Hi winman,
the epistles of Peter are to those Jews scattered abroad in the world known as the diaspora, the dispersion or strangers.
1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
As such they have been returned to a place of blessing under the gospel to Jew and Gentile alike.
While our father in heaven does not hold children accountable and blesses them with eternal life should they die they are yet in Adam.
Or why then do some babes die an untimely death?
The wages of sin is death.
For whose sin do these die?
HankD
Hank, it is obvious all men suffer the consequences of Adam's sin which is physical death. This is due to the curse God placed on the ground. Even animals that cannot sin die, and unliving things corrupt and fade away.
We are not talking of physical death, but spiritual. When Paul said he was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and he died, he could not possilbly be telling us he was physically dead!
It is amazing that people can read words like LOST and not understand what they mean. How can you lose something that does not belong to you, or something that was not in your possession?
In the three parables in Luke 15, Jesus is clearly speaking of salvation.
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
So, these folks that argue that Luke 15 is discussing Israel are in error, Jesus was clearly speaking of sinners repenting and being saved.
And in all three parables, we see that the sinner first belonged to God.
Luke 15:4 What man of you,
having an hundred sheep, if he
lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after
that which is lost, until he find it?
The shepherd originally had 100 sheep. One was LOST. He could not have been said to be lost if he did not belong to the shepherd, you cannot lose what you do not own or have possession of. The verse actually says "having" showing this lost sheep first belonged to the shepherd.
Luke 15:8 Either what woman
having ten pieces of silver, if she
lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
This parable was identical, the woman originally had 10 pieces of silver, one was LOST. She swept and searched until it was found. It was RECOVERED.
Then in both instances, in verses 7 and 10 the Lord explains that his parable is speaking of lost sinners.
The third parable is the same.
Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man
had two sons:
You know the story, the young man left his father and went to a far country. He was joined to a citizen of that country (Satan). He came to himself and returned home. When he arrived, twice Jesus said he was alive AGAIN.
Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead,
and is alive again; he was
lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead,
and is alive again; and was
lost, and is found.
You can try to wiggle around this all you want, this chapter is concerning the salvation of sinners. In all three parables the sinner first belonged to the shepherd, the woman, and the father. All were LOST. All were RECOVERED.
And twice Jesus said the prodigal was ALIVE AGAIN. I think Jesus understands proper doctrine better than Augustine or Calvin, I will believe Jesus.