1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Featured Acts 26

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by webdog, Mar 19, 2012.

  1. webdog

    webdog Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2005
    Messages:
    24,696
    Likes Received:
    2
    2 things that stood out to me reading this yesterday.

    First, it is stated by calvinists that Paul's conversion is the model we should look at in understanding unconditional election, yet we see Paul was obedient, contrary to the "I" in TULIP. Does this not show unconditional election to be based on a condition...obedience?

    Second, was Paul's desire a carnal one...or a spirit filled one? If the former, how...and if the latter, how could his desire be different than the Lord's considering most in the multitude (upwards of 2000 people I have heard) would not be as Paul was without the chains? Why would his desire be other than the Lords?
     
  2. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2010
    Messages:
    24,988
    Likes Received:
    2,268
    Faith:
    Baptist
    You make a great point.

    The more I read the Bible through the lens of the Cal/non-Cal debate here on BB, the more verses I find that negate TULIP. However, I don't find many verses that tend to support TULIP.
     
  3. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2003
    Messages:
    9,638
    Likes Received:
    1
    Webdog,

    I asked virtually the same question in regard to Paul's words at the beginning of Romans 9 where he wishes himself accursed for the sake of the hardened Jews, his fellow countrymen who are persecuting the church.

    Was Paul, writing under inspiration, more merciful than the God who was inspiring his writings? Because if Calvinism is true, then clearly Paul is much more merciful than God.
     
  4. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2010
    Messages:
    8,817
    Likes Received:
    2,106
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Of course he was not obedient to the heavenly vision. That is the very essence of Irresistible Grace. 'Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.'

    So far as we know, Agrippa was not converted, so Paul's prayer went unasnwered. 'So then, it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.' Or not in that case (Exod 33:19).

    Steve
     
  5. jbh28

    jbh28 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    3,761
    Likes Received:
    2
    Paul could hardly be called "more merciful" seeing as Paul died for no one and didn't atone for the sins of anyone.
     
  6. webdog

    webdog Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2005
    Messages:
    24,696
    Likes Received:
    2
    Did you mean disobedient? If so, words have meanings. Disobedience means the failure or refusal to obey. Was he obedient, or was it merely an illusion?



    What about the rest (possibly thousands in the amhitheater)? He desired they all were as he were...yet clearly in your doctrine God doesn't truly desire all to really be as Paul was else they would be. Was Paul's desire carnal then?
     
  7. Winman

    Winman Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2009
    Messages:
    14,768
    Likes Received:
    2
    Well, there you go folks, this is Calvinism. According to Calvinism God did not want to save Agrippa, for if God did want to save Agrippa he would have regenerated him and he would have irresistibly believed.

    Paul may have wanted Agrippa to be saved, but according to Calvinism, God did not.

    Wow.
     
  8. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2006
    Messages:
    13,103
    Likes Received:
    4
    How do you know that God had not already turned Agrippa over to a reprobate mind? Bernice, who came with him, was not his wife, but his sister, and their affair was big deal in Rome. Agrippa was known for this incestuous affair and other sinful practices.
     
  9. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2003
    Messages:
    9,638
    Likes Received:
    1
    He was writing under the inspiration of the HS, so we must all presume he was not lying, and he expressed his overwhelming desire to see the hardened Jews come to faith, so much so that he wished himself accursed for their sakes. Now, either he was lying or he really did want them to be saved so much that he would die on their behalf. God, on the other hand, according to Calvinism had hardened them from birth as reprobates and never had this type of desire to save these people. Paul was more merciful than God if Calvinism is true, period.
     
  10. jbh28

    jbh28 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    3,761
    Likes Received:
    2
    Paul could hardly be called "more merciful" seeing as Paul died for no one and didn't atone for the sins of anyone.
     
  11. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2003
    Messages:
    9,638
    Likes Received:
    1
    Even if He had, according to our view, God still longed to 'gather him under his wings' and still 'held out his hands to him' and 'desired him to repent and be saved.' Giving someone over to their reprobate mind is not necessarily a death sentence. The Jews were 'given over' or 'cut off' but Paul is clear that they can still be saved (Rm 11:14ff).

    The father in the story of the prodigal son gave his son his inheritance and let him go (gave him over to his reprobate mind), but later he came to his senses and returned.
     
  12. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2003
    Messages:
    9,638
    Likes Received:
    1
    I agree, so why are you still a Calvinist if you agree? :)
     
  13. jbh28

    jbh28 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    3,761
    Likes Received:
    2
    How so? I'm not following.
     
  14. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2006
    Messages:
    13,103
    Likes Received:
    4
    No, the prodigal was not given over to a reprobate mind. The text says nothing of the sort. Once God gives one over, there is no chance for salvation. But I guess that should be another thread.
     
  15. Winman

    Winman Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2009
    Messages:
    14,768
    Likes Received:
    2
    You speak far more harshly of Agrippa than Paul did.

    Acts 26:2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
    3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

    Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
    28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

    Paul certainly did not consider Agrippa to be a reprobate.

    And we do not know if Agrippa believed later in life. We should not judge the man.

    This is another fruit of Calvinism.

    And why would God have to turn an unelect man over to a reprobate mind? The man's fate was sealed before he was born if Calvinism is true. The man was already spiritually blind if Calvinism is true, does God need to gouge his eyes out to make him MORE blind?

    Nonsensical.
     
  16. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    1]all the elect are obedient...because God works in them.

    2] Paul...as a good calvinist preaches the gospel to all men.No one who preaches the gospel desires to see men perish...nevertheless paul obeyed the principles of ezk33:
    And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

    6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles
     
  17. jbh28

    jbh28 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    3,761
    Likes Received:
    2

    Well, I could be wrong, but I really thought you disagreed with me. :) And really I could care less if I'm labeled a "Calvinist" or not. I believe what the Bible teaches. If it is "Calvinism" then so be it. If not, ok. That's why I don't feel bad if I disagree with some other Calvinist.

    My point is that Paul didn't atone for the sins of anyone, so he hardly could be called more merciful than God. Desire doesn't equal actually doing it. God has actually atoned for the sins of people, Paul has never done that. If God only saved one single person and sent everyone else to their deserved place of punishment, it would be the greatest act of mercy ever. God could have showed everyone mercy. The death of Christ is sufficient for everyone. The just payment sufficient for all has been made, but God has chosen to not show everyone mercy. You say, well God required faith to show mercy. Well, it was God that made that decision knowing that not all would believe.
     
    #17 jbh28, Mar 19, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 19, 2012
  18. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2003
    Messages:
    9,638
    Likes Received:
    1
    I don't disagree with that statement because I actually believe God is more merciful than Paul because God also wants the hardened Jews to come to repentance. I just believe those who believe Paul is expressing a desire not shared by the God who is inspiring him to write are mistaken. :)
     
  19. Winman

    Winman Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2009
    Messages:
    14,768
    Likes Received:
    2
    Nah, Paul never did anything to save lost people.

    2 Cor 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
    25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
    26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
    27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
    28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

    I am amazed and shocked at how callous and cold-hearted Calvinists are concerning lost folks. They seem almost to rejoice when a person is lost.

    Of course, if you believe God throws folks in the lake of fire to glorify himself, this is the natural product you would expect from folks who believe a theology like this.
     
  20. jbh28

    jbh28 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    3,761
    Likes Received:
    2
    Did I say that Winman? Also, Paul could save no one. Only Jesus can save. Paul did a lot and went through a lot to give the gospel to people. Don't put words in my mouth.
    Uncalled for and totally false. Let's not bring this type of stuff into the forum.
    Where did anything I say warrant a statement like this. I sometimes think you just disagree with anyone who is a Calvinist for the sake of disagreeing.
     
    #20 jbh28, Mar 19, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 19, 2012
Loading...