Predestination (4)

Predestination (4)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Last weeks article addressed Ephesians chapter one, and I pointed out that one of the consequences of “predestination” is a denial of free moral agency. This article will address two other consequences:

The concept of individual pre-election makes God a respecter of persons. The Bible depicts God as being fair and faithful. It would be unfair for God to arbitrarily select some individuals to eternal life and others to eternal damnation. Proponents of individual pre-election will say that we should not question these so-called “methods” of God. I agree that God’s methods must never be questioned by his creatures (Rom. 9:20, 21). But what is really being questioned? Is this really God’s method, or has it actually been assigned to God by misguided men? I affirm that it is the latter. The Bible repeatedly affirms that “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25). What should not be questioned is God’s own impartial nature. False versions of “predestination” misrepresent God’s very nature.

The concept of individual pre-election violates the conditional nature of salvation. If God arbitrarily pre-selects some people to eternal life and some to eternal damnation, then he does so on some other basis than the choices and actions of these people. This is an unbiblical view of salvation. The Bible teaches that salvation is available to people who meet God-given conditions. The Hebrew writer said, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). One must believe in, and seek God if he wants to be saved. To go to heaven one must “do the will” of the Father who “is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). One must be “born again” (John 3:3-5, 1 Peter 1:22, 23). To be forgiven of sin one must believe (John 8:24; Acts 2:41), repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38; 17:30), confess (Romans 10:9,10) and be baptized (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38). To continue in salvation one must continue in Christ’s word (John 8:31, 32; 2 John 9).

Please write us if you are interested in a free tract on this subject.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Predestination (3)

Predestination (3)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Our last two articles addressed Bible passages about “predestination.” This article will address one other pertinent passage, and then consider some consequences of false views:

Ephesians 1:4, 5, 11 – Perhaps this is the better known and most used of the predestination passages. Paul said, “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…In him we have obtained and inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the council of his will.” Failure to define terms and consider all related contexts has led many to conclude that Paul is here speaking of an individual election by God in which certain ones are had pre selected for salvation. This is not what Paul said. Paul said that a certain character, conduct and class had been predestinated. God predetermined that salvation would be in Christ, for those who were adopted by God, and who conducted themselves in a holy and blameless way. Any and all who fit these criteria are fit candidates for salvation. Like Romans 8:29, 30, this passage describes certain conditions as being what God has predestinated. As we noted in our last article, Romans 8:29 tells us that God predestined that people would be saved by conforming to the image of Christ.

Let us consider some of the consequences of the position of personal and individual pre selection:

The concept of individual pre-election violates free moral agency. God has given humans the right and ability to choose salvation. God invites men to obtain salvation, but the “water of life” is reserved only for those who “desire” and “take” it (Revelation 22:17). Jesus lamented that though he had offered eternal life to members of the Jewish nation, they “would not” take it (Matthew 23:37; John 5:40). Salvation is a matter of choice: “IF anyone wills to do his will… IF anyone abides in my word…” (John 7:17; 8:31). The little word “if” represents huge possibilities. It suggests the right and ability of humans to make their own moral and spiritual choices. (More to come…)

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Predestination (2)

Predestination (2)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

In last week’s article I suggested that much can be learned about Bible “predestination” by examining Bible passages that discuss the subject. We looked at Acts 4:28. Let us now consider some other passages.

Romans 8:29,30 – Paul said, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” This passage is very helpful to our understanding of predestination. What God “predestinated” was the character and conduct of those whom he would save. God predestined that in order for people to be saved they must conform to the image of Christ. The word for “image” is “eikon” (icon). Christ is our icon. We are to mimic and obey him.

Though this would involve many different areas and actions, one of the more obvious aspects of this conformity would be in our service and obedience to the Father. Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish the work” (John 4:24; see also 8:29; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8). God predestined that in order for us to call him our “Father” and Christ our “brother” we must be obedient and holy, as was Christ. Many people have been deceived into thinking that if one does anything in order to comply with God’s will that he is “earning” his salvation. This is not true. Salvation is the gift of God, but this gift (grace) contains conditions. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,” shall enter into the kingdom of God, but he who does the will of my father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

1 Corinthians 2:7 – Paul said, “But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God decreed before the ages for our glory.” The word “decreed” is from proorizo, as is “predestinate.” Paul is describing God’s wisdom, specifically as it relates to the plan of salvation. The very next verse tells us that had the rulers of the world known they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Like Acts 4:28, this passage emphasizes God’s role in planning and executing the scheme of redemption. Jesus said, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Matthew 21:42). (More to come…)

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Predestination (1)

Predestination (1)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

The question is sometimes asked, “Do you believe in predestination?” Some will say yes, and others no. However, all true Bible believers do believe in predestination, for the Bible teaches it. The question should not concern the reality of predestination, but its nature. The question should be, “What is predestination?”

Due to the widespread influence of Calvinism, many people automatically think of individual election when they think of predestination. They have the notion that God has arbitrarily chosen some to eternal salvation and others to eternal damnation. This makes salvation wholly God’s doing. It is argued that if one has salvation there is nothing that he can do to lose it, and if one doesn’t have salvation there is nothing that he can do to obtain it. As we shall see, this concept is contrary to both the nature of man and the nature of salvation.

The word “predestination” is a translation of the Greek compound word “proorizo,” which means, “to determine or mark out beforehand.” Given the Bible’s use of this word, it is clear that God has predetermined something. The question is what has He predetermined? Has he predetermined certain individuals by name to either salvation or condemnation, regardless of their belief, character and conduct? Or is it something else? I affirm that it is something else. The Bible uses the word Greek word proorizo in Acts 4:28, Romans 8:29,30, 1 Corinthians 2:7 and Ephesians 1:5,11. As we shall see, predestination never violates human free agency: it does often incorporate free agency.

In the prayer that the disciples offered to God it was said that the Jews and Gentiles had gathered against Christ, “to do whatever your hand and your plan predestined to take place” (Acts 4:27, 28). God’s will was for Christ to die, and to die in a certain way (John 3:14; 12:32,33). Did God force Judas to betray Christ? No. Judas betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). Did God force the Jews to deliver Christ up to be crucified? No. The Jews delivered up Jesus because of envy (Matthew 27:18). Did God force Pilate to crucify Christ? No. Pilate allowed Christ to be crucified because he wanted to “satisfy the crowd” (Mark 15:15). Jesus was “predestined” to die, but no one’s free agency was violated in the process. (More to come…)

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

The Bible Only (4)

The Bible Only (4)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Last week’s installment addressed the all sufficiency of the Scriptures. We examined 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, which breaks down the various purposes of the Scriptures. In this last article on the subject I wish to emphasize the need to speak only where the Bible speaks.

Peter wrote, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Peter 4:11). That is, let him speak the very words of God. Religious people often fail to comply with this rule. They often give their own opinions or the opinions of others instead of the Scriptures. This is dangerous, for “there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). The only way that we can know that we are right is for us to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.

The Old Testament states this exact same principle: “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). People fail to take these warnings seriously. Failure to respect God’s word is failure to honor God. The “light” of God’s countenance is not upon those who take liberties with His word. By adding to or subtracting from God’s word, men rebel against their creator. They challenge His sovereignty and wisdom.

John, the apostle of love, issued the sharpest warning on this subject. He said that those who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ have not God (2 John 9). This means that they have no fellowship with God. It may seem like a small thing for people to invent their own religious dogma, but doing so results in condemnation.

Let us do what Bible teachers did when trying to represent God’s will: Let us open the Scriptures and read from them distinctly (Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 17:2, 3). Let our explanations be entirely consistent with the teaching of God’s word. When we discover that something that we believe, teach or practice wrong, let us repent and turn fully to the truth.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

The Bible Only (3)

The Bible Only (3)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

What was known as “the restoration plea” was a good plea: Let is speak where the Bible speaks, and let us be silent where the Bible is silent. Let us call Bible things by Bible names, and let us do Bible things in Bible ways.” This is a good rule, for it is the rule of Scripture.

In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul established this rule (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). He described the Scriptures as being inspired of God and all sufficient. Paul said to Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” The Bible contains all of the information necessary to equip people to be what God wants them to be and to do what God wants them to do. Most importantly, the Scriptures contain all of the necessary information to save the souls of men and women and to get them to heaven.

The all sufficiency of the Scriptures is emphasized by the four purposes that Paul cited:

1. “Teaching” – The Scriptures provide information in the form of facts that must be believed and commands that must be obeyed. They provide us with a God-given standard of conduct.

2. “Reproof” – What good would it do for people to have access to information that can change their lives, but not be affected by that information? God’s word reproves. That is, it shows us how and where we are wrong.

3. “Correction” – But what good would it do for people to be told where they are wrong, but not be told how to correct those wrongs? Hence, the Scriptures serve the purpose of correcting us when we are wrong.

4. “Training in Righteousness” – After being instructed, reproved and corrected, one would not want to slip back into a life of sin. Hence, the Scriptures are given to train us in right living.

Conclusion: The Scriptures supply us with all that we need to be saved.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

The Bible Only (2)

The Bible Only (2)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Last week’s article stressed the importance of “searching the Scriptures” in order to find out how to please God (Acts 17:11; Ephesians 5:10). Let us now consider some Scriptures that defend the Bible’s own self-sufficiency.

Galatians 1:6-8 – “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him that called you into the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” Interestingly, the very next verse repeats the point of verse 8, which emphasizes the seriousness of the warning. Notice that some were “distorting” (“perverting” KJV) the gospel message. How is this done? By either adding to, or taking from the Bible’s teaching. One is cursed by God and condemned if he modifies the gospel of Christ.

Mark 7:1-13 – Space does not permit me to cite this entire passage. Jesus accused the Scribes and Pharisees of “leaving the commandment of God and holding the tradition of men,” of “rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish (their) tradition,” and of “making void the word of God” by their human tradition. By adding human customs and traditions to the things that are taught and required by God, one renders his worship and religious service “vain.”

Revelation 22:18, 19 – “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” The warning is against adding to, or subtracting from God’s word. It is sometimes argued that John was warning only against adding to or taking from the teaching of the book of Revelation. Clearly, John was talking about the book of Revelation, for that is the context. However, the principle warning applies to all of God’s word, as is evidenced by what Paul told the Galatians and what Jesus told the Scribes and Pharisees.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.