Difference Between Lutheranism and Calvinism
Lutheranism vs Calvinism
Broadly speaking, Calvinism can be thought of as virtually synonymous with reformed theology or ‘reformed Protestantism’, comprising of the entire body of doctrine that’s taught by the reformed churches and represented in different reformed confessions like the Belgic confession of faith (1561) and the Westminster confession of faith (1647).
The theology of Calvinism was developed and advanced by John Calvin and further advanced by his followers, becoming the foundation of the reformed church as well as Presbyterianism. Calvin’s successor was Theodore Beza, who is credited for spear heading the emphasis on Calvinism’s core doctrine of predestination which affirms that God extends grace and gives salvation only to the chosen. It emphasizes the Bible’s literal truth and takes the church as a Christian community headed by Christ with all members under him equal. It does not agree with the Episcopal form of church government in favor of an organization in which church officers are elected. Calvinism strongly influenced the Presbyterian Church in Scotland and was the basis for Puritanism as well as theocracies in Geneva. The ‘doctrines of grace’, commonly known by the acronym ‘TULIP’ basically summarize the doctrine of Calvinism. These are; total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.
Lutheranism is another of the major protestant denominations, begun in the sixteenth century as a movement led by Martin Luther, who was a German Augustinian monk and theology professor at the University of Wittenberg in Saxony. Luther’s intent originally was to reform the western Christian church but because of being excommunicated by the Pope, Lutheranism started to develop in various national and territorial churches effectively leading to the disintegration of the organizational unity of western Christendom.
Lutheran theology stresses that salvation is independent of merit and worthiness, arguing that it is a gift of God’s sovereign grace. All human beings alike are sinners and the ‘original sin’ keeps them in bondage to the evil powers, rendering them unable to aid their liberation. Lutherans believe that the only way to respond to God’s saving initiative is through trust in Him (faith). Thus, the controversial slogan of Lutheranism became ‘salvation by faith alone’; with opponents arguing that the Christian responsibility of doing good works was not being done justice. Lutherans claimed in reply that good works follow from faith as faith must be active in love.
Summary:
1. Calvinism was started by John Calvin (1509-1564) while Lutheranism was the brainchild of Martin Luther (1483-1546).
2. Calvinism salvation belief is that of predestination (chosen few) whereas Lutheranism believes any one can attain salvation through faith.
3. Calvinism stresses the absolute sovereignty of God whereas Lutheranism believes man has some control over certain aspects in his life.
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This article is horrendously wrong in several areas, I would advice the reader to search elsewhere.
1. Luther most definitely believed and taught predestination, contrary to what this article says.
2. Calvinists do believe that anyone can be saved through faith, but would said it is entirely achieved by the work of Christ and that God has already predetermined it.
3. The main difference at the beginning was that Luther taught that the body and blood of Christ was present locally in the bread and wine, whereas Calvin taught that it was a spiritual real presence.
4. Some differences now include the doctrine of particular atonement (Calvinist believe that Christ died only for the elect, whereas Lutheran’s believe that Christ died for all, but it is only effective for the elect.), and the doctrine of the Preservation of the Saints (Some Lutheran’s believe that it is possible to fall out of God’s grace)
5. It is important to note that difference also that Luther’s theology was Christ centered and heavily influenced by his view and experience of soiterology and justification by faith. Calvin’s theology was more systematic and sought to cover a wide range of topics. Calvin was also influenced heavily by the Humanist movement (though in a smaller sense, Luther probably undoubtedly was at well).
Overview:
1. Luther and Calvin both affirmed predestination and justification by faith, and therefore rejected the Roman Catholic church.
2. Luther believed that the body and blood of Christ really was in bread and wine, Calvin believed Christ was present spiritually.
Aaron,
Both Luther and Calvin believed in faith in the Sacraments to save them. See Luthers Catechism and Calvin’s Institutes Book Fourth, Chapters XIV-XVII. Unless they changed their minds they are in flames as we speak.
pchet@gnmc.us
really holy roller? Why don’t you read John 6:53. Bet they don’t touch that in your pew jumping shack of a church.
Baptism? Jesus did this himself to show us the EXAMPLE
His Body and Blood? “This cup is the new cup shed for the FORGIVENESS OF SINS”. WOW……what a concept.
Altar calls in the NT? NOPE!
Boogieing and dancing in the ailes in the NT? NOPE!
Lutheranism, well except the liberal ELCA, is about as NT church as you can get.
Lutheran a NT church huh? Luther never strayed very far from the Pope and Hitler didn’t stray very far from Luther. Check your new Testament again…..I guess unless you’re reading from an NIV, NLT, GNT, or whatever liberal junk you’re reading. You are right about the dancing though…..although maybe you should read the Psalms?
I would suggest you read and understand Mark chapter 9 verses 38 and 39. Why must all this bickering continue?
Aaron, I’m a Calvinist, and I have been since the day God called me into saving faith. In no way did Calvin believe in faith in the sacraments for salvation.
If it is the sacraments that save the lost, then tell me, why did Christ have to die?
Does it not say in God’s Word that salvation is through Christ alone? (Ephesians 2:8 ; Isaiah 43:11 ; Hosea 3:4).
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
There is a reason this verse doesn’t say “No one comes to the Father except through me and the sacraments”.
My previous comment was directed at Chet Schmear, not Aaron.
I apologize.
Aaron I agree with all of your points. You are absolutely right. This article is not in any way accurate historically or theologically.
John 6:53 English Standard Version (ESV)
53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
So it Jesus said it was required.
Richard, just curious about where you got your information. Im researching both men for a project and need some info on each men. Thanks
shut up
No, you are wrong. If you read books and do research it says John Calvin made up predestination and Martin Luther said that you only find salvation through faith.
Hello Aaron:
I agree precisely with what you have written. I have found similar errors on many sites like this one. They are uneducated on these matters and simply do not understand Reformed theology at all. I hope to somehow prompt this post’s correction, as it very well could mislead many people.
GAY
GIVE
SOME
REAL
INFORMATION
.
trololol
cheese s delicous eat it and perish
first off i am lutheran and we do not adhere to the 5 points of calvin and we believe in many things that calvin rejected and i am getting sick and tired of hearing this anti semite claims of people that luther helped fuel nazism because hitler read some things luther wrote as a lutheran we do not endorse and never have endorsed any of the writtings that luther wrote about that were anti jewish and the church also said their were luthers personal opinion and never accepted them just because a few idiots took what he said literal and acted on those writtings is not a reflectionan on the whole lutheran church and hitler was a nut and even if he had not read luthers anti semite writings he would have still killed 6 million jews and i will leave it at that
Joseph, Luther and Calvin have almost identical belief systems.
Modern day “Lutherans” have added many subjects that mar the name of this saint and brother in Christ.
I am absolutely certain that Luther roles over in his grave for the topics of Absolution, and salvation through baptism and the sacraments, because there is nothing biblical about them. Saying that these things save a human soul form Damnation is to say that what Christ paid on the cross wasn’t enough for our salvation. This, to further the issue, discredits the Bible (the very word of God) and all of its prophecies about Christ, thus discrediting God Himself.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” John 14:6
You will notice that this verse and many others like it have not a trace in them about needing baptism or the sacraments for salvation.
Luther, contrary to the “politically correct” beliefs, was actually very reformed in his theology. He wasn’t stuck in petty tradition.
“Luther’s Small Catechism” speaks on numerous issues that Luther himself never even addressed.
My suggestion to you, Joseph, and the author of this article is to do your research about these men, because neither of you are doing then either of them any justice whatsoever.
Concerning the necessity of baptism or sacraments, the bottom line is to OBEY GOD. Jesus was baptized (even though John the Baptist did not feel worthy to baptize Him) so that “all righteousness would be fulfilled” (Matthew 3:13-15). Also Peter and “all the apostles standing with him” in Acts 2:36 – 38 commanded the listening Jews to repent, “and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” If you read these verses, you will notice the crowd asked Peter and the other apostles, “What shall we do?”
They wanted salvation and Peter included being baptized in his response to their question about what to do. And we should listen to Peter and the other apostles because Jesus gave them the command to make disciples of the world and to baptize (See Matthew 28 and Mark 16 and Acts 1.
Carmen
(To see others getting saved after Jesus returned to Heaven, see Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 19. In each case people were baptized — even in the middle of the desert — so that they could “OBEY” what they were commanded.
Think of the Father of Faith, Abraham, from the Old Testament. He was told to “circumcise” all males. Even though his “faith” brought him righteousness, God’s covenant with him required this act of obedience. (See how God was about to kill Moses because he did not do this act of obedience on his sons in Exodus (Exodus 4: 24-26). Thus, God can do what He wants, and if Jesus said during the “last supper,” “This do in remembrance of me” we should OBEY the commandment. We can debate and debate what the sacraments mean in relation to Jesus body; just let’s make sure we are obeying all God’s commands — like the one about baptism.
joseph do your home work
TAKE A SHOWER FROM MOJOJO
I hate luthers they are fakes
joe doesn’t know what hes talking about he only thinks he does grow up
dave leave joe alone he knows what hes talkin about
Guest leave Dave alone, Joe Doesn’t.
who cares joey you dont know what ur talking about.
Luther and Calvin were sacramental salvationists. Any one who disagrees has not read Calvin’s Institutes or his commentaries. Nor have they read Luthers 55 volumes. Talk is cheap, do your homework.
This is one of the reasons I kept delaying my decision on whether to go to theology school. I see people agruing over every detail of everything in the Bible and the non-believers also chime in acting like they know God. The truth is we are all sinners. Total depravity, original sin….whatever you call it, but do you believe it as you so strongly agrue about? If you really believe you are sinners, then should you be putting others down and correcting others when you, merely human, could never know the whole of Christ’s mind? If you insist you do, you are saying you are as wise as God. And then you say you are depraved? What is the truth here? Are we not at war with God by arguing proudly while dismissing others? We need to repent, or else we are worst than non-believers and bring shame to God. As it is already, Satan has been using many mockers posing as Christians to invoke uselesss debate and harm to the body of Christ, while in the process make Christians look bad. His intentio is so that we devide. A kingdom devided cannot stand. Now, some are biting the bait. Repent, my friends.
“I am a Lutheran” or “I am a Calvinist” is a degrace to Christ. You are either a follower of Christ, or a follower of others (people, Satan, yourself, money, rule, theories, knowledge, efforts…) which are all idols. Why must you define a boundary and exclude others. This is not a party or a clicque. You are making many fall and stumble because of you accusingo thers. Christ saves. Theology does not. So why don’t we spend more time coming to Christ in submission, instead of going to people and picking fights?
The point is if you believe in Christ, you will follow the Bible and the God’s Holy Spirit leads you. Even if we fail or misunderstand parts, Christ is mighty to convict our hearts or forgive us. He will not hold us accountable for the things we fail to understand. But he certain will hold us accountable for the thing we know and do not obey: love one another. Christ died for you. Understand this. Try to grasp this. What do you do in the dark? Have you repented? As Paul says we should not engage in fruitless debates that cause dissension. He also ways we should confirm our salvations, making sure we do not fall from grace. Whatever God decides to do with us if we do is HIS job. But we still should daily confirm our relationship with him is growing, not backsliding.
Praise God. May those who have come to Christ do not ever fall away on accounts of Satan’s schemes.
Amen Tracy !<)
Tracy,
Jesus taught in Matt. 7:16 & 20 that His true followers “will KNOW them,” the false Christians. Paul knew them, Gal. 2:4. Peter knew them, II Pet. 2:1. John knew them I John 2:19-20. The Ephesian church knew them. Rev. 2:2
Hebrews 5:13–14 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
pchet@gnmc.us
Thank you. A voice of reason.
Tracy, thank you for re-focussing the discussion. I have no doubt that Luther, Calvin, and (especially!) Jesus would be appalled and saddened by the incivility of many of the comments here.
Amen
Exactly I agree..
dear johnathan and tracy and all
luther did believe in the sacrements as a means of gods grace not that he believed that we are saved by them but that god uses them as a channel of his grace to man also luther had a great devotion to the mother of god and believed in her being ever virgin her whole life which i agree with and my pastor and some in the pastors in the lcms hold to this is why luther and the thelogian zwinlgi had a meeting encounter where luther persisted that the body and blood of christ was present in the form of bread and wine on the altar and carved the word real presents in the table and keep hitting his first over the word when the exact time it becomes his body and blood and when it no longer it is the true body and blood is present in the bread and wine we do not believe any man can know nor do we believe in a physical change as does the roman catholics nor do we know when the exact time the change takes place zwingli was very much opposed and atributed that jesus was spiritualy present in the gifts of the bread and wine at the altar and their are facts that are mixed up in some responds to my post the fact is it was 200 years after luthers death that piestistism and rationalism thelogy creep into the lutheran church this is why you see in the wisconsin synod and the lutheran brethen churches many piestistics attributes and much lax in worship style and use of comtempory music at their services and anti clercalism feeling by their pastors and also the lutheran brethen i think allow women pastors which is very much against what luther taught as is rationalism held to by some luthers and you have the 360 degree opposite direction when we see systemactic thelogy a form of calvinist thelogy creeping into some smalled lutheran mirco synods as for me i belong to lutheran church missouri synod we are confessional lutherans and have always been but lately the comtempory worship style and piestist belief mixed with some using the chrismactic styles of worship have invaded some of our congregation and allowing women to hold to the office of elder all of these things are very much against our lutheran faith and i hope that those of us in the conservative wing will either try to push back this trend or their will come a point when the need to separate ourselves from those in the lcms that are going down a stray path away from biblical lutheran thelogy
your a virgin what are u talking a bout joey you dont have a girlfriend anymore u cant find one your a mean old man.
Joseph Godleski has apparently NOT read Luther’s works or he would not make the erroneous statements he just made . DO your HOMEWORK!!!
Quoted from LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM, Concordia Publishing, 1971 (emphasis added),
I. THE NATURE OF BAPTISM (p.170)
251 Infants, too, are to be baptized (p.173)
B. Because Holy Baptism is the only means whereby infants, who, too, must be born again, can ordinarily be regenerated and brought to faith;
C. Because infants, too, can believe.
II. THE BLESSINGS OF BAPTISM (p.174)
What does Baptism give or profit? It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.
254 …By His suffering and death Christ has indeed earned these blessings for us; Baptism, however, is a means by which the Holy Ghost makes these blessings our own. (Baptism is a means of grace.). (p.175)
257 …The word of God places these great blessings into Baptism; and through faith, which trusts this word of promise, we accept the forgiveness, life, and salvation offered in Baptism and make these blessings our own. (p.177)
II. THE BENEFITS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (p.200)
What is the benefit of such eating and drinking? That is shown us by these words, “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins”; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
III. THE POWER OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (p.201)
How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things? It is not the eating and drinking indeed that does them, but the words here written, “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins”; which words, besides the bodily eating and drinking, are the chief thing in the Sacrament; and he that believes these words has what they say and express, namely, the forgiveness of sins.
317. How, then, does the Sacrament impart such forgiveness of sins? By His words “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins” Christ has placed the forgiveness of sins into the Sacrament, and there He offers, gives, and seals it to all communicants. These words, therefore, are the chief thing in the Sacrament.
HOLY SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
11. Now if this covenant did not exist, and God were not so merciful as to wink at our sins, there could be no sin so small but it would condemn us. For the judgment of God can endure no sin. Therefore there is no greater comfort on earth than baptism. For it is through baptism that we come under the judgment of grace and mercy, which does not condemn our sins but drives them out by many trials. There is a fine sentence of St. Augustine which says, “Sin is altogether forgiven in baptism; not in such a manner that it is no longer present, but such a manner that it is not imputed.” It is as if he were to say, “Sin remains in our flesh even until death and works without ceasing. But so long as we do not give our consent to it or desire to remain in it, sin is so overruled by our baptism that it does not condemn us and is not harmful to us. Rather it is daily being more and more destroyed in us until our death.”
BLESSED SACRAMENT OF BODY OF CHRIST
We have, therefore, two principal sacraments in the church, baptism and the bread. Baptism leads us to a new life on earth; the bread guides us through death into eternal life. . . . So entirely is this sacrament intended and instituted for a strengthening against death and an entrance into eternal life.
LUTHER’S WORKS, Vol. 35, Word And Sacrament, I, (Fortress Press, 1981) (p. 67, emphasis added)
. . . and I can boast that Baptism is no human trifle, but instituted by God Himself, moreover, that it is most solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we cannot be saved, . . .
The LARGE CATECHISM by Martin Luther (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921) (p. 565, emphasis added)
Pastor Chet
joey reads backwards he cant read that good he has a.d.d.
Thank you Pastor Chet. I was wondering about the difference between Calvinism and Lutheranism. I’m a lifelong Lutheran. I’m a Christian and a follower of Christ
Connda, are you still a Lutheran after reading Pastor Chef’s post? It does not sound Biblical to me. Am I wrong?
The Word & Sacraments of God are gifts to us. Salvation certainly is not just for some, but available to all who will choose Christ. (John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9)
We are justified by grace alone, faith alone and Scripture alone. For the sake of Christ, Who in His love for us laid down His precious life as a ransom to free us from the bondage of sin.
It is not difficult, so trust in Him with a child-like faith and be Lutheran lol. God bless each of you. 🙂
When one reads Calvin’s “Institute” (or, as a lot of people call it, the InstituteS) as well as Luther’s works (well, to start off: his “Letter to the Christian Nobility,” “The Babylonian Captivity of the Church” and “The Freedom of a Christian” to start off with, it is amazing how much those two reformers had in common.
Recently, someone posted on facebook: “Calvin wrote that the entire Christian life is one of repentance.” I replied: “Luther said that in Thesis 1 of the 95.”
(Incidentally, Calvin says it in v.iv.9 of the Institutio).
A lot of dear Christians pounce upon points of difference, but fail to see a world of common ground between Martin Luther and John Calvin, a man two decades younger who in a letter addressed him as “Reverend Father in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
God bless you!
Only a few facts are inaccurate, but those facts are so wrong that your article seems completely inaccurate. “Salvation by Faith Alone,” isn’t just a Lutheran teaching, it’s a part of Calvinism and Presbyterianism as well, and it really is a big part of our theology (I’m an Orthodox Presbyterian), and I honestly can’t imagine where you got the notion that it’s only a part of Lutheran theology, Reformed honestly probably stresses the importance of ‘Salvation by Faith Alone,” more then Lutherans do. Calvinists are known for believing that we’re are all damned without God’s grace and that we would all be on our way to hell if we were left to our own devices.
Aaron it is obvious that you truly do not understand the differences between Luther and Calvin. Luther did not believe in predestination in the way Calvin did. There is a huge difference in predestination and double predestination. Second to simplify the difference Luther understood Gods ability to see throughout time. That pesky all knowing attribute of God for predestination believers. There is s difference in God knowing and God picking who and who will not choose and have faith in Christ. Calvin’s view of predestination removes the free will of mans choice to choose faith in Christ. Luther’s view understands Gods knowledge of who will accept Christ however God did not make that choice for them.
Luther and Calvin when put on a chart may look as if they believe the same things but how they believe these things is totally different. Now to suggest either is burning in Hell as you put it is absolutely false. For one not your call, but Gods. Both men no matter their theology believed in justification through Grace. They both I believe had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is Gods only requirement for salvation period. Even today the Catholic Church now agrees with this basis for salvation.
God gave us Free Will. Anything else being taught is all lies & heresy.
Phil, the highest authority is God, and His Word the Bible is the truth.
Paul tells the Ephesians (2:1-3) not that they had made a choice based on free will, but that God raised them from spiritual death.
Where does Scripture tell us that we have free will?
By all means let us differ theologically, but let us refrain from calling each other heretics or liars.
Who gave these guys the authority to come up with their theories. Who decided on Sola Scriptura. I believe it’s all flawed. The Catholics make the most sense. Tradition. The Bible is filled with discrepancies, and makes no sense a good bit of the time. 1 Baptism 2 Penance 3 Holy Communion 4 Confirmation 5 Holy Matrimony 6 Ordination 7 The Last Anointing. Much more involvement in the Church. Everybody tries to tear Catholicism apart, but the Bible has a lot more tearing to do. Catholicism has been a growing religion. The Bible goes nowhere, and leaves itself open to quacks. Many of the teachings are such made up rubbish. The Catholics put the Bible together. This is why they have a catechism. Something as complex as a religion needs putting a lot of heads together. A poorly written book with contradictions galore needs alot of highly intelligent guys sorting thru the mess.
Jesus is the way, the life, and the truth. Anything else is a lie
Hein, first let me agree with you that it is wrong to call someone’s theology heresy which I think is the most important point of your rebuttal . It is true that the Bible does not tell us that we have free will per se however the scripture does declare that those who received him we’re given the right to become children of God. And John 3 we see that those who look Upon Jesus as they did in the wilderness will be given eternal life and a final quick example is Romans chapter 10 where four separate times we see versus following the basic theme of the chapter is “whosoever Will” and to your the point on Ephesians there’s a problem. The passage of scripture tells us that we were raised to life, those of us who are Christian, Once Dead and now alive and if you left it there it would be a good point but the problem is, the passage of scripture is clearly talking about a specific spiritual benefit for those “in Christ”. In Christ, in Christ, that is the theme of Ephesians 1 through 3. So the passage of scripture that you are referencing has this in mind. You were once dead in your sin but now in Christ You Are Made Alive. So here’s the question, how are you in Christ. I would argue that even this book tells you in Ephesians 1:13 that when you believed you were sealed , in him, with the Holy Spirit of promise. Romans chapter 11 tells you but the Jews were cut off and you were grafted in, why? It tells you that you were grafted in because of belief, so you are united to Christ through faith. Therefore at the heart of Ephesians chapter 2 which you were referencing it cannot be forgotten or dismissed that faith is the means by which we are united to the person and work of Jesus who is the means of our spiritual life. Now I truly only bring this up for one reason and it is not necessarily to correct you but to those who will take the time to read this entire strand of messages what you will find is these dogmatic stands that we take theologically because we believe our theology to be the highest of all highs and they simply are not. John Calvin, Martin Luther ,Jonathan Wesley Jacob arminius, we’re all just men trying to do the best they could to correct problems of their day, (ie Catholicism) often swinging the pendulum too far the other way. It was wisely stated in a message above in this message strand that a house divided cannot stand. Now I’ve responded to Hein who I do not believe was not bein rude but was responding to someone who was unnecessarily rude because declaring someone’s theology heresy Elevates your theology as the standard bearer of all truth. It is a dangerous naivety that I would flee from if I were you. In other words we are all just Christians trying to understand the complexities of soteriology, the beautiful tapestry of God’s word, attempting to understand how it all fits together and if you’ve studied long enough as one of my favorite pastors says always “you become smart enough to know that you probably don’t know”or at least should be humble enough to know you might be wrong. Quite amazing though however how long a conversation can go on. In the end however even if there was a misrepresentation a fax with respect to John Calvin and Martin Luther in Aaron original comments which I believe there were. I want to believe the best about Aaron and while I believe we should offer the correction we should do it in love. While it is good to discuss theology and the truths of the holy word of God, if we do not offer the grace of Doctrine then let us not try to discuss the doctrines of Grace, or the men that espouse them because brethren until we learn to love we are afar off from these deep Waters of discussion. God bless I love you all
Thank you for all the discussions here. Indeed JESUS CHRIST is the center. Praise be unto Him always. And we His people, let us hold fast till the end waiting for that glorious day where our Master Jesus will say, “Thou art good and faithful servant, enter ye in the Kingdom.”
How many lost people (still dead spiritually not yet born again from sbove) have you all actually shared the gospel with?
Not a question to impose guilt but experience. In doinng that one summer, at 25 yrs of age I shared the gospel 3 times a day 5 to 6 days a week. I only took the bus to work.
my eyes were greayly oppened. Many revealed they were stilldead to God.
I used to talk the lost into praying a sinners prayer after hearing my gospel which included the Roman Road and 1 John chapter 1, John 3 and Eph.
As time moved on many even some of my own kids, I had pray to receive Christ after gently sharing the full messsage of the gospel didn’t display the New Life of Christ and were no more saved and alive to Christ than the heathen in The world.
Why because the Bible says. The devil has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, but when anyone turns to the Lord the blinders are taking off.
How are they to turn n believe? God’s grace.
Rom 10 answers our part in that.
We have to be sent and to preach the gospel. But how can we get God to remove the blinders the devil, not God has put on them?
Through His grace, that they might believe His promise and walk in divine nature.
Paul said at just the right time, God chose to reveal His Son in me.
We must pray n trust in God for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, because his will isn’t always done on earth as it is in heaven.
Can God change His mind on who he hasn’t elected…yes. Didn’t God relent after Moses interceeded for all Israel? Yes yes.
Didn’t Jesus relent after the woman prayed to and pressed him to heal her daughter even after he sais hehadn’t come for her and her’s? Yes yes.
Heb 10 says, “He died once for who? For all. Petr says God doesn’t want any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
And sanctifies and sets apart for salvation and by the sprinkling of His blood, through His foreknowledge.
No knows what His foreknoledge is.God provides mystery here so that we like Paul woyld use any and every righteous means to bring truth to the lost that they might be savex, those God chosesto elect and relents from not chosong through even the prayers of Moses, of a Paul or a grandmother.
We see Naaman chose to repent n believe God with even skeptisism, but obeyed the prophets command dip 7 xs and be cleansed. God gave these OT examples that people can chose to humle themselves, and seek the Lord, woh they are dead to, and He will let the be found by Him.
Thank youmy brothers for hearing my ramblings.
Good article. Sharing the gospel is the most important thing and arguments will go on forever… the good news is that the LORD is coming. This year is certainly a test for all and described in Isaiah 26:20. Even better is that the book of truth is open, as promised here at the end. Most of it started in 1979 at Daniel 11:21 and we are approaching 11:31, the abomination of desolation in which HE told us to watch for. I hope some will look at daniel11truth and come to new information. HE is generous and merciful to ALL seeking the truth. Why? “So HIS house will be full.”