Debunking Calvinism Episode #1—Ephesians 1:1-14
Let's consider an analogy
Suppose there are two movie makers at Hollywoood, James Calvin and Matt Chandler. James Calvin is a very famous movie producer who mentors his actors after pre-selecting them and compelling them to be be mentored by him.
Matt Chandler invites whoever wants to be mentored by him to join his team voluntarily. However, one thing they both have in common is that prior to the actors being chosen for a particular movie, both movie producers had predetermined to conform their actors into well-conditioned and trained characters.
Calvinists get it wrong
Calvinists insist that Ephesians 1 teaches that God is like James Calvin but all the text actually states is what the movie producer has predetermined for his team to become, it says nothing about his predetermining who would and would not be chosen (i.e. “in Him”).
What should we be asking?
The question should be how does one come to be in him? Has God chosen individuals to be placed in Him? Or has God chosen individuals who choose to be in Him? In other words, has God predetermined the individuals to be in the group? Or has God chosen a group of individuals for a predetermined end?
Some fixate their eyes so much on the first 12 verses that they literally ignore the last two verses where Paul gives an answer to this vital question; “How does one come to be in Him?”
Ephesians 1:13-14
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. —Ephesians 1:13-14
Two questions to consider
First question: When were you included in Christ? Was it before the foundation of the world? Or was it when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation?
Second question: When were you marked in Him? Was it before you were born or had done anything good or evil? Or was it when you believed? What does the text say? Decide for yourselves!
For more information on this topic, visit Soteriology 101
The actual answer to this question will require someone to read the entire Bible, especially the books of the prophets. We should be careful not to try to make the Old testament and the words of Yashua "conform" to Paul's writings. The reverse should be applied when reading Paul's letters, or you will deceive yourself.
No. You have to start with the New Testament because the mystery was revealed in the New Testament. Going through the Old Testament trying to find the mystery that was revealed in the New Testament is wrong. As Paul said, "The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people." ◄ Colossians 1:26
OK, I'll bite. What do you think the mystery is? please site scripture if you answer this.
The mystery is clearly the gospel or the good news about Jesus if you read Colossians 1:26 in context. There are certain passages in the Old Testament where God preaches the gospel in advance or prophecies about the gospel, but they are not clear enough which is why the Jews missed their own Messiah. God did not reveal the gospel in its fullness in advance because if they had realized who Jesus was, they would not have crucified him. ◄ 1 Corinthians 2:8
You have to understand Colossians 1:26 in the context of the rest of what the prophets said as well. The Gospel is not exactly what we have been told by State ordained ministers. It is Good News- For SOME people-and a promise of destruction for others, to the gratification of the Elect. These things are intentionally not clear, because God has no desire to save EVERYONE in the world. The same reason He only spoke to people in parables.
So you're saying Satan wants EVERYONE but God doesn't? WRONG.
"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." ~1 Timothy 2:3-4
Ok, this is a quote from one of Pauls letters. But what did the Messiah himself say about who he came to save?
Are you saying what Paul said contradicts what the Messiah said?
Here is what the bible says about misunderstanding Paul:
"15 Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. 16 He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard not to be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing."---2 Peter 3:15-17
I totally agree and Calvinists are a walking example of the ignorant and unstable people who distort Paul's message into meaning that God doesn't want to save everyone but Satan wants to destroy everyone. They make Satan look better than God!
"And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12That seeing they may see, and NOT perceive; and hearing they may hear, and NOT understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."---Mark 4:10
You really need to realize that not all followers of the Messiah can be grouped into "Christian" denominations.
We're not arguing over denomination. We're arguing over systematic theologies that you have adopted.
I hope we are debating, its not my intent to argue with anyone. What theology is just reading the bible, and doing what it says?
That's the claim everyone makes. Whether those in a denomination or not. You don't have to label your theology or understanding of the Bible. The different interpretations and understandings of the Bible have already been labeled and I can tell which one you believe. It's known as Calvinism which is a very false and destructive theology. It's basically an inverted works-based gospel which is no better than a works-based gospel. It teaches double predestination and claims that God does not want to save everyone.
We find the old testament revealed in the new when we read the new in the light of the old.
...so, you think the entire mystery was the Messiah? Are you aware that the prophets spoke of things concerning the end of world as well? This passage does not say anything about the mystery of God. But this does:
"But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled, just as He proclaimed to His servants, the prophets.”---Revelation 10:7
yes, the entire mystery is the messiah. yes, the prophets spoke of the end of the world as well. the prophets were speaking of the messiah. Nobody else. Jesus Christ is the end of the world, in the philosophical sense of the word "end". The purpose of the world, as it were.
This one is tricky. Lets look at it from a different angle for full understanding.
What is "the Day of the Lord"?
What takes place during this event?