The people Jesus was speaking to (in this entire section) heard His voice. But did they all hearken to Him and believe?Jess wrote:On another note, I would appreciate feedback on how others would interpret John 10:26 and 28 that Mark mentioned above. My own thought is that he should have included verse 27, which lies between the two he mentioned:
26 "But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep."
27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;"
28 "And I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no
one shall snatch them out of My hand."
Only those who "hear" Christ's voice can be His sheep. Mark assumed that Christ's sheep were eternally chosen from the beginning. Verse 27 seems to suggest that we have a role in becoming His sheep, ie. responding to His voice. (also John 10:3)
John 10, NKJV (context)
19 Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. 20 And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”
21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”
33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” 39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.
40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there.
The Jews of verse 21 seemed to be very close to believing and could be the same people of verses 41/42; who saw Jesus' good works, heard His words, took them to heart, (and believed in Him). The others saw and heard the very same things---but didn't believe in Him. (Refutation of the Calvinistic idea that sinners --- who are not "elect," according to the Calvinistic system -- cannot hear Christ/God. Jesus spoke to them all---this chapter plainly states they ALL HEARD HIM). But did they all heed His word? No.
26 "But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep."
Jesus had already told them He was the Christ and performed miracles to attest to it---and they had already dis-believed, v. 25.
Nothing is said (in v. 26) about these people as to if they had been predestined or elected (in any Calvinistic sense of meaning). Jesus confronts them regarding their current status of unbelief as they heard His very words.
27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;"
Jesus explains what His disciples do: They hearken to Him (His voice/teaching), come to know Him, and follow Him. The sense of this verse is "If you are listening now and want to hear more" (and is essentially an invitation to become a disciple). Note, it is in the present tense.
28 "And I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand."
The Lord tells of eternal life to everyone within the range of His voice and that no external human or spiritual power will be able to take His disciples from Him. He is preaching the Gospel of the Eternal Kingdom; that they will be secure in Him, in His hand. Nothing here about "Eternal Security" or the Perseverance of the Saints. The "they" of this verse are collective; the fold of those who believe ("my sheep"). Following the Good Shepard is in the present tense, v. 27. Of course, individual sheep can stray from the flock at a future time for various reasons. However, v. 28 does not address that particular issue. Jesus gives assurance that no OUTSIDE force, power, person, or persons can snatch His sheep from Him: Nothing more, and nothing less is said here.
Re: 2 Calls
I don't think there's a distinction between responding to the call to "get saved" (Jesus as Savior) and the concurrent call to "do service" (Jesus as Lord). Not according to the Scriptures, imo. Sure, we're called to be saved from Hell and go to Heaven...but that's just part of the picture ("entry level," ff. .........(following Him in service).
An insomniac's imo'Zzzzzzzzzzzz, Goodnight!

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Rick