A good question

[Van]

Folks, note that a Calvinist leaning poster says we cannot "hasten the day" through evangelism.

Ephesians 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

 

[Van]

What does it mean to regard the patience of the Lord as salvation?

Does the delay of Christ's return contribute to the salvation of those already saved? Nope (Except perhaps additional rewards through effective ministry.)

No, the delay is to provide more time for Christ's servants to preach the gospel and help to win some, i.e contribute to their salvation by tilling, planting, and watering. Does our evangelism save anyone? Nope, it is God alone who causes the increase in the number of His chosen people.

Romans 9:22
What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction?

Romans 9:23
And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon objects of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,

Romans 9:24
namely us, whom He also called, not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles,

If Christ had returned 500 years ago, we would not be citizens of God's eternal kingdom.

We are to be doers of the word, not just hearers. We are to be ready day and night to give an account for our hope.

 

[canadyjd]

….

And I see you once again employ the absurdity that if one point is made, avoid stumbling, other points can be ignored. This is not a sound position.

Why am I being addressed personally and false accusations are being made concerning what I posted?

peace to you

 

[canadyjd]

Folks, note that a Calvinist leaning poster says we cannot "hasten the day" through evangelism.

Ephesians 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,
2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Folks, notice none of the passages quoted mention “hastening the day” of Christ return or that diligent evangelism lessens the number of people who don’t make it to heaven.

The anti-doctrines of grace leaning poster has once again sought to make claims not supported by scripture and then personally attacks the one that points out the error.

peace to you

 

[Van]

Why am I being addressed personally and false accusations are being made concerning what I posted?

peace to you

Once again you run from your post as if a game, rather than an effort to discuss biblical truth. Go figure

 

[Van]

Why is the Lord being patient? To allow His servants time to win vessels of mercy.
How do we "hasten" the Day of the Lord's return? By being diligent evangelists, tilling, planting and watering, thus like forerunners, preparing the way of the Lord.

Who would deny this fundamental truth of Christianity? Take a guess.

If the Lord returns sooner, rather than latter, what would be the cause? The number of those chosen to become His people would have been reached sooner, as a result of His servants "hastening the day." The longer it takes to reach His number, the more of those not included in the few who find the narrow path, perish while condemned to eternal punishment.

Works for me...

 

[AustinC]

On day a Calvinist is going to surprise me and actually address my view, rather than a strawman misrepresentation.

Do slacking soul-winners result in more people going to Hades and Gehenna? Yes according to scripture.

Who wins souls, Van?
Does God win souls? Is God slacking in saving his children?
Or...
Do humans win souls?

Based on your comments, you clearly believe that humans win souls.

Now, does the Bible ever say that humans win souls? If so, please provide your prooftext from the Bible that says "humans win souls for God."

 

[AustinC]

Are you applying to become my disciple or just making an effort at ridicule?

I have certainly shared my understanding of the gospel, but I expect the naysayers to claim it was another gospel. When I taught Sunday School, I shared the gospel, or parts of it every week to several individuals, some children, or youths, but also adults.
I was an AWANA leader/director over two age groups of boys for several years. My witness at work was by example of Christian behavior and I have been told I presented Christ's compassion and kindness. Only God knows if my efforts helped produce eternal rewards or results in a nice fire. But, I do look forward to meeting my family in heaven, my "eternal rewards."

So, you were no different than any Reformed believer who obeys the great commission and entrusts the listener to God so that God can win that soul according to his predestined will.

 

[Van]

Who wins souls, Van?
Does God win souls? Is God slacking in saving his children?
Or...
Do humans win souls?

Based on your comments, you clearly believe that humans win souls.

Now, does the Bible ever say that humans win souls? If so, please provide your prooftext from the Bible that says "humans win souls for God."

Yet another question implying false doctrine. Does this post take a position? Nope

1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Do the actions of effective witnesses cause people to be saved? Nope
If our contribution to leading a person to Christ is effective did we "win' or gain" an eternal reward? Hypothetically.
Are we as servants of Christ supposed to try? You bet.

 

[Van]

So, you were no different than any Reformed believer who obeys the great commission and entrusts the listener to God so that God can win that soul according to his predestined will.

I am very different than any "reformed believer" who offers futilely rather than hope.

 

[Van]

Do slacking soul-winners result in more people going to Hades and Gehenna? Yes according to scripture.
Do diligent soul-winners result in more people going to heaven? The time to reach the number God has set for members of His people is unchanged, but the time to reach that number is decreased.
The Exhaustive Determinist view is unbiblical and wrong.

Is eternal salvation of God's people in their hands. If I had a nickel for every time a Calvinist has made that false charge, I could go to the store.

Did anyone say or suggest Jesus is dead? Nope. That Jesus sacrifice was in vain? Nope. That pen, ink and paper could save someone? Nope.

The Triune God saves those of His choosing.

Did the poster say why it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom than someone more needful? Nope

With God, all salvations are indeed possible.

Human witnesses acting as ambassadors of Christ, till ground, plant, water and these actions are used by God to increase the harvest.

Unless you believe in a different gospel.

 

[AustinC]

Why is the Lord being patient? To allow His servants time to win vessels of mercy.

So that all His elect come to faith.

How do we "hasten" the Day of the Lord's return? By being diligent evangelists, tilling, planting and watering, thus like forerunners, preparing the way of the Lord.

This does not hasten the day of salvation. Our holiness and godliness hastens the destruction of the godless by fire. Read that passage again.

Who would deny this fundamental truth of Christianity? Take a guess.

What fundamental truth are you imagining? Van, you are living with contradictions.

If the Lord returns sooner, rather than latter, what would be the cause?

God's will for salvation is accomplished exactly as He has chosen. You misunderstand the hastening as it is referring to the hastening of God's judgment.

The number of those chosen to become His people would have been reached sooner, as a result of His servants "hastening the day."

This is not taught in 2 Peter 3.

The longer it takes to reach His number, the more of those not included in the few who find the narrow path, perish while condemned to eternal punishment.

Works for me...

This may work for you, but it is never taught by God in His Holy Word.

 

[AustinC]

I am very different than any "reformed believer" who offers futilely rather than hope.

No, you aren't.
No Reformed believer ever offers futility. That is your imagination at work.

 

[AustinC]

Do slacking soul-winners result in more people going to Hades and Gehenna? Yes according to scripture.
Do diligent soul-winners result in more people going to heaven? The time to reach the number God has set for members of His people is unchanged, but the time to reach that number is decreased.
The Exhaustive Determinist view is unbiblical and wrong.

Is eternal salvation of God's people in their hands. If I had a nickel for every time a Calvinist has made that false charge, I could go to the store.

Did anyone say or suggest Jesus is dead? Nope. That Jesus sacrifice was in vain? Nope. That pen, ink and paper could save someone? Nope.

The Triune God saves those of His choosing.

Did the poster say why it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom than someone more needful? Nope

With God, all salvations are indeed possible.

Human witnesses acting as ambassadors of Christ, till ground, plant, water and these actions are used by God to increase the harvest.

Unless you believe in a different gospel.

You never answered my post #27.

Who wins souls, Van?
Does God win souls? Is God slacking in saving his children?
Or...
Do humans win souls?

Based on your comments, you clearly believe that humans win souls.

Now, does the Bible ever say that humans win souls? If so, please provide your prooftext from the Bible that says "humans win souls for God."

 

[Van]

So that all His elect come to faith.

According to Calvinism, none of His elect are able to come to faith. According to Calvinism, God uses His tractor beam, irresistible grace, to compel His elect to come to faith. So there is no actual reason to be patient, once again demonstrating Calvinism is false doctrine.

This does not hasten the day of salvation. Our holiness and godliness hastens the destruction of the godless by fire. Read that passage again.

Did anyone say anyone hastens the day of "salvation?" Nope so nonsense posted as obfuscation.

What fundamental truth are you imagining? Van, you are living with contradictions.

If I had a nickel for everyone those holding contradictory views, i.e. Calvinist, charged me with contradictions, I could go to the store. The fundamental truth is Christ's command that we engage in evangelism, and thus "hasten the day of His return."

God's will for salvation is accomplished exactly as He has chosen. You misunderstand the hastening as it is referring to the hastening of God's judgment.

Do all Calvinists claim to be mind readers, or just those pushing false charges? God's will is for those born anew to hasten the day of His return by engaging in effective ministry as His ambassadors.


This is not taught in 2 Peter 3.

This is taught in 2 Peter 3:2, to remember all Christ commanded, such as make disciples and hasten the day.


This may work for you, but it is never taught by God in His Holy Word.

Taint so posts are a dime a dozen, Christ commanded us to evangelize, to labor in fields white for harvest, and to by all means available to us to lead others to Christ.

 

[Van]

You never answered my post #27.

Who wins souls, Van?
Does God win souls? Is God slacking in saving his children?
Or...
Do humans win souls?

Based on your comments, you clearly believe that humans win souls.

Now, does the Bible ever say that humans win souls? If so, please provide your prooftext from the Bible that says "humans win souls for God."

You never answered my questions!!!!!!

You you you off topic posts are the stock and trade of false teachers.

Folks, read post #29.

 

[Salty]

How shall they hear without a preacher...

 

[canadyjd]

Once again you run from your post as if a game, rather than an effort to discuss biblical truth. Go figure

Another personal attack instead of discussing the truth the post quoted make no mention of “hastening the day” of Christ return or lessening the number of people not going to heaven.

False doctrine, based on unbiblical speculation.has been exposed

peace to you

 

[canadyjd]

How shall they hear without a preacher...

No one is suggesting evangelism isn’t important and necessary.

The question is whether diligent evangelism “hastens the return” of Christ and lessens the number of people who don’t go to heaven.

So far, no scripture has been produced to support either view.

Lots of personal attacks, though

peace to you

 

[Van]

Another personal attack instead of discussing the truth the post quoted make no mention of “hastening the day” of Christ return or lessening the number of people not going to heaven.

False doctrine, based on unbiblical speculation.has been exposed

peace to you

Off topic petty insult post, but no on topic content.

We are to remember all Christ commanded as instructed by all His disciples inspired writings in the New Testament.

Recall I posted the verse that teaches we are to hasten the day!