Originally posted by romanbear:
Can't you show scripture to prove your point about effectual call. No Larry you can't because the two words do not appear in the Bible together. These two words together are but a dream of the Calvinist that wishes to prove his point and can't.
The words "universal call" aren't found in Scripture, but you believe that don't you??? You talk of God only offering salvation. Yet Scripture never uses those words together. So your own belief is doomed by your own standard.
The truth is that the effectual call is a theological term used to capsulize the biblical teaching about God's call. Far from being a dream, this is a doctrine taught in Scripture, that is rejected only by those with precommitments to certain positions.
Consider the following verses:
Rom 8:29-30 talks of a call that inevitably leads to justification and glorification. This call cannot go out to all men because not all are justified and glorified. For a short discussion, see Schreiner, Romans (BECNT) on this verse.
1 Cor 1:23-4 contrasts the "called" with the unsaved who reject. Again, if all people are called with this call, then it makes no sense in this passage. This call is the difference between accepting (v. 24) and rejecting (V. 23).
1 Cor 7:17-24 talks of remaining in the state in which a person was called to salvation. Obviously, this call accomplished its goal and is the difference between being saved and unsaved.
1 Thess 5:24 says that the call will certainly be brought to pass. You cannot say that about the general call that goes out to everybody.
1 Peter 2:9 talks of the call out of darkness into light. The unbelievers did not receive this call, as evidenced by the fact that they are still in darkness.
Rom 1:6; 1 Cor 1:24, Jude 1, Rev 17:14 uses "called" as a synonym for believers. It is obvious that this is not the general invitation because being "Called" sets these people apart as the church to whom he is writing. It is clear that these books are not written to the unbelievers but to the called, the believers.
1 Tim 6:12 talks of the eternal life to which they were called. The general call is not a call to eternal life.
Other verses could be given and have been given. These verses simply cannot refer to God's general invitation to salvation. It is too specific for that. To reject the effectual call is to reject hte teaching of Scripture. What this shows, once again, is that you simply do not understand or do not know what you are talking about. There is an effectual call, a call that is effective in the lives of those whom it targets.
Salvation is offered not shoved down our throats.
On this you are right.
I thank God that He in his sovereignty allows us to decide if we want to follow Him.
Why thank God for something he didn't do? That doesn't seem right. Had he not regenerated you, you would still be following the old ways, walking according to the desires of your flesh and mind, being by nature a child of wrath (Eph 2:1-3). What you should be thanking God for is that he interevened to give you new life.
God only offers Salvation.
God actually saves people
This has been proven to you many times, yet you reject it.
No it hasn't, not by the standards of Scripture. I have refuted every point you have made, as have many others.
I'll pray that you'll see the light 
Aside from the arrogance of this statement, it won't do any good. The light is contained in God's word that I continually cite as the basis of my belief. God never leads someone contrary to his word. Not even
your prayers can accomplish that.
