Greetings to all you who come to our Friday Night Apologetics studies and to those of you who listen through our website. This was another great study and we had a good turn out of people in the room with good interactions. In this study we addressed the main topic of Unconditional Election and does Romans 9 teach this doctrine as Calvinists teach. There are 5 main doctrines within Calvinism known as Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and the Perseverance of the Saints. (eternal security) We are continuing in our series examining the doctrine of Unconditional Election. If you have not listened to our previous studies we have had two prior studies examining Romans 8 and Matthew 22. (Predestination, Election, Chosen, Elect of God)
Below are some notes from this study for people to follow along
1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. (Romans 9:1-8, NASB)
· Paul had a passion for the lost and his own brethren. (Rom. 9:1-3)
· Paul wished himself to be accused for the sake of his brethren (Rom. 9:1-3)
· Paul makes it clear that it was through Isaac’s descendants that will be named, the children of promise (Rom. 9:7-8)
· Paul addresses the lineage of Israel through Abraham’s descendents (Gen. 12:1-3, 15:1-6/ Ex. 4:22/ Deut. 7:6-11)
· Throughout Romans 9 Paul is referencing people of God as a whole not solely individuals, very important to see that.
9 For this is the word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON." 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." 13 Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." (Romans 9:9-13, NASB)
· Paul speaks of Sarah having a son promise which God told to Abraham that was to come to pass (Gen. 18:1-15)
· God still brought to pass what was told to Abraham concerning having a son through Sarah even after Abraham having union with Hagar and having Ishmael (Gen. 16:1-15)
· Ishmael came out of the flesh, not of the promise, and his descendants will be many, but the blessing was not there.
· Through God Abraham’s descendants they were to be blessing for the covenant, but this was to be through the promised son, Isaac (Gen. 17:1-7)
· It came about after Abraham’s death Isaac was blessed. (Gen. 25:11)
· Disobedience = consequences – Sarah giving Hagar to Abraham demonstrated lack of faith – Gen. 25:18 Ishmael died in defiance of all his relatives.
· Today Jews and Arabs are still in conflict of this very this very thing concerning God’s dealing's with the descendants, not just individuals
· Rebekah’s twins represent nations not just individuals (Gen. 25:19-24/ Numbers 20:14-22)
· Jacob represents the people of Israel and Esau represents the people of Edom (Malachi 1:1-5)
· Jesus said unless one hates his father, mother...they cannot be followers of Him.
(Strongs Lexicon #3404 love less Matt. 10:37/ Luke 14:26)
"9:13 “Hate” is a relative term as employed here. Jesus used the same word in a similar way when He cautioned that a man must hate his father and mother if he would come to Christ (Luke 14:26). Obviously Jesus, who was an advocate of the Law (Ex. 20:12), was not encouraging “hate” in the usual sense of the word. But through a consecrated use of the hyperbole of antithesis, Jesus is saying that the love a man has for Christ ought to dwarf his love for his father to the extent that the latter would seem to be “hate” by comparison. God did not “hate” Esau in the conventional sense of the word; He greatly prospered and favored him (Gen. 27:38–40). However, God’s favor and blessing upon Jacob was so extensive that by comparison Esau would appear to be hated. The verse could be understood to mean that God has chosen Jacob to fulfill His elective purpose, but He has rejected Esau. The divine rationale for this action is simply the elective purpose of God in Israel." (Believers Study Bible, Rom. 9:13)
"9:13 To further enforce God’s sovereignty in choosing, Paul quotes Malachi 1:2, 3: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Here God is speaking of the two nations, Israel and Edom, of which Jacob and Esau were heads. God marked out Israel as the nation to which He promised the Messiah and the messianic kingdom. Edom received no such promise. Instead, its mountains and heritage were laid waste for the jackals of the wilderness (Mal. 1:3; see also Jer. 49:17, 18; Ezek. 35:7–9).
Although it is true that the quotation from Malachi 1:2, 3 describes God’s dealings with nations rather than individuals, it is used to support His sovereign right to choose individuals as well.
The words Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated must be understood in the light of the sovereign decree of God that stated, The older shall serve the younger. The preference for Jacob is interpreted as an act of love, whereas bypassing Esau is seen as hatred by comparison. It is not that God hated Esau with a harsh, vindictive animosity, but only that He loved Esau less than Jacob, as seen by His sovereign selection of Jacob.
This passage refers to earthly blessings, and not to eternal life. God’s hatred of Edom doesn’t mean that individual Edomites can’t be saved, any more than His love of Israel means that individual Jews don’t need to be saved. (Note also that Esau did receive some earthly blessings, as he himself testified in Gen. 33:9.)" (Believers Bible Commentary, Romans 9:13)
"Mal. 1:1-3 It was God’s covenant relationship with Israel that had caused Him to bring Israel back to the land where He wanted to bless them (cf. Neh. 9:7, 8). Edom, however, had no such covenant promises. “Hate” in this case means that God had not chosen Edom as He had Israel, and that He was treating their rebellion against Him differently. Their sinful rebellion against Him had been dealt with by their permanent destruction as a nation. It is important to note that the election in view here is national rather than individual; thus, it is temporal, not eternal or salvific. Individuals in Israel could still miss salvation through lack of faith (Rom. 9:6), and descendants of Esau could be saved if they believed." (Believers Study Bible, Malachi 1:1-3)
14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH." 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. (Romans 9:14-18, NASB)
· God choose people to demonstrate purpose, love, and mercy – there is nothing about eternal salvation being addressed in these verses. (that is reading into the texts)
· Moses was given mercy to experience God’s presence – this is not addressing eternal salvation! (Ex. 33:12-23)
· God showing His glory to Moses is awesome experience, and not all experienced that – (just like people experiencing Jesus)
· Pharaoh was used by God to demonstrate His power and glory – Ex. 9:16
· Moses was told by God that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened – Ex. 4:21/ 7:3
· Pharaoh first hardened his own heart against God numerous times – Ex. 7:13, 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7 !!! 6 times Pharaoh hardened his own heart
· The LORD hardens Pharaoh Ex. 9:12 (first time by the LORD)
· Pharaoh hardens his heart again 9:34-35
· The LORD hardens Pharaoh Ex. 10:1, 20, 27, Ex. 11:10
· Pharaoh's final hardening coming from the LORD Ex. 14:4 and 14:8
· God gives people opportunity to respond but if they don’t they will then be given over to their destruction (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28)
9:17 God’s sovereignty is seen not only in showing mercy to some but in hardening others. Pharaoh is cited as an example.
There is no suggestion here that the Egyptian monarch was doomed from the time of his birth. What happened was this. In adult life he proved to be wicked, cruel, and extremely stubborn. In spite of the most solemn warnings he kept hardening his heart. God could have destroyed him instantly, but He didn’t. Instead, God preserved him alive in order that He might display His power in him, and that through him God’s name might be known worldwide.
9:18 Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his own heart, and after each of these times God additionally hardened Pharaoh’s heart as a judgment upon him. The same sun that melts ice hardens clay. The same sun that bleaches cloth tans the skin. The same God who shows mercy to the brokenhearted also hardens the impenitent. Grace rejected is grace denied.
God has the right to show mercy to whomever He wishes, and to harden whomever He wishes. But because He is God, He never acts unjustly. (Believers Bible Commentary, Rom. 9:17-18)
19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?" 20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? 21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? 22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. (Romans 9:19-24, NASB)
· Romans 9:19-22 are not teaching that man has no choices or responsibilities to make in response to God. These verses are addressing God's right to use people for various reasons to demonstrate His glory and power. These verses do not teach in any way that people have been predestined or predetermined by God to be saved or to not be saved. (that is a serious misunderstanding and wrong use of these verses)
· Romans 9:23-24 focuses back on the main issues which Paul has been discussing, namely Israel and the Gentiles. Paul's focus in on the mercy of God to not only the Jews to be saved by faith in Christ but also the Gentiles, which was in many way foreign to the Jewish people. (their lack of understanding the Scriptures)
25 As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, `MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, `BELOVED.' " 26 "AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, `YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,' THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD." 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED; 28 FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY." 29 And just as Isaiah foretold, "UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY, WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH." 30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (Romans 9, NASB)
· In Romans 9:25-29 Paul makes reference to various Old Testament passages of Scripture that addresses the Gentiles coming to the faith in Jesus Christ.
· Paul continues in Romans 9:30-33 on both the Jews and the Gentiles to put their trust in Jesus Christ by faith not works, and that this is the heart of God.
· Paul continues addressing God's purposes for people to be saved and all who believe in HIM (Jesus Christ) will be not be disappointed. (they will be saved)
The context of Romans 9 is not about Unconditional Election as those who are known as Calvinists teach. There are many who read Romans 9 and purposely try to teach that these Scriptures are about God sovereignty in which people have been chosen to be eternally saved and others have been eternally damned by God's will, and that mankind has no choice in the matter. However when Romans 9 is carefully examined within the context of what Paul is addressing it is consistently clear that Paul is addressing the message of God's love being extended to the Gentiles, and that it is not only to the Jews. This was a hard message for various people to understand, and still is to this day.
Paul continued in Romans 10 demonstrating our choice to accept or reject the message of Jesus Christ, the LORD. Paul clearly states (as he does in many other places) that salvation is available for whosever, that we are to confess (acknowledge) Jesus as Lord, believe (our responsibility, we are not forced) in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, and that this is for Jew and Gentile. (God does not force people to be saved and shows no partiality for those who come to Him)
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, `WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN ?' (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or `WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS ?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." 8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS !" 16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT ?" 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; "THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD." 19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, "I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION, BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU." 20 And Isaiah is very bold and says, "I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME." 21 But as for Israel He says, "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE." (Romans 10, NASB)
This was a solid study examining Romans 9 in context concerning God's choosing and dealings with people for His purposes and glory, but not in regards to eternal salvation or that man has no choice in whether to accept or reject the message of hope. Again, you are invited to check out our blog and share your comments with us or you can send us an email. God be glorified and may the love of God be proclaimed to all, no matter who they are, and that they can receive the forgiveness of sins through accepting Jesus Christ.
Kelly Powers
Anti False Doctrine Superhero
