John,

Thank you for listing the doctrines of grace.  While many Bible students pick and choose their favorites from the acrostic (TULIP) like apples from an apple cart, Adventists actually reject them all.  I find it most revealing that these doctrines totally enrage many unbelievers and believing unbelievers as well.  Many people are concerned about how they can know that they are the elect.  “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17 NASB).  Verse 16 also validates the dualistic nature of man--material and immaterial (body and spirit).  Applying “breath” to spirit in this passage would be sacrilegious.

Dennis Fischer

Dennis

Home run, amigo! I never applied Romans 8: 16-17 to the question of knowing we are among the elect! 

It’s amazing how, every once-in-awhile, a simple comment from another Bible student can help lift the fog!

Thanks for the great post!

Bob

“God’s Holy Spirit confirms the validity of our adoption, not by some inner, mystical voice, but by the fruit He produces in us (Gal. 5:22,23) and the power He provides for spiritual service (Acts 1:8) ...Our love for fellow Christians is the primary test of our love for God.” [Excerpts from The MacArthur Bible Commentary, pp. 1532, 1678]

Dennis Fischer