Originally Posted by Arkycharlie
Yes
No
Grace is God opening our heart so that we may believe. We still must choose to believe. Are you trying to use the Lydia story to defend the calvinist position that we do not have free will, that God predestines us without our participating in the choosing? I see no way this story defends your position. If anything, it is neutral or defends the non-calvinist position.
Acts 16:13-15 (King James Version)
13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?t=19303&page=3
http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?t=19620
Here are 2 other threads I and others have participated in which explains my position and has all the arguments against/for Calvinism. It's all been said and done before so no use in going on with this here. Read those threads and then if you still have questions come back and ask. Calvinism is a man made doctrine. We are saved by grace thru faith. God predestines us, but is not held to time restraints. He knows all. Therefore He is able to predestine us because He foreknew us, and He also gives us free will to choose Him.
You are always saved
Your Soul is with God now and the Devil can't take it from you and you will rejoin your Soul when you go to Heaven I believe
where is scripture that says age of 12 is accountability?
i thought that ws determined by God, depending on the child, and their ability to understand
What is OSAS?
Once Saved Always Saved
OIC...thanks
What about Matthew 7:21-23?
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I see that many answers, thoughts, beliefs have already been expressed, and I just jump in to give my two-penneth............ Here it is!
A person is saved as long as they remaind saved.
The great Apostle lamented that "Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present evil world".
I have to accept that I will always be my Fathers son, no matter what I do..........................
"Narrow is the way that leadeth to life and few find it" said Jesus.
The good thing about the "broad way" there is room to turn.
I am so glad to have found Jesus. Well He found me. I could never turn away from one who has done so much to save me
Just my thoughts.
... there is no spoon
The facts are actually quite simple.
We are saved so long as God says we are ... because it is He who saved us.
And from before the foundation of the world no less ... but I digress ... sorry.
A much more interesting question is ... are those who come from denominations who believe that it is by "their own saving efforts"... and they agree with their denomination that they must work to keep salvation to "remain saved" ... are the actually "saved"?
Scripture says they aren't.
At least Paul says self Justification and Sanctification does not work ...
The facts are actually quite simple.
We are saved so long as God says we are ... because it is He who saved us.
And from before the foundation of the world no less ... but I digress ... sorry.
A much more interesting question is ... are those who come from denominations who believe that it is by "their own saving efforts"... and they agree with their denomination that they must work to keep salvation to "remain saved" ... are the actually "saved"?
Scripture says they aren't.
At least Paul says self Justification and Sanctification does not work ...
I agree with you- the only thing is though that if at any time they had/have put their entire faith and trust in Christ- than they are, even if they don't quite understand. I think at conversion there might be those who totally put their trust in Christ and then are led astray by false doctrine. That is my thought.
... there is no spoon
Here .. a skill testing question.
Can anyone get "saved" who was not chosen by God to be saved ... be drawn by the Hold Spirit as one who was to be adopted?
Or conversely can anyone NOT get "saved" ... get missed by "accident" ... who was from before the foundation of the whole world written in the Lambs Book of Life to be "saved" ... can they miss out?
This whole 21st Century weak and ineffective God nonsense has just about done away with Scripture. Read the thing ... He doesn't lose any ... in spite of TV preacher nonsense.
Tell you what ... send them money to build their "waterside parks for Jesus" thing ... if that is your thing too ... but don't mess with the Scriptures please.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
(Joh 10:27-30)
Your questions have a calvanistic slant- I am Arminian.
... there is no spoon
I'm sure God will forgive you. His Scripture is not Arminian.
I'm not into arguing so I just accept the forgiveness
... there is no spoon
So long as it is your idea and not His?I'm not into arguing so I just accept the forgiveness
So long as what's my idea?So long as it is your idea and not His?
Arribamod
Ultimately, it is God who determines, like you said. The practice and teaching is more from the Judaic custom and understanding of the 'age of majority', which I believe is based upon simply reaching puberty. If you think of it that way, it makes perfect sense, and boys and girls today reach puberty at approximately twelve years of age. One could almost say that God did determine these things, and built them into the natural aging of boys and girls.where is scripture that says age of 12 is accountability?
i thought that ws determined by God, depending on the child, and their ability to understand
If you look into Jewish customs of the Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah, it actually means "one to whom the commandments apply", which is a pretty interesting thought when compared to modern calvinistic teachings.
Depends on the childs mental capability.
