Rich,
Thanks for your response. Of course we all know the error of the FV teacher's and that most everyone here on the PB understands why it is wrong.
I do not think what I posted lends itself to that error however. I believe that election is a revealed truth that is plainly set forth.
The covenant of redemption is clearly set forth. You correctly identify where believer's differ in how we understand the out -working of the covenant of grace.
It is imo, the forced view of of Who,and What constitutes the church that remains the contended issue.
Paul's epistles just seem very clear to me,and perhaps to some other's in here. From The 1689;
Quote:
CHAPTER 26; OF THE CHURCH
Paragraph 1. The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.1
1 Heb. 12:23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:10,22,23, 5:23,27,32
Paragraph 2. All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints;2 and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.3
2 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 11:26
3 Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:20-22
Paragraph 3. The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error;4 and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan;5 nevertheless Christ always has had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.6
4 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 2,3
5 Rev. 18:2; 2 Thess. 2:11,12
6 Matt. 16:18; Ps. 72:17, 102:28; Rev. 12:17
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Rich- How we view and describe paragraph #2 is at the heart of it. Paragraph #1 is very clear as I believe most of Paul's writings are.