sing
I'm doing fine. The Lord keeps and upholds me.
Fidelis
As I understand it, you're no longer upholding
the Reformed faith!
sing
If you can tell me what the Reformed faith
is, I may be able to ascertain whether your understanding is right or not.
How do you come to that understanding?
Thanks for your concern.
Fidelis
Well, Reformed Faith is Calvinism, isn't it?
sing
What is Calvinism?
- Is it the version Calvin taught?
- Is it the version John Gill taught?
- Is it the version Andrew Fuller taught?
Or what do the Scriptures teach?
Sincere questions.
See this article on Calvin's commentary on John 3:16
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2011/12/john-calvins-notions-on-john-316.html
Fidelis
Here is my personal view in John 3.16
John 3:16, A Problem Text
In Greek, "cosmos" means "the
world," but it specifically refers to the world of people, encompassing
society, civilization, and the political powers and divisions of that world.
This definition is reflected in the English word "cosmopolitan,"
which combines "kosmos" with "polis," the Greek word for
"city." In this context, the world in John 3:16 appears to be limited
in scope.
The logical reasoning to refute this view
relies on the doctrinal system of the Doctrine of Grace and other Bible
versions and translations derived from old manuscripts. The world in that
passage refers to the world of the elect, comprising both Jews and Gentiles.
Christ prayed for the elect from among both groups (John 17:2, 9, 12; Ephesians
2:12, 19-22). Therefore, the world in this context is limited in scope.
The word "world" has various uses,
such as the world of politics, sports, show business, and science. In Luke 2:1,
Augustus Caesar decreed that the world should pay taxes. However, this did not
mean the entire world, but rather the known world at that time. Similarly, when
the Pharisees said that the whole world was following Christ (John 12:19), this
was an exaggeration.
In the science of biblical interpretation, or
hermeneutics, such exaggerations are recognized as literary devices. The words
"world" and "whosoever" in John 3:16 have been translated
in a way that creates a problem text. The word "whosoever" emphasizes
human will in eternal salvation, making it conditional rather than
unconditional.
According to some Bible scholars who have
investigated old manuscripts, the word "whosoever" is not found in
the original text. The earliest English translations of the Bible, such as John
Wycliffe's Bible (1385) and William Tyndale's Bible, did not include the word
"whosoever" in John 3:16.
Here are some translations of John 3:16:
- John Wycliffe Bible (1385): "For God
louede so the world, that he yaf his oon bigetun sone, that ech man that
bileueth in him perische not, but haue euerlastynge lijf."
- William Tyndale Bible: "For God so
loveth the worlde yt he hath geven his only sonne that none that beleve in him
shuld perisshe: but shuld have everlastinge lyfe."
- Literal American English translation:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, each one
believing or every one that believing should not perish have everlasting
life."
- Concordant Literal New Testament:
"EVERY ONE WHO IS BELIEVING."
- Young's Literal Translation: "For God
so love the world, that His Son - the only begotten – he gave, THAT EVERYONE
WHO IS BELIEVING in him may not perish, but may have life age during."
- New Living Translation: "So that
EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES in him."
The word "whosoever" implies
conditional salvation and emphasizes human will. However, the original text and
early translations do not support this interpretation.
If we accept that John 3:16 refers to general
atonement, meaning Christ died for all without exception or distinction, then
we must ask why many people will still go to hell. If Christ's death is
powerful, then why do we need to exercise our will or make a decision to
determine our own destiny? Christ did not die if our decision would save us
from the power of sin. Then what is the essence of Christ's death if our
decision or will would save us?
The Scripture is clear that Christ did not die
for the whole world, but only for a particular people, the elect, who were
chosen before the world began (Matthew 1:21; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 13:48).
3/25/25, 12:50 PM
sing
You are scholarly.
To me, it's simple.
The world, not just the Jews, but people from "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues."
Revelation 7:9 KJV — After this I beheld,
and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and
kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the
Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.
I'm simple.
3/26/25, 6:21 PM
Fidelis
So if that is your definition of "world", it means
Christ died for all without exception, am I correct?
Isn't that in that passage that you
quoted from Revelation implying all
saved from different nations, from different tongues, from different races,
from different colors of skins, are they refering as elect and saved?
But not the whole humankind
sing
God elected a people OUT OF "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" and gave them to Christ
to redeem; Christ came to save the same exact people, not one more and not one
less.
John 6:39 KJT — And this is the Father's will
which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing,
but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 17:2 KJT — As thou hast given him power
over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given
him.
Revelation 5:9 KJV — And they sung a new
song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:
for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
God's elect are found in every kindred, and
tongue, and people, and nation.
Which part you don't understand, just ask.
4/4/25, 1:05 PM
Fidelis
Bro Sing, since your soteriology is the same as Primitive Baptists, why not join the PBs
sing
I'm a heretic to them! 😃😃😃
Fidelis
Why?
sing
I don't believe in the eternal sonship; I
believe in the incarnational Sonship.
Jesus is DIVINELY begotten; Jesus is not
eternally begotten.
Fidelis
If he was divinely begotten, what was his
first existence within the Godhead?
sing
Take a look here: Jesus Christ - Eternally Begotten or Divinely Begotten?
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2025/02/jesus-christ-eternally-begotten-or.html.
Any questions? Ask further.
sing
Take a look here: Man, the Begotten Jesus, and the Divine Word
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2013/12/man-begotten-jesus-and-divine-word.html
John 1
1 ¶In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God...
14 ¶And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt
among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father,) full of grace and truth.
Fidelis
I can't view several times I click it
Maybe you can summarise your explanation.
sing
It's simple to me.
That which is eternal CANNOT be begotten.
That which is begotten CANNOT be eternal.
UNLESS theologians twist and pervert the simple word "begotten".
That which is eternal can be made flesh, i.e.
incarnated.
Fidelis
How can you reconcile it in the context of
Trinity and in the doctrine of Kenosis?
sing
Nothing to reconcile; incarnational Sonship
happened when the eternal Word, the Second Person of the Trinity, was made
flesh.
Go to the blog and search "divinely
begotten..."
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/
Fidelis
good day
I am about to leave from work going home
4/4/25, 6:49 PM
sing
Here are the long exchanges with the
Primitive Baptists on the subject.
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2011/11/confession-of-faith-predestination.html
Scroll about 1/3 down... starting here:
Here is one example:
1689.2.3 '..... the Son is ETERNALLY
begotten...' I repudiate this as erroneous.
The Son Jesus is DIVINELY begotten, has a
beginning.
The Word is eternal and unbegotten; has no
beginning.
4/20/25, 3:31 PM
Fidelis
Thanks.
4/30/25, 12:04 PM
Fidelis
How do you explain John 1.18?sing
It's like you're saying, "My wife went to
that playschool."
Fidelis
Does my question so childish?
Or is it just like an elementary question?
4/30/25, 1:03 PM
sing
You misunderstood; the word of truth is too
solemn to be handled lightly or frivolously.
After she is married to you, whatever she did
before she was married to you is spoken of as done by your wife, in her new
standing.
After the eternal Word was made flesh, i.e.
after incarnation, whatever was done by the Word BEFORE the incarnation is spoken
of as done by the Son, the Word made flesh.
Another example:
Hebrews 1
1¶God, who at sundry times and in divers
manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by
his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the
worlds.
But understand this in light of John 1
1 ¶In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without
him was not any thing made that was made...
14 ¶And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt
among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father,) full of grace and truth.
These truths are so elementary and obvious to
unprejudiced minds.
Jan 17, 2026, 12:29 PM
Fidelis
Ho bro Sing, how are you?
sing
Fine and still breathing.
Yourself?
Jan 17, 2026, 1:02 PM
Fidelis
Same, still alive and kicking
Do you agree with Reformed Covenant
Theology?
sing
It's such a big term.
What are its main components?
Fidelis
The whole system, including the discontinuity of the Baptist view on Baptism
And also the replacement theology
Feb 15, 2026, 7:03 PM
Fidelis
Hi Bro Sing
How are you, sir?
When you were still in Reformed Baptist, did
you receive an invitation to the ReBap Conference here in the Philippines?
Feb 15, 2026, 8:17 PM
I heard of the Conference organized by Brian
Ellis.
(He was a guest in my home in Penang when he attended a Reformed Ministers Conference in Malaysia)
sing
No, I don't remember any invitation. The RB
churches here were basically under the "control" of one man... XYZ.
However, both Brian Ellis and Noel Espinoza
were invited by XYZ to attend his Reformed Ministers Conference in Malaysia.
Brian even stayed with us after the conference.
Why do you ask?
Feb 15, 2026, 8:40 PM
Fidelis
They have a regular annual pastors' conference every 1st week of February. I was thinking that you were once a guest
speaker.
sing
What a joke!
I was in General Santos City once, on a fact-finding trip...
I was a nobody among the RBs. Why would I be
invited as a speaker? 🤣🤣🤣.
Now I am famous/notorious among the RBs as a
heretic!
