"And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."
I found this verse in Acts 13:48.
Notice that it does not say '...all were ordained to eternal life believed' but "...as many as were ordained believed."
This verse seems to say that one must be chosen or elected by God to be saved. It also intimates that one must be under the hearing of the word in order for the Lord to save the person ie., "So then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Is this correct?
2007-04-09 05:19:04 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I guess a sort of predestination thing could be read into that.
But perhaps it is more simple, that it just means that some people are open to the message. Perhaps it is "ordained" merely by the fact that God, being GOD and all, knows everything, including who will and who will not "get" the message.
Luv Jack
2007-04-09 05:25:46 · answer #1 · answered by Jack 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
John 3:16 - ..."that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life."
Therefore, it's a continuous loop. If you believe, you are ordained to have eternal life. If you are thus ordained, you will continue to be in the right mindset to believe and understand the Word as it is meant to be understood, rather than with a closed mind. Remember, even Satan knows what the Bible says, but does not know the message of Victory or he would stop trying to defeat God's plan by attacking us with people picking and choosing and trying to interpret the Word in ways that they believe disproves it's meaning.
2007-04-09 05:30:47 · answer #2 · answered by dbackbarb 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is saying all that were believed were given eternal life. An infinite number. As many as were ordained were as many as who believed. Did you get that? Kind of hard one to explain.
If 5 people believed those 5 were ordained. God did not cut off the amount. There was no cap.
We all must be called to God that is true. One must not be closed off to God. If you turn from God and close your eyes and ears and hearts to him, you are turning away from God. You are choosing to follow your own path instead of his. Thats what I get from this.
2007-04-09 05:26:30 · answer #3 · answered by momof2 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
All people who ever lived or will live have the possibility of eternal life with God in them, but those ordained are the ones who in God's foreknowledge will believe.
They were not hand picked by God more than anyone else otherwise the scripture that says God is no respecter of person would have to be a lie, therefore making all of scripture a lie. Since God cannot lie He did not show any special favor to one person or any other concerning salvation.
The teaching that God chose certain people to be saved, as in the doctrine of election, follow Calvinistic doctrine which is grievously in error.
As far as faith coming by hearing the word of God, He doesn't
need a church service or a preacher to talk with people. God appeared to the patriarchs long before the Bible was given to
man, and spoke to them clearly and personally. When He did
that it was "His Word" that came to them and was the source of their understanding and obeying God. One example of this
is Abraham who lived in a heathen culture. God spoke to him
to leave Ur of the Chaldees and go to a place that God would show him later. He knew it was God speaking to him and he obeyed, and by his obedience became the father of many nations.
I know one person who got saved because he picked up a gospel tract that someone had thrown away on the sidewalk.
There was no preacher present, but the Holy Spirit guided the
reader as he was reading the contents of the tract, showed him his need of Christ, convicted Him of sin and helped him pray for salvation.
The Word of God can come to man in many ways, but it will never contradict the scriptures which are God's Word to man.
2007-04-09 05:36:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
what this is talking about is that not every one who hears the word of God will have the right heart condition the choose to serve him. remember that we were created with free will. if everyone who heard God's message believed and served him whole souled than there would be many more in this world that would have faith. God only gives eternal life to those who have a heart that wants to serve him. he will not force him kingdom on anyone. that being said, if someone is to choose the other option ( serving the ruler of this world Satan) than God will not continue to give that person life after thier normal 80 or so years runs out.
2007-04-09 05:29:58 · answer #5 · answered by Steven Colbert 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The idea here is not that you earn your salvation, but that your obedience to God is evidence of your salvation. So Paul is saying basically, "Obey even though I'm not around to tell you what you should be doing, because if you don't, you have reason to question your salvation, which is good cause to fear." That's a very broad paraphrase, obviously, but that's the message I think it's trying to convey. Hope that's helpful. Good question. I'd give you a thumb's up but I'm a newbie.
2016-05-20 23:50:46 · answer #6 · answered by jewell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to give you my personal interpretation. The language difference between the original text and the English version may be at issue here. My personal belief is that people choose to be saved. Jesus always made the statement that whoever believes in him will be saved...he did not say that who God chose would be saved. Not only that, but if God chooses who will be saved...what would have been the point of the crucifixion or the resurrection of Jesus? It is stated clearly that Jesus died for all sinners. That's all of us.
2007-04-09 05:26:40 · answer #7 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, that is partially correct. If you read the original Greek, when Christ ordained the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper, you will notice that He clearly says that His blood was shed "for you (the Disciples who were present) and for *many*." Not "all". "For the remission (forgiveness) of sins"
This would indicate a selective atonement.
And that faith (that cometh by hearing) is a gift. Just like Grace. There is no "working" your way to salvation.
2007-04-09 05:24:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
if you believe in the lord you will be ordained by god and will be saved, yes if you listen faithfully to the word of god you will be saved my freind
2007-04-09 05:37:23 · answer #9 · answered by linda h teddy bears party always 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
as many as were ordained, They were able to make choices ,maybe some didn't listen to the message or had that wait attitude?
2007-04-09 07:46:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋