Romans 9-11 lesson by Dr. Bob Utley

Romans 9-11 lesson by Dr. Bob Utley, retired professor of hermeneutics (Bible interpretation). Recorded at the Bible Lessons International studio.

[@MariusVanWoerden]

On what bases could one claim the points of Calvin are not Scriptural? Romans is written to Gentiles NOT to Jews. However we don’t need Romans it is so much more that proves the sovereignty of God in the salvation of sinners 1]Total Depravity: There is none who does good, no, not one. Romans 3:13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” And too many more to name here 2] Unconditional Redemption Ephesians 1:4-8 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 3] Limited Atonement: [I would rather call it “determent” instead of Limited] Jesus died only for the elect. Though Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient for all, it was not efficacious for all. Jesus only bore the sins of the elect. Support for this position is drawn from such scriptures as Matt. 26:28 where Jesus died for ‘many'; John 10:11, 15 which say that Jesus died for the sheep (not the goats, per Matt. 25:32-33); John 17:9 where Jesus in prayer interceded for the ones given Him, not those of the entire world; Acts 20:28 and Eph. 5:25-27 which state that the Church was purchased by Christ, not all people; and Isaiah 53:12 which is a prophecy of Jesus’ crucifixion where he would bore the sins of many (not all). 4] Irresistible Grace: The Sovereignty of God is clear from this Scripture: Romans 9 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to ELECTION might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), Romans 9:12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore HE HAS MERCY ON WHOM HE WILLS, and whom He wills He hardens. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honour and another for dishonour? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath PREPARED FOR DESTRUCTION, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 5] Perseverance of the Saints: You cannot lose your salvation. Because the Father has elected, the Son has redeemed, and the Holy Spirit has applied salvation, those thus saved are eternally secure. They are eternally secure in Christ. Some of the verses for this position are John 10:27-28 where Jesus said His sheep will never perish; John 6:47 where salvation is described as everlasting life; Romans 8:1 where it is said we have passed out of judgment; 1 Corinthians 10:13 where God promises to never let us be tempted beyond what we can handle; and Phil. 1:6 where God is the one being faithful to perfect us until the day of Jesus’ return. I also realize that If I was born in Turkey in a Muslim family I would have been a Muslim. To get out of that can only happen by a Work of the Holy Spirit Not by my decision. I was 16 when I knew Christ as my Saviour. I grew up in a Christian family. That also is part of Election.

[@weobeyjesus4565]

I like Bob but I do not agree with all of his doctrine. I think God is judging and enlightening whom he forgives and Rom 10 is not about freewill it is about the fact that Gentiles are in. Paul’s point was that the term ‘whoever’ used in OT includes Gentiles.

[@fuzzycounsellor9147]

Utterly confusing. Dr. Bob seems to be trying (and failing) to thread the needle between man's "free will" and God's sovereignty. Maybe Dr. Bob should watch some Jim Brown of Grace and Truth ministries videos. Seeing as how there are no comments on this video and it has been up for over 3 yrs. I'm not going to waste a lot of time. This comment will probably be deleted.