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Why Do Some Believe and Not Others?

Silverhair

Well-Known Member
Either because God determined who would and who would not believe or because each individual freely chose to either believe or to not believe,
 

Silverhair

Well-Known Member
John 8:47 - He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Because you have to be of God to even believe in the first place.

But if you are already of God then what is the necessity of believing? There is none, your faith/believing changes nothing.

But that is not what the verse you quoted is in about anyway.

Joh 8:47 Whoever belongs to God {those that have trusted Christ} hears the words of God. The reason you {the Jewish leaders/people} do not hear is that you do not belong {have not believed that Christ is the Messiah} to God.”

Christ had just said to them Joh 8:43 "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. The people were not deaf but the were unwilling to believe what he said.
 

TheOneWhoLives

New Member
But if you are already of God then what is the necessity of believing? There is none, your faith/believing changes nothing.

That’s not a valid question to ask. Scripture teaches that because one is of God that by necessity they will come to faith.

Christ had just said to them Joh 8:43 "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. The people were not deaf but the were unwilling to believe what he said.

John 8:43 - Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.

Notice, Jesus is pointing out that fact that He is speaking in the plain language that they can understand, yet His words mean absolutely nothing to them.
 

Silverhair

Well-Known Member
That’s not a valid question to ask. Scripture teaches that because one is of God that by necessity they will come to faith.
Why is it not a valid question? If one is already of God {saved} why is faith necessary? It isn't. One's faith would make no difference at all.
John 8:43 - Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.

Notice, Jesus is pointing out that fact that He is speaking in the plain language that they can understand, yet His words mean absolutely nothing to them.

Christ was not speaking some strange language. The Jews knew exactly what He was saying they just did not accept it.

Just as when we tell someone about salvation through Christ Jesus. They know what we are saying but many will not accept that truth.
 

TheOneWhoLives

New Member
Why is it not a valid question? If one is already of God {saved} why is faith necessary?

You are thinking two-dimensionally. God's elect people experience salvation in time. This includes coming to repentance and faith and all the other blessings that go along with it.

Christ was not speaking some strange language. The Jews knew exactly what He was saying they just did not accept it.

They did not accept it because they are enslaved to sin. Only the Son can set them free.

They know what we are saying but many will not accept that truth.

Of course they can hear the words we're saying, but unless someone is of the elect, our words will go in one ear and out the other.
 

Silverhair

Well-Known Member
Reply
You are thinking two-dimensionally. God's elect people experience salvation in time. This includes coming to repentance and faith and all the other blessings that go along with it.
The only time a person is one of the elect is when they are in Christ and that only happens when they have believed in Him. There were no pre-chosen people as some are prone to say.
They did not accept it because they are enslaved to sin. Only the Son can set them free.
I agree.
Of course they can hear the words we're saying, but unless someone is of the elect, our words will go in one ear and out the other.
Again one is only elect when they are in Christ not before.

Christians are called chosen or elect of God
1. the messiah in called elect, as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable

Were there any Christians before the foundation of the world?
 

TheOneWhoLives

New Member
There were no pre-chosen people as some are prone to say.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 - But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth

Were there any Christians before the foundation of the world?

Of course no Christians physically existed before the world was made. But it had already been determined who would and would not be a Christian before the world was made.
 
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