Is Calvinism a heresy?

[maxamir]

You are not allowed on this forum to imply someone is not born again.

When I was born again the 21th of June 2010 I was full of love and thankfulness to Jesus because he had forgiven me. I was eager to live for him. I don't know what you mean by gratefully submitting to His sovereign will, sounds like a theological term.

To use the vision from Ezekiel to show we are born again before we call on the Lord, is just as bad of a proof as using the story of Jesus resurrecting Lazarus as a proof, since none of these stories deal with the concept of being born again.

Jas_4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

If anyone consistently argues that it is something that they have done that made God save them, then I have no hesitation according to the Scriptures to say that, this person is not yet born again as they have not yet been humbled to see their desperate need for grace in Christ and are instead trusting in themselves. I do not condemn anyone but know that true love warns.

Christ made it very plain, that it is only those who see themselves as having no righteousness in themselves and mourned over this, that belonged to His Kingdom (Mat 5:3-4) and only those who are humbled, are exalted (Mat 23:12).

God is perfect and demands perfection from all and only those who are perfect can enter Heaven. This perfection is not possible by man and this is why Christ who is truly God and truly Man, came into this world, to pay the price that none can pay themselves. He demonstrated His perfection in His perfect obedience to death on the cross for His people and that He perfectly paid their debt by perfectly being raised from the dead so that His people could be raised from their spiritual death, granted His perfection and adopted into His family by the new birth unto everlasting life. Believe this and live!

 

[John Mullally]

Cry out to God today to give you new heart!

In Ezekiel 18:30-32, OT Jews are promised a new heart and a new spirit if they repent. If God gives a new heart to those in the OT who repent, why does God need to give people in our day a new heart (i.e. being born again) in order for them to believe and repent?

Observe the order laid out in verse 30 and 31 is as follows:

1. "Repent! Turn away...Rid yourselves..."
2. "...get a new heart and a new spirit."

Observe the order laid out in verse 32 is even simpler.

1. "Repent and..."
2. "...live!".

Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!​

If anyone consistently argues that it is something that they have done that made God save them, then I have no hesitation according to the Scriptures to say that, this person is not yet born again as they have not yet been humbled to see their desperate need for grace in Christ and are instead trusting in themselves. I do not condemn anyone but know that true love warns.

Before denouncing everyone who does not believe your doctrine, you should consider the Gospel presented by Peter on the day of Pentecost which contradicts what you are saying. Peter promises salvation (i.e. forgiveness of sin and receipt of the gift of the Holy Spirit) to everyone who repents and is baptized. If Peter is promising salvation for doing something (repent and baptism), how can you say that people's action is not necessary. And don't twist that into saying people save themselves. It is Jesus who made atonement for all people (1 Timothy 2:6, 1 John 2:2). and Peter is repeating the Gospel message given him from Jesus in Mark 16:15-16. If salvation was dependent on God's choice of who exactly will be saved from the FOTW (as you claim), then these scriptures as well as John 3:14-20 and Romans 10:8-13 are very misleading they exhort people to believe, repent, and be baptized in order to receive the promised salvation.

Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.​

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.​

 

[maxamir]

Repentance and faith are fruits of and conditions of salvation which the Gospel declares to men, in other words, God decrees that you can not be saved unless you have the repentance and faith which God commands from all. Those who interpret God's commands as conditions unto salvation do not understand what the word grace actually means or refuse to take all of Scripture into context which plainly states that because of original sin, man is born spiritually dead, is a slave to sin, hates God, does not seek God, therefore he has no desire to repent or believe and as Christ Himself said below, it is impossible for man to do anything to be saved.

Mar 10:26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"
Mar 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

The command to obey God as written in the law and all of His commands is to stop men looking inside themselves for an impossible righteousness but instead, to look outside of themselves to Him alone who can make all things possible by grace in Christ and grant the repentance and faith that He justly commands to all.

Christ warned that those who die without this gift of repentance and faith which is evidence of a regenerated heart will perish.

Luk 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Rather than listening to the devil who hides Scripture and only wants you to look to yourself so that you can boast before God in your supposed free will, fear God, know that you only justly deserve Hell and realise that He is supremely sovereign in salvation and He has mercy upon whom He wills and then humbly cry out to Him for that which He commands from you and give Him all the glory in salvation. Those who die failing to do so will prove themselves to be reprobate, never chosen by God for salvation.

 

[John Mullally]

Repentance and faith are fruits of and conditions of salvation which the Gospel declares to men, in other words, God decrees that you can not be saved unless you have the repentance and faith which God commands from all. Those who interpret God's commands as conditions unto salvation do not understand what the word grace actually means or refuse to take all of Scripture into context which plainly states that because of original sin, man is born spiritually dead, is a slave to sin, hates God, does not seek God, therefore he has no desire to repent or believe and as Christ Himself said below, it is impossible for man to do anything to be saved.

Mar 10:26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"
Mar 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

The command to obey God as written in the law and all of His commands is to stop men looking inside themselves for an impossible righteousness but instead, to look outside of themselves to Him alone who can make all things possible by grace in Christ and grant the repentance and faith that He justly commands to all.

Christ warned that those who die without this gift of repentance and faith which is evidence of a regenerated heart will perish.

Luk 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Rather than listening to the devil who hides Scripture and only wants you to look to yourself so that you can boast before God in your supposed free will, fear God, know that you only justly deserve Hell and realise that He is supremely sovereign in salvation and He has mercy upon whom He wills and then humbly cry out to Him for that which He commands from you and give Him all the glory in salvation. Those who die failing to do so will prove themselves to be reprobate, never chosen by God for salvation.

View attachment 330688

Although you call repentance a fruit of salvation, the fact remain that Peter sees it the other way in Acts 2:36-41).

​

 

[maxamir]

Repentance and faith are gifts of God granted by grace and not something generated from within wicked men who by nature hate God.

Act_11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Act_5:31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Php 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Act 18:27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;

God's will of command works towards His will of sovereign decree. Only those who are granted grace by God and humbled are given eyes to see this and cry out to God to give them that which is impossible for them to do.

Joh 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

 

[JLB777]

Repentance and faith are gifts of God granted by grace and not something generated from within wicked men who by nature hate God.

Act_11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Act_5:31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Php 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Act 18:27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;

God's will of command works towards His will of sovereign decree. Only those who are granted grace by God and humbled are given eyes to see this and cry out to God to give them that which is impossible for them to do.

Joh 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Where does obedience fit it to your theology?

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5:9


Jesus went on to warn us to remain in Him in verse 6 of John 15 —


If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6



Here is how we are instructed to remain in Christ —


Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24


again



He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4







JLB

 

[DialecticSkeptic]

Where does obedience fit it to your theology?

Philippians 2:12‭-‬13 (NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

In other words, we obey by the grace and power of God. To him alone is the glory.

 

[Derf]

Repentance and faith are gifts of God granted by grace and not something generated from within wicked men who by nature hate God.

Act_11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Act_5:31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Php 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Act 18:27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;

God's will of command works towards His will of sovereign decree. Only those who are granted grace by God and humbled are given eyes to see this and cry out to God to give them that which is impossible for them to do.

Joh 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

God's granting of repentance is to be compared with Esau's seeking repentance and it not being granted, "though he sought it with tears". God "grants" repentance by repenting Himself of what He was going to do. Esau was seeking Isaac's repentance, which wasn't granted.
God's grace being removed is compared to Isaac's choice not to give in to Esau's pleas.
See Heb 12:15-17

 

[BobRyan]

Repentance and faith are gifts of God granted by grace and not something generated from within wicked men who by nature hate God.

And "God is not WILLING for ANY to perish" 2 Peter 3.
Acts 17:30 So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent,

 

[BobRyan]

Observe the order laid out in verse 32 is even simpler.

1. "Repent and..."
2. "...live!".

Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!​

amen to that

 

[John Mullally]

Philippians 2:12‭-‬13 (NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

In other words, we obey by the grace and power of God. To him alone is the glory

Philippians 2:12-13 does not show we obey strictly by God's will. If that were the case there would be no need for Paul to include "continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". If everything is by God's will, which necessarily excludes man's conscious cooperation, why is Paul calling believers to cooperate? Why does Jesus call his disciples to count the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:17)?

Ephesians 2:10 states: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” 2 Timothy 4:7 states: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” When we are made Born Again by the Holy Spirit, we are given a unique calling and vocation within the body of Christ, which instills within each of us a sense of strength, conviction and purpose to complete the task entrusted to us, which God also oversees by guiding, protecting and keeping us resolute.

Just because God has a plan for your life does not mean that you don’t have self-determination and a free-will that can deter that plan. Ephesians 5:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 9:27 reminds us not to be foolish so as to miss out on God’s will for our life.

Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.​

​

1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.​

​

Yes, to God bel the glory! Given that 1 Timothy 2:4 (see also 1 Timothy 4:10, 1Timothy 2:6, 1 John 2:2, 2 Peter 3:9) shows that God desires all people to be saved, why can’t “God's grace” mean what the hymn, “To God Be the Glory” conveys:

“So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life in atonement for sin and opened the life gate that all may go in.”​

 

[zoidar]

Philippians 2:12-13 does not show we obey strictly by God's will. If that were the case there would be no need for Paul to include "continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". If everything is by God's will, which necessarily excludes man's conscious cooperation, why is Paul calling believers to cooperate? Why does Jesus call his disciples to count the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:17)?

Ephesians 2:10 states: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” 2 Timothy 4:7 states: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” When we are made Born Again by the Holy Spirit, we are given a unique calling and vocation within the body of Christ, which instills within each of us a sense of strength, conviction and purpose to complete the task entrusted to us, which God also oversees by guiding, protecting and keeping us resolute.

Just because God has a plan for your life does not mean that you don’t have self-determination and a free-will that can deter that plan. Ephesians 5:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 9:27 reminds us not to be foolish so as to miss out on God’s will for our life.

Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.​

​

1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.​

​

Given that 1 Timothy 2:4 (see also 1 Timothy 4:10, 1Timothy 2:6, 1 John 2:2, 2 Peter 3:9) shows that God desires all people to be saved, why can’t “God's grace” mean what the hymn, “To God Be the Glory” conveys:

“So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life in atonement for sin and opened the life gate that all may go in.”​

Philippians 2:12‭-‬13 (NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

In other words, we obey by the grace and power of God. To him alone is the glory.

Grace is God receiving a sinner who repents. That is not something the sinner deserves or something God is obliged to do. To Him alone is the glory!

 

[maxamir]

Where does obedience fit it to your theology?

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5:9


Jesus went on to warn us to remain in Him in verse 6 of John 15 —


If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6



Here is how we are instructed to remain in Christ —


Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24


again



He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4







JLB

Obedience is the fruit of regeneration that springs forth from loving gratitude and not merit.

Joh_14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Joh_14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
Joh_14:24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
Joh_15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
1Jn_5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.

 

[maxamir]

God's granting of repentance is to be compared with Esau's seeking repentance and it not being granted, "though he sought it with tears". God "grants" repentance by repenting Himself of what He was going to do. Esau was seeking Isaac's repentance, which wasn't granted.
God's grace being removed is compared to Isaac's choice not to give in to Esau's pleas.
See Heb 12:15-17

True repentance given by God involves sorrow for sin which is seen as an offense against a holy and loving God and a willingness to forsake it and not simply a sorrow for the circumstances that the sin leaves a person in which in Esau's case was not receiving the blessing of inheritance.

2Co_7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

 

[maxamir]

And "God is not WILLING for ANY to perish" 2 Peter 3.
Acts 17:30 So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent,

God indeed commands all men everywhere to repent but how is a man able to repent when the Scriptures confirm that men love their sin and Christ said that salvation was impossible for men (Mark 1:27)? The answer is that a man must first be born again by grace (John 3:3-7, I Pet 1:3). God uses the foolishness of Gospel preaching to grant to men that which is impossible for them to do in themselves (1 Cor 1:21).

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Who is the us?

The answer is those to whom this epistle was written to.

2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ

 

[Derf]

True repentance given by God involves sorrow for sin which is seen as an offense against a holy and loving God and a willingness to forsake it and not simply a sorrow for the circumstances that the sin leaves a person in which in Esau's case was not receiving the blessing of inheritance.

2Co_7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

If it's given by God, is it truly repentance? In other words, if Esau wasn't really repentant, but God "gave him repentance", then He didn't really change his mind about things, God changed his mind for him.

 

[Derf]

God indeed commands all men everywhere to repent but how is a man able to repent when the Scriptures confirm that men love their sin and Christ said that salvation was impossible for men (Mark 1:27)? The answer is that a man must first be born again by grace (John 3:3-7, I Pet 1:3). God uses the foolishness of Gospel preaching to grant to men that which is impossible for them to do in themselves (1 Cor 1:21).

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Who is the us?

The answer is those to whom this epistle was written to.

2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ

"Us" would have to include the writer, too, but in vs 1, the "us" is exclusive of the recipients of the letter. What about 3:9? "Us" is exclusive there, too, because in vs 8 Peter calls the letter recipients "beloved", indicating they are already believers, as also indicated in 1:1. If so, then why does God need to have patience and be longsuffering? Its because Peter is refering to a different "us" than the recipients and himself. Instead it appears Peter is bewailing the state of his fellow Jews...the majority of which were not repentant.

2 Peter 3:8-9 KJV — But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

---

 

[maxamir]

If it's given by God, is it truly repentance? In other words, if Esau wasn't really repentant, but God "gave him repentance", then He didn't really change his mind about things, God changed his mind for him.

Esau sought repentance but it was not the right kind. The repentance that God grants by grace to His people involves not just a change of mind but a change of heart. God under judgement justly hands people over to their wicked desires to either harden them or humble them. Esau remained hardened because God justly hated him (Rom 9:13).

Rom 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

 

[Derf]

Esau sought repentance but it was not the right kind. The repentance that God grants by grace to His people involves not just a change of mind but a change of heart. God under judgement justly hands people over to their wicked desires to either harden them or humble them. Esau remained hardened because God justly hated him (Rom 9:13).

Rom 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

I don't see a point being made. Just because God "gave them up" to continue debasing themselves has nothing to do with repentance.

 

[maxamir]

"Us" would have to include the writer, too, but in vs 1, the "us" is exclusive of the recipients of the letter. What about 3:9? "Us" is exclusive there, too, because in vs 8 Peter calls the letter recipients "beloved", indicating they are already believers, as also indicated in 1:1. If so, then why does God need to have patience and be longsuffering? Its because Peter is refering to a different "us" than the recipients and himself. Instead it appears Peter is bewailing the state of his fellow Jews...the majority of which were not repentant.

2 Peter 3:8-9 KJV — But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

---

The context in 2 Pet 3:9 is related to the prior verses where some who were labelled as scoffers, doubted the return of the Lord (2 Pet 3:3-4). The "us" in verse 9 is in contrast to the scoffers and are those who believed which included Peter in 2 Pet 1:1.