delvanis,

In another thread you mentioned that you were looking for a Reformed Baptist church near your home. After reading your comments here I'm wondering why you'd be looking for a REFORMED Baptist church. It's apparent by your comments that you do not embrace Reformed doctrine and I would think you'd be more comfortable in a Free Will Baptist church.

The questions you're asking have already been answered earlier in this thread from a Reformed perspective but you seem to want an Arminian perspective. You not going to get that here because as has been pointed out it doesn't agree with Scripture.

John 15:16

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."

Jesus does not mean that His disciples exercised no will of their own; they did choose to follow Him. Rather He is indicating that the first initiative, the original and saving choice, was His. Had He not chosen them, they would not have chosen Him. The immediate reference in this verse is to service as apostles, but this principal applies to many other matters including election and salvation (see Eph. 1:4, 11).

John 15:16 also mentions I appointed you which emphasizes the sovereign activity of God exercised without violation of the human act or decision.


Wes

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts