This is manifestly untrue.Originally posted by Nelson:
4. In no other verse in the NT where the word tasso is used does it mean an eternal preordination (or predestination) of any kind.
Matthew 28:16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. JEsus had previously picked the mountain where they were to meet.
Acts 15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. Here again, the ordination took place before the action fo going.
Acts 22:10 "And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' Here again, the appointed task for Paul preceded the going up to Damascus.
Acts 28:23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers;Again, the day was set prior to the coming.
Romans 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Here God set or established the government. If, as you are fond of saying, "God is outside of time" then this must refer to an eternal decree.
The point is that the ordaining or appointing in every case precedes the action. So no matter what you say it means, the lexical evidence points to an appointment prior to belief. And we must keep in mind that it is individuals who were appointed, not belief and not results.
Furthermore, Acts 13:48 does not purport to set forth a theological principle but rather describes the salvation of a number of people. It is most interesting that Luke describes this salvation as a matter of appointment prior to belief. You say that Luke could have used a stronger word for fore or preordination. Why would he? He chose a word that very adequately communicated his point. It would seem much more likely that Luke would have used a weaker word had he wanted to communicate what you think he did.
It becomes increasingly fascinating to watch the lengths to which some will go to say that the passage doesn't say what it says. I challenge you to find one use of tasso that is anything other the preordination or appointing. I will bet you can't do it.
[ May 09, 2002, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: Pastor Larry ]