We probably agree more than you think. The Servetus case, who denied the Trinity, gets lots of negative press. Calvin interceded for him to get a less severe death. It was the political city council that condemned him, and they had already expelled him once or something like that. He would have met a similar fate in many areas in that day. They viewed heresy as sedition back then. In today’s world we wouldn’t do that. But then we tolerate a whole lot more heresy too. It’s hard for us to judge them on this. Look at Calvin’s wider life and the many testimonies of his sincere piety and love for Christ before you condemn him on this one account.

Thanks for dropping by and commenting on this old post.

Blessings in Christ,

Bob

to Phillip Evans: Do you mean to tell me that Ananias and Sapphira after lying to God went straight to heaven? Is that supposed to be God’s punishment to them, to take them out of this earthly battlefield to paradise, their eternal home? Frankly, the bible doesn’t say they went to heaven. Why would they care about their bodies if they lied to God but are in heaven? It doesn’t make sense. I’ve heard this example used many times to show that God will kill us before we fall away as true believers, but I see no evidence of such.

to fundyreformed: I agree with much of your article, but Phillip and NWProdigal still have some valid points too (especially about apostasy of the elect). I don’t believe OSAS for a second, and I take to heart all of God’s warnings in the New and Old Testaments. We also have to question the doctrine of a man (Calvin) who condoned the murder of a professing Christian (Servetus) who simply doctrinally disagreed with him (See Dan Corner’s http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org).

I especially agree with you that it is all inspired and all texts must agree. I’m not going to quote more scripture since most of the ones I’d quote are already on there on previous posts and your article. But I leave everyone with this. Harmonizing all scripture points to one theme: God wants a repentant heart that loves and seeks after Him constantly (or daily). Jesus summed it up with “the greatest commandment” and “the second…” There is no OSAS blank check to live as you please, but no amount of good works can get us there either.

I’m saved by the grace of the Father through my continuous faith in His Son, and kept by the Holy Spirit.

Peace in Christ brothers,

Matt

Following after Jesus is very much the same as marriage…

We fall in love and join our lives not really knowing or understanding the fullness of the commitment. The questions that follow are often difficult as two lives are melded into one. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to say there are no doubts, no challenges to belief in promises shared?? That just isn’t the human condition. What we can say, is that as we get to know our loved one, and choose daily to recommit and lay our lives down for each other, we are reassured of love’s endurance, if we will let it be so.

You say “Every sin will be forgiven, if confessed to God, except the sin against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31) which is simply coming to the point where one no longer or never believes the gospel and will not take God at His Word. Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God, hence unbelief is the sin that is to death in 1 John 5:16. ”

How does one determine that a person will never, or never again, believe ? At what point, or at the end of what timeframe ?

Please consider the following:-
Rom 11:11 I ask then, they did not stumble into an irrevocable fall, did they? Absolutely not! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous. 11:12 Now if their transgression means riches for the world and their defeat means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full restoration bring?
11:13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Seeing that I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
11:14 if somehow I could provoke my people to jealousy and save some of them.
11:15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
11:16 If the first portion of the dough offered is holy, then the whole batch is holy, and if the root is holy, so too are the branches.
11:17 Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them and participated in the richness of the olive root,
11:18 do not boast over the branches. But if you boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
11:19 Then you will say, “The branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.”
11:20 Granted! They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear! 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you.
11:22 Notice therefore the kindness and harshness of God – harshness toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
11:23 And even they – if they do not continue in their unbelief – will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
11:24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree?
11:25 For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come out of Zion;
he will remove ungodliness from Jacob.
11:27 And this is my covenant with them,when I take away their sins.”
11:28 In regard to the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but in regard to election they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers.
11:29 For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
11:30 Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy due to their disobedience,
11:31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 11:32 For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all.

Please also take note of the word all in verse 32 and if you are genuinely searching for the truth, as I am, take a look at this website. If you can prove scripturally that this person is wrong I would be tremendously interested. Take up his challenge.

http://bible-truths.com/

Les

I’d recommend looking for a Sovereign Grace Ministries’ church, a PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) church, or another church that holds strongly to Calvinistic doctrine while still maintaining a fervent lively spirit (of evangelism and worship). Many SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) churches or even those of other denominations will fit the bill. A little bit of searching online can help with this. If you need more help, send me an email at bobhayton AT gmail DOT com. (put it all together and substitute symbols for the capitalized words)

Hope this helps,

God bless,

Bob Hayton