“Real” Ability of all God’s Creatures to Respond to the Influence of Him/Seek Truth

It was instruction. That doesn't mean Nick was doing them. He was still a member of the Sanhedrin, the body that condemned and crucified Christ.

 

jbh,
the context does not matter....aic just wants to repost the falsehood of this supposed special light given to everyman...without exception...then claim calvinism is wrong..
he posts the same post over and over, no matter what you say.

jbh....you are an arminianphobe:thumbs:

 

kyredneck,

Could you please explain how this citation of vs. 21 has anything to do with the "sequence" to which you refer? I am not getting it.

 

And so, the revelation of God, in whatever manner, is not intended to be available to all men?

 

Quantum,
Natural revelation as in psalm 19,,,,,along with a God given conscience is available to all men...yet there is not enough in that to save.
AIC says that God will give everyman "special" revelation..even though the bible says that is not so.

 

Thus "special" revelation is reserved only for certain souls?

 

Actually, the scriptures say that the grace "that bringeth salvation" has appeared to all men.

Tit 2:11 For the grace that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.

How can this grace not be sufficient?

 

What was God's purpose in the election of Israel?

 

Quantum, There are many verses that address this;

Not everyone gets saving truth,and those who hear it cannot believe unless God enables them to.

 

Those verses do not say these people are unable, it says their heart is waxed gross, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have CLOSED THEIR EYES. It was not that they were unable, it was they were unwilling to hear and learn.

And Jesus confirms that men do seek God, he said men desired to hear and see what the disciples heard and saw.

Futher, the disciples had as much difficulty as other men understanding Jesus's parables, the difference being that they sought Jesus afterward that he would explain the parables to them.

 

Who is "them" in vs. 11? Never mind, I picked up on "the people".

Could it not be that Jesus is speaking of granting a greater measure of revelation to those called to have this special role of being the first disciples of Christ?

 

You are missing verse11.....to them it is not given....

special revelation has to be given

the ability or lack of ability is another question

 

Great point Winman. Seems as though the "people" spoken of here had closed their hearts and minds to God.

 

well of course the apostles were given more than us, but again...special revelation is revealed by the Spirit.

The unsaved do not have the Spirit in them ,for God to reveal it to them.

 

I wasn't speaking of "us" rather of the people addressed by Jesus in response to the disciples question.

 

not really,,,,you presuppose that they were at one time open to God...

this is where winman goes sometime.....Jesus did not teach here or anywhere that men seek God on their own as you twist this to say,

I cannot read it for you

 

Yes, and Jesus further explained that those that hath (faith) shall more be given, but to those that hath not (faith) even that which is given them shall be taken away.

This is best explained in the parable of the talents where a man gave one servant five talents who earned five more. He gave another servant two talents who earned two more. He gave the third servant one talent. This servant was afraid (no faith) and hid his talent in the earth. When the lord returned he was angry with this unprofitable servant and cast him into outer darkness, and gave his talent to the servant who had ten talents. (Mat 25:14-30)

This shows God gives grace to all men. The unprofitable servant received a talent like the rest, but he feared and had no faith, therefore the lord took from him what was given him and gave to the faithful servant who earned five more talents.

Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

If a man will diligently hear, seek, and learn of God, more will be given him. But to those who refuse to hear or are indifferent, even that which is given him shall be taken away.

 

You are unable to come because you are unwilling to come. Unable means you don't have the ability and something is keeping your from that. In this case, it's your will that's keeping you. So in that sense, you are unable.

 

I am convinced that all men are granted whatever is necessary to choose and seek after God. I am also trying to understand why my colleagues on the other side of the aisle say that this is limited.