Posts by ellderwho

774

Freedom to Choose God

by UnDisfellowshipped in

come to the wedding.

' for i say to you that god is able to raise up children to abraham from these stones.

ellderwho

Also, let's look at God's calling of Jeremiah the prophet:
Jeremiah 1: 4-5: Then the word of the L ORD came to me, saying: " Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
It does say that before Jeremiah was ever born, God knew him and God ordained him to be a prophet.
However, that says nothing about God ordaining Jeremiah's eternal salvation.

So God calls Jeremiah and touches his lips with the words of the LORD sets him apart, tells him He is with him, and your looking for proof of Jeremiahs salvation?

Saul

Notice, God had chosen others to act as prophets (such as King Saul), but they turned wicked and were not saved:
1st Samuel 10:9-13: So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day. When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. And it happened, when all who knew him formerly saw that he indeed prophesied among the prophets, that the people said to one another, "What is this that has come upon the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" Then a man from there answered and said, "But who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb: "Is Saul also among the prophets?" And when he had finished prophesying, he went to the high place.

Because the Holy Spirit in the OT is used to enable people to do certain task that God wants, you turn that into someone rejecting Gods calling see Judges 3:6-10 and 2Chr 36 and Numbers 24

8 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, so that He sold them into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia and the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. 9 When the sons of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. 10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. When he went out to war, the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, so that he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim

Look at 2Chronicles 36

14 Furthermore, all the officials of the priests and the people were very unfaithful {following} all the abominations of the nations; and they defiled the house of the LORD which He had sanctified in Jerusalem. 15 The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent { word} to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; 16 but they {continually} mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy. 17 Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave {them} all into his hand. 18 All the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his officers, he brought {them} all to Babylon. 19 Then they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles.

Here in Numbers24 God uses a sorcerer;

1 When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

Did God save this sorcerer.

Point is God gets what he wants period!

25

Are non-trinitarians polytheistic or monotheistic?

by grzesiek32 in

are non-trinitarians polytheistic or monotheistic?

every non-trinitarian claims that he/she is moneteistic, because they believe in only one god who is over all other gods.

in their opinion jesus is also ?a god written in a lowercase 'g'.

ellderwho

LT, yes we should, meet up that is. I was serving in the Navy back in ' 84 on board the USS Alexander Hamilton a submarine(my avatar) that was ported in Scotland (Holy Loch) for two years. I loved it.

I think we have another tinitarian on board eh?

E.

25

Are non-trinitarians polytheistic or monotheistic?

by grzesiek32 in

are non-trinitarians polytheistic or monotheistic?

every non-trinitarian claims that he/she is moneteistic, because they believe in only one god who is over all other gods.

in their opinion jesus is also ?a god written in a lowercase 'g'.

ellderwho

grzesiek32,

Good read. Its almost amusing to listen to a Jw spin Jesus into a created being, while trying not to 'really' worship him.

Hey LT enjoyed your story about Dallas and the pics also.

E.

3

Acts/Luke ascension contradiction

by peacefulpete in

for some time scholars have seen in the ending of luke and the opening of acts a sticky apparent contradiction about the timing of the ascension.

luke 24:51-52 ends by saying, "and it happened that while he was blessing them, he was removed from them and was taken up into heaven.

and they, worshipping him,returned into jerusalem with great joy.

ellderwho

First of all, the most important thing to do in ANY study of the Scriptures, is to always look at the CONTEXT.

16

The WT and Freedom to choose Evil

by jst2laws in

the wt and freedom to choose evil

augustine taught that evil did not really exits, only love, and that evil is the lack of love.

but the wt society does not agree.

ellderwho

The WT pats itself on the back for not taking the Genesis account literally as the fundamentalist do, and then takes every bit of chapter 3 literally except for the talking snake

Hasnt this been the problem for basically all the interpretations that come from the "Towers" ????

E.

14

Excellent Chronology website

by City Fan in

for anyone who's interested, i just wanted to post a link to a great chronology website i've found.

you can find it at: http://www.caeno.org/.

basically it deals with babylonian astronomy, king lists, chronicles, synchronisms etc.

ellderwho

Good work CF,

right into the favorites!!!

774

Freedom to Choose God

by UnDisfellowshipped in

come to the wedding.

' for i say to you that god is able to raise up children to abraham from these stones.

ellderwho

Undis states, I am absolutely convinced that the God who created our minds would not want anyone to accept anything as truth without making sure of the facts.

That was why I quoted those Scriptures, which show that the God of the Bible wants people to carefully examine the facts and then decide what the truth is.

Have you considered the following verses?

Ro. 8:4-8 He (Jesus) condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Eph.2: 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world,

Eph.2:15,16 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

We are told first that our carnal mind cannot be in subjection to Gods law because it is hostile towards God. Secondly we are dead in our sins so theres no pleasing God here. Thirdly we are at enmity with God we do not want to "know Him" (Trying not to preach to the choir) And lastly Jesus ends the enmity of the flesh, makes peace for the reconciliation.

With the above verses in mind, your statement,

God who created our minds would not want anyone to accept anything as truth without making sure of the facts

Are you suggesting that with a little "enlightenment" and some careful study to make sure of the facts, anyone should be able to overcome this enmity that exist between God and us?

IMHO your statement leaves you depending upon yourself.

BTW I know your not ignoring me or the D.Dog

774

Freedom to Choose God

by UnDisfellowshipped in

come to the wedding.

' for i say to you that god is able to raise up children to abraham from these stones.

ellderwho

Undis,

You are taking 1Tim. and developing your doctrine from it. Without considering what that does to the rest of the Bible re: Election, predestination. So you hang on this verse (stand alone verse) as no other part of scripture can contradict this idea you have of the 1Tim 2.

Yes 1Tim2 is inspired. You quote alot of "all men" references which some IMHO mean that literally "all men" in other cases it does not. Your trying to cloud the issue of all men in 1Tim2. "All men" in 1Tim2 cannot fit the rest of "all men" references in the entire Bible.

Why no answers for my questions to you about Paul????

14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand ; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from thebody of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Was Paul "enlightened" when he wrote this?
When Paul confesses he is not practicing what he would like to do, is that sinning Gods will?

What about Pauls statement in Galatians? How does this fit with your understanding of 1Tim2??

15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood

What about Ephesians???

5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

How does this fit with your understanding of 1Tim 2??

Ellderwho said:
In the case of Pharoah you must assume a very very vital part of your postion.
I'm not sure what you mean. The only information I have about this Pharaoh comes from the Word of God:

Then you ignore what the Bible says in Romans 9:17,18

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh , "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP , TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH." 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

If God desires to harden a person where is your "choice"????

Was it Lazarus' choice to ponder Christs' calling to come forth from the dead ????

And 1Peter2:9,10 no answer.

9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD , A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

E.

774

Freedom to Choose God

by UnDisfellowshipped in

come to the wedding.

' for i say to you that god is able to raise up children to abraham from these stones.

ellderwho

Undis states, You continue to deny these Scriptures which show clearly that not every single thing that happens is the will of God:
Mark 3:35: For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Does this mean that every human being on earth is Christ's brother or sister or mother?

So what you saying is that if God draws me to his Son, its my "will" that finalizes the relationship?

Ephesians 6:6: Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Doesn't that Verse show that "menpleasers" are NOT doing the will of God?

Your arguing past me! Lets understand this, Romans 7:14-25

14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from thebody of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Was Paul "enlightened" when he wrote this?

When Paul confesses he is not practicing what he would like to do, is that sinning Gods will?

1st Thessalonians 4:3: For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication
Doesn't that Verse show that whoever commits fornication is NOT doing the will of God?
1st Peter 4:2: That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Doesn't that Verse show that whoever "lives in the flesh to the lusts of men" is NOT doing the will of God?
1st John 2:17: And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Are all men going to "abideth forever"? Are all men doing the will of God? What is your answer to that?

My answer to that is Pauls answer in Romans 7:14-25

Matthew 7:21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Are all men "doing the will of The Father"? Are all men going to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

Does Paul do the will of the Father in Ro.7.????

Ellderwho said:
Then you try to blanket the issue with God wants all to be saved thinking, and Jesus died for everyone, without understanding that God Has already predestined his choosing and we can somehow effect this choice that was made before the founding of the earth.
Please answer this: How do you fit 1st Timothy Chapter 2 in with your beliefs as stated in that quote?
You have refused to answer my direct questions about 1st Timothy Chapter 2.

You have a stand alone scripture that your holding on to that in no way infers God is going to save all men. IMHO those verses indicate that grace is not bound by authorities, race, national background its universal "all men." God says he will have mercy on who he will, and harden who he wills.

So, I leave you a Scripture to think about:
1st Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear

1Pet.2:7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone," 8 and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Choice??

774

Freedom to Choose God

by UnDisfellowshipped in

come to the wedding.

' for i say to you that god is able to raise up children to abraham from these stones.

ellderwho

Never mind Lazarus!

When would Paul have a chance to ponder Gods grace and calling?

Gal.1:15,16 15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called R32 me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach R33 Him among the Gentiles, I R34 did not immediately consult with flesh R35 F9 and blood,

E