Rippon said:
Continuing Nicole's choice thoughts...
This , I think ,is the drastic error which our Pelagian friends are making . They speak as if man had a right to come into the presence of God and enter into account with him , as if God had some obligation to deal with all people alike . The one thing God owes us is judgment . The thing that ought to cause us to marvel is the fact that instead of confining us all to judgment and damnation , God has been pleased in his mercy to make plans to save a great multitude . He has caused these to hear the gospel , receive forgiveness in Jesus Christ , be drawn in faith and repentance by the Holy Spirit so that they respond to the offer of the gospel , and be preserved to the end so that they will spend eternity in the blessed presence and fellowship of God . This is the thing that is marvellous . The fact that this has not been done for the whole of the human race does not provide us with the proper ground for recrimination .
So every one of the great points of Calvinism finds direct support in the words of Jesus . Some of them find no better support anywhere else in Scripture . Did Jesus teach Calvinism ? Was Jesus a Calvinist ? Would the Author of all grace teach us concerning the doctrines of grace ? Why , certainly ! And it is our comfort and our refuge .
In short, no Jesus was not a Calvinist. He is the Lord God. He does not follow the shallow theologies of man. Besides, you didn't quote scripture such as this one:
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 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.
Gasp. This says that our justification involves something that we do! I don't believe that fits within Calvinism at all, do you?