ACTS 13:48: Response to WWUTT's Calvinistic Interpretation

Does Acts 13:48 support Calvinism? Consider the context and specifically the audience. In verse 16 it is clear that he is speaking to Gentiles who already fear the Lord and worship him... Let's dive in.

[dndsablan]

Thank you brother! Please keep doing the work you're doing. I'll keep your ministry in prayer. God bless!

[timothybrigance]

A few questions for both sides, followers of Calvin and Arminius, how is that both sides do "sound" hermeneutics, and seemingly build solid cases? It fascinates me how both sides claim to have a "biblically sound" soteriology. Does either side really think they have the inner workings of salvation "figured out?" I think not. Has it ever occurred to them that Arminius had good points, and Calvin had good points. But, just think of the division that has occurred within the body when those on either side say the other is going to hell, or they serve a different God. And folks, this is happening. My suggestion would simply be humility to admit we do not really know the inner workings of this Divine Mystery. And no, this is not a plea to Gnosticism, Paul as not afraid to deem certain things as a mystery either. Just my two cents brothers and sisters, remember that we were told not to lean on our own understanding for a reason.

[blueoakats]

Thank you, Leighton Flowers for boldly and steadfastly refocusing people onto the covenant that Christ wants us to be involved in, out of the drone like trance that TULIP has put so many people in (as they assume the body of Christ is worthlessly paralyzed, and that God does everything, when in reality the head relies on the hands and feet to move). Be blessed in your ministry, and continue with the humble spirit!

[tacticalfilmfightingacadem]

Also, WWUTT'S writers. Dont just mention the whole book like Romans to make a false statement, offer the whole verse too. Romans 10:17 Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

[TheBibleListener]

Yes! Thank you for the vids! I was a calvinist and over yhe past few days your vids have opened my eyes to the truth and it all fits when reading throught the bible now! No more really "mysteries" when it comes to all the part where its people choices and their responsibilities! I see it all so differently now! Thank you!!

[truthUC]

What's the difference between your use of the word "appointed" and the Biblical term "Election" ? It seems you just avoid what the Word says by changing the terms? Acts 18:10-12 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

[inTruthbyGrace]

God isn't even named in verse 48 and the verb "appoint" is conjugated as 3rd person PLURAL ACTIVE IMPERFECT!! (ἦσαν τεταγμένοι) 
If God had done that appointing before the beginning of the world the grammar OF NECESSITY would be very different!
1. the verb would have been a 3rd person SINGULAR (as God would have been the one doing the action verb of appointing)
2. the verb would have been conjugated as a completed past action (aorist, not an IMPERFECT ongoing in past)
3. God would have been at least named in the verse

Verse 48 the subjects are the gentiles who believed and they were being appointed to eternal life 
IN DIRECT CONTRAST
Verse 46 the subjects are the Jews who did NOT believe and judged THEMSELVES unworthy of eternal life.

-John 7:39 shows the Holy Spirit would not be given to ANYONE unless they 1st believe and that was ONLY after Jesus was glorified and lots of people believed in God in the Old Testament long before Jesus was glorified
-Eph 1:13 says we believed and THEN we get the Holy Spirit of promise

[drb]

I’m not a Calvinist....yet but I really don’t think you disproved Acts 13:48. I mean it’s very cut and dry

[francishora]

Though i am a subscriber of WWUTT where i find a lot of the contents are useful, i do not agree with calvinism in limited atonement and making God the author of sin as James White said in a Q&A session

[tacticalfilmfightingacadem]

WOW, so to the guys who write WWUTT'S who put faith in Christ? You or God?

[athaskins]

Great response, thank you for taking the time to respond to these Calvinists.

[cfoles]

I like most of his WWUTT videos especially the one on unlearn the lies. But I have to disagree with his calvinist idea.

[beeboy]

Leighton is absolutely right, the context is key in this passage. Also the Literal Greek reads this way "Hearing yet the Nations rejoiced and glorified the word of the Master (Lord) and believe whoever were having (been) set into life." It's also important to point out that it DOESN'T say ordained by God to eternal life, which is often presupposed. It's a Cardinal rule in Calvinism that regeneration MUST come before faith, even though the Bible says other wise. There is literally verse after verse that states we believe then we are born again. Ephesians 1:13 is one of the clearest statements of this order and is often overlooked.

[timshumate]

Leighton Flowers
I believe you have just mingled and mixed words and honestly just failed to deal with the text. We have free choice, but do not confuse choice with will/nature. We are free to choose but we will choose according to our will which is sinfulness
we all have from Adam (Rom 5:12 – 15) Dead people do not exercise faith/believe. We are dead Eph 2:1Please answer a question for me: Can you believe on yourown? By whose will are we born again? When Jesus says “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed” what are they freed from? No we don’t “believe” or “have faith” to be born again.John 3:1-8 but look at 3 & 8. 3 says we cannot see the kingdom of God.  Which means: 
εἴδω  eidō  Thayer
Definition: 1) to see 1a) to perceive with the eyes 1b) to perceive by any of the
senses 1c) to perceive, notice, discern, discoverSo how can you believe and then become born again. Is it by my will I
am born again. Nope.John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
That’s right by the will of God.
 
What are we freed from. Sin i.e… our sin nature.John 8:34, Rom 6:20, Rom 5:12 – 15. Acts 11:18 Who granted repentance? Repentance and faith are inseparable.
Acts 16:14 Who opened her heart?

Romans 8:5-11 Who gives life here? Man or the Spirit? Yep that Dead thing gain.2 Cor 2:9-16 Who gives insight and understanding? Do we have it from ourselves? Nope.
John 15:6, 1 Thess 1:4-5 Who choose whom?

2 Tim 2:24-26 Who grants repentance again? That’s right God. It’s not just NT either Duet 29:2-4, 30:6 Who gives a heart to understand?
Can we come to Christ anytime we want? No. John 6:65

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on
the last day.
ἑλκύω  /  ἕλκω  helkuō  /  helkō Thayer Definition: 1) to draw, drag off 2) metaphorically, to draw by inward power, lead, impelSo, please deal honestly and plainly with the text.

[philellenburg]

according to the progression Jesus lays out in John Ch 6, the faith/trust is from God. Man cannot believe/trust on his own. In John 6 the Father gives and the Son will lose none whom the Father gives. None can come to Jesus unless the Father first draws. Regeneration is an act of God, not in response to man doing something but man responds as a result of God doing something. Glory be to God for His great grace!

[TheApologeticDog]

How can one believe, when we were born dead in sin? I'll be honest, I really appreciate Pastor Gabe's WWUTT videos and Grace To You Ministries. Dr. Flowers I watched you in a debate with James White and I have a lot of respect for you because I think their is healthy disagreement within the household of faith. Possibly, God in his sovereignty, this is meant to sharpen another.

[jamesjohnson]

In the original Greek episteusav proceeds tetagmevoi.

[Goldni]

Funny how every Calvinist is part of the elect.

[VernonJordanYT]

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Explain, is this grace that's a gift of God or faith?

[kelseyvanevery]

As to the devils believing and trembling, they do so because they have seen God. In Jesus' response to "doubting Thomas" He said "blessed are those who believe and have not seen." We believers are blessed. The demons are not.