The statement we are dragged kicking and screaming into the truths of our theology is nonsense and is a misrepresentation of the brethren.
Factually, when presented with these truths, some, including myself, fought against it in ignorance. I want to retiterate that I for one wasn't taught this system by any one person, nor did I take to it after reading reformed theologies, nor Calvin. These truths were instead brought to my attention by a brother, whom I rejected immediately (as far as teaching), then reading through Scriptures these truths were expressly brought to light via the Holy Spirit, after conviction for rejecting the truths that were presented.
I subsequently repented of my attitude against such and embraced these truths after much study and some toil with my former theological position.
These truths are the testimony of all of Scripture, and are not the conclusions derived from a set of proof-texts as non-cals are typically notorious in doing. This is one reason, and a huge glaring reason as to why they are in error theologically.
This is more often than not the testimony of many who had a natural understanding having not even been exposed to the whole counsel of God...but given a quick ,shallow 3 or 4 step understanding of what we are meant to study out in detail.
I am glad that there are those who are zealous to win souls...and do what they can with what they know ....as best as they are able.
Often times God will bless the obedience and zeal to fulfill the Great Commission as someone plants good seed in good soil.
Then God sends someone else to water the seed so it grows healthy and strong.
The healthy tree...does not despise those God sent to water it....{apostles ,prohets, pastors, and teachers} but rather enjoy the fruits of their labors in the word....unlike OT Israel whom we read this about;
15And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
Some proudly boast of only needing the bible.Well the bible is always primary,among the people of God..nevertheless God uses iron to sharpen iron...can you imagine this conversion????
27And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Can you imagine this response???/
Then the Eunuch flew off the handle and snapped at him.....I only need Isaiah all by myself....Twaddle, Fiddlesticks, I do not need your man made dogma....you are trying to help me Philip? That is arrogant, rude, haughty, and condescending...you eliteist....
Who elected you to pontificate about me???? are you judging me???
I have "free-will" ...I am my own god...I determine for myself what is right and what is wrong.
Philip....your god is wicked and causes man to sin....I could not worship a god like that...no way.....my god is nice...he never sends anyone to hell, they send themselves.....Philip you speak of a God who is total control of all things that come to pass....but my god limits himself,so that he really is not sure what will happen in the future....he wishes that someone somewhere will like him...after all ...we are not robots Philip.....
P4T.....could you imagine that conversation! That would just be horrible..I am glad we read what we read in Acts 8 however!
:BangHead::BangHead::BangHead:
31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
