That is what debate is for.Can not say I disagree with this, if I am understanding you correctly, mon ami.
Perhaps, but I don't attribute living qualities to an intangible entity.You are the one throwing that word into our discussion, and not I, monsieur.![]()
He is not "dead" but separated.A dead person can bring himself back to life?
A truly dead person would not even able to "decide" or choose evil from good. He would not be able to make any choice at all. If he has a will he is able to make a choice, even if it is the wrong choice. But the Calvinist has taken that away from him. He has no free will, not even to make the wrong choice. If he is dead, he has no ability at all.
At first glance it sounds like the social gospel.Faith comes when regeneration occurs. Jesus stated "The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”[Mk 1:15] He said to repent and believe. Look at that sequence. He is saying to have a change of mind and then believe. Repentance, according to Jesus' own words, occurs prior to any believing. Then we can read that Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?[Rom. 2:4] And then When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”[Acts 11:18] And then there is Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.[2 Tim. 2:25] Regeneration, faith, repentance, and salvation are all gifts of God mon ami.
"Repent and believe the good news." You must have a change of mind first you say.
So, if I change my mind about the way that I was living, the things that I was doing and start doing good, then God will accept me? Every religion of the world teaches that. That is salvation by works. God doesn't give faith just because you start doing good works.
Acts 10 and 11 are an historical even and the verse you use there is taken out of context and greatly abused. Peter is reporting back to the Jews, (Judaizers--many of them). The Jews still believed they were separate from the Gentiles and had no dealings with the Gentiles and were criticizing Peter for entering a Gentile house.
Acts 11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
--This was a matter of great contention.
Acts 11:3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
--Thus Peter explains in great detail the events of the prior day, how God told him to go to the house of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion.
Acts 11:4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
Acts 11:12 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
--This last bolded phrase is important. On the Day of Pentecost only Jews were saved. "At the beginning" refers to that event.
Acts 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
--Many were saved. The Holy Spirit came upon them, as "at the beginning" in some visible form. Could Peter withstand this supernatural event?? Of course not!!
The conclusion:
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
--Salvation has come to the Gentiles just like it came to us on the Day of Pentecost. This is not teaching that repentance is a special gift of God. It is simply saying that this is a historical event that salvation has now come to the Gentiles just as it did to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost. Unfortunately most Calvinists take the verse out of context, use it as a pretext to further their own means. That is sad.
What faith did the Canaanite's daughter have to be healed, and yet she was.Faith does not lay dormant in a sinner like you state it does, mon ami. Faith is not mystical, it is supernatural. It comes in an exchange between God and a sinner.
Where did the faith of the Canaanite woman come from. We are not even told if she was truly regenerated.
Jesus described little children as having faith.
Faith is not innate, mon ami. Innate means existing in one from birth; inborn; native, inherent in the essential character of something: originating in or arising from the intellect or the constitution of the mind, rather than learned through experience: that which I bolded reeks of Gnosticism if you use it biblically.
See above answer.
Likewise.I have told you, showed you many times what the bible says about faith and you just disagree with me. But I have truly enjoyed our discussion.![]()