Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 5/12/2010

Question
QUESTION: Thank you for your online ministry.  I find it very helpful and again enjoyed your article for the use of the KJV.  I have written before (not of my sheep), and am going to take full advantage of your offer to ask more questions.  Can you explain Acts 13:48 when the author states, "and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."  Can you also discuss a little about Paul's conversion.  The account does seem like the apostle was chosen by God and saved before he even thought about it.  Most study bibles I've read seem to lend themselves to the Calvinistic interpretation of election.  Why is that?  Any study bibles that you have found that properly address the issue?  What resources do you recommend having on hand for study and, or reference for proper Greek to English translation help of the New Testament.  Thank you for your time, I know your busy, but I'm sure I'll write more questions in the future.  Hopefully this will be the last on Calvinism.  I'm ready to grow to be well rounded and equip myself for God's harvest and not get stuck debating just this one topic.  Thank you for your availability and God Bless you once again.

ANSWER: Hi Scott,
   Thank you for your question and using Bible-truth.org.    As to your question about Acts 13:48:
The phrase "and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" simply means that those that believed in Jesus Christ were appointed unto eternal life.   God's "appointed" plan (ordained) is those who believe are given eternal life. The Greek word is "tasso" (tas’-so) and means to appoint or place in order.    Romans 13:1 gives an example of the use of the word "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."    The phrase says the powers are appointed or placed in order by God.    The passage does not mean that God chose some to be saved and others to be condemned to hell based upon what the Calvinists say was God's sovereign choice.  I have an article on the matter at http://bible-truth.org/election.htm you might like to read.
     Election is never to salvation,  but to what salvation gives to the believer. My article goes into some detail about what election means in the New Testament.  The elect are those that have believed and received salvation and have received what God elected them to have as born again believers.    Yes, many  Calvinists have cloudy the matter because instead of interpreting what the words actually literally say, many with a Calvinistic view point impose their ideas on the passage.   In otherwords they make God’s word fit their opinions.

    Did God know that Paul would believe and accept Him as His Savior?   Certainly, He did and knowing this God chose to use Paul to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, the same way He knew the other Apostles would believe and He called them also.  It was the same with the Old Testament prophets, such as Samuel.    God is omniscient and knows all things.

    When interpreting God’s word one rule is that we interpret in the analogy of the faith.  That means that the scriptures to not contradict themselves.    For example.   If God’s nature is love and He is absolute holy and just then He is just and loving in everything He does.  He cannot go against His own nature for to do so would conflict with who He is.  Would God be loving and just to send most of mankind to the Lake of Fire  refusing to allow them to be saved and receive God’s grace?      It is loving and just to offer only a few salvation and God’s grace?  The answer of course is that it is unloving to condemn most of mankind to hell.....just because God is sovereign and can send them there?    Does God say Jesus died for the whole world?  John 3:16, 1 John 2:2, etc state that emphatically.   So any interpretation that violates God’s stated word is in error and a false teaching.   So who does God elect?    God says that if we believe and by faith trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for our Salvation then He will save....meaning He elects us to what salvation brings.   Never once in God’s word does He even hint that He withholds grace from any one.   Man goes to hell because He rejects God’s offer of grace....and God is not at fault. (Romans 1:18-23, John 3:19-20)    In fact God has done everything that man could be saved...but He will not force any man to accept His grace.
   So the Calvinist is wrong and his gospel is a false one as is his belief.
   Hope this helps....

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QUESTION: Helps a bunch thanks.  I have read your article and fully enjoyed it.  It equipped me with what I knew all along.  God allows us the ability to accept or reject his free gift or else Jesus would have never had to die on the cross.  What Greek language resource book would you recommend to have on hand for reference and or study that stay true to the majority text for the New Testament?

Answer
Hi Scott,
 There are several good language books, but I find I used Vines Expository Dictionary of New and Old Testament words the most.   Next I use Robertsons Word Studies.
 I use SwordSearcher 6 Bible software with lots of free modules I have loaded.  Some to the commentaries on the SwordSearcher are Calvinists, but it is a excellent Bible search program and has many good resources.
 SwordSearch 6 has Strong's numbering system and definitions in the KJVSL  (KJV Strong links) which you will find very helpful.  http://www.swordsearcher.com/   I have used about six different Bible programs over the years.  This one is the absolute best...
 If you have further comments or questions please write.
Thanks for you kind comments and encouragement!
Cooper Abrams
Bible-truth
Romans 12:1-2