Weapon of Mass Instruction wrote:
Actually, they do it willingly. I told you this before.

JD wrote:
I would be more specific, DB, it is the exact outline of the epistle, not the general outline.

I. "Write the things which thou hast seen," (Chapter 1)

II. "and the things which are," (Chapters 2-3)

jago wrote:
DB"Immersion is never proved in Scripture. Because the quantity of water is never stipulated anywhere."

jago wrote:
Why do some churches insist on immersion then?

jago wrote:
Some on this site seem to say baptism is essential for our salvation. I thought it was a sign that we are members of the visible church.

Do you accept or reject the doctrine of original sin?

Are you assuming that the quickening of the spirit is the same as the indwelling of the Spirit. This may not necessarily be so.

When you pray to reach sould with the gospel, do you not pray that the Holy Spirit do a work in their hearts to prepare them to receive the gospel? Do you not pray that the Holy Spirit open their eyes and ears that they may both see and hear tthe word of God? Do you not pray for the Holy Spirit to grant them understanding of the gospel message?

This is not the same as praying for them to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

I have heard it said that words are defined by the context in which it is used. The word "draw" for example. It passages where the word is used, none of them mean to woo or to intice. In the process of drawing in a net full of fish, did the net come by it's own power, or by the power of the one pulling it in. Then the apostles were drawn out into the market place, did they come of their own free will or were they literally carried out by the power of someone else.

Yet at the same time, God's drawing power is gracious and lovingly. It is hard to reconcile those two facts.

If you wanted to wear longjohns or sweats underneath a dress to keep warm, that is not a problem and reasonable. People need to use a little common sence.

WOMI!!!

Howver, does the word power literally mean the right or the authority or does it mean the physical ability to perform it yourself?

The disciples at Pentecost received power to preach the gospel with boldness. Were they given authority or right to preach? The Greek word used in Acts 1:8 means that they were given the enablement to perform a task. We cannot make ourselves sons of God. He is the one who adopted us into His family.

However to use the word "receive" in the context you are trying to convince us of, it would have to be "δυναμιν -
dunamin".

The context does not render the definition as to being given power to perform a task, but the right and the authority to become the sons of God.

It is not so much man's will, but God's will that all obey him.

So did you pray and ask God to give you the ability to call upon him for salvation?

Did He answer you right away or did you have to wait for him to answer you?

Acts 4:12: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

God is the one who sets the terms of our salvation, we don't.

When Cain brought his sacrifice to the Lord, it was unacceptable because it did not meet the terms God set. Was he predestined to bring an unacceptable offering or did God give him a choice to do it right. Both Cain and Abel were brothers in the first covenant family. Both were given the same instructions by the Lord. Both received the same curse of death as a result of their father's sin.

Did God give one the ability to be obedient and not the other? God is holy and he is sovereign over his creation. Because he is holy, he requires complete obedience from all his creation.

Bottom line is, it the gift one that can be accepted or rejected. Calvinist claim that it is unconditional, now you claim it is conditional only if God gives you the ability to accept it.

Nice Calvinist presuppositions.

οσοι as many as (Relative pronoun)

δε But (conjunction)

ελαβον received (Verb)

αυτον him (direct object)

εδωκεν gave (verb)

αυτοις to them (indirect object)

εξουσιαν authority/power (direct object)

τεκνα children

θεου of God

γενεσθαι to be

τοις to those that

πιστευουσιν believe

εις on

το ονομα name

αυτου his

According to the lexicon it is in the
aorist tense, active voice, indicative mood, 1st person singular and 3rd person plural.

So to receive Him αυτον
(Personal pronoun, Masculine, Singular, Accusative,) he must be accepted.

Irregardless of what verse 13 says, all it does is describes the one who has become the sons of God.