June 9, 2021

Beyond the realm of possibility? by Gary Rose

 

This statement of Henry Ford is true – up to a point; for it is limited to the ability of a human being. Shall a newborn baby perform calculus or can a 120 year old man father a child; I don’t think so. Yes, there are limitations to what we can do.


As I wrote this, I asked myself: But, what if God has chosen a certain person to do something that would normally seem impossible? Then, I remembered these passages from the book of Isaiah…


Isaiah 40 ( WEB )

28 Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

29 He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.

30 Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall;

31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.


Isaiah 41 ( WEB )

10 Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.


Isaiah 45 ( WEB )

21 Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior; There is no one besides me.

22 “Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

23 I have sworn by myself, the word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.

24 They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’” Even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed.


And one of the most famous verses in the Bible…


Philippians 4 ( World English Bible )

13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.


With God anything is possible ( Matthew 19:26 ). Human beings in and of themselves are relatively fragile creatures, but WITH GOD- just think of the possibilities!

Bible Reading for June 9 and 10 by Gary Rose


 Bible Reading for June 9 and 10 

World  English  Bible

 

June 9

1 Samuel 11, 12

1Sa 11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh Gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.

1Sa 11:2 Nahash the Ammonite said to them, On this condition will I make it with you, that all your right eyes be put out; and I will lay it for a reproach on all Israel.

1Sa 11:3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there be none to save us, we will come out to you.

1Sa 11:4 Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and spoke these words in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

1Sa 11:5 Behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, What ails the people that they weep? They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.

1Sa 11:6 The Spirit of God came mightily on Saul when he heard those words, and his anger was kindled greatly.

1Sa 11:7 He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, Whoever doesn't come forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen. The dread of Yahweh fell on the people, and they came out as one man.

1Sa 11:8 He numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

1Sa 11:9 They said to the messengers who came, Thus you shall tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance. The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.

1Sa 11:10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you.

1Sa 11:11 It was so on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it happened, that those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

1Sa 11:12 The people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

1Sa 11:13 Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day; for today Yahweh has worked deliverance in Israel.

1Sa 11:14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.

1Sa 11:15 All the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before Yahweh in Gilgal; and there they offered sacrifices of peace offerings before Yahweh; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.


1Sa 12:1 Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.

1Sa 12:2 Now, behold, the king walks before you; and I am old and gray-headed; and behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my youth to this day.

1Sa 12:3 Here I am: witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose donkey have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind my eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

1Sa 12:4 They said, You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything of any man's hand.

1Sa 12:5 He said to them, Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand. They said, He is witness.

1Sa 12:6 Samuel said to the people, It is Yahweh who appointed Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

1Sa 12:7 Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Yahweh concerning all the righteous acts of Yahweh, which he did to you and to your fathers.

1Sa 12:8 When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried to Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them to dwell in this place.

1Sa 12:9 But they forgot Yahweh their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.

1Sa 12:10 They cried to Yahweh, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh, and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.

1Sa 12:11 Yahweh sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety.

1Sa 12:12 When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, No, but a king shall reign over us; when Yahweh your God was your king.

1Sa 12:13 Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for: and behold, Yahweh has set a king over you.

1Sa 12:14 If you will fear Yahweh, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, and both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of Yahweh your God, well:

1Sa 12:15 but if you will not listen to the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then will the hand of Yahweh be against you, as it was against your fathers.

1Sa 12:16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Yahweh will do before your eyes.

1Sa 12:17 Isn't it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking for a king.

1Sa 12:18 So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.

1Sa 12:19 All the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

1Sa 12:20 Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid; you have indeed done all this evil; yet don't turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart:

1Sa 12:21 and don't turn aside; for then would you go after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain.

1Sa 12:22 For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people to himself.

1Sa 12:23 Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

1Sa 12:24 Only fear Yahweh, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he has done for you.

1Sa 12:25 But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king." 

 

June 10

1 Samuel 13, 14

1Sa 13:1 Saul was forty years old when he began to reign; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

1Sa 13:2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

1Sa 13:3 Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba: and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

1Sa 13:4 All Israel heard say that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel was had in abomination with the Philistines. The people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.

1Sa 13:5 The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude: and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth Aven.

1Sa 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed), then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in coverts, and in pits.

1Sa 13:7 Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

1Sa 13:8 He stayed seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel didn't come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

1Sa 13:9 Saul said, Bring here the burnt offering to me, and the peace offerings. He offered the burnt offering.

1Sa 13:10 It came to pass that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

1Sa 13:11 Samuel said, What have you done? Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn't come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash;

1Sa 13:12 therefore said I, Now will the Philistines come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven't entreated the favor of Yahweh: I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering.

1Sa 13:13 Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your God, which he commanded you: for now would Yahweh have established your kingdom on Israel forever.

1Sa 13:14 But now your kingdom shall not continue: Yahweh has sought him a man after his own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which Yahweh commanded you.

1Sa 13:15 Samuel arose, and got him up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.

1Sa 13:16 Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, abode in Geba of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

1Sa 13:17 The spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual;

1Sa 13:18 and another company turned the way to Beth Horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looks down on the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

1Sa 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:

1Sa 13:20 but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle;

1Sa 13:21 yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the plowshares, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads.

1Sa 13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.

1Sa 13:23 The garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.


1Sa 14:1 Now it fell on a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on yonder side. But he didn't tell his father.

1Sa 14:2 Saul abode in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people who were with him were about six hundred men;

1Sa 14:3 and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. The people didn't know that Jonathan was gone.

1Sa 14:4 Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side, and a rocky crag on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

1Sa 14:5 The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.

1Sa 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that Yahweh will work for us; for there is no restraint to Yahweh to save by many or by few.

1Sa 14:7 His armor bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart: turn and, behold, I am with you according to your heart.

1Sa 14:8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over to the men, and we will disclose ourselves to them.

1Sa 14:9 If they say thus to us, Wait until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up to them.

1Sa 14:10 But if they say thus, Come up to us; then we will go up; for Yahweh has delivered them into our hand: and this shall be the sign to us.

1Sa 14:11 Both of them disclosed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

1Sa 14:12 The men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. Jonathan said to his armor bearer, Come up after me; for Yahweh has delivered them into the hand of Israel.

1Sa 14:13 Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor bearer killed them after him.

1Sa 14:14 That first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land.

1Sa 14:15 There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling.

1Sa 14:16 The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went here and there.

1Sa 14:17 Then said Saul to the people who were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. When they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.

1Sa 14:18 Saul said to Ahijah, Bring here the ark of God. For the ark of God was there at that time with the children of Israel.

1Sa 14:19 It happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw your hand.

1Sa 14:20 Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great confusion.

1Sa 14:21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines as before, and who went up with them into the camp, from the country all around, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

1Sa 14:22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.

1Sa 14:23 So Yahweh saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over by Beth Aven.

1Sa 14:24 The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man who eats any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted food.

1Sa 14:25 All the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground.

1Sa 14:26 When the people were come to the forest, behold, the honey dropped: but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath.

1Sa 14:27 But Jonathan didn't hear when his father commanded the people with the oath: therefore he put forth the end of the rod who was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

1Sa 14:28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Your father directly commanded the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man who eats food this day. The people were faint.

1Sa 14:29 Then said Jonathan, My father has troubled the land. Please look how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

1Sa 14:30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for now has there been no great slaughter among the Philistines.

1Sa 14:31 They struck of the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very faint;

1Sa 14:32 and the people flew on the spoil, and took sheep, and cattle, and calves, and killed them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.

1Sa 14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against Yahweh, in that they eat with the blood. He said, you have dealt treacherously: roll a great stone to me this day.

1Sa 14:34 Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them, Bring me here every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and kill them here, and eat; and don't sin against Yahweh in eating with the blood. All the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and killed them there.

1Sa 14:35 Saul built an altar to Yahweh: the same was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.

1Sa 14:36 Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. They said, Do whatever seems good to you. Then said the priest, Let us draw near here to God.

1Sa 14:37 Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? will you deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he didn't answer him that day.

1Sa 14:38 Saul said, Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people; and know and see in which this sin has been this day.

1Sa 14:39 For, as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.

1Sa 14:40 Then said he to all Israel, You be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. The people said to Saul, Do what seems good to you.

1Sa 14:41 Therefore Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, Show the right. Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot; but the people escaped.

1Sa 14:42 Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. Jonathan was taken.

1Sa 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what you have done. Jonathan told him, and said, I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and behold, I must die.

1Sa 14:44 Saul said, God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.

1Sa 14:45 The people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it: as Yahweh lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has worked with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he didn't die.

1Sa 14:46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place.

1Sa 14:47 Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and wherever he turned himself, he put them to the worse.

1Sa 14:48 He did valiantly, and struck the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who despoiled them.

1Sa 14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:

1Sa 14:50 and the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

1Sa 14:51 Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

1Sa 14:52 There was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him to him. 

 

Jun. 9, 10

John 13

Joh 13:1 Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Joh 13:2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,

Joh 13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and was going to God,

Joh 13:4 arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

Joh 13:5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Joh 13:6 Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"

Joh 13:7 Jesus answered him, "You don't know what I am doing now, but you will understand later."

Joh 13:8 Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I don't wash you, you have no part with me."

Joh 13:9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"

Joh 13:10 Jesus said to him, "Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you."

Joh 13:11 For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, "You are not all clean."

Joh 13:12 So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?

Joh 13:13 You call me, 'Teacher' and 'Lord.' You say so correctly, for so I am.

Joh 13:14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

Joh 13:16 Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.

Joh 13:17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Joh 13:18 I don't speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.'

Joh 13:19 From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he.

Joh 13:20 Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me."

Joh 13:21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me."

Joh 13:22 The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.

Joh 13:23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus' breast.

Joh 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks."

Joh 13:25 He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus' breast, asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

Joh 13:26 Jesus therefore answered, "It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

Joh 13:27 After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."

Joh 13:28 Now no man at the table knew why he said this to him.

Joh 13:29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, "Buy what things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.

Joh 13:30 Therefore, having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.

Joh 13:31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.

Joh 13:32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.

Joh 13:33 Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you can't come,' so now I tell you.

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another.

Joh 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Joh 13:36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you can't follow now, but you will follow afterwards."

Joh 13:37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."

Joh 13:38 Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won't crow until you have denied me three times.

 

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION by C. A. Feenstra


 https://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Feenstra/C/A/1931/ch06.html

 

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

Man's words

Canons of Dordt - First Head of Doctrine

Article 7


Election is the unchangeable pupose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, He has out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of His own will, chosen from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault from their primitive state of rectitude into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom He from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect and the foundation of salvation. This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than others, but with them involved in one common misery, God has decreed to give to Christ to be saved by Him, and effectually to call and draw them to His communion by His Word and Spirit; to bestow upon them true faith, justification, and sanctification; and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of His Son, finally to glorify them for the demonstration of His mercy, and for the praise of the riches of His glorious grace.
Article 11

And as God Himself is the most wise, unchangeable, omniscient, and omnipotent, so the election made by Him can neither be interrupted nor changed, recalled, or annulled; neither can the elect be cast away, nor their number diminished.
Article 15

What peculiarly tends to illustrate and recommend to us the eternal and unmerited grace of election is the express testimony of sacred Scripture that not all, but some only, are elected, while others are passed by in the eternal decree; whom God, out of His sovereign, most just, irreprehensible, and unchangeable good pleasure, has decreed to leave in the common misery into which they have wilfully plunged themselves, and not to bestow upon them saving faith and the grace of conversion; but, permitting them in His just judgment to follow their own ways, at last, for the declaration of His justice, to condemn and punish them forever, not only on account of their unbelief, but also for all their other sins. And this is the decree of reprobation, which by no means makes God the Author of sin (the very thought of which is blasphemy), but declares Him to be an awful, irreprehensible, and righteous Judge and Avenger thereof.

Article 17

Since we are to judge the will of God from His Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy, not by nature, but in virtue of the covenant of grace, in which they together with the parents are comprehended, godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom it pleases God to call out of this life in their infancy.

"By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and accordingly, as each has been created for one or the other of these ends, we say that we have been predestinated to life or to death" 3:21:5

"We say, then, that the scripture clearly proves this much, that God by his eternal and immutable counsel determined once for all those whom it was his good pleasure one day to admit to salvation, and those whom, on the other hand, it was his good pleasure to doom to destruction. We maintain that this counsel, as regards the elect, is founded on his free mercy, without respect of human worth, while those whom he dooms to destruction are excluded from access to life by a just and blameless but at the same time, incomprehensible, judgment." 3:21:7

Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin, translated by Henry Beveridge

"Predestination, therefore, means that God has previously planned the final destinies of all his rational creatures, including both angels and human beings. Predestination, further, is subdivided into election and reprobation. If we think of these terms only as they apply to men, we mean by election God's planning from eternity to save some of the human race in and through Jesus Christ, his choosing of the specific individuals that are to be saved, and his determination of the manner in which they are to be saved and of the type of lives they are to live. By reprobation we mean God's planning not to save certain members of the human race, and his resolve to condemn them on account of their sins." —"Predestination as Taught by the Christian Reformed Church", Tract No. 196, pages 3-4, Anthony A. Hoekema

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that God is no respecter of persons?

..."There is no respect of persons with God." Rom. 2:11

"For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons." Col. 3:25

"And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear." I Pet. 1:17

"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him." Rom. 10:12

"And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him." Acts 10:34-35

..."There is no respect of persons with him (God)." Eph. 6:9

* * *

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that election is conditional on being "in Christ"?

..."Even as he chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world." Eph. 1:4

"Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord." Rom. 16:13

"Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they (the elect) also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." II Tim. 2:10

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; ...Nay, in all these things we (the elect) are more than conquerors through him (Christ) that loved us.... nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us (the elect) from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:33, 37, 39

"Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new." II Cor. 5:17

* * *

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, how does a believing, repentant sinner get "into Christ"?

"But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12

"For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." Gal. 3:26-27

"Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life." Rom. 6:3-4

"They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that God chose those who are in Christ, and that to get into Christ man must hear, believe, and obey the call of the Gospel?

"...Even as he chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world..." Eph 1:4

"But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
(On what conditions?)
through sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth:
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." II Thess. 2:13-14 AV

"...Not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit..." Titus 3:5

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!" John 3:5

"And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." Mark 16:15-16

"He (Jesus) became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation." Heb. 5:9

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that before the foundation of the world God gave us his grace in Christ, chose us in Christ, and chose us unto salvation on the conditions shown man in the call of the gospel, which when obeyed puts man "in Christ"?

"...God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but hath now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." II Tim. 1:8-10

"Even as he chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world." Eph. 1:4

"But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
(On what conditions?)
through sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth:
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." II Thess. 2:13-14 AV

"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matt. 17:5

"And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. Mark 16:15-16

"For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." Gal. 3:26-27

Q. Since Eph. 1:4 says, "He chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world", and Gal. 3:27 says that baptism puts us "into Christ", does our individual election take place after we are called by and obey the gospel?

"For many are called, but few chosen." Matt. 22:14

"These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful." Rev. 17:14

"Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord..." Rom. 16:13

* * *

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that election is conditional on the elect or Christians "making it sure"?

"Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble." II Pet. 1:10

"...Continue ye in my love." John 15:9 AV

"...Keep yourselves in the love of God..." Jude 21

"And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard..." Col. 1:21-23

"Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Rom. 11:22

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, who are those chosen and given to the Son by the Father?

"They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:28-29

"And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:39-40

"...For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father." John 16:27

"He that hath my (Jesus') commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him." John 14:21

"...If any man serve me (Jesus), him will the Father honor." John 12:26

"...For the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine." John 17:8-9

"And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good,... Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Rom. 8:28, 33

Q. According to GOD'S WORD in Matthew 24, were the elect to be severely tried, and was the love of many of them to become cold?

"...For then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be....Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." Matt. 24:21, 23-24

"And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." Matt. 24:11-13

Q. Were the elect warned beforehand to take heed lest their love become cold and they be led astray?

"...For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand." Mark 13:22-23

* * *

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Rom. 8:33
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, who are the "elect" mentioned in Rom. 8:33 and the verses that follow it?

"...Them that love God..." Rom. 8:28

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when Paul preached in Antioch of Pisidia, what were the two results of his preaching?

"But when the Jews saw the multitudes,
they were filled with jealousy,
and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul,
and blasphemed."
"ye thrust it from you,
and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life..."

"And as the Gentiles heard this,
they were glad,
and glorified the word of God:
and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Acts 13:45-46, 48

Q. Does Acts 13:48 teach "Unconditional Election"?

Q. If Paul believed in "Unconditional Election" and all in Antioch who were ordained to eteral life believed when he preached there the first time, why did he return to Antioch at least three times to increase their number?

Q. If Paul believed in "Perseverance of the Saints", why did he waste his time returning to Antioch at least three times to exhort the disciples to continue in the faith?

"They returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:21-22

"And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare."
"And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches."
"So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia..." Acts 15:36, 41, 16:5-6

"...He departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples." Acts 18:23

Q. Did God say, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" (Rom. 9:13) before they were born, OR did He say this fourteen-hundred years after they had lived and died?

"...Was not Esau Jacob's brother, saith Jehovah: yet I loved Jacob; but Esau I hated..." Malachi 1:2-3

"For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed." Rom. 9:6-8

Q. What was the spiritual promise that God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of Israel, and which is mentioned in Rom. 9:7-8?

"Now Jehovah said unto Abram... in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Gen 12:1, 3

"...All the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him (Abraham)." Gen. 18:18

"...In thy seed (Abraham's) shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." Gen. 22:18

"And Jehovah appeared unto him (Isaac), and said..."
"...in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." Gen. 26:2, 4

"...In thee (Jacob) and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." ... "for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Gen. 28:14-15

"...The covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Acts 3:25

"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Gal. 3:8-9

Q. In addition to the scriptures listed above, did the Old Testament teach the Jews (and men today) what God's real purpose was in choosing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of Israel?

"...He saith also in Hosea..."
"And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel..."
"...as it is written..." Rom. 9:25-33

Q. Did it happen as the Old Testament said?

"...It is not as though the word of God hath come to nought." Rom. 9:6

Q. Does Romans 9 teach Calvinism's Unconditional Election of individuals to eternal salvation, OR does it teach that God's purpose from the beginning was to save all nations in Christ and that He chose and called Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of Israel as the means by which He would bring this about?

Q. What was the real purpose of God in choosing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of Israel?

"...That he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved. And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God." Rom. 9:23-26

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)