Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uupsi!njin!paul.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: ph600fev%sdcc14@ucsd.edu (Robert O'Barr) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Mormons against the Bible! Message-ID: Date: 25 Dec 90 06:14:07 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: University of California, San Diego Lines: 45 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article math1h3@jetson.uh.edu writes: >Chuck, could you hold this one for me until January 6? Thanks. I will try >to e-mail a copy to Frank. >David Wagner. ... ... > >I only say that the unbeliever cannot decide to believe, but that God works >faith in him through his gospel, and yes, through baptism. > As you partially quoted yourself, 1 Tim 2:3-4 states: ...For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who desires all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. If God is omnipotent and he desires all men to be saved, then if what you are saying is true i.e. that everyone who God picks (predestinates) to be saved will be regardless of their obedience or works etc. Then from the above scripture, you have to conclude that either everyone will be saved or that God really isn't powerfull enought to save all those that he desires. The truth is that God desires to save all men but he can only save those who put their faith in him. God although he can help a man to develop his faith (such as in the case of Paul), he cannot force a man to have faith. Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Salvation is desired for all men. It is a gift of God (by grace we are saved) given to those who put their faith in Christ and obey him. Matt. 5-7 tells us what Christ expects us to obey and tells his deciples (all Christians) what will happen if we are not doers of his word (see Matt 7:21-29) Sincerely, Robert