Monthly Archives: April 2012

Does Ephesians 1:1-11 Support Calvinism?

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Does Ephesians 1:1-11 Support Calvinism? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, April 27, 2012 at 4:32pm QUESTION: Calvinists say that Ephesians 1:1-11 clearly establishes the absolute and all-inclusive sovereignty of God, including the unconditional predestination of the elect to salvation. How do you interpret this text? ANSWER: A right understanding of Ephesians 1:1-11 begins with the recognition that God’s purpose for Israel was from the beginning limited to preparing for the coming of the Messiah, namely, for the incarnation of God the Logos as the human person Jesus of Nazareth. Once the Messiah came, it was God’s eternal purpose to … Continue reading →

Does the Land of Canaan Belong to the Jews Forever?

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Does the Land of Canaan Belong to the Jews Forever? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 4:14pm QUESTION: How do you reconcile your view that national Israel (the Jewish nation) is no longer and never again will be the people of God, with the Old Testament promise that the land of Canaan (once known as Palestine, now known as Israel) will belong to the Jewish people FOREVER? ANSWER: You are referring to God’s promise to Abraham, first recorded in Genesis 12:7 and subsequently repeated to him and to the other patriarchs. In Gen. 12:7 God said … Continue reading →

How Can Unimmersed Persons Display the Fruit of the Spirit?

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How Can Unimmersed Persons Display the Fruit of the Spirit? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 8:52pm QUESTION: Is it possible for a person who does not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit of the Spirit as named in Galatians 5:22-23? I know individuals who have not obeyed Acts 2:38, which connects receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit with baptism, and yet they seem to exhibit aspects of the Spirit’s fruit. How can we explain this? ANSWER: The reason for the frequent confusion on this issue is the false assumption that none … Continue reading →