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I’d like to ask those who are believing that Jesus Christ is from the Father and is our Creator a question regarding that which Jesus told Nicodemus was absolutely imperative in order for a man to enter the kingdom of God. In light of what is written in John 1 v.13, is the act /action of being born again or from above or being born of the Spirit of God a decision which a man makes or a decision which our Creator makes on behalf of a man?
Is this Calvinism vs Arminianism?
Like everything, it is cooperation between God and man. A man accepts God's offer ("whosoever will") and God does the work as the man cooperates with God.
If a man can not see the kingdom of heaven unless he’s been born again (John 3;31) it would seem that it is the Spirit who makes/ acts to make a man spiritually alive and capable of perceiving/understanding spiritual matters. Only then is a man able to come to Christ and be healed (John 6:65).
Come on, guys! Our Creator is saying no one enters heaven unless that man is born again/from above/ I.E. - born of the Spirit (John 3 v. 5) Who is it that makes the decision and takes the action?
When one chooses God and receives the Sacrament of Baptism, that person becomes an adopted son of God and receives the grace of the Holy Spirit. But we cannot underestimate the infinite Love and infinite Mercy of God; that is, we believe people who have never heard The Good News have a shot at eternal life if they live pure and holy lives.Quote:
Originally Posted by wmitty
To be accurate, John 1:3 tells us "Through him all things came into being, not one thing came into being except through him." So, all things were created through the Son of God (The Word), who is consubstantial with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. When The Son of God (through whom all was created) came into time, he was born of Mary and named Jesus.
The offer has been made to all men ( and women) to receive the Spirit of God.
The decision is mans to make to accept the offer of the Spirit.
The action is Gods to bless man with the infilling of the Spirit.
What we in the Nazarene church call Entire Sanctification.
Great answer! You have hit the key...which the ability to perceive. One cannot enter the Kingdom of God unless he/she can perceive it exists. A once born person (physical birth) has the senses of the physical, sight, smell, touch etc. A twice born person (physical and spiritual) has the physical senses, but also the spiritual senses which enable him/her to perceive the Kingdom of God and having perceived it can therefore enter and enjoy all the wonders therein.Quote:
Originally Posted by wmitty