterdam [sic], for his deportment while he attended the University of Basel was marked by piety, moderation, and assiduity in study ; and very often, in the course of our theological discussions, he made his gift of a discerning spirit so manifest to all of us, as to elicit from us well-merited congratulations. More recently, too, in certain extraordinary prelections delivered with the consent, and by the order, of the Theological Faculty, in which he publicly expounded a few chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, he gave us the best ground to hope that he was destined erelong — if, indeed, he goes on to stir up the gift of God that is in him — to undertake and sustain the function of teaching, to which he may be lawfully set apart, with much fruit to the Church. I commend him, accordingly, to all good men, and, in particular, to the Church of God in the famous city of Amsterdam ; and I respectfully entreat that regard may be had to that learned and pious youth, so that he may never be under the necessity of intermitting theological studies which have been thus far so happily prosecuted. Farewell ! 'John James Grynaeus, Professor of Sacred Literature, and Dean of the Theological Faculty. — Written with mine own hand. Basle, 3rd September, 1583."

One of Arminius' first tasks was given to him by Ecclesiastical Court of Amsterdam; namely, to refute the teachings of Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert, who rejected Beza's supralapsarian doctrine of God's absolute and unconditional decree to create men so as to save some and damn others, based on nothing in themselves. The discussion had already begun with two ministers at Delft who had written "An Answer to certain Arguments of Beza and Calvin, from a Treatise on Predestination as taught in the Ninth Chapter of Romans" a document which contradicted both Beza and Coornhert. They proposed that although God's decree to save only some was indeed absolute and unconditional, it had occurred after the fall (proposing infralapsarianism rather than Beza's supralapsarianism). Arminius was tasked with refuting both Coornhert and infralapsarianism theology. He readily agreed to the task, but after greater study found himself in conflict over the matter. He determined to spend greater time in study before continuing his refutation.

In attempting to defend Calvinistic predestination against the teachings of Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert, Arminius began to doubt aspects of Calvinism and modified some parts of his own view.[25] He attempted to reform Calvinism, and lent his name to a movement—Arminianism—which resisted some of the Calvinist tenets (unconditional election, the nature of the limitation of the atonement, and irresistible grace). The early Dutch followers of his teaching became known as Remonstrants after they issued a document containing five points of disagreement with mainstream Calvinism, entitled Remonstrantiæ (1610).[citation needed]

Arminius wrote that he sought to teach only those things which could be proved from the Scriptures and that tended toward edification among Christians (with the exception of Roman Catholics, with whom he said there could be no spiritual accord).[26] His motto was reputed to be "Bona conscientia paradisus", meaning, "A good conscience is a paradise."[27]

Arminius taught of a "preventing" (or prevenient) grace that has been conferred upon all by the Holy Spirit and this grace is "sufficient for belief, in spite of our sinful corruption, and thus for salvation."[28] Arminius stated that "the grace sufficient for salvation is conferred on the Elect, and on the Non-elect; that, if they will, they may believe or not believe, may be saved or not be saved."[29] William Witt states that "Arminius has a very high theology of grace. He insists emphatically that grace is gratuitous because it is obtained through God's redemption in Christ, not through human effort."[30]

I don't know who wrote this about Jacob Arminius, but it's not a true representation of what he believed. The Church was divided in the 1500's when the Reformers exposed the apostate Roman Catholic Church.

http://heavenslight.org/wp-content/...vinism_and_Arminianism_TULIP_Chart_1_2007.pdf

 

[Christian Soldier]

Is "Justification" (being declared righteous by God) co-terminus with "salvation"?

Nice try, but it doesn't work. Salvation and justification are two different words. But, thanks for giving it your best shot

 

[Christian Soldier]

The Bible consistently teaches that faith plays a critical role in salvation, but it is important to understand what or whom that faith is directed toward. Faith, by itself, does not save, but faith in Christ is the means by which we receive salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
This passage shows that salvation is by God's grace and is accessed through faith. Faith is not the cause of salvation, but the means through which God’s grace is received.

Romans 5:1 (NKJV): "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Here, faith is again the instrument through which justification (being declared righteous) is received, but it is God's grace and the work of Jesus Christ that saves, not faith itself.

Faith as Trust in Christ:
Faith, in biblical terms, refers to trusting in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the Cross. So while faith itself is not the saving power, it is the channel through which we receive God's saving grace. It is not faith in itself that saves but faith in Christ who saves.

J.

The Bible, as a whole, provides a balanced view on seeking God. Romans 3:10-11 says that no one naturally seeks after God because of humanity's sinful nature. However, other passages indicate that God, through His grace, invites and enables people to seek Him, and when they do, He promises that they will find Him.

Confirming Scriptures:
Acts 17:27: This verse emphasizes that God desires people to seek after Him and is not far from any of us. Paul, in his sermon to the Athenians, speaks about God’s intention that humanity would seek and find Him, showing that God is accessible to those who search.

Jeremiah 29:13: God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, encourages seeking Him with the promise of finding Him. This is a clear biblical instruction that searching for God with sincerity leads to finding Him.

Matthew 7:7-8: Jesus’ teaching on seeking, asking, and knocking demonstrates that God responds to those who pursue Him in faith. This reinforces the biblical promise that active seeking will result in finding.

Hebrews 11:6: This verse outlines that God rewards those who diligently seek Him, indicating that while faith is foundational, it is part of an active pursuit of God.

Isaiah 55:6: Isaiah’s exhortation to seek God while He may be found shows the urgency of seeking God, reflecting His accessibility during certain seasons of grace.

John 12:20-21: Even Gentiles came seeking Jesus during the Passover, which illustrates that people outside of Israel sought Christ, showing that the desire to seek God can transcend cultural and religious boundaries.

Balance of Teaching:
While Romans 3:11 reflects the natural state of humanity's heart apart from God's grace, the broader teaching of Scripture reveals that God invites, enables, and responds to those who seek Him. These two concepts do not contradict but rather complement each other—showing the necessity of God's initiative and human responsibility to respond.

The verses I cited support the idea that while human nature is inclined away from seeking God (Romans 3:11), through God's grace, many are called and invited to seek Him, and those who do so earnestly will find Him.

J.

You still haven't accepted what God said, so you dancing around it and trying to get around it because it doesn't fit your Arminian theology. But God said it so, your theology is wrong;
Romans 3:10-11 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

God said there are none who seek after Him, but yo say some Greeks exposed God as a liar, because they came seeking after Him. How do you know that those Greeks didn't come to use Him for some evil purpose like getting Him to perform some miracles like a clown at a Circus.

You will never find anyone seeking after God in the bible, unless God Himself is drawing them to Himself. How can dead people seek after the God they hate, remember we all hated God and we were His enemies before He quickened us to life.

Take for example Saul, who used to hate Christians so much that he was preoccupied with prosecution Christians and having them put to death for their faith in Jesus. That is the state of every person who has ever been born, we all hated God and unless God quickens us from our dead state, we will hate Him for all eternity.

I'm sorry but there's nothing in the bible to support your Arminian theology which teaches that the men seek after God while they are dead in their trespasses and sin. If you can find a single verse which supports this crazy idea, I will leave the Reformed faith and join your Arminian camp.

 

[Lambano]

Nice try, but it doesn't work. Salvation and justification are two different words. But, thanks for giving it your best shot

Justification is the initial stage of Salvation, so in light of Ephesians 2:8 and Romans 3:28 - 5:1, it is not incorrect to use Justification as a synecdoche for the whole Salvation process and say that it is by faith. Unless you want to get pedantic.

 

[Ritajanice]

Those who believe they chose God and invite Him onto their lives,

Yes, there is nowhere in scripture that says...we are Born Again by “ inviting God into our lives, ..thank you for clearing that up.


On your other post to me, there was a miscommunication...I thought you were talking about being dead ,as in physical I was thinking dead in spirit , when our spirit is alienated from God, that is until we are Born Again..as in only God can bring our spirit Alive in Christ by the power of His Holy Spirit....which is a mind Blowing act in itself....to be Born Again by the Spirit Of God!..

Glad we got that cleared up.

 

[Ritajanice]

God must have meant spiritual death, which must mean that Adam became a carnal creature who was dead in his trespasses and sin. The rest of mankind inherited that dead state from Adam, that's why God has to quicken those He purposed to save, back to life. The carnal/natural man can do nothing to make himself spiritually alive.

1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Gods Word makes it clear that it is impossible for the natural (unconverted) man to receive the things of the Spirit of God. So it's not true to suggest that everyone is born with the ability to choose to accept the things of God.
One must be regenerated and converted and born again before they can receive the Spirit of God. A dead man cannot do this for himself, God must do it all or the man will remain in his dead state forever.

I agree that no man / woman can give themselves the rebirth by inviting God into their hearts.

It’s not biblical and makes absolutely no sense..if you watch closely at some posts, which I’m sure you do.

You will notice that when they say they invited God into their heart, there is no scripture to support that saying..then they will try and use another part of scripture, saying it means inviting God into their heart, anyway Praise God for discernment.

I have also noticed quite a few speak from their own intellect of understanding the Bible?

We can’t do that I’m afraid, only the Spirit can lead us and bring scripture to our understanding.plus it’s all in God’s timing.

I find with some, there is a lot of “ I” studied this and “ I” studied the Bible for many years...no mention of the Spirit whatsoever..that’s most definitely a red flag to me.

I only listen to the Spirit Of God, from day one of my conversion the Spirit has been training me to do exactly that in my spirit, after all we are spirit children, we aren’t children of the world...the worlds teaching makes no sense to my spirit.......they are so confused, they end up confusing me.... I have to walk away or ignore what they say..only God can get them on the right path, all in his timing...Praise God.

​

◄ John 16:13 ►

​

Audio Crossref Comment Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. New Living Translation When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. English Standard Version When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. Berean Standard Bible However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

 

[Ritajanice]

Romans 3:10-11 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.

Amen!..I once thought I was searching my heart looking for God, I now dismiss that...

Not sure why I believed that, I think there is still a tiny part in me Brother that still wants to please people, if you can understand that.

Nope!....can’t do that anymore...what the word of God says goes.

Not manmade doctrine that try to twist and turn the word of God to suit what they want it to say and hear.

Thanks for all of your explanations regarding my posts....I will give them an in depth read later on, as they make much more sense to my spirit, than others I have read on here.

Probably because we agree on how one is Born Again, we 100% agree on that....plus what we have posted on that subject is Biblical, we don’t add our own words to any of the scripture.as being Born Again is so easy to understand...as long as man doesn’t put his own spin on it.... I usually walk away now when that happens....no point arguing over it is there....maybe a few posts...then exit....

 

[Ritajanice]

Nice try, but it doesn't work. Salvation and justification are two different words. But, thanks for giving it your best shot

Amen!...we must be Born Again before we are justified before the Lord.

What is this justification by Faith? It simply is the act of being Born Again by the Indwelling of Christ Holy Spirit.

Man’s faith can’t save them from eternal damnation...only the rebirth/ Born Again/ Born Again of imperishable seed.....that can only be done by divine revelation....that’s the role of the Holy Spirit, to birth our spirit into his...just as his word says...Spirit gives birth to spirit....if they can’t see that it’s by divine revelation...then they have been blinded from God’s truth.

God's Word says that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and not by our own efforts or works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace Alone. Faith Alone. Grace alone means that God loves, forgives, and saves us not because of who we are or what we do, but because of the work of Christ.

 

[Ritajanice]

God wants to be worshiped and glorified in all things, He obviously enjoys it so He saved a remnant of elect Saints for His own pleasure. we had nothing to do with His decision and nothing of us will enter His Kingdom, we must die to self and He must posses us fully before we can enter Hi Kingdom

Amen!!

Music to my ears.....I’ve been waiting for the Lord to speak to my heart on this thread for hours.....

You see how he works.....I had to wait patiently......as everything is in HIS TIMING......Praise God.

Also, how can a human have faith in Christ, if they don’t know him in their spirit?

2:25), faith is also a supernatural gift of God. Ephesians 2:8–9affirms this: “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

That’s why we must be Born Again in our spirit, otherwise they are still in darkness and following what “ they” believe the word to be saying....

We can only have the faith to follow the Lord once we are Born Again.

Jesus states in John 6:51, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." Jesus is the living Word of God.

How can one have faith in someone they don’t know in their heart/ spirit...as in God....I think they put their faith in the Bible thinking what they read from it, makes their spirit Born Again....that’s what I believe...

Not actually understanding that only the “ Living Holy Spirit “ can preform that act supernaturally/ by divine revelation....just as his word says.

It’s from the heart/ spirit that we are Born Again....not from our own intellect on what we believe Born Again means.....by reading the Bible from one’s own perspective ......I also wish some would stop bombarding us with all this intellectual nonsense....very easy to understand Born Again in one’s spirit.....by divine revelation.

But when we come to Christ we are spiritually reborn into another family—the family of God. The Bible says to Christ's followers, “You have been born again … through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).

Where in bold and underlined..many imo don’t understand what God is saying, I honestly believe they think the Bible is Gods Living word....not realising it backs up and explains Gods “ Living Word” which is His witness who witnesses Gods truth to our heart/ spirit...the Holy Spirit....Oh well, we are all learning from the Spirit of God...including me...

We are all on our own journey with the Lord.

In John 6, Jesus says, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (6:37), and also, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (6:44).

 

[amigo de christo]

I don't think anyone on this thread stated that Jews and Muslims and Christians serve the same God.
I could have missed it, but I don't think so.

OKAY my friend .

 

[amigo de christo]

Sorry 'bout that.
I do apologize.
I forget what my question was....
Oh. Why evangelize if reformed theology is true.
Of course you shouldn't answer because you're not reformed.
Would you care to guess as to why it's popular right now?

the same reason religious freedom has become so popular .
They too use words like GOD dont force one etc
but when they speak heed them not . FOR THEY are trying to imply
that since GOD dont force one to beleive , this means we ought not force one to beleive .
YET when they say and imply the word force , they are using it to shut down evangelism .
concepts like HEY stop forcing your beliefs on others . I SEE WHAT they doing . ITGETS exposed .
we are TO speak the truth of that gospel to all ,
as paul once said
KNOWING THE terror of GOD we PERSAUDE MEN . He did NOT say, knowing that all religoins and mindsets
are okay with GOD , we shut up and hug everyone and try and find common ground .
I see what they doing my friend . concepts like these will and are being used
to forever silence biblical correction , to silence the preaching of the one true gospel that saves .
Its slick the way its done , but LAMBS DONT BUY IT .

 

[Ritajanice]

Who was predestined to conform to the image of his son?
Romans 8:29-30 New International Version (NIV) For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.