If you read that passage the right way, as a metaphor, (you know no person is literally born with hooves and wool, right?) you might understand that the one who enters the fold through Christ becomes one of his sheep and he was giving the invitation to those who currently rejected him, the Pharisees, to become his sheep. But, that would make Jesus too loving in your view probably. We don't want that, do we?
The Myth of saying that Jesus Christ died for all men without exception !
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Narratives are meant to tell a story, not teach foundational theological beliefs. Acts 13 is a narrative and though it can help us better understand our doctrinal beliefs it should not be foundational to develop our systematic.
Text without context is a pretext for proof-text. We have to look at what is happening in the text in order to better understand the possible intent of the author. With this in mind let’s look at the context of Acts 13.
Consider the fact that the “elect people” (Israelites) were not believing the gospel while the “non-elect people” (all kinds from other nations) were believing the gospel. The big debate of that day was whether God had included (grafted in) the non-elect people (the other nations). “Has God appointed those barbarian non-elect half-breeds and uncircumcised dogs for eternal life,” is the question of the Jewish leaders in that day. That is the point being debated in the first-century world. The debate is not whether God has elected to irresistibly save some individuals and leave the rest in hopelessness. Those who wish to prove their individualized perspective assume that meaning on the text.
Notice in this speech, Paul is speaking to both Israelites and Gentiles. He begins by explaining the national election of Israel and the purposes God fulfilled through the Jewish peoples.
16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors (national election of Israel); he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance.20 All this took about 450 years.
From verse 14 we know the apostles are speaking in a Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath and verse 16 specifies the audience includes Gentiles who are already believers in the God of Israel and desire to worship Him. Many God-fearing Gentiles genuinely believed in God and had not yet grown calloused in the religiosity of the Pharisaical teachings. No one could rightly describe these God fearing Gentiles as totally disabled, hardened or spiritually dead individuals in need of an irresistible calling.
Granted, these “Gentiles who worship God” had not yet come to believe the gospel, but that would be because they had not yet heard the gospel. How could they believe unless someone preaches, as Paul inquires in Romans 10:14? These worshipping Gentiles are ready to receive the mystery of the gospel being brought by inspiration through the holy apostles (Eph. 3:1-10). One might even say they are “disposed or prepared” to hear the truth being brought to them on this day. Further, one might rightly argue that God had already set his favor upon these Gentiles and “appointed them to eternal life” (Acts 13:48) because they have a humble and contrite heart that has believed in what revelation they have been given (Is. 66:2).
You are adding to scripture. Nowhere does it say God gave Abraham faith. God foresaw that Abraham would have faith, and therefore chose him for a job.
Well you don’t really think one would not see a metaphor when there’s one.
Jesus said to them “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep”. If one reads that the right way, will he understand by that that they do not believe and so they do not become His sheep? Also, there is nothing in metaphor of John 10, that even speaks nor suggest the idea of one becoming a sheep.
Here’s another metaphorical statement that Jesus said in Mt.15:24, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” If one reads that right, he will understand that Jesus was sent to the people who are said to be His sheep, which are lost, and not to people who will become His sheep.
I have told you this already.
Tong
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"Ye are not of My sheep" Jesus knows his sheep and these that called themselves Pharisees were not. They were of Esau who had married into those who were of Cain, who was a child of the devil.
Do you know that Cain's children are still around today?
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Now, for you that seems to explain away the simple truth that, of the Gentiles, those who had been appointed to eternal life believed the gospel that was preached to them. Nonetheless, it does not take away the truth of the said Gentiles as having been appointed to eternal life. That is my simple point I was making in quoting Acts 13:48.
<<<“Has God appointed those barbarian non-elect half-breeds and uncircumcised dogs for eternal life,” is the question of the Jewish leaders in that day.>>>
Interestingly, even your hypothetical question of the Jewish leaders in that day have the truth in Acts 13:48 regarding the matter of being appointed to eternal life.
Tong
R2258
You make no sense. The Sheep will believe because Jesus died for them, if folk dont believe its simply because He didn't die for them, hence limited atonement .
Not adding anything. You think ot is adding to scriptures, because you perhaps don’t believe that such faith is given by God and that it does not come from Abraham. For faith that comes from God is not without power, unlike that which comes from man.
Tong
R2259
Yes sir, Jesus knows His sheep and they were not His sheep as Jesus said.
<<<They were of Esau who had married into those who were of Cain, who was a child of the devil.>>>
Please cite reference scriptures. Nonetheless, the sheep of Jesus are not only of the Jews, but also of the non Jews.
<<<Do you know that Cain's children are still around today?>>>
So?
Tong
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But, Jesus wasn't just sent for Israel, was he? He was testing the woman's faith. In fact, God did what the Non-Jewish women requested in that passage, because of her great faith! Your god is much too small and misery with his love.
Wow, you are so blind!
So, you agree with the Jews, that God was only there for them and not for the "barbarians?"
Maybe you should read Romans again and see what Paul says about that.
What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works.
Are you just making this stuff up? Because I don't see it anywhere in scripture.
I see Jesus as the Christ. I would not see that if I were blind, would I?
<<<So, you agree with the Jews, that God was only there for them and not for the "barbarians?">>>
No, I agree with what Jesus say and what scriptures say, not with the unbelieving Jews.
Tong
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As I said, it is perhaps you don’t believe that such faith comes from God, but originating and is coming from Abraham. And perhaps you don’t see the difference of faith that comes from God and faith that comes from man. The former as having power and the latter devoid of it.
No, I am not making that up. There are many things in scriptures that you and I don’t (as yet) see, but it does not mean they are not there. If I see what is in scriptures and you don’t see it as yet, it does not mean it is not there.
Abram was a pagan. He have faith in idols. Is that faith coming from God or from himself? Certainly that faith isn’t coming from from God nor it comes from the idols that he worship which are nothing. So how did he have faith in God, something he does not have? Think about that.
Tong
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There was a sense in which Jesus came for israel so that israel could take him to the rest of the world. But he was amazed by the faith of gentiles more than once. And didn't hesitate to heal them. This should tell you something about God's inclusiveness.
By becoming aware of God and choosing to believe. I hate it when people create mysteries out of truth. It's like they deliberately choose blindness.
There is no issue with the Gentiles being included in His salvation.
The thing is, I cited Mt.15:24 to make my point that Jesus did not come to make people become His sheep but came for the people who are already His sheep but are lost. That further makes my point in John 10:26 where Jesus speaks also of those Pharisees who did not believe Him because they are not His sheep. And that altogether refutes your teaching that one becomes a sheep when he believes and do not become a sheep when he does not.
Tong
R2271
Well he wouldn’t be aware if not of God’s doing, right? And he wouldn’t come to believe if not given the power to believe, right?
I understand your hate there. You’ll learn to overcome that in time with the help of God. I’ll pray for you regarding that.
Tong
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