Thanks Icon, Is it also the genitive case in the other half of verse 16 and again in verse 20. " .... and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God..." The same turn of phrase is used elsewhere as well. Some of the new translations actually say "our faith in Jesus Christ" I know that fits well with modern I/me generations but I can't help but think that it means what it says - the faith of Christ is given to us at our justification, and that our faith is then strengthened in sanctification. It does become ours to use.
I voted yes to both. Where there are men in a church they should be in the overall positions of authority under God who is in charge. Paul makes this clear in his letters to Timothy and Titus, but where men are not available I see no reason why women should not take charge. Women are to be in subjection to their own husbands not to all men. In government if the woman's husband is in agreement why shouldn't she take on the position.
Heb 11:1 does not say faith is hope but that " faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Substance and evidence are things we have from God.
Could someone please explain to me why Gal 2:16 reads "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ....." in the AV but in the ESV ".... but through faith in Jesus Christ....." These seem to say different things. In the AV the faith is Christ's given to us for justification, but in the ESV it is our faith that we exercise. I thought that faith was a gift of God. Why change the emphasis? I realize later that it becomes our faith that is grown by the Word and the Holy Spirit in our sanctification.
Yes one day if I were not elect I would still worship God in that every knee will bow, but it would be with gnashing of teeth. If I were not elect I would not have been called, I would not have received a heart of flesh and I would not be seeking after God. God the Father has his sheep whom He will call to himself. They will hear his voice and will follow him. I know I have been called and am being kept by his power as he sanctifies me. I have His assurance that one day I will be with Him where He is.
I heard a good illustration the other day. There was a pen of sheep and goats waiting at the abattoir to be killed. Along came a wealthy man. He selected and bought all the sheep and took them home to green pastures to live out their days. Was he unfair in choosing only the sheep? Did the sheep do anything to be redeemed? Were the goats poorly treated in that they were not chosen? So it is with us. We are his sheep redeemed by Christ and chosen by God the Father. It is all of grace.
I've stopped posting on the forums, as I had some genuine questions I'd like answered from a reformed point of view. Each time I posed one I was jumped on by people attacking what I'd said or I've been completely ignored. I wonder if it would be possible to have a question page for a reformed pastor/s to reply to. A much more formal section where the answers are perhaps vetted.
Abigail wrote "You seem quite certain about who they are. You condemn to hell all that do not believe your Calvinism." You are wrong. I have no idea who they are, but I do know that God has said He will call those He has chosen. Regardless of how you believe you made the decision, you ought to praise God that He called and equiped you to believe. We are told to preach the gospel to all and He will do the rest. We do not decide who will be saved.
JD In your illustration you have forgotten that all of them deserve to die. God has stated quite clearly that no one deserves eternal life but in His grace He chose some for salvation. We do not know who they are. Only God knows and He calls them out.
This is a simple illustration that many find helpful. As a non christian a person responds to the preached or discussed Word of God. The person feels that he has done it all ie heard, repented and followed Christ. He then enters the sheepfold and written on the back of the door are the words "I chose you". The young Christian then reads and understands from God's word that he was chosen from before the foundation of the world and Christ through the Holy Spirit led and guided him to salvation which he received with the gift of Christ's faith which had already been tested. He is then from that point an adopted child of God. He develops an understanding of his Father and an assurance of his salvation throughout eternity. It is this that leads to a love of God's Word and obedience to that Word.
Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the ham just on the menu. If I can't eat a certain food I simply don't order it. Are we expected to not even have pork products on the menu? If there are hindus in jail I guess all beef must be excluded. Oh and I guess if there is a vegan inmate there should be no meat on the menu at all. Where will this mad PC end?
I pray that those who are committing these acts of vandalism and violence may soon, like Saul, be confronted by the living God they are persecuting, and be led by Him to full repentance and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This, I believe is the only solution to the problem.
KK Have you considered that in this parable you like to quote, that the 5 without oil did not have the Holy Spirit, and so were not christians at all but just hopeful church goers asking those who had the Holy Spirit to give them some, instead of going to the Father for Him?
9/12/08 6:06 AM
12/12/07 2:49 PM
