6/9/21

Robotic Hummingbird Defies Evolution by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=3832

Robotic Hummingbird Defies Evolution

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Imagine looking out your window one morning as the birds come to the feeder and seeing a hummingbird. As you look closer, however, you realize this is no ordinary hummingbird. It hovers, moves forward and backward, and is about the same size as other hummingbirds that you have seen, but this one has some striking differences. It is made out of lightweight, synthetic material and has a camera in its stomach, which is pointing right at you, filming everything you are doing! Anyone staring at a camera-laden hummingbird droid would immediately wonder who designed the machine and why it was sent. No one would entertain the idea that the perfectly functioning robot somehow evolved from natural processes that were at work in a junkyard down the street.

While this hummingbird robot sounds more like science fiction than science, it happens to be the latest gismo produced by the California-based company AeroVironment (Watson, 2011). Watson reported that the “Pentagon has poured millions of dollars into the development of tiny drones inspired by biology” (2011, emp. added). The product of this research is a robotic hummingbird “with a 6.5-inch wing span” that weighs “less than a AA battery and can fly at speeds up to 11 mph” (2011). The device has taken AeroVironment five years to produce and cost about four million dollars.

 

 

When compared to a “real,” living hummingbird, this contraption looks clumsy. Real hummingbirds can fly 25 miles per hour, and reach diving speeds of 60 miles per hour. They normally flap their wings about 50 times per second, but can flap them up to 200 times per second. If the amazing mechanical hummingbird took millions of dollars, several years, and a host of brilliant engineers to design, what are we forced to conclude about the real thing? Whoever designed it must have been more intelligent than the combined intelligence of the entire human engineering populace, since this latest hummingbird robot represents the very best humans can do. The supposed naturalistic process of evolution could never account for a creature like the hummingbird, nor for a mechanical imitation of it. When God asked the patriarch Job, “Does the hawk fly by your wisdom?” (Job 39:26), He was stressing the fact that flying creatures like hawks and hummingbirds provide outstanding evidence that God exists, and He knows infinitely more about everything than man does.

REFERENCE

Watson, Julie (2011), “Tiny Spy Planes Could Mimic Birds, Insects,” http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110301/ap_on_re_us/us_hummingbird_drone/print.

Robotic Hand Points to God by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2828

Robotic Hand Points to God

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Science has done it again. What humans in past generations would never have thought possible is becoming a reality. Associated Press writer Ariel David recently reported on one of the most advanced scientific experiments ever done in the world of prosthetics. Twenty-six-year-old Paierpaolo Petruzziello was involved in a month-long research project in which scientists used special electrodes to attach a robotic hand to the nerves in Petruzziello’s left forearm. The research team performed the study in order to see if Petruzziello could control the hand by triggering the correct nerves simply by thinking about it.

Amazingly, Petruzziello successfully manipulated the robotic hand using his mind. In fact, he stated: “It’s a matter of concentration. When you think of it as your hand and forearm, it all becomes easier” (as quoted in David, 2009). The doctors left the electrodes in the young Italian’s arm for a month. So successful was Petruzziello at controlling the hand, by the end of the month he could “wiggle the robotic fingers independently, make a fist, grab objects, and make other movements” (2009).

While it is true that science fiction movies and books like Star Wars feature such amazing technology, who would have ever thought that such astounding advancement would become a reality? Petruzziello stated: “It felt almost the same as a real hand” (2009). As remarkable as the study is, however, the new technology leaves many things to be desired compared to an “average” human hand. For one thing, no one knows how long the electrodes can be attached to the human nerves. Those in need of such prosthetic apparatuses need the technology to remain connected for years, not a few days. Second, the hand “obeyed the commands it received from the man’s brain in 95 percent of cases” (2009). Of course, the human hand is far more efficient at responding to the brain’s commands. In addition, as would be expected, the robotic hand is extremely expensive. The one-month long project cost approximately three million dollars. And, as the researchers concluded: “More must be done to miniaturize the technology on the arm and the bulky machines that translate neural and digital signals between the robot and the patient” (2009). In truth, there is still an extremely long way to go before such technology begins to approach the capabilities of
an average human hand.

Research like this underscores the astonishing intelligence necessary to produce a “working” hand. The project cost three million dollars, “took five years to complete and produced several scientific papers that have been submitted to top journals including Science Translational Medicine and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,” according to Dr. Paolo Maria Rossini, the neurologist leading the research (as quoted in David, 2009). Brilliant men and women spent thousands of hours and millions of dollars, combining their immense intelligence and experience, to enable the month-long trial to be successful. Yet “more must be done” to equip the robotic hand to function on a practical level.

As amazing as this research is, how many of us would voluntarily swap our “ordinary” human hand for the latest robotic facsimile? The rhetorical answer is: “None of us.” And yet we are being told by the majority of modern scientists and the media that the human hand arose by purely naturalistic, evolutionary processes over millions of years, while the inferior prosthetic hand was intelligently designed. The false evolutionary inference is simply untenable. If the inferior robotic hand necessitates intelligent design, by implication, the superior human hand must necessitate greater intelligence. How long will the greater-scientific world refuse to admit the truth that biological organs and systems can only be explained by an intelligent Designer? Indeed, as with all such research, this latest robotic hand points a steady index finger straight to the God of the Bible.

REFERENCE

David, Ariel (2009), “Experts: Man Controlled Robotic Hand With Thoughts,” [On-line], URL: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091202/ap_on_sc/eu_italy_robotic_hand.

Robot Tries to Mimic Human Navigation by Kyle Butt, M.Div.


 https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2756

Robot Tries to Mimic Human Navigation

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Modern, atheistic evolutionists insist that humans were not designed by an intelligent Designer. They claim that millions of years of random, chance processes pieced the human body together from basic building blocks that emerged from inorganic chemicals. Even though millions of people have accepted these evolutionary beliefs, neither accurate scientific findings, nor rational thinking leave any room for such ideas. One of the most basic truths that militates against the idea of human evolution is the fact that functional complexity always requires an intelligent designer.

Take, for instance, some of the latest, cutting-edge robotics technology. Several researchers in Europe have joined together to design a robot that attempts to navigate like a human. In a recent article, Anne-Marie Corley noted that the new robot “is controlled by algorithms designed to mimic different parts of the human visual system” (2009). Mark Greenlee, the lead researcher of the project, stated that the robot mimics “several different functions of the brain—object recognition, motion estimation, and decision making—to navigate around a room” (as quoted in Corley, 2009).

How much “intelligence” would it take to tackle a robotics project of this magnitude? Corley commented, “Ten different European research groups, each with expertise in fields including neuroscience, computer science, and robotics, designed and built the robot” (2009). The amount of time, money, and mental energy wrapped up in this project is enormous. Some of Europe’s brightest minds, equipped with expertise in various key areas, teamed to make a robot that attempts to mimic human navigation skills. And yet for all that, Tomaso Poggio, the head of MIT’s Center for Biological Computational Learning, candidly admitted that there are “definitely areas of intelligence like vision, or speech understanding, or sensory-motor control, where our algorithms are vastly inferior to what the brain can do” (as quoted in Corley, emp. added).

If our brains function in ways that are superior to anything that the world’s most intelligent scientists can devise, what does that say about our origins? That fact directly implies that Whoever designed humans possesses an intelligence far superior to that of the world’s most brilliant thinkers. The psalmist accurately and beautifully portrayed this truth when he stated that humans are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14, emp. added).

REFERENCES

Corley, Anne-Marie (2009), “A Robot that Navigates Like a Human,” Technology Review, [On-line], URL: http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/22946/?nlid=2140.

 

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" Bearing Witness Of The Light (1:6-8) by Mark Copeland

 






 

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

Bearing Witness Of The Light (1:6-8)
 

INTRODUCTION

1. In the prologue to his gospel, the apostle John introduces another man named John...
   a. A man who was sent from God - Jn 1:6
   b. A man who came to bear witness of the Light - Jn 1:7
   -- This man, of course, was John the Baptist

2. John the apostle makes it clear that this other "John" was not the Light...
   a. Not only here in the prologue - Jn 1:8
   b. But also immediately following the prologue - Jn 1:19-20

3. John the Baptist's purpose in bearing witness of the Light...
   a. That all might believe - Jn 1:7
   b. The same reason John the apostle wrote his gospel - Jn 20:30-31

4. John was not the only person to bear witness of the Light...
   a. Others did before he came
   b. Others have since he came

[Indeed, even we have a responsibility to bear witness of the Light! 
Before we consider how, let's note those who have done so in the past...]

I. THE FORERUNNERS OF CHRIST

   A. THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS...
      1. They foretold the sufferings of Christ, and the glories to follow - 1Pe 1:10-11
         a. E.g., the prophet Isaiah - Isa 7:14; 9:6-7; 53:4-6
         b. E.g., the prophet Micah - Mic 5:2
         c. It has been estimated that there are more than 300
            prophecies concerning Christ
      2. Jesus reminded His disciples of this truth
         a. To the two disciples on the road to Emmaus - Lk 24:25-27
         b. Later to the apostles in Jerusalem - Lk 24:44-47

   B. JOHN THE BAPTIST...
      1. Foretold by Isaiah - Isa 40:3
      2. Identified as such by Matthew, Mark, and Luke - Mt 3:1-3;Mk 1:1-4; Lk 3:1-6
      3. John the apostle relates how John the Baptist bore witness of the Light
         a. Declaring Jesus to be "The Lamb of God" - Jn 1:29,35-36
         b. Declaring Jesus to be "The Son of God" - Jn 1:34

[Both the prophets and John bore witness to Jesus prior to His ministry. 
During the course of His ministry, there was another One who bore
witness of the Light...]

II. THE FATHER OF CHRIST

   A. HE BORE WITNESS THROUGH SIGNS...
      1. Through the miracles Jesus did - cf. Jn 5:36-37; 10:25,37-38
      2. Even as Nicodemus and the man born blind realized - cf. Jn 3:2;9:32-33

   B. HE BORE WITNESS THROUGH HIS VOICE FROM HEAVEN...
      1. At the baptism of Jesus - Mt 3:16-17
      2. At the mount of transfiguration - Mt 17:5
      3. At Jerusalem during the last week - Jn 12:27-30

   C. HE BORE WITNESS THROUGH RAISING JESUS FROM THE DEAD...
      1. Declaring Jesus to be the Son of God with power - Ro 1:3-4
      2. Declaring Jesus to be One will judge the world - Ac 17:30-31

[When the Father raised Jesus from the dead, He was seen by select
witnesses who in turn were commanded to add their witness of the Light
(Ac 10:40-43).  But not just the apostles; in some ways we can say that
witnesses of the Light includes all...]

III. THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST

   A. THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST...
      1. They bore witness through their eyewitness testimony
         a. In this they are very special witnesses - cf. Jn 15:27;
            Ac 1:8; 5:30-32; 13:30-31
         b. Providing empirical evidence - cf. 1Jn 1:1-2; 2Pe 1:16-18
      2. They bore witness through their lives and death
         a. Enduring great hardship for their testimony - cf. 1Co 4:9-13
         b. Giving credence to the truthfulness of their testimony!

   B. THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST...
      1. Their unity with one another bears witness - Jn 17:20-23
         a. Through our unity we bear witness to the fact:
            1) Jesus was sent by God
            2) God loves the world
         b. Should make one think how Jesus feels about congregational
            infighting, denominational division, etc.
            1) We know how Paul feels - cf. 1Co 1:10-13; 3:3-4
            2) We know what conduct is worthy of our calling - Ep 4:1-3
      2. Their transformed lives also bears witness
         a. As evidence of the influence of Christ in their lives - cf. 2Co 3:18; 4:6
            1) Whose truth teaches us how to live in righteousness and
               holiness - cf. Ep 4:17-24
            2) Enabling us to shine as lights in the world as we reflect
               the glory of His light in our lives - Php 2:12-16  
         b. Should make one think how we can be of much use if we are
            not being transformed
            1) By failing to renew of our minds - cf. Ro 12:1-2
            2) By failing to put on the new man (a Christ-like character) - cf. Col 3:9-17
      3. Their proclamation of the Word bears witness
         a. Our duty as the elect people of God is to proclaim His praises - 1Pe 2:9-10
            1) How He called us into His marvelous light
            2) How we obtained His mercy
         b. Should make one think of how little use we are if we remain silent
            1) By not spreading the gospel - cf. Ac 8:4
            2) By not sounding forth the Word - cf. 1Th 1:8


CONCLUSION

1. Those in the past faithfully bore witness of the Light...
   a. The forerunners (the prophets and John the Baptist)
   b. The followers (the apostles and early disciples)

2. What about us today...?
   a. Do we bear witness of the Light by our unity with one another?
   b. Do we bear witness of the Light through transformed lives?
   c. Do we bear witness of the Light through proclaiming the Word?

The purpose of bearing witness of the Light is so others can believe (Jn
1:7).  Do we help or hinder those around us to believe in Jesus? 

Don't quench the Father's efforts, who would have each of us bear
witness of the Light!

   "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
   who has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge
   of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2Co 4:6)

   "For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord.
   Walk as children of light." (Ep 5:8)             
 
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

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Reflections On Our Son Turning 40 by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

https://thepreachersword.com/2013/05/15/reflections-on-our-son-turning-40/#more-4010

Reflections On Our Son Turning 40

IMG_0527

When I turned 40, I recall my Mom saying, “I can’t believe I have a 40-year-old son!”  Well, it didn’t bother me.  Really!  I was still running.  Playing ball. Raising a young family. Feeling good.

Now the tables are turned.  I’ve got a son who turned 40 yesterday.  And I can’t believe it!  Why are we always surprised at these milestones?  Don’t we see them coming?  Or are we so busy they just sneak up on us?

But we are enjoying it.  It’s an opportunity to reminisce about the past.  Remember the good times.  And reflect on special milestones.  Important people in our lives.  And memories that live on!

This hasn’t been the traditional 40th birthday.  No black decorations.  Or “over the hill” wrapping paper.  Or gallows humor.  But there’s been humor!  Lots of it!  And surprises.

Norma Jean had planned to fly to Florida last Friday to surprise Kenny for his 40th birthday and be there with him and Rachél  for Mother’s day.  But the surprise was on her when they all showed up on Thursday!  It was fun.  We love to surprise.  And be surprised. I think families today are too uptight.  Folks need to relax.  Enjoy each other.  Be a little unconventional.  And embrace this wonderful relationship God ordained called family.

But back to the 40!  You hear that 40 is just a number. As I think about it, I agree with Boston Globe journalist Beverly Beckham that it is more than a number….and “an inaccurate one.” Beckham wrote, “Forty is inaccurate because it doesn’t stand alone. Forty is 39 and 28 and 24 and 16 and 10 and 4 and 6 months, every age a person was – not simply the sum of its parts but every one of its parts.”

Forty, in Kenny’s case,  is a month late arriving infant.  The first grandchild. The exploring toddler. The rambunctious child. The young entrepreneur.  The ball playing kid. The irrepressible teenager.  The graduate.  The Florida College student.  Once. Twice.  Three times!

Forty is living with Mamaw. Temporary obsessions!  Traveling with Bodhi.  Marrying his best friend, April.  Legends.  Florida College cross-country. And staying faithful to God.

Forty is love. Laugher. Tears. Disappointing setbacks.  Joyous triumphs.  Moving. Changing. Growing.  Adapting.  Becoming.  And dreaming.

When we look at people we see externally.  With human eyes.  And observe the here and now.  The moment.   We look at a face and try to guess an age.

We are the sum total of our experiences. Relationships.  Successes.  And failures. Life is not a destination.  It’s a journey.  A process. A life-long learning experience.  And the Bible teaches a brief one compared to time.  And eternity.

Charles T. Jones once said, “You will be the same in five years except for two things: The people you meet and the books you read.”   I have to think Kenny and the rest of us are where we are now because of those factors.  And where we will be in five years, Lord willing, will also be influenced by people who love us.  Help us. Share with us.  Influence us.  And while there are great books to learn from, none is better than the Bible.

The wise counsel of the Word says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov 4:23).

Well, thanks for reading today.  And allowing me some personal ruminations. But remember this.  When your birthday comes don’t agonize over it. Or stress over it. Or worry about the number of candles on your cake. Accept it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. And apply the counsel of Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

INSIGHT INTO BIBLE PROPHECY #58 Jesus' Coming: Loud and Visible by David Vaughn Elliott

 

https://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/11/insight-into-bible-prophecy-58-jesus.html

INSIGHT INTO BIBLE PROPHECY #58
Jesus' Coming: Loud and Visible
by David Vaughn Elliott

Ever notice the complete title and subtitle of the initial "Left Behind" book? "Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days." A novel! Indeed! Those who know their Bible have known all along that the fantasies claimed for the "rapture" were just that: a novel. 

For example, they claim it will be secret, that the people supposedly left behind on earth will have no understanding of how and why so many people disappeared. 

A leading "proof text" for the rapture theory is I Thessalonians 4:13-18. What does it say about secret? "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God." Shout! Voice of an archangel! Trumpet of God! Hardly your typical covert operation. 

Long before Paul wrote, Jesus had already specifically warned his disciples not to believe the false prophets who would claim His return to be a secret, hidden affair. "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:26,27). A very public event for all to witness. 

If someone tries to explain to you that Jesus was seen by those "with the eyes of understanding" in 1914, do not believe him. If someone else, just as falsely, tries to convince you that Jesus will secretly snatch away the believers without the world knowing what happened, do not believe him. No TV newsperson will have to tell anybody of the return of Jesus. It will be like the lightning: visible to all. No explanations needed. Everyone will know it is the end. 

Novels may be captivating best sellers; but we would be wise to reject them in favor of the all-time-best-seller: the Bible.

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION by C. A. Feenstra


 https://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Feenstra/C/A/1931/ch06.html

 

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

Man's words

Canons of Dordt - First Head of Doctrine

Article 7


Election is the unchangeable pupose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, He has out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of His own will, chosen from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault from their primitive state of rectitude into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom He from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect and the foundation of salvation. This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than others, but with them involved in one common misery, God has decreed to give to Christ to be saved by Him, and effectually to call and draw them to His communion by His Word and Spirit; to bestow upon them true faith, justification, and sanctification; and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of His Son, finally to glorify them for the demonstration of His mercy, and for the praise of the riches of His glorious grace.
Article 11

And as God Himself is the most wise, unchangeable, omniscient, and omnipotent, so the election made by Him can neither be interrupted nor changed, recalled, or annulled; neither can the elect be cast away, nor their number diminished.
Article 15

What peculiarly tends to illustrate and recommend to us the eternal and unmerited grace of election is the express testimony of sacred Scripture that not all, but some only, are elected, while others are passed by in the eternal decree; whom God, out of His sovereign, most just, irreprehensible, and unchangeable good pleasure, has decreed to leave in the common misery into which they have wilfully plunged themselves, and not to bestow upon them saving faith and the grace of conversion; but, permitting them in His just judgment to follow their own ways, at last, for the declaration of His justice, to condemn and punish them forever, not only on account of their unbelief, but also for all their other sins. And this is the decree of reprobation, which by no means makes God the Author of sin (the very thought of which is blasphemy), but declares Him to be an awful, irreprehensible, and righteous Judge and Avenger thereof.

Article 17

Since we are to judge the will of God from His Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy, not by nature, but in virtue of the covenant of grace, in which they together with the parents are comprehended, godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom it pleases God to call out of this life in their infancy.

"By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and accordingly, as each has been created for one or the other of these ends, we say that we have been predestinated to life or to death" 3:21:5

"We say, then, that the scripture clearly proves this much, that God by his eternal and immutable counsel determined once for all those whom it was his good pleasure one day to admit to salvation, and those whom, on the other hand, it was his good pleasure to doom to destruction. We maintain that this counsel, as regards the elect, is founded on his free mercy, without respect of human worth, while those whom he dooms to destruction are excluded from access to life by a just and blameless but at the same time, incomprehensible, judgment." 3:21:7

Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin, translated by Henry Beveridge

"Predestination, therefore, means that God has previously planned the final destinies of all his rational creatures, including both angels and human beings. Predestination, further, is subdivided into election and reprobation. If we think of these terms only as they apply to men, we mean by election God's planning from eternity to save some of the human race in and through Jesus Christ, his choosing of the specific individuals that are to be saved, and his determination of the manner in which they are to be saved and of the type of lives they are to live. By reprobation we mean God's planning not to save certain members of the human race, and his resolve to condemn them on account of their sins." —"Predestination as Taught by the Christian Reformed Church", Tract No. 196, pages 3-4, Anthony A. Hoekema

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that God is no respecter of persons?

..."There is no respect of persons with God." Rom. 2:11

"For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons." Col. 3:25

"And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear." I Pet. 1:17

"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him." Rom. 10:12

"And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him." Acts 10:34-35

..."There is no respect of persons with him (God)." Eph. 6:9

* * *

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that election is conditional on being "in Christ"?

..."Even as he chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world." Eph. 1:4

"Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord." Rom. 16:13

"Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they (the elect) also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." II Tim. 2:10

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; ...Nay, in all these things we (the elect) are more than conquerors through him (Christ) that loved us.... nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us (the elect) from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:33, 37, 39

"Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new." II Cor. 5:17

* * *

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, how does a believing, repentant sinner get "into Christ"?

"But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12

"For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." Gal. 3:26-27

"Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life." Rom. 6:3-4

"They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls." Acts 2:41

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that God chose those who are in Christ, and that to get into Christ man must hear, believe, and obey the call of the Gospel?

"...Even as he chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world..." Eph 1:4

"But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
(On what conditions?)
through sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth:
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." II Thess. 2:13-14 AV

"...Not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit..." Titus 3:5

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!" John 3:5

"And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." Mark 16:15-16

"He (Jesus) became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation." Heb. 5:9

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that before the foundation of the world God gave us his grace in Christ, chose us in Christ, and chose us unto salvation on the conditions shown man in the call of the gospel, which when obeyed puts man "in Christ"?

"...God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but hath now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." II Tim. 1:8-10

"Even as he chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world." Eph. 1:4

"But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
(On what conditions?)
through sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth:
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." II Thess. 2:13-14 AV

"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matt. 17:5

"And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. Mark 16:15-16

"For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." Gal. 3:26-27

Q. Since Eph. 1:4 says, "He chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world", and Gal. 3:27 says that baptism puts us "into Christ", does our individual election take place after we are called by and obey the gospel?

"For many are called, but few chosen." Matt. 22:14

"These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful." Rev. 17:14

"Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord..." Rom. 16:13

* * *

Q. Is Calvinism's "Unconditional Election" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that election is conditional on the elect or Christians "making it sure"?

"Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble." II Pet. 1:10

"...Continue ye in my love." John 15:9 AV

"...Keep yourselves in the love of God..." Jude 21

"And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard..." Col. 1:21-23

"Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Rom. 11:22

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, who are those chosen and given to the Son by the Father?

"They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:28-29

"And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:39-40

"...For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father." John 16:27

"He that hath my (Jesus') commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him." John 14:21

"...If any man serve me (Jesus), him will the Father honor." John 12:26

"...For the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine." John 17:8-9

"And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good,... Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Rom. 8:28, 33

Q. According to GOD'S WORD in Matthew 24, were the elect to be severely tried, and was the love of many of them to become cold?

"...For then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be....Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." Matt. 24:21, 23-24

"And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." Matt. 24:11-13

Q. Were the elect warned beforehand to take heed lest their love become cold and they be led astray?

"...For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have told you all things beforehand." Mark 13:22-23

* * *

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Rom. 8:33
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, who are the "elect" mentioned in Rom. 8:33 and the verses that follow it?

"...Them that love God..." Rom. 8:28

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when Paul preached in Antioch of Pisidia, what were the two results of his preaching?

"But when the Jews saw the multitudes,
they were filled with jealousy,
and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul,
and blasphemed."
"ye thrust it from you,
and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life..."

"And as the Gentiles heard this,
they were glad,
and glorified the word of God:
and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Acts 13:45-46, 48

Q. Does Acts 13:48 teach "Unconditional Election"?

Q. If Paul believed in "Unconditional Election" and all in Antioch who were ordained to eteral life believed when he preached there the first time, why did he return to Antioch at least three times to increase their number?

Q. If Paul believed in "Perseverance of the Saints", why did he waste his time returning to Antioch at least three times to exhort the disciples to continue in the faith?

"They returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:21-22

"And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare."
"And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches."
"So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia..." Acts 15:36, 41, 16:5-6

"...He departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples." Acts 18:23

Q. Did God say, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" (Rom. 9:13) before they were born, OR did He say this fourteen-hundred years after they had lived and died?

"...Was not Esau Jacob's brother, saith Jehovah: yet I loved Jacob; but Esau I hated..." Malachi 1:2-3

"For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed." Rom. 9:6-8

Q. What was the spiritual promise that God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of Israel, and which is mentioned in Rom. 9:7-8?

"Now Jehovah said unto Abram... in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Gen 12:1, 3

"...All the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him (Abraham)." Gen. 18:18

"...In thy seed (Abraham's) shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." Gen. 22:18

"And Jehovah appeared unto him (Isaac), and said..."
"...in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." Gen. 26:2, 4

"...In thee (Jacob) and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." ... "for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Gen. 28:14-15

"...The covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Acts 3:25

"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Gal. 3:8-9

Q. In addition to the scriptures listed above, did the Old Testament teach the Jews (and men today) what God's real purpose was in choosing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of Israel?

"...He saith also in Hosea..."
"And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel..."
"...as it is written..." Rom. 9:25-33

Q. Did it happen as the Old Testament said?

"...It is not as though the word of God hath come to nought." Rom. 9:6

Q. Does Romans 9 teach Calvinism's Unconditional Election of individuals to eternal salvation, OR does it teach that God's purpose from the beginning was to save all nations in Christ and that He chose and called Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of Israel as the means by which He would bring this about?

Q. What was the real purpose of God in choosing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of Israel?

"...That he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved. And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God." Rom. 9:23-26

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

 

Beyond the realm of possibility? by Gary Rose

 


This statement of Henry Ford is true – up to a point; for it is limited to the ability of a human being. Shall a newborn baby perform calculus or can a 120 year old man father a child; I don’t think so. Yes, there are limitations to what we can do.


As I wrote this, I asked myself: But, what if God has chosen a certain person to do something that would normally seem impossible? Then, I remembered these passages from the book of Isaiah…


Isaiah 40 ( WEB )

28 Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

29 He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.

30 Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall;

31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.


Isaiah 41 ( WEB )

10 Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.


Isaiah 45 ( WEB )

21 Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior; There is no one besides me.

22 “Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

23 I have sworn by myself, the word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.

24 They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’” Even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed.


And one of the most famous verses in the Bible…


Philippians 4 ( World English Bible )

13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.


With God anything is possible ( Matthew 19:26 ). Human beings in and of themselves are relatively fragile creatures, but WITH GOD- just think of the possibilities!