05-12-2008, 01:27 PM
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| Puritanboard Doctor | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saintfield, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerusalem Blade  Daniel,
When you said, "...both sides of the debate must surely expect all adult church members with a credible profession of faith to be among the elect and part of the invisible church who will ultimately be saved", I find myself differing.
Here in this country, where a "profession of faith" is a ticket to possible asylum status as a persecuted refugee, I neither expect nor presume regeneration in some cases. I have seen too many charlatans and scoundrels pass through my doors. Some learn the "Christian language" and talk the talk, but are far from it.
On the other hand, I see godly souls who are clearly His people, and here I give my heart as to a brother or sister.
Sometimes it is hard to tell. I do my best to be gracious "as if" they were genuine, still being careful and praying for discernment. I have seen wolves in sheep's cloth do terrible damage.
Perhaps this is an unusual situation, however. | Steve
I can see your point, but I do think you are in something of an unusual situation. When I say "expect" I mean in the judgment of charity we should expect those with a credible profession of faith to be among the elect. Because just after the writer to the Hebrews gives one of the most fearful warnings against apostasy in the whole of Scripture (Heb. 6:1-8), he nevertheless expects his listeners to perservere, and so he says to them "But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner." (Heb. 6:9).
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Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)
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