Is belief a choice?

[ReverendRV]

No idea what a 5 - Solas Calvinist is....explain what it means please...what are the 5 points of Calvin....then I can tell you what God has brought me imo to believe.......I am what God has brought me to believe by the power of his Spirit..The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children, the Bible confirms how the Spirit testifies with our spirit.

Sola Scriptura means the Bible is the highest Authority to resolve All Spiritual Disputes. Not accepting this, means you are either Sub or Hyper regarding your Calvinism. It means you either believe something Less than Calvinism or something more than Calvinism...

This is all I have to say...

 

[Ritajanice]

Sola Scriptura means the Bible is the highest Authority to resolve All Spiritual Disputes. Not accepting this, means you are either Sub or Hyper regarding your Calvinism. It means you either believe something Less than Calvinism or something more than Calvinism...

This is all I have to say...

I believe the Living testimony of the Holy Spirit.....not Calvin....I do believe I agree with some of his 5 points....that God has brought me to believe....we should be believing the Holy Spirit not Calvin teachings.

Ok...that is all you have to say..respected....thank you.

 

[Carbon]

No idea what a 5 - Solas Calvinist is....explain what it means please...what are the 5 points of Calvin

Do you know what the 5 points of Calvinism are?

 

[Ritajanice]

Do you know what the 5 points of Calvinism are?

I believe the Spirit has brought me to believe some of TULIP..not all...maybe you can post the 5 points of Calvin?

Do you know who Gods Living Witness is @Carbon ?...it’s the Holy Spirit who Witnesses Gods truth to our heart/ spirit ,not Calvin....as Born Again we should be listening to the Holy Spirit and all that he has to teach us..I listen to no other and what I hear the Spirit witnessing to my heart/ spirit..I always check it out with scripture...

 

[ReverendRV]

I don’t understand your post to be honest , as it’s inintellectual..

My Debate Tactic is to use Fundamental points in an elementary way, that the average Christian should agree with. I usually don't use any intellectual arguments; just 'Shared Beliefs' that we All should agree on...

For instance; when a Christian says the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children, they get this from the Bible not the Spirit. It's a self defeating argument...

Sola Scriptura. We can be Saved without reading the Bible, but only through the beautiful feet of people Preaching the Bible to Us...

 

[Ritajanice]

My Debate Tactic is to use Fundamental points in an elementary way, that the average Christian should agree with. I usually don't use any intellectual arguments; just 'Shared Beliefs' that we All should agree on...

For instance; when a Christian says the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children, they get this from the Bible not the Spirit. It's a self defeating argument...

Huh...when the Spirit testifies with our spirit, we get it from the Bible..that makes no sense..I became Born Again having never read a Bible..The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children...well...if you have never had the Spirit testify with your spirit...then how on earth would you comprehend what I’m talking about?

The Bible confirms how we are Born Again...by the testimony of the Living Holy Spirit...Spirit gives birth to spirit...just like flesh gives birth to flesh...they are both living births @ReverendRV ...one is of the flesh...one is by the Holy Living supernatural Spirit..

How do you think Spirit gives birth to spirit?..makes perfect sense to me as the Spirit gave birth to my spirit..supernaturally and by Gods Living testimony..the Holy Spirit.

I became Born Again by the Living seed of God..Born Again of imperishable/ incorruptible seed.no Bible in sight..Praise God!

 

[Ritajanice]

Sola Scriptura. We can be Saved without reading the Bible, but only through the beautiful feet of people Preaching the Bible to Us...

We are Born Again, only then are we saved from eternal damnation...you only have to know of Jesus, I learnt all about Jesus at school.....

The Bible confirms how we become Born Again..it’s an act of God ,showing us his mercy and grace..I didn’t even know that I was a sinner...not until my Spirit was birthed by the Holy Spirit...I also didn’t know who God or Jesus was...not until God decided to bring my spirit Alive ,when the Spirit gave birth to my spirit..

Once the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit who we are, that’s it..God owns us lock stock and barrel so to speak.....ain’t no easy road either....we are in the world ..we are no longer of the world, we are in the mighty kingdom of God....our journey begins the moment our spirit is birthed, we were bought for a price....Jesus was the price...and we can never be plucked out of his hand...Praise God!

 

[Arial]

Huh...when the Spirit testifies with our spirit, we get it from the Bible..that makes no sense..I became Born Again having never read a Bible..The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children...well...if you have never had the Spirit testify with your spirit...then how on earth would you comprehend what I’m talking about?

The Bible confirms how we are Born Again...by the testimony of the Living Holy Spirit...Spirit gives birth to spirit...just like flesh gives birth to flesh...they are both living births @ReverendRV ...one is of the flesh...one is by the Holy Living supernatural Spirit..

How do you think Spirit gives birth to spirit?..makes perfect sense to me as the Spirit gave birth to my spirit..supernaturally and by Gods Living testimony..the Holy Spirit.

I became Born Again by the Living seed of God..Born Again of imperishable/ incorruptible seed.no Bible in sight..Praise God!

When the Spirit testified to your spirit that you were a child of God, how did you know that was the Spirit, and how did that come about? Was it a feeling? If so, what was the feeling? I ask that, not because I doubt you, but because I am trying to get to the root of what you are saying.

For you did not receive the Spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs---heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Where do we find those words about the Spirit testifying to our spirit? In thin air? No. We find them in the Bible, Romans 8:15-17.

And look at the content of this that comes before this statement in 1-14. This Spirit testifying to our spirit that we are children of God is because we believe all that content. Beginning with "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Paul is not writing about the new birth here. He is writing about our security in Christ. This is what the Spirit testifies to our Spirit----"Abba! Father!" Children crying out to him for help. A child calling to their father, "Help me!"

 

[Ritajanice]

When the Spirit testified to your spirit that you were a child of God, how did you know that was the Spirit, and how did that come about? Was it a feeling? If so, what was the feeling? I ask that, not because I doubt you, but because I am trying to get to the root of what you are saying.

I can’t explain to you how the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children, as it would be impossible for you to understand, if the Spirit has not testified his truth to your heart/ spirit...Spirit gives birth to spirit...try explaining that..you can’t...it’s between the Spirit and the Born Again....I’m not here to convince anyone...but, I’m here to post Gods word on how he births us in the Spirit...the Spirit wont let me deny Gods truth...he is my Living witness/ testimony.....not John Calvin...if this is a John Calvin worship forum..I will be posting no more....if you don’t understand who Gods Living testimony is, then I can’t help you...only the Spirit can deliver Gods truth to your heart @Arial ...not the Bible....

For you did not receive the Spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs---heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Where do we find those words about the Spirit testifying to our spirit? In thin air? No. We find them in the Bible, Romans 8:15-17.

And look at the content of this that comes before this statement in 1-14. This Spirit testifying to our spirit that we are children of God is because we believe all that content. Beginning with "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

No I did not find the words in the Bible..that the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children...it came from the Living testimony of God..the Bible confirms how the Spirit testifies with our spirit...

The Bible does not and cannot birth our spirit..that is an act that only God can perform.

Paul is not writing about the new birth here. He is writing about our security in Christ. This is what the Spirit testifies to our Spirit----"Abba! Father!" Children crying out to him for help. A child calling to their father, "Help me!"

I’m not here to argue with you...you believe what you believe and I believe all that the Spirit testifies to my heart...we are Born Again spirit children of God...it’s our spirit that is reconciled back to God...

 

[Ritajanice]

And look at the content of this that comes before this statement in 1-14. This Spirit testifying to our spirit that we are children of God is because we believe all that content. Beginning with "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Content does not birth your spirit, the word confirms this...our spirit must be Born Again to see the Kingdom Of God...we are Born Of The Spirit the exact way that Jesus explains to Nicodemas.

Also what seed have you been Born Again of and by whose Living testimony?..

No one can say that that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit...the Holy Spirit resides in my heart only he can testify of who God and Jesus are to my spirit....how do you know that Jesus is who the Bible says he is....because the Bible tells you so....afraid you need much more than that, you need God’s Living Witness..only he can birth our spirit into his..Spirit gives birth to spirit...which means what?

 

[Ritajanice]

Paul is not writing about the new birth here. He is writing about our security in Christ. This is what the Spirit testifies to our Spirit----"Abba! Father!" Children crying out to him for help. A child calling to their father, "Help me

No...the Spirit testifies with our spirit spirit that we are Gods children....once our spirit is Born Again Only then can we cry out to the Father, for we are his spirit children.....my spirit is Born Again and then I’m secure in Christ....do you understand that we also receive a new heart and spirit within....hence Born Of The Spirit....sorry, but you can never read your way into heaven....only the Spirit can bring scripture to our understanding and it’s all in God’s timing...no matter how much you study..only the Spirit can unlock the meaning of Gods word to our spirit/ heart.without the Holy Spirit we are nothing...all knowledge comes from the Spirit there is no knowledge in us.

Believing a Bible is meaningless...anyone can do that......we know God in our heart/ spirit..we believe the testimony of the Living Holy Spirit...when Spirit gives birth to spirit.

 

[Ritajanice]

Where do we find those words about the Spirit testifying to our spirit? In thin air? No. We find them in the Bible, Romans 8:15-17.

The Bible confirms how the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are Gods children..that is the part that you don’t understand ....

 

[Arial]

No...the Spirit testifies with our spirit spirit that we are Gods children....once our spirit is Born Again Only then can we cry out to the Father, for we are his spirit children.....my spirit is Born Again and then I’m secure in Christ....do you understand that we also receive a new heart and spirit within....hence Born Of The Spirit....sorry, but you can never read your way into heaven....only the Spirit can bring scripture to our understanding and it’s all in God’s timing...no matter how much you study..only the Spirit can unlock the meaning of Gods word to our spirit/ heart.without the Holy Spirit we are nothing...all knowledge comes from the Spirit there is no knowledge in us.

Believing a Bible is meaningless...anyone can do that......we know God in our heart/ spirit..we believe the testimony of the Living Holy Spirit...when Spirit gives birth to spirit.

Why do you appear to assume that any one who disagrees with you knows nothing?

Of course we have to be born again before we can understand and believe Scripture. My point is, Paul is writing to Christians, those who already believe, have already been born again, about their security. He is not writing about the new birth specifically. It is only those who are believers (who believe in something specific) who the Spirit testifies to that they are sons of God. They do not need to fear. Use the full context.

I could, if I were to desire to do so, which I don't because it is a fallacy, say that when my brother was relentlessly trying to convert me to Christ; and I dismissed all that he said with "I don't need all of that. I am going to be ok.", and say that was the Spirit witnessing to my spirit that I was a child of God. It was true that I was going to be ok, but my assertion was based on nothing but myself and my own merits, all the while dismissing the person and work of Christ.

And "anyone" cannot believe the Bible. Scripture tells us that it is foolishness to the natural man.

 

[Ritajanice]

Why do you appear to assume that any one who disagrees with you knows nothing?

I never said that anyone who disagrees with me knows nothing...I said we know nothing without the Living Spirit.

Of course we have to be born again before we can understand and believe Scripture. My point is, Paul is writing to Christians, those who already believe, have already been born again, about their security. He is not writing about the new birth specifically. It is only those who are believers (who believe in something specific) who the Spirit testifies to that they are sons of God. They do not need to fear. Use the full context.

That’s what you interpret scripture to be saying..I’ve already interpreted what I believe...the Spirit testifies with our spirit spirit that we are Gods children in the present day.

I could, if I were to desire to do so, which I don't because it is a fallacy, say that when my brother was relentlessly trying to convert me to Christ; and I dismissed all that he said with "I don't need all of that. I am going to be ok.", and say that was the Spirit witnessing to my spirit that I was a child of God. It was true that I was going to be ok, but my assertion was based on nothing but myself and my own merits, all the while dismissing the person and work of Christ.

Sorry Arial ...the above makes no sense to me.

And "anyone" cannot believe the Bible. Scripture tells us that it is foolishness to the natural man.

Well, of course the natural man has no understanding of the Bible and yes..it was foolishness to me at one time and would never read one or associate with a Born Again....lol....I believe God gets his message across to his children the way he knows we will understand..he has always spoken directly to my spirit..then I check out what he says with scripture.

How else would I know that my spirit is Born Again...only by the Spirit testifying that truth to my heart all day every day for the past 33 years..Praise God.

 

[Carbon]

I believe the Spirit has brought me to believe some of TULIP..not all...maybe you can post the 5 points of Calvin?

Sure, I'll list them for you.

Do you know who Gods Living Witness is @Carbon ?...it’s the Holy Spirit who Witnesses Gods truth to our heart/ spirit ,not Calvin..

Of course. Calvin was just one of God's elect whom He used to teach His word.

.as Born Again we should be listening to the Holy Spirit and all that he has to teach us

Yes, He teaches us in the Word.

.I listen to no other and what I hear the Spirit witnessing to my heart/ spirit..I always check it out with scripture...

I'm glad to hear you always check with scripture.

 

[Carbon]

@Ritajanice

Here are the 5 points of Calvinism

T: Total Depravity
U: Unconditional Election
L: Limited Atonement
I: Irresistible Grace
P: Perseverance of the Saints

 

[Carbon]

We are Born Again, only then are we saved from eternal damnation...you only have to know of Jesus, I learnt all about Jesus at school.....

The Bible confirms how we become Born Again..it’s an act of God ,showing us his mercy and grace..I didn’t even know that I was a sinner...not until my Spirit was birthed by the Holy Spirit...I also didn’t know who God or Jesus was...not until God decided to bring my spirit Alive ,when the Spirit gave birth to my spirit..

Once the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit who we are, that’s it..God owns us lock stock and barrel so to speak.....ain’t no easy road either....we are in the world ..we are no longer of the world, we are in the mighty kingdom of God....our journey begins the moment our spirit is birthed, we were bought for a price....Jesus was the price...and we can never be plucked out of his hand...Praise God!

Yes, regeneration (born of the spirit) is the beginning.

 

[Ritajanice]

Of course. Calvin was just one of God's elect whom He used to teach His word.

According to you and obviously others on the forum...no one could possibly know for sure whether Calvin was one of God’s elect...unless I read that he was in Gods word...which I’m afraid isn’t there....if it was only then would I believe it...always check with scripture as you say...I see nothing in the word regarding Calvin, unless of course I missed it?

 

[Carbon]

.if this is a John Calvin worship forum..I will be posting no more..

Oh come now, @Ritajanice, you should know us better than that.

 

[Ritajanice]

Yes, regeneration (born of the spirit) is the beginning.

When I became Born Again it was the beginning of my new life in Christ.....the Spirit will teach us anew and all that the world taught us will be undone, but, only in Gods timing.