Ephesians2:8-9,Faith,andCalvinismIsbiblicalFaiththeexclusivegiftthatCalvinist

doctrinedemandsittobe?

Inthisvideo,we’regoingtodealwith“faith”asitisfoundinEphesians2:8.

Manyofyouhaveaskedhowyoucansupportthisministrybycontributingtoitfinancially.Someofyoualreadycontributeoversnailmail,butI’mhappytoannouncethatwe’vejustaddedapaypal donationbuttontoourwebsiteatbeyondthefundamentals.com.Thisministryispersonallyfundedoutofpocket.Anyadditionalfundsgotowardproductionexpensesandtimerequirements.Increasedfundswillenableustoproducecontentmorefrequentlyandconsistently,andLordwilling,ourgoalistoeventuallygofulltime.SoprayerfullyconsiderhowyounightbeabletooffersupportandprayersandtheLordprovides.

Ephesians2:8-9(KJV)8 Forbygrace areyesaved throughfaith;andthatnotof

yourselves:itis thegift ofGod:9 Notofworks,lestanymanshouldboast.

Romans12:3(KJV)3 ForIsay,throughthegracegivenuntome,toeveryman

thatisamongyou,nottothinkofhimselfmorehighlythanheoughttothink;buttothinksoberly,accordingasGodhath

dealttoeverymanthemeasureoffaith.

Acts17:31(KJV)31 Becausehehathappointedaday,inthewhichhewill

judgetheworldinrighteousnessbythatmanwhomhehathordained;whereof hehathgivenassuranceuntoallmen,in

thathehathraisedhimfromthedead.

Ephesians2:8-9(KJV)8 Forbygraceareyesavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves:itisthegiftofGod:9Notofworks,lestanymanshouldboast."πίστις"(pistis)

Thisisaprooftextemployed,usuallyflippantly,byCalvinistsalongwiththenotionthat“faithisagift.”Theusuallyun-saidimplicationalongwiththisisthatfaithisanexclusive gift-thatis,thatitiswithheldfromsomepeoplewhilegrantedtoothers.Thereareafewnotionstoconsiderrightupfront:

1. Isthatwhatthetextissaying?2. Theproblemoffaith=worksincalvinism.3. Iffaithisagift,isitwithheldfromanyone?4. DootherpassagescorroboratethisCalvinistspremise?

Therearethreeelementsinverse8.Theyare“grace,”“saved,”and“faith.”Anyoneorallofthesecouldbeconsideredthe“giftofGod”mentionedinthepassage.Inthissamebook,theideaofagiftshowsuptwoothertimes,andbothtimesthegiftis“grace.”

Ephesians3:7(KJV)7 WhereofIwasmadeaminister,accordingtothegiftofthegraceofGodgivenuntomebytheeffectualworkingofhispower.

Ephesians4:7(KJV)7 ButuntoeveryoneofusisgivengraceaccordingtothemeasureofthegiftofChrist.

It’s“almost”likethere’sadeliberatedevelopmentalpatternclearlylaidout.ButPaulisn’tknownforcarefullydevolvingandaccentuatingthecontentofhisletters,ishe?Youbetheis.That’sactuallyoneofhismostoutstandingwritingcharacteristics.Let’stakealookathowthissameauthorsaysthegraceisaccessed:

Romans5:2(KJV)2 Bywhomalsowehaveaccessbyfaithintothisgracewhereinwestand,andrejoiceinhopeofthegloryofGod.

Inthecontext,the“grace”inRomans5isthegraceofjustification.AccordingtoPaul,thatgraceisaccessedbyfaith.Soweknowforsurethatgraceisagift,andweknowthatthatgiftofgraceisaccessedbyfaith.Sofar,weareonverysolidground.

Nowlet’slookatwhattheCalvinisticuseofthispassagedoestotheideafaith.Itessentiallymakesfaithawork,whichistheexactoppositeofhowPaulemploystheconcept.Hepitsthemagainsteachotherasexactoppositeswhere“works”ischaracterizedbythedeedsofthelaw,and“faith”istheexactoppositeofsaidworks.ButCalvinists,byusingEphesians2:8thewaytheydo,make“faith”awork,thatmustcomeafterregenerationinorderforsalvationtonotbebyworks,whichtothemmeans,“notbyfaith”either.Wherewe see“notbyworks”inverse9,theCalvinistssees“notbyfaith”becausetheybelievethatfaithisawork.

Let’slookathowPaulcontrastsfaithwithworkswhenhewrites:

Romans3:20(KJV)20 Thereforebythedeedsofthelawthereshallnofleshbejustifiedinhissight:forbythelawistheknowledgeofsin.Romans3:24(KJV)24 BeingjustifiedfreelybyhisgracethroughtheredemptionthatisinChristJesus:Romans3:26(KJV)26 Todeclare,Isay,atthistimehisrighteousness:thathemightbejust,andthejustifierofhimwhichbelievethinJesus.Romans3:28(KJV)28 Thereforeweconcludethatamanisjustifiedbyfaithwithoutthedeedsofthelaw.Romans3:30(KJV)30 SeeingitisoneGod,whichshalljustifythecircumcisionbyfaith,anduncircumcisionthroughfaith.Romans4:5(KJV)5 Buttohimthatworkethnot,butbelievethonhimthatjustifieth theungodly,hisfaithiscountedforrighteousness.[notethat“believeth”iscontrastedwith“worketh.”]

Calvinistabusetheconceptof“notbyworks”awayfromtheBiblicalconceptofnotbeingbythe“deedsofthelaw,”andtheyusewordgamestomakethatincludefaithitself.Sotothem,salvationhastobenotbyfaitheither,notjust“notbyworks.”Theyteachthatfaithisaworkthathastobeavoidedinorderforsalvationtonotbebyworks.However,theBibleneverevengetsclosetoplayingthiswordgame.Calvinistshavetoemploythiswordgameinordertojustifyimposingtheirgnosticviewofsalvationontoscripture.

Galatians2:16(KJV)16 Knowingthatamanisnotjustifiedbytheworksofthelaw,butbythefaithofJesusChrist,evenwehavebelievedinJesusChrist,thatwemightbejustifiedbythefaithofChrist,andnotbytheworksofthelaw:forbytheworksofthelawshallnofleshbejustified.

LookathowR.C.SproulwordsthisasaCalvinistlookingbackonthetimewhenhewasfirstconfrontedwiththegnosticdoctrinethatRegenerationPrecedesfaith.“Thesewordswereashocktomysystem.IhadenteredseminarybelievingthatthekeyWORKofmantoeffectrebirthwasFAITH.”

Laterinthesamearticlehedefines“synergisticwork”aswhen“thatpersoncooperatesbyexercisingfaith.”Basically,he’ssayingthatifthatfaithisexercisingpriortoregeneration,thenitisasynergisticwork.Butifitisexercisedafterregeneration,thensalvationwasallofGodandthatbeliefcameasaresult.

https://www.ligonier.org/blog/regeneration-precedes-faith/

I’vetalkedwithCalvinistsaboutthis.Theydenythatfaithisawork.ThenwhenshownthatCalvinism’sviewofthewillandothermattersnecessitatesthattheyseeitasawork,andthenshownthatviewexpressedbytheirownwriters,theywillcarrythewordgamesalittlefurtherandnowsaythattheydon’tbelievethatfaithisaMERITORIOUSwork.Theyhavetothrowanewqualifyingwordintothemix.Thelongstoryshortofwhattheymeanbythatisthatiffaithcomesbeforeregeneration,thentheylabelitasawork,butifitcomesafterregeneration,thenitcanslidebyasnotbeingMERITORIOUSwork.Seehowslickandslythatis?Doyouseehowtheyhavetoqualifythatwiththeword“meritorious”?Whydotheyneedtodothat?Scripturedoesn’tdothat.Whydoestheirdogmarequirethemtodistinguishtheirconceptoffaithwithacharacterizationthatscriptureseesnoneedtospecify?Icantellyouexactlywhytheydoit.It’sbecausetheirviewisnotBiblical,sotheyhavetogobeyondthescripturallanguagetoattempttoqualifytheirversionoffaithasmeetingthescripturalcriteria,whichisdoesnot.Whentheytrythesewordgames,besuretocallthemonit,pointingoutthattheirdoctrinehastobequalifiedbywordingthatdepartsfromthescripturalwording.

HEARTHEGOSPEL

REGENERATION

AccordingtoCalvinism,faithexercisedatthispointinthe

conversiontimelineisa“work.”

IwouldstoptheCalvinistatthispoint,andaskthem,“Let’spresumethatfaithhastobeapost-regenerationfruitsothatisnotawork,eventhoughPaulalreadyclearlycontrastedfaithwithworksasoppositeoneanother,andnotoneinthesame?”IwouldfollowthattrailaslongasIneededtoinordertogettheCalvinisttorealizehowcontraryscripturetheirpositiononthismatterappearstopeoplewhocanread,andwhoarenottryingtoreconcilescripturewithGnosticism.SoweneedtogotothebookofActstoseethecontextunderwhichthiswholefaithversusworksissuewashashedout.

Acts15:1(KJV)1 AndcertainmenwhichcamedownfromJudaeataughtthebrethren,andsaid,ExceptyebecircumcisedafterthemannerofMoses,yecannotbesaved.Acts15:9-11(KJV)9 Andputnodifferencebetweenusandthem,purifyingtheirheartsbyfaith.10 NowthereforewhytemptyeGod,toputayokeupontheneckofthedisciples,whichneitherourfathersnorwewereabletobear?11 ButwebelievethatthroughthegraceoftheLordJesusChristweshallbesaved,evenasthey.Contrasted with:Acts15:24(KJV)24 Forasmuchaswehaveheard,thatcertainwhichwentoutfromushavetroubledyouwithwords,subvertingyoursouls,saying,Yemustbecircumcised,andkeepthelaw:towhomwegavenosuchcommandment:

...orasPaulcallsitinRomans,“thedeedsofthelaw.”

So,tousePaul’sownwordingonthematter,Ephesians2:9issaying,“Notbythedeedsofthelaw,lestanymanshouldboast.”Remember,theCalvinistsseesthisas,“notbyworks[uptoandincludingfaith]lestanymanshouldboast.”EveninEphesians2,Paulgoesontoexpoundontheideaof“works”as“thelawofcommandmentscontainedinordinances”inverse15.Christabolishedthis.Therefore,thefactthatsalvationisbygracethroughfaithisthegift,freeingusfromtheneedtokeepthelawofcommandmentsandordinances,or“deedsofthelaw.”

Ephesians2:15(KJV)15 Havingabolished inhisfleshtheenmity,even thelawofcommandmentscontained inordinances;fortomakein

himselfoftwainonenewman,somakingpeace;

ISFAITHAGIFT?Nowwemoveontothequestionofwhetherfaithisagift.ThisisactuallyabadquestiondesignedbyCalvinists.WhenaskedwithinadiscussionofaCalvinistparadigm,therearealotofassumptionsbuiltintothisquestionthataren’tvalidated.Theassumptionisthatiffaithisagift,thenitisoperateswithinCalvinisticparameters,andthat’sthemistake.

Considerallthethingsthatalreadyaregiftstoeveryonealivetoday.Isn’tlifealreadyagift?- Job33:4;Acts17:25;Isn’tbreathalreadyagift?- Acts17:25?

Arethesegiftswithheldfromanyonelivingtoday?WhywouldaCalvinistthinkfaithisanydifferentthananyothergift?Whatistheirbasisforclaimingthatthegiftiswithheldfromsomepeoplewithoutcommittingthefallacyofbeggingthequestion?

Sosure,faithisagift.It’sagiftjustasmuchastheairthatyoubreathorthefoodthatyoueatisagift.DotheCalvinisthaveajustificationforsayingit’swithheldfromanyone?No,theydon’t.Askthem.

Faith,thoughgiven,canbeputaway(1Timothy1:19).Faithcanbeplacedinthewrongthing(1Cor.2:4-5).Therefore,noteverybodyhasfaith(2Thess.3:2).

FaithcomethbyhearingandhearingbythewordofGod(Rom.10:17),whichoccurswithintime,whichmeansitthatdoesnotcomebyunconditionalelectionwaybackineternitypast.Jesusmarvelswhenhefindsgreatfaith(Matt.8:10;Lk.7:9)whichhewouldnotdoifhewastheonethatarbitrarilygaveittobeginwith.ThissameJesustellspeople,“Thyfaithhathsavedthee”(Lk.7:50;18:42).ACalvinist Jesuswouldhavetosay,“YouweresavedbeforeIgaveyouthatfaith,”unlesshewasaliar.ButwhenhavethewordsofJesushimselfevermeantanythingtoaCalvinist?I’llmakethiseasy:theyhaven’t.That’swhyscripturequotationsdon’tcapturetheirattentionnearlyaswellasaquotationfromoneoftheirfavoriteCalvinistcelebritiesfromthepastorpresent.

Romans12:3“Godhathdealttoeverymanthemeasureoffaith.”

Romans12:3(KJV)3 ForIsay,throughthegracegivenuntome,toeverymanthatisamongyou,nottothinkofhimselfmorehighlythanheought

tothink;buttothinksoberly,accordingasGodhathdealttoeveryman the

measureoffaith.

ThereisaphraseinRomans12:3thatveryclearlysays,“Godhathdealttoeverymanthemeasureoffaith.”Thisiscontroversialinthatthenon-Calvinistimmediatelyidentifiestheclearvalueofthisstatement,whiletheCalvinistusestypicalmentalgymnasticstopresenttheideathatthisphrasemeanssomethingotherthanwhatitsays.ThereisacontrastinRomans12:3of“everymanthatisamongyou”pittedagainst“everyman”laterintheverse.Thenon-Calvinistandthecontextseetheseascontrastedagainstoneanother,whiletheCalvinistseesthe“everyman”appearinglaterintheverseasacoextensiverestatementofthe“everymanthatisamongyou”earlierintheverse.Inotherwords,totheCalvinist,itonlyappliestopeopleinthechurch.ThisisoneofthefewplaceswheretheCalvinisticviewofthephraseactuallyshouldbeexploredhermeneutically,soitisnotcompletelywithoutanymerit.

Thechaptergoesontolistspiritualgiftsandhowandwhentheyshouldbeappliedbythoseinthechurch.SotheCalvinistviewisthatthismeasureoffaithisgiventopeopleinthechurchfortheexercisingoftheirrespectivegifts.Sothisviewisnotcompletelyasinine.Butatthesametime,itdoesn’tproveanythingaboutCalvinismeither.Spiritualgiftsandattributesarealsodiscussedin1Corinthians12,butinthatchapter,thedifferencesinthegiftsareattributedtoadministrationsoftheHolySpirit,notvaryingmeasuresoffaithgiventodifferentpeople.Infact,in1Corinthians12faithISoneofthespiritualgifts.Thisfaithisnotthebasicfaithassociatedwithsalvation,butspecializedincreasedfaithofsomeonewhoisalreadyabeliever,similartowhatyoumightseeinGeorgeMuller.Ifyou’renotfamiliarwithGeorgeMuller,thenitwouldbenefityourfaithtobecomesosoon.SospiritualgiftshavetodowiththesovereignadministrationoftheSpirit,notwithadegreeoffaith.Romans12:3says,“THEmeasureoffaith.”Thenewversions,includingtheNKJVmessthisupbyrenderingitas“ameasureoffaith.”This,ofcourse,ishighlymisleading.

1Corinthians12:4(KJV)4 Nowtherearediversitiesofgifts,butthesameSpirit.1Corinthians12:9(KJV)

9 Toanotherfaith bythesameSpirit;toanotherthegiftsofhealingbythesameSpirit;1Corinthians12:11(KJV)

11 Butalltheseworketh thatoneandtheselfsameSpirit,dividingtoeverymanseverallyashewill.

WhiletherearemanyCalvinistwhoseemtobeveryseasonedandmature,thefactis,apersoncanonlyBECOMECalvinistwhentheydon’tknowtheirBiblewell,andwhenthey’renotyetmaturewithhowtohandlescripture.Whatthismeans,isthatoncetheychangeovertoCalvinism,allthespiritualmaturitystopscoldwithwhatevertheyhadwhentheywereturned.Fromthenonout,theygrowinGnosticism.TheycangrowinthesamesensethatanyHinduorBuddhistwhoturnsoveranewleavecangrow,butthegenuinespiritualgrowthandabilitytoproperlydealwithscripturewashalteddeadinitstracksatthepointtheywereturned.Sowhenyou’retellingaCalvinisthowtoproperlyviewapassage,you’lloftenneedtogobackandcoverbasicelementarythings,thatwouldfeellikeyou’reinsultingtheintelligenceofanyonewhohadasimilarnumberofyearsofgenuine spiritualgrowthandmaturity.

WhenaCalvinist,oranypersonwithlimitedthinkingortrainingisreadingtheBible,theyhaveatendencytodecontextualizebasedonchapterandversedivisions.Cultsdealwithscriptureasarandomcollectionofwisesayingandprooftexts,collectedforthepurposeofprovingtheirdogmaratherthanlookingatthecontexttoseewhattheoriginalauthoristryingtosaytotheoriginalaudience.Whatthatmeans,isthatsinceweareinchapter12ofRomans,theCalvinistmindistreatingthisportionofscripturelikeabrandnewsetofthoughtsinaninstructionmanual,notconnectedtoanythingsaidsofar,orwithanythingthatcomesafterward.ThisisalsotheirprobleminRomans9too,bytheway.Moreonthatinanothervideo.

ThelanguageinRomans12connectsbacktothepreviouschapters.Inchapter10,themechanismofthegreatcommissionislaidout.Someonehastobesenttogooutpreachingthegospelornoonewillhearit.Thiseffortiswhatrequiresbelieverstopresentthemselvesasalivingsacrifice.There’sanotherthemeofconceitandprideversushumility.Righthereinverse3,wesee,“nottothinkofhimselfmorehighlythanheoughttothink,buttothinksoberly…”

Romans10:14-15(KJV)14 Howthenshalltheycallonhiminwhomtheyhavenotbelieved?andhowshalltheybelieveinhimofwhomtheyhavenotheard?andhowshalltheyhearwithoutapreacher?15 Andhowshalltheypreach,excepttheybesent?asitis

written,Howbeautifularethefeetofthemthatpreachthe

gospelofpeace,andbringgladtidingsofgoodthings!

Thisadmonitionnottothinkhighlyofselfisnotnewlyintroduced.Ittiesbacktochapter11.Andit’skeytonoticethatthecontextinchapter11hastodowithwhetherornotJewsorGentilesarebeinggraftedintotherootoftheOlivetree,whichisconnectedtoGod’sprogramforwhohispeopleare,andhowtheyreachtherestoftheworld.Noticethestatementsinblueinchapter11thathavetodowiththisissueofconceitandhumility:(18)“Boastnotagainstthebranches.Butifthouboast,thoubearest nottheroot,buttherootthee,”(20)“Benothighminded,butfear,”(25)“lestyeshouldbewiseinyourownconceits.”ThecontextisJewsandGentiles.ThecontextisGodopeningupsalvationtoGentileswithoutthembeingrequiredtobecircumcisedorkeepthelaw.Thecontextistonotdevelopaconceitedhigh-mindedattitudeaboutbeingapartofthesavedpeople,andrealizethatthefaithofthegospelisforeveryone,andnotjustyourlittlegroup.Doesthatsoundfamiliar?

Sointhemulti-chaptercontext,theadmonitiontonotbeconceitedandhigh-mindedhastodowithhowtheChristianrelatestothoseOUTSIDEthechurchasitrelatestothegospel.Lookatallthereferencesinchapter12tothoseoutsidethechurch:(14)themwhichpersecuteyou,(17)inthesiteofallmen.Andthenallofverse19-21. Thisisveryclearlyabouttherelationofthechurchtothoseoutsidethechurchasitrelatestosalvation.Thisaudienceisbeingtoldtha theyarenotsuperspecialorbetterthananyoneelse,andthatinfact,theshouldpresenttheirbodiesalivingsacrificetoGodforthesakeofallthoseoutsidethechurchwhowillnotheartheGospeliftheydon’tsendpeopletopreachittothem.AllofthebookofRomansisanindictmentofthefrozen-chosenattitudethatCalvinistsareknownfortoday.Pauliscondemningthearroganceofreplacementtheologyandexclusivism.TheGospelisforall,notjustacertaingroup.SoeverymanamongtheChristiansmustnotactliketheirfaithisaspecialandexclusivegift,butunderstandthatGodhasgiventhemeasureoffaithtoeveryman.

Romans12:1-21(KJV)1 Ibeseechyoutherefore,brethren,bythemerciesofGod,thatyepresentyourbodiesalivingsacrifice,holy,acceptableuntoGod,whichis yourreasonableservice.2 Andbenotconformedtothisworld:butbeyetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind,thatyemayprovewhatis thatgood,andacceptable,andperfect,willofGod.3 ForIsay,throughthegracegivenuntome,toeverymanthatisamongyou,nottothinkofhimselfmorehighlythanheoughttothink;buttothinksoberly,accordingasGodhathdealttoeverymanthe measureoffaith.4 Foraswehavemanymembersinonebody,andallmembershavenotthesameoffice:5 Sowe,beingmany,areonebodyinChrist,andeveryonemembersoneofanother.6 Havingthengiftsdifferingaccordingtothegracethatisgiventous,whetherprophecy,letusprophesy accordingtotheproportionoffaith;7 Orministry,letuswait onourministering:orhethatteacheth,onteaching;8 Orhethatexhorteth,onexhortation:hethatgiveth,lethimdoit withsimplicity;hethatruleth,withdiligence;hethatsheweth mercy,withcheerfulness.9 Let lovebewithoutdissimulation.Abhorthat

10 Be kindlyaffectioned onetoanotherwithbrotherlylove;inhonour preferringoneanother;11 Notslothfulinbusiness;ferventinspirit;servingtheLord;12 Rejoicinginhope;patientintribulation;continuinginstantinprayer;13 Distributingtothenecessityofsaints;giventohospitality.14 Blessthemwhichpersecuteyou:bless,andcursenot.15 Rejoicewiththemthatdorejoice,andweepwiththemthatweep.16 Be ofthesamemindonetowardanother.Mindnothighthings,butcondescendtomenoflowestate.Benotwiseinyourownconceits.17 Recompensetonomanevilforevil.Providethingshonestinthesightofallmen.18 Ifitbepossible,asmuchaslieth inyou,livepeaceablywithallmen.19 Dearlybeloved,avengenotyourselves,butrathergiveplaceuntowrath:foritiswritten,Vengeanceismine;Iwillrepay,saith theLord.20 Thereforeifthineenemyhunger,feedhim;ifhethirst,givehimdrink:forinsodoingthoushaltheapcoalsoffireonhishead.21 Benotovercomeofevil,butovercomeevilwithgood.

…andthis!

ThatmeasureoffaithistheGreekword“metron.”Itisastandardruleorjudgment.Thisisastandardizeddoselikearationthatisgivento“hekastos,”everyman.SothereisnoreasonfortheRomanstothinkmorehighlyofthemselvesthentheyoughttothink.Theyweren’texclusivelychosentoreceivethegiftoffaith.Butfaithhasbeendosedouttoeveryman,andtheRomansaretothinkofothersjustashighlyasthemselves,andpresenttheirbodyalivingsacrificesothattheymightgooutpreachingthegospeltoothersjustassomeonedidtothem.

SothecorrectviewinRomans12:3isoneofcontrast.“Godhathgiventoeverymanthemeasureoffaith,”notjusteverymanthatisamongyou.WhetherornotthosepeopleputthatfaithinChristisamatterfirstandforemostofwhethertheyhearthegospelinthefirstplace.Allofscriptureisconnected.EspeciallywhenPauliswriting,heismakinghispointscumulatively.It’simportanttokeepinmindthepointsthatPaulhasmadesofarinhisletter,andthepointsthathe’sgoingtomake,sothathispointscanbeseenasthepartofthegreaterwhole.Theyarenotindividualizedstatementsthataredesignedtobelookedupasprooftextsintheglossaryofthetheologicaldissertation.Itisthemisuseofscriptureinthatwrongtheologicalglossarytypemindsetwhichleadsto,andhelpsperpetuatethemintheirCalvinism.ContextandCalvinismnevergotogether.

Conformedtothisworld:identitypolitics,groupsuperiority,everymanforhimself,self-supremacy

“livingsacrifice”– regardingthedutyofRomans10:14-17

Throughyourmercytheymayalsoobtainmercy– thepointofthegentilesbeingsavedisnottobehigh-mindedandboastfulofhavingsomethingthatotherpeopledon’thave,buttobetheconduitthroughwhichotherscanbesaved.Thus,totheJewfirst(untilActs28:28),andalsototheGreek.

Iftheyabidestillinunbelief,shallbegraftedin- thewholepointofbeingalivingsacrificeistogettheseotherstonotabideinunbelief,butinbelief,sothattheycanbegraftedbackin.

Thenchapter13goesrightintoobeyingthesecularlawandrelatingtotheunsavedfellowman.

Sothecontextsupportsthereadingthatthe“everyman”inRomans12:3isacontrastagainstthe“everymanthatisamongyou”fromthatverse,andnotarestatementofthesamecoextensivesamplingofpeople.

Ifitwascoextensive,itwouldsay“toeverymanHISmeasureoffaith,”tomatchthegiftsthatfollow.Butthisisablanketstatement– THEmeasureoffaith.It’ssomethingthateveryonegetsjustlikesunshineorair.Thecontextisstillcomingfromchapters10and11aboutallpeoplehearingthegospelandbeingprovokedtobelieve.

CalvinistsalsooftenmisapplyHebrews12:2tothisconceptoffaithbeinganexclusivegifttoaGnostic-stylesetofpre-selectedelectpeople.

Hebrews12:2(KJV)2 LookinguntoJesustheauthorandfinisherofour faith;whoforthejoythatwassetbeforehimenduredthecross,despisingtheshame,andissetdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod.

TheuseofthisverseistheequivalentoftheCalvinistscreamingatthetopofhislungsthatcontextmeansnothingtohimandthathehasnoideawhatthepassageistalkingabout.Theyseetheirbuzzwordsandthinkthatitisanexcellentopportunityforthemtoimporttheirideas,andinsodoing,theymisstheentirepoint,andself-identifyasthemilk-sopinHebrews5:11-13.Thisisnotatextbookoftheologicalprooftexts.

WhenCalvinistsusethisverse,theideathey’rebringingtoitisthatJesusisauthoringtheindividual’svolitionalbeliefinthegospelandthencarriesthatbeliefthroughuntiltheperson’sdeath.Butthishasabsolutelynothingtodowiththatnonsensewhatsoever.

ThisverseisaddressingthecontinuityofthefaithfortheJewfromtheMosaicTorahandOldTestamenttofaithinChristundertheNewTestament.ThetemptingmindsetfortheJewofthatdaywouldbetosaythat“JehovahandMosesgotusstartedinourfaith,andnowwe’vechangedchannelssoJesusandwrapitupandfinishitoff.”

CalvinistsalsooftenmisapplyHebrews12:2tothisconceptoffaithbeinganexclusivegifttoaGnostic-stylesetofpre-selectedelectpeople.

TheuseofthisverseistheequivalentoftheCalvinistscreamingatthetopofhislungsthatcontextmeansnothingtohimandthathehasnoideawhatthepassageistalkingabout.Theyseetheirbuzzwordsandthinkthatitisanexcellentopportunityforthemtoimporttheirideas,andinsodoing,theymisstheentirepoint,andself-identifyasthemilk-sopinHebrews5:11-13.Thisisnotatextbookoftheologicalprooftexts.

WhenCalvinistsusethisverse,theideathey’rebringingtoitisthatJesusisauthoringtheindividual’svolitionalbeliefinthegospelandthencarriesthatbeliefthroughuntiltheperson’sdeath.Butthishasabsolutelynothingtodowiththatnonsensewhatsoever.

ThisverseisaddressingthecontinuityofthefaithfortheJewfromtheMosaicTorahandOldTestamenttofaithinChristundertheNewTestament.ThetemptingmindsetfortheJewofthatdaywouldbetosaythat“JehovahandMosesgotusstartedinourfaith,andnowwe’vechangedchannelssoJesusandwrapitupandfinishitoff.”

Hebrews12:2(KJV)2 LookinguntoJesus

theauthorandfinisherofour faith;whoforthejoythatwassetbeforehimenduredthecross,despisingtheshame,andissetdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod.

Backinchapter1,theauthorremindedthereaderthatthesameGodwhospoketotheirfathersintimespastindiverseandsundrymannershasnowspokenthroughHisSon,JesusChrist.Theninchaptertwo,don’tletthesethingsslip.Thenbytimetheepistle(ormidrash)isabouttobewrappedup,thewriterremindsthereaderthatthisisnottwodifferentprograms.TheydidnottransitionfromtheOldTestamenttotheNewTestamenttostartabrandnewsystemoffaithoranewreligion,butthatthissameJesusistheauthorofeverythingthattheirfatherseverrightlybelievedasdeliberatedbackinchapter11,anditisthesameJesuswhoisthefinisher.Thus,Jesusis“theauthorandfinisherofourfaith,”theaudiencebeingHebrewswhohaverelativelyrecentlycometobelieveinJesusofNazarethastheSaviorandJewishMessiah.

EvenifonewantedtotakethisconceptoutofthecontextandapplyitthewayCalvinistseisegete it,itstillwouldnothelpthem.OfcourseJesusistheauthorandfinisherofthefaith.HowcouldsomeoneputtheirfaithinJesusiftherewasnoJesustoputtheirfaithin?Jesusisarealhistoricalperson,andHeisthemanifestationinthefleshofthereal,historicalGod.Therecanbenofaithwithouttheobjectofthatfaithfirstpresentingitselffortrustandreliance.

ThewildthingsthatCalviniststhinktheirproof-textsaresayingarejustcompletelyastounding.It’strulyhardtobelievethatsuchamentalbuffooncouldbeexpectedtobeevenhalf-intelligentinanyotherareaoflife.

Romans12:1-21(KJV)1 Ibeseechyoutherefore,brethren,bythemerciesofGod,thatyepresentyourbodiesalivingsacrifice,holy,acceptableuntoGod,whichis yourreasonableservice.2 Andbenotconformedtothisworld:butbeyetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind,thatyemayprovewhatis thatgood,andacceptable,andperfect,willofGod.3 ForIsay,throughthegracegivenuntome,toeverymanthatisamongyou,nottothinkofhimselfmorehighlythanheoughttothink;buttothinksoberly,accordingasGodhathdealttoeverymanthe measureoffaith.4 Foraswehavemanymembersinonebody,andallmembershavenotthesameoffice:5 Sowe,beingmany,areonebodyinChrist,andeveryonemembersoneofanother.6 Havingthengiftsdifferingaccordingtothegracethatisgiventous,whetherprophecy,letusprophesy accordingtotheproportionoffaith;7 Orministry,letuswait onourministering:orhethatteacheth,onteaching;8 Orhethatexhorteth,onexhortation:hethatgiveth,lethimdoit withsimplicity;hethatruleth,withdiligence;hethatsheweth mercy,withcheerfulness.9 Let lovebewithoutdissimulation.Abhorthat

10 Be kindlyaffectioned onetoanotherwithbrotherlylove;inhonour preferringoneanother;11 Notslothfulinbusiness;ferventinspirit;servingtheLord;12 Rejoicinginhope;patientintribulation;continuinginstantinprayer;13 Distributingtothenecessityofsaints;giventohospitality.14 Blessthemwhichpersecuteyou:bless,andcursenot.15 Rejoicewiththemthatdorejoice,andweepwiththemthatweep.16 Be ofthesamemindonetowardanother.Mindnothighthings,butcondescendtomenoflowestate.Benotwiseinyourownconceits.17 Recompensetonomanevilforevil.Providethingshonestinthesightofallmen.18 Ifitbepossible,asmuchaslieth inyou,livepeaceablywithallmen.19 Dearlybeloved,avengenotyourselves,butrathergiveplaceuntowrath:foritiswritten,Vengeanceismine;Iwillrepay,saith theLord.20 Thereforeifthineenemyhunger,feedhim;ifhethirst,givehimdrink:forinsodoingthoushaltheapcoalsoffireonhishead.21 Benotovercomeofevil,butovercomeevilwithgood.

Romans11:16-32(KJV)16 Forifthefirstfruit be holy,thelumpis alsoholy:andiftherootbe holy,soare thebranches.17 Andifsomeofthebranchesbebrokenoff,andthou,beingawildolivetree,wertgraffed inamongthem,andwiththempartakest oftherootandfatnessoftheolivetree;18 Boastnotagainstthebranches.Butifthouboast,thoubearest nottheroot,buttherootthee.19 Thouwiltsaythen,Thebrancheswerebrokenoff,thatImightbegraffed in.20 Well;becauseofunbelieftheywerebrokenoff,andthoustandest byfaith.Benothighminded,butfear:21 ForifGodsparednotthenaturalbranches,takeheed lesthealsosparenotthee.22 BeholdthereforethegoodnessandseverityofGod:onthemwhichfell,severity;buttowardthee,goodness,ifthoucontinueinhis goodness:otherwisethoualsoshaltbecutoff.23 Andtheyalso,iftheyabidenotstillinunbelief,shallbegraffed in:forGodisabletograff theminagain.24 Forifthouwertcutoutoftheolivetreewhichiswildbynature,andwertgraffed contrarytonature

intoagoodolivetree:howmuchmoreshallthese,whichbethenaturalbranches,begraffed intotheirownolivetree?25 ForIwouldnot,brethren,thatyeshouldbeignorantofthismystery,lestyeshouldbewiseinyourownconceits;thatblindnessinpartishappenedtoIsrael,untilthefulnessoftheGentilesbecomein.26 AndsoallIsraelshallbesaved:asitiswritten,ThereshallcomeoutofSiontheDeliverer,andshallturnawayungodlinessfromJacob:27 Forthisismycovenantuntothem,whenIshalltakeawaytheirsins.28 Asconcerningthegospel,theyare enemiesforyoursakes:butastouchingtheelection,theyarebelovedforthefathers'sakes.29 ForthegiftsandcallingofGodare withoutrepentance.30 ForasyeintimespasthavenotbelievedGod,yethavenowobtainedmercythroughtheirunbelief:31 Evensohavethesealsonownotbelieved,thatthroughyourmercytheyalsomayobtainmercy.32 ForGodhathconcludedthemallinunbelief,thathemighthavemercyuponall.

Romans10:14-17(KJV)14 Howthenshalltheycallonhiminwhomtheyhavenotbelieved?andhowshalltheybelieveinhimofwhomtheyhavenotheard?andhowshalltheyhearwithoutapreacher?15 Andhowshalltheypreach,excepttheybesent?asitiswritten,Howbeautifularethefeetofthemthatpreachthegospelofpeace,andbringgladtidingsofgoodthings!16 Buttheyhavenotallobeyedthegospel.ForEsaiassaith,Lord,whohathbelievedourreport?17 Sothenfaithcometh byhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.

Acts17:31(KJV)31 Becausehehath

appointedaday,inthewhichhewilljudgethe

worldinrighteousnessbythatmanwhomhehath

ordained;whereofhehathgivenASSURANCE untoallmen,inthathehathraised

himfromthedead.

Acts17:31(KJV)31 Becausehehathappointedaday,inthewhichhewilljudgetheworldinrighteousnessbythatmanwhomhehathordained;whereofhehathgivenASSURANCE untoallmen,inthathehathraisedhimfromthedead.

Didyounoticethatword"assurance"?DoyouknowwhattheGreekwordisthere?Why,it's"πίστις"(pistis)!That'stheGreekwordthatistranslatedas"faith"atleast239timesintheNewTestament.

That'sthesame"faith"thatcomesbyhearinginRomans10:17.It'sthesame"faith"thatiscountedforrighteousnessinRomans4:5.Thatisthesame"faith"bywhichwearejustifiedinRomans5:1,andthesame"faith"bywhichwehaveaccessintothegracewhereinwenowstand(Romans5:2).

Godgavethisfaithtoallmen,bytheresurrectionofthedead(ofChrist).Sincefaithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod,thisiswhytheGospelin1Corinthians15:3-4says,"ACCORDINGTOSCRIPTURE"twice!

Theonlyissuenowis,whatistheobjectofyourfaith?Ifit'snotChrist,thenyouareonyourwaytohell.Useyourfaithwisely.Godgaveittoyouforareason.

Romans10:17(KJV)17 Sothenfaith cometh byhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.

Romans4:5(KJV)5 Buttohimthatworketh not,butbelieveth onhimthatjustifieththeungodly,hisfaith iscountedforrighteousness.

Romans5:2(KJV)2 Bywhomalsowehaveaccessbyfaith intothisgracewhereinwestand,andrejoiceinhopeofthegloryofGod.

1Corinthians15:3-4(KJV)3 ForIdelivereduntoyoufirstofallthatwhichIalsoreceived,howthatChristdiedforoursinsaccordingtothescriptures;4 Andthathewasburied,andthatheroseagainthethirddayaccordingtothescriptures:

Theassurance,thefaith,isgiventoallmenintheresurrectionofJesusChrist.

Titus2:11(KJV)11 ForthegraceofGodthatbringeth salvationhathappearedtoallmen,

John1:4(KJV)4 Inhimwaslife;andthelifewasthelightofmen.

John1:6-9(KJV)6 TherewasamansentfromGod,whosenamewas John.7 Thesamecameforawitness,tobearwitnessoftheLight,thatallmenthroughhimmightbelieve.8 HewasnotthatLight,butwassent tobearwitnessofthatLight.9 That wasthetrueLight,whichlighteth everymanthatcomethintotheworld.(wordedadifferentwayjustincasethereadermissedverse7)

FaithisaninnategiftGodgrantstoallmen.Allfaithneedsisanobject.Peopleofallbackgroundsputtheirfaithinthingseveryday.Theyputtheirfaithinvehicles,inpeople,inbridges,inairplanes,inpilots.Peopleofalltypesdemonstratetheirabilitytotrustandbelievethingseveryday.MostofthethingsI’vementionedhavewell-establishedevidencebehindaperson’svolitiontotrust,suchassomepeoplegoingonthebridgeaheadoftheothers.TheresurrectionofJesusChrististhewell-establishedevidencebehindthetrust-worthinessofHisabilitytoprovidenewandabundantlife.

Thereisnomagicallinebetweendifferenttypesofthingsthatpeoplecanhaveastheobjectoftheirfaith.CalvinistsbelievethatthereisasupernaturalmagicalboundarythatpreventsotherwiseintelligentandinformedpeoplefromperceivingtheevidenceofChrist’sresurrectionandplacingtheirfaithinhimthereafter.Thatisnonsense.Thereisnosuchmagicalinvisibleboundary.

Youmaytrustacartogetyoutoyourdestination.Thatcarhasasteeringwheel,agearshifter,agaspedal,andabreakpedal.Anarcaderacinggamecanalsohaveallthosefeatures,yetnotbeabletoaccomplishthetaskrequired.TheSAMEfaithyouplacedinyourcarcanalsobeplacedinanarcadegamethatwon’tgetyouanywhere.There’snodifferenceinthefaith.Thefaithisthesame.Thefaithitselfisnotaccomplishinganythingonitsown.Thedecidingfactoristheobjectofthatfaith.

Ifyoutrustafaultybridge,you’llfall.Ifyoutrustagoodbridge,itwilldothejob.Ifyoutrustabrokencar,you’renotgoinganywhere,butifyoutrustagoodone,you’regolden.Yousee,there’snodifferenceinthefaith.Theonlydifferenceisintheobjectofthatfaith.IfMuhammadistheobjectofyourfaith,you’llgotohell.IfBuddhaistheobjectofyourfaith,you’reinbadshape.IfafalseJesuswhodidnot“tastedeathforeveryman”(Heb.2:9)istheobjectofyourfaith,you’regoingtospendeternityinthesmokingsection.Ifyou’retrustingyourregenerationexperience;ifyou’retrustingyourperseveranceingoodworks;ifyou’retrustingthefactthatyouthinkyou’veheardandlearnedofthefatherforyoursalvation,thenbraceyourselfforarudeawakening.IfanythingotherthantheJesusofscriptureistheobjectofyourfaith,thenyouarenotsaved.

ThesamefaiththatpeopleputinotherthingseverydayistheexactsamefaiththatanypersoncanputinJesusChrist.ThereisnomagicalbarrierpreventingsomeonefrommakingJesustheobjectofhisorherfaith.PaulsaidthatitpleasedGodbythefoolishnessofpreachingtosavethemthatbelieve.Thatis,ifyoubelieve,Godwillsaveyou.Youcan’tsaveyourself,butifChrististheobjectofyourfaith,hewilldoallthesavingonyourbehalf.

1Corinthians1:21(KJV)21 Forafterthatinthe

wisdomofGodtheworldbywisdomknewnotGod,itpleasedGodbythe

foolishnessofpreachingtosavethemthatbelieve.(notcausebeliefinthemhesaved)

Summary:1. Isfaithagift?

a) Ifyoumeananinnategift,thensure.b) Butthereisnoevidenceinscripturethatitisanexclusivegiftthatiswithheldfrom

somepeople.2. TheCalvinistuseofEphesians2:8-9asaprooftextnecessitatesthattheythinkfaithisa

work.a) ThisdirectlyopposeshowPaulpresentsfaithinRomans3-4.b) Pauldefines“works”asthedeedsofthelaw,not“faith.”c) Faithistheoppositeofworks.

3. ThebookofActsdetailsthetransitionfromgentileshavingtokeepthelawandbecircumcised,orbecomeJewishproselytes,tobothJewsandGentilesbeingsavedjustlikeCornelius,bygracethroughfaithwithoutthedeedsofthelaw.

4. FaithisagifttoeverymanaccordingtoRomans12:3inthecontextofchapter11.5. TheresurrectionofChristisassurance,orpistis,theGreekwordforfaiththatisgiventoall

men.6. Thatfaithcomesbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod,andthethingtobeheardis

thegospelaccordingtoscripture.7. Jesusisthelightwhichlightseverymanthatcomesintotheworld,andthegraceofGod

thatbringeth salvationhathappearedtoallmen.8. Itisnotthetypeorabilityoffaiththatmakesthedifference.Itistheobjectoffaith.

a) Thereisnosalvationapartfrom,orpriortofaithinChrist.Bydefinition,thatwouldnotbeChristianity.

b) Genuinefaithplacedinawrongobjectwilllandapersoninhell.