The Bible explains who God’s people are

[John Zain]

One of God’s laws is: sin results in physical and spiritual death.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />
Therefore, all humans must die spiritually, i.e. be separated from God eternally.
God’s grace: God was willing to come up with a miraculous plan to “save” some of us.
It’s a wonderful miracle (full of God’s grace) that any of us can get to Heaven at all.
Now, maybe we can handle the “WHO and WHY them?”.

God is everywhere ... He knows and sees everything (past, present, future)
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth” 2 Chronicles 16:9
“I make known the end from the beginning … and what is still to come” Isaiah 46:10
“I am … the Beginning and the End, says the Lord” Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:13
More: Job 37:16, Psalm 90:4, Psalm 147:5, Proverbs 15:3, Acts 15:18, John 3:20
This is the key to everything: God has seen all of man’s history, his free-will choices, etc.

God knows peoples’ hearts, thoughts, motives, etc.
“… the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts” 1 Chronicles 28:9.
“I am the One who searches the hearts and minds of people” Revelation 2:23
More: 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Kings 8:39, Psalm 44:21, Proverbs 20:27, Jeremiah 17:10

God knows the type of people He wants to spend eternity with
“I dwell in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit” Isaiah 57:15
More: 2 Samuel 22:28, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 149:4, Proverbs 3:34, Zephaniah 3:12, James 4:6
A repentant heart towards God is absolutely necessary:
“… unless you repent you will all likewise perish (physically & spiritually) Luke 13:3, 5
Truly, the poor (in various ways) are the most likely to have the right heart attitude:
“He (Father God) has anointed Me (Jesus) to preach the gospel to the poor” Luke 4:18
“Has God not chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?” James 2:5
More: Isaiah 61:1, Isaiah 66:2, Luke 7:22, Matthew 11:5

God predestines and chooses His “elect” (His people)
“To God's elect ... who have been chosen according
to the foreknowledge of God the Father” 1 Peter 1:1-2
“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world … having predestined us” Ephesians 1:4-5
“And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed (in the gospel)” Acts 13:48
More: Romans 9:11, Romans 11:5-7, Ephesians 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Revelation 17:14

God’s guardian angels protect His people until they obtain salvation
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those
who will (in the future) inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14

God’s people must hear His true gospel (good news)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19
“… he (Paul) is a chosen vessel of Mine (Jesus) to bear My name
before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” Acts 9:15
More: Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:47, John 17:18, John 20:21, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:17

Father God “gives” His people to Jesus
“All that the Father gives to Me will come to Me” John 6:37
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” John 6:44
More: John 6:39, John 6:45, John 6:65, John 10:29, John 17:2, John 17:9, John 17:24; Matthew 15:13

God’s people are able to believe in Jesus and His “foolish” gospel
“… that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:15
More: John 3:16, John 3:36, John 5:24, Acts 13:48, Acts 16:31, Romans 1:16, Romans 3:22, Romans 10:9-10
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” 1 Corinthians 1:18

God has a personal relationship with His people; they “know” each other
“I know My sheep, and I am known by My own … My sheep hear My voice,
and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life” John 10:14, 27
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14
More: Jeremiah 31:34, Nahum 1:7, John 8:47, John 14:17, John 17:3, John 18:37, Luke 8:15, 2 Tim. 1:12, 2 Tim. 2:19
Some people think they know God, but are mistaken ... Matthew 7:23, Matthew 25:12.

God makes sure His people make it through to the end
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who
are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined …
whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified;
and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30
God’s elect are: foreknown -> predestined (chosen) -> called -> justified -> glorified
.

 

[just-a-servant]

One of God’s laws is: sin results in physical and spiritual death.<!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /-->
Therefore, all humans must die spiritually, i.e. be separated from God eternally.
God’s grace: God was willing to come up with a miraculous plan to “save” some of us.
It’s a wonderful miracle (full of God’s grace) that any of us can get to Heaven at all.
Now, maybe we can handle the “WHO and WHY them?”.

I guess I have to take issue with the first statement you made:
One of God’s laws is: sin results in physical and spiritual death.
I just don't recall it as one of God's laws. I do seem to remember physical death being the penalty for the sin of Adam's disobedience. As far as spiritual death, my guess is you should take another look at it; spiritual death doesn't occur at all. You will either spend eternity with Christ in heaven or eternity in the lake of fire (where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth). That's the only two options.

God is everywhere ... He knows and sees everything (past, present, future)
God knows peoples’ hearts, thoughts, motives, etc.
God knows the type of people He wants to spend eternity with
God predestines and chooses His “elect” (His people)
God’s guardian angels protect His people until they obtain salvation
God’s people must hear His true gospel (good news)
Father God “gives” His people to Jesus
God’s people are able to believe in Jesus and His “foolish” gospel
God has a personal relationship with His people; they “know” each other
God makes sure His people make it through to the end

Secondly, your title for this article said "the Bible explains who God's people are." All of your subtitles (condensed above) tell us what God is or does. None of your points support your thesis.

Don't get me wrong John, you obviously thought about what you wanted to say. Shows you're at least thinking. Now go back to it and think it through. Don't just make a statement from your opinion or from what you might have heard some clever minister say; think and let the word of God instruct you. :wink:

IMHO,
just-a-servant

 

[John Zain]

I guess I have to take issue with the first statement you made: One of God’s laws is: sin results in physical and spiritual death.
I just don't recall it as one of God's laws. I do seem to remember physical death being the penalty for the sin of Adam's disobedience. As far as spiritual death, my guess is you should take another look at it; spiritual death doesn't occur at all.
You will either spend eternity with Christ in heaven or eternity in the lake of fire (where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth). That's the only two options.
Secondly, your title for this article said "the Bible explains who God's people are."
All of your subtitles (condensed above) tell us what God is or does. None of your points support your thesis.

Sorry, by spiritual death I meant separation from God in hell.
Because of our sin, we are totally unqualified to help ourselves.
This is why the Holy Spirit miraculously became Jesus' Father.
So, now we have a human who doesn't have the sin nature,
and He indeed was able to overcome all temptations and not sin.
This is the main reason Jesus came to be the Savior of the world:
"... we shall be saved from (God's) wrath through Him." Romans 5:9

Many of the sections in the article show the type of people whom God
desires to be with Him in Heaven, and He chooses and calls them.
These are "the elect" ... known to God before the foundation of the earth.

 

[just-a-servant]

Many of the sections in the article show the type of people whom God
desires to be with Him in Heaven, and He chooses and calls them.
These are "the elect" ... known to God before the foundation of the earth.

There's quite a stir about predestined and preordained. I don't think this is the thread to get into that. That being said, I think the people God wants to be near him are those that want to be - free will. I can't say for sure but I'd guess if He chooses them, that kind of destroys the "free will" thing. IMHO

As far as the "elect," I'm going to hold on to the notion that the elect are those who choose to follow Him in everything and who choose to do His will. I have nothing to base that on at this time, just opinion. Even with that said, I know He knew who we would be before the foundations of the earth.

just-a-servant

 

[SpiritLedEd]

So, now we have a human who doesn't have the sin nature,

John Zain, Hebrews 4:15 says: "We do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are - yet was without sin". Also, read about Jesus being tempted in the desert (Lk 4:1-13). Do you think that Satan would waste the energy involved in tempting someone who he knows doesn't have a sin nature?

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)

 

[Brother Mike]

Another Calvinist thread.

Many of the sections in the article show the type of people whom God
desires to be with Him in Heaven, and He chooses and calls them.
These are "the elect" ... known to God before the foundation of the earth.

I thought we discussed Calvinism already in another thread....Normally I love it when they show up... but sure don't feel like posting all the scriptures again...... We already explained "Elect"....... Why another post???

Your new... I get it... just a few post under you belt...got it...

SpiritLedED: Back to his question..........

Originally Posted by John Zain
So, now we have a human who doesn't have the sin nature,

John Zain, Hebrews 4:15 says: "We do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are - yet was without sin". Also, read about Jesus being tempted in the desert (Lk 4:1-13). Do you think that Satan would waste the energy involved in tempting someone who he knows doesn't have a sin nature?

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)

 

[John Zain]

John Zain, Hebrews 4:15 says: "We do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are - yet was without sin". Also, read about Jesus being tempted in the desert (Lk 4:1-13). Do you think that Satan would waste the energy involved in tempting someone who he knows doesn't have a sin nature?

Please explain why the Triune Godhead decided to miraculously
have the Holy Spirit be the Father of Jesus Luke 1:26-35

I mean, God the Son could have come down and become flesh
giving us a human who was "fully God" ... without the above, right?

 

[John Zain]

I thought we discussed Calvinism already in another thread....Normally I love it when they show up...
but sure don't feel like posting all the scriptures again...... We already explained "Elect"....... Why another post???

Your new... I get it... just a few post under you belt...got it.

I thought you were the one who invited it ... you wanted my take on WHO God's people are.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Please explain why the Triune Godhead decided to miraculously
have the Holy Spirit be the Father of Jesus Luke 1:26-35

I mean, God the Son could have come down and become flesh
giving us a human who was "fully God" ... without the above, right?

"Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Php 2:6-7)

When Jesus humbled himself - temporarily stepping away from his powers and prerogatives as the Second Person of the Trinity - The power of the Holy Spirit came upon Mary.

SLE

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

I thought we discussed Calvinism already in another thread....Normally I love it when they show up... but sure don't feel like posting all the scriptures again...... We already explained "Elect"....... Why another post???

Your new... I get it... just a few post under you belt...got it...

Brother Mike this is demeaning and I have come to expect better of you.

I did not see any ism's in his posts.Only scriptures and some interpretations.Many are scriptures that trip up doctrines.
Maybe there is an answer that we have not considered yet and how will we ever get it without making sure all scripture agrees.
The reason there is a Calvinism is because a man had questions his teachers could not answer.
Personally I have other possible explanations that are not complete
so I want to understand others research.
Just because it's of no value to you does not mean it has none to others.
Correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.Not blunt,divert, demean and accuse

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

This is whats supposed to happen
John Zain presents and then just a servant brought forth a problem he saw and John reconstructed it to fit in line with scripture.
Then just a servant being true to his name adds a well thought out observation with the caveat that it is his opinion(I do happen to be of the same opinion though).
Then Spiritleded gives an observation and a question which lends the idea that there might be more to research(which I also happen to agree with).

In that same spirit of cooperation I would like to also make an observation.Ed has a point about the nature of Jesus,he could not have fulfilled scripture without having the same nature as us.That's why he said "the prince of this world cometh but he finds nothing in me".The prince was so sure he would find something that he unknowingly condemned condemnation itself by condemning an innocent one without proper authority.
The term Ha-Satan in the Hebrew Torah was a title bestowed on a being.
Some time later the ha was dropped and the name became personified.
Jesus did not just defeat a devil,he defeated a demonic government.

Jesus is the "seed of the woman" prophesied to battle the seed of the serpent in Genesis.

As to who is with him:
Col 2:12 Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

We are,right now we just can't see it yet.

Bro Mike I would value your "fresh spiritually discerned" input on this
because this does cover the finished work concept that I mentioned to you
in my PM.
Thanks everyone.

 

[John Zain]

"Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Php 2:6-7)
When Jesus humbled himself - temporarily stepping away from his powers and prerogatives
as the Second Person of the Trinity - The power of the Holy Spirit came upon Mary.

Surely the above is backwards.
Before Jesus was conceived, the Holy Spirit came upon Mary.
30 years later, Jesus humbled Himself for the reasons in Phil. 2:6-7.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Surely the above is backwards.
Before Jesus was conceived, the Holy Spirit came upon Mary.
30 years later, Jesus humbled Himself for the reasons in Phil. 2:6-7.

You're a Jehovah's Witnesses member, aren't you?, which would mean that your 1984 Born Again claim is false.

SLE

 

[John Zain]

You're a Jehovah's Witnesses member, aren't you?, which would mean that your 1984 Born Again claim is false.

It's totally impossible for you to be further off track.
The answer is ... emphatically NO.

The problem, sir, is that I have a brain.

Please try my latest thread.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

The problem, sir, is that I have a brain.

You also seem to have a prideful, arrogant attitude which needs to be reined in.

SLE

 

[HisFollower]

The Holy Spirit of Truth speaking through Peter tells us that God is no respecter of person´s; but in every nation they that fear Him, and works righteousness, are accepted with Him.
(Acts 10:34-35)