I appreciate that, brother.
Total Depravity or Free Will in this tract?
Discussion in 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' started by evangelist6589, Sep 28, 2014.
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I'm sorry if I was offensive, which I'm sure I was. Truthfully, I do put weight on the experience, though the experience is not the foundation. Christ is the foundation our faith is built upon. He is the Rock our houses should be set upon; the cornerstone...you know the titles...
But I give weight to experience, because I see those things as (as Jeremiah put it) waymarks and high heaps, milestones along the highway, if you will. Does that provide a better sense of my point of view on the topic? -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
You know though....while I got you James, you posted at one time that Arminians & Calvinists are much alike. I now believe them both to be 2 sides of the same coin. So, in short you were right.:thumbs:
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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That read like someone who was just having a hard time keeping his composure. I honestly didn't mean to cast doubt on your standing with Christ. I apologize, too, for my tone.
All I'm trying to convey is that scripture makes several declarations, and that our experience must be weighed against them.
We are justified through faith
Faith comes by hearing the word of God
We are born again through the word of God which is preached
Forgiveness is to those who believe in Christ.
He who believes in Christ has passed from death to life.
There are others, too. But the gist of it is that we hear (or read) the gospel of Christ. The Holy Spirit convinces us of the truth of that promise from God. We come to rely upon Christ and His death, blood, and resurrection alone.
But what we don't see is any admonition to ask Jesus into our heart, nor do we find any scriptural example for that. And our truth must be derived from scripture.
Suppose someone says this prayer, and they also are hoping only in Christ. Which comes first? Faith or the prayer? It is my contention that one or the other had to come first.
Now, let's put some time between to two. Maybe 5 years.
Suppose I hope in Christ alone in 2005, but I don't ask Jesus to save me until 2010
Or suppose I ask Jesus to save me in 2005, but I don't hope in Christ alone until 2010
Does God look at the prayer we said, or faith in His promise? Some try to act like it's not a big deal, like God will just take whichever comes first.
But scripture simply doesn't bear that out. Faith is the biblical access into God's grace. Regardless of our desire for eternal life, or our desire to obey God, or a perceived act of humility by saying a prayer.....
Scripture is clear. If you do not believe the gospel, you will die in your sins. And that righteousness is credited on account of faith. Not a decision, but faith. -
They're so hung up on certain details, they can't see that the end result is the same either way. -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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In no way am I equating my experience with the notion of "easy believism." If you had been in my shoes that night, you'd know there was nothing "easy" about it. Like you, I was not led through some rote prayer or anything of the sort. Everyone in the room was praying on their own accord. I know for a fact that during my prayer the peace of God came upon me. Within me, the turmoil was settled. I knew where I stood, even if I wasn't old enough or well-spoken enough to lay out line upon line and precept upon precept. It was, and still is, a matter of faith. -
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pinoybaptist Active 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
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pinoybaptist Active 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
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