John UK wrote:
That's it, June. Shaun Willcock has summed it up perfectly.
You sure dropped on a good theologian/pastor to aid you on your pilgrim journey.

John,

I believe what you affirm is agreeable to the Scriptures:

Psalm 51:5
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

I realise this rankles you, but it is the plain truth of scripture especially Paul's writings, who also taught about the headship of both Adam and Christ.

We begin life in Adam - lost by nature.

Christians have been placed in Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit in regeneration, quickening and enlightenment, and this, because of the election of grace, not of works."
******
Amen to that!

John, does Lurker deny the doctrine of election of grace?

Matt. Henry commentary
No forms, ordinances, or notions can profit, without regenerating grace, which will always lead to seeking an interest in the righteousness of God by faith. For he is no more a Christian now, than he was really a Jew of old, who is only one outwardly: neither is that baptism, which is outward in the flesh: but he is the real Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with an obedient faith. And the true baptism is that of the heart, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Ghost; bringing a spiritual frame of mind, and a willing following of truth in its holy ways.

June, I agree with what you have written, it is a good definition. But there are also many who believe the doctrines of grace who yet have humanistic thoughts.
******
John,
what exactly do you mean by that last sentence?
Not sure what you're saying.

In writing to Lurker, John UK wrote:
“But how I wish you could come to grasp the truth of the Fall and how it has affected all men, requiring an act of God to bring those of his choosing to new birth. A lot of your anger is secretly against God, knowing this, but denying it in favour of humanism.”

Could you be specific with respect to Lurker?

If not, I will understand.

humanism = act of man / man's free will = work of man / false works gospel

vs. the need to be “born again” (John 3:3-8)

new birth = act of God / God's election = work of Holy Spirit / glorious gospel of the free & sovereign grace of Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ

". . Salvation is of the LORD." Jonah 2:9

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" Titus 3:5

Was this what you meant John?

A. W. Pink explains how God revealed Christ to me in His Word and by His Spirit

"Truly, "the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14) We cannot so much as "see Christ" until we are born again. (John 3:3)
Saving grace is something more than an objective fact presented to us; it is a subjective operation wrought within us. As it is not by natural discernment that I discover my need of Christ, so it is not by my natural strength and will that I "come" to Him. There must be life and light (sight) before there can be motion. A babe has to be born, and have sight and strength, too, before it is able to "come" to its parent. Believing in Christ is a supernatural act, the product of supernatural power."

John UK wrote:
James, I don't disagree.
But if you are going to go through all the OT showing where God expressed his will to save both Gentiles and Jews, which would be the ONE NEW MAN under one head, that is, Christ, I regard it as a pointless exercise, it is merely repeating the same thing over and over.
Once the principle is understood, all the OT will fit into place, and be seen as the picture only, the reality only coming at the incarnation of God.

I would say you were called to be a teacher

Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

2 Timothy 2:24
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

John UK wrote:
Amen June, it is so clear really. I don't know why there are some who just can't see it. Maybe they are frightened the Yee Ha preachers will laugh at them and call them calvinist pigs. Me, I'm not bothered what people call me. Truth shall stand unto eternity.

I never had to struggle with such an idea so alien to the Scriptures . . namely that we choose God rather than God choosing us.
Left to myself I surely would have perished in my sin and unbelief.

Indeed God's Word makes it perfectly clear that we are all sold unto sin (Rom. 6) unless and until the Lord intervenes in our lives by his grace to deliver us from the powers of darkness and translate us into the kingdom of His dear Son. (Col. 1:12-14)

We cannot save ourselves else why would we need a Savior.

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matt. 1:21)

By the grace of God I am what I am . . (1 Cor. 15:10)
a Christian . . a "new creature in Christ"
(II Cor. 5:17)

Only a sinner saved by grace . .

Can any man say, "I know, I think I'll be born again today, now just what do I have to do to be born again?"

That would be the will of man.

Does the Bible anywhere give instruction as to how a sinner may be born again by doing something?
****
Amen & Amen!

John . . I know I had no part or lot in the solemn matter of the saving of my soul. I was "dead in trespasses and sins" until he "quickened" me. (Eph. 2)

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
(Eph. 2:10)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3: 3-7)

“For by grace ye are saved, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
(Eph. 2:8)
]
"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy."(Rom. 9:16)

Ephesians 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Ephesians 2:21
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Ephesians 2:22
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Dr. Tim wrote:
Interesting testimony, June. I’m glad the Lord saved you, but I have a question. When the Lord, as you say, took away your heart of stone and gave you a heart of flesh, did He by any chance also give you the land of Israel (Ezekiel 11:14-17)? If not, maybe you are claiming a promise made to Jacob’s descendants, and not to Gentile believers. This spiritualizing of promises made to Israel can be taken a little too far, don’t you think?

1/11/19 7:38 AM
Unprofitable Servant | TN

News Item:
Russian Patriarch Warns ‘Antichrist’ Will Control...

"Dr Tim, just a FYI, if you look at most of the preachers on this site, they are mainly reformed in their thinking. They view Israel as being replaced by the church. It’s fine to disagree but just know that by the nature of the site most posters would share the same thinking."

Christ said:
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)
and . .
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you; they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

We are exhorted in God's Word to “receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21)
It is written: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4)
Because God speaks to us through His Word, it is in TRUTH an interactive book.
The Bible is a book you will be unable to put down until you personally find peace with God through our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ

Frank wrote:
Thanks! Most know that I was also raised in the catholic faith. It was back when the mass was said in Latin so I go way back. I also heard Kenneth Copeland embracing catholicism, so you are very correct to add that. I think the catholic church is satan's church on this earth, so all false movements will collude with them.

Frank wrote:
John UK,
Thanks for your thoughts and for sharing your experiences with us. You are indeed correct. The below are some “general” truths about Pentecostalism and the Charismatics.
1. The accept women leaders in the church.
2. They don’t believe in eternal security, i.e., they are works based.
3. The order God around as if He is some genie waiting to be rubbed in a certain manner.
4. They believe all Christians who have not received the baptism in the Holy Spirit are second class "at best". IOW, none of those folks can serve in the church.
After I was saved I attended both kinds of churches, so I can understand your experiences!

I thank and praise the Lord God upon every consideration of it, for saving my soul and that of my husband, and for delivering us from the false gospel of Rome and her lying doctrines and traditions of men, whereby they seek to render the Word of God void.
(Rev. 18:4)
There but by the grace of God, go I.

Dolores wrote:
Thanks June, for your concern for my error and all but it has nothing to do with anyone on here, it’s me and my frame of mind right now I have a lot going on with my husband being very sick with so many things. Yesterday was seeing a Kidney doctor, day before that a diabetic Dr and after hours there, we went to a funeral. Monday we are going to another Dr and 2 weeks later to his Cardiologist because he has 5 stents in the main artery (widow maker as my CRNA son called it) they just drop dead when that one blocks. 2 stents in another one. Family history is the men dropped dead before age 60. We have a $800 med Bill a month. My thoughts are if it stresses me I can’t be a part and I am not helping anyone. I had to explain because someone might think I am angry.

"Be still and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Ps. 56:3

". . . Peace, be still. . " Mark 4:39