Two Questions for Provisionists

[SouthWestConvert]

I recently had a conversation with someone explaining the Provisionist mode of salvation. They said that 'God chooses those that choose Him'. I was brought up more Calvinistically, but I have thought about it since, and I have two questions;

1) Was the Apostle Paul chosen or did he choose to be saved?

2) Was he forced or was he drawn to believe?

I thought of Acts 9:15 'But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:'

The way I see it, by this method, God 'chooses' as a result of man's choice. For this to fit Paul's testimony, Paul would need to have accepted by his own choice before he was chosen, but I do not see this Biblically. If you are a Provisionist, how would you answer these two questions? Please explain this to me.

Thank you.

 

[BobRyan]

I recently had a conversation with someone explaining the Provisionist mode of salvation. They said that 'God chooses those that choose Him'. I was brought up more Calvinistically, but I have thought about it since, and I have two questions;

1) Was the Apostle Paul chosen or did he choose to be saved?

2) Was he forced or was he drawn to believe?

all mankind is drawn.

John 12:32 "if I be lifted up I will DRAW ALL mankind unto Me" -- but not all choose to accept.

Rev 3 "I STAND at the door and knock. If anyone HEARS My voice and OPENS the door - I WILL come in"

Paul was awakened but had to choose to follow. God said He would "show Paul" all that he would have to suffer for Christ's sake. Paul had to choose.

I thought of Acts 9:15 'But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:'

Indeed God's OWN.

John 1:11 "HE came to HIS OWN and His OWN received Him not"

The way I see it, by this method, God 'chooses' as a result of man's choice. For this to fit Paul's testimony, Paul would need to have accepted by his own choice before he was chosen

Paul is chosen by God - but has to agree to follow or else like Israel in John 1:11 "His OWN received Him not"

, but I do not see this Biblically. If you are a Provisionist, how would you answer these two questions? Please explain this to me.

Thank you.

Warnings Like John 15:1-9 and Rom 11:19-24 don't appear to work at all in a Calvinist model

Rom 11:
19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?