EPHESIANS 1 In Its TRUE CONTEXT

[@fidelamoah9115]

I especially love the 8:14 part. "It is your 'respons-ability' to join the Team". God bless you Dr Flowers.

[@Echarterisc]

@fidelamoah9115, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the ekect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@KarissaLove8nB]

Dr Flowers ~ Your Patience and Perseverance in teaching Truth is Amazing! May God Bless You Always ❣️

[@Nathannnnnnnnnn]

Thank you Dr. Flowers. I do not know why our Calvinist friends do not grasp this. But all in all, glory be to Christ and may He have mercy on us all ❤

[@stevemills1481]

Actually, it's not an easy teaching to understand. Over the years it's been probably the biggest issue I have had......I just knew in my heart what was right but pinning it down was not easy. Over the past few months I have prayed and studied.....left it alone for a while and then suddenly I came across this. This ties in with what my heart tells me.

[@Echarterisc]

@Nathan, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the ekect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@Echarterisc]

​@@stevemills1481, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@Echarterisc]

@Nathan, another thing, when you are in Christ you have already arrived to your destiny which is salvation. Salvation is the climax of our life. What else do you need if you are already saved? God will not predestined you again if you are already in Christ because you are already saved.

[@SheepDog1974]

​@@stevemills1481Don't trust your heart, friend. Believe only what the scriptures teach us. God has determined the destination for ALL who respond to God's appeal and trust Jesus Christ as their Lord (in him) will conform to the image of Jesus Christ.

[@SheilaSmith-z8g]

Excellent. Leighton gets better and better in his teaching on Calvinism.

[@koraegis]

@@SheilaSmith-z8g except he's in grave error leading people astray.

[@SheilaSmith-z8g]

@@koraegis Your opinion that Leighton is, "leading people astray." Scripture never leads people astray, desires do. Calvanism was invented by humans, beginning with Augustine and expanded by John Calvin. Go do an extensive research on Augustine. You'll discover that his premise on "evil," (defined) was wrong. He believed evil was all events that caused human suffering. Then he faced another ( false) belief... how could a benevolent God cause or allow this, "evil?" An explanation to reconcile Augustine's delema was invented.

[@justsomeguy9192-hx7jv]

@@SheilaSmith-z8g How much Augustine have you actually read or are you just parroting talking points from other anti Calvinists? What about Calvin? His book On the Christian Life is a short read. Actually a free PDF available online. Give Confessions a try from Augustine. You may be shocked to find the villains in your story aren’t really your enemies.

[@SheilaSmith-z8g]

@@justsomeguy9192-hx7jv To answer your question on the amount of Augustine I've read? From his earliest writings to his latest, and the changes in his thinking from a belief in freewill to his denial of freewill. His gnostic view of the gods never left him. Some of Calvin's writings. He was not wrong on everything and neither was Augustine. But all variations and new words for TULIP, can't make a false belief, true. Scripture is not difficult to comprehend, but difficult to make fit personal beliefs about God, evil and salvation. Both Augustine and Calvin held their own views, and tried to find scripture to support those beliefs....that did not originate with scripture. But we have been debating Calvin teachings for some time, and I doubt anything I or others present will change your mind. Take care.

[@SheilaSmith-z8g]

@@justsomeguy9192-hx7jv Here's a concept you miss. A pastor, philosopher, or politian may be accurate on certain beliefs, and completely inaccurate or wrong on other things. We are not disputing that everything Auguistine or Calvin wrote was in error. We are presenting the specific beliefs that were false, AND the false premises at the root of those errors. Learn to read and analyze with precision.

[@delivefreenana]

This is truly an exceptional clarification of Ephesians regarding predestination. My heart breaks for those deceived by Calvinism

[@cherylmiller7603]

I always so appreciate how clearly you explain scripture by actually using scripture and contemporary analogies to anchor a concept.

[@haxguy0]

I really love these succinct videos breaking these passages down. Very helpful thank you

[@Echarterisc]

@haxguy0, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@coachmarc2002]

Although I do enjoy the long form conversations and exegesis, these short concise summaries of specific verses used by calvinistic teachers are so appreciated. Thank you so much Dr. Flowers for putting out great content.

[@steveyokeley3612]

It’s awesome to see how you predetermined what the text says in your eisegeting the text. It’s clear when you start giving your definition to words despite what is the true meaning of the word.

[@MrCurtis61]

It's astounding to me how Calvinists' Twist this predestination doctrine , Dr. Flowers explains this so that a 5 year old can understand it 😊

[@glstka5710]

It's so easy when you get taught a system to just automatically follow what you always have been taught. Leighton is good at just looking at it from a different angle. I like his way of gently correcting the Calvinist position. He once was a Calvinist and still has a sympathetic heart to patiently explain his position.

[@Pooki-z6x]

Thank you AGAIN for your explanation of the scriptures. I'm so blessed to have come across your videos Dr Flowers 🙏🏻 appreciate everything

[@Echarterisc]

@Pooki-z6x, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the ekect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@Pooki-z6x]

@@Echarterisc I have been there and studied that. I believe that following the teachings of Calvin are unbiblical. He had a degree as a lawyer and Catholicism when he wrote his first book. But thank you for taking the time to explain your belief to me. God bless 🙏🏻

[@Echarterisc]

@@Pooki-z6x, Sorry bro. I'm not a Calvinist, but election and predestination ia indeed biblical, several verses prove that aside from Romans 9. Acts 13:48 NLT says: "When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers." Note: These gentiles who heard the message for the first time were already chosen(elected) for eternal life(salvation) even before they believe.. Jesus revealed Himself that election and predestination for salvation for the elect and for damnation for the reprobates are true in the parable of wheat and tares..

[@Pooki-z6x]

@@Echarterisc ah right sorry, misunderstanding. Yes God predestined those who would choose Christ, to be predestined to be saved. We agree 💯

[@Echarterisc]

@@Pooki-z6x, 👍

[@charliep5072]

Another great video. You have helped me tremendously.

[@joeblacke99]

@Leighton Flowers. Another Great Video! God Bless you for this ministry. I had a recent conversation with a ardent Calvinist on this passage, and pointed out that the "choice" was not who was saved, but the attributes of the group which Paul calls "in him". He wasn't swayed. It wasn't until I asked him who was the "we" and "us" in versus 3-12. He said it was the Ephesian church and by extension believers. I asked him how then does in verse 13 would Paul say "...and You Also...". It wouldn't make sense for the "we/us" in the previous versus and then switch to "you also". He would have just stayed with the "we/us" the entire time. Paul was obviously talking about different groups of people. This let me show him that if he even had the correct verse to support individual election to salvation, the Ephesians were NOT included in that. He was very confounded. He couldn't find a way to then tie in the Ephesian church into his concept of election. Verse 13 on, doesn't mention election, but it does say the Holy Spirit marked them after they believed. I then asked him if the Ephesian church were the first believers. He said no. I asked him then how does the "we/us" in the verse 12 possibly include the Ephesian church, for it says "...we, who were the first to hope in Christ". The Ephesians were part of Paul's second missionary journey and they were not the first believers. I then asked him how in vs 9 the Ephesians could be included in "us" mentioned in versus 8/9 about knowing the mystery, when in Chapter 3 versus 3/4 Paul says that the Ephesians DON'T know the mystery and he is going to reveal it to them. It says that the Apostles and Prophets were the only ones who knew the mystery, and God had even kept it hidden from the angels. It wasn't until after Christ had died and been risen did God want to make it known, in that Christ was the atonement for ALL (including Gentiles). He was greatly troubled as he had to accept that versus 3-12 were NOT including the Ephesian church. If he wanted to accept "election" at an individual level, then it couldn't have included the Ephesian church. I pointed out to him that Paul starts many of his letters the same way, drawing distinctions between those the letter is addressed to and a different group that is behind the letter itself. It's like being on vacation and sending a postcard to a friend. If you write "we are having a great time", does that mean that your friend is with you on vacation? The only way Paul's letter makes sense is that he isn't talking about individual election, but referencing the attributes of the group identified as those "in him". The Ephesians also later obtained those attributes once they believed and were sealed.

[@Theophilus33AD]

Your work on this channel saved me from the Calvinist trap. May the Merciful God bless you and keep you and shine His face upon you, Dr Flowers.

[@johnknight3529]

If per chance someone watching this video does not yet believe God is real, I suggest they ask God to provide to them what they need to believe He is real. For I myself was in that state of skepticism, about the existence of a God, for most of my now long life. Until I decided to ask whatever God might be able to hear me ask, to "alleviate my ignorance if that is your will". And to my utter amazement, He did. Just as Jesus said He would~ "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?"

[@Echarterisc]

@johnknight3529 Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@johnknight3529]

@@Echarterisc = "But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." ... (Matthew 16:23)

[@jimhughes1070]

Well thought out and written... Exemplary work! 💪😎🎉🙏

[@PonyboyCurtisV1]

Anyone who doesn't understand this simple explanation and proper (in context) discernment of the Biblical text and still hold on to the Calvinstic ideological (out of context) belief may have their conscience seared. Man twists and confuses, God stays true to His Word. He is the Word, not the author of confusion.

[@Echarterisc]

@PonyboyCurtisVI, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@lastmistakeyoullmake]

@@EcharteriscCalvinism is an extremely prideful doctrine that puts men higher than they ought to think of themselves. By your logic (because it isn’t Bible), Paul loved the Jews more than God does. Paul stated that if he could, he would choose to be accursed from Christ for his brethren, Israel. God predestined those who put their trust in Christ not the individuals themselves. Imagine serving a God that “chose” you for salvation but not your children.

[@Echarterisc]

@@lastmistakeyoullmake First, I never imply that Paul loves the Jews more than Jesus. 2nd, Election and predestination for salvation for individual is biblical, Limited atonement is also biblical. So, what is your issue?

[@lastmistakeyoullmake]

@ I never said you implied that. I am stating the fact that Calvinism (election unto salvation) logically comes to that conclusion. God loves the world. So He sent His only Son to die for the world. It is man that chooses to reject God, not God choosing who will and will not.

[@lastmistakeyoullmake]

@@Echarterisc saying something is biblical does not make it biblical by the way. The best Bible scholar in this world is the devil himself. I find it interesting that nobody becomes a Calvinist until they go for “higher education”

[@Pablo9989-lj7pm]

Thank you Dr Flowers, for this clear explanation of this section of scripture! I have never been a Calvinist, by Gods grace, and the clear guidance of my amazing Father. But, I do sometimes struggle to refute the verses, that Calvinists use as “proof texts”. This definitely helps! Thank you for your ministry’s. 🙏🏻

[@genegroover3721]

Awesome job explaining the truth! Keep up the good job!

[@andrewtsousis3130]

This is great. Another obvious thing to point out in this passage is as Leyton says, when Paul defines at the start what is predestined when someone becomes “in Him” (ie Holy and blameless, and adopted as sons etc), then vs 13 later defines how they became “in Him” (Ie when they believed) ; the language used by Paul at the start of vs 13 “and you were also”, is clearly indicative of the 2 subjects (Ie predestination and salvation) being 2 different topics. Ie Paul defines what is predestined, then reminds them of how they were saved and became “in Him” when they believed. Clearly they’re 2 separate topics in this discourse.

[@LawlessNate]

This was another great video! As much as I like your long-form content, it's the condenced stuff like this that is more likely to convince people.

[@davidhorvat700]

Read this verse. “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” ‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭29‬ ‭KJV‬‬ Why do you believe the truth “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭KJV‬‬ God has mercy on some and hardens some . Believe the word not Leighton

[@bryonhake9236]

@davidhorvat700 Read the John passage in context: 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." So Jesus is telling them what "work" God requires them to do: believe in Jesus! Context kills Calvinism.

[@bryonhake9236]

@@davidhorvat700 As for the 2 Timothy passage, God grants everyone repentance and faith when they hear the Gospel, as long as they don't resist the Holy Spirit. What might cause the hearer to resist the Spirit? If the person instructing them does so without gentleness. That's why Paul is instructing Timothy to give correction gently, so that they will not resist the Spirit on account of Timothy's harsh words.

[@davidhorvat700]

@@bryonhake9236 I used to read it that way , but we both know that we can do no work to obtain eternal life. Jesus goes right to answer of what they are asking and says. It is Gods work that you believe. This is confirmed in eph 2 : 28. By grace are you saved through faith and not of your selves. Jesus is the author of our faith and the finisher. Of our faith . Faith is a gift It says that in Corinthians It only becomes our faith after he gives it to us

[@davidhorvat700]

@@bryonhake9236 We do need to be gentle and patient . I have not always been that way but the Lord is changing me . I pray these scriptures speak to you

[@roniecatanus248]

Thank you Dr. Flowers for the lessons I’ve learned from you. God bless you.

[@SaintPatrick33]

Beautifully said! Thanks Leighton! 😊

[@glstka5710]

A good short summary. Sometimes 2 hour videos are informative but a quick one like this makes it a bite sized meal.

[@timothymarcus4090]

I believe this explanation

[@Echarterisc]

@timothymarcus4090, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@Drspeiser]

I will never be able to read Calvin & Hobbes the same. 😅

[@joevanorder]

calvin and hobbs😊

[@prvtcaboose]

The comic name was based on John Calvin and Thomas Hobbes, which is why the comic is called Calvin and Hobbes. That is why the comic is Philosophical comedy from the perspective of a child. Calvin often tries to explain things around him whereas Hobbes just kinda believes things are the way they are and we will just live out live as we will. That changed my whole view of Calvin and Hobbes when I first realized that.

[@JesusIsLord-John316]

I am SO thankful to God for this channel. Truly.

[@ATONED_4]

...and how is this hard to understand again...even children can get this...

[@mg-5222]

Yes!! And how important is “faith like a little child” to our Father?!? So important that He says we can’t enter His kingdom without it!! Being so well-read and educated often creates an intellectual snobbery that makes it impossible to have faith like a child. We are to be wise and informed with simple faith at the same time!! A balance that fits within the edges of the narrow path our Lord calls us to walk. And with so many other biblical concepts it’s a Both/And situation. -Wisdom/Simplicity of Faith -Grace/Truth -Justice/Mercy Etc…. Thanks for your post 🙏💗✝️

[@Echarterisc]

@BM5K007, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@brianpatterson8909]

Thank you for all your work! So so good and true!

[@laurentius1390]

Please make a de-Calvinize video for Ephesians 2:1-2 too

[@TheRomans9Guy]

Well, it would be really easy. First, we would encourage the reader to keep reading through at least verses 2:11-16 where they can see Paul’s actual message. Including that of chapter 1, that God has chosen to elect ALL people. But as far as 2:1-2 goes, “dead in transgressions” doesn’t actually mean “dead.” These people were definitely still alive. It also doesn’t mean “spiritually dead,” they were certainly spiritually alive. “Dead in transgressions” just means that they were on the broad path that leads to eternal destruction, and if they continued along that path their eternal destiny was already assured. It would be death. But if they choose to surrender, repent and have faith, if they remove themselves from the broad path and choose the narrow one instead, they will be made alive. They will be on the path to eternal life.

[@delivefreenana]

@@TheRomans9Guygreat answer

[@Echarterisc]

@laurentius1390, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@rlhicks1]

@@TheRomans9Guy "God has chosen to elect ALL people" is a lie. No Scripture says that.

[@TheRomans9Guy]

@rlhicks1 Well, it’s taught all throughout the New Testament so I don’t know how you missed it? I mean, it’s part of what the actual “Gospel” is. Jesus teaches about it, Matthew 22 is a good one. Peter talks about it, especially in his dream and visit to Cornelius’ house in Acts 10, especially verses 28 and 34-35. Paul talks about it all over. Some notable places are Romans 3:22-24, 5:18, 10:11-13, and 11:32. Ephesians 1:11, 2:11-16, and 3:6.

[@biblethumper8.1]

Could you perhaps answer a couple of questions that came to mind as I listened to this teaching? 1) Following along in Ephesians, how are people who are "dead in their trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1) able to profess faith in Jesus? 2) If people controlled by the sinful mind are unwilling and unable to please God, as Romans 8:7-8 states, how do these people profess faith in Jesus, especially too since they are dead in their sins (which seems to be proved by their unwilling inability)? This video assumes people are naturally capable of professing genuine, saving faith in Jesus. How do I reconcile this assumption that you make with the above passages? Thanks.

[@flynnhuseby3431]

Excellent reminders!

[@Echarterisc]

@flynhuseby3431, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@flynnhuseby3431]

@@Echarterisc I couldn't disagree more.

[@Echarterisc]

@@flynnhuseby3431, Thanks brother...

[@rociocartes]

This was so good! Easy to follow, perfectly explained! Yet, some Calvinist’s will still hold onto their own understandings.

[@JesusIsLord-John316]

Fantastic explanation ❤🎉

[@maryrosehallowed6662]

Yes exactly! I ran into this explanation years ago and it makes perfect sense. But calvinists twist everything as usual.

[@JadDragon]

God bless. Jesus lives! ♥️ and is Yahweh God 🙏🏻 Christ ✝️ and King 👑

[@hariseldon7645]

Dr. Flowers, please review “bound by grace” by Lee Williams. I just don’t understand why no one ever talks about his work.

[@scrollingwithbaruch]

I know why. Well…it may be because a lot of it hits the jugular of the Calvinist and much is irrefutable. Then the main reason is…well…probably because some of it is offensive to some people. People aren’t used to bluntness. He does do well in Ephesians and Romans 9. His take on John 6 opened my eyes to so much.

[@hariseldon7645]

@ that’s refreshing to hear. Bless you. It’s so crazy to think that no one talks about it.

[@rociocartes]

This was so good! Easy to follow, perfectly explained! Yet, some Calvinist’s will still hold onto their own understandings. 1 Timothy 2:3-6 says God wants “all” to be saved. 🙌🏼

[@emf49]

Thank you for this clear explanation. Our Calvinist pastor just taught this yesterday to ‘prove’ the concept that the Trinity covenanted before the beginning of time to ‘determine’ who would be ‘elect’. He then went on to teach from Rev 21:1-8 which was inspiring but broke down abysmally in verse 8!! I may be the only congregant (in a small church) who sees this glaring inconsistency. Unfortunately the pastor is an ardent devotee of Augustine, Calvin and Knox so there’s no point discussing it with him. I’m constantly praying for eyes to be opened because I don’t see this ‘gospel’ as being life giving but rather the opposite. I see a lot of depression and defeat in the congregation. There’s a constant focus on sin and very little joy. 😢

[@JustinLebsock]

Great teaching, thank you!

[@swordtraining]

We have thousands of religions on this planet because faith is a gift that God gave a measure of to all men. He wants you to use that gift for Him. He wants you to love Him freely!

[@anthonym.7653]

Calvinists love to cherry pick verses and Ephesians 1:4 might be their gold standard of pulling a verse out of context of a passage.

[@mg-5222]

Yes! At the same time they accuse you of using cherry-picked proof texts!! They don’t see their double standard when they do the exact same thing!! 🙏✝️💗

[@Echarterisc]

@anthonym7653, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@Echarterisc]

​@@mg-5222, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@AVB2-LST1154]

@@Echarterisc Type in "predestined" into your bible search engine and you will find it four times in the New Testament. Type in elect and you will find it eleven times in the New Testament. Type in choose, chosen (when speaking of God's choice) and you will find it twenty seven times. Type in free will and you will find it zero times in the New Testament. Hearing Arminians constantly carp on free will free will free will one would think it is found 50 times in every book in the New Testament, but it isn't found ANYWHERE in the NT. Did God have a special people in the Old Testament? Yes, the Israelites He said He has chosen them in Deut 7:6 "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." God STILL chooses those He will adopt into His family.

[@rvrpropertiesllc]

This makes so much sense Thank you.

[@mysteriouschannel2391]

Great work ❤

[@TheRockofGod21]

I love this video, and I love your work, Dr. Flowers. This is one of the passages I still wrestle with often as it is simultaneously one of the main passages that challenged my Calvinistic beliefs to the point that I left Calvinism, almost 5 years ago, and gives me difficulty to not see this in the light of determinism. I see most people on the non-calvinist side of things focus heavily on the "IN HIM" aspect of Predestination, but I hardly see much engagement with the "Pro Kataboles Kosmou" or "Before the foundation of the world" aspect of it. which in my estimation, regardless of your soteriology, is the context for the predestination. So in my head it's not really a question of how and when but who? Meaning, if this is an address to all believers (as most take this context) than whether we hear and believe and are sealed IN HIM has to take place in the context of "Pro Kataboles Kosmou" doesn't it? In which case maybe even non-calvinists often get this context wrong? what if it's not a matter of a nondescript "anyone who finds themselves hearing and believing will be IN HIM" but what if it's specifically referencing a chosen people? (Israel). that was chosen for a purpose (to be holy and blameless before God, in love, having been predestined through his blood) and the purpose being the revealing of the mystery of his will and spread of his gospel to everyone else who submits themselves to his word. and it's in that sense that now all people will be united to him in Christ. Since Paul's purpose of writing Ephesians in the first place is to "unveil", so to speak, the mystery of his will, which is that the Gentiles are fellow Heirs with the Jews (the people group that was chosen before the foundation of the world), as he lays out in chapter 3, so now Predestination, and Before the Foundation of the World, should be understood in the context of "Who was chosen to have the mystery revealed to them first" and "where do all other people fit into the picture"? the answer to which is found in chapter 2 and 3, which is that it was specifically the Jews that were chosen "Before the foundation of the world" to be "holy and blameless before him" therefore "Having been predestined (in love) to adoption" were Blessed "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" to have made "Known to [them] the mystery his will" which was "to unite all things in him [at the fullness of time]" which he "set forth in Christ". to sum up, not all believers were "predestined" only the ones that were chosen to have the mystery revealed to them first (the first believing Jews) (acts 2:41), such that they would go out and spread the good news to all nations where anyone who hears and believes will be sealed with the Holy Spirit. Which is where the Gentiles (Ephesians) come in in verse 13 of Eph 1:3-14 where he says "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth... were sealed..." but as a result of their inclusion, they do NOW receive the blessing associated with the coming of Christ and adoption as sons. But the weren't "predestined before the foundation of the world" like the Jews were. So as for who was chosen? it was the Jews. What were they chosen for? to be the recipients of the covenants and promises AND the Messiah (i.e. to have the mystery revealed to them) so they could then bring his Salvation to all people.

[@genegroover3721]

Beautiful explanation. Thank you.

[@Echarterisc]

@genegroover3721, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@aubiejazz]

Outstanding!

[@guiltyandforgiven]

Great exposition! I’ll use it for ministry to Calvinists…if you and I got freed from it, all people can.

[@carlospasillas3105]

Prof. Flowers, your videos on the errors of Calvinistic soteriology and God' s sovierngity are so helpful! I am definitely going to order some of your books. BTW your video featuring Prof. Roger Olson was excellent! I have 2 of his books and the book "Against Calvinism" is very good. I am a former Seventh-day Adventist who became an evangelical believer within that church back in the late 1970s.

[@Echarterisc]

@carlospasillas3105, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@yolandasoro]

Amen!

[@oneofmanyvessels554]

It's because the Spirit has to give us, all of us, wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Sometimes, when we can't understanding something, we rely on our own understsnding instead of seeking, seeking and seeking and listening with patience for His revelation. The bad part is when we "force" our own understanding and it becomes bad doctrine for ourselves and for anyone with whom we share it. We all do that to one degree or another, without realizing it, unintentionally. If it's intentional and prideful, it's really bad.

[@stephenwilberrealtor6902]

This is the best explanation ever

[@thinkerj]

It is remarkable how many "analogies" that are needed to explain away the plain meaning of the text. Paul does not write that God predestined an anonymous group of "those who...". He clearly writes, "For he chose us... In love he predestined us..."

[@blackranger900]

I don't understand why Calvinists can be so zealous and even nasty when defending their position that people's salvation is completely dependent on what God has already predetermined. I am surrounded by such Christians and I really don't understand their passion.

[@mg-5222]

There is a secret pride that can come with the notion of being “chosen for salvation when others are damned” and a prideful attitude towards believing difficult things. I was ridiculed for not being “brave” enough to just accept the hard truths of God’s nature. It never felt right in my soul and then I learned about this new Calvinism. I thank Jesus often that He helped me see the truth of His Word and let go of human opinions. 🙏✝️💗

[@somethingtothinkabout167]

It is wrapped up in their assurance of salvation.

[@blackranger900]

@@mg-5222 I've never been confronted with interpreting scripture in the Calvinistic tone in my last 20yrs of being Christian until now. I came to a new town to serve in a ministry and find myself surrounded by Christians who act like God's pre-determinism is the ONLY way to interpret scripture. I've found myself questioning if I am deceived and wondering, what if I'm not chosen and God is just using me in ministry for His purposes but I will eventually just be cast away because he wants to be glorified in me being a vessel of wrath for all eternity. I've really lost some sleep over this. Dr. Flowers talks about these issues in a way that I've always believed them, although he articulates much better than I could. So, he has helped me see that I'm not all alone and there are Godly people out there who do see God as a Creator whos primary desire for His creation is that they would repent, believe, and enter into an eternal loving fellowship with Him that can begin in this present life... as opposed to a creator that has literally brought billions of eternal souls into existence for the purpose of bringing Him glory in eternal torment in hell.???? Blows my mind. The other thing I don't get is how theologians like MacArthur, Sproul, and Piper who seem to have a genuine loving relationship with God, can affirm this deterministic view of God that seems to make Him into the greatest monster the world could ever imagine. All I can take away from this is that God has me in this place in life so that I might learn to love Christians who interpret the Bible different than me and to not let these doctrinal differences be a cause for division and dissension. Geez, it sure is stretching me at times though.

[@dw6528]

@@somethingtothinkabout167 DW: Actually - the Calvinist claim of having assurance of salvation is in fact a denial of what their doctrine stipulates. The doctrine stipulates: 1) No Calvinist is granted CERTAINTY of election - because the Elect are a divine secret which only Calvin's god knows John Calvin -quote We must thus consider both god’s *SECRET* election and his INNER call. For *HE ALONE* knows who are his” (Institutes. 4. 1. 2.) 2) This in Calvinism - is called the *INVISIBLE CHURCH* The Elect are VISIBLE only to Calvin's god 3) Calvin's god creates a large percentage of believers - specifically for the lake of fire These are called CHAFF believers - whom Calvin's god deceives - giving them a *FALSE SENSE* of salvation. John Calvin -quote But the Lord....instills into their minds such *A SENSE* ..as can be felt without the Spirit of adoption. (Institutes 3.2.11) -quote He illumines *ONLY FOR A TIME* to partake of it; then he....strikes them with even greater blindness (Institutes 3.24.8) These Calvinists will go through their whole lives - experiencing a constant stream of FALSE PERCEPTIONS of salvation - and at some point wake up in the lake of fire- and there realize what they were created for. Consequently - the Calvinist has no way of knowing if his PERCEPTIONS of salvation are infallibly decreed FALSE PERCEPTIONS which he is not permitted to discern as FALSE Calvinists lie to themselves - claiming to have ASSURANCE of salvation - because acknowledging the TRUTH is devastating for them - and also because if they told NON-Calvinists the TRUTH no one would want to embrace their doctrine.

[@lindajohnson4204]

​@@somethingtothinkabout167I kind of doubt that. I have assurance of salvation, but it is all in the Bible. In my character and personality, my inner life, I really struggle with assurance. I can have a pretty solid sense of it for a time, but let anything erode, and I really do not have a very firm sense of assurance at all. That's why it is important to remember that the word of God speaks assurance to us, and that we are to believe it, even when we have no positive feelings about outlr own selves. After all, we aren't saved by that kind of positivity.

[@SpielbergMichael]

Awesome video!

[@VTdarkangel]

Coach Calvin and Coach Hobbs...someone has been reading Bill Watterson

[@nolankiper1]

I really am trying my best to see what you are saying, but I can't. It just doesn't seem to fit with what the text says and how it flows.

[@CharlesJones-p4k]

Someone explain to me please how Ephesians 1 isn’t about the apostles and Paul. It’s says “we” just like Paul opens up in other letters and then says “you” in verse 13 speaking to the Ephesians church.

[@bryonhake9236]

@@CharlesJones-p4k That is possible. The early uses of "us" may also mean "us Jews," as the letter later refers to "you also," which clearly means "you Gentile also."

[@Echarterisc]

@CharlesJones-p4k, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@Echarterisc]

​@@bryonhake9236, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@CharlesJones-p4k]

@@Echarterisc way to show that you don’t care about the text at all and not answer my direct question but focus on your theological system.

[@Echarterisc]

@@CharlesJones-p4k, Sorry if I offended you, But I am just trying to prove that election and predestination for salvation is biblical contrary to the teaching of Leighton. By the way, I am not a Calvinist..

[@tedprice5828]

Romans 9 states it clearly that it is not up to He who runs but to him who chooses.

[@enriquemoure7212]

Rom. 9 is not talking about individuals but nations. when Paul said, "the elder shall serve the younger" in Rom. 9:12 he was quoting Gen. 25:23, "And the Lord said to her: TWO NATIONS ARE IN YOUR WOMB, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.” Jacob never did exercise any power over Esau, nor was Esau ever subject to him. Jacob, on the contrary, was rather subject to Esau, and was sorely afraid of him; and, first, by his messengers, and afterwards personally, acknowledged his brother to be his lord, and himself to be his servant. Gen. 32:4; 33:8-13 in Rom. 9:13, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated" Paul was quoting Malachi 1:2-5. when this passage is read, it is crystal clear this Scripture is talking about the 2 nations that proceeded from Esau and Jacob, Edom and Israel. this is not talking about the eternal state of either men. in Rom. 9:21, "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" Paul was quoting another OT Scripture: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it." Jer. 18:6-10 the point of Rom. 9 is to present the Jews with the fact that by rejecting the Messiah the privileged status Israel had enjoyed came to an end. and NOW the not favored Gentile nations were on equal level with the Jews because on Jesus, the stone the builders rejected. "What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Rom. 9:30-33 Isaiah 54:1-17 is also a prophesy of this truth. the Lord prophesied this many times: "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” Luke 13:28-30 especially with this parable: "There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” 41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 “Therefore I say to you, THE KINGDOM WILL BE TAKEN FROM YOU AND GIVEN TO A NATION BEARING THE FRUITS OF IT. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” Matt. 21:33-44 the chosen nation was no longer so. the cross of Christ brought all nations to the same level. no one is born predestined for heaven or hell. this heresy makes the God of the Bible a monster. you must repent ASAP of all the blasphemies of Calvinism.

[@fzr1000981]

See also "Does the Doctrine of Divine Decrees Eliminate Human Will?" by MacArthur....excellent

[@beppiek]

WITHOUT FAITH ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM OF COURSE HE KNOWS OUR FINAL CHOICE … HE KNOWS EVERY THOUGHT … PERIOD HE IS A JUST AND FAIR GOD AND WILL DRAW ALL THOSE TO HIS SON HE WILL SEND LABOURS HE WILL SEND WITNESSES IF YOU EVER PUT UP A PAGAN TREE YOU KNOW WHO AND WHAT THE PAGAN SAY ITS ABOUT AND WHY GOD WILL WOO EVERY IMAGE BEARER REGARDLESS OF WHAT HE ALREADY KNOWS ALL WILL HAVE A CHOICE ALL WILL KNOW THEY MADE A CHOICE ALL WILL BE WITHOUT EXCUSE WHAT A LOVING CREATOR LOVING ON THOSE WHO WILL NEVER LOVE HIM BACK NUTSHELL MY 2c DISCLAIMER DONT MIND THE CAPS I HAVE BAD EYES AND THEY HELP ME OUT ALOT

[@TheeAMD]

Great job!

[@TomSnyder-y7u]

Paul is only talking about the apostles from verse 1 through 12. It is only in verse 13 that he’s starting to talk about the believers in Ephesus.

[@ryanolson2976]

Where does it say in scripture in order to be saved from the penalty of your sin you also need to confess your sin. Leighton is taking that verse out of context, or John 3:16 is missing confession. Faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross period is all that a Holy God requires to save you from the penalty of your sin.

[@jamesjohnson8918]

You're getting there buddy.

[@soccerman1717]

I agree with your entire interpretation, except that I see things from a more Jew and Gentiles context. Could the saints in Ephesus in the introduction be primarily Gentile, and the “we” of chapter 1 could be Jewish Believers like Paul and the Apostles? The things predestined can be also be found in the Old Testament as promises to Israel, but the Jewish Believers came to understand that those spiritual blessings were actually realized in Christ. Yet, even after the ascension of Jesus, in the early days of the church, the Jewish Believers, including the Apostolic leaders had issues with Gentile inclusion. Paul then speaks of the mystery that he defines in chapter 3 as Gentiles being heirs also with the Jews in Christ. I can’t help but to come back to the context of the mystery that Paul makes a point of clarifying in the first three chapters.

[@pattitilton8442]

Yes! Paul’s change in pronouns, the contrast he made between “we” who were the first to hope (1:12) and “you” who had no hope 2:12), and his comment in 3:1-3 of the stewardship given “to me for you” all indicate that Paul was referring to the apostles and prophets being chosen and predestined to be stewards of the mystery of Christ revealed to them for the sake of the Ephesians and all Gentiles (3:4-12). There’s much more, but that’s enough for now. 😊

[@Mathew247]

​​​​​​ You are exactly right. I 'm entirely baffled why no one else can see it. The first objection to this is always "no, the first two verses prove that Paul is writing to the entire Church". What almost everyone is missing is that those first two verses are a greeting. Of course Paul addresses the Galatians. But then 3 -12 differentiates the apostles, the FIRST who hoped in Christ, from the rest of the Church who come to believe THEIR words. They object and say "then only the apostles get the spiritual blessings". No...the apostles were chosen...predestinated...and all who believe are included in those blessings and saved. But only the apostles were ever said to be predestinated. It's the same in Jn 6 44. Only the apostles were "given" to Christ out of a blinded nation This is simple reading comprehension and apparently you and I are the only ones who have it. I've been commenting this for at least five years on Leigton's videos

[@Echarterisc]

@soccerman17, Definitely God predestined the elect to be saved even before they are born. Romans 9:11-13 proves that. Jacob was elected and predestined to be saved, He even became the Father of Israel as a nation and the ancestor of all the elect of God like David, Solomon and Jesus Himself. God even said to Moses that I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ephesian 1:5 also speaks of predestination for salvation when Paul said: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Note: If you are adopted by Christ, it simply means you are one of the elect and is already saved. Why will Christ adopt the reprobates that cannot be saved?

[@Mathew247]

@@Echarterisc Why do you say that Romans 9:11-13 proves that? Do you really believe that Paul was teaching Calvinism right in the middle of explaining why national Israel missed righteousness by thinking it was by the law while Gentiles on an individual basis were gaining salvation by faith?. Paul's contrast is people thinking it's by the law or knowing it's by faith has nothing to do with Calvinism

[@Echarterisc]

@@Mathew247, Sorry bro. I'm not a Calvinist, but election and predestination for salvation is biblical. They are elect of God that are predestined to be saved before they are born because they are the choldren of God.. Jesus Himself teaches that. So, please explain to me how do you understand this: "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."

[@ML-vk8ev]

Amen

[@CoachEgg]

When the plain reading of the text makes sense, you don't need to find the "true" meaning. The meaing is clear.

[@valdecirsouza8962]

🎉

[@shanelozoya9287]

Do you have to confess your sins to be saved?

[@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi]

No. Believe in your heart and confess Him with your mouth.

[@shanelozoya9287]

@@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi so not just believe but confess out loud?

[@hillarystevenson9658]

I have listened to this teaching over and over and for the most part I understand it. But verse 4 trips me up every rime. We were chosen before the foundation of the world. At that point it would be impossible for any believer to choose to be in Christ. I am not a Calvinist, I just want to understand.

[@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi]

The thing I've always said is that, "chosen before....." is to be Holy and without blame. Isn't salvation It's talking about those already saved, and can only be that, given that Holy and without blame is about sanctification It's what God wants for His believers. It's like this: He could have saved us when when believed, and then left us alone, knowing that some day we would come home to Him in Heaven But He wants more than that for us. Holy and without blame is just one of a very long list of blessings that we're given in Christ, post receiving Him. I could list them here, but a quick search can give a much more exhaustive list. We also need to ask, why would Paul give this right at the beginning? He's addressing a church of (already) believers Does it make more sense for him to tell them some metaphysical mechanism for how salvation works, or rather that he tells those who've already believed of the blessings they have in Christ? Calvinists are desperate for proof texts. So what they do is find verses or phrases that don't exactly say what they need it to say, so they massage it, and talk "at" the verse, and not it actually says. You'll find this in every one of their proof texts. They just don't say what they claim, if one only does a bit of reading the context and some critical thinking. I've searched out every Calvinist proof text I can find, and all but one said the exact opposite of their claims, by using context. Only one wasn't hands down a debunk, but was at best ambiguous. Don't fall for their tricks Hope this helps Take care

[@jaytkadv2429]

Bro listen man people don’t like Calvinism because it’s biblical. And people just don’t like the fact that is sovereign and knew everyone who he would save and who he wouldn’t. The thing is no one deserves to be saved. We think we do though. That’s just us being naturally sinners thinking we deserve something from god.

[@RaulCoss-x3t]

How do you become “in him”? I don’t care what CALVIN says. I care what God says through Paul. John 6:44 the Father draws us to him. He will have mercy on whom he will have mercy.

[@KEN-pl3df]

What does John 6:40 say? What does John 12:32 say? In Mark10:17-22 the rich young ruler comes to Jesus to inquire how he could obtain eternal life Jesus asks him if he knows the commandments. The young man replies that he has kept them from childhood. Jesus says there is one thing more go sell all you have give it to the poor and come and follow Me. The young man left sadly because he had so much that could not live this life without .What does verse 21 say? Did the Son of God really love the young man?Jesus said He only did the things His Father willed. So was God willing that Jesus love this person at the same time God was not willing to draw the man? In Acts26 Paul stands before King Agrippa and gives an account of his life from his childhood up to the time of his standing there. Then Paul in vs22,23 gives the gospel message and immediately vs24 Festus yells, you're out of your mind Paul, all your education has made you crazy. Paul not letting the opportunity be side tracked assures Festus he is perfectly sane and addressed Agrippa personally, appealing for the kings conversion vs28 Agrippa says you've almost persuaded me. If Paul was a calvinist ,why vs29? good calvinist like It seems that there are those who come right up to the point of conversion and walk away inspite of John6:40,44 and 2Pet3:9 If you can be drawn to Christ and walk away surely you can be drawn and believe. However God still wills all men to be saved, and He does it not in the past tense but the present. If God is the Eternal Omnipresent I AM who never changes He is not in the past or future as we understand time, He is always in the moment, in the present, now, whether our past or our future or now He is fully present. Created time cannot contain God and is His handiwork as we are. You don't have to appeal to something you think is before the foundation of the world. God was now then and He is now, now, and God is right now, fully present in all the time He has given creation lf God exists outside of time in the eternal Omnipresent when does he draw, choose,will ? And how does predestination and foreknowledge work when God is fully present at all times? Whatever these terms mean to prisoner's of time they cannot mean the same to God.

[@jimhughes1070]

Clearly one view aligns with what is taught in the rest of the Bible... And the other ignores the Gospel entirely😢.... "Choose you this day, who you will serve"

[@AlexanderosD]

The Calvinist interprets; Only selected special individuals get the 50% discount on that bargain bin. Scripture reads: Anyone who takes up this bargain bin deal gets the 50% discount. Ironically, Calvinism is the individualistic man centered philosophy. It offends the Calvinist self-important sensibility.

[@justsomeguy9192-hx7jv]

Calvinism is the least man centric philosophy there is. It teaches humans are too stupid and depraved to want the 50% discount (which is a terrible analogy by the way since Christ paid it all). God offers it to all and all in their natural state reject it so He calls some by the Spirit to be conformed to the Son. Look up interlinear John 6:44. The word translated “draws” is Strong’s Concordance 1670. The root of the word is quite interesting.

[@heyman5525]

Its obvious that Calvinists can only read the Bible for hyperbolic idealism and allegory...rather than realism.

[@paulnedogma7175]

So how does an individual be in Christ?

[@glstka5710]

Verse 13 "when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him".

[@tommytommy9931]

This is such a sad herosey. ❤

[@grannyblinda]

A calvinist never lets the real context of a verse bother him...Sola Escritura, my foot...

[@thirdplace3973]

Dr Flowers, “the adoption” is not what western 21st century minds think is adoption. It’s the Roman custom of adoption from the 1st century when the epistle was written. The exact same Paul identifies the adoption in Romans 8 as “the redemption of the body”. (Resurrection of the flesh)

[@Maximusinthehouse]

@@thirdplace3973 Are you still trying to debate with brothers instead of fellowship

[@thirdplace3973]

@ What I said isn’t wrong. It’s a keep point to understand what Paul means in Ephesians 1 when he says those who are in Christ are predestined to the adoption. Calvinists abuse this text to assert people are predestined to conversion when Paul is saying born again Christians are predestined to the resurrection of the body. It’s a huge difference.

[@Maximusinthehouse]

@@thirdplace3973 Paul is not even touching on the resurrection of the body in Ephesians 1, but I agree Calvinism is error and yes they abuse Eph 1

[@thirdplace3973]

@ Yes, Paul is. He says those who are in Christ are predestined to the adoption in Ephesians 1. The exact same Paul defines the adoption as the resurrection of the body in Romans 8:23.

[@Maximusinthehouse]

@thirdplace3973 Adoption as Children read the rest of the verse, in Romans he specifies Redemption of the body..cmon bro

[@birthing4blokes46]

I am a non-Christian, and I do enjoy studying the bible. How would you answer the question often raised by TULIP, ers, so it is possible that Jesus could have died, and that no one chose to respond to the gospel? Or has God known the who, of whosoever will, before because He is outside of time? This stuff makes my head spin to be honest. And how do you handle the next chapter, you were dead in your trespasses and sins, but god, who is rich in mercy, made you alive? The implication seems to be that we had no power to respond, and also the idea that a non-Christian is free to choose, but will always and only choose within the confines of my nature, which is completely corrupted from the fall, so I will always choose sin. Unless god makes me alive. they would say this fits with John 4, unless a man is born from above, he can not even see the kingdom, having watched your video I am not convinced by your arguments in the light of the other stuff I have mentioned in this comment, this is an open-hearted question from a non-Christian. thank you.

[@kimstrunk7869]

Did God predestine the universe? Who counsels God?

[@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi]

What does Scripture say?

[@kimstrunk7869]

God did it all

[@derekdavis3004]

Decalvinising Ephesians is the same as taking it out of context and/or reading into it. In order to make it mean what you want it to mean you have to take things out of context, scramble about the Bible and argue semantics. I do not know what you are taking about. Also your analogy is dumb because coaches do choose the players they want for each position. Coaches don't just let the players do whatever they want. Sorry about saying 'dumb' but I don't know how else to put it. It is an ill-thought-out, clunky analogy that does not make any sense

[@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi]

The players chose to play the game.

[@atropinecaffeine]

Honest question: I have heard you say that Arminianism is mocked by others (not you) as being ridiculous because of God "getting into His delorean (time machine) and going to the future to see who will accept Him or not". I'm not arminian or calvinist. But WHY ON EARTH would the Lord's ability to be outside of time and know the future something to be joked about like it is ridiculous? Doesn't everyone know God can do that very easy thing?

[@CoachEgg]

Where does faith come from, if not a gift from God? Is it earned? Chosen? No.

[@Norrin777Radd]

It comes from hearing the word of God, as Paul said in Romans.

[@CoachEgg]

@@Norrin777Radd it’s a gift from God. Not earned, so no one can boast.

[@arcyhicks8335]

Any doctrine that seeks to take away my God-given agency isn't worth the paper it's written on. We are not a bunch of mindless preprogrammed automatons. God created us to love Him. Forced adoration isn't love. It must be freely given. Otherwise, it isn't real.

[@elmerfudd2402]

". . . He predestined us . . ." according to what? Us placing our faith in Him? No, "according to His pleasure (not obligation based on us placing our faith in Him) and (His) will." "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to (According to what? Us placing our faith in Him? No, according to) the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will," Not seeing any contingency upon any act of ours in the text.

[@shredhed572]

Predestined to what exactly? To be Holy and without blame, isn't salvation, but rather something subsequent TO (or after) salvation. He's either talking to the already saved, or he's talking about Apostles, saying God Predestined these (already saved ppl) to something on top of saving them (you guys are really soo uninteresting😅) But he's not giving you the metaphysics of how salvation works IN HIS OPENING to the letter.😅 Wears me out😂

[@elmerfudd2402]

​@shredhed572 If so, when and how do believers become Holy and without blame?

[@lifeintheriver342]

If you read Paul without a relationship with the Holy Spirit, you might well get calvinistic ideas. Just like an atheist scientist looks at the world that screams a creator and doesn't see him, approaching the bible without the spirit of God can still leave a person with a "god" that is distant and aloof, more like plato's or Muhammad's image of the divine, rather than the passionate and loving, righteous and caring God of the Bible

[@johnboyington3456]

So it sounds like God (the Spirit) does not influence men to repent and believe but it is an intellectual decision ?

[@glstka5710]

Influence does not mean force. Leighton's videos influence me but don't force me to do anything.

[@johnboyington3456]

@@glstka5710 So then again by that I must conclude it is an intellectual decision.

[@Norrin777Radd]

@@johnboyington3456 It is a voluntary response to the Spirit, neither self-initiated apart from the Spirit, NOR necessitated by the work of the Spirit.

[@glstka5710]

@@johnboyington3456 Intelect is in there “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.Mt.22:37 Mind? How did that get in there? "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" Rom12:2-3 renewal not removal. If we live with our mind is it unlikely that we could start with our mind? In my experience I wasn't living with a certain type of consciousness then suddenly God zapped me and I no longer thought the same way. I accepted certain new truths and started living by them.

[@johnboyington3456]

@@Norrin777Radd so now you are saying it is chance?

[@user-uk8me5xp2s]

If you truly believed you deserve eternal damnation for your sins, you would not have a problem with Calvinism.

[@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi]

Non sequitur

[@AVB2-LST1154]

Did God have a chosen people in the OT? Deut 7:6b "The LORD your God has CHOSEN YOU out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." Isa 65:9 "I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my CHOSEN PEOPLE will inherit them, and there will my servants live." So what did the Israelites do in order to cause God to choose them? Absolutely nothing! God does the same thing in the New Testament, He chooses those whom He wants to save. Romans 8:33 “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.” There are about 55 more NT passages that state something similar. The ONLY passages that tell us to choose God were written to people that God had already chosen. Flowers defines predestined as "destination is set beforehand." If you Google predestination here is what comes up "(as a doctrine in Christian theology) the divine foreordaining of all that will happen, especially with regard to the salvation of some and not others. So Flowers conveniently left out most of the correct definition so he can insert his false belief. Then he goes on to say which is true, those unconditionally chosen before creation for reasons beyond their control OR of those who placed their faith in Christ. BOTH are true.

[@Yaas_ok123]

Address Free grace theology !

[@davidthomas9276]

This seems to be an endless debate. I am so tired of it.

[@nedlandry7424]

I don’t know why people need to explain predestination. The word itself explains the condition. God is sovereign in salvation. People live to hate on John Calvin but he did not write Ephesians. Your problem is with Paul. Your real problem is not believing God. He owes us nothing, and has given us everything. Salvation is earned by no one. God even has to give us the gift of repentance. The truth crushes human efforts and the pride which comes along with it.

[@charlesbrady3135]

Then explain the book of life and how the names are written in it since before the foundations of the earth. Thanks.

[@UnfrozenCavemanLawyer-xq1qi]

Are you using the esv? The word in rev. 12 is apo - "since" or "from" not pro - "before", the foundation of the world. But don't take my word for it Please check with greek text on this

[@dw6528]

DW: This is a question regarding divine foreknowledge. In Calvinism - divine foreknowledge is made subservient to divine sovereignty For Calvin - every divine attribute (including holiness) is subservient to the decree. The ORTHODOX definition for divine foreknowledge is that is is an *ESSENTIAL* attribute - which means it is never lacking. Calvin deviates from this - making only the divine decree the *ESSENTIAL* attribute Calvin's god does not have foreknowledge of what [X] will be - until *AFTER* he decrees what [X] will be Therefore prior to the decree of what [X] will be - divine foreknowledge is lacking. John Calvin -quote He foresees future events *ONLY* in consequence of his decree (Institutes 3.23.6) Calvinist Tom Hicks - Founders Ministry -quote God cannot know what something will be until He has first decreed what it will be. So in Calvinism - the only way Calvin's god can know whose names are written in the book of life - is *AFTER* he decrees it. And humans are not granted a CHOICE in the matter. The NON- Calvinist has a God who grants humans CHOICE in the matter of whether they will believe on Jesus or not. And that God has foreknowledge of those who will believe - because his foreknowledge is never lacking.

[@ronpatton5721]

Might they have all been in it from eternity, but due to faithlessness, we’re blotted out in time?

[@charlesbrady3135]

@@ronpatton5721 everyone on earth worships the beast, everyone who’s name has NOT been written in the book of life before the foundation of the earth. Says the Bible verse.

[@dw6528]

@@ronpatton5721 DW: Well - OUTSIDE of Calvinism - because divine foreknowledge is an *ESSENTIAL* attribute - every person's choices will be foreknown. So for NON-Calvinists who hold a person can choose to believe in Christ and be saved - but later crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to open shame - they would see that person's name being blotted out. But there is no such thing as a person falling away or being blotted out in Calvinism - because in Calvinism a person's salvation is infallibly fixed at the foundation of the world - which makes their salvation infallible - no matter how much they sin. So any verses within scripture which speak about a person's name being blotted out are contradictory to Calvinism. That which is infallible cannot be otherwise. In other words - that which is infallible cannot fall away from being infallible Blessings!

[@fzr1000981]

Playing games with scripture is extremely dangerous. Its not about "de" anything. Ephesians 1 is clear that God foreknew the Elect. Read Jeremiah 1...."I knew you in the womb"...is that a human choice? There is no debate here, the will to believe and continue in faith does NOT originate from the flesh but the Spirit of God - period

[@Hermanopepe]

You’re so close to understanding *predestination.* I’d love to explain it to you sometime. One thing I’d say here is that you mixed in the predestination of Romans 8 in this video. The predestination of Romans 8 is different than the predestination in Ephesians 1. *When can we talk?*

[@dw6528]

DW: You might consider posting your theories on this matter on Dr. Flower's SOT101 blog site. Dr. Flowers - due to his schedule is not available to interact with people on that site But there are some participants there who work with Dr. Flowers and can relay your post to him. Blessings!

[@ML-vk8ev]

Christ is the light that lights EVERY man that enters the world. This is the condemnation "That men loved darkness better than light" It's that simple. Calvinism is a doctrine of demons.

[@eugenejoseph7076]

How can anyone read this passge and come up with this twisted, and, I beleive, wicked view of God? Calvinism is a deception that will lead many lost souls to reject the God reformers have created. May God have mercy on their souls when they stand before Him and tell Him they don't beleive the Cross stitch as sufficient fornthe WHOLE WORLD! I pity them.

[@glstka5710]

When you are taught a certain interpretation of a verse at first it's easy to just fall into the rut. I still find it easy to slip back into a Calvinist worldview.

[@Gaoda-p4y]

Huh...flower

[@mikeaemmer6274]

My issue with Calvinism and Calvinist : Respecting Theology, Calvinism doesn't explain why God put the law in the hearts of all men. lt doesn't explain how moral awareness and resulting conviction ( common to all men ) operates in the agency of the Holy Spirit's work to draw ALL MEN to the knowledge of their need for a savior . It fails to equate the character of God's LOVE in his redemptive work by imposing a isogenic ideology limiting that very work to an elite few ( The Christian version of the Jews assigned Identity " God''s chosen people " ) In addition to this....Calvinism denies the doctrine of free will as a divinely imputed human attribute as demonstrated in the Garden story.. ( Interestingly enough they use their free will to deny free will !! ) Respecting Calvinist : Why would anyone believe in this garbage or insist upon others to believe it ? 1. They NEED agreement to reinforce their ideology so as not experience conviction . 2. They are "Perfectionists " and by nature require all things conform to their internal need to be right 3. They can;t deal with a God who operates in the dark places of the human heart... using evil for good 4. Doctrinal pride and arrogance blind them to whats true about themselves ( Effectual ? ) 5. they don't want to have to evangelize anyone ! ( LAZY)