My latest understanding of who is going to heaven

[Senior]

No need to put “IMO” before most of the points below, right?

The NT often mentions those who were chosen and called.
So, logically we assume that NOT everyone is chosen and called.

Man is totally unable to believe in Jesus and the gospel
because he is:
1 ● a slave to his inherited “fallen” sin nature
2 ● a slave to Satan, in bondage to him, in captivity, etc.
Therefore, God must ENABLE man to believe.

When God says it is not His desire that any man should perish,
He wishes that He didn’t have to reject some people for salvation.
Father God has His reasons for whom He chooses and calls.

The question is:
When EVERY man hears the gospel,
does the Holy Spirit convict him to believe?
And, does God block EVERY man’s 2 hindrances (above)
momentarily … so he is able to believe?

Verses such as John 3:16 are nets to catch the little fishes!
The NT word “believe” cannot possibly just mean to believe – because all of the rest of the NT teaches us
there is MUCH more to it than that.
This just “merely believing” is for the benefit of baby believers.
The Holy Spirit comes in … and they are ready to begin …
the sanctification process, which really is the process of salvation.

The vast majority (or all?) of the chosen and called
become Born Again Christians (BACs).

The NT is written ONLY to BACs
(and to those who will become BACs).
It is for their benefit because all others
have NO hope of salvation.

In the NT, there are many verses which threaten loss of salvation.

So, it’s all about the BAC’s free-will choices to have continuing (enduring) belief, faith, trust, co-operation with the Holy Spirit, obedience, etc.

So, the BAC’s salvation is conditional.

THEN …
Because the vast majority of today’s BACs ignore or reject the NT warnings, along come God’s prophets/watchmen who CONFIRM the NT warnings with their messages from Father God and Jesus.
And then, a blockbuster …
In some of these messages, They have said: BACs have been given
the OPPORTUNITY to walk the narrow path unto salvation!
(It appears They mean that only BACs are given this opportunity.)

So, there are 3 categories of human beings:
BACs going to heaven, BACs not going to heaven,
and non-believers.

I can already hear the cries of outrage!

 

[billybalke]

No need to put “IMO” before most of the points below, right?

The NT often mentions those who were chosen and called.
So, logically we assume that NOT everyone is chosen and called.

Man is totally unable to believe in Jesus and the gospel
because he is:
1 ● a slave to his inherited “fallen” sin nature
2 ● a slave to Satan, in bondage to him, in captivity, etc.
Therefore, God must ENABLE man to believe.

When God says it is not His desire that any man should perish,
He wishes that He didn’t have to reject some people for salvation.
Father God has His reasons for whom He chooses and calls.

The question is:
When EVERY man hears the gospel,
does the Holy Spirit convict him to believe?
And, does God block EVERY man’s 2 hindrances (above)
momentarily … so he is able to believe?

Verses such as John 3:16 are nets to catch the little fishes!
The NT word “believe” cannot possibly just mean to believe – because all of the rest of the NT teaches us
there is MUCH more to it than that.
This just “merely believing” is for the benefit of baby believers.
The Holy Spirit comes in … and they are ready to begin …
the sanctification process, which really is the process of salvation.

The vast majority (or all?) of the chosen and called
become Born Again Christians (BACs).

The NT is written ONLY to BACs
(and to those who will become BACs).
It is for their benefit because all others
have NO hope of salvation.

In the NT, there are many verses which threaten loss of salvation.

So, it’s all about the BAC’s free-will choices to have continuing (enduring) belief, faith, trust, co-operation with the Holy Spirit, obedience, etc.

So, the BAC’s salvation is conditional.

THEN …
Because the vast majority of today’s BACs ignore or reject the NT warnings, along come God’s prophets/watchmen who CONFIRM the NT warnings with their messages from Father God and Jesus.
And then, a blockbuster …
In some of these messages, They have said: BACs have been given
the OPPORTUNITY to walk the narrow path unto salvation!
(It appears They mean that only BACs are given this opportunity.)

So, there are 3 categories of human beings:
BACs going to heaven, BACs not going to heaven,
and non-believers.

I can already hear the cries of outrage!

Please tell us how one gets INTO Jesus that one may be saved. Scriptures please.

 

[Senior]

Please tell us how one gets INTO Jesus that one may be saved. Scriptures please.

The OP explains how ... backed up by many NT Scriptures.
Sorry that you don't like what I've written.

 

[Tessa]

The OP explains how ... backed up by many NT Scriptures.
Sorry that you don't like what I've written.

I don't think billybalke was saying he didn't like what you had written, but was asking for the scriptures to back it up.
There some who read your OP who will not know which ones back it up (not saying billybalke does or does not), but others may not know them to read. So they won't understand unless you give the chapter and verse they can read.

 

[Senior]

... they won't understand unless you give the chapter and verse they can read.

Oh, okay ... I have provided many dozens of NT verses
in several of the threads which I have recently posted.
E.G. here's one ...
http://christianforums.net/Fellowsh...t-verses-threatening-loss-of-salvation.78363/

 

[ezra]

No need to put “IMO” before most of the points below, right?

The NT often mentions those who were chosen and called.
So, logically we assume that NOT everyone is chosen and called.

Man is totally unable to believe in Jesus and the gospel
because he is:
1 ● a slave to his inherited “fallen” sin nature
2 ● a slave to Satan, in bondage to him, in captivity, etc.
Therefore, God must ENABLE man to believe.

When God says it is not His desire that any man should perish,
He wishes that He didn’t have to reject some people for salvation.
Father God has His reasons for whom He chooses and calls.

The question is:
When EVERY man hears the gospel,
does the Holy Spirit convict him to believe?
And, does God block EVERY man’s 2 hindrances (above)
momentarily … so he is able to believe?

Verses such as John 3:16 are nets to catch the little fishes!
The NT word “believe” cannot possibly just mean to believe – because all of the rest of the NT teaches us
there is MUCH more to it than that.
This just “merely believing” is for the benefit of baby believers.
The Holy Spirit comes in … and they are ready to begin …
the sanctification process, which really is the process of salvation.

The vast majority (or all?) of the chosen and called
become Born Again Christians (BACs).

The NT is written ONLY to BACs
(and to those who will become BACs).
It is for their benefit because all others
have NO hope of salvation.

In the NT, there are many verses which threaten loss of salvation.

So, it’s all about the BAC’s free-will choices to have continuing (enduring) belief, faith, trust, co-operation with the Holy Spirit, obedience, etc.

So, the BAC’s salvation is conditional.

THEN …
Because the vast majority of today’s BACs ignore or reject the NT warnings, along come God’s prophets/watchmen who CONFIRM the NT warnings with their messages from Father God and Jesus.
And then, a blockbuster …
In some of these messages, They have said: BACs have been given
the OPPORTUNITY to walk the narrow path unto salvation!
(It appears They mean that only BACs are given this opportunity.)

So, there are 3 categories of human beings:
BACs going to heaven, BACs not going to heaven,
and non-believers.

I can already hear the cries of outrage!

thank you for sharing your calvinist belief

 

[Senior]

thank you for sharing your calvinist belief

Actually, the OP talks about the possibility of God giving every person the opportunity to believe in Jesus and the gospel.
Then, it also talks about the free will choices each BAC has
while the precious Holy Spirit tries to fully sanctify him/her.
So, I'm quite open in my search ... are you?

 

[Senior]

Here is the short testimony of my favorite watchman,
er ... watchwoman, Julie Whedbee ...

 

[billybalke]

The OP explains how ... backed up by many NT Scriptures.
Sorry that you don't like what I've written.

But none of the scriptures you gave said how we get INTO Christ. Can you be more definite?

Also since you have mentioned the "chosen" will you please address who the chosen are and how the chosen were chosen? Also please tell us HOW the chosen know they are the chosen?
God bless

TO BE DEEP IN THE SCRIPTURE IS TO CEASE BEING CATHOLIC , PROTESTANT, JEW AND CALVINIST

 

[Senior]

But none of the scriptures you gave said how we get INTO Christ.
Can you be more definite?
Also since you have mentioned the "chosen" will you please address who the chosen are and how the chosen were chosen? Also please tell us HOW the chosen know they are the chosen?

Can you be more definite as to what INTO Christ means?
As to the choosing of the chosen, please refer to the OP.
Those who are practicing righteousness are considered to be righteous in God's eyes. IMO, these will have peace and
assurance from the Holy Spirit that they are going to heaven.

 

[billybalke]

The OP explains how ... backed up by many NT Scriptures.
Sorry that you don't like what I've written.

Hi Senior
None of the scriptures you posted tells us HOW we get INTO Christ. Can you be specific?

 

[billybalke]

Can you be more definite as to what INTO Christ means?
As to the choosing of the chosen, please refer to the OP.
Those who are practicing righteousness are considered to be righteous in God's eyes. IMO, these will have peace and
assurance from the Holy Spirit that they are going to heaven.

Hi Senior
Let me suggest that you get your concordance. Look up the word "into". Then find the ones which say "into Christ.

Let me ask again: How are we chosen if we are of the chosen. And how do the chosen know they are of the chosen?

 

[for_his_glory]

The NT often mentions those who were chosen and called.
So, logically we assume that NOT everyone is chosen and called.

Logic can not bring one to truth as logic only assumes that of a carnal understanding.

Those who were chosen and called in the NT were specifically chosen as part of Jesus ministry and apostleship as as they went about making many disciples of Christ. Even so today as a disciple is that whosoever in John 3:16 who come to Christ through that of God's free gift of grace to all who will believe. Many are called as God calls all His creation to repentance, but few are chosen as many reject God and His Son Christ Jesus. We are all Gods creation made in His image, but many have tainted that image as they have become lovers of self.

It's not a possibility, but reality that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:16-19.

 

[Senior]

Senior:
"The NT often mentions those who were chosen and called.
So, logically we assume that NOT everyone is chosen and called."

Logic can not bring one to truth
as logic only assumes that of a carnal understanding.

So you believe that everyone was/is chosen and called.
Great.

 

[for_his_glory]

So you believe that everyone was/is chosen and called.
Great.

Everyone is called to God's salvation by His grace, but many are not a whosoever as they refuse to believe in Christ, John 3:16. Those who are chosen to be Christ's own are those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

 

[JohnDB]

I'm fully convinced that Senior needs to go to someone other than the Calvinists to understand what the ancient Jewish understanding of "Called" and "Chosen" meant.
It is there in scripture but you have to see it for what it is and not for what you think it is before it's really clear.

Then when Jesus says, "Many are Called but few are Chosen" it means a lot more than first reading and flat interpretation.

Billy Graham was the last person I've witnessed that was both.

 

[Senior]

Everyone is called to God's salvation by His grace, but many are not a whosoever as they refuse to believe in Christ, John 3:16. Those who are chosen to be Christ's own are those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

Well, I'll repeat again ...
Doesn't this fly in the face of Paul often addressing
believers as those who have been chosen and called?
Why would he says this, if everyone is chosen and called?

If the order was called and chosen, you could be right.
I need to check the order of most of these verses.

 

[Senior]

Then when Jesus says, "Many are Called but few are Chosen" it means a lot more than first reading and flat interpretation.

The "pastor of pastors" in San Diego said
this was referring to chosen for ministry!
Was he correct? ... I'm not sure.

 

[billybalke]

The "pastor of pastors" in San Diego said
this was referring to chosen for ministry!
Was he correct? ... I'm not sure.

Hi Senior
Perhaps other posts covered it up that you did not see it, that often is the case with me. Would you mind addressing my post # 12.
Thanks

TO BE DEEP IN SCRIPTURE IS TO CEASE BEING CATHOLIC, PROTESTANT , JEW AND CALVINIST

 

[ezra]

Hi Senior
None of the scriptures you posted tells us HOW we get INTO Christ. Can you be specific?

born again its a spiritual birth john 3:3