ANSWERING
CALVINISM; russkellyphd@yahoo.com
Russell Earl Kelly,
PHD, 706-401-1276, August 1, 2023
Rather than
divide this study into categories, I implore the reader to very carefully and
prayerfully digest each text one at a time and catalog it. Forget the jargon
and non-biblical terms of theologians and attempt to discover the will of God.
CONCERNING
GREEK PARTICIPLES:
In order to be
honest to God’s Word, the tremendous number of participles inspired in God’s
Word must be interpreted aS continuous actions. Because of this common
omission, this author is convinced that salvation is not the result of either
predestination or a one-time profession of faith --- it is conditional.
Ignoring the true meaning behind most “eth” and “es” verbs damages our
spiritual growth.
I place much
emphasis on Greek participles because God did. Yet these gems of inspiration
have been lost in the true meaning of “eth” and “es” words. As participles, God
intended them to be understood as continuing action and not one-time
professions of faith. This discovery has radically changed my life.
………………………………………………………………………………………….
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JOHN 6:40 A PEARL
OFGREAT PRICE
John 6:40 And this
is the will of him that sent me, that every one which is continually
seeing (participle) the Son, and is continually believing
(participle) on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the
last day.
Like scores of other verses with
particiles, this verse teaches conditional salvation. It is the will of the
Father to give to the Son those whom He foreknows will continuously see
(participle) the Son and continuously believe on Him (participle).
Compare John 5:21; Romans 4:24
……………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………..
Josh 24:15 And
if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will
serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other
side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as
for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
The choice to serve God, or not to serve
God, was given to every Israelite. If no choice existed, this would make no
sense.
…
Ezekiel 33:11…
I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from
his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways. …
God pleads with every wicked person to turn
from his evil way and live.
…
Matthew 11:28 Come
unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.
Jesus offered salvation rest to every
person. He would not have offered it if it were not available.
…
Mark 16:16 He
that continuously believeth (participle) and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that continuously believeth not (participle) shall be damned.
While initial faith justifies,
continual faith maintains justification.
…
John 1:9 That
was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
There remains some of the image of God in
fallen man. .
…
John 1:12 But
as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the
Sons of God,
even to them that continuously believe (participle) on his name.
The participle means that believers must
continue believing in order to continually have the power to be Sons of God.
…
John 3:15 That
whosoever continuously believeth (participle) in him should not perish,
but have eternal life.
Only continual believers are promised
eternal life.
John 3:16 For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
continually believes (participle) in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
Those quoting these verses usually omit the
participle. One must continually believe in order to continually have
everlasting life. Also, the subjunctive
“should” implies that not all will continue believing.
John 3:17 For
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved.
Jesus’ mission was to die in order that
every person in the world might be saved. Such is the love of God for sinful
man.
John 3:18 He
that continuously believeth (participle) on him is not condemned: but he
that continuously believeth not (participle) is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The participle means that only
continuous believers are not condemned.
…
John 3:36 He that continuously believeth
(participle) on the Son is having (present tense) everlasting life: and he that
continuously believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him.
Having everlasting life in dependent
upon continuous believing.
…
John 5:21 For
as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth
whom he will.
And it is the Father’s will to quicken
those who continuously believe (John 6:40).
…
John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that continuously heareth (participle)
my word, and continuously believeth (participle) on him that sent me, is
having (present tense) everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation;
but is passed from death unto life.
Again, “is having everlasting life” depends
upon the believer continuing to hear God’s word and continuing to believe. God
knows who they are by foreknowledge.
…
john 6:35 And
Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that continuously cometh
(participle) to me shall never hunger; and he that continuously believeth
(participle) on me shall never thirst.
…
John 6:37 All
that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that continuously cometh
(participle) to me I will in no wise cast out.
The verse is true when the conditions are
met.
…
John 6:39 And this
is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me
I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
The Father has given to the Son all those
who continuously believe (John 6:40).
…
John 6:44 No
man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will
raise him up at the last day.
The Father only draws those whom He
foreknows will continuously believe on the Son (Jn 6:40).
John 6:45 …
And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard,
and hath learned of the Father, is coming (present tense) unto
me.
…
John 6:47
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that continuously believeth (participle)
on me is having everlasting life.
…
John 6:54
Whoso continuously eating (participle) my flesh, and continuously drinking
(participle) my blood, is having eternal life; and I will raise him up at the
last day.
If God forces this spiritual action, the
texts have no meaning at all.
…
John 6:56 He
that is continually eating [participle] my flesh, and is continually
drinking [participle] my blood, is continually dwelling [participle]
in me, and I in him.
The Greek participles teach
conditional salvation.
…
John 6:64 But
there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who
they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
Foreknowledge, not predestination.
John 6:65 And
he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it
were given unto him of my Father.
Again, the Father gave to the Son those
whom He foreknew would continuously believe on Him. Continuous believers are
elected to be saved. Thus, election is conditional and faith is the condition.
…
John 7:38 He
that continuously believeth (participle) on me, as the scripture hath
said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of running-living (participle) water.
Continuously running living water is a good
illustration for those who continuously believe.
…
John 8:31 Then
said Jesus to those Jews which continuously believed (past participle) on
him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Dwell on this text.
…
John 10:25
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not …
John 10:26 But
ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Calvinists teach that they did not believe
because God had not predestined them to be saved. Arminians teach that they did
not believe because of their own free will choice.
…
John 10:27 My
sheep are hearing my voice, and I know them, and they are following me:
Jesus’ sheep are continually hearing (present
tense) His voice and are continuously following (present tense) Him. When they
cease following Him, they cease being His sheep. All verbs are present tense.
John 10:28 And
I am giving (present tense) unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish
(subjunctive), neither shall any man pluck (future) them out of my hand.
Jesus is continuously giving eternal
life to those who are continuously hearing His voice and continuously
following Him. The verb actions are
inter-dependent. As in Romans 8:38, 39, it is certainly true that God will not
allow those who are continuously hearing His voice and are continuously
following Him to be plucked out of His hand.
John 10:29 My
Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck
them out of my Father's hand.
Tthe Father “gave to Jesus” those whom He
foreknew would continuously believe on Him (John 3:16; 6:40) and continuously
love Him (Rom 8:28).
…
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that continuously
believeth (participle) in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And
whosoever is still living (participle) and is still believing (participle)
in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
…
John 12:44
Jesus cried and said, He that continuously believeth [participle] on me,
continuously believeth not [participle] on me, but on him that sent me.
Jn 12:45 And
he that continuously seeth me seeth him that sent me.
Jn 12:46 I am
come a light into the world, that whosoever continuously believeth [participle]
on me should not [subjunctive] abide in darkness.
The abundant use of present active
participles must be correctly interpreted as “continuous” actions. This very
strongly teaches that salvation is neither a one-time profession of faith nor a
predetermined calling which does not require free will.
Jn 12:47 And
if any man is hearing my words, and is not believing, I judge him not: for I came
not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Jesus’ mission was to save every person in
the world.
…
John 15:2
Every branch in me that continuously beareth [participle] not fruit he
taketh away …
Does “taken away” refer to death, or
falling from grace?
John 15:3 Now
ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
John 15:4 Abide
in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide
in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am
the vine, ye are the branches: He that continuously abideth [participle]
in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can
do nothing.
This kind of exhortation is totally
meaningless if it were not possible to cease abiding in Christ.
John 15:6 If a
man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men
gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Since “burned” is a strong implication of
either the fires of Hades or Gehenna, the texts most likely teach that one can
fall from grace.
…
John 16:8 And
when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness,
and of judgment:
John 16:9 Of
sin, because they believe not on me.
The Holy Spirit (1) reproves the world of
the sinfulness of sin and (2) convicts sinners of the need of righteousness in
Christ. This would not be necessary if God had predestined individuals to
salvation before they were born. Salvation is available for all.
…
John 17:11 And
now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee.
Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me,
that they may be one, as we are.
Jesus was praying for His believing
disciples who could conceivably cease believing and fall from grace. Again, the
request makes no sense if it were not possible to fall from grace.
Jn 17:12 While
I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou
gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that
the scripture might be fulfilled.
The Father gave to the Son those whom He
foreknew would continuously believe in Christ (John 6:40). Only the one whom
God foreknew would not continuously believe in Hm would be lost.
…
John 20:29
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:
blessed are they that have not seen, and yet “having believed [aorist] and
continue believing” [participle].
…
John 20:31 But
these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God; and that continuously believing [participle] ye might have [subjunctive]
life through his name.
If individual salvation were a
pre-determined choice of God not involving man’s free will choice, there would
be no need to write anything.
…
Acts 2:44 “All
who had believed [aorist] and continued believing” [participle] were all
together and had all things common.
…
Acts 4:32 And
the multitude of “the ones who had believed [aorist] and continued
believing” [participle] were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any
of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had
all things common.
…
Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no
respecter of persons.
This is a turning point in the entire
Bible. Peter realized that God loved all his create humans equally, wanted all
to be saved and wanted all to hear his preaching. Salvation is available for
all. Calvinist election and predestination make God a respecter of persons.
…
Acts 11:21 And
the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number “who had believed
[aorist] and continued believing” [participle] turned to the Lord.
…
Acts 13:12
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the
doctrine of the Lord.
A conditional free will choice was
made after hearing the gospel.
…
Acts 13:39 And
by him “all continuously believing” [present participle] “are
being justified” [present passive] from all things, from which ye could not
be justified by the law of Moses.
Justification by faith is conditional to
those who continue believing.
…
Acts 18:27 And
when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the
disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, “the ones who had believed
[perfect] and continued believing” [participle] helped him much through
grace.
…
Rom 1:16 For I
am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that continuously believeth [participle];
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
It is God’s will to predestine and call to
salvation everyone who freely continuously believes.
…
Rom 1:18 … men,
who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Total depravity does not totally erase the
image of God. Even the unbelievers are described as “holding the truth in unrighteousness.
Rom 1:19 that
which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto
them.
Though totally depraved, the unrighteous
still know enough of God’s truth to know they are sinners and deserve His
wrath.
Rom 1:20 …
invisible things … are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Though totally depraved, unbelievers know
God exists.
Rom 1:21 … when
they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became
vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:23 … changed
the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image …
Rom 1:24
Wherefore God also gave them up …
God gave up unbelievers because they used
free will to reject Him … not because He predetermined not to elect them.
Rom 1:25 Who
changed the truth of God into a lie
Rom 1:26 … God
gave them up … even women …
Rom 1:27 … also
the men
Rom 1:28 … did
not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over … reprobate mind
Rom 1:29, 30 haters
of God, disobedient to parents
Rom 1:31
Without understanding … without natural affection
Rom 1:32 Who
knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy
of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (also
3:10-19)
Having foreknowledge of who would reject
Him, God gave them up.
Rom 2:11 For
there is no respect of persons with God.
The Calvinist doctrines of election and
predestination makes God a respecter of persons.
…
Rom 2:14 For
when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in
the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which
shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing
witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one
another.
All who have a conscience may be excused
and saved by continuous believing.
…
***Rom 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ
unto all and upon all them that continuously believe [participle]: for
there is no difference.
The righteousness of God is only upon those
who continuously believe. It is not upon those who make a one-time profession
of faith and stop believing.
…
Rom 3:24 Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
It is God’s gracious will that those who
have continuous faith in Jesus Christ be justified through the redemption that
is in Jesus Christ.
…
Rom 3:25 Whom
God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare
his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God. John 6:40.
It is God’s will that the payment for sin
(the remission) be accomplished through faith (continuous believing) in
Christ’s blood. John 6:40.
…
***Rom 3:26 To
declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the
justifier of him which is continuously believing [participle] in Jesus.
It is God’s will to declare His own
righteousness and to justify those who continuously believe in Jesus.
…
Romans 4:3
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (Gen 15:6)
It was God’s will to save Abraham because
He believed God (continuous faith faith). By Omniscient foreknowledge, God knew
Abraham would be faithful and continuously believe. This would have been a good
opportunity to teach predestination --- that God caused Abraham to believe God.
…
***Rom 4:5 But “to
the one not working” [participle], but to “the one
continuously believing” [participle] on “the one continuously justifying”
the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
God’s grants righteousness by faith to the
ones continuously believing.
…
Rom 4:11 And he
received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith
which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of “all
the ones continuously believing” [present participle], though they be not
circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.
God only imputes righteousness to those continuously
believing.
Romans 4:13
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to
Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of
faith.
Romans 4:16
Therefore it [the promise made by God to Abraham] is of faith, that it
might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to
that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of
Abraham; who is the father of us all,
It is God’s gracious will that everybody be
saved the same way, through faith. The promise made to Abraham was not because
of predestination.
…
Rom 4:24 But
for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, “to the ones continuously
believing” [present participle] on him that raised up Jesus our Lord
from the dead.
Paul identified with those who are
continuously believing.
…
Rom 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to
condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [Christ] the free gift
came upon all men unto justification of life.
Rom 5:19 For
as by one man's disobedience [Adam] many were made sinners, so by the obedience
of one [Christ] shall many be made righteous.
God willed it that all men might be saved
through Christ’s substitution, but His will is not irresistible.
…
Rom 8:1 There
is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who “are continuously
walking” [present participle] not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
God does not condemn those who are
continuously walling after the Spirit.
…
Rom 8:28 And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to
them who are the called according to his purpose.
Those who are called according to God’s
purpose are those who continuously love God.
Oikamen de hoti
We know
and that
tois agapoosin toon theon,
to the ones continuously loving the God,
panta sunergei eis agathon
all things
He works together for good
tois kata prostheisin kleetois ousin
to the ones according to purpose called being
This is the most important text in God’s
Word which clearly defines “the called.” While Romans 8:29-30 are quoted to
support the Calvinist viewpoint, Romans 8:28 is not.
1. Romans 8:28 has two equal parallel
phrases beginning “to the ones.”
2. “Loving” and “being” are present tense
participles meaning “continuously loving” and “continuously being” called.
3. “Those continuously loving” are those
“continuously being” called.
4. The free will act of continuously loving
precedes God’s call.
5. The order of salvation in 8:28 is: (1)
free will loving God, (2) God’s calling, (3) foreknowledge and (4)
predestination.
6. The order of salvation in 8:29 is: (1)
foreknowledge, (2) predestination and (3) calling.
7. Since God, in His Omniscience, foreknows
the future, He predestines those whom He foreknows will “continuously love Him”
to be called and saved.
8. “Continuously loving” makes salvation conditional.
Rom 8:29 For
whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called,
them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
“Foreknowledge” is the dividing word
between Calvinists and Arminians. Calvinists teach that God knows the future because
He is sovereign and causes everything to occur before it occurs.
Arminians teach that God knows the future because He exists in all time,
including the future. Arminians teach that, knowing the choices free will
mankind will make allows Him to guide His own will. God works the circumstances
of a believer’s life for good.
…
Rom 8:35 Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Since this is an
important text for both Calvinists and Eternal Security advocates, a thorough
study is required. The question is “Who is ‘us?” Does it refer to predestined
believers or to those who have only made a one-time profession of faith?
In 8:1 Paul is referring to “them which are
in Christ Jesus, who are continuously walking (participle) not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit.”
In 8:4 “us” refers to those “who are waling
(participle) not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
In 8:5 “us” refers to “they that are after
the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”
In 8:6 “us” refers to they who are “spiritually
minded.”
In 8:9 “us” refers to those in whom “the
Spirt of God dwells.”
In 8:14 “us” are being “led by the Spirit
of God, they are the sons of God.”
In 8:15 “us” as newborn babes, call God “Abba,
Father.”
In 8:16 “us” are those in whom the “Spirit
itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
In 8:17 “us” are Christians who are
prepared to “suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
In 8:19 us” cannot wait to see God; “the
earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons
of God.”
In 8:23 “us” are “we” who “ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
In 8:25 “us” are those who “patiently hope
for that we see not.”
In 8:26-27 “us” are those whom the Spirit
perfects our prayers.
In 8:28 “us” are those whom God calls because
they continuously love God.
In 8:30 “us” who are “called, justified and
glorified.”
In 8:33-34 “us” are those who cannot be
charged with anything.”
In 8:35 “us” are those who cannot be “separate
from the love of Christ.”
In 8:37 “us” are “more than conquerors
through him that loved us.”
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any
other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
In Romans 9,
as in 2:28-29, Paul anticipates and answers objections from Jewish Christians
living in Rome. Is God unrighteous for rejecting Israel? No. God never promised
that all Israelites would be saved, but only spiritual Israelites (whom He
foreknew would remain faithful).
…
Romans 9:1-4
[Prayer for natural Israelites.]
Rom 9:6 … For
they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Rom 9:7
Neither, because they are the [physical] seed of Abraham, are they all
children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8 That
is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children
of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
As in Romans 2:28, 29, true Israelites have
always only been spiritual Israelites, and not those of the flesh.
Rom 9:11(For
the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the
purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of
him that calleth;)
It was never the purpose of God to fulfill
the promised spiritual blessings of Abraham upon all the literal physical seed
of Abraham.
…
Rom 9:13 Jacob
have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Being Omniscient with foreknowledge, God
knew that Jacob would eventually continuously love, believe and serve Him (Rom
8:28), God elected Jacob instead to Esau. God did not “hate” Esau concerning
salvation; this was an election to receive, or not receive the promises made to
Abraham. Esau was greatly blessed and did not accept gifts from Jacob (Gen
33;1; 36:1-7).
…
Rom 9:15 For
he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have
compassion on whom I will have compassion.
God is not a respecter of persons (Rom
2:11). The justification of Jacob over Esau was due to God’s foreknowledge. Esau
died a very wealthy and very blessed man (Gen 37:1-7).
…
Rom 9:16 So
then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God
that sheweth mercy.
While it is true that the sinner cannot
“will,” or choose, to be saved, it is also true that the sinner can yield to
the convicting power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:8,9), believe in Christ
and continue believing in Christ. John 6:39-40 and Romans 8:28 are key to
understanding Romans 9:16. It is God’s will to shew mercy to those who freely
chose to continuously love Him.
…
Rom 9:18
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he
hardeneth.
In context, the mercy of God towards Jacob
and away from Esau related to the birthright promises; God chose whom He would
bless and be merciful towards. The Calvinist explanation of these texts depicts
God as a respecter of person. The word, “sovereign,” does not mean that God
created mankind as robots without free will.
…
Rom 9:19 Thou [Jewish
Christian] wilt say then unto me, “Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath
resisted his will?”
The objection of the Jewish Christians was
anticipated. The reply is “If we cannot resist God’s will, how can God condemn
us?
Rom 9:20 [The
answer] Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing
formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
As with Job, God does answer the question.
God merely replies, “Who are you to question Me?”
…
Rom 9:21 Hath
not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto
honour, and another unto dishonour?
Again, as with Job, God’s reply is “Do I
not, as the Creator, have power to do as I choose?” Contrary to the teachings of Calvinism, God
is not asserting that He actually does exercise His sovereignty
over His creation and causes everything to happen!!! He can do so
if He so if and when He chooses. However, in His gracious mercy, God wills to
predestine and elect those who freely choose to continuously believe in Him to
salvation (John 6:40; Rom 8:28).
…
Rom 9:22 What
if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with
much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Still answering the Jewish Christians’
objections, God has been patient (longsuffering) with the disobedient nation of
Israel.
Rom 9:23 And
that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which
he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24 Even
us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
God has (temporarily) discarded national
Israel and (temporarily) replaced it with the Church comprised of both Jews and
Gentiles.
Rom 9:25 As he
saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and
her beloved, which was not beloved.
Rom 9:26 And
it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are
not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
Rom 9:27
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children
of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.
This should not be a surprise; the prophets
taught it. National Israel rejected Jesus as its Messiah and God (temporarily)
replaced national Israel with the Church.
KEY
CONCLUSIONS TO CHAPTER NINE:
Rom 9:30 What
shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness,
have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Rom 9:31 But
Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the
law of righteousness.
Rom 9:32 Wherefore?
Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the
law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone;
This is the conclusion of chapter 9. God
knew through His Omniscience and foreknowledge that national Israel would
eventually reject its Messiah and the Church would accept Him. Rather than
stressing God’s sovereignty, it stresses righteousness by faith.
Rom 9:33 As it
is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone and rock of offence: and whosoever
continuously believeth (participle) on him shall not be ashamed.
Instead of ending the chapter with a strong
emphasis on election, predestination or sovereignty, Paul ends it with
universal appeal for “whosoever continuously believes in Him to be saved.
The decree to save or damn particular
persons was based on God’s foreknowledge of their faith or unbelief. God elects
and rejects whom He pleases. God rejected Israel because Israel rejected
salvation by faith (9:30). God has not rejected believing Israelites. The
present rejection of Israel opens the door for Gentiles and is not final. The
purpose of 9:30+ is to show that the sovereign God, who saves and damns who He
pleases, is pleased to save believers. When God saves believers, He is choosing
whom He will.
…
Rom 10:4 For
Christ is the end [GOAL] of the law for righteousness to “all continuously
believing,” [present participle].
The participles never cease in God’s
inspired Word. Salvation is conditional.
…
Rom 10:10 For
with the heart “righteousness is continuously being believed upon”
[present passive] …
Rom 10:11 For
the scripture saith, “every one continuously believing” [present participle]
“shall not be ashamed.”
…
Rom 10:12 For
there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over
all is rich unto all that call upon him.
God is not a respecter of persons. While
Israel was His chosen nation, He held them to a greater degree of accountabliy.
Rom 10:13 For the
ones continuously calling (participle) upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved.
Both Jew and Gentiles had the same standard
of salvation. See Romans 2:14-15.
…
Rom 11:1 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 11:2 God
hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. …
…
Rom 11:5 Even
so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election
of grace.
This seriously disagrees with Reformed
Theology which teaches that the church is spiritual Israel which has permanently
replaced national Israel as God’s chosen nation. Since God foreknew and
predestined national Israel to be His chosen nation, why has He replaced it
with the Church? Chapter 11 proves that God has not discarded national Israel
but will reconstitute it with believing Israelites.
Rom 11:6 And
if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. …
Rom 11:7 What
then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath
obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Rom 11:8 (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.
The remainder of the chapter proves that
God has not permanently (in the first century) rejected Israel, but believing
Israelites will again be grafted in.
…
Rom 11:11 I
say 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.
God foreknew that national Israel would
reject its Messiah and the church age would follow. He also foreknew that the
Church was temporary and would be removed before God finished His plans for
national Israel (Dan 9:24-27).
Rom 11:12 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 11:15 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 11:16 For
if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so
are the branches.
Rom 11:17 And
if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert
graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the
olive tree;
Rom 11:18
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root,
but the root thee.
Rom 11:19 Thou
wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
National Israel comprised of believing
Israelites will attain its fulness after the church has been removed during the
Millennium (Rev 20).
Rom 11:20
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by
faith. Be not highminded, but fear.
Israel did not fall because of
predestination. Israel fell because of unbelief.
Rom 11:21 For
if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell,
severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:
otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
It is possible to fall from grace. If
believers do not continue in God’s goodness, they will be cut off.
Rom 11:23 And
they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is
able to graff them in again.
Unbelieving Israelites can be grafted in if
the consistently believe.
Rom 11:24 For
if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert
graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these,
which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
Rom 11:25 For
I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye
should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to
Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And
so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion
the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
Rom 11:27 For this
is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As
concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the
election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
It has always been God’s plan of salvation
to save those who freely chose to continuously love God and believe the gospel
Rom 8:28; 1:16).
Rom 11:29 For the
gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
God’s gifts and calling of believers in
national Israel has not, and will not, change. He keeps His promises.
Rom 11:30 For
as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through
their unbelief:
Rom 10:31 Even
so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may
obtain mercy.
The roles have been reversed. Instead of
believing Israelites taking the gospel to unbelieving Gentiles, now believing
Gentiles are to take the gospel to them.
…
1 Cor 1:17 For
Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel …
1 Cor 1:18 For
the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us
which are continuously being saved [present passive participle] it is
the power of God
If election and predestination were
predetermined by God apart from the free will of mankind, the preaching of the
gospel would not be necessary. Salvation is an ongoing present process to those
who are presently consistently believing in Christ.
…
1 Cor 1:21 For
after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased
God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that continuously believe
[present active participle].
Only those who persevere by
continuing to believe will be saved.
…
1 Cor 1:23 But
we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks
foolishness.
Preaching “Christ crucified” convicts
unbelievers and draws them to Christ to be saved. It is unnecessary if
predestination were true.
…
2 Cor 4:4 In
whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,
lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should
shine unto them.
According to Reformed Theology, God Himself
has blinded unbelievers. Why does the Bible tell us that Satan has? Did God
give Lucifer free will, or is God the cause of unbelief.
…
2 Cor 5:14 For
the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died
for all, then were all dead:
2 Cor 5:15 And
that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live
unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Christ died for every person who has
ever lived.
…
2 Cor 5:19 To
wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not
imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation.
Christ’s atonement was sufficient to
save every person who ever lived.
…
Galatians 3:22
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of
Jesus Christ might be given to “the ones continuously believing”
[present participle].
God wants to save everybody, but does not
force the will. (2 Pet 3:9)
…
Gal 3:26 For ye are
all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Not by predestination. (John 6:40;
Rom 10:28).
…
Ephesians 1:4 According
as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Similar to the “us” of Romans 8:35-38, the
“us” are “the apostle Paul, the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ
Jesus.” (1:1) Was Paul “chosen by the will of God” because God “caused” him to
be saved, or because God, in His Omniscience, foreknew that Paul would
faithfully serve him?
Eph 1:5 Having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
In Romans 8:28-29, it is the will of God to
elect and predestine those who continuously love God. This text is very
similar.
Eph 1:6 To the
praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the
beloved.
The elect (those who choose to continuously
love God, are predestined to praise the glory of His grace. They are described
as “accepted in the beloved.”
Eph 1:7 In
whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Everything the believer has is because of
Christ.
Eph 1:9 Having
made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That
in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all
things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in
him:
Similar to Romans 9:30, Jews, Gentiles and
even heaven itself is united by the blood of Christ.
Eph 1:11 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:
Eph 1:12 That
we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Similar to Romans 8:28-29, it was God’s
will that “those who first trusted in Christ” also have an inheritance in
heaven.
Eph 1:13 In
whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard and kept on hearing
[past active participle] the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in
whom also after that ye believed and kept on believing [past active participle],
ye were being sealed [past passive] with that holy Spirit of promise.
Eph 1:14 Which
is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory.
Literally, “After believers have heard and
keep on hearing and have believed and keep on believing, they are being saved
and sealed.”
God may act unconditionally or on the basis
of conditions He sovereignly establishes. God’s plan of salvation is wholly
gracious --- of grace and from grace. Faith (which comes by hearing (Rom 10:17)
is the condition for experiencing salvation. The decree in eternity was one to
administer salvation conditionally by faith. In Ephesians 1 faith is
presupposed for predestination. For no one but a believer is predestinated
through adoption through Christ.
…
Eph 1:19 And
what is the exceeding greatness of his power “to the one continually
believing” [participle] according to the working of his mighty power.
…
Phil 3:9 And
be found in him, “not continuously having” mine own righteousness, which
is of the law, but (continuously having) that which is through the faith
of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
…
1 Thess 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the
word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as
it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in “the ones
continuously believing” [present participle].
The word of God works in those who are
continuously believing.
2 Thess 1:10
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in “all
the ones who have believed [aorist] and continue believing” [participle] in
that day.
God will be admired by the one who have
continuously believed when Jesus returns.
…
1 Timothy 2:3
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
***1 Timothy
2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of
the truth.
It is God’s will to save all men, but He
does not force His will; it is resistible.
…
1 Tim 2:5 For
there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
Calvinistic predestination removes the need
for a mediator because mankind has no free will choice concerning salvation.
**1 Tim 2:6 Who
gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Christ’s atonement was sufficient
for every person who ever lived.
***Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
Every person who ever lived is given
sufficient grace to be saved.
…
Heb 2:9 But we
see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of
death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste
death for every man.
Christ’s atonement was sufficient
for every person ever born.
…
Hebrews 6:4
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb
6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they
crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open sham.
Only an incredible twisting of the
Scriptures denies that this is a description of a true believer who turns and
denies the gospel and Christ.
…
Heb 11:6 But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for “the one
continuously coming” [participle] to God must “be continuously
believing” [present tense] that he is, and that he is a rewarder of
“the ones continuously seeking” [participle] him.
…
1 Peter 1:1 Peter
… to the …
1 Pet 1:2 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.
Calvinists teach that the elect are those
whom God has forced His will upon and predestined. Arminians teach that the
elect are those whom God foreknows will continuously believe and persevere.
…
***2 Peter
2:20 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 Pet 2:21 For
it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than,
after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2 Pet 2:22 But
it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to
his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
These texts prove that it is
possible to resist grace and fall from grace.
…
***2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that
all should come to repentance.
God is not willing that any should perish,
but His will can be resisted.
…
1 John 2:2 And
he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the
sins of the whole world.
Jesus’ death was sufficient to save
every person.
…
1 John 5:1 “The
one continuously believing” [present participle] that Jesus is the Christ is
born of God: and every one that continuously loveth [present
participle] him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
Only those who continuously believe and
continuously love Him are born of God.
…
1 John 5:5 Who
is he that is continually overcoming [present participle] the world, but
“the one continuously believing” [present participle] that Jesus
is the Son of God.
Only those who continuously believe are
continuously overcoming the world.
…
1 John 5:10 “The
one continuously believing” [present participle] on the Son of God hath the
witness in himself: “the one not continuously believing” [present
participle] God hath made him a liar; because he “has not believed”
[aorist] the record that God gave of his Son.
Those who continuously believe have an
inner witness that they are saved.
…
1 John 5:13
These things have I written unto “the ones continuously believing”
[participle] on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye “are
having “eternal life, and that ye “may” (not “will”) believe [subjunctive] on
the name of the Son of God.
Only the ones continuously believing now
they are Sons of God.
Rev 3:5 He
that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not
blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name
before my Father, and before his angels.
It is possible to fall from grace. A name
must already be in the book of life in order to be blotted out.
…
Rev 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock : if any man hear my voice, and open
the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Salvation
is available to any person.
……………………………………
Reader’s Note:
Most of the following individual statements are from Grace, Faith and Free
Will, by Robert L. Picirilli
…………………………………..
FREE WILL:
CALVINISM: NO
FREE WILL: The Spirit graciously causes the pre-elected sinner to
cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ.
ARMINIANISM: God
has determined to save those who through the grace of the Holy Spirit shall
believe and shall persevere to the end. (PIC13). John 6:40
……………………………..
TOTAL
DEPRAVITY:
Man has no
saving grace of himself; concerning salvation, he cannot think, will or do
anything to be saved. Everything
involved concerning salvation is by grace.
………………………………
IRRESISTABLE
GRACE:
CALVINISM:
Since God is Sovereign, He causes everything to happen. If He could be
resisted, He would not be Sovereign.
ARMINIANISM: Grace
can be resisted. Sin exists because Satan successfully resisted God.
…………………………………….
ARMINIANISM: God’s
foreknowledge allows Him to be both Sovereign and Omniscient. Being
Sovereign does not mean God created robots who cannot choose to freely love
Him. Love does not exist unless freely given and God is love! Sovereign kings
on earth have not controlled the thoughts of their subjects. God created
mankind with freewill but His foreknowledge allows Him to know which choices
man will make all still allows Him to fulfill His purposes.
Fallen man is
not capable of any good to justify himself. Fallen man continues in some of the
image of God and receives common grace and general revelation, but is always
falling short.
All future
events are in accord with God’s overall plan and purpose; nothing ever happens
that is outside His knowledge, control or thwarts His ultimate plan.
God really
does know which way man will choose.
God has
unconditionally decreed to administer salvation conditionally.
Sin originates
in the free exercise of the will of the creature.
God decreed to
justify believers in, or through Christ.
Faith is the
condition for election. If salvation is by faith, election is by faith. If
salvation is conditional, election is conditional.
As believers
alone are saved, believers alone are predestined to salvation.
The individual
faith (or unbelief), while truly contingent and free, is certain.
Election and
reprobation are parallel opposites. Election is gracious and eternal founded in
Christ, and conditional and personal in application.
Sin is the
sole meritorious cause for God’s wrath and condemnation.
Reprobation is
just and eternal punishment for sin and conditional and personal in application.
The Bible teaches salvation by faith rather than salvation by unconditional
election. The Bible condemns the dammed not merely for their sins, but for
rejecting Christ’s redemptive work.
Christ died to
provide salvation for al, a provision that is effective only when applied to
those who believe PIC100
By His
redemptive work, salvation was made accessible to all. PIC104
God’s will
that all people make their own free choice takes precedence over His will that
all be saved. We might call this a distinction between His absolute will and
his conditional will. PIC112
The Calvinist
has problems making the universal call sound real since they do not accept it
as forceful. To them, “will not” means “cannot.” PIC117
Man’s will is
no longer naturally free to choose God apart from the supernatural work of the
Spirit of God. PIC149
Arminius held
with total depravity in respect to the need for grace. PIC150
For Calvinists
regeneration solves the problem of depravity; for the Arminian, prevenient
grace solves the problem. PIC153
For Arminius,
prevenient grace precedes actual regeneration and, except when finally
resisted, invariable leads on to regeneration. PIC153
Pre-regenerating
grace means that the Spirit of God overcomes man’s inability by a direct work
on the heart, a work that is adequate to enable the unregenerate person to
understand the truth of the gospel, to desire God, and to exercise saving
faith. PIC154 Drawing faith of John 6:44.
When used in
its fullest sense, salvation is election. If election is not by faith, then
neither is salvation. PIC169
Final
salvation is for those who persevere in believing. The intercessory prayers of
Jesus are for believers. Jn 17:11, 12
PIC190
The continuing
work of the Holy Spirit is conditional on continuing faith. PIC191
FALLING FROM GRACE TEXTS:
(1) Exe 32:32,
33), (3) Eze 3:20; 18:24, (4) Matt 5:13, (5) Matt 5:27, (6 Matt 6:15), (7) Matt
10:33, (8) Luke 8:13, (9) Luke 9:52, (10) Luke 13:8, (11) John 15:1-6, (12) 1
Cor 3:17, (13) 1 Cor 8:10, (14) 1 Cor 9:27, (15) 1 Cor 10:1-4, (16) Gal 3:1,
(17) Gal 5:1, (18) Gal 5:4, 19) Gal 5:19,21), (20) Gal 5:24, (21) 1 Tim
1:18-20, (22) 1 Tim 4:1-2, (23) 1 Tim 2:12, (24) 1 Tim 4:10, (25) Heb 3:12,
(26) Heb 3:18, (27) Heb 4:1, (28) Heb 4:6, (29) Heb 4:11, (30) Heb 6:4-6, (31)
Heb 10:38-39, (32) Heb 12:8, (33) Heb 12:13, (34) Heb 12:14, (35) Heb 12:15,
(36) Heb 12:17, (37) Js 5:12, (38) 1 Pet 5:8-9, (39) 2 Pet 2:1, (40) 2 Pet
2:20-22, (41) 2 Pet 3:17, (42) 2 John 8-9, (43) Jude 5, (44) Jude 6, (45) Rev
2:4-5, (46) Rev 3:2, (47) Rev 3:5, (48) Rev 3:16-17
CALVINISTS
TEACH THAT NOT ALL HAVE REVELATION:
They quote Matthew
13:11 it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but
to them it is not given” but do quote Jesus’ explanation in 13:15 “because
their heart is gross, their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have
closed.” Neither do they quote John 9:39, “And Jesus said, For judgment I am
come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which
see might be made blind.”
ETERNAL SECURITY TEXTS: Jn 10:28; Jn 3:36; 4:4; 5:24; 6:54 PIC195
God will not
fail to keep any promise. PIC194
CALVINISM: Faith
is a part of the work of salvation wrought for the elect rather than a
condition the individual must meet in order to be saved. Berkoff PIC146
Since election
is unconditional (and must be for God to be sovereign, it follows that
salvation -- in the broadest sense of the word – rests in the decree of God and
not on the individual’s faith. PIC169
ince the
atonement was intended to save only the elect and is applied efficaciously to
them by the gracious work of the Holy Spirit, it follows that salvation –still
in the broadest sense—is by atonement and grace rather than by faith. PIC169
The seed of
faith is implanted in man in regeneration … It is only after God has implanted
the seed of faith in the heart that man can exercise faith. PIC170
Limited
atonement is required by the fact that saving faith is a gift of God given only
to the elect. The atonement also secures the fulfillment of the conditions that
must met in order to obtain salvation. Rom 2:4; Gal 3:13,14; Eph 1:3,4; 2:8;
Phil 1:29; 2 Ti 3:5, 6 PIC96
he doctrine of
limited atonement is implied in and logically necessary to the Reformed
teaching about unconditional salvation.
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