Thank you so much for revealing the actual truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I was suffering from Calvinist ideas that had sneaked into my mind, but when I heard your rebuttals the truth of Gods wisdom screamed so loudly it completely wiped it out! Bless you and glory to God.
It snuck in from UA-cam Calvinists. When I read the book as a child without seeing through the over intellectualized lens the simple logical beauty of Gods truth is evident. 😊🙏
Hi all. New to the channel but loving it!! I'm a 64 year old - born again Christian of about 10 years. Catholic youth then to not caring about God at all. Retired Marine Colonel. But found Jesus in a Baptist Church by hearing the gospel for the first time in my life. I co-teach Sunday school with another 60-year old gent who also came to Jesus in his 50's. He's a Calvinist, but when he told me it meant nothing. Our differences rapidly arose during teaching. It started light hearted but has gotten somewhat contentious over time. Started listening to Leighton and Warren over at Idol Killer. Both are a God send!!! In addition to teaching, I've read the bible cover to cover every year. The concepts of Calvinism NEVER entered my mind. But having Leighton to listen too, not only helped me understand Reformed Theology, but helped me come to terms with my relationship with a actively, loving Father. God Bless you all - Kevin
Heavenly Father's 10/23/2007 message to Verne Dagenais in 'God speaks will you listen':
"My Catholic children, you have been given the Complete Truth. Do not reject your Catholic faith, for you will be held to the highest standard on the Day of Judgment. Read soberly II Peter 2:20-21: "For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they be again entangled in them and overcome: their latter state is become unto them worse than the former. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of justice, than after they have known it, to turn back from that Holy Commandment which was delivered to them." Now read Hebrews 10:29-31: "How much more, do you think he deserves worse punishments, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has esteemed the Blood of the Testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and has offered an affront to the Spirit of Grace? For we know him that has said: Vengeance belongs to Me, and I will repay. And again: The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Do not think these words are only written to the clergy and the religious orders. These words are written to all those who have taken the bows of Baptism, Confirmation, and who have made Consecrations to My Daughter Mary and My Son Jesus Christ. Your vows have set you apart from the world and you are My New Children of Israel. If you reject your vows to your Father and you refuse to repent, there is not a hot enough place in Hell for you. For you have tasted of My Goodness, received My Mercy and Graces, and have the Holy Trinity residing in your soul. Do not reject so great a salvation. I repeat Myself a final time: Trust in the Lord God Almighty completely, live your vows and promises to your Lord and Savior, and enter into My rest on My 7th day (Rev 20:4-6) and eternally on the 8th day. These words are from God Almighty to those who have ears to hear. Amen."
You reject the Gospel, which "Calvinism" summarizes, because you are not saved. You trust in yourself and your own righteousness to "choose" Christ. You trust in a false gospel and an idol (your "free-will").
Faith is "fruit of the Spirit" - that which the Spirit produces. "apart from Me you can do nothing" Gal 5:22 kjv But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, The Greek word "πίστις" is faith Why do Provisionists ignore this ?
@@Pablo-p7yaithfulness/Trustworthiness the fruit of the Spirit. You become a person that others can trust, that is a fruit of the Spirit. And yes, apart from God sending his son to save the world, we would all be left without hope.
@@Pablo-p7y God’s Word says that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and not by our own efforts or works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace Alone. Faith Alone. Grace alone means that God loves, forgives, and saves us not because of who we are or what we do, but because of the work of Christ. Our best efforts can never be good enough to earn salvation, but God declares us righteous for Christ’s sake. We receive that grace through faith alone. God even gives us the faith that trusts him. We are not saved by obeying a list of do’s and don’ts, but by grace through faith in Christ. Our salvation is in God’s hands. That’s Good News: the Gospel. ❤
The "issue" is... man cannot possibly believe in Jesus Christ without first being born again of the Spirit, and God has to give you effectually the faith gift irresistibly lol. Calvinists do not udnerstand grace, faith, salvation and our responsibility.
This fits perfectly with how forgiveness works in every day life. What doesn't fit is the calvinistic understanding of forgiveness and that's the real issue.
@@NikoFinn “Total Depravity” is a waste of time to attempt to defend, because regardless of the level of depravity one might have… James 2:10 For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all.
Deuteronomy 30 - the word of the lord (the gospel- HEB 4) comes before Israel to say "this day i set before you death and life...choose life that you may live" This is no different than the gospel we receive today. At the hearing of God's word, we have a choice to make and because we hear, we now have the ability to choose.
@@BEABEREAN10Another sign of false teaching is the desperate attempt to create different methods of salvation throughout scripture. The most gracious offenders claim a Paulian gospel, while in fact, he goes to the greatest length to describe salvation as always coming through the covenant of the seed, ONE faith, ONE gospel and ONE God.
Calvinists harp on grace through faith alone but also focus on perseverance of the saints which focuses on fruit and works to determine if one is “truly saved” which is a subtle way of adding works to be necessary to be saved. We are preserved by the promise of God, not by our perseverance. We are kept by his power, his promise.
Amen. If P of tulip is true then you cannot say believers go to glory by faith alone. Perseverance of the saints says... if you are truly a believer in Christ then you WILL, automatically, produce good works and persevere in faith and good works. If you do not persevere you were never His but a non-elect who thought he was a saint. So, to enter into glory you need faith in Jesus AND works. That is 100% false. Yes, we should live godly and follow through in dicsipleship but it is not automatic
I am not a McCarther fan, but what sounds like a Free Grace understanding of fruit is incorrect. Fruit comes when you abide in Him. Fruit happens because you are connected to Him, and because you have been altered by the Indwelling. I have heard so many different Free Grace spins and they all come down to a salvation that comes without God’s interference. Somehow we get all the blessings and promises, but all the expectations and warnings are for Jewish believers.
You will recognise those who are truly saved by their lifestyle (fruit/‘works’), works do not earn salvation but it is the ‘natural’ outcome of regeneration. It is unacceptable to disconnect salvation from a righteous lifestyle, that is what James calls dead faith and it are those ‘works’ by which we will be judged.
You are ignoring the words of Jesus that our house will fall into the sea and be lost if we hear his words but don't do them. He said that only those who do the will of his Father in heaven will have everlasting life. There is nothing automatic about obedience, you are not on auto pilot, you must seek to do God's will every day. Salvation is Covenantal, not contractual. "To whom much is given much is required." The parable of the talents is about a servant who excuses his failure to act because he knew the Lord would reap where he does not sow. He was condemned. If being fruitful was automatic, Jesus would not have given such a warning.
@@PETERJOHN101 Ot is a matter of how you define belief. If God promises to changes is from the inside out, then faith/belief does not result in said change means that He never took up residence in your heart. On the other hand it is quite possible to go through all the rituals, attend church regularly, and do churchy stuff and yet find out, “I never knew you.”
I have used this argument with my Calvinist friend and his response was, “ I was wrong because even the elects are sinners/sinful-nature and need the blood of Christ”
Not so if you understand without the shedding of blood their is no forgiveness of sins. Jesus atonement would have to be for a known group of people. It is referred to as a legal situation where He paid for the debt of a people. It’s either that or He paid for the sins of the entire world and this makes His atonement ineffectual. The God of scripture is not a God who is hoping we “accept” His offer of salvation. But He is a God who gives that gift to whomsoever He chooses. Faith is a gift and it precedes regeneration.
@@shredhed572he opens our eyes then we hear….. Kinda like the two people who sit together under the Word; one walks away chanted the other the same. Either the changed one was awakened by God or they are just a bit “smarter” or as Leighton has said “ choice meat” Only one if the scenarios gives all glory to God.
@@bibleman8010 Romans 16:24-27 (NIV) 25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with {{{my gospel, the message}}} I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but {{{now revealed}}} and {{{made known}}} through the {{{prophetic writings}}} by the {{{command of the eternal God}}}, so that all the Gentiles might come to the {{obedience that comes from faith}} - 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Yes, and the Gospel is the power, itself empowered. That's where the Provision lies, and we must be clear about it. I'm afraid they're not being clear.
@@duncescotus2342 True. And those who are humble will be receptive to listen to the Gospel (Psalms 25:8-9; Psalms 34:18; Luke 18:9-14; Luke 4:18-19; Matthew 11:28). What gives the words of the Gospel power to be alive and active that no other words possess? Hebrews 4:12-13 (WEB) 12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. How is the Gospel empowered, is it not by the Spirit? Ephesians 6:17 (WEB) 17...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God Does the Spirit just stand idly by as the Word is spoken, or is the Spirit active in making the word alive in those who will listen? 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (WEB) 4 My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (WEB) ... our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. When God spoke all things into existence (Psalms 33:9) was the Spirit idly watching, or was the Spirit making the words alive and active to accomplish what it was meant to do? Was it the spoken word alone that caused all things to be, or was His Word empowered by His Spirit actively involved in creation to make happen what God Spoke (Psalms 33:6; Genesis 1)? When any of the prophets, Apostles, and Lord Jesus himself, spoke God's words by which miracles were done did the Spirit just stand there and watched? Were the spoken words alone causing the miracles, or was His Word empowered by His Spirit actively causing the miracles as the words were spoken (Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 2:4; Galatians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 3:34; Matthew 12:28)? Matthew 12:28 But if I, by the Spirit of God, cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you. Romans 15:18-19 (WEB) 18 For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ Therefore, the Gospel is the Power of God onto Salvation. The Gospel is the power of God because it does not work alone, as do the words of men; rather, the Gospel is the sword the Spirit making the Gospel personal and alive, to knock on the hearts of those who will listen. Revelation 3:20 (EWEB) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me. John 6:44-45 (WEB) 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Isaiah 54:13 Therefore everyone who hears from the Father and has learned, comes to me. John 16:7-8 (WEB) 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment John 1:9 (KJV) 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
I have always liked James 1:22, "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." One can be deluded by just having intellectual knowledge. Non-believers can have intellectual knowledge and not know God. Believers can have intellectual knowledge and refuse to be teachable and hear the truth.
Right. If calvinism were true and you were non-elect.. no hope for you. You are born to burn in hellfire forever. That is your ultimate purpose why God would have created you. So horrible
KtheElder: So very true. Our salvation is a roll of God's "loaded," dice. The odds of your winning the salvation dice roll is very poor, but hey,..... Good luck.....maybe you'll get the lucky roll. I just do not understand how anyone the reads the N.T., can believe something that lacks all evidence that it's true. Is calvinism ideology without intellect? Looks that way. I pray that a homicide detective is not a calvinist type thinker.
All sins are not equal in every sense. Stealing a candy bar isn't as bad as murder. Since each one is a sin, they are equal in the sense that they each bring condemnation unto death. I think that's what you meant to say.
@@a.k.7840 I could look your moral man and immoral, both in the eye, and say they are equally separated from God. And offer them both the gospel and God's gift of grace. If the murder repented and the candy thief didn't - then which sin has more consequences? My point to Calvinism - the moral condition of man has NO bearing. 100% of the elect go to heaven and 100% of the reprobate go to hell. Period. You can say that without mentioning Jesus, the Gospel or man's sin. Pastor Mac will spend 30 minutes talking about the evil man DOES - then spend 30 minutes talking about what man DOES is irrelevant to salvation. It's all church theater. You either made God's cut-line before the foundations, or you're eternally screwed. And describing dead as really, really, really dead - is just for show. It's a terrible message, fluffed it up to be presentable. But it's void of hope - so for me it is the most hated doctrine.
I know this is hard to hear, but MacArthur has done a lot of damage to the body of Christ, especially his doctrine of a “bloodless” salvation. He teaches traditions & academia…The scriptures beg choice, in their entirety, not determinism. It amazes that MacArthur & other Calvinists have manufactured an intellectual edifice, w/o biblical context, to teach Calvinism. Sadly, it is another gospel altogether.
At roughly 8:25 macarthur says " you are under the deceptive leadership of satan," but within his calvinist paradigm the actual claim is that you can't come because one is under the deceptive leadership of GOD.
According to Calvinism the lost hate God because God first hated them. They won't say it that way, but that's what it boils down to. All they can say is that the "Elect" should be more grateful for their own salvation! It’s like, ‘as long as my eternal destiny is secure, as long as my life is all planned out and taken care of by God, who gives a damn about family, friends or anyone else!’ Truth in Love
"Unwilling" to come to Christ, not "incapable". John 5:40 Faith is not a work ("filthy rag"). It is an attitude of the heart, an acknowledgment of the truth.
@@heyjaja72 Incorrect. If one must be ELECTED first to receive Faith to obtain Salvation... Faith is irrelevant. That is why Calvinism teaches Salvation by Grace through Election, not Faith. Unbiblical. Humans are born with the ability to exercise their faith hence the hundreds of religions in existence besides Christianity. It's who we direct our faith to that matters, Jesus Christ. John Calvin even stated that faith isn't an effectual gift from God. 😁
I think it's actually just grace through election, or only election. I cannot understand exactly what is "saved" in Calvinism - there was no transition from "unsaved" to "saved" in Calvinism, because the individual was never, at any time, lost, but held in the mind of God eternally as in union with Christ prior to his creation outside of time. There was never a time in which the individual's salvation was in danger or threatened or subject to doubt, and therefore nothing was ever "saved" - it was union, permanently and unchangeably. Nothing at all effects the election of any individual soul on Calvinism - not youth, or ignorance, or sin, or "error", or "belief", or anything else. You cannot save what was never lost, and cannot make "elect" that which is "un-elect". Therefore I think that "salvation" is the wrong term for the Calvinist, as is the story of Jesus, whose existence on their theology was not necessary, and more of a show or a drama than a divine necessity and sacrifice to save those souls in danger of perdition. The passion is meaningless and makes no sense at all if Calvinism is true, as is all of salvation history - the problem is not normal Christians who just don't understand the Bible - it's with Calvinists who don't understand the Bible or the fundamentals of Christianity, and are honestly better off making up their own religion, complete with their own scriptures, rather than trying to shoehorn their beliefs and theology into a religion that isn't compatible with it.
This is another reason I'm subscribed: when Dr. MacArthur misuses the term "prevenience," Dr. Flowers corrects him (correctly, too!) in a gracious spirit. Basically, Arminians differ from Calvinists on this point in two ways: 1. Whom God calls, he enables. If God calls someone, even if it's just in a pagan looking at Creation and intuiting a Designer, it's because God has enabled him to take the step, and he will follow with a call to take another and another, in a path that leads to Christ, and with each call, he will enable another free response. 2. The Grace is resistible. We can say "no." Otherwise there is no choice, and monergism leads inevitably to monism: if God is the only one who can choose, then he is effectively the only one who exists, and all others are sock puppets. Everything we do, good or evil, is actually God's doing, and he is culpable for all evil. Arminians and Provisionists have no such problem.
The confusion of faith being a "work" and faith not being a work is real. I heard that point in Lutheranism fairly often as well but it was subtle. Mike Winger shined some light on that one for me. It took me a minute to even realize what I had absorbed in regard to this. You can imagine that confessional Lutherans very much express wanting to distinguish this point in regard to "works" given their history....
Deuteronomy 30 - the word of the lord (the gospel- HEB 4) comes before Israel to say "this day i set before you death and life...choose life that you may live" This is no different than the gospel we receive today. At the hearing of God's word, we have a choice to make and because we hear, we now have the ability to choose.
What Macarthur said - "Salvation is not by works lest any man should boast it is by grace" What the Bible actually says - 'For by grace you have been saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:8, NASB) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:9, NASB)' Faith is not a work, Leighton is right - if you have a problem with that you have a problem with Paul and the Bible.
JMac/Calvinism: "Man is so totally depraved he can't & won't seek God he is unwilling & incapable" Scripture: Nicodemus hunts down Jesus for a 1 on 1. Zacheus runs ahead, climbs a tree to see Jesus. Ethiopian Treasurer acquires a copy of Isaiah & reads it. Cornelius prays gives alms, his faith in "I know God exists" is rewarded. Lydia attends a prayer meeting then listens to Paul. Bereans searched the scriptures. "Sir, we want to see Jesus" (John 12:21).
@@Buscando-respuestas Regeneration couldn't happen until Jesus rose and ascended to the Father. So the the Calvinists have to do some mental gymnastics around this.
1. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." 2. "For God so loved the world - whoever believes on Him will be saved." Yup. If one believes in Jesus/God for salvation, they will be saved. Forever. Everlasting. Without end.
They are spiritually stunted by self righteousness and therefore biblically illiterate concerning doctrine. MacArthur is a rotten source for Bible studies, it can only end terribly.
Mr Flowers..keep doing what yoy doing ...stay in the truth...yoy got it....we may talk about smaller things to perfect like Lords Supper in churches...Music ...to teach soul winning is not for everione the same..not all have all the callings...but can have other callings to the Gospel.
The question should be, What are saved by and what are the conditions for being saved? Saved by grace. How or what are the conditions? By believing the gospel of Jesus Christ, repenting of our sins, obeying God, living for God, serving God, and enduring to the end.
Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman "Your faith has saved you, go in peace"...Acts 16 The jailer asked Paul "What must I do to be saved?" Paul said "Put your trust/faith in Jesus". If we didn't have to "do" anything "to be saved" Paul (who wrote Ephesians and Roman's) would have said "You don't have to do anything to be saved". Correct? If we could just "be saved" without putting our trust in Jesus, wouldn't he have said that?
You know, I soooo long to see more calvinists coming out of their semi-gnostic theology from Augustine. I do not really wanna engage with them so much because of the 'pelagian, 'synergist', 'free-will worshipper' bullying tactics and strawmen. I used to listen to a whole lot of MacArthur, Friel, Johnson, Piper, Sproul etc and their zeal for God's Word is absolutely fantastic, but... oh man if they would only reject tulip entirely. The way they unfortunately define "Salvation is of God" is... God will choose to save some via His Son and those that He has chosen cannot say any objections to it. And likewise the non-elect cannot say anything. And yes, why don't they come? They SUPRESS the truth of God in wickednesw, they REFUSE to come. God did not make them not want to come to Him due to His decree... yeah, May God open the eyes of calvinists
That's a great observation. If only the elect are saved, and the Devil has no function, then why the Scriptures that warn about demonic deception? Furthermore, if the Calvinist god decrees everything, then doesn't he decree the Devil and everything about him?
I do not think so. He is right on the money on this subject but like all men Christ said we are not to be trusted like one should trust the scripture. I doubt Dr. Flowers could even begin to accomplish what some of his guests have done like the Oxford scholar Dr. Ken Wilson. I do appreciate Dr. Flowers humility and his use of logic but I think he would probably not be close to the top 10 list of 1700 years.
@@mikefoht2738 Many if the “greatest theological minds” of the last 1700 either created or propagated the false teaching that have fractured the church. While Ken is a great historian, as a Free Grace theologian his greatest accomplishment will be coming up with reasons why the vast majority of scripture does not apply to you.
@@jeffreybomba ---"Many if the “greatest theological minds” of the last 1700 either created or propagated the false teaching that have fractured the church." Exactamundo!
Legitimate question as a new believer: do you think he is a false preacher? And furthermore, do you believe that a false preacher can still be saved and simultaneously be a false preacher? I will say that Calvinistic/“Reformed” theology discouraged me to the point of almost completely rejecting the Gospel, so I can totally get behind the idea of it being a false gospel.
@@powersd453deven When I mentioned about the probability of John MacArthur being a false preacher, I had in mind 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NASB) which states, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” It is very probable that he is. We Christians often have a hard time believing that a preacher or teacher that uses the Bible could be a false one even if he is drawing multitudes of people and even when such a person belongs to the same denomination as the one to which we belong. I believe that most of us Christians do not take seriously what Jesus said in Matthew 24:4, 5, & 24. It reads, “And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.’” I do not think we have hard time believing that Joel Osteen is a false preacher/teacher but many Christians would have a hard time believing that John MacArthur is preaching/teaching a false gospel, which is not a gospel at all. 2 Peter 2:1 & 2 (NKJV) reads, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.” Take notice that these false prophets were among the people which implies God’s people. Also, notice that word “bought”. This is the same word that Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV), which reads, “For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” These false prophets denied the Lord who bought them so it implies that at one time they belong to God’s people. To answer your question, I do not believe that a false preacher can still be saved and simultaneously be a false preacher. It is interesting that people that identify as Calvinists are defending the view of a man. We sadly learn as baby Christians to look for verses that support what we already believe. There are few things that I do not see in the Bible but which many other Christians believe at times unable to strongly support them: 1) The Pre-Tribulation Rapture, 2) Tithing under the New Covenant, 3) the Once Save, Always Saved doctrine, 4) Determinism, & 5) Speaking in Tongues as the Initial Physical evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Look at the Scriptures AND do learn about the art and science of hermeneutics. Place your trust in Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who is the author of Scripture. Questions you will have and to some of those questions, answers will come but to some of those questions, the answers may never come. Just keep trusting God and fix your eyes on Jesus not on any other person. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NJKV) reads, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We know how to divide the word of truth but do not know how to put it back together and that is why we have denominationalism; all denominations claiming that what they believe is biblical while still dividing the Body of Jesus Christ.
"Because it's the truth they can't accept it." Where does it say that? This is what I have noticed about MacArthers sermons. He reads a verse, then he applies things to the verse that do not come from the verse. He says things with his calvinistic system in mind, rather than having true Scripture in mind. And people fall for it. He isn't teaching Scripture he is teaching his man made system.
Salvation by grace/mercy through 'pistis' (allegiance aka "faith") is true throughout the entire Scriptures (both 1st and 2nd Testaments as Dr Scott McKnight prefers to call them).
@17:08 RE: the pie analogy. God makes the whole pie. Then offers it to "whosoever will" So it's not God making 99% the pie and man contributing 1%. God makes 100% of the pie/salvation plan was all God's and He did all the work and He provides the new birth (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and offers it as a free pie, slices, etc as a gift to anyone who wants a a "piece" of the pie, so to speak. Man contributed nothing to the making of the pie, and doesnt deserve any of it either! We can only receive it 🙏 by asking, in faith.
Except if you “ accept” and I do not you are either smarter or wiser than me. You have reason to boast. If Hod opens the eyes of a sinner dead in sin and trespass and they see His truth ; then believe God gets the glory ( all of it)
@dfischer5878 I guess I've never thought about being smarter, better or wiser than my loved one's who don't accept Jesus. I've never felt like boasting that "I'm better than you all! Haha!" Actually, I feel bad for them. I think those who believe God "hand picked them" from all eternity had more reason to boast as they are "part of the special club" and everyone else is not. But honestly, I really haven't known a Calvinist or Provisionist in real life that boasts or glorifies themselves in their salvation. It was God's plan🙏, He offers it as a free gift, He gets all the glory 🙆♂️
@@Apollos2.2reformed theology does not teach “ this special club” you speak of. God saves sinners in-spite if themselves . We know we are hell deserving sinners and bring absolutely nothing to the table but our sin. We have no idea who God’s elect are so we share the gospel with all people as scripture demands.
Leighton definitely has a truth mission, and greater patience than Job. J.M. did not believe or teach this (determinism) in his earlier ministry. I am curious what happened to J.M., to change his beliefs.
I think he, MacArthur, said when he went to seminary and went deeper into studying puritan theology he changed his mind. So.. it wasn't the Bible that changed his mind.
@@NikoFinn Oh, interesting to know. I wish when we are presented with an idea, a belief, a proposition or supposition, that before we jump in feet first, we would ask where in scripture is there support....And is this belief fundamental to my salvation. Other than knowing the name John Calvin, I knew nothing. One day I was listening to a John MacArthur sermon (loved his sermons, his passion and certainty) when he said something that troubled me. I thought I misunderstood and went back and replayed it 3 times. After the 3rd time my thought was, "Where in scripture is he getting this belief, this assertion?" I went to the scripture and found no support for his positionfrom the verses he was quoting. Ultimately I researched Augustine, Calvin and Calvinism. I am certainly not even close to a biblical scholar BUT had I not known enough scripture I could have believed what he said. Afterall, he's John MacArthur and I am an ordinary woman and christian from Tennessee. What I learned from this experience is that if Christians have formed 99% of their soterology from teachers instead of scripture, they may never question the biblical truth of their beliefs.
I believe John MacArthur has fallen into the same trap that happened to Solomon. They both started out following God but at the end of their lives they both have turned their backs on God worshipping an idols. Solomon by influence of his foreign wives set up and worshipped idols. 1 Kings 11 4-8 In his old age, his wives tempted him to follow other gods. He was no longer committed to the Lord his God as his father David had been. 5 Solomon followed Astarte (the goddess of the Sidonians) and Milcom (the disgusting idol of the Ammonites). 6 So Solomon did what the Lord considered evil. He did not wholeheartedly follow the Lord as his father David had done. 7 Then Solomon built an illegal worship site on the hill east of Jerusalem for Chemosh (the disgusting idol of Moab) and for Molech (the disgusting idol of the Ammonites). 8 He did these things for each of his foreign wives who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. I heard John MacArthur preach in his early days the perfect gospel truth. What he just said above is blatant heresy and another doctrine of demons. His fall has come by his puffed up pride of fame and his estimated net worth of over $24 million. It is sad, but that was the choice of each of these men to follow Satan. Learn from their mistake! If they could be deceived and lost, how much easier for us little people? Be guarded and humble. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Call out these false teachers as a warning to others! They are the false teachers in wolves clothing we are warned about, over and over in God's Word. Truth in Love
@@truth7416 You should not be spreading gossip, which may or may not be true. If untrue it is slander. 2. You claim things about John MacArthur you have no way of knowing....supposition at best, that wealth has corrupted him. We have no reason to doubt what J.M stated about having changed his mind. We must behave as Christians. Attack the belief, not the man. The Bible gives us details of Solomon's and Samson's life, the actions of these men, their sinful choices . And , the teller of all the stories is God.....not @truth7416.
MacArthur's definition of "grace" is being given the opportunity to earn your salvation through works and those who are elect unto salvation will persevere in their works and be saved.
Absolutely not. MacArthur is known for saying if we could lose our salvation we would… The one who saves us is the one who produces the works through His spirit and is the one who holds us till the end.
@@dfischer5878 Maybe Paul was confused then, he definitely thinks a believer can walk away - For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (1 Corinthians 8:10-11, KJV) He says the weak brother, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED, could perish.
You need faith to respond to the grace of salvation. But if predestination means God had it already decided irrespective of u, then grace is not received by faith but by predestination. In other word, faith is completely useless bc no matter how hard faith tries, it still can't change what has been predestined(if predestination is truly what the Calvinists claim it is.)
When I heard that at 1.50 ish, I was like yeah what? But listening further on, MacArthur is quoting what Jesus said to the Jews at that time, specifically to them. Not to those of the nations who will believe and have believed for 2000 millenia and beyond. Added content below cause I got ahead of myself and who hasn't done that?
And why don't they have the capacity? cause they don't want to believe. Free will is a thing. A very BIG thing in choosing to follow Christ or not. Otherwise humans can accuse God of being unfair or unrighteous. Not only that but then the enemy (who is satan) can also accuse God of being unrighteous. This is a very serious matter to be questioning the righteousness of God! We must understand the God whom we serve.
At the 11:50 point, MacArthur makes the following statement, "...that is why it is so hard to enter the Kingdom...". He thus demonstrates that he does not even understand his systematic. According to Calvinism, if you are elect it is done for you (so it's not hard) and if you are not elect, it's not hard but is impossible. The inconsistency of Calvinism reminds me that you cannot argue insanity with sanity.
That's the wrong view. It's more like man hates God and wants nothing to do with Him. We are responsible for that. God makes some love Him by giving them a new heart. God is not obligated to save any of His enemies. Yet He chooses some of His enemies to save. If we were innocent men forced into sin, then your view would make a strong point. But since we are bound in sin by our love towards sin and hatred towards God, we are held responsible
@@heyjaja72 Let's not be so quick to tell a fellow Christian "that's the wrong view", lol. For if that is my interpretation, there is nothing you can stand on to tell me I am wrong (if you are Protestant). Anyway, so here is what I am reading from what you said. Tell me if I have misrepresented what you are saying: 1. Man (in his natural state) hates God and wants nothing to do with Him. And it is our fault (man) due to original sin of Adam & Eve. This makes us enemies of God. 2. God "only" (my word) chooses to save some of His enemies. 3. We are bound to sin because we love sin and hate God. 4. We are responsible for our sin because of #1 and #3 above. Is this all correct so far? You didn't offer a conclusion as to how you see Salvation working in this system, so please give your points 5, etc... thanks!
We are saved when we respond but do not respond till He opens our eyes . We are responsible for our sin . God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility are two parallel truths that run throughout scripture.
"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those WHO BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, he gave the right to become children of God- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:11-13
Cuz He calls all men to repent:) doesn’t mean He believe it will happen. Not much of an argument against God being sovereign in all things ( including salvation)
@@dfischer5878 I’m not arguing against Gods’s sovereignty. That’s a Calvinist strawman you’re using. I’ll repeat my question. Why does God command us to seek Him out, if He forbids us from doing so?
@@Pondimus_Maximuslove the straw man term🤦♀️ So I’d say it back but it bugs me. God commands all men to obey His commands too. God’s declarative will and His decretive will are separate. His does not delight in the perishing of the wicked either. But He unapologetically tells us who He is and who we are. We are creatures and our “ free will”in no way is needed for salvation since it belongs to the Lord.
@@dfischer5878 No, the strawman you used, was accusing me of denying God’s sovereignty. Calvinism is ALWAYS buttressed with strawmen and gaslighting, because it doesn’t withstand scrutiny on its own.
They're supposed to debate here some time in the near future . White actually challenged Brother Leighton. Can you believe it ? Lol Leighton has been trying to get white to have a brotherly discussion for years but white instead of accepting , challenged him . I predict that when they debate that white will decline to answer certain questions while claiming they're loaded questions like he did with Tim Stratton and Michael Brown.
Yeah White has scripted answers for every occasion. He uses every trick in the book, yet Leighton always shows him dignity and Godly love. Who knows, maybe one day White will come out from among them (calvinists) and be separate.
GRACE is God bestowing upon us what we do not deserve, and MERCY is God withholding from us what we do DESERVE. - It's all of Sovereign Grace. Did he not say that He will have MERCY on whom he will have Mercy - Romans 9
A lot of nonsense here. The 'saved by' framing is part of the problem. Another is lack of clarity on what 'grace' exactly means. Or what 'earning' or 'faith' mean. If my aunt shows me favor, i.e., gives me grace, by offering to pay for college at ABC U, that's a free gift. If i go and are faithful and graduate, I've earned a degree. It's both a gift and earned. In other words, the free gift is conditionally effectual. If I reject the offer and don't attend and work on my studies, I'll receive no reward in the end. Isn't that the biblical picture?
Calvinists who believe that non-Calvinists don't believe that salvation is by grace alone are bigoted - Calvinism kills humility, love, equality, justice, evangelism, wisdom, and goodwill in the heart of the believer. It basically turns good Christians into 1st century Pharisees - the exact sort of religious person that Jesus consistently rebuked. If Jesus returned, and appeared before Calvinists, and told them that their doctrine was false, and to repent and believe in God...they would call Him a semi-Pelagian and that He just didn't understand Calvinism. Calvinism is Christ-less. It's the ugly height of arrogance, and I've lost all sympathy for these little-minded people who think they can tell true Christians who believe in the Gospel that they don't believe in the true Gospel. If you want to rot Christianity from within and tear the church apart, congratulations, Calvies: you're doing the devil's work for him.
I’d like to see some expansion discussion regarding saved by grace through faith. Not just saved by grace. And also some commentary discussion regarding St James discussing faith without works is dead. I think you might not be clearly distinguishing between the “works of the law” and the works of the spirit. True repentance is a work. True faith is a work of our entire life. Of falling and turning back to God. This is the work or the running of the race that Paul talks about.
WE.... We are so profoundly captive to sin until the day star arises in our hearts and we want to follow and believe everything Jesus says in His word.. Because after all Jesus died for my sins and yours.... we are born again and then we try not to live with or in sin...cause the Holy Spirit... yes the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus gave to live in us convicts us, (not humans being a special kind of someone). We will not want to sin but we obviously will, cause we are still in this earthly flesh and not yet ascended to glory.
John 5:41 "I do not receive glory from men." Calvinism is ALL about God glorifying Himself by saving or damning men. God needs nothing from us and is 100% fully glorified whether or not we exist. This is another point of Calvinism that is busted.
I don’t believe either, that God derives any sort of glory from predetermining some people to hell. McArthur likes to say people are in hell as just punishment for their sins, but that makes no sense if they were predetermined to be in hell before they even existed or sinned.
@@janetdavis6473but it does since scripture tells us God has revealed enough of Himself in creation to dam us. The problem seems that as fallen creatures we have the need to add to toe salvation. Let’s simply praise God for who He unapologetically says He is.
This is like saying: Believe in Jesus! but hold on, you can't believe. Repent! hold on, you can't do that either. So, after every commandment, calvinism is saying: Yes, but you can't... I don't know what can be more contradictory than that...
I wonder if MacArthur has really read John 20:31. Provisions/free grace need to really embrace this verse. It clearly states the scriptures are written so that we would believe and by believing you will have life.
I disagree with the opening line. Salvation is not predicated upon understanding grace. I'm a literalist and the public ministry of the apostles never said "If you affirm that salvation is by completely by grace, you will be saved". This idea is legalistic and has bred legalism ever since the Reformation. Understanding that salvation is by grace is not a command or criteria for salvation. It's simply an understanding of the mechanics.
Pharisees likely didn't think they could work their way to Heaven. They thought they were righteous because they were the People of God. Their standing as (righteous) Jews was sufficient (in their view). Apparently we need to review Paul's actual argument.
There is an undisputable fact about Calvinism (thank you Leighton because your repeat this often). It creates the perfect excuse for an unbeliever to reject the gospel. He can only hope and wait to be one of the elects.
Yes, we are responsible to accept this free gift of eternal life, through Christ alone by faith alone. This gift is given by Grace, because is something we don't deserve. The person must have the knowledge of the clear Gospel, the person must believe in the message of the gospel and the person must commit to the work and must understand that this is all possible because of the work of Christ on the cross, His perfect blood paying for what we deserve.
Yet, Calvinist would say that you need to be born again first. If you said yes, you were regenerated first. Because of romans 5:9. It’s just a cycle 🔄 I keep going around and around with my Calvinist friend. 😩
If so then the one who “accepts “ this gift is clearly smarter than the one who did not. This gives the “accepter” reason to boast. If it is God who awakens one and simply leaves the other than it is a gift that gives God the glory and not man.
@@dfischer5878 God gets all the glory regardless. But in your view those who are not saved are literally hated by him and God gets the blame for those who spend an eternity without God.
@@Buscando-respuestasPsalm 5 4-5, psalm 11:5 Scripture is clear that God is angry with the sinner everyday. Does He punish them for not” accepting “ Him? He punishes them fit their own sin….. There is no Injustice there. God has revealed himself in creation ( enough to condemn us all) why is it so troubling that He shows mercy to whom He will? The bigger question is why does He show mercy to anyone. God does not get the blame at all; our sin is to blame.
If some are incapable of putting their faith in Jesus then why did He get so upset with them when they rejected Him? Just read Matthew 23 to see what I'm talking about. Jesus ranted against the unbelieving Pharisees and scribes. He ended His rant by indicating that they rejected Him because they were unwilling to accept Him. So, it was not because they were incapable of accepting Him, they were unwilling. That implies it was their choice. If they had no choice in the matter why would Jesus be angry at them? Would He get angry about their unbelief and hypocrisy if they couldn't help but to reject Him? Of course not. That's ludicrous. Do Calvinists even think about these things?
There is not a single verse in the New Testament that says "grace alone" (or "faith alone", for that matter, except for James 2:24 - "not by faith alone"). This is one of Protestantism's most glaring errors that's ignored perpetually.
John 16:8 .. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to Convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement, enabling-(not forcing)-the believer to trust in Christ as they hear the gospel, thereby responding to and receiving the gift of salvation. Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Then HOW did you HEAR sir? Does not scripture clear say that FAITH cometh by HEARING. Are we not saved by GRACE through FAITH, and that not of YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT of God - Ephesians
Dr. Flowers sets up a lot of strawman arguments which he easily knocks down with his provisionist theology. His presuppositions keeps him from seeing the clarity of Reformed theology.
Water and oil don't mix any better than "Deformed Theology gospels," mix with the True Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians are saved through placing THEIR Faith in Jesus and repentance/ baptism. There is no salvation apart from that. A Calvinist have no faith and place their only hope in that they were elected! The Calvinist must then after convincing them selves that THEY have been elected, try to prove it by doing good works like a trouper. Good works does not pay the price of sin. Wake up while you still live on the Earth and CAN make a decision. You may be ashamed of it as the foundation of all Calvinism, but you cannot in our day in age hide it anymore. Truth in Love
@@truth7416 This is true. According to Calvinism if a person walks away from God they were never elect so the only way to know for sure is at the end of your life you're still a believer.
How do you explain two people hear the same message without proof or anything to go on except the person doing the witnessing? But yet one believes and repents and turns to God. Did they both get drawn or did only one get drawn to the Son? And please don’t say God was waiting and only drew the one and the other later.
JM: "You will not believe because you cannot believe" KTS: 🤦♀....It was ISRAEL at the time of Jesus' ministry who could not believe and for good reason. The Fathers of Israel who turned their backs to God TAUGHT their children the ways of Baal which made them children of the devil. The children believed what their fathers were teaching them and then they taught their children, and they taught their children until they were SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH that God sent the truth to them knowing that they would deny Him and this was for the sake of saving all nations. It was with great patience that God allowed Israel to go their own way so that through their stubborn disobedience salvation would come to all men, both Jews and Gentiles. We can only believe if we have teachers that have heard and learned OF THE FATHER....the children of Israel NEVER HEARD AND LEARNED OF THE FATHER...Simple. John 5 37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. All they had IN them is LIES that were FED to them by their fathers and because they SWALLOWED them, they became a liar like their father the devil whom they ignorantly worshipped. They had never heard the Father's voice because the voices of their fathers led them to become idol worshippers. It's so stinkin' simple that I am embarrassed for the likes of John MacArthur who claims to be wise but has become a fool because he swallowed a wind of false doctrine that carried him away from the truth. Calvinism is one of the devil's favorite doctrines to feed Christians so they become unprofitable. The devil knows he already lost them so he might as well make them unprofitable by feeding them another gospel through the likes of "great men of the faith" who are admired...ugh. 2 Corinthians 11:4 “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” Please stop making a mess in God's house.
I'm sorry, Leighton, but our faith in Christ is not a filthy rag, our faith in Christ is precious and necessary. The passage in Isaiah referring to our righteousness as filthy rags means the goodness that Man perceives in himself, which would not include an attribute necessary for salvation. Please stop saying this brother!
The older I get, the more I think “getting saved” is a sloppy idea. As followers, we need to stay vigilantly focused on Christ and his commands (loose ref to John 16). The idea of “once saved always saved” from a practical stand point is silly. It’s an invention for complacency and, worse, laziness.
@@dfischer5878 Humans are the image of God. Do you think the image of God is evil? The existence of sin and your responsibility for it tells us that you are good inherently. If you weren't, if sin was your innate nature, you would not be responsible for 'sin.' And God called his creation very good. Unless you become like a child...
I would like to offer an alternate perspective regarding John 5:39. In this passage, John 5:39 KJV. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. These Jews are indeed hearing the Father voice in Old Testament scripture since they think (believe) that they have eternal life from scripture (the Word of the Father). However, they simply do not believe in the Son. They recognize that the Son is speaking the same things as the Father, the same as other righteous leaders of that day. However, what they don't believe is that Jesus is who He says He is, the Son of God, and the one to whom the scripture testifies. They refuse to believe this man Jesus was the Messiah, regardless of what He said or what miracles He performed. So, even though they believed in the promises of God, their pride (and hardened hearts) would not allow them to accept a Messiah of such a lowly estate. They could not reconcile the word of God with the man Jesus, yet they believed in Old Testament Scripture.
Does the word of God have no power with unbelievers? For the word of God is sharper than any 2 edge sword piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and joins and morrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intense of the heart there is no creature hidden from his sight. I would capitalize all necessary words but I'm driving.
If Calvinism is true, the bible should be reduced to just few pages. What's the point of all the instructions, commandments, warnings, teaching, encouragment verses and chapters? Pslams 37 would be totally useless and many others. Satan would have no purpose at all, and more importantly, the gospel good news , should be called bad news. Who in their right mind would call having 80% of their children predestined to die good news at all?
2 Thessalonians 2:10-17 KJV 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. Please explain why YOU were saved Leighton/
I wonder if the verse "No one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him" can be interpreted to mean "No one can come to me unless they are compelled by the father's drawing" ?
@@janetdavis6473 Yes. John 12:32-33 [32]And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. [33]This he said, signifying what death he should die.
True, God's grace onto salvation is by faith in Lord Jesus (Romans 5:1-2; John 3:16). The Power of God onto salvation is by faith - from beginning to end (Romans 1:16-17). Lord Jesus, since his resurrection, now draws all people to himself (John 12:32) through the Gospel (Romans 10:17) and Spirit (John 16:8-9). The drawing is not regeneration, because the sinner only passes from death to life by faith (Galatians 3:21-22; John 5:24). The Sovereign God has chosen (John 3:16), willed (John 6:40), and desired (1 Corinthians 1:21), from the foundation of the world, to save those who believe in the Son after hearing the Gospel (Romans 10:17). God gives to the Son those who believe (continuous believing) in the Son evidenced by listening to and following the Son (John 10:27-29; Matthew 10:38); these are the true believers who are granted eternal life (John 10:27-29). The Promises of God are a possession of those who believe (continuous believing), for the promise is by faith (Galatians 3:21-22; Hebrews 4:1; 11; Hebrews 6:11-12). The indwelling Holy Spirit gives/guarantees eternal life to the believer who continually sows to the Spirit without giving up, and God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7-9). God does not discriminate or show favoritism, but rather, calls all people to salvation by faith in His Son (favoritism (Isaiah 45:21-22; Acts 10:34-35; Acts 13:47; Romans 2:10-11; Matthew 28:19-20; John 12:32; John 12:47; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Titus 2:11). God universally grants repentance and salvation to both Jews and Gentiles who believe in the Son (John 10:16; Acts 13:47; Acts 17:30), except for those God hardens for continually refusing His grace so they can remain in darkness (Romans 1:18-32; John 3:18-21; Matthew 22:3; 23:37; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Romans 10:21). God indiscriminately invites (Matthew 23:3), calls (Luke 5:31-32), and draws (John 12:32) all people to believe in His Son to be saved by the Gospel (Romans 10:17) and the Spirit (John 16:8), but many refuse God's gracious call (Acts 7:51; Romans 10:21). The humble and crushed in spirit will be receptive to God gracious call and teaching (Psalms 25:8-9; Psalms 34:18; Luke 18:9-14; Luke 4:18-19; Matthew 11:28), while the proud and arrogant will refuse the Gospel Call (Matthew 22:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; Romans 10:21) and will resist the Spirit (Acts 7:51).
The gospel calls us to join Jesus in His Mission to save the world NOT to obsess about how we are saved. Trust Him and lead your life like you do. Every day. You are either committed to the mission with your whole life or you are out.
The gospel calls us to BELIEVE. The gospel is something one BELIEVES: “The one who believes has everlasting life.” “This is the work God requires; that you believe in the One He has sent.” “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved” “For with the heart one believes and is justified.” “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” “All who look to the Son and believe on Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” There are dozens more.
@@medic4christ777 The Bible calls us to believe, yes, but also to do MUCH MORE than just "believe"... in your definition, what does it mean to "believe"?
@@PatrickSteil In terms of SALVATION, the Bible simply calls us to BELIEVE. “If it’s by grace it is not by works, lest grace be no longer grace.” The Greek word translated as BELIEVE in all New Testament examples is PISTUO. It means to trust. It has nothing to do with works. It’s simple child like faith that Jesus is who He says He is and did what He said He would do. If you want to try and argue that BELIEVE means more than BELIEVE, you are going to have to explain this passage: Romans 10:9 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Does Paul give you an illustration of what he means be believe in the above passage? Sure does. It has nothing to do with works. How about the words of Jesus: “Unless you believe THAT I AM HE, you will die in your sin.” Believe means believe.
@@PatrickSteil Believe means believe. Period. In reference to salvation we are called to believe. Period. I can spend days quoting scripture. But UA-cam just hides the comment at a certain length so they have made discussion impossible.
In the Book of Romans Abraham believed God and it was a countdown to him for righteousness then it goes down they said it wasn't by works it was by his belief I guess God doesn't call you believe in him is at work
Rightly Dividing the word of truth brings clear evidence of the falsehood espoused in Calvinism. I encourage all to watch the. Ideas from Grace Ambassadors concerning Right Division. Who is speaking, To whom are they speaking and what is the Context? Reading Scripture in this way brings clarity to the God inspired understanding. James 1 was not speaking to the Gentiles, rather the scripture reads that it was James talking to the 12 only. Why do you think that James is speaking to the Gentiles, when Paul says that it’s “Faith alone”? Where there are perceived conflicts in Scripture, recognize that it’s because of not rightly dividing Scripture as 2 Tim. 1:15 points out. All Scripture is for us, but not Scripture is directed to us. We no longer sacrifice goats, we don’t give all away to the poor, we love the Law but we no longer live under it. Jesus came to the lost House of Israel, according to His teachings. He said to the 12, to not go the the Gentiles. MMLJ are all about Prophecy fulfillment, yet churches mix the Body of Christ (that was given to Paul by Christ) in with what The 12 were teaching. Read Hebrews 9 and see how scripture tells us to divide the Old Testament from the New Testament. A New Testament can’t begin until the Testator (Jesus) has died, according to Hebrews. Matthew 1:1 is not the beginning of the NT, unless one wants to deny what scripture says about it. I love what Leighton has and is doing on the subject of Calvinism, yet there is more understanding with great clarification when one rightly divides. I recommend Justin Johnson of Grace Ambassadors is teaching on this subject with his Chart Lessons. Check it out on UA-cam.
Thank you so much for revealing the actual truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I was suffering from Calvinist ideas that had sneaked into my mind, but when I heard your rebuttals the truth of Gods wisdom screamed so loudly it completely wiped it out! Bless you and glory to God.
It snuck in from UA-cam Calvinists. When I read the book as a child without seeing through the over intellectualized lens the simple logical beauty of Gods truth is evident. 😊🙏
Keep reading your Bible, Wayne
Hi all. New to the channel but loving it!! I'm a 64 year old - born again Christian of about 10 years. Catholic youth then to not caring about God at all. Retired Marine Colonel. But found Jesus in a Baptist Church by hearing the gospel for the first time in my life. I co-teach Sunday school with another 60-year old gent who also came to Jesus in his 50's. He's a Calvinist, but when he told me it meant nothing. Our differences rapidly arose during teaching. It started light hearted but has gotten somewhat contentious over time. Started listening to Leighton and Warren over at Idol Killer. Both are a God send!!! In addition to teaching, I've read the bible cover to cover every year. The concepts of Calvinism NEVER entered my mind. But having Leighton to listen too, not only helped me understand Reformed Theology, but helped me come to terms with my relationship with a actively, loving Father. God Bless you all - Kevin
GOD bless you, brother.
Heavenly Father's 10/23/2007 message to Verne Dagenais in 'God speaks will you listen':
"My Catholic children, you have been given the Complete Truth. Do not reject your Catholic faith, for you will be held to the highest standard on the Day of Judgment. Read soberly II Peter 2:20-21: "For if, flying from the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they be again entangled in them and overcome: their latter state is become unto them worse than the former. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of justice, than after they have known it, to turn back from that Holy Commandment which was delivered to them." Now read Hebrews 10:29-31: "How much more, do you think he deserves worse punishments, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has esteemed the Blood of the Testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and has offered an affront to the Spirit of Grace? For we know him that has said: Vengeance belongs to Me, and I will repay. And again: The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Do not think these words are only written to the clergy and the religious orders. These words are written to all those who have taken the bows of Baptism, Confirmation, and who have made Consecrations to My Daughter Mary and My Son Jesus Christ. Your vows have set you apart from the world and you are My New Children of Israel. If you reject your vows to your Father and you refuse to repent, there is not a hot enough place in Hell for you. For you have tasted of My Goodness, received My Mercy and Graces, and have the Holy Trinity residing in your soul. Do not reject so great a salvation. I repeat Myself a final time: Trust in the Lord God Almighty completely, live your vows and promises to your Lord and Savior, and enter into My rest on My 7th day (Rev 20:4-6) and eternally on the 8th day. These words are from God Almighty to those who have ears to hear. Amen."
Calvinism is simply not Biblical at all. great video Dr. Flowers
You're correct 💯 % correct .
You reject the Gospel, which "Calvinism" summarizes, because you are not saved. You trust in yourself and your own righteousness to "choose" Christ. You trust in a false gospel and an idol (your "free-will").
Thank you Mr Flowers for standing up for the true gospel against all these clowns...May God bless you and your family.
I thank the Lord for this channel!
We are saved by grace through faith.
Faith is "fruit of the Spirit" - that which the Spirit produces.
"apart from Me you can do nothing"
Gal 5:22 kjv
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
The Greek word "πίστις" is faith
Why do Provisionists ignore this ?
@@Pablo-p7yaithfulness/Trustworthiness the fruit of the Spirit. You become a person that others can trust, that is a fruit of the Spirit.
And yes, apart from God sending his son to save the world, we would all be left without hope.
@@Pablo-p7y
God’s Word says that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and not by our own efforts or works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace Alone. Faith Alone.
Grace alone means that God loves, forgives, and saves us not because of who we are or what we do, but because of the work of Christ. Our best efforts can never be good enough to earn salvation, but God declares us righteous for Christ’s sake. We receive that grace through faith alone. God even gives us the faith that trusts him. We are not saved by obeying a list of do’s and don’ts, but by grace through faith in Christ. Our salvation is in God’s hands. That’s Good News: the Gospel. ❤
@@Pablo-p7y Wait, so unbelievers can bear the fruits of the Spirit? Didn't know Calvinists believed this.
Calvinists tend to ignore the’ by faith ‘ part, which is a human action.
Keep preaching this truth!
God gives grace to those who respond to the Gospel in faith. I don’t know what the issue is.
The "issue" is... man cannot possibly believe in Jesus Christ without first being born again of the Spirit, and God has to give you effectually the faith gift irresistibly lol. Calvinists do not udnerstand grace, faith, salvation and our responsibility.
This fits perfectly with how forgiveness works in every day life. What doesn't fit is the calvinistic understanding of forgiveness and that's the real issue.
@@NikoFinn
“Total Depravity” is a waste of time to attempt to defend, because regardless of the level of depravity one might have…
James 2:10
For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of breaking it all.
Deuteronomy 30 - the word of the lord (the gospel- HEB 4) comes before Israel to say "this day i set before you death and life...choose life that you may live"
This is no different than the gospel we receive today. At the hearing of God's word, we have a choice to make and because we hear, we now have the ability to choose.
@@BEABEREAN10Another sign of false teaching is the desperate attempt to create different methods of salvation throughout scripture. The most gracious offenders claim a Paulian gospel, while in fact, he goes to the greatest length to describe salvation as always coming through the covenant of the seed, ONE faith, ONE gospel and ONE God.
Calvinists harp on grace through faith alone but also focus on perseverance of the saints which focuses on fruit and works to determine if one is “truly saved” which is a subtle way of adding works to be necessary to be saved. We are preserved by the promise of God, not by our perseverance. We are kept by his power, his promise.
Amen. If P of tulip is true then you cannot say believers go to glory by faith alone. Perseverance of the saints says... if you are truly a believer in Christ then you WILL, automatically, produce good works and persevere in faith and good works. If you do not persevere you were never His but a non-elect who thought he was a saint. So, to enter into glory you need faith in Jesus AND works. That is 100% false. Yes, we should live godly and follow through in dicsipleship but it is not automatic
I am not a McCarther fan, but what sounds like a Free Grace understanding of fruit is incorrect. Fruit comes when you abide in Him. Fruit happens because you are connected to Him, and because you have been altered by the Indwelling. I have heard so many different Free Grace spins and they all come down to a salvation that comes without God’s interference. Somehow we get all the blessings and promises, but all the expectations and warnings are for Jewish believers.
You will recognise those who are truly saved by their lifestyle (fruit/‘works’), works do not earn salvation but it is the ‘natural’ outcome of regeneration. It is unacceptable to disconnect salvation from a righteous lifestyle, that is what James calls dead faith and it are those ‘works’ by which we will be judged.
You are ignoring the words of Jesus that our house will fall into the sea and be lost if we hear his words but don't do them. He said that only those who do the will of his Father in heaven will have everlasting life. There is nothing automatic about obedience, you are not on auto pilot, you must seek to do God's will every day.
Salvation is Covenantal, not contractual. "To whom much is given much is required."
The parable of the talents is about a servant who excuses his failure to act because he knew the Lord would reap where he does not sow. He was condemned. If being fruitful was automatic, Jesus would not have given such a warning.
@@PETERJOHN101 Ot is a matter of how you define belief. If God promises to changes is from the inside out, then faith/belief does not result in said change means that He never took up residence in your heart. On the other hand it is quite possible to go through all the rituals, attend church regularly, and do churchy stuff and yet find out, “I never knew you.”
If some are already chosen to be saved, Jesus didn’t really have to die.
I have used this argument with my Calvinist friend and his response was, “ I was wrong because even the elects are sinners/sinful-nature and need the blood of Christ”
@@Buscando-respuestas Thats a great rebuttal
They see election as still conditioned on Christ’s death and resurrection. It was decreed as part of the package and necessarily had to happen.
Not so if you understand without the shedding of blood their is no forgiveness of sins.
Jesus atonement would have to be for a known group of people. It is referred to as a legal situation where He paid for the debt of a people. It’s either that or He paid for the sins of the entire world and this makes His atonement ineffectual.
The God of scripture is not a God who is hoping we “accept” His offer of salvation. But He is a God who gives that gift to whomsoever He chooses. Faith is a gift and it precedes regeneration.
@@dfischer5878 Not ineffectual. Rather, fully available - conditioned on receiving by faith, exactly as John 1 and Eph 2 (among other places) testify.
The passage literally says that those who've listened and learned are the ones that come to HIM .
Yeah, they never read just one verse later proving they don't read their Bible, or if they do they don't really believe it.
And we also learn from Jesus that Listening is a gift from God. The deaf is a curse mentioned in Isaiah
@@shredhed572he opens our eyes then we hear…..
Kinda like the two people who sit together under the Word; one walks away chanted the other the same. Either the changed one was awakened by God or they are just a bit “smarter” or as Leighton has said “ choice meat”
Only one if the scenarios gives all glory to God.
We are saved by the gospel. It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believed. Romans 1:16
Why didnt Jesus not Command any Gospel to be written then🤣🤣
@@bibleman8010
Romans 16:24-27 (NIV) 25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with {{{my gospel, the message}}} I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but {{{now revealed}}} and {{{made known}}} through the {{{prophetic writings}}} by the {{{command of the eternal God}}}, so that all the Gentiles might come to the {{obedience that comes from faith}} - 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Yes, and the Gospel is the power, itself empowered. That's where the Provision lies, and we must be clear about it. I'm afraid they're not being clear.
@@duncescotus2342 True. And those who are humble will be receptive to listen to the Gospel (Psalms 25:8-9; Psalms 34:18; Luke 18:9-14; Luke 4:18-19; Matthew 11:28).
What gives the words of the Gospel power to be alive and active that no other words possess?
Hebrews 4:12-13 (WEB) 12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
How is the Gospel empowered, is it not by the Spirit?
Ephesians 6:17 (WEB) 17...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Does the Spirit just stand idly by as the Word is spoken, or is the Spirit active in making the word alive in those who will listen?
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (WEB) 4 My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (WEB) ... our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance.
When God spoke all things into existence (Psalms 33:9) was the Spirit idly watching, or was the Spirit making the words alive and active to accomplish what it was meant to do?
Was it the spoken word alone that caused all things to be, or was His Word empowered by His Spirit actively involved in creation to make happen what God Spoke (Psalms 33:6; Genesis 1)?
When any of the prophets, Apostles, and Lord Jesus himself, spoke God's words by which miracles were done did the Spirit just stand there and watched?
Were the spoken words alone causing the miracles, or was His Word empowered by His Spirit actively causing the miracles as the words were spoken (Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 2:4; Galatians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 3:34; Matthew 12:28)?
Matthew 12:28 But if I, by the Spirit of God, cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.
Romans 15:18-19 (WEB)
18 For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ
Therefore, the Gospel is the Power of God onto Salvation. The Gospel is the power of God because it does not work alone, as do the words of men; rather, the Gospel is the sword the Spirit making the Gospel personal and alive, to knock on the hearts of those who will listen.
Revelation 3:20 (EWEB) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
John 6:44-45 (WEB) 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Isaiah 54:13 Therefore everyone who hears from the Father and has learned, comes to me.
John 16:7-8 (WEB) 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment
John 1:9 (KJV) 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
@@bibleman8010did the pedoprophet write any of the Hadith 😅😅
Amazing analogy at the end there doctor Leighton
I have always liked James 1:22, "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." One can be deluded by just having intellectual knowledge. Non-believers can have intellectual knowledge and not know God. Believers can have intellectual knowledge and refuse to be teachable and hear the truth.
One sin is as bad as 1,000. So the most hated doctrine is not that we are sinners, it’s that under Calvinism there is no cure.
Right. If calvinism were true and you were non-elect.. no hope for you. You are born to burn in hellfire forever. That is your ultimate purpose why God would have created you. So horrible
KtheElder: So very true. Our salvation is a roll of God's "loaded," dice. The odds of your winning the salvation dice roll is very poor, but hey,..... Good luck.....maybe you'll get the lucky roll.
I just do not understand how anyone the reads the N.T., can believe something that lacks all evidence that it's true.
Is calvinism ideology without intellect? Looks that way.
I pray that a homicide detective is not a calvinist type thinker.
All sins are not equal in every sense. Stealing a candy bar isn't as bad as murder. Since each one is a sin, they are equal in the sense that they each bring condemnation unto death. I think that's what you meant to say.
Absolutely right!
@@a.k.7840 I could look your moral man and immoral, both in the eye, and say they are equally separated from God. And offer them both the gospel and God's gift of grace. If the murder repented and the candy thief didn't - then which sin has more consequences? My point to Calvinism - the moral condition of man has NO bearing. 100% of the elect go to heaven and 100% of the reprobate go to hell. Period. You can say that without mentioning Jesus, the Gospel or man's sin. Pastor Mac will spend 30 minutes talking about the evil man DOES - then spend 30 minutes talking about what man DOES is irrelevant to salvation. It's all church theater. You either made God's cut-line before the foundations, or you're eternally screwed. And describing dead as really, really, really dead - is just for show. It's a terrible message, fluffed it up to be presentable. But it's void of hope - so for me it is the most hated doctrine.
I know this is hard to hear, but MacArthur has done a lot of damage to the body of Christ, especially his doctrine of a “bloodless” salvation. He teaches traditions & academia…The scriptures beg choice, in their entirety, not determinism. It amazes that MacArthur & other Calvinists have manufactured an intellectual edifice, w/o biblical context, to teach Calvinism. Sadly, it is another gospel altogether.
At roughly 8:25 macarthur says " you are under the deceptive leadership of satan," but within his calvinist paradigm the actual claim is that you can't come because one is under the deceptive leadership of GOD.
Exactly.
And Satan is God's sock puppet.
According to Calvinism the lost hate God because God first hated them. They won't say it that way, but that's what it boils down to. All they can say is that the "Elect" should be more grateful for their own salvation! It’s like, ‘as long as my eternal destiny is secure, as long as my life is all planned out and taken care of by God, who gives a damn about family, friends or anyone else!’
Truth in Love
@truth7416 I know , I see it . Calvinism attracts a certain kind . The narcissist kind most often.
"Unwilling" to come to Christ, not "incapable". John 5:40
Faith is not a work ("filthy rag"). It is an attitude of the heart, an acknowledgment of the truth.
Truly ironic how Christ implored the people to have even a " mustard" seed sized faith, and a Calvinist
would call that a work.
@@1027MissBearspoken to the disciples not unbelievers.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ... Salvation by Grace through Faith.
The Gospel of John Calvin... Salvation by Grace through Election.
Well said.
Good observation.
Salvation is by grace through faith. And those who receive faith are those whom God elected. Calvin isn't wrong on that
@@heyjaja72 Incorrect. If one must be ELECTED first to receive Faith to obtain Salvation... Faith is irrelevant. That is why Calvinism teaches Salvation by Grace through Election, not Faith. Unbiblical. Humans are born with the ability to exercise their faith hence the hundreds of religions in existence besides Christianity. It's who we direct our faith to that matters, Jesus Christ.
John Calvin even stated that faith isn't an effectual gift from God. 😁
I think it's actually just grace through election, or only election. I cannot understand exactly what is "saved" in Calvinism - there was no transition from "unsaved" to "saved" in Calvinism, because the individual was never, at any time, lost, but held in the mind of God eternally as in union with Christ prior to his creation outside of time. There was never a time in which the individual's salvation was in danger or threatened or subject to doubt, and therefore nothing was ever "saved" - it was union, permanently and unchangeably. Nothing at all effects the election of any individual soul on Calvinism - not youth, or ignorance, or sin, or "error", or "belief", or anything else. You cannot save what was never lost, and cannot make "elect" that which is "un-elect". Therefore I think that "salvation" is the wrong term for the Calvinist, as is the story of Jesus, whose existence on their theology was not necessary, and more of a show or a drama than a divine necessity and sacrifice to save those souls in danger of perdition. The passion is meaningless and makes no sense at all if Calvinism is true, as is all of salvation history - the problem is not normal Christians who just don't understand the Bible - it's with Calvinists who don't understand the Bible or the fundamentals of Christianity, and are honestly better off making up their own religion, complete with their own scriptures, rather than trying to shoehorn their beliefs and theology into a religion that isn't compatible with it.
This is another reason I'm subscribed: when Dr. MacArthur misuses the term "prevenience," Dr. Flowers corrects him (correctly, too!) in a gracious spirit. Basically, Arminians differ from Calvinists on this point in two ways:
1. Whom God calls, he enables. If God calls someone, even if it's just in a pagan looking at Creation and intuiting a Designer, it's because God has enabled him to take the step, and he will follow with a call to take another and another, in a path that leads to Christ, and with each call, he will enable another free response.
2. The Grace is resistible. We can say "no." Otherwise there is no choice, and monergism leads inevitably to monism: if God is the only one who can choose, then he is effectively the only one who exists, and all others are sock puppets. Everything we do, good or evil, is actually God's doing, and he is culpable for all evil. Arminians and Provisionists have no such problem.
The confusion of faith being a "work" and faith not being a work is real. I heard that point in Lutheranism fairly often as well but it was subtle. Mike Winger shined some light on that one for me. It took me a minute to even realize what I had absorbed in regard to this. You can imagine that confessional Lutherans very much express wanting to distinguish this point in regard to "works" given their history....
Deuteronomy 30 - the word of the lord (the gospel- HEB 4) comes before Israel to say "this day i set before you death and life...choose life that you may live"
This is no different than the gospel we receive today. At the hearing of God's word, we have a choice to make and because we hear, we now have the ability to choose.
What Macarthur said - "Salvation is not by works lest any man should boast it is by grace" What the Bible actually says - 'For by grace you have been saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:8, NASB) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:9, NASB)' Faith is not a work, Leighton is right - if you have a problem with that you have a problem with Paul and the Bible.
JMac/Calvinism: "Man is so totally depraved he can't & won't seek God he is unwilling & incapable"
Scripture: Nicodemus hunts down Jesus for a 1 on 1. Zacheus runs ahead, climbs a tree to see Jesus. Ethiopian Treasurer acquires a copy of Isaiah & reads it. Cornelius prays gives alms, his faith in "I know God exists" is rewarded. Lydia attends a prayer meeting then listens to Paul. Bereans searched the scriptures. "Sir, we want to see Jesus" (John 12:21).
so true didn't think of that.
Calvinist would say “God has change their hearts already”
@@Buscando-respuestas Yep. That's their default position to maintain their man-made systematic
@@Buscando-respuestas We should ask for verses when they say that.
@@Buscando-respuestas Regeneration couldn't happen until Jesus rose and ascended to the Father. So the the Calvinists have to do some mental gymnastics around this.
Congratulation,leighton, the world loves you....
1. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."
2. "For God so loved the world - whoever believes on Him will be saved."
Yup. If one believes in Jesus/God for salvation, they will be saved. Forever. Everlasting. Without end.
Letting go of the rope=getting out of the way of your own condemnation, if you ask me. God wants none to be lost. Good video!
The Calvinist gospel:
God only saves pre-selected sinners.
Totally heretical
It's odd how they limit God's provision and atonement for all to such a tiny group of "special club" members.
They are spiritually stunted by self righteousness and therefore biblically illiterate concerning doctrine. MacArthur is a rotten source for Bible studies, it can only end terribly.
Mr Flowers..keep doing what yoy doing ...stay in the truth...yoy got it....we may talk about smaller things to perfect like Lords Supper in churches...Music ...to teach soul winning is not for everione the same..not all have all the callings...but can have other callings to the Gospel.
The question should be, What are saved by and what are the conditions for being saved? Saved by grace. How or what are the conditions? By believing the gospel of Jesus Christ, repenting of our sins, obeying God, living for God, serving God, and enduring to the end.
Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman "Your faith has saved you, go in peace"...Acts 16 The jailer asked Paul "What must I do to be saved?" Paul said "Put your trust/faith in Jesus". If we didn't have to "do" anything "to be saved" Paul (who wrote Ephesians and Roman's) would have said "You don't have to do anything to be saved". Correct? If we could just "be saved" without putting our trust in Jesus, wouldn't he have said that?
You know, I soooo long to see more calvinists coming out of their semi-gnostic theology from Augustine. I do not really wanna engage with them so much because of the 'pelagian, 'synergist', 'free-will worshipper' bullying tactics and strawmen.
I used to listen to a whole lot of MacArthur, Friel, Johnson, Piper, Sproul etc and their zeal for God's Word is absolutely fantastic, but... oh man if they would only reject tulip entirely. The way they unfortunately define "Salvation is of God" is... God will choose to save some via His Son and those that He has chosen cannot say any objections to it. And likewise the non-elect cannot say anything.
And yes, why don't they come? They SUPRESS the truth of God in wickednesw, they REFUSE to come. God did not make them not want to come to Him due to His decree... yeah, May God open the eyes of calvinists
God provides!
"You have to be 'WILLING' to take some hostility."
If salvation by grace is through election only, the devil has no function at all.
That's a great observation. If only the elect are saved, and the Devil has no function, then why the Scriptures that warn about demonic deception? Furthermore, if the Calvinist god decrees everything, then doesn't he decree the Devil and everything about him?
Dr. Flowers is the greatest expositor of Christian faith in past 1700 years.
He'd humbly reject this assertion!
I am thankful that more and more teachers are simply letting the Word speak simply.
I do not think so. He is right on the money on this subject but like all men Christ said we are not to be trusted like one should trust the scripture. I doubt Dr. Flowers could even begin to accomplish what some of his guests have done like the Oxford scholar Dr. Ken Wilson.
I do appreciate Dr. Flowers humility and his use of logic but I think he would probably not be close to the top 10 list of 1700 years.
@@mikefoht2738 Many if the “greatest theological minds” of the last 1700 either created or propagated the false teaching that have fractured the church. While Ken is a great historian, as a Free Grace theologian his greatest accomplishment will be coming up with reasons why the vast majority of scripture does not apply to you.
@@jeffreybomba ---"Many if the “greatest theological minds” of the last 1700 either created or propagated the false teaching that have fractured the church." Exactamundo!
What amazes me is that no one would charge John MacArthur with being a false preacher.
Legitimate question as a new believer: do you think he is a false preacher? And furthermore, do you believe that a false preacher can still be saved and simultaneously be a false preacher? I will say that Calvinistic/“Reformed” theology discouraged me to the point of almost completely rejecting the Gospel, so I can totally get behind the idea of it being a false gospel.
@@powersd453deven
When I mentioned about the probability of John MacArthur being a false preacher, I had in mind 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NASB) which states, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” It is very probable that he is.
We Christians often have a hard time believing that a preacher or teacher that uses the Bible could be a false one even if he is drawing multitudes of people and even when such a person belongs to the same denomination as the one to which we belong. I believe that most of us Christians do not take seriously what Jesus said in Matthew 24:4, 5, & 24. It reads, “And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.’” I do not think we have hard time believing that Joel Osteen is a false preacher/teacher but many Christians would have a hard time believing that John MacArthur is preaching/teaching a false gospel, which is not a gospel at all.
2 Peter 2:1 & 2 (NKJV) reads, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.” Take notice that these false prophets were among the people which implies God’s people. Also, notice that word “bought”. This is the same word that Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV), which reads, “For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” These false prophets denied the Lord who bought them so it implies that at one time they belong to God’s people. To answer your question, I do not believe that a false preacher can still be saved and simultaneously be a false preacher.
It is interesting that people that identify as Calvinists are defending the view of a man. We sadly learn as baby Christians to look for verses that support what we already believe. There are few things that I do not see in the Bible but which many other Christians believe at times unable to strongly support them: 1) The Pre-Tribulation Rapture, 2) Tithing under the New Covenant, 3) the Once Save, Always Saved doctrine, 4) Determinism, & 5) Speaking in Tongues as the Initial Physical evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Look at the Scriptures AND do learn about the art and science of hermeneutics. Place your trust in Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who is the author of Scripture. Questions you will have and to some of those questions, answers will come but to some of those questions, the answers may never come. Just keep trusting God and fix your eyes on Jesus not on any other person.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NJKV) reads, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
We know how to divide the word of truth but do not know how to put it back together and that is why we have denominationalism; all denominations claiming that what they believe is biblical while still dividing the Body of Jesus Christ.
"Because it's the truth they can't accept it." Where does it say that? This is what I have noticed about MacArthers sermons. He reads a verse, then he applies things to the verse that do not come from the verse. He says things with his calvinistic system in mind, rather than having true Scripture in mind. And people fall for it. He isn't teaching Scripture he is teaching his man made system.
Calvinists like MacArthur when reading scripture have decided beforehand what scripture can't say!
Truth in Love
Salvation by grace/mercy through 'pistis' (allegiance aka "faith") is true throughout the entire Scriptures (both 1st and 2nd Testaments as Dr Scott McKnight prefers to call them).
To qualify is not to merit.
I want one of those provisionist t shirts that Leighton sometimes wears.
@17:08 RE: the pie analogy. God makes the whole pie. Then offers it to "whosoever will"
So it's not God making 99% the pie and man contributing 1%.
God makes 100% of the pie/salvation plan was all God's and He did all the work and He provides the new birth (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and offers it as a free pie, slices, etc as a gift to anyone who wants a a "piece" of the pie, so to speak.
Man contributed nothing to the making of the pie, and doesnt deserve any of it either! We can only receive it 🙏 by asking, in faith.
Amen, more Bible, less philosophical bamboozling of tulip
Right!
Except if you “ accept” and I do not you are either smarter or wiser than me.
You have reason to boast. If Hod opens the eyes of a sinner dead in sin and trespass and they see His truth ; then believe God gets the glory ( all of it)
@dfischer5878 I guess I've never thought about being smarter, better or wiser than my loved one's who don't accept Jesus. I've never felt like boasting that "I'm better than you all! Haha!"
Actually, I feel bad for them.
I think those who believe God "hand picked them" from all eternity had more reason to boast as they are "part of the special club" and everyone else is not.
But honestly, I really haven't known a Calvinist or Provisionist in real life that boasts or glorifies themselves in their salvation.
It was God's plan🙏, He offers it as a free gift, He gets all the glory 🙆♂️
@@Apollos2.2reformed theology does not teach “ this special club” you speak of. God saves sinners in-spite if themselves . We know we are hell deserving sinners and bring absolutely nothing to the table but our sin. We have no idea who God’s elect are so we share the gospel with all people as scripture demands.
Leighton definitely has a truth mission, and greater patience than Job.
J.M. did not believe or teach this (determinism) in his earlier ministry. I am curious what happened to J.M., to change his beliefs.
I think he, MacArthur, said when he went to seminary and went deeper into studying puritan theology he changed his mind. So.. it wasn't the Bible that changed his mind.
@@NikoFinn Oh, interesting to know.
I wish when we are presented with an idea, a belief, a proposition or supposition, that before we jump in feet first, we would ask where in scripture is there support....And is this belief fundamental to my salvation.
Other than knowing the name John Calvin, I knew nothing.
One day I was listening to a John MacArthur sermon (loved his sermons, his passion and certainty) when he said something that troubled me. I thought I misunderstood and went back and replayed it 3 times. After the 3rd time my thought was, "Where in scripture is he getting this belief, this assertion?"
I went to the scripture and found no support for his positionfrom the verses he was quoting.
Ultimately I researched Augustine, Calvin and Calvinism.
I am certainly not even close to a biblical scholar BUT had I not known enough scripture I could have believed what he said. Afterall, he's John MacArthur and I am an ordinary woman and christian from Tennessee.
What I learned from this experience is that if Christians have formed 99% of their soterology from teachers instead of scripture, they may never question the biblical truth of their beliefs.
Don’t quote me on this but I think I watched a video where John McArthur says he is a Calvinist because is in the Bible.
I believe John MacArthur has fallen into the same trap that happened to Solomon. They both started out following God but at the end of their lives they both have turned their backs on God worshipping an idols.
Solomon by influence of his foreign wives set up and worshipped idols.
1 Kings 11 4-8 In his old age, his wives tempted him to follow other gods. He was no longer committed to the Lord his God as his father David had been. 5 Solomon followed Astarte (the goddess of the Sidonians) and Milcom (the disgusting idol of the Ammonites). 6 So Solomon did what the Lord considered evil. He did not wholeheartedly follow the Lord as his father David had done. 7 Then Solomon built an illegal worship site on the hill east of Jerusalem for Chemosh (the disgusting idol of Moab) and for Molech (the disgusting idol of the Ammonites). 8 He did these things for each of his foreign wives who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.
I heard John MacArthur preach in his early days the perfect gospel truth. What he just said above is blatant heresy and another doctrine of demons. His fall has come by his puffed up pride of fame and his estimated net worth of over $24 million.
It is sad, but that was the choice of each of these men to follow Satan. Learn from their mistake! If they could be deceived and lost, how much easier for us little people? Be guarded and humble. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Call out these false teachers as a warning to others! They are the false teachers in wolves clothing we are warned about, over and over in God's Word.
Truth in Love
@@truth7416 You should not be spreading gossip, which may or may not be true. If untrue it is slander. 2. You claim things about John MacArthur you have no way of knowing....supposition at best, that wealth has corrupted him.
We have no reason to doubt what J.M stated about having changed his mind.
We must behave as Christians. Attack the belief, not the man.
The Bible gives us details of Solomon's and Samson's life, the actions of these men, their sinful choices . And , the teller of all the stories is God.....not @truth7416.
MacArthur's definition of "grace" is being given the opportunity to earn your salvation through works and those who are elect unto salvation will persevere in their works and be saved.
Wow, powerful, I love this!
Wow that's a strawman... I'm not a Calvinist but that was a horrible misrepresentation
Absolutely not. MacArthur is known for saying if we could lose our salvation we would… The one who saves us is the one who produces the works through His spirit and is the one who holds us till the end.
@@dfischer5878 Maybe Paul was confused then, he definitely thinks a believer can walk away - For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (1 Corinthians 8:10-11, KJV) He says the weak brother, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED, could perish.
I just posted it Leighton
You need faith to respond to the grace of salvation. But if predestination means God had it already decided irrespective of u, then grace is not received by faith but by predestination. In other word, faith is completely useless bc no matter how hard faith tries, it still can't change what has been predestined(if predestination is truly what the Calvinists claim it is.)
If we are not to blame for sinful choices and God is, what is the point of the Judgement? If God knows we didn't have a choice, why judge us?
When I heard that at 1.50 ish, I was like yeah what? But listening further on, MacArthur is quoting what Jesus said to the Jews at that time, specifically to them. Not to those of the nations who will believe and have believed for 2000 millenia and beyond.
Added content below cause I got ahead of myself and who hasn't done that?
And why don't they have the capacity? cause they don't want to believe. Free will is a thing. A very BIG thing in choosing to follow Christ or not. Otherwise humans can accuse God of being unfair or unrighteous. Not only that but then the enemy (who is satan) can also accuse God of being unrighteous.
This is a very serious matter to be questioning the righteousness of God! We must understand the God whom we serve.
At the 11:50 point, MacArthur makes the following statement, "...that is why it is so hard to enter the Kingdom...". He thus demonstrates that he does not even understand his systematic. According to Calvinism, if you are elect it is done for you (so it's not hard) and if you are not elect, it's not hard but is impossible. The inconsistency of Calvinism reminds me that you cannot argue insanity with sanity.
We are saved when we respond to His Grace. If we can’t respond to it then we aren’t responsible for our Sin either.
That's the wrong view. It's more like man hates God and wants nothing to do with Him. We are responsible for that. God makes some love Him by giving them a new heart. God is not obligated to save any of His enemies. Yet He chooses some of His enemies to save. If we were innocent men forced into sin, then your view would make a strong point. But since we are bound in sin by our love towards sin and hatred towards God, we are held responsible
@@heyjaja72 Let's not be so quick to tell a fellow Christian "that's the wrong view", lol. For if that is my interpretation, there is nothing you can stand on to tell me I am wrong (if you are Protestant).
Anyway, so here is what I am reading from what you said. Tell me if I have misrepresented what you are saying:
1. Man (in his natural state) hates God and wants nothing to do with Him. And it is our fault (man) due to original sin of Adam & Eve. This makes us enemies of God.
2. God "only" (my word) chooses to save some of His enemies.
3. We are bound to sin because we love sin and hate God.
4. We are responsible for our sin because of #1 and #3 above.
Is this all correct so far?
You didn't offer a conclusion as to how you see Salvation working in this system, so please give your points 5, etc...
thanks!
@@heyjaja72 Man only hates God because He predetermined them to. That's what Calvinism teaches.
We are saved when we respond but do not respond till He opens our eyes .
We are responsible for our sin .
God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility are two parallel truths that run throughout scripture.
@@dfischer5878 well said. God must open our eyes for us to turn from our sin but that doesn't mean God is responsible for our sin.
"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those WHO BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, he gave the right to become children of God- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:11-13
God commands us 85 separate times in The Bible to seek Him. I’ve never heard a Calvinist attempt to explain why God would troll reprobates like that.
Cuz He calls all men to repent:) doesn’t mean He believe it will happen. Not much of an argument against God being sovereign in all things ( including salvation)
@@dfischer5878 I’m not arguing against Gods’s sovereignty. That’s a Calvinist strawman you’re using. I’ll repeat my question. Why does God command us to seek Him out, if He forbids us from doing so?
@@Pondimus_Maximuslove the straw man term🤦♀️
So I’d say it back but it bugs me. God commands all men to obey His commands too. God’s declarative will and His decretive will are separate. His does not delight in the perishing of the wicked either. But He unapologetically tells us who He is and who we are. We are creatures and our “ free will”in no way is needed for salvation since it belongs to the Lord.
@@dfischer5878 No, the strawman you used, was accusing me of denying God’s sovereignty. Calvinism is ALWAYS buttressed with strawmen and gaslighting, because it doesn’t withstand scrutiny on its own.
@@Pondimus_MaximusWhy does God command us to be perfect when He knows we can’t be?
This is very insightful; thank you!
Do you ever plan to debate James White on the topic of Calvinism again?
They're supposed to debate here some time in the near future . White actually challenged Brother Leighton. Can you believe it ? Lol Leighton has been trying to get white to have a brotherly discussion for years but white instead of accepting , challenged him . I predict that when they debate that white will decline to answer certain questions while claiming they're loaded questions like he did with Tim Stratton and Michael Brown.
Yeah
White has scripted answers for every occasion.
He uses every trick in the book, yet Leighton always shows him dignity and Godly love.
Who knows, maybe one day White will come out from among them (calvinists) and be separate.
Truth.
GRACE is God bestowing upon us what we do not deserve, and MERCY is God withholding from us what we do DESERVE. - It's all of Sovereign Grace. Did he not say that He will have MERCY on whom he will have Mercy - Romans 9
A lot of nonsense here. The 'saved by' framing is part of the problem. Another is lack of clarity on what 'grace' exactly means. Or what 'earning' or 'faith' mean.
If my aunt shows me favor, i.e., gives me grace, by offering to pay for college at ABC U, that's a free gift. If i go and are faithful and graduate, I've earned a degree. It's both a gift and earned. In other words, the free gift is conditionally effectual. If I reject the offer and don't attend and work on my studies, I'll receive no reward in the end. Isn't that the biblical picture?
Leighton, Did you have the FAITH to BELIEVE, or did the Holy Spirit have to GIVE you the FAITH to BELIEVE? Be honest now.
Salvation is all of God by His grace and mercy. Name one person or people group not chosen by God in the Bible?
Calvinists who believe that non-Calvinists don't believe that salvation is by grace alone are bigoted - Calvinism kills humility, love, equality, justice, evangelism, wisdom, and goodwill in the heart of the believer. It basically turns good Christians into 1st century Pharisees - the exact sort of religious person that Jesus consistently rebuked. If Jesus returned, and appeared before Calvinists, and told them that their doctrine was false, and to repent and believe in God...they would call Him a semi-Pelagian and that He just didn't understand Calvinism. Calvinism is Christ-less. It's the ugly height of arrogance, and I've lost all sympathy for these little-minded people who think they can tell true Christians who believe in the Gospel that they don't believe in the true Gospel. If you want to rot Christianity from within and tear the church apart, congratulations, Calvies: you're doing the devil's work for him.
Perfectly put and so true.
Truth in Love
'Goodness' isn't payment. And yes, you must bring something.
I’d like to see some expansion discussion regarding saved by grace through faith. Not just saved by grace.
And also some commentary discussion regarding St James discussing faith without works is dead. I think you might not be clearly distinguishing between the “works of the law” and the works of the spirit. True repentance is a work. True faith is a work of our entire life. Of falling and turning back to God. This is the work or the running of the race that Paul talks about.
At 7.57 ish MacArthur is describing every single human being with a soul, born on this earth, including himself (Weather he realizes it or not).
Leighton, I don't question or doubt your salvation, but I have a question: When were you given by the Father to the Son?
WE.... We are so profoundly captive to sin until the day star arises in our hearts and we want to follow and believe everything Jesus says in His word.. Because after all Jesus died for my sins and yours.... we are born again and then we try not to live with or in sin...cause the Holy Spirit... yes the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus gave to live in us convicts us, (not humans being a special kind of someone).
We will not want to sin but we obviously will, cause we are still in this earthly flesh and not yet ascended to glory.
Please explain Isaiah 46: 9-11.
John 5:41 "I do not receive glory from men." Calvinism is ALL about God glorifying Himself by saving or damning men. God needs nothing from us and is 100% fully glorified whether or not we exist. This is another point of Calvinism that is busted.
I don’t believe either, that God derives any sort of glory from predetermining some people to hell. McArthur likes to say people are in hell as just punishment for their sins, but that makes no sense if they were predetermined to be in hell before they even existed or sinned.
@@janetdavis6473but it does since scripture tells us God has revealed enough of Himself in creation to dam us.
The problem seems that as fallen creatures we have the need to add to toe salvation. Let’s simply praise God for who He unapologetically says He is.
We're not saved by our faith?
Amazing!
The prophets already foretold that Israel would reject their messiah. What are you talking about?
This is like saying: Believe in Jesus! but hold on, you can't believe. Repent! hold on, you can't do that either. So, after every commandment, calvinism is saying: Yes, but you can't... I don't know what can be more contradictory than that...
I wonder if MacArthur has really read John 20:31. Provisions/free grace need to really embrace this verse. It clearly states the scriptures are written so that we would believe and by believing you will have life.
Why then does he have to CHOOSE us to SALVATION?
I disagree with the opening line. Salvation is not predicated upon understanding grace. I'm a literalist and the public ministry of the apostles never said "If you affirm that salvation is by completely by grace, you will be saved". This idea is legalistic and has bred legalism ever since the Reformation. Understanding that salvation is by grace is not a command or criteria for salvation. It's simply an understanding of the mechanics.
I've even heard Matt slick say if you don't affirm the hypostatic union you can't be saved.😅
It's laughable, the things they say
Pharisees likely didn't think they could work their way to Heaven. They thought they were righteous because they were the People of God. Their standing as (righteous) Jews was sufficient (in their view). Apparently we need to review Paul's actual argument.
Leighton,
Did Israel / Christians CHOSSE our Lord, or did our Lord Choose Israel / Christians?
There is an undisputable fact about Calvinism (thank you Leighton because your repeat this often). It creates the perfect excuse for an unbeliever to reject the gospel. He can only hope and wait to be one of the elects.
Yes, we are responsible to accept this free gift of eternal life, through Christ alone by faith alone. This gift is given by Grace, because is something we don't deserve.
The person must have the knowledge of the clear Gospel, the person must believe in the message of the gospel and the person must commit to the work and must understand that this is all possible because of the work of Christ on the cross, His perfect blood paying for what we deserve.
☝️
Yet, Calvinist would say that you need to be born again first. If you said yes, you were regenerated first. Because of romans 5:9. It’s just a cycle 🔄 I keep going around and around with my Calvinist friend. 😩
If so then the one who “accepts “ this gift is clearly smarter than the one who did not. This gives the “accepter” reason to boast.
If it is God who awakens one and simply leaves the other than it is a gift that gives God the glory and not man.
@@dfischer5878 God gets all the glory regardless. But in your view those who are not saved are literally hated by him and God gets the blame for those who spend an eternity without God.
@@Buscando-respuestasPsalm 5 4-5, psalm 11:5
Scripture is clear that God is angry with the sinner everyday.
Does He punish them for not” accepting “ Him?
He punishes them fit their own sin…..
There is no
Injustice there.
God has revealed himself in creation ( enough to condemn us all) why is it so troubling that He shows mercy to whom He will?
The bigger question is why does He show mercy to anyone.
God does not get the blame at all; our sin is to blame.
If some are incapable of putting their faith in Jesus then why did He get so upset with them when they rejected Him?
Just read Matthew 23 to see what I'm talking about. Jesus ranted against the unbelieving Pharisees and scribes. He ended His rant by indicating that they rejected Him because they were unwilling to accept Him. So, it was not because they were incapable of accepting Him, they were unwilling. That implies it was their choice.
If they had no choice in the matter why would Jesus be angry at them? Would He get angry about their unbelief and hypocrisy if they couldn't help but to reject Him? Of course not. That's ludicrous. Do Calvinists even think about these things?
There is not a single verse in the New Testament that says "grace alone" (or "faith alone", for that matter, except for James 2:24 - "not by faith alone").
This is one of Protestantism's most glaring errors that's ignored perpetually.
John 16:8 ..
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to Convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement, enabling-(not forcing)-the believer to trust in Christ as they hear the gospel, thereby responding to and receiving the gift of salvation.
Romans 10:14
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
He's saying one n done. What ever happened to planting a seed watering it etc
Then HOW did you HEAR sir? Does not scripture clear say that FAITH cometh by HEARING. Are we not saved by GRACE through FAITH, and that not of YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT of God - Ephesians
This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT UA-cam channels. Calvinism is poison ☠️.
Faith is a filthy rag?
Without it, it is impossible to please God.
Excellent observation. Thank you😊
Dr. Flowers sets up a lot of strawman arguments which he easily knocks down with his provisionist theology. His presuppositions keeps him from seeing the clarity of Reformed theology.
Water and oil don't mix any better than "Deformed Theology gospels," mix with the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Christians are saved through placing THEIR Faith in Jesus and repentance/ baptism. There is no salvation apart from that.
A Calvinist have no faith and place their only hope in that they were elected!
The Calvinist must then after convincing them selves that THEY have been elected, try to prove it by doing good works like a trouper.
Good works does not pay the price of sin.
Wake up while you still live on the Earth and CAN make a decision.
You may be ashamed of it as the foundation of all Calvinism, but you cannot in our day in age hide it anymore.
Truth in Love
There is no clarity in Reformed theology only confusion and a horrible misrepresentation of God.
@@truth7416 This is true. According to Calvinism if a person walks away from God they were never elect so the only way to know for sure is at the end of your life you're still a believer.
Interesting, JohnMac almost read the reason for unbelief, only if he kept on reading up to v44!
6:15 "the true offer" ... lol. But in Calvinism, it is not an offer, by any stretch of the term. But somehow it is also "the true offer"?
How do you explain two people hear the same message without proof or anything to go on except the person doing the witnessing? But yet one believes and repents and turns to God. Did they both get drawn or did only one get drawn to the Son? And please don’t say God was waiting and only drew the one and the other later.
JM: "You will not believe because you cannot believe"
KTS: 🤦♀....It was ISRAEL at the time of Jesus' ministry who could not believe and for good reason. The Fathers of Israel who turned their backs to God TAUGHT their children the ways of Baal which made them children of the devil. The children believed what their fathers were teaching them and then they taught their children, and they taught their children until they were SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH that God sent the truth to them knowing that they would deny Him and this was for the sake of saving all nations. It was with great patience that God allowed Israel to go their own way so that through their stubborn disobedience salvation would come to all men, both Jews and Gentiles. We can only believe if we have teachers that have heard and learned OF THE FATHER....the children of Israel NEVER HEARD AND LEARNED OF THE FATHER...Simple.
John 5
37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
All they had IN them is LIES that were FED to them by their fathers and because they SWALLOWED them, they became a liar like their father the devil whom they ignorantly worshipped. They had never heard the Father's voice because the voices of their fathers led them to become idol worshippers.
It's so stinkin' simple that I am embarrassed for the likes of John MacArthur who claims to be wise but has become a fool because he swallowed a wind of false doctrine that carried him away from the truth. Calvinism is one of the devil's favorite doctrines to feed Christians so they become unprofitable. The devil knows he already lost them so he might as well make them unprofitable by feeding them another gospel through the likes of "great men of the faith" who are admired...ugh.
2 Corinthians 11:4
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”
Please stop making a mess in God's house.
I'm sorry, Leighton, but our faith in Christ is not a filthy rag, our faith in Christ is precious and necessary. The passage in Isaiah referring to our righteousness as filthy rags means the goodness that Man perceives in himself, which would not include an attribute necessary for salvation. Please stop saying this brother!
The older I get, the more I think “getting saved” is a sloppy idea.
As followers, we need to stay vigilantly focused on Christ and his commands (loose ref to John 16).
The idea of “once saved always saved” from a practical stand point is silly. It’s an invention for complacency and, worse, laziness.
The inherent goodness of humans is not a form of Prevenient Grace. Faith is not a filthy rag.
Where does scripture teach we are good?
@@dfischer5878 Humans are the image of God. Do you think the image of God is evil?
The existence of sin and your responsibility for it tells us that you are good inherently. If you weren't, if sin was your innate nature, you would not be responsible for 'sin.'
And God called his creation very good.
Unless you become like a child...
I would like to offer an alternate perspective regarding John 5:39. In this passage, John 5:39 KJV.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
These Jews are indeed hearing the Father voice in Old Testament scripture since they think (believe) that they have eternal life from scripture (the Word of the Father). However, they simply do not believe in the Son. They recognize that the Son is speaking the same things as the Father, the same as other righteous leaders of that day. However, what they don't believe is that Jesus is who He says He is, the Son of God, and the one to whom the scripture testifies. They refuse to believe this man Jesus was the Messiah, regardless of what He said or what miracles He performed. So, even though they believed in the promises of God, their pride (and hardened hearts) would not allow them to accept a Messiah of such a lowly estate. They could not reconcile the word of God with the man Jesus, yet they believed in Old Testament Scripture.
Does the word of God have no power with unbelievers? For the word of God is sharper than any 2 edge sword piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and joins and morrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intense of the heart there is no creature hidden from his sight.
I would capitalize all necessary words but I'm driving.
Agreed: However, WHO gave you the FAITH to TRUST in him?
If Calvinism is true, the bible should be reduced to just few pages. What's the point of all the instructions, commandments, warnings, teaching, encouragment verses and chapters? Pslams 37 would be totally useless and many others. Satan would have no purpose at all, and more importantly, the gospel good news , should be called bad news. Who in their right mind would call having 80% of their children predestined to die good news at all?
2 Thessalonians 2:10-17 KJV
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Please explain why YOU were saved Leighton/
I wonder if the verse "No one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him" can be interpreted to mean "No one can come to me unless they are compelled by the father's drawing" ?
You're answer is in john 6:45.
Further on, Jesus says he will draw all men to himself, replacing the calling God did previously, and expanding its scope.
@@janetdavis6473 Yes.
John 12:32-33
[32]And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
[33]This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Unless the Father entices or is attractive to him.
True, God's grace onto salvation is by faith in Lord Jesus (Romans 5:1-2; John 3:16).
The Power of God onto salvation is by faith - from beginning to end (Romans 1:16-17).
Lord Jesus, since his resurrection, now draws all people to himself (John 12:32) through the Gospel (Romans 10:17) and Spirit (John 16:8-9).
The drawing is not regeneration, because the sinner only passes from death to life by faith (Galatians 3:21-22; John 5:24).
The Sovereign God has chosen (John 3:16), willed (John 6:40), and desired (1 Corinthians 1:21), from the foundation of the world, to save those who believe in the Son after hearing the Gospel (Romans 10:17).
God gives to the Son those who believe (continuous believing) in the Son evidenced by listening to and following the Son (John 10:27-29; Matthew 10:38); these are the true believers who are granted eternal life (John 10:27-29).
The Promises of God are a possession of those who believe (continuous believing), for the promise is by faith (Galatians 3:21-22; Hebrews 4:1; 11; Hebrews 6:11-12).
The indwelling Holy Spirit gives/guarantees eternal life to the believer who continually sows to the Spirit without giving up, and God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7-9).
God does not discriminate or show favoritism, but rather, calls all people to salvation by faith in His Son (favoritism (Isaiah 45:21-22; Acts 10:34-35; Acts 13:47; Romans 2:10-11; Matthew 28:19-20; John 12:32; John 12:47; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Titus 2:11).
God universally grants repentance and salvation to both Jews and Gentiles who believe in the Son (John 10:16; Acts 13:47; Acts 17:30), except for those God hardens for continually refusing His grace so they can remain in darkness (Romans 1:18-32; John 3:18-21; Matthew 22:3; 23:37; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Romans 10:21).
God indiscriminately invites (Matthew 23:3), calls (Luke 5:31-32), and draws (John 12:32) all people to believe in His Son to be saved by the Gospel (Romans 10:17) and the Spirit (John 16:8), but many refuse God's gracious call (Acts 7:51; Romans 10:21).
The humble and crushed in spirit will be receptive to God gracious call and teaching (Psalms 25:8-9; Psalms 34:18; Luke 18:9-14; Luke 4:18-19; Matthew 11:28), while the proud and arrogant will refuse the Gospel Call (Matthew 22:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; Romans 10:21) and will resist the Spirit (Acts 7:51).
The gospel calls us to join Jesus in His Mission to save the world NOT to obsess about how we are saved.
Trust Him and lead your life like you do. Every day. You are either committed to the mission with your whole life or you are out.
The gospel calls us to BELIEVE. The gospel is something one BELIEVES:
“The one who believes has everlasting life.”
“This is the work God requires; that you believe in the One He has sent.”
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved”
“For with the heart one believes and is justified.”
“Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
“All who look to the Son and believe on Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
There are dozens more.
@@medic4christ777 The Bible calls us to believe, yes, but also to do MUCH MORE than just "believe"... in your definition, what does it mean to "believe"?
@@PatrickSteil In terms of SALVATION, the Bible simply calls us to BELIEVE.
“If it’s by grace it is not by works, lest grace be no longer grace.”
The Greek word translated as BELIEVE in all New Testament examples is PISTUO. It means to trust. It has nothing to do with works. It’s simple child like faith that Jesus is who He says He is and did what He said He would do. If you want to try and argue that BELIEVE means more than BELIEVE, you are going to have to explain this passage:
Romans 10:9 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Does Paul give you an illustration of what he means be believe in the above passage? Sure does. It has nothing to do with works. How about the words of Jesus:
“Unless you believe THAT I AM HE, you will die in your sin.”
Believe means believe.
@@PatrickSteil Believe means believe. Period. In reference to salvation we are called to believe. Period. I can spend days quoting scripture. But UA-cam just hides the comment at a certain length so they have made discussion impossible.
@@medic4christ777 Pretend I am someone coming to know Christ from scratch... and I ask you what do you mean I have to believe? Believe in what?
In the Book of Romans Abraham believed God and it was a countdown to him for righteousness then it goes down they said it wasn't by works it was by his belief I guess God doesn't call you believe in him is at work
Rightly Dividing the word of truth brings clear evidence of the falsehood espoused in Calvinism. I encourage all to watch the. Ideas from Grace Ambassadors concerning Right Division. Who is speaking, To whom are they speaking and what is the Context? Reading Scripture in this way brings clarity to the God inspired understanding. James 1 was not speaking to the Gentiles, rather the scripture reads that it was James talking to the 12 only. Why do you think that James is speaking to the Gentiles, when Paul says that it’s “Faith alone”? Where there are perceived conflicts in Scripture, recognize that it’s because of not rightly dividing Scripture as 2 Tim. 1:15 points out. All Scripture is for us, but not Scripture is directed to us. We no longer sacrifice goats, we don’t give all away to the poor, we love the Law but we no longer live under it. Jesus came to the lost House of Israel, according to His teachings. He said to the 12, to not go the the Gentiles. MMLJ are all about Prophecy fulfillment, yet churches mix the Body of Christ (that was given to Paul by Christ) in with what The 12 were teaching. Read Hebrews 9 and see how scripture tells us to divide the Old Testament from the New Testament. A New Testament can’t begin until the Testator (Jesus) has died, according to Hebrews. Matthew 1:1 is not the beginning of the NT, unless one wants to deny what scripture says about it.
I love what Leighton has and is doing on the subject of Calvinism, yet there is more understanding with great clarification when one rightly divides. I recommend Justin Johnson of Grace Ambassadors is teaching on this subject with his Chart Lessons. Check it out on UA-cam.