The Number Of God’s Elect

[Silverhair]

The Greek word for "freely" means without cost, not free will. Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless they have been granted to Him by the Father. Therefore, we can conclude that those who partake in the water of life are those who have been given to the Son.

Here is an article that should help clear up your confusion.

Freewill as Taught in Scripture

by Brian H. Wagner, Ph.D.,
instructor of church history, theology and biblical languages at Virginia Baptist College

How often have I read in various Facebook theological discussions the declaration of a Calvinist – “Freewill is not taught in Scriptures”? Of course, the freedom of will to go against one’s nature, even for God, is not possible. It is impossible for God to lie or to deny Himself (Tit_1:2, Heb_6:18, 2Ti_2:13). And it is impossible for me to fly by just flapping my arms. But the ability to freely make decisions commensurate with the limits of one’s nature and with the opportunities provided for such decision making is logically part of God’s and man’s nature and experience. The exercise of that ability by God and by man is also well documented in Scripture. And I can fly… if I decide to get on an airplane and allow its power to transport me through the air!

The following is an attempt at a rather thorough study of words used in the OT and NT that teach aspects and examples of the exercise of freewill. The reader will hopefully become convinced, contrary to Calvinistic dramatic false statements in opposition, that freewill is clearly taught in the Scriptures –

The Hebrew word [verb] נדב naw-dab’ H5068 is a primitive root that means – to impel; hence, to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously…primarily translated as an adverb “willingly” which indicates free motivation or voluntary decision. It is used 17 times in 15 verses throughout OT Scripture [also 3 times in 3 verses using the same root in Aramaic – Ezr_7:13, Ezr_7:15-16]. (Most of definitions for this paper are adapted from Strong’s Concordance lexical definitions.)

Here are all the verses that translate this word, נדב naw-dab’, with the translation of it underlined. The ESV translation for each verse was chosen to accommodate Calvinist readers, so they won’t have to keep running back to their favorite translation, which is deterministically flavored.

Exo_25:2 ESV “… From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.

Exo_35:21 ESV And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him….

Exo_35:29 ESV All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.

Jdg_5:2 ESV …that the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the LORD!

Ezr_7:13 ESV – I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

—-[The verbal form in this last verse is a participle, on the Hithpael stem, which is reflexive in meaning, thus the word “themselves” should be added. This Hithpael verbal stem is used 17 times in the same reflexive way – Jdg_5:2, Jdg_5:9; 1Ch_29:5-6, 1Ch_29:9(2x), 1Ch_29:14, 1Ch_29:17(2x); 2Ch_17:16; Ezr_1:6, Ezr_2:68, Ezr_3:5, Ezr_7:13, Ezr_7:15-16; Neh_11:2]. The reflexive action only helps to emphasize the non-compulsory action of the person’s will in the decision made in each context—-

The noun נדבה ned-aw-baw’ H5071 is used 26 times in 25 verses, mostly in connection with a voluntary – “freewill” – offering to God. With all these verses one cannot help but ask “How can you have a freewill offering without a freewill?” Calvinists reject its normal meaning, but the Bible literally uses the word 26 times. Even the Calvinist translators of the KJV and ESV freely chose “freewill” as a suitable translation. Their translation choice is telling of what they believed this original word meant.

Here are the verses in which this noun is used:

Exo_35:29 ESV All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD. —-[The idea in this verse of a sacrifice made as a free-will offering, one not commanded as an obligation, is also found in – Exo_36:3; Lev_7:16; Lev_22:18; Lev_22:21; Lev_22:23; Lev_23:38; Num_15:3; Num_29:39; Deu_12:6; Deu_12:17; Deu_16:10; 2Ch_31:14; Ezr_1:4; Ezr_3:5; Ezr_8:28; Psa_54:6; Psa_119:108; Eze_46:12(2x); Amo_4:5]

Deu_23:23 ESV You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth.

2Ch_35:8 ESV And his officials contributed willingly to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites….

Psa_68:9 ESV Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your
inheritance as it languished;

Psa_110:3 ESV Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.

Hos_14:4 ESV I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.

continued in part 2

 

[Silverhair]

Part 2 of Freewill as Taught in Scripture

All these OT verses clearly confirm that man, even an unregenerate man, can exercise a free-will in a manner pleasing to God. Even God is said to exercise His freewill in Hos_14:4. The translation in Psa_68:9 was obviously determined with some subjectivity. It could easily be translated – “A shower of freewill gifts, O God, you have shed abroad…”

Here are some NT words and verses to consider that also speak to the issue of the freedom of the will. A Calvinist may try to attribute all of the following examples as a result of regeneration, but that does not seem to fit this first example –

Act_17:11-12 ESV Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

—-[from προθυμια proth-oo-mee’-ah, meaning predisposition. See also – 2Co_8:11-12; 2Co_8:19; 2Co_9:2;] The Calvinist may endeavor to suggest this willing predisposition of the Bereans was a result of regeneration, which they think is before faith is expressed. It is very difficult to convince them otherwise when their loyalty to Calvinism is so strong that they refuse to see the gospel of John clearly teaches light is freely received before faith which is before new birth life is given. See Joh_1:4-13; Joh_12:35-36; Joh_20:30-31.

Other NT verses to consider that speak to the issue of freewill are these –

1Co_7:37 ESV But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. —-from μη ἔχων ἀνάγκην , literally – “not having a necessity”, which would be impossible if everything was predetermined eternally and immutably, making every event a necessary result of God’s decree. Notice also the verse says this man “having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart.”

1Co_9:17 ESV For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. —- from εχων hek-own’ meaning willingly.

2Co_8:3 ESV For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, and 2Co_8:17 ESV For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. —-from αυθαιρετος ow-thah’-ee-ret-os – meaning self-chosen, and by implication – voluntary.

2Co_9:7 ESV Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. —- from προαιρεομαι pro-ahee-reh’-om-ahee – meaning to choose for oneself before another thing, to prefer and by implication, to intend.

Phm_1:14 ESV but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. —- from εκουσιος hek-oo’-see-on – meaning willingness.

1Pe_5:2 ESV shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; —-from εκουσιον hek-oo-see’-ose – meaning willingly.

The existence of a free will, even post regeneration, runs counter to the idea of an eternally immutable divine will that had completely determined everything forever into the future before creation began. Calvinism is based upon that philosophical premise, making the exercise of any free-will for God or man impossible, before creation and especially after it. That premise makes a falsehood out of these clear Scriptures shared here. These Scriptures and many others clearly show that free will does exist and is being exercised by God and man.

 

[kyredneck]

Freewill as Taught in Scripture

All these 'examples'/passages are pertaining to the saints' will, which has already been changed by the birth from above. Only His saints can make a bonafide choice between good and evil.

 

[Silverhair]

All these 'examples'/passages are pertaining to the saints' will, which has already been changed by the birth from above. Only His saints can make a bonafide choice between good and evil.

Unregenerate man can make decisions that please God. Unless all the children of Israel were regenerate/saved, your argument is nonsensical.

 

[kyredneck]

Unregenerate man can make decisions that please God.

Proverbs Chapter 15

8​	The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Unless all the children of Israel were regenerate/saved

By type they indeed are. But that's waaay too deep for your carnal man-centric reasoning.

your argument is nonsensical.

No, it's Biblically sound. Your argument reeks with the flesh. Big man, little God.

 

[Silverhair]

Proverbs Chapter 15

8​	The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

By type they indeed are. But that's waaay too deep for your carnal man-centric reasoning.



No, it's Biblically sound. Your argument reeks with the flesh. Big man, little God.

Ky your mind is so clouded by your calvinism that you are unable to see the truth right in front of you.

 

[kyredneck]

Ky your mind is so clouded by your calvinism that you are unable to see the truth right in front of you.

Enough of your shallow juvenile claptrap.

 

[Silverhair]

Enough of your shallow juvenile claptrap.

KY when you cannot see the truth then it is only through concern for your eternal soul that I point out yours errors.

 

[Charlie24]

KY when you cannot see the truth then it is only through concern for your eternal soul that I point out yours errors.

I've wondered through the years about some of the Calvinists/Sovereign Grace, if the faith they have is in the election, believing they don't have to Biblically call on the Lord in repentance and faith in Christ.

I wonder if they can recall a time when this happened?

 

[kyredneck]

I've wondered through the years about some of the Calvinists/Sovereign Grace, if the faith they have is in the election, believing they don't have to Biblically call on the Lord in repentance and faith in Christ.

I wonder if they can recall a time when this happened?

What an ignorant post. You should be 'wondering' about how ignorant you are of us Sovereign Grace folks and stop showing your ignorance.

 

[Van]

It is unreasonable to expect the average Bible student to know Greek. At the same time, it is also unwise it is to depend exclusively on Greek lexicons and the like; otherwise, one is likely to trip up repeatedly, as has been shown in the previous few pages.

It's best to let those who comprehend the original languages handle it so as to avoid picking and choosing which translations will fit best into our own conclusions.

I say I do not know Greek and you say it is unreasonable to expect the average Bible student to know Greek. Talk about a non-sequiturs!

Calvinism depends on its adherents never buckling down and learning to study God's word, as its false doctrines would be immediately exposed.

Did anyone say bible students should rely exclusively on Greek lexicons, or Exhaustive Concordances or Reverse Interlinears? Nope

It is sad to see a Calvinist claiming those pointing out it requires a basic rewrite of scripture, changing the subject to their false claims.

 

[Silverhair]

What an ignorant post. You should be 'wondering' about how ignorant you are of us Sovereign Grace folks and stop showing your ignorance.

Not sure why you would say what you do KY. @Charlie24 just asked what was the basis of any assurance you were saved?

Calvinism cannot logically bring assurance to those who are consistent within its systematic. Even Calvinists affirm that there are people who sincerely believe they will be saved, but in reality are self-deceived. For instance, John Piper, speaking of the Calvinistic systematic, writes, “You can embrace a system of theology and not even be born again.”
John Piper, Why are Calvinists so Negative?

Why Are Calvinists So Negative?

John Piper considers three reasons why a Calvinist might sound negative.

www.desiringgod.org

In a worldview where God determines whatsoever comes to pass, as the Calvinistic scholars affirm, it must be said that those who are self deceived are such ultimately because God has so determined it. If you happen to be one of the individuals who God has destined to remain in self-deception, falsely believing that you are saved when in actuality you are not, then you could not know this fact until after judgment day. John Calvin called this divine deception “evanescent grace”.

Because the Calvinistic system affirms that God is willing to unchangeably decree and use self-deceived individuals to be objects of divine wrath in order to bring Himself more glory, it is impossible for any consistent Calvinist to be certain that he or she is not one chosen for this ignoble purpose.

 

[Van]

John Chapter 10

27​	My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Acts Chapter 13

48​	And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Calvinists simply repeat their mantra and ignore scripture. They repost a translation, rather than address why tasso is always used to present an agreement by mutual consent. They stonewall rather than present study.

 

[Tea]

What about "whosoever will" would that mean the water of life is there for whosoever?

The "whosoever" are those who have been given to the Son by the Father. They are His sheep and He knows them. They can hear His words because they are of God.

 

[Charlie24]

The "whosoever" are those who have been given to the Son by the Father. They are His sheep and He knows them. They can hear His words because they are of God.

That is a denial of God's mercy and Grace toward all of mankind.

That will not be overlooked by God, nor the character assassination.

 

[Tea]

That is a denial of God's mercy and Grace toward all of mankind.

That will not be overlooked by God, nor the character assassination.

I’m sorry that you see it that way.

 

[Charlie24]

I’m sorry that you see it that way.

Well, it is what it is.

 

[Tea]

It is sad to see a Calvinist claiming those pointing out it requires a basic rewrite of scripture, changing the subject to their false claims

It's not my intention to alienate a brother by having to bicker back and forth like this, Van. But, whether you know it or not, you're guilty of doing the very thing that you're accusing us of doing.

So you do you, I'll do me, and we can just leave it at that.

 

[Zaatar71]

That is a denial of God's mercy and Grace toward all of mankind.

That will not be overlooked by God, nor the character assassination.

God has never purposed or intended to save all mankind.There is no character assination when someone speaks the truth about God.In your made up story, and made up version, you could say that, but in realirt irt is not so, and has never been so.

 

[Van]

It's not my intention to alienate a brother by having to bicker back and forth like this, Van. But, whether you know it or not, you're guilty of doing the very thing that you're accusing us of doing.

So you do you, I'll do me, and we can just leave it at that.

Romans 3:11 no one seeks after God, not no one ever seeks after God.

1 Corinthians 2:14, does not understand the things of the Spirit, not does not understand any of the things of the Spirit.

John 3:16, everyone believing into Him, not everyone chosen before creation and enabled by irresistible grace, are those believing into Him.

1 Timothy 2:6 Christ died as a ransom for all, not Christ died as a ransom for some.

Luke 13:24 many will seek to enter, not no one is able to seek, and all those enabled will be saved.

I could go on, but you get the idea, Calvinism is based on reading into scripture conjecture, whereas my views are based on what is actually said.
So you charge me with your behavior...

Ok, one more 2 Thessalonians 2:13, God chooses individuals for salvation through faith in the truth, not God chooses individuals unconditionally, then gives them faith...