Who was the Book of John Addressed to?

[Red Baker]

Take it easy RB.
Rest up...it'll pass...
same thing on this side of the pond...it takes forever to get over it.

@GodsGrace

Greetings Fran,

My wife and children are saying the same to me; one of my son-in-law's told me to come to the hospital he will have me a room and everything there for me, and wanted me to come and stay until I'm better ~ a lot of my children and even grandchildren are in the medical field. I'm an old man that loves the comfort of my own house, bed, etc.

You're stating that God does not seek man.

Fran, read very carefully what I have said....God does indeed seek his sheep, but not goats. He seeks all without "distinction" from every nations of this world, every tongue, etc., but he does not seek all without exception...Fran, as you well know, some of the first converts to the early church were Italian, some of your own people.

Acts 10:1​

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,”

Fran, soon I would love to discuss Cornelius with you and others here very soon Cornelius was a born again child of God before Peter ever met him, Peter was sent to bring the gospel to him that he might be saved in a practical sense, but more on this later.

John 12:32
32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."

'All men" meaning not just Jews only, but all without dictinction, Jews and Gentiles which he did as we see in the rest of the holy scriptures.

And what do you believe John meant when he wrote the following?:
1 John 1:3-4
3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
John wrote his gospel and letters to proclaim what the APOSTELS HAD SEEN.
So that WE also could have fellowship with the Father and Son.
Why would John write the above if he believed God was going to choose the saved?
It would make no sense at all.

1st John 1:3,4​

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."

Fran, John and all the apostles wrote unto others believers, not to the world, that would had been a total waste of time. John made it very clear that he wrote to them, NOT to get any born again, but, so that their present joy, would increase and be full!

Fran, what would we know about Jesus the Son of God without this apostolic declaration? Nothing. We do not believe God and Christ by oral tradition, but many writers (Luke 1:1-4).

What is the purpose of the apostles seeking out God’s elect? For fellowship with God! After the doctrine of Christ – the true body of knowledge about Him – is relationship. There is a practical salvation from the hopelessness of this life in knowing Christ (2nd Timothy 2:10).

Learning of Jesus, where He is now and He will return, is our religion (I Cor 15:19). This comes through the written word of God to us.

v4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.​

We do not limit these things to the first three verses, but neither do we minimize them. There is fellowship in the verses before and after this verse, indicating both included. Fellowship with God – by doctrinal truth and godly conduct – is the basis of real joy. These things = plural demonstrative adjective for the content of verses 1-3 and more. It is a shame to watch carnal Christians (if they are saved) look for joy in the world.

Why did John write? Why did the Holy Spirit inspire him and then preserve the letter? The that here, like above, is a conjunction for John’s goal and purpose for writing. That. Introducing a clause expressing purpose, end, aim, or desire: often with may. Because this glorious God … and His Son … love us and want our utmost happiness. Any lack of fulness of joy is always our fault, not His, and we miss His intentions. Our God is terrible, but He loves His adopted children and wants to dote on them. Why do any parents adopt? To take a deprived child and drastically improve its life. How much joy does God want us to have? Filled with all you can receive (Romans 15:13).

 

[Red Baker]

Wait.
Are you saying we are saved by the faith of Christ and not our own faith?

@GodsGrace

Well, hello, did the light just now turn on?!

I'll answer this in the morning, I'm resting for an hour before supper. In the morning Miss Fran, the Lord be with my friend from across the seas.

 

[GodsGrace]

@GodsGrace

Well, hello, did the light just now turn on?!

I think the room just got darker!!

I'll answer this in the morning, I'm resting for an hour before supper. In the morning Miss Fran, the Lord be with my friend from across the seas.

Sleepy time here.
Don't go to the hospital.
Stay in your own home unless it's impossible and you need special care.
Too many germs and sick people in hospitals!!
If you could post,,,,you're good.
Will reply tomorrow.
'night.

 

[civic]

Wait.
Are you saying we are saved by the faith of Christ and not our own faith?
Please post scripture that states this.
Please post scripture that states that our faith produces perfect obedience.

The jailer in Acts 16:31 was told that he would be saved by BELIEVING.

BELIEVING means to have faith.
Paul didn't tell the jailer that Jesus had faith FOR HIM...
He told the jailer to BELIEVE...to HAVE FAITH.

Why would Jesus need faith?
Faith is something hoped for....
Jesus was God...what did He hope for?
Was He not saved?

Yes. Faith is a gift.
But the person must WANT that free gift.
The gift is FOR ALL....IF they meet the requirements.

YOU believe God picks and chooses based on nothing we could know.

Instead, the entire bible was written so that we could know God and how to please Him.

Here are the requirements:
John 3:16
16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
BELIEVE


John 3:36
36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
OBEY



Every Christian believes the above,,,unless you're using words that to you mean something different.
It is God that works in us.....His elect but by our choice.....

If we were in Christ from all eternity...why is there a time when we become born again?
And would a baby end up in hell if he died BEFORE the time of becoming born again even if he
was chosen from all eternity?
The implication of this is that we would never know if a baby went to hell or heaven....
and the bible teaches that a baby cannot sin.

Faith is for those who need to be saved and Jesus is the Savior and is not in need of being saved.

 

[Red Baker]

Faith is for those who need to be saved and Jesus is the Savior and is not in need of being saved.

@civic

Brother, you have been in faith a long time, long enough to know that Jesus Christ was the surety of God's people, pray tell me your understanding what a surety is ~ this is so vital for one to fully grasp, if that person desires to fully understand the gospel of God's free grace given freely througth his Son, Jesus of Narareth.

 

[Red Baker]

I think the room just got darker!!

Sleepy time here.
Don't go to the hospital.
Stay in your own home unless it's impossible and you need special care.
Too many germs and sick people in hospitals!!
If you could post,,,,you're good.
Will reply tomorrow.
'night.

@GodsGrace

Fran, that's another reason why I avoid not staying there if all possible, maybe the main reason, it is almost a death sentence for older folks, like me.

Sister, trust God, your life maybe just got some precious light for heaven whence all light comes from.

James 1:17​

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

 

[Jim]

Jim I believe in works, in the sense in which Jesus here mention works, that faith IS A WORK of the law, which only God's children can obey once they have been created after the image of Jesus Christ, no problem Jim. I reject works of any kind before one is quicken to life by the Spirit of the Living God.

No, works that Jesus spoke of in John 6:29 is not a work of the law. Once again, you show that you do not understand the works that Jesus spoke about and the works of law that Paul spoke about when he declared that salvation was not from works of law. It is not really that difficult to understand. Works of law are those laws, commands of God, found in the Torah. You will not find the "work" that Jesus spoke of in John 6:29 in the Law.

Hebrews 11 is not addressing free justification by God's grace as Galatians 2-5:4 does ~ Hebrews 11 is showing us what how the evidence of true faith living their life on this earth as they journey to the promised land. Two totally different subjects the the Spirit addressing.

Oh my! Hebrews 11 first defines faith, then proceeds to show examples of what the faith produced. It demonstrates, for example, Abraham's faith (v.17). which Paul in Romans 4 declares that it was counted to Abraham for righteousness, i.e., was the basis for the Justification of Abraham.

The translation Jim agrees with the gospel of Jesus Christ and free grace, so we KNOW that it is correct. The Spirit was very careful through Paul with His wording of Galatians 2:16.

First the translation agrees only with what you declare to be the gospel of Jesus Christ and free grace. No such agreement is ever thus presented. Second, I agree that the Spirit was very careful through Paul with His wording of Galatians 2:16. Here is what, to the very best of what we have received, Paul wrote:

Gal 2:16 εἰδότες δὲ ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ.

There is neither of the words OF or IN to be found there. It is ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Whether in English the correct interpretation is faith OF or faith IN Jesus Christ is strictly by interpretation. I know of no scholars who interpret that to mean Jesus Christ's faith. As I pointed out to you, even John Gill acknowledges that it is speaking of our faith "of which he [Jesus Christ] is the object, author, and finisher".

Read what Albert Barnes says concerning the KJV phrase, faith of Jesus Christ.

By faith of Jesus Christ - That is, by faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, the expression, Mar_11:22, “Have the faith of God” (margin), means, have faith in God. So Act_3:16, the “faith of his name” “(Greek),” means, faith in his name. So Gal_2:20, the “faith of the Son of God” means, faith in the Son of God. This cannot mean that faith is the meritorious cause of salvation, but that it is the instrument or means by which we become justified. It is the state of mind, or condition of the heart, to which God has been pleased to promise justification. (On the nature of faith see the note at Mar_16:16.) God has promised that they who believe in Christ shall be pardoned and saved. This is his plan in distinction from the plan of those who seek to be justified by works.

Jim you do not like the word? Many do not, so you are not alone. The word is used if I remember correctly at least fifteen times in the NT. So, it is a very biblical word and should be used. Chosen, election, elect, etc. Bible words Jim, even though those words are very seldom used in most places of worship, and it they are, it is more so to refute them to teach its truths.

I, in fact, do very much like word elect. But I, also in fact, detest the Calvinist/Reformed Theology perverted corrupt definition and meaning of the word. That comes not from God's word, but from the corrupt Augustinian doctrine of Total Depravity.

Jim , that a very sad statement coming from an older believer, you are not considering that Christ was a man sent to be a surety of God's elect.

You have lately come to like your concept of "surety". What is a very sad statement coming from an older believer is that you do not even understand what your believing is all about.

Again, I appeal to you do consider what Albert Barnes says about believing.

Mark 16:16

He that believeth - That is, believeth the gospel. “He who credits it to be true, and acts as if it were true.” This is the whole of faith. Man is a sinner. He should act on the belief of this truth and repent. There is a God. Man should believe it, and fear and love him, and seek his favor. The Lord Jesus died to save him. To have faith in him is to believe that this is true, and to act accordingly; that is, to trust him, to rely on him, to love him, to feel that we have no merit, and to cast our all upon him. There is a heaven and a hell. To believe this is to credit the account and act as if it were true - to seek the one and avoid the other. We are to die. To believe this is to act as if this were so; to be in readiness for it, and to expect it daily and hourly. In one word, faith is feeling and acting as if there were a God, a Saviour, a heaven, a hell; as if we were sinners and must die; as if we deserved eternal death and were in danger of it; and, in view of all, casting our eternal interests on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. To do this is to be a Christian: not to do it is to be an infidel.

I like Gill very much, but he's man just like you and myself, subject to error, which you know. I do not follow any man blindly.

Yes, I know you don't. But you have blinded yourself in following of a whole class of the false doctrines promoted by the likes of and followers of Augustine, Calvin, and others.

 

[Red Baker]

Many years ago (around forty) I preached to a very small group of people in Batesville, S.C. not far from Columbia, S.C., for another minister who could not make the trip for some reason, I do not remember now, I was a young man in my late thirties, I still remembered what I preached on..."Cornelius, the mystery man".

I had not long been in the faith, maybe eleven years, or so, and I wanted to share with others what I saw in the scriptures , a very short time before I shared it with others ~ I thought if it help me, then it would help others as well, and it did to one older lady there who came up to me and said, "I often wondered about Cornelius and why God gave us such a details of his conversion to the truth, now I see why".... and she thanked me, even though as I'm know my abilities to convey the truth fell far short of what men like Paul, Peter, could have taught, and even others of my own generation who may see the same truths that I see, yet, conveying these truth in a manner where God's children can grasp their meaning is never easy, and we can only do so, to the degree we trust God to be with so in doing so. I often find it becomes easier for me the more I trust the Lord to speak as I ought to speak, the easier it become me to do so. The more I trust. in myself, the more heaven seems to become brass unto me.

Consider with me Acts 10.

Acts 10:1-6~"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do."

For sake of time and space, I will highlight words I desire for our readers to consider, and then we shall speak after wards to consider this godly man's life before his conversion more perfectly to the truth, a salvation that is indeed needed and it will shows us why we must preach the gospel and the purpose of doing so.

So, we see, Cornelius was a devout man, one that fear God, and he gave much alms, and he prayed always and his prayers came up as a sweet smelling savior unto God, he even had a visitor from heaven which he saw in a vision ~ this is God's testimony of this centurion. A very impressive resume. I would love to have this man as a close friend of mine, he would only make me a better person ~ all this before he was ever baptized into the religion/faith of Jesus Christ, all before he experienced a another phrase of practical salvation that we all will experience from time to time as we grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, which we all should do.

Acts 10:7-23~"And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him."

Does God order all things to work in accordance to his eternal will? You judge with the scriptures before us. Cornelius sending men to fetch Peter per the angel's direction and before they came, Peter just happened to become very hungry and while he waited as they prepared a meal for Peter, he went to pray, God just happened to visit Peter himself in order to prepare Peter to receive the men coming after him from the Gentiles. God made a meal for Peter on a vessel with all manner of wild beast of the earth and creeping things and fowls of the air, mostly of thing Peter had never put into his mouth, because they were forbidden to Israel under Moses' laws that he had given them, which were only given until the time of reformation when they would understand why such laws were given. The unclean wild beast, creeping things and fowls, were a type of unclean Gentiles ~ unclean only because God had not as of yet shown them the same mercy he had to some within Israel. God's eternal plan was about to be revealed even more so by Him visiting the Gentile to take out of them a people for himself. Some of these Gentiles are now to be part of the same body as the elect Israelites, each forming a holy temple for an everlasting habitation of God's Spirit. (Acts 15:15-18; Ephesians 2:10-3:8; etc.). I'll saved most of my understanding when we give a summary of Acts 10.

Acts 10:24-33~"And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God."

I love this story and should all who love the gospel of Jesus Christ, that Jesus alone saves his people by his might power, he only uses a man like Peter, to guide his sheep in the way that they should go and into the doctrine that they should trust, such doctrines, sum total, give ALL GLORY TO GOD ALONE in the salvation of his people.

Acts 10:34-48~"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."

Coming back to make one post summarizing this wonderful portion of God's word

 

[jeremiah1five]

John 20:8 "So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb (John) then also entered, and he saw and believed."

Wait, I thought John was already a believer. He was, but now he believed that Jesus rose from the dead!

Verse 9 "For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, the He must rise again from the dead.

So who did Jesus first appear to, after His resurrection? A nonbeliever? No, to Mary, who was already a believer. See John 20:15-16

And He tells Mary to go find all her unsaved family and friends and tell them that Jesus is alive? NO, he tells her to report this good news to "My brethren", His disciples.

Jesus' "brethren" are the 12 tribes of Israel. In other words, the Hebrews/Jews.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matt. 1:21.

So who does Jesus appear to next? All the nonbelievers in Jerusalem? No, He goes directly to the room where the disciples had locked themselves in, probably for fear that they could also be crucified. He presents Himself alive just to them.

But Thomas didn't happen to be there at that time. In fact, he didn't even believe the other disciples had actually seen Jesus alive. So, eight days later, Jesus appears again to His disciples. This time Thomas is there. Jesus gently rebukes Him, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Thomas responds: "My Lord and my God!" Jesus tells him (while the other disciples were listening), "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." (That would be US!)

No, that would be the Jews. Jesus is the fulfillment of THEIR covenant and prophecies God sent from the Jews to the Jews.

Then the next verse (verse 30) begins with "Therefore," . In other words, what I'm about to say has been written because of the information that I have given you earlier in this chapter and in this book. "Therefore, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD; AND THAT BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME."

Who is John addressing this to? PRIMARILY BELIEVERS! FOLLOWERS AND DISCIPLES OF JESUS THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES! (Although John probably did not know that millions would be reading his book over the centuries) Sure, it's great that nonbelievers read his book, but his primary concern is to strengthen the faith of other Christians, that they may have full assurance that what they have already believed, is in fact, true!

ALL SCRIPTURE (Genesis to Malachi) and later including the New Covenant writings - Matthew to Revelation - are written by Jews to and for other Jews. God is speaking to His covenant people - the children of Israel. ONLY.

Just as Jesus was NOT appearing to non-Christians, but purposely appeared to those who already believed in Him, so the book of John was purposely written to strengthen the faith of all believers everywhere.

In fact, is there ANY book in the entire Bible specifically addressed to nonbelievers? I don't think so.

The entire bible (Genesis to Revelation) is written to the Hebrew people who are in covenant with God. This includes believers and unbelievers of the Hebrew nation.

This may be why many non-Christians say that they have read the gospels, for example, and yet they appear to be unaffected by it. Why? Maybe because it was not written for them or to them. And yet, it is the gospel that has the power to save, isn't it? So the Father has to draw them to Himself and to Jesus, and if they don't resist that drawing, the gospel message can powerfully save them.

It is not the "gospel" that saves, but God Himself is the Great Deliverer of the Hebrew people.

 

[GodsGrace]

Jim I believe in works, in the sense in which Jesus here mention works, that faith IS A WORK of the law, which only God's children can obey once they have been created after the image of Jesus Christ, no problem Jim. I reject works of any kind before one is quicken to life by the Spirit of the Living God.

Hebrews 11 is not addressing free justification by God's grace as Galatians 2-5:4 does ~ Hebrews 11 is showing us what how the evidence of true faith living their life on this earth as they journey to the promised land. Two totally different subjects the the Spirit addressing.

The translation Jim agrees with the gospel of Jesus Christ and free grace, so we KNOW that it is correct. The Spirit was very careful through Paul with His wording of Galatians 2:16.

Jim you do not like the word? Many do not, so you are not alone. The word is used if I remember correctly at least fifteen times in the NT. So, it is a very biblical word and should be used. Chosen, election, elect, etc. Bible words Jim, even though those words are very seldom used in most places of worship, and it they are, it is more so to refute them to teach its truths.

Jim , that a very sad statement coming from an older believer, you are not considering that Christ was a man sent to be a surety of God's elect.

I like Gill very much, but he's man just like you and myself, subject to error, which you know. I do not follow any man blindly.

A quick point RB...
Elected certainly is in the bible.
It could mean the nation of Israel through which God chose to reveal Himself.
God ELECTED Israel to be His plan of Revelation.

Or it could mean the saved.
WE are the ELECT of God.

Here's the big difference:
YOU understand elect to mean that God chose certain persons for salvation based on
nothing at all except His good pleasure.
IOW...you believe in UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION.
Man is elected based on nothing...
God goes not allow man to know HOW he can be saved because it is up to God 100%...
a person has no say in whether or not they want to spend eternity with God.
IS THIS A JUST GOD?
No.

All Other Christians understand election to be BASED ON SOMETHING.
This would be CONDITIONAL ELECTION.
Man is elected and is saved based on a certain criteria...
based on SOMETHING.
God desires for persons to be saved and let's persons KNOW HOW to become saved.
God reveals Himself in General Revelation, or by His Word, or any other way He wishes.
Man responds to God's call and agrees to GOD'S CONDITIONS, which God is happy to make known.
The conditions are simple:
Know God
Obey God
IS THIS A JUST GOD?
Yes.


KNOW GOD
Hebrews 11:6
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

1. WE GO TO GOD. Free will.
2. WE BELIEVE IN GOD. Free will.
3. IT IS POSSIBLE TO SEEK GOD. The reformed deny this and place all the responsibility for salvation on God.

OBEY GOD
John 3:36
36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

1. It is necessary to obey God.

Why speak of obedience IF God is going to cause every action of man??

 

[Red Baker]

Jesus' "brethren" are the 12 tribes of Israel. In other words, the Hebrews/Jews.

@jeremiah1five,

You need to get you head out of the OT and the Jews' Religion called Judaism, and let the True Israel of God introduce you to the Savior of Jews and Gentiles, the true spiritual tribes of the NT.

Revelation 7:1-4~And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."

Reading over this chapter superficially (which is what most folks do most of the time, if truth was known) it might appear that a literal understanding of the physical nation of Israel is warranted, and that only 144,000 Jewish people are sealed or saved. However, when studied carefully, we find such an understanding is untenable. Considering not only the facts of the immediate context, but also as these things are studied in the light of related passages, this cannot be speaking of national Israel. Indeed, if we are to take this Israel as the literal nation, or of only physical Jews, then we must of necessity also take the number sealed as "literally" only 144,000 that will be secured or saved. But even the staunchest advocates of a totally literal exegesis will generally not accept such a conclusion. i.e., they once again violate their own rules when it contradicts their theories, and will find ways to get around them.

Moreover, there are peculiarities with this list of tribes which also serve to illustrate that they are not to be taken literally. We are informed that they are sealed from "all" the tribes of Israel, but two of the literal tribes (Dan and Ephraim) are missing. This naturally brings up the question, "..what all Israel?" The consistent and round number of exactly 12,000 people from each of the tribes, is another clue that we should not take this literally. If there are literally only 12,000 saved from each tribe of Israel, it is a minuscule number. And if it is not to be taken literally, then it is inconsistent to take the number of the tribes, or the nation Israel as literal.

Moreover, Levi is listed here when it is not normally listed in the tribes of Israel. And the tribe of Joseph, through Manasseh, is listed twice. These are just a few of the oddities which would alert any prudent student of sound hermeneutics, that this is not to be taken as a literal narrative. And this is not even taking into consideration that all throughout the chapters of Revelation we see events pictured symbolically, and what is clearly figurative language, rather than a literal straight forward history. And we will see the reasons for this unfold vividly as we search through these verses, illuminating their spiritual truth in the light of the rest of scripture.

Without spending much time now, look at this scriptures and it will clearly tell us who are the twelve tribes of Israel, and they are not limited to the natural seed of Abraham, not even close.

Revelation 7:9​

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”

As usual Jeremiah, your understanding is blinded by your overly strong love for the natural seed of Abraham, when even in the OT, only a few of them were part of the children of God's promises, and in the NT, even less ~ and we will add, there is not a single promise for them now that God has not fulfilled.

Jeremiah1Five...21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matt. 1:21.

Jesus' people are from every nation under heaven~not just the natural seed of Abraham, even in the OT, there were Gentiles that were children of faith, even more so than what was found in Israel, do I need to prove this. Time would fail me, to mention all of Rahab was a Canaanite woman ...even in Jesus' genealogy there was Ruth, from Moab, not a Jew btw. Remember when Jesus spoke these words: , Jesus says, "I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" In both Matthew 8:10 and Luke 7:9, Jesus says these words to express amazement at the faith of a Roman centurion and a Gentile, respectively,

Jeremiah1Five: ALL SCRIPTURE (Genesis to Malachi) and later including the New Covenant writings - Matthew to Revelation - are written by Jews to and for other Jews. God is speaking to His covenant people - the children of Israel. ONLY.

Not for Jews only ~ Listen carefully to Paul who was indeed a Jews by nature:

Romans 3:29​

“Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:”

Romans 9:24​

“Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”

Paul and the other apostles would say that you are believing in and proclaiming a lie.

Jeremiah1Five: The entire bible (Genesis to Revelation) is written to the Hebrew people who are in covenant with God. This includes believers and unbelievers of the Hebrew nation.

The word of God is written to the children of God's oath and promises, not necessarily to all Jews without exception and not to all Gentiles without exception, but the holy scriptures are given unto God's children's of his promises and holy oath.

1st Corinthians 10:11​

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Jeremiah1Five: It is not the "gospel" that saves, but God Himself is the Great Deliverer of the Hebrew people.

What you should had written is this: "God himself WAS the Great Deliverer of his OT people, the Hebrews,"......which people only typified a great mystery hidden in the OT scriptures, that God's people are from every nation under heaven, that he is now gathering and preparing as a spiritual stones that are going to be the eternal tabernacle/city of the Most High, called the New Jerusalem.