The Philippian Jailer versus Calvinism

Hammster said:

Yes. That’s how the Lord did it. She didn’t do it herself.

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You can't give the Lord credit no matter what. God help you all. By all of course I don't mean those that agree but those that hate God's plan for salvation

myst33 said:

But there are more verses than just this one. All must make the system together. You are cherry picking just the verses from one side of the whole.

Its not "God is this verse" vs "God is this verse". I am not a calvinist, but calvinism at least try to be honest and accept all verses, even though they got some things wrong, IMHO.

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I try very hard not to proof text. I will use a Bible verse as an example of why I believe as I do, but Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike do themselves and others a disservice when they use this verse or that verse as 'proof' of a fixed doctrine. I think to use the Bible in that way is just wrong.

TheSeabass said:

In the context, HOW did the Lord open Lydia's heart? Does it say in the context her heart was opened miraculously by the Holy Spirit apart from the word?

Acts 16:13-14
And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together.
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.

--Lydia was a lost person, spiritually dead. But she was not totally depraved for she was a worshipper of God.
--verse 13 says Paul "spake unto the women" and verse 14 says Lydia "heard us". The word heard akouo according to Thayer means to understand, comprehend. Again, no totally depravity on Lydias' part.
--it was the word of God spoken to her that opened her heart. Nothing miraculous, mysterious apart from the word of God. Those in Acts 2 "heard" the word and were 'pricked in their hearts".

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I don't know how God opened her heart and neither do you. But I do know it was according to his good pleasure according to Ephesians 1. If you think you have rose above this verse or the entire chapter of Roman's 9 and saved yourself through the sinners prayer you are Tragically and sadly mistaken. Please read Romans 9. The entire chapter. How does anyone think they are the ones taking the initiative to be saved. It is God who controls this. No one else. We are helpless to even ask "what must I do to be Saved" without the Lord putting it in our hearts. Please any of the Armenians out there, how is Romans 9 not an example of God's grace and the way to be forgiven without any works on my part. Must I have a spark of good that makes me cry out to God or does God spark me to cry out? Please answer. Is it me or God that brings my salvation.

Foxfyre said:

I try very hard not to proof text. I will use a Bible verse as an example of why I believe as I do, but Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike do themselves and others a disservice when they use this verse or that verse as 'proof' of a fixed doctrine. I think to use the Bible in that way is just wrong.

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So you don't think doctrine is important or necessary? Hmm. I know what I believe and will defend it as it is sound doctrine

TheSeabass said:

There is no verse that says God has predetermined all that happens. Again, such an idea would make God culpable for all the sins that happens when God has no such culpability.

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Its the only thing that makes sense with a true omnipotent and omnipresent and omniscient God. Therefore its a common and basic attitute in theology.
You cannot have a true God and random events in His creation. Its not logically coherent.

For our responsibility for sins its enough that we are not forced to sin but we do it by our will. Its certain that we will do something, but its not necessary.

bcbsr said:

... the jailer was not asking what should he do in order to indicate he was elect. He was asking what he must to in order to be saved.

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You've assumed the jailer was un-elect, yes ?

A little known fact about Acts 16 is that Paul and Silas were likely psalm-singing Psalm 119... and possibly fasting that night...

Psalm 119, "At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. ... They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.... Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. ... Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. ... Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments." (Ps. 110:62-63, 87, 90, 119, 166)

Acts 16, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. ... And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go." (25-26, 35)

God heard them as he heard David. The earth literally trembled. And as the Psalmist had hoped for salvation these men were saved.

It may also be related to God's true 'fast' in Isaiah, his true intent and will, to free the oppressed... and it seems he jailers were using unjust corporal punishment (maybe lashes), "They have beaten us openly uncondemned" (Paul, v. 37) and God hates injustice and iniquity, "hands that shed innocent blood" (Pro. 6:16-19)

Isaiah 58, "Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? ... Behold, ye fast for strife and debate,... Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. (Isa. 58:3-8)

So it's possible those men who were unshackled by God were already elect men. Similar to the Lord visiting Jericho and isolating Zacchaeus in the tree, ignoring the masses. He was there to save him: "This day is salvation come to this house... For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Lk. 19:9-10)

In the same way, God had Paul save many. Thus, it's likely the jailer and "everyone" else there were already elect by God. - There are no coincidences with God.

Another point to remember is God's promise to save households, not only individuals (as we focus on nowadays as a highly individualistic society), including servants and slaves like Hagai, even the entire city of Nineveh. "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31)

This collective salvation whether household / tribal / denominational / covenantal / national is something Presbyterians and other Calvinists emphasise greatly. Baptistic churches have little awareness of this. i.e. Baptists are typically very new converts, 1st or 2nd generation believers, while Presbyterians tend to be born into the faith being the 3rd, 4th, 5th, plus, generation. I know Huegenots having come from the French persecution, also Scottish Presbyterians dating to the 1850s Disruption and earlier to John Knox. Hence, these Calvinists have a much greater emphasis on the 'doctrines of grace' / 'election', since in their experience God has genuinely loved them and their ancestors as he has promised, collectively, generationally, denominationally, covenantally and nationally.

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:39) "And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." (Ex. 20:6)

Something to consider...

For new converts like the Philippian jailer, he would be in a similar position to the Thief on the Cross, so to "get into that state in which you are free from a hell-bound fate", he would need to do the same.

So the answer to your question would be to "Repent and believe the Gospel" (Mk 1:15)... and or "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:28)

Repentance, however, isn't applicable to someone who's always believed, having been brought up in the faith, having been faithful for as long as they can remember. So, this part is often neglected by Presbyterians... Only an apostate can changed their mind / way to turn back to God... similar to the Jews who were repenting at the Jordan River on account of John's ministry. They had to be mourning something, to be in a state of regret, remorse about the 400-year silence, etc.

For Calvinists this experience would be an aspect of election... an aspect of God's 'grace'... "ALL those whom God hath predestinated unto life... come most freely, being made willing by his grace.h" (WCF 10.1) -- Thanking and praising God regardless (not boasting of individual works or free-will).

However, in other circumstances, a Calvinist does have an introspective process (done individually, mostly by one's free-will), but like the above, credit is given to 'Spirit of Christ' and the Holy Spirit.

"Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ.m And, that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure:n yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.o" (WCF 16.3)

This however isn't for 'salvation', more so for a sense of 'assurance of salvation'. To gauge one's maturity in faith, and staying on track towards salvation, eventually. - 'Always hoping' etc

This is where the cyclical reasoning comes to play...

"THEY whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.a" (WCF 27.1)

Proof:

a Phil. 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 1:10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. John 10:28. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Ver. 29. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all: and none is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 1 John 3:9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 Pet. 1:5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Ver. 9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Thus, the un-elect cannot profess to be Christian...

"Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the word,p and may have some common operations of the Spirit,q yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved;r much less can men not professing the Christian religion be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they ever so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the law of that religion they do profess;s and to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested.t" (WCF 10.4)

The verb choice here ('to profess') is quite important in understanding Calvinism...

Unlike Baptists who 'declare' their new belief and religious affiliation, to a Presbyterian the word 'declare' is preposterous (since man's free-will is limited, he's not God). Instead, one can only respond to God's grace / election, and when ready make a 'confession' (at age 16+, publicly) of their belief in Christ (exactly as the Jailer, I suppose !). Similar to the Lord's baptism, minus the baptism ritual. - New adult converts do this too, plus baptism, all at once.

In this way, at the very minimum, a Presbyterian believes it's OK to have a nominal belief, i.e. merely saying 'I'm a Christian' (in an informal setting), since the very ability to say that is assumed to come from God. -- Nominalism is of course is a major problem in Christendom and 'Christian' cults.

a Phil. 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 1:10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.

In saying that, however, people born into the church are not presumed to be Christian, elect or saved, until they make a 'confession of faith' (whenever they choose to do so). They sort of are 'elect' or 'saved' in a general sense of God's 'grace' keeping them grounded, being in God's general grace ('raising the sun on the good and the wicked'), and various protections of government and church etc, however, their rebellion or misadventures are noted to be 'disruptive' to themselves (I don't think they can theoretically damn themselves according to the WCF though. Again, this is God's prerogative). It's a hopeful system that is waiting for people to repent, grow, and mature... It's not so dogmatic or damning to their own (apart from church discipline and monitoring 'family worship' etc, which the stricter dogmatic authoritarian churches do, like Calvin's did).

Also worth noting is that Presbyterians welcome all Christians (and all people) to worship together, indiscriminately. That is, while Presbyterian / Calvinist doctrine is reserved only for elders (church governance and leadership), people in the public are not discriminated against and not forced to say or do anything before joining in worship. This is radically different to Baptists or Quakers for instance who won't let someone through the doors if they look funny, maybe smoking, or smelling like alcohol.

Also depending on the church, while the congregation / members are taught Calvinistic doctrines, they are not expected or obliged to become Presbyterian / Calvinist in their belief... There is no legal requirement as far I'm aware... Hence, many congregations are mixed with Baptists, Methodists, Anglicans, Wesleyans, and the occasional Lutheran... E.g. You don't have to get baptised, or confess, or say or do anything. You can just turn up and they will (should) look after you. - However, some congregations will bar you from sacraments until they've assessed you, again being the more dogmatic and authoritarian ones. But a true church will be open for all (whether for Communion, baptism, marriage, housing, or whatever), as the Gospel is for all. An open invite.

bcbsr said:

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" This is what the Philippian jailer asked in Acts 16:30. "Saved" from what? (Obviously the guy wasn't a theologian, let alone a Calvinist. So the terms he's using may not be in line with Calvinism) I think the consensus would agree that he's asking about being saved from being hell-bound.

Now according the "Uncondition Election" doctrine of Calvinism, the elect are chosen prior to birth and that not based upon God's foreknowledge of anything they will chose to do in the future. Such people are born eternally secure in their heavenly fate. And no time in their life, from birth to death, are they in any danger of being hell-bound.

The jailer was asking as to how you get into that state in which you are free from a hell-bound fate, being free from the danger of being condemned in hell. How should a Calvinist had logically answered keeping to the tenets of Calvinism?

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Albion said:

Obviously, I would say, the jailer should believe in the Lord as his savior and endeavor to adhere to the commandments and the moral code taught by Jesus. If so, he may be among the saved. And this is no different a situation from that faced by believers in free will, it should be understood.

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He should endeavor to grow in God, but, ultimately God chooses (and chose long ago) and not you, ect, but he should endeavor to grow in God always, and that is the same for all of us, ect.

God Bless!

Foxfyre said:

It is for Calvinists who must think that only the elect believe in the Lord Jesus? I just don't find that message in the scriptures though.

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Yes.

The Presbyterian POV is based heavily on God's sovereignty and perfect will,

"God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect;l and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification:m nevertheless they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them.n" (WCF 11.4)

Proof:

l Gal. 3:8. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 1 Pet. 1:2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Ver. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Ver. 20. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Rom. 8:30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

n Col. 1:21. And you that were some time alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, Ver. 22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable in his sight. Gal. 2:16. [See letter c immediately foregoing.] Tit. 3:4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Ver. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Ver. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Ver. 7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Most don't understand God's grace. They go about to establish their own righteousness

Yes, there are those who believe the doctrines of grace and those who believe in their own ability to overcome the spiritual death. They are prideful and arrogant. Believing that they can do the work of God. Only God can make us come to Christ. This is evident in John 6:37 "all that the Father giver me shall come to me... " all the verses before and after this speak of believing. So the prideful and arrogant claim to believe on their own discounting the verse I just quoted

Elove said:

So you don't think doctrine is important or necessary? Hmm. I know what I believe and will defend it as it is sound doctrine

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Honestly I think Jesus was pretty clear that he was far less appreciative of purity of doctrine than he was about those who love God and show it by their attitude, their words, their actions. And he was pretty harsh with those who kept and enforced strict doctrine but failed to show compassion and love and charity for others.

So yes. The truth of God and what He has done should be taught and preached but more importantly lived by those of us who are redeemed and blessed with a relationship with him.

And I'm pretty sure we all miss the mark here and there on what is correct doctrine and we're all going to have a good laugh when we enter the next life and find out how much we got wrong.

philadelphos said:

Yes.

The Presbyterian POV is based heavily on God's sovereignty and perfect will,

"God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect;l and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification:m nevertheless they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them.n" (WCF 11.4)

Proof:

l Gal. 3:8. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 1 Pet. 1:2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Ver. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Ver. 20. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Rom. 8:30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

n Col. 1:21. And you that were some time alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, Ver. 22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable in his sight. Gal. 2:16. [See letter c immediately foregoing.] Tit. 3:4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Ver. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Ver. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Ver. 7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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Well I trust that you live your faith as best you can and I think God honors that. But we will have to disagree on this one. My faith is that all are loved and can receive the grace of God and eternal life. Otherwise there really has been no point to any of this.

Elove said:

Yes, there are those who believe the doctrines of grace and those who believe in their own ability to overcome the spiritual death. They are prideful and arrogant. Believing that they can do the work of God. Only God can make us come to Christ. This is evident in John 6:37 "all that the Father giver me shall come to me... " all the verses before and after this speak of believing. So the prideful and arrogant claim to believe on their own discounting the verse I just quoted

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I was trying to be nice, but, let me just say this, and I'll still be semi-nice K...?

And your not trying to establish your own righteousness at all are you...?

Anyway...?

And most of us are not trying to establish our own, but just trying to know God is all, in all His fullness and ways if we can...

Or at least that's me anyway...

And I need and very much rely on God's Grace a great deal, most especially for what I am doing on here sometimes... Very, very aware of it... I'd be lost without it, and appreciate it and understand it, I feel, more than you may know...

And I could say even more, but I'm not going to go OK, if only because I said I'd still be "semi-nice" if anything, K...?

God Bless!

Elove said:

Yes, there are those who believe the doctrines of grace and those who believe in their own ability to overcome the spiritual death. They are prideful and arrogant. Believing that they can do the work of God. Only God can make us come to Christ. This is evident in John 6:37 "all that the Father giver me shall come to me... " all the verses before and after this speak of believing. So the prideful and arrogant claim to believe on their own discounting the verse I just quoted

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Alright I'm going to just a little bit less nice, and lean a little heavily on God's Grace just one more time K...?

First of all, "pot calling the kettle black" for one...

Then, secondly, we've already got enough Christians making Christianity look bad OK... Please don't be one of them, or try not to be one of them OK...?

Unless you going to tell me what you are saying and doing is to truly try and win or save souls for Christ...?

But, your not going to tell me that, are you...?

Anyway, that's all I'm going to say, OK...?

And, lastly, God forgive me...

God Bless!

[doctrine than he was about those who love God and show it by their attitude, their words, their actions. And he was pretty harsh with those who kept and enforced strict doctrine but failed to show compassion and love and charity for others.

So yes. The truth of God and what He has done should be taught and preached but more importantly lived by those of us who are redeemed and blessed with a relationship with him.

And I'm pretty sure we all miss the mark here and there on what is correct doctrine and we're all going to have a good laugh when we enter the next life and find out how much we got wrong. [/QUOTE]

Honestly I think Jesus was pretty clear that he was far less appreciative of purity of doctrine than he was about those who love God and show it by their attitude,

Neogaia777 said:

I was trying to be nice, but, let me just say this, and I'll still be semi-nice K...?

And your not trying to establish your own righteousness at all are you...?

Anyway...?

And most of us are not trying to establish our own, but just trying to know God is all, in all His fullness and ways if we can...

Or at least that's me anyway...

And I need and very much rely on God's Grace a great deal, most especially for what I am doing on here sometimes... Very, very aware of it... I'd be lost without it, and appreciate it and understand it, I feel, more than you may know...

And I could say even more, but I'm not going to go OK, if only because I said I'd still be "semi-nice" if anything, K...?

God Bless!

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I am absolutely not trying to establish my own righteousness. Not sure what you mean or why you would come with such a veiled accusation not having interacted with me prior to this post. I wish you all the truth that is possible in God's word. I hope that you will find and endure sound doctrine as Paul admonished Timothy and warned him of those who would not in 2 Tim 4:3. Not all are after the things of Christ but their own lusts he says. We live in a dangerous era where the word of God is concerned. Many believe there will be and already is a persecution for Christians. What do you think?

Elove said:

doctrine than he was about those who love God and show it by their attitude, their words, their actions. And he was pretty harsh with those who kept and enforced strict doctrine but failed to show compassion and love and charity for others.

So yes. The truth of God and what He has done should be taught and preached but more importantly lived by those of us who are redeemed and blessed with a relationship with him.

And I'm pretty sure we all miss the mark here and there on what is correct doctrine and we're all going to have a good laugh when we enter the next life and find out how much we got wrong.

Honestly I think Jesus was pretty clear that he was far less appreciative of purity of doctrine than he was about those who love God and show it by their attitude,

I am absolutely not trying to establish my own righteousness. Not sure what you mean or why you would come with such a veiled accusation not having interacted with me prior to this post. I wish you all the truth that is possible in God's word. I hope that you will find and endure sound doctrine as Paul admonished Timothy and warned him of those who would not in 2 Tim 4:3. Not all are after the things of Christ but their own lusts he says. We live in a dangerous era where the word of God is concerned. Many believe there will be and already is a persecution for Christians. What do you think?

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Thank You dear, sorry if I was mean...

God Bless!

Elove said:

Many believe there will be and already is a persecution for Christians. What do you think?

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I think there is light persecution in America or in the west right now that will become worse over time... Before the end, ect...

God Bless!

Foxfyre said:

Honestly I think Jesus was pretty clear that he was far less appreciative of purity of doctrine than he was about those who love God and show it by their attitude, their words, their actions. And he was pretty harsh with those who kept and enforced strict doctrine but failed to show compassion and love and charity for others.

So yes. The truth of God and what He has done should be taught and preached but more importantly lived by those of us who are redeemed and blessed with a relationship with him.

And I'm pretty sure we all miss the mark here and there on what is correct doctrine and we're all going to have a good laugh when we enter the next life and find out how much we got wrong.

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Well the doctrine I speak of came with Acts and after. Jesus certainly taught a different doctrine than the Jewish religious leaders of His time no doubt. Forgiveness and compassion were definitely at the top of the list after the teachings of His sacrifice and what it meant where God and we were concerned of course.

Neogaia777 said:

I think there is light persecution in America or in the west right now that will become worse over time... Before the end, ect...

God Bless!

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We need only look at the mid-east and Southeast Asia to see what the light persecution is coming too. Lord give us strength as the saints of old.

myst33 said:

Its the only thing that makes sense with a true omnipotent and omnipresent and omniscient God. Therefore its a common and basic attitute in theology.
You cannot have a true God and random events in His creation. Its not logically coherent.

For our responsibility for sins its enough that we are not forced to sin but we do it by our will. Its certain that we will do something, but its not necessary.

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There are verses that speak to the fact that God "repented". If God has predetermined all that happens then there would never be a need for God to "repent". Below, (in blue), is a post I made in another thread on this topic in how God's foreknowledge does not do away with man's free will:

God having foreknowledge does not mean man cannot have free will. In the book of Jonah, Nineveh was a wicked city therefore God sent Jonah with the message " Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." Jonah 3:4 Yet the city was not overthrown in 40 days as God said, does that mean God lied? No, Hebrews 6:18.

God foreknew that if Nineveh maintained their wicked course they would be destroyed in 40 days. Yet Nineveh, upon hearing Jonah, used their free will to repent. Since they used their free will to change their course of action in repenting, God repented, changed His course of action from destroying Nineveh to sparing them.

God foreknowing Nineveh's destruction in 40 days if they did not repent was not predetermined, set in stone to happen. Again, they used their free will and chose to repent and God changed His course of action. If everything that happens has already been predetermined by God, then God would never have any reason to "repent". The reason God does repent and change His course is because man used his free will to change his course.

Again, if God predetermined all that happens, that makes Him culpable for all sin that has occurred, yet God has no such culpability. So the idea God has predetermined all that happens can easily and correctly be dismissed.