de-Calvinising Acts

Calvinism interprets biblical texts about election, foreknowledge, and predestination in deterministic and individualistic ways. But a more thorough exegesis arrives at a reading that is more consistent with the Bible's presentation of a God who makes provision of salvation through Jesus available for every soul, and that every soul is actually able to respond. This episode focusses on the 'appointed' of Acts 13:48, refuting the Calvinistic connection to "Unconditional election".
Music by Tony Anderson: "Groundswell" & "Heart of a Nation" via Musicbed: MB01MJ8EUD622GZ ; MB01RZCRDGYKMWC

[@stevenfetzer4911]

TY.

[@aletheia8054]

It says they were arranged into life eternal. In Greek it’s a passive completed action.

[@Matthew515tweet]

Or, as I have argued according to the context, a perfect middle ...

[@aletheia8054]

@@Matthew515tweet A perfect is a completed action. And middle and passive are basically the same. Means the action was done to them.

[@Matthew515tweet]

Appreciate the challenge, Aletheia, but I'm quite confident translation / interpretation of middle / passive constructs is a little more nuanced than what you seem to be suggesting. I would encourage you to go back and review the extent to which a middle form can differ in meaning.

[@aletheia8054]

@@Matthew515tweet I teach Greek. I’ve studied these verses for decades This verse has to do with baptism of the Holy Spirit. The thing John the Baptist said Jesus would do. Pneuma and pur.

[@Matthew515tweet]

As much as I would like to emphasise the baptism of the Holy Spirit (my church tradition / background is Pentecostalism ), I'm not seeing how Acts 13:48 is directly connected?

[@reformedpilgrim]

9:50 You said that in every case that Luke uses "tasso", nothing indicates divinely determined arranging or positioning. However, in each case that Luke uses "tasso", those in authority are appointing or ordaining others. In Acts 22:10, Jesus Himself told Paul to go to Damascus, where he will be told all that is appointed for him to do. Who is really doing the appointing when Paul reaches Damascus? Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and on earth. This is divinely determined appointing. Additionally, since "tasso" is used by Luke showing authority of the appointers over others, we must ask this: Who has authority to appoint to eternal life? Is it done by man's will or God's will? The testimony of Scripture is that it is by God's will. See John 6, 10, 17; Matthew 19; Ezekiel 36; Ephesians 1 & 2; 2nd Thessalonians 2. Also for consideration, I'll leave you with John 1:12-13. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

[@bibical_truth_be_told]

Soo appointed themselves to eternal life? Just asking

[@Matthew515tweet]

In one sense you might say that, but it might come across too strongly. I'm more comfortable with the word 'position'.

[@bibical_truth_be_told]

@@Matthew515tweet so the result of them positioning themselves to eternal life made the believe? Just asking...

[@Matthew515tweet]

I personally wouldn't go so far as to say "made them". My understanding is that one can position oneself to be receptive or oppositional. This can be seen where Jesus clarified the parable of the seeds / soils in Luke 8 or Mark 4 that His audience should "be careful" how they hear. I.e., the choice remains with the listener how they receive or reject the gospel/ Truth.