Jerry

All those passages above show repentance from sin. You can throw them out if it doesn't fit your theology - but that doesn't make your theology true.

Actually, you are dead wrong and teaching falsehood. The Bible teaches repentance from sin and repentance are both necessary for faith. Again, with the straw men. Repentance is not cleaning up your life - it is changing your mind about your sin and turning from it in your heart. If it is true repentance, it WILL reflect in the life - but the changed life is the result of true repentance, not the repentance itself. Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. If repentance was turning from unbelief, then that verse above would not make sense: believe so you can believe. Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Oh, it's ok, brother, you sinned against me, but now you believe, so we are all good (though you never made that sin right, hm). Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. God is not going to wipe away your sin until you repent of that sin. Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Hm, same idea here. Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Repent of your UNBel... wait, wickedness! Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Um, believe and believe? Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. Here, Paul is talking to believers - but the word means the same, and it is not repent of unbelief, but of specific sins. Revelation 2:21-22 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Revelation 9:20-21 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Six examples of UNBELIEF they were to repent of!! Oh wait, those are examples of specific sins... Doh!!

Nope, she was a lost child of the Catholic Church, trusting in her works to get her to Heaven. She rejected much Scriptural truth, and made people happy/comfortable dying in their own false religions. AND no lost person can ever do "GOOD WORKS" in God's eyes. All her righteousnesses are as filthy rags (see Isaiah 64:6) compared to the pure, sinless blood of Jesus which was shed on the cross to redeem us from our sins.

Yes, and we see that exact result in those listening to Stephen's message, to some people during the time of Jesus' ministry - the fact that some people can clearly reject the Lord also means some can receive Him. If we are too dead to respond positively (ie. of you still equate physical death with spiritual death), then we are too dead to reject Him too.

I am sorry I forgot to post an update. He came home from the hospital last night, and is doing much better. I almost wrote "He went home last night" - but thought that might not be the best way to word it!

Women are not to lead a church spiritually. Quoting an OT passage about a woman leading/directing them physically into battle during a time of apostasy is not the same thing as a woman leading a NT church spiritually - especially when the NT has clear guidelines on the leadership of the church. A woman can play music - but I think the passages about her not leading the church would also apply if she was leading/directing the church in the worship of the Lord. (Also, minor point Robert, but the NT teaches that elders are the same as pastors. Elders (indicating maturity), bishops (which means overseers), and pastors (which are shepherds, leading and guiding the flock) are all different terms emphasizing different aspects of the same role of leadership in the churches.)

From Broken To Beautiful From broken to beautiful; Made with the Potter’s own hands, Transformed into gold and silver - Part of God’s wondrous plan. Vessels of the Lord’s mercy, Of His forgiveness and His grace; From a past of brokenness To true beauty in its place. Once separated from God’s family, Now adopted as a child of the King; Precious treasure in earthen vessels - To the Lord, worth more than anything. Vessels of honour, fit for the Master, Sanctified, forgiven, and set free; From forsaken to accepted in His sight - Beloved, and transformed for eternity. From broken to beautiful, Given a new purpose for His glory, Renewed, and made righteous in Jesus Christ - That is salvation’s story. April 15th, 2024 Jerry Bouey Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Hosea 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. Ephesians 4:23-24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Duct-Taped Smiles (A Mother’s Day Poem) As a mother, you reminisce over the many winding roads you’ve travelled; Filled with wonder and with joy, though at times your threads seem a little frayed and tangled; But the Lord has paved your path with love over each and every weary mile - The cracked pottery of your life is covered with bandaged elbows and duct-taped smiles. Each day of motherhood is like a book, with the pages a little tattered, a little torn; By gleaning God’s wisdom through the years, those rough edges have softened and become a little worn; The cover is more faded now, and you see some new creases here and there, But the joy of being a mother is a blessing - naught else could ever compare. Along the journey of their childhood, the memories of each precious loved one flood your heart. To see them grow, following in your footsteps - so many wondrous miracles, oh where to start? Showing them the Saviour and how He brought you through all those fiery trials, Brings a tear or two sometimes, but also lasting joy, and even more duct-taped smiles. The Lord uses motherhood to teach us lessons we may not at first understand, But through the hard days, and through the growing years, you catch glimpses of His perfect plan. When you see your children all grown up, remembering each little hand you used to hold, It is then you realize, this broken pottery has been transformed into a treasure of purest gold. March 30th, 2024 Jerry Bouey Psalms 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

You are a broken record, endlessly repeating yourself. We cannot WILL ourselves to be born again. That is a work of the Holy Spirit enacted the moment we RECEIVE the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. In case you missed it, this is the verse right before the one you ripped out of context and attempt to give a false/twisted meaning: John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Maybe one day God might sovereignly elect you to salvation, then you might actually understand all the passages you twist and give a heretical meaning.

“If God wants to convert the heathen, He will do it without your help.” That was said to the great missionary William Carey. And if He wants to damn us, your words are useless AND contrary to God’s will, so you are actually opposing (Calvin’s) God’s will, if that be the case.

Besides, if we are all saved by God’s sovereign with no personal choice, desire or will in the matter, why are you even trying to convince us one way or the other? We’re either destined to be saved and it will happen despite your words or we are damned anyway - and your words are useless because God sovereignly chose us to be damned and we cannot choose otherwise.

Are you going to quote random verses now? This is not about salvation - but about God working in snd through believers. Fits in with John 15:1-5.

He is doing better but still in icu probably for several more days.

So you are just to endlessly repeat and rehash the same unbiblical junk over and over? God tells us to repent and belief, to receive Jesus and His gift of salvation - but you’ve redefined all those verses to mean that you have no choice whatsoever and are unable to respond (even though Jesus commands the lost to do so), and God must sovereignly override your will, regenerate you first, then you can respond. Why respond then? You’re already saved, Calvin! Enjoy your sovereign election in Hell, while those of us who actually repent and consciously receive the Saviour will enjoy our eternal fellowship with Him in Heaven.

Belief is not defined in the Bible as any kind of work (in fact it is the opposite). It is a response on our part to what God has done and said.

There are multiple mysteries in the New Testament. These were all truths not revealed in OT times, but revealed clearly in the New Testament. Calvinism is not one of them.

How arrogant to think that you - a Calvinist - have everything right and can come here and tell non-Calvinists how wrong they are. Romans 9 is dealing with nations, not individuals.

You're right - no one can will to be regenerated. But we certainly can respond positively to God's offer of salvation, then HE regenerates us (NOT BEFORE). To be blunt, how do YOU know you ARE saved if you never responded to the Lord Jesus Christ nor received His gift of salvation, nor personally trusted in His finished work? Sounds like you might still be unsaved. The Bible teaches we can KNOW. 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Pity the poor person who has no assurance of personal faith or salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ because they never made a choice of their own. We don't find anywhere in the Bible that God forces people to be saved, nor regenerates them against their will.

I was made alive - quickened, regenerated - the moment I turned in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. I was not regenerated first so I could believe. The conviction or sin and the enlightenment to understand the Gospel came first, then came repentance and faith on my part, then the Holy Spirit quickened and indwelt me. That is the Biblical order. Regeneration first so you can respond and be born again (which is the same as being regenerated) is a doctrine from the pit of Hell.

A bit earlier this morning, my pastor Randy Hoxie (Faith Baptist Church in Chilliwack, BC) had a heart attack and is undergoing surgery in a hospital in Vancouver right now. Please pray for the blockage to be removed and for the Lord to heal his heart (with no complications). Thank you in advance for any prayers.

Your opinion doesn’t fit what the Bible says. You can bring your Calvinistic ideas into a discussion, but it doesn’t make it true. A response is needed: John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Again: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Again: John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Again, a choice: 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Again: Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Again: 1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? Again: 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Again, a personal response and choice to believe is needed: Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Physical death is not the same thing as spiritual death. If it was, then you wouldn't even be a sinner because a physically dead person cannot do anything, not even sin. Spiritual death means separation from God - not unresponsiveness or unconsciousness.

Salvation being 100% of God doesn’t negate man’s response - and that’s where they get it wrong. The Holy Spirit enlightens us to the truth; convicts us of our sin, our unrighteousness, and our need for the Saviour, enables us to understand the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done to save us, and shows us that salvation is not something that can be earned through anything we can do. Man responds either positively or negatively to this. If we receive the truth by receiving the Saviour and His free gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit then regenerates and indwells us, we are adopted into the family of God, given an inheritance in Christ and a future home in Heaven. That’s all by His grace - but we need to receive it, and God doesn’t force man to believe or be saved. That is up to us - and yes, He even calls and compels us - but we still need to receive the Gospel to be saved.

Yes, As the passage stated He was 30 when He began His public ministry. By comparing all the feasts in the Gospel of John, most people believe His ministry was about 3 1/2 years long - that makes Him between 33-34 years old when He died (as has been stated by others here too). As far as the exact years Jesus was born and died, they are still 33-34 years apart - regardless of what year some historian or Bible Critic has as the starting date. What is important is what the Bible gives as the chronology of His life. The same difficulty comes about when you try to date the events in the book of Acts - many different writers have differing starting dates (of what year Jesus died) - but there is an internal timeline that you can still come up with that does not depend on these conflicting dates, and which will still give you an accurate timeline of overall events (within a few months to a year). If you make note of how long between each event, etc. you can still know this was 5 years after Pentecost, this was 3 years and six months after that, this was … and so on. (Making general time references as I do not have my Bible in front of me right now.) Now I have my notes… For example, one passage says Paul was at a certain place teaching for three years, another says he was in jail for two years, and so on. Put all the references together and you can make a framework of dates within the book of Acts itself, regardless of the starting date. Paul got saved on the Damascus road two years after Pentecost, then he spent three years training with Jesus in the Arabian Desert… If your starting date was the year 32 (based on Robert Anderson’s conclusions in The Coming Prince), that makes it about 34 AD when Paul got saved in Acts 9, and about the year 37 when he finished his three years of discipleship with Jesus in Acts 9:23. It takes a bit of time, but the rest of Acts can be dated this way - and when you find an author/commentator that has a different starting date, you can just start counting from there - ie. +2 years to Paul’s salvation, +3 years until he cam back from Arabia (see Galatians 1:15-18), +10 more years when Barnabas and Saul/Paul came back from Jerusalem in Acts 12:25, then +3-4 more years till the Jerusalem counsel in Acts 15:1 - see also Galatians 2:1), and so on. Sorry for the long comments, but this is something I have put some effort into and tried to figure out how to have a working framework for studying with.

Has anyone ever read anything definitive on whether the words "up" and "down" in the Bible always refer to elevation when referring to physical places (ie. cities, mountains, areas, etc.)? This is something I have wondered for a while, and started to trace those two words throughout the Bible. Unfortunately, there are a lot of places that are hard to figure out exactly where they are or their elevation - so I have a general impression that my theory is right, but not completely. Nowadays, we use phrases like "I'm going up to the store, or down to the mall" - which are not usually references to whether we are going up hills or down hills, etc. But in the Bible, it seems they always use the words in a certain way when speaking of geography (and it is usually the Lord talking or speaking through someone, so they are not figures of speach). It is always going DOWN to Egypt and coming UP out of Egypt, UP to Jerusalem, DOWN to the nearby cities and the coast. I see many other instances of this in the Bible - and cannot recall a place saying "going UP to ..." then in a parallel passage "going DOWN to ..." to show they are using the terms interchangeably. This may seem like a stupid question - but it is one I have wondered for years, tried to find out, and filed in the back of my mind until I could get a more definitive answer. Any thoughts? Has anyone read a commentary or book where they address this?