Calvinism Refuted

[JDS]

Do you believe that when the Bible talks about Jesus being the first born that it is talking about His physical birth?

And just clarifying...do you believe Jesus existed before His birth?

Jesus Christ is the eternal I Am. He is the self existing one. He is the eternal God, but we are not discussing his Godhood, we are discussing his humanity.

God is not talking about his physical birth when he is speaking of his being firstborn. Firstborn implies that others are born in the family, which is the truth of the gospel.

When he speaks of his physical birth, he is speaking as he is the only begooten son of God. There can be no others like him. God has one son after the flesh but he has many sons after the Spirit and Jesus Christ is the first one of many. Read Rom 8:29.

A question for you:

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is fully man, even now, albeit glorified?

 

[drstevej]

I expect you to believe that Jesus Christ is a man and not just God. I expect you to believe that his purpose for coming into the world was to save sinners by living as a man, enduring the same temptations as a man without ever yielding to them and I expect you to believe that he was a man dying as a substitute to pay the penalty for sins of every man like the scriptures say he did. And, I expect you to believe that what came out of that tomb on the third day was the same man who went in it only with a glorified body, and I expect you to believe that he was actually dead until the Spirit raised him from the dead because that is what we are told over and over in scripture that happened at the resurrection. I expect you to believe that he was the ONLY begotten son of God according to the flesh but he was the firstborn of many sons of God when he was quickened by the Spirit for no other reason than that the scriptures explicitely states and affirms it. I expect you to believe the ALSO that I highlighted in my previous post means in addition to and that the same Spirit that quickened the body of Jesus Christ has also quickened our MORTAL, (emphasis on mortal), bodies who have believed in Jesus by his indwelling presence and I expect you to believe that predestination in the contexts of Romans and Ephesians where the term is used is unto glorification of the bodies of the children of God and nothing more. I expect you to believe that when we are glorified that we will be restored to the image of God through Jesus Christ like Adam was in the image of God before the fall, glorified body, soul, and Spirit.

I expect men who wear the name of Christ would believe God and not count the the things of God foolishness, as you have done.

Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Ro 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

1Co 15:42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible (The saint in the grave) must put on incorruption, and this mortal (The saint in a corruptible body) must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1Co 15:57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The bible says "the life of the flesh is the blood".

Le 17:14 For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.
De 12:23 Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.


The bible says this about Jesus Christ:

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

If the life of Jesus was in his blood, then he could die by shedding his blood for us.


The bible says:

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

But if a man does not have blood in this world, he does not have life.

Jesus Christ said after his resurrection:

Lu 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

The point of these verses is to demonstrate that the Spirit is life for the Christian and not the blood.

Jesus Christ walked on this earth as a man with blood coursing through his veins for some 33 years. The blood was his life. When he poured out his blood on the cross, he poured out his life and he died.

Le 17:11 For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.

But when God raised him from the dead, he did not raise him with blood running through his veins to give him life. He had no blood. It was on the Mercy Seat in the tabernacle in heaven. It was the Spirit who gave him life. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God but a man must have life is he is raised from the dead and if blood is not his life, what is?

He was quickened by the Spirit!

JDS,

I thought I hit "Quote" in seeking to reply to a portion of this but hit "Edit" by mistake. The result was not anew post quoting a section but instead I deleted much of your post.

I have gone back and restored your original post which you modified a little bit. You might want to review it and adjust as needed.

I am sorry. It was unintentional.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[JDS]

JDS,

I thought I hit "Quote" in seeking to reply to a portion of this but hit "Edit" by mistake. The result was not anew post quoting a section but instead I deleted much of your post.

I have gone back and restored your original post which you modified a little bit. You might want to review it and adjust as needed.

I am sorry. It was unintentional.

Thanks,
Steve

No problem, I cannot tell it is not the same.

 

[drstevej]

No problem, I cannot tell it is not the same.

Great, the other changes on the log seemed minor.

I hate making that mistake.

 

[JDS]

Great, the other changes on the log seemed minor.

I hate making that mistake.

DrsteveJ

I went back and it appears there were some quotes missing and I completed them and before I could post them they went into cyber space. I don't know what is going on with them but I must go now and I will try again later.

But, please don't worry about your error, things like that happens to us all and I know it was not intentional. Have a great day, JD

 

[drstevej]

DrsteveJ

I went back and it appears there were some quotes missing and I completed them and before I could post them they went into cyber space. I don't know what is going on with them but I must go now and I will try again later.

But, please don't worry about your error, things like that happens to us all and I know it was not intentional. Have a great day, JD

Thanks, you too.

 

[cygnusx1]

You said something intriguing in regards to a heart of stone. You said you thought where we differed was how many hearts God reaches out to. The intriguing thing is that you agreed with view of a heart of stone, or least appeared to.

As far as I am concerned, the Sovereignty of God and the depravity of man is at the heart of Calvinism. Everything falls into place behind them. I agree with James White that it should be STULIP, with sovereignty at the front.

I concur with scripture that man has a heart of stone and is spiritually dead. That death gives him no desire to seek after God (Ephesians 2 and Romans 3). This is why we need regeneration and this is what I believe Jesus is talking about in John 3.

So I would be interested in yours, or anyone's elses views.

ok bro ,

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall seek My judgments, and do them" (Ezek. 36:26, 27).

Spiritual Regeneration preceeds the "obedience of faith" , every time !

a man needs to be born again BEFORE he can see (understand) the Kingdom of God. see John 3


Those who preach 'regeneration follows the obedience of faith' are making the same mistake as Abraham , who by his own efforts and under a misunderstanding even though he believed and had faith sought to obtain the promise by human power , he was later corrected in that the Promise is By God's Sovereign intervention when Sarah's womb was as good as dead , just as the sinner is raised with Christ ; reconciled to God BEFORE he has faith .....

while we were enemies Christ died for us , was raised for us , ,

while we were dead in trespasses and sins we were quickened ;


Eph.2

[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved :


we are born of God UNTO a saving faith ; for what is hope that is certain if not faith , therefore this "hope" is certain which is faith ;


we are elect through santification of the Spirit UNTO obedience , the obedience of faith!
1Pet.1

[1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
[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: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,



furthermore ;

we are NOT born of faith , we are born of PROMISE , as are all the Elect. Just as Isaac was born of promise , so are we ;

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Gal 4:28


God promised Abraham UNCONDITIONALLY a Son , a son even from a dead womb , Abraham's faith did not in any sense make this so , Abraham received this promise by faith ... our birth into the Kingdom is a SOVEREIGN matter , the wind blows where it wills , so is it with everyone born of the Spirit , not of mans will or efforts , born-again according to God's outstanding riches of Grace . Deny God's Sovereignty in bearing children at His pleasure and you turn to the heresy of decisional regeneration or baptismal regeneration.


we are "justified by faith" , but never does scripture say we are regenerated by faith !


we receive salvation by faith ; in contrast we are regenerated by a FREE decision of The Lord.

 

[archierieus]

ok bro ,

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall seek My judgments, and do them" (Ezek. 36:26, 27).

Spiritual Regeneration preceeds the "obedience of faith" , every time !

Agreed.

a man needs to be born again BEFORE he can see (understand) the Kingdom of God. see John 3

That is not what it says. It does not say 'understand.' It says see, and in v. 5 to enter the kingdom of God.

Those who preach 'regeneration follows the obedience of faith' are making the same mistake as Abraham ,

Not sure who you're talking about. Certainly this student doesn't believe in that.

just as the sinner is raised with Christ ; reconciled to God BEFORE he has faith .....

You have mixed two concepts here. God reconciled the world unto Himself, Christ died for all the sins of the world. That is not the same as making a sinner spiritually alive, that is regeneration, which is associated Scripturally with baptism. Your reference to the 'sinner being raised with Christ' is mentioned in Romans 6, we are buried with Him in baptism, and raised up to a new life in Christ.

If, however, you are speaking of a spiritual awakening, that is another matter, separate from the Scriptural concept of regeneration.

we are born of God UNTO a saving faith ; for what is hope that is certain if not faith , therefore this "hope" is certain which is faith ;

Speaking of the believer's hope, compare Romans 5:1 - 4. Notice who has this 'hope.'

we are elect through santification of the Spirit UNTO obedience , the obedience of faith!
1Pet.1

[1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
[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: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Agreed.

we are NOT born of faith , we are born of PROMISE , as are all the Elect. Just as Isaac was born of promise , so are we ;

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Gal 4:28


God promised Abraham UNCONDITIONALLY a Son , a son even from a dead womb , Abraham's faith did not in any sense make this so , Abraham received this promise by faith ...

Whoa! You are here making quite a statement. Take a look at the story of Abraham in Genesis. So far, it looks like you are distorting the concept. You mention 'faith,' but are you saying Abraham did not need to have faith?

our birth into the Kingdom is a SOVEREIGN matter ,

That is entirely your concept, it is not Scriptural.

born-again according to God's outstanding riches of Grace.

That phrase is not Scriptural.

Deny God's Sovereignty in bearing children at His pleasure and you turn to the heresy of decisional regeneration or baptismal regeneration.

Heresy? According to whom? And speaking of how the founder of Calvinism viewed heretics, I recall what Calvin said about Servetus, wishing he would not leave Geneva alive. So now, here in 2009, we see fellow Christians who believe in Jesus described as 'heretics'? Then, of course, as heretics, not the 'elect,' correct? Instead, the offspring of the serpent? Is that the position taken? But what if the position you have stated here is heresy? It is viewed as such by hundreds of millions of Christians. Which side is correct?

we are "justified by faith" ,

You thus acknowledge, by this statement, that faith has a role in salvation. What does 'justified' mean?

but never does scripture say we are regenerated by faith !

Continuing the study of regeneration Scripturally. Let's see what the Bible says about it.

we receive salvation by faith ;

'Receive'? That is not what the verse says in Scripture. What do you mean by 'receive'?

in contrast we are regenerated by a FREE decision of The Lord.

Your statement. What if it is heresy?

 

[archierieus]

I would also be interested in hearing from DrSteve on this one. Do you also say that someone who believes in decisional regeneration or baptismal regeneration is a heretic?

 

[Hammster]

Jesus Christ is the eternal I Am. He is the self existing one. He is the eternal God, but we are not discussing his Godhood, we are discussing his humanity.



God is not talking about his physical birth when he is speaking of his being firstborn. Firstborn implies that others are born in the family, which is the truth of the gospel.



When he speaks of his physical birth, he is speaking as he is the only begooten son of God. There can be no others like him. God has one son after the flesh but he has many sons after the Spirit and Jesus Christ is the first one of many. Read Rom 8:29.



A question for you:



Do you believe that Jesus Christ is fully man, even now, albeit glorified?

Although I am not sure it changes the discussion much, firstborn indicates preeminence.

And I believe Jesus is fully God and fully man.

 

[cygnusx1]

Agreed.



That is not what it says. It does not say 'understand.' It says see, and in v. 5 to enter the kingdom of God.

I will try and deal one point at atime , I know how these things grow into 5 foot answers

now who was it who said to me about taking a word without looking at the context or the use of that word and it's varied meaning ...


do you really think Christ was speaking about physical sight , and not spiritual sight , insight , perception , understanding ? Does Christ mean to say that unless one is born again by the SPIRIT he cannot PHYSICALLY see the SPIRITUAL Kingdom ?


are there not numerous proofs where sight is emblamatic of understanding in scripture ?

 

[Bulstrode Whitelock]

Psa 36:9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

 

[JDS]

Although I am not sure it changes the discussion much, firstborn indicates preeminence.

And I believe Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be preeiminent among many brethren.

Is this a more accurate way for this to read, in your opinion and theology?

Are you on record as saying that Jesus Christ was not the firstborn from the dead, even after I have proven to you that first begotten from the dead is exactly what God meant by the term.

Re 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

He is not the only begotten, he is the first begotten of many brethren who have likewise experienced a spiritual birth.

1Pe 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope (HOW) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

None of you who believe Calvinism have answered my arguments and it is like I had said nothing. This is willful ignorance, IMO.

Based on your comments, I can now add the term "firstborn" to my growing list of terms that do not mean what they say in the Calvinist lexicon.

 

[JDS]

I would also be interested in hearing from DrSteve on this one. Do you also say that someone who believes in decisional regeneration or baptismal regeneration is a heretic?

I am not Steve but I believe one who believes in baptismal regeneration is a heretic. I don't know what you mean by decisional regeneration.

 

[JDS]

ok bro ,

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall seek My judgments, and do them" (Ezek. 36:26, 27).

Spiritual Regeneration preceeds the "obedience of faith" , every time !

a man needs to be born again BEFORE he can see (understand) the Kingdom of God. see John 3


Those who preach 'regeneration follows the obedience of faith' are making the same mistake as Abraham , who by his own efforts and under a misunderstanding even though he believed and had faith sought to obtain the promise by human power , he was later corrected in that the Promise is By God's Sovereign intervention when Sarah's womb was as good as dead , just as the sinner is raised with Christ ; reconciled to God BEFORE he has faith .....

while we were enemies Christ died for us , was raised for us , ,

while we were dead in trespasses and sins we were quickened ;


Eph.2

[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved :


we are born of God UNTO a saving faith ; for what is hope that is certain if not faith , therefore this "hope" is certain which is faith ;


we are elect through santification of the Spirit UNTO obedience , the obedience of faith!
1Pet.1

[1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
[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: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,



furthermore ;

we are NOT born of faith , we are born of PROMISE , as are all the Elect. Just as Isaac was born of promise , so are we ;

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Gal 4:28


God promised Abraham UNCONDITIONALLY a Son , a son even from a dead womb , Abraham's faith did not in any sense make this so , Abraham received this promise by faith ... our birth into the Kingdom is a SOVEREIGN matter , the wind blows where it wills , so is it with everyone born of the Spirit , not of mans will or efforts , born-again according to God's outstanding riches of Grace . Deny God's Sovereignty in bearing children at His pleasure and you turn to the heresy of decisional regeneration or baptismal regeneration.


we are "justified by faith" , but never does scripture say we are regenerated by faith !


we receive salvation by faith ; in contrast we are regenerated by a FREE decision of The Lord.

Death means separation, not inability and numbness. Get this definition right and many things will begin to clear up for you.

 

[Robert Pate]

Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be preeiminent among many brethren.

Is this a more accurate way for this to read, in your opinion and theology?

Are you on record as saying that Jesus Christ was not the firstborn from the dead, even after I have proven to you that first begotten from the dead is exactly what God meant by the term.

Re 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

He is not the only begotten, he is the first begotten of many brethren who have likewise experienced a spiritual birth.

1Pe 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope (HOW) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

None of you who believe Calvinism have answered my arguments and it is like I had said nothing. This is willful ignorance, IMO.

Based on your comments, I can now add the term "firstborn" to my growing list of terms that do not mean what they say in the Calvinist lexicon.

Good Post! I am afraid that Calvinist have a lot of terms that do not mean what they say. I to will add "firstborn" to my long, long, list.

 

[Hammster]

Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be preeiminent among many brethren.



Is this a more accurate way for this to read, in your opinion and theology?



Are you on record as saying that Jesus Christ was not the firstborn from the dead, even after I have proven to you that first begotten from the dead is exactly what God meant by the term.



Re 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,



He is not the only begotten, he is the first begotten of many brethren who have likewise experienced a spiritual birth.



1Pe 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope (HOW) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,



None of you who believe Calvinism have answered my arguments and it is like I had said nothing. This is willful ignorance, IMO.



Based on your comments, I can now add the term "firstborn" to my growing list of terms that do not mean what they say in the Calvinist lexicon.

Silly me. You are so right. Jesus is the firstborn of every believer and since it must be a literal firstborn then only those born after Jesus was born can be saved. My bad.

 

[Hammster]

Good Post! I am afraid that Calvinist have a lot of terms that do not mean what they say. I to will add "firstborn" to my long, long, list.

Dang, and here I almost had you converted to Calvinism. I guess I blew that one.

 

[JDS]

Silly me. You are so right. Jesus is the firstborn of every believer and since it must be a literal firstborn then only those born after Jesus was born can be saved. My bad.

You really don't have any understanding of this, do you?

I am beginning to be forced to form some opinions based on some of the comments on this forum that I really don't like.

 

[MamaZ]

Agreed.



That is not what it says. It does not say 'understand.' It says see, and in v. 5 to enter the kingdom of God.



Not sure who you're talking about. Certainly this student doesn't believe in that.



You have mixed two concepts here. God reconciled the world unto Himself, Christ died for all the sins of the world. That is not the same as making a sinner spiritually alive, that is regeneration, which is associated Scripturally with baptism. Your reference to the 'sinner being raised with Christ' is mentioned in Romans 6, we are buried with Him in baptism, and raised up to a new life in Christ.

If, however, you are speaking of a spiritual awakening, that is another matter, separate from the Scriptural concept of regeneration.



Speaking of the believer's hope, compare Romans 5:1 - 4. Notice who has this 'hope.'



Agreed.



Whoa! You are here making quite a statement. Take a look at the story of Abraham in Genesis. So far, it looks like you are distorting the concept. You mention 'faith,' but are you saying Abraham did not need to have faith?



That is entirely your concept, it is not Scriptural.



That phrase is not Scriptural.



Heresy? According to whom? And speaking of how the founder of Calvinism viewed heretics, I recall what Calvin said about Servetus, wishing he would not leave Geneva alive. So now, here in 2009, we see fellow Christians who believe in Jesus described as 'heretics'? Then, of course, as heretics, not the 'elect,' correct? Instead, the offspring of the serpent? Is that the position taken? But what if the position you have stated here is heresy? It is viewed as such by hundreds of millions of Christians. Which side is correct?



You thus acknowledge, by this statement, that faith has a role in salvation. What does 'justified' mean?



Continuing the study of regeneration Scripturally. Let's see what the Bible says about it.



'Receive'? That is not what the verse says in Scripture. What do you mean by 'receive'?



Your statement. What if it is heresy?

εἴδω
properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know: - be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wist, wot.