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Nope. The first Christians were Jews and Hellenists.
Acts 11:
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen
traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch,
spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem,
and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all
that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.
And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.
So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church
and taught a great many people.
And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Only in NT hindsight we can say that those of faith were the true people of God, such as those listed in Hebrews 11.In the Old Testament who were God's people?
I have never found Acts the least bit tricky. I suppose when it contradicts your statement, you can divert by suggesting that I am forming doctrines. Hellenists were Jews who embraced Greek culture and language and used the LXX. There is absolutely no difference between those Jews being called Christians , and Jews today who call themselves Messianic. As to Gentiles who call themselves Messianic...???Those Jews who believed belong to the little flock.
You have to understand the transition that was going on in the book of Acts between the nation of Israel and their subsequent falling (Romans 11:11).
It will be tricky if you want to use the descriptive nature of Acts, to form your various doctrines.
I have never found Acts the least bit tricky. I suppose when it contradicts your statement, you can divert by suggesting that I am forming doctrines. Hellenists were Jews who embraced Greek culture and language and used the LXX. There is absolutely no difference between those Jews being called Christians , and Jews today who call themselves Messianic. As to Gentiles who call themselves Messianic...???
Nope. You claimed that the term "Jewish Christian" is an oxymoron.Your belief using that acts passage does not negate my point that Paul was addressing the Jewish remnant who believed, the little flock, in romans 9.
Those christians you read about in Antioch do not belong to that group.
That was my point
Nope. You claimed that the term "Jewish Christian" is an oxymoron.
Acts 11 proves that is not an accurate statement. That was my point.
The remnant in Romans 11 were "Jewish Christians".
You cannot harmonize your interpretation of Romans 9 with Romans 11.
No wonder Acts 11 is so tricky for you. Christian is just a Hellenistic
term used by Greek speaking Jews who believed in Yeshua. Not a trick.
Here is your original post. It's a false statement, indefensible with scriptures, so you make up some "little flock" theology to divert from your own mis-statement which is off topic.Jewish Christians is an oxymoronic term to use in trying to understand Romans 9-11.
There are the physical Jews, some believed Jesus as their Messiah, majority do not.
There are the gentiles who believed that Christ died for their sins and rose again for their justification. These are the Christians.
Here is your original post. It's a false statement, indefensible with scriptures, so you make up some "little flock" theology to divert from your own mis-statement which is off topic.
The only time that expression is used, Jesus is addressing His disciples about the kingdom, and is advising them about worldly possessions. Paul never uses the term. It has nothing to do with Romans, and as per usual off topic and part of some personal agenda of yours that I wish you would keep off the threads I originate. Read the OP comment on John the Baptist and how the rejection or reception of his teaching impacted who became believers. That is the topic, not some imaginary little flock.
Then you are saying that the Jews in Acts who are called Christian and who Paul fellowships with at Antioch are not of the remnant elect. But they certainly are and Jewish Christian is not oxymoronic. Calling Acts tricky for understanding doctrine isn't going to cut it. What is described in Acts early in the church Is the very thing Paul is referencing in his epistles to the early church, who were first called Christian at Antioch and were obviously Jews as described in that tricky account.The little flock refers to the remnant of Israel who believed that Jesus is their promised Messiah.
You can call it remnant if you prefer.
Again, my point is, they are not Christians, not oxymoronic they don't call themselves Christians.
That is why your usage of the term Jewish Christians for Romans 9 is incorrect. Its an oxymoronic term.
Then you are saying that the Jews in Acts who are called Christian and who Paul fellowships with at Antioch are not of the remnant elect. But they certainly are and Jewish Christian is not oxymoronic. Calling Acts tricky for understanding doctrine isn't going to cut it. What is described in Acts early in the church Is the very thing Paul is referencing in his epistles to the early church, who were first called Christian at Antioch and were obviously Jews as described in that tricky account.
Hi there Mr MNot being an academic, I only gradually become familiar with the dogmas of men that exist in the Christian Community. Most recently, this strange idea of "Gentile Reprobation" has come to my attention, suggesting that those judged as "goats" were predestined and their choices played no part. And this in spite of the Lord's own words:
Matthew 25:
45 Then He will answer them, saying, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it
to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.
46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
This is as clear a statement of personal accountability as you will ever hear, and I marvel that someone could attain to the level of spiritual blindness to ignore such evidence to the contrary against the position they hold. I then realize that this is a perfect example of the Lord hardening hearts and why.
To accuse the Lord of being random and capricious takes quite the reprobate mind. The proponents also demonstrate a marked inability to receive any instruction or correction as further evidence to the state of their heart. I would implore that all prayers, supplications and intercessions be made on this topic, even as I will now demonstrate how and why a heart is hardened in the Gospels.
John 1:
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
I highlight the final phrase, for this is often overlooked, and is a key to understanding why the scribes and Pharisees, and many of the citizens of Jerusalem were hardened against the Lord, as discussed by Paul in Romans 9.
Note that the narrative also stipulates that John was "a man sent from God". The Lord Himself also speaks to this, although many think that He was only referring to Himself. I will soon prove otherwise.
John 6:
28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
Now, to John the baptist, and the truth that his ministry was a litmus test for the hearts of Israel.
Luke 7:27 This is he of whom it is written:
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist;
but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God,
having been baptized with the baptism of John.
30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves,
being not baptized of him.
The Lord calls them out on this in Jerusalem, and silences their opposition.
Luke 20:1 Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel,
that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him
2 and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things?
Or who is he who gave You this authority?”
3 But He answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:
4 The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”
5 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say,
‘Why then did you not believe him?’
6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
7 So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Those who did believe in John the baptist not only were baptized by him, publicly confessing their sins, but they also listened to him teach, which prepared their hearts to receive the Lord.
John 10:
40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed.
41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke
about this Man were true.”
42 And many believed in Him there.
Therefore, it is with good reason that the Lord hardens hearts, and those who accuse Him of doing so otherwise are hardened in their own hearts, and unteachable to the contrary, which is the very nature of a reprobate mind. Such is the true nature of man's reprobation, holding to doctrines of men that oppose the Word of God.
And why would God, who IS love, harden someone's heart?By the way, the topic is actually about the Lord hardening someone's heart, and whether this would ever be done without clear justification.
41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign,
but all the things that John spoke
about this Man were true.”
42 And many believed in Him there.
Therefore, it is with good reason that the Lord hardens hearts, and those who accuse Him of doing so otherwise are hardened in their own hearts, and unteachable to the contrary, which is the very nature of a reprobate mind. Such is the true nature of man's reprobation, holding to doctrines of men that oppose the Word of God.
As always, perhaps with exceptions at times as God Deigns,The same words and deeds which softens some people's hearts can harden another person's heart, so what causes that?
For His own purposes. Romans 9And why would God, who IS love, harden someone's heart?
Love does not dishonour others or keep a record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5. It is not easily angered, always protects, always hopes, always perseveres, 1 Corinthians 13:7.
That would mean he was going against his own nature - which is impossible.For His own purposes. Romans 9
God's "own nature" is that "He does whatever He pleases". Psalm 115:3That would mean he was going against his own nature - which is impossible.
glad you picked up on that, I do think at this time there were Jewish Christians, Paul was trying to make them Christians who were also Jews. There was still this huge difference between Jews and Gentiles in Rome.Jewish Christians is an oxymoronic term to use in trying to understand Romans 9-11.
There are the physical Jews, some believed Jesus as their Messiah, majority do not.
There are the gentiles who believed that Christ died for their sins and rose again for their justification. These are the Christians.
Acts 11:glad you picked up on that, I do think at this time there were Jewish Christians, Paul was trying to make them Christians who were also Jews. There was still this huge difference between Jews and Gentiles in Rome.
No, that's his actions - doing.God's "own nature" is that "He does whatever He pleases". Psalm 115:3
What does any of that have to do with hardening of hearts?No, that's his actions - doing.
His nature is who he is - I AM who I AM. And he is love., John 4:8.
As well as being holy, Leviticus 11:45, Isaiah 6:3, perfect, Matthew 5:48 and the God who does not change, Malachi 4:6.
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