Featured Doctrine of Unconditional Election

He heard the Gospel from Stephen.

 

Who are Jews
MB

 

And most likely often from followers of the way who he had arrested. So Jesus said to him in person from at the right hand of God, ". . . it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

 

Paul was there when they stoned Stephen to death. In fact Paul held the rainment of those who stoned him
Act_22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
Can you give scripture for your statement?
MB

 

What do you mean? You gave one of the Scriptures; the other was Acts of the Apostles 7:58 - 8:1.. Stephen's sermon in Acts 7 is the longest one in the book of Acts. And Paul must have heard it. Stephen's words were the goads against which Saul was kicking as @37818 says above..

 

" Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. " ( Ephesians 1:3-6 ).

Chosen in Him = Elected in Him.


"Elect":
adjective
1 : carefully selected : chosen.

"Elect":
noun
plural: elect
Definition of elect (Entry 2 of 3)
1 : one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor)
2 elects plural : a select or exclusive group of people

"Elect":
verb
elected; electing; elects
Definition of elect (Entry 3 of 3)
transitive verb
1 : to select by vote for an office, position, or membership .
elected her class president
2 : to make a selection of.
will elect an academic program
3 : to choose (something, such as a course of action) especially by preference
might elect to sell the business


Definition of ELECT

 

" And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." ( Acts of the Apostles 9:3-6 ).

He heard the voice of His Saviour, the same as anyone who is one of His sheep does ( John 8:47, John 10:27 ).

God's people recognize the voice of their Lord...
I remember it very well.

I sat up and took notice of it the very first time that I heard the word of God read and preached from the Bible.
Stated differently, I knew that it wasn't the words of man that I was hearing.

 

The election is conditional because there is a condition not met by those who call Jesus Lord in Matthew 7:21, ". . . Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. . . ."

 

Let me get this straight. Based on the verse you quote and your statement that election is conditional, you are declaring that only those who do the will of the Father will be elect once they stand before God in heaven.

Do you not see that such a teaching is salvation by good works? Do you really mean to argue that only by good works can anyone enter the Kingdom and only then will they be chosen? I just can't believe you would actually argue for that means of salvation.

 

Good grief, fellow. There are more conditions in Calvinism than any religion. The first condition is to have some sort of ethereal, other worldly election that no one can explain and you cannot prove. You cannot prove from the scriptures that pre creation election to salvation from the penalty of sin, which is the second death in the lake of fire, is true and that you are one of the said electees. You are proving that you are not elected by your gross confusion.

Your religion is about you and you are consumed with yourself.

 

If we knew His voice before we are saved then Why did Paul ask Who art thou Lord. You're so full of bull it's just plain pitiful
MB

 

It is clear you are fully ignoring Paul's letter to the Romans. You have somehow created a dichotomy where the Apostles had none and worked hard to break down.

 

Galatians 6:15-16 too.

 

That salvation is not by good works, Matthew 7:22-23. That is a condition of the will of God, Matthew 7:21.

 

From chapter 5-7 Jesus is giving his sermon to a people under the Mosaic Covenant. In chapter 5 he gives the beatitudes which give the blessings of faith.
Matthew 5:2-12 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sonsof God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

After this Jesus shows the people why they will never be saved by attempting to keep the law.
Just before your verses in chapter 7 we find the connection to your verses. Here they are.
Matthew 7:15-23 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

We recognize the redeemed by their fruit. The fruit is expressed in the beatitudes. It is also expressed by Paul.
Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 

How would you know are you a mystic. I already know you're a Gnostic so don't cast any spells on me OK
MB