Mike, what a great post. You touch on so many important points I can hardly decide on where to comment. So many areas begging for discussion..Enough to “Almost make me a Baptist!”. So refreshing to hear your recounting of the “Ordo Salutis.” The Old Confession of Faiths, whether Baptist or Presbyterian have a summary beginning in Chapter 10 – The Effectual Calling. At one time in the churches these doctrines were actually taught. I don’t want to clutter up your message here so I may add a few comments on my own site. As for now…maybe it is sufficient to remember: Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Or, John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
And speaking of the Spirit (or Holy Ghost, KJV) it’s been amazing to reread the Christmas passage in the Gospels and see how his role was so prominent. Simeon is on notable example:
Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Luk 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luk 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
by Mike Ratliff
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one…
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