Casob wrote:
Romans 2:28,29 wrote:
For he is NOT a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he [IS] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

Nevertheless, he is a Jew, Amen?

We have been told by the same crowd that there is neither Jew or gentile in the church and they quote this verse to prove it:

Ga 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

You can't have it both ways. Please choose which way you will have it.
You can see how this convoluting of doctrines is confusing us simple folk, no?

Why don't you reconcile the two and tell us what they mean together instead of pitting scripture against scripture and telling us they both can't be true at the same time which is exactly what you have done...

Casob wrote:
The context where this passage is found [Eph 2:14-18] is "Jews and gentiles that believe the gospel of Jesus Christ". It in no way indicates that all the Jews and all the gentiles are in one body. Nor does it say that Jews and gentiles cease to be in the world apart from the church.

Casob wrote:
The bible says society at this present time is divided into three classes.
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Of course, the church comes from both Jews and gentiles but it is a separate entity from them.

For he is our peace, who hath made BOTH one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of TWAIN one new man, so making peace; And that ***he might reconcile BOTH unto God in ONE BODY by the cross***, having slain the enmity thereby: For through him we BOTH have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Eph 2:14-18)

"made alive" in this verse speaks of the redemption of the body at the last trump (v 52-53) and is verified in Romans 8:11 "shall also quicken your mortal bodies" when read in context through v 23 and concluding in v 30 "them he also glorified" (eternal state).

In the mortal state the body is dead because of sin (Romans 8:10) therefore the second "all" speaks of the church, His body, being quickened and raised to immortality, incorruption and glory.

KK wrote:
The verses in Matthew 18:23-35 ARE THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS !!! - All you boys have moved away from THE TRUTH and have embraced a "lie" from the Pit of Hell !!!

Now I say that **Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision** for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy... (Rom 15:8-9)

The parable you cited is based on the Law of Moses and given for the circumcision (Jews). Beginning with Paul's conversion on Damascus Road; God, in MERCY AND GRACE, turned to the Gentiles.

Thank you for your balanced and insightful posts... all of them.

Casob wrote:
CALVINISM IS ThE EXALTATION OF MAN!

http://www.theopedia.com/Monergism

Synergism, in general, may be defined as two or more agents working together to produce a result not obtainable by any of the agents independently. The word synergy or synergism comes from two Greek words, erg meaning to work and syn meaning together, hence synergism is a working together. Regarding the doctrine of salvation, this is essentially the view that God and humanity work together, each contributing their part to accomplish salvation in and for the individual. This is the view of salvation found in Arminianism and semi-Pelagianism.

http://www.theopedia.com/Synergism

1Cr 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

These are great points, Derek.

THE GIFT is eternal life but that is far from the only gift. All means necessary for a liftime of service and finally to stand blameless before the righteous Judge of quick and dead must come from above; without the creature for (again speaking of the children of Zion (Sarah); that is... the born again)...

Mike wrote:
If repentance is a gift, why did Israel not repent?

Mike wrote:
Can a gift from God be refused?

Mike wrote:
Make sense of this by understanding that the giving of repentance is the enablement of the sinner to repent. To speak of it as a gift is misleading.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR THE SHEEP. And OTHER SHEEP I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd. (John 10:15-16)

Who are the "other sheep"?

Derek wrote:
What on earth do these references to Israel have to do with the new birth?

Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

Isa 54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

And Jesus?

Jhn 6:44-45 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. It is written in the prophets, *And they shall be all taught of God*. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Isa 54:13 *And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD*; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Derek wrote:
And, 2Tim 2:25, as you gave for repentance, please notice the last phrase "to the acknowledging of the truth"

Derek wrote:
This is true, but Jesus said to repent. Jesus said "ye must be born again".

2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if **God** peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

New Birth

Ps 87:5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

Isa 66:7-9 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall **I** bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall **I** cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. (Is 66:7:9)

It doesn't matter what you used to believe, you've still got it wrong. God brings it all to pass in spite of ourselves.

Foreknowledge

I am sorry to see you leave but I also understand. Many reformed voices have come and gone for exactly the same reason. Your posts have been a real blessing to me, brother, and I am sure others as well. God bless you.

. . .

Wayne M.,

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR THE SHEEP. And OTHER SHEEP I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd. (John 10:15-16)

Who are the "other sheep"?

I too called out for mercy at a point of complete and utter hopelessness a few years ago and my call was faithfully answered just as He promised. But I also confess that it was the Father who allowed me to fall into that state of utter hopelessness so I would finally call out and seek His will in my life. I was doing just fine without God in my life even though I had asked Jesus into my heart more than 40 years earlier and believed I was saved.

Casob wrote:
How do you know that you are the elect? How can you be sure?

Mike wrote:
Our assurance of salvation lies in God's promise of eternal life to those who believe. This assurance is based on God's character, not his sovereignty.

Mike wrote:
The Holy Spirit can be resisted.

Thinking Christian wrote:
So, my answer to the quesion is Christ died for God. We just enjoy the results.

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: FOR THE TRANSGRESSION of my people was he stricken. [...] He (the Father) shall see of the travail of his (the Son's) soul and shall be satisfied. (Is 53:8-11)

Rom 4:25 Who was delivered FOR OUR OFFENCES, and was raised again for our justification.