Baldwin brother now Christian

Folks, let's keep the thread in the joy of one coming to the Lord, whatever terminology is employed and not turn it into a theological debate.

Thank you very much'

Jim,

Moderator

 

For the record, I rejoice everytime the Holy Spirit brings another lost sheep home. However, joy is no excuse for the use of bad theology or bad terminology.

Now, I will respect the wishes of the moderator and not continue the debate on this particular thread.

 

$$$$Jim, please forgive me.......I posted before I saw your moderation.$$$

Originally posted by FearNot:
Scott,
John 3:16 "...for whosever believes" not whoever God forces to accept.

Scott replies:
The Calvinist agree's w/ the above......I have never met a man whom was saved and regretted it, shaking his fist heaven-ward at God for saving him.
Having said that, I disagree w/ your view from the standpoint that God "forces" in a way that those whom he saves are accosted. This is silly.

Fearnot writes:
Acts 16:31 "...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." Not Jesus saved you and I am twisting you arm till you surrender.

Scott writes in response:
See above......

Fearnot writes:
Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Not God will put words in your mouth and you say them without contiously accepting or believing them.

Scott asks:
Have you ever seen a Calvinist who is at odd w/ God for his salvation? So where in the world do you get this rationale from. Please give me an example.

Look what Ezekiel says:
Ezek 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
Ezek 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
Ezek 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Ezek 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Ezek 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Ezek 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Fearnot writes:
I believe the Scriptures support that man does have an active role.

Scott responds:
The Calvinist emphatically agree's. Men must receive, men must accept, men must repent.....

Fearnot writes:
They can choose to follow God or not.

Scott responds:
Those whom do not follow were never saved; not elect! The apostle Paul was knocked to his knee's and did an about face!

Fearnot writes:
I know people who accept everything is true about Jesus, but choose to live their life without Him.

Scott states:
This is true brother....the devils believe everything about Christ. Head knowledge is much different from a regeneration that occurs from "above".

Fearnot writes:
Only God can save, but it is conditional on our responce to His call.

Scott responds:
So, let me get this right.....Only God can save, but only if we let Him? Maybe Heaven will be empty then huh? Also, if this be the case, is it God who saves or is it God who "makes salvation (only) possible?"

[ November 07, 2002, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: Scott_Bushey ]

 

I found Christ and contrary to your opinion that is perfect vocabulary. On Nov 18 1990 I found Him, now He had been after me for a long time but it was at that point that I realized I was being sought and I turned to Him. Speaking of Sheep yes the shephard finds them and carries them home but when the good shephard finds us he doesn't force himself on us. I am not sure what lutheran thought is but God never forced anyone. I think I see what you are trying to say about hollywood, it seems you are doubtful of a conversion. That is your choice but I don't feel it is Biblical to doubt their conversion, let's praise God for his decision and Pray that he will influence others around them.
Murph

 

I'm treading on thin ice here because of the "dim" view many take here on applying the Old Testament, but I believe I'm correct here in this statement.

"And they will seek Me and they will find Me, when they have searched for me with their whole heart."

Looks pretty clear that man does have some part in the action and since I'm not sold on the "doctrine of the elect" then maybe I'm lost even though I believe I'm saved.

Not exactly a great theology for attempting to win others to Christ.

 

I trully understand the doctrinal debate suggested by "finding Jesus". I have had the priviledge of sitting under very strong teachers, and I do fully understand the concept of God imparting believing Grace.

Don't assume someone is stupid or untaught because they choose not to enter foolish strivings. It seems to me all involved here understand the thread. It was not meant to be a doctrinal document, but a sharing of good news.

Why can't we leave it at that, and be a little kinder. By the way, my church is far from heretical. In fact, we have had the pleasure to be taught by men that taught at Bob Jones University, and graduates from. I am a firm stickler for doctrine, but sometimes it is not necessary to strive about words.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

 

Doctrinal debate is fine! Wonderful! It is the
very guts of a forum!

But this was--WAS--a thread of rejoicing,
of praise, started by Smoke Eater to thank
our God and to welcome us to join in the
knowledge in his post and in the rejoicing,
but it was turned into a 5-pages-long debate.

Not only should this have been squashed
at the beginning, but the originator of the
debate should have started his own thread,
where people would have gladly supported
and debated him without diminishing the
praise here.

Not every thread is intended for debate, and
not all threads should be turned into debate.

[ November 07, 2002, 11:34 AM: Message edited by: Abiyah ]

 

Amen Abiyah.

Bro. Scott Bushey, I love how you refer to yourself in the third person. ie: "Scott replies"

[ November 07, 2002, 07:16 PM: Message edited by: WisdomSeeker ]

 

Scott, first of all, you can stop placing Cavinist by my name, of their 5 points, I can only agree solidly with one, two is a stretch. The Calvinist say that God does the electing and man has no choice, that seems to be your argument.

God calls all, not everyone responds. If it was upto just God, we would either all be saved or all be doomed. God gave us FREE WILL. He wants us to choose to follow Him, but not all do. Man does have a part, if you do not believe in the salvation by Jesus, you will NOT be saved.

We are not all John the Baptist.

Rev. 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." If man does not open the door to their heart to God, then He won't come in.

God desires for all to come to Him, but all won't. God loves all, He doesn't pick and choose who He saves and who He doesn't, it is our FREE WILL to choose to follow or not.

 

Final word:

The little girl strayed away from her father at the local fair. She searched and searched, but could not find her father.

The father was frantic and looked everywhere. Oh where can my little girl be? She is lost and can't be found.

Oh Daddy, Daddy, she shouts as she sees him...I finally found you.

Again, this thread is not intended for theological debate, nor for correcting those who might employ terminology different to yours.

It is intended for pleasure and other things not under existing forums. The good news was reported and the saints rejoiced.

Thanks for your cooperation in keeping the board mutually enjoyable.

Cheers,

Jim

moderator

[ November 07, 2002, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: Jim1999 ]

 

I hope that Mr. Baldwin is genuinely converted, and may we pray that the Lord will use him to impact his brothers!

Rev. G