I think I did answer the question. If those definitions of faith that I gave are correct. (And they all came from heavy hitting Calvinist theologians) then you tell me how in the world it can be a work. If the definitions fall short, explain how.
Then I went through a careful explanation of how there is a difference between faith being the MERIT of salvation and something that must occur or there is no salvation. Once again, that agrees with the explanation of some of the top Calvinist theologians. I don't know how else to explain it. Post 39 explains very well the classic Calvinist order of things. But even if you don't agree with that order - and a lot of Baptists don't - that still doesn't turn faith into a work.
The common ground.
Discussion in 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' started by 37818, Jan 10, 2023.
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Is faith the cause or the effect? -
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The other thing I want to make clear is that even if someone believes that they have the ability and the free will to believe on their own if they understand that faith is taking Christ at his word and closing with him or throwing themselves on his mercy - then they still have not made faith into a work. I personally don't think that's the way it happens but it is still not a work and they are still a Christian. -
Martin Marprelate Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
We can swap insults like this all day long. :Rolleyes -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Martin Marprelate Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
For the record
Primitive Baptists believe in a limited or particular atonement, meaning that Christ died for the sins of His elect only and not for the sins of every man.(Isaiah 53:10; John 10:11,14-15; Romans 9:11-24; Romans 8:29-33; Ephesians 1:4-5; John 17:6-9; I Peter 1:2; I Thessalonians 1:4). If Christ died for every person who has ever lived, all would be saved and this we know is not true for He said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day" (John 6:37-39). It has been well said that one of three things must be true: 1. Christ died for all the sins of all men, 2. Christ died for some of the sins of all men, or 3. Christ died for all of the sins of some men. If Christ died for all the sins of all men, everyone would be saved; this Bible does not teach. If Christ died for some of the sins of all men, no man is saved for one sin that has not been remitted would be enough to keep any person out of heaven. Therefore, Christ did die for all the sins of some men - the elect; this Bible teaches. The Primitive Baptists believe. -
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You are claiming atonement as salvation.
Did Jesus death and sacrifice cause you to believe? If so, why share the gospel?
Either we take God at his word, or we create a logical theory.
God tells us we were dead in our trespasses and sins.
God tells us that even while we were dead, God chose to make us alive, by grace (unmerited favor).
God tells us that we are seated with Christ Jesus in the heavenlies.
God tells us that this gracious salvation also brought with it the gift of faith to believe so that our salvation works itself out through the faith God gives us in order that we might do the works God has ordained for us to do.
~ Ephesians 2:1-10
God is very clear. No need to dance. -
Austin. What happens is you don't get an answer you want so you start making charges that I'm "dancing". I have made points. Either refute them or move on. Maybe you simply can't understand what I'm saying. Faith, on the part of the person, is absolutely essential for justification and ultimately salvation. Do you understand this? YOU have to have faith BEFORE you are justified. In that sense faith is a CONDITION of salvation.
If you live life for a period of time after becoming a Christian there are other "conditions" required. Faith must work by love, you must love God. You must pursue holiness. You must persevere. You should read on: Ephesians has a chapter 4 also.
Now, because you have probably become a Calvinist by listening to internet TULIP debaters let me explain something. You try to get someone to say faith comes before regeneration because you have been taught that that clinches the debate for you. It may have 20 years ago, if you are trying to be a bonified member of R.C. Sproul's club. It doesn't work any more. A lot of people have read the same scriptures and came to the conclusion that the Holy Spirit begins working on someone, they come to faith and are born again. The timing and the order are not as well defined in scripture as they were led to believe. You need to accept that also. Your opinion is valid but it is not the gospel. There actually is a lot of common ground. -
Justification is after salvation.
Saved by grace alone.
Justified by faith alone.
Faith is given after salvation. Therefore justification comes after salvation.
I understand that a lot of people create various scenarios where man cooperates with God and thus man and God are co-saviors. I am pointing to the text and stating that the text is clear and not ambiguous, regardless of how muddled people attempt to make it.
But, here you are, working hard to muddle up the clarity. I can only wonder why you do this. -
"enabled to believe to the saving of their souls" Sorry, faith IS a condition. Justification after salvation is a meaningless statement. "Faith is given after salvation" goes against the WCF as I showed you above. In the spirit of this thread which was supposed to be about common ground I have tried to show that there are different ways of looking at the ways the Holy Spirit brings people to faith.
What you should do is go back and read some of these documents, and also read some of the sermons Calvinists preached. You will find a lot of common ground. If you have time, I would recommend a sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, #5758 called "Hyper-Calvinism; Calvinism and Arminianism". They have all his sermons on a website.
I know some of the free willers dish it out just as much but in this case you are making ill thought out statements. -
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George Antonios Well-Known Member
B) I replied with sourced history how Pelagius' counter-argument to Augustine is the source of Calvinism.
And now, suddenly, just as @AustinC, you simply say "rubbish", without engaging the claims by historical facts, and move on.
I'll take it. -
George Antonios Well-Known Member
Revelation 2-3 is written to people who are already believers.
So if you apply 1John 5:4-5, they are already overcomers.
But then exhorting believers to overcome is moot, since they have already overcome.
Besides, the overcoming is defined in the same passage as enduring 10 days of suffering without denying Christ. -
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George Antonios Well-Known Member
That's the "overcoming" of v.11, defined. -
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