Whenever we discuss the Doctrine of Election it is hard to remain objective rather than subjective.  This is because so much has been taught on the subject, yet so little has really been explained. Also, a lot of false doctrine has been taught under the guise of "Biblical Election". To clear out the chaff we're going to look at the two major theological positions on this doctrine.

Before we start, let me quickly point out that I don't have all the answers. Election is one of the more confusing doctrines of Scripture: not confusing because it's untrue, but confusing because the Scripture seems to support both the free will of man as well as the Election of God equally. Most theologians hold to either the Arminian or the Calvinistic positions exclusively, yet to ignore God's awesome power while raising the free will of man to god-like status seems to me to be disrespectful of His majesty. On the other hand, to ignore the "whosoever will" Scriptures in order to automate salvation also seems to be a terrible theological blunder. So, rather than propose either the Arminian or the Calvinistic position, this study will highlight the teachings of both.

I am a seeker of the truths of God. Seek these truths with me, beloved of God.

The doctrine of Election as presented by the Church Father Arminius most widely taught and accepted by the American Christian today. This is not to mean this position is true: many who claim to be Christians believe that membership in the Church will give them entrance into Heaven, but nothing is farther away from Scriptural truth. Unless you have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, you can be assured you will enter hell after death.

That aside, here are the points that Arminius established on Election:

• Man is spiritually dead because of the fall of Adam, but this fall did not cause man to be totally cut off from God. The "fall" means that man in his natural state is unable to please God.
• Man was lost with no way of redeeming himself. God provided a way (the Cross of Christ) that man could be saved. If man accepted this way of salvation, then he would be saved. If not, then man would be damned.
• The fall of Adam had no effect on man's free will. Once God offered the Way of the Cross, man was able, of his own accord, to freely accept or reject this salvation.
• Once God offered the Way of the Cross, He made this offer to all mankind in accordance with His Directive Will. The offer of salvation was made to man without coercion or force on God's part. The offer came freely to man, and man was able to freely reject or accept that offer.
• Once man hears the offer of salvation through the Cross the Holy Spirit comes to that man and "invites" man to accept or reject. The Spirit has no part in coercing or forcing man.
• God did not nominate people from eternity past to salvation. All mankind is freely offered salvation, and all can accept or reject that call. All are called equally to salvation.
• In passages that discussed Election Arminius said that God, in effect, "Looked down through the Ages to see who would accept or reject that call". Once God knew who would accept, these He called "The Elect". The Elect were predestinated to be made like Christ because God chose them based on the fact that they chose Him first. God did not call any "Elect" who had not already made the decision to accept that call of their own free will.
• The major key to salvation is, therefore, the free will of man. Unless man accepts the call, he cannot be saved. God is limited to offering, then man makes the final decision.

The Church Father John Calvin offered another scenario to describe Election:

1. Man initially was in a state of perfection, but fell from this state by disobedience. When he disobeyed, man fell into true Spiritual death.

2. This Spiritual death caused man to be totally cut off from God. Not only were man's works regarded as filthy by God, God refused to look on them at all. This is because man's fall caused a Sin Nature to be formed in man.

3. The rule of this Old Sin Nature (OSN) in man is so strong that it literally enslaves his will. Man is an enemy of God, forced into this position by his OSN. Since whatever will man has is automatically anti-God, then man is in a lost and hopeless situation.  Sin has affected all parts of man. The heart, emotions, will, mind, and body are all affected by sin. We are completely sinful. We are not as sinful as we could be, but we are completely affected by sin.

a. This doctrine (called by Calvin, "Total Depravity") is derived from scriptures that reveal human character: Man's heart is evil (Mark 7:21-23) and sick (Jer. 17:9). Man is a slave of sin (Rom. 6:20). He does not seek for God (Rom. 3:10-12). He cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). He is at enmity with God (Eph. 2:15). And, is by nature a child of wrath (Eph. 2:3). The Calvinist asks the question, "In light of the scriptures that declare man's true nature as being utterly lost and incapable, how is it possible for anyone to choose or desire God?" The answer is, "He cannot. Therefore God must predestine."

b. Calvinism also maintains that because of our fallen nature we are born again not by our own will but God's will (John 1:12-13); God grants that we believe (Phil. 1:29); faith is the work of God (John 6:28-29); God appoints people to believe (Acts 13:48); and God predestines (Eph. 1:1-11; Rom. 8:29; 9:9-23).

4. God decided, of His own will, to remedy this situation in eternity past. This remedy did not obligate God to save all of mankind. Man fell into his OSN by an act of his own will, and the will of God exercised mercy, not justice, in bailing man out. God's justice demanded that some suffer the consequences for his sin, whereas God's mercy demanded that some be saved. Both of God's attributes, justice and mercy, had to be expressed.

5. In order to satisfy God's mercy He sent His Son to die for a select people called "the Elect". God wasn't obligated to save all, but by mercy was obligated to save some. Those He saved were not selected to this action of Grace based on merit, but based on the inner workings of God's will. There was no partiality in God when the decision was made.

a. The action of the Son dying for a select group of people is called "Limited Atonement". Jesus died only for the elect. Though Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient for all, it was not efficacious for all. Jesus only bore the sins of the elect. Support for this position is drawn from such scriptures as Matt. 26:28 where Jesus died for ‘many'; John 10:11, 15 which say that Jesus died for the sheep (not the goats, per Matt. 25:32-33); John 17:9 where Jesus in prayer interceded for the ones given Him, not those of the entire world; Acts 20:28 and Eph. 5:25-27 which state that the Church was purchased by Christ, not all people; and Isaiah 53:12 which is a prophecy of Jesus’ crucifixion where he would bore the sins of many (not all).

6. In order to satisfy His attribute of Justice God refused to select others to salvation. These people were neither elected to Heaven nor Hell, but were on their own as regards the attaining of salvation.

a. God does not base His election on anything He sees in the individual ("Unconditional Election"). He chooses the elect according to the kind intention of His will (Eph. 1:4-8; Rom. 9:11) without any consideration of merit within the individual. Nor does God look into the future to see who would pick Him. Also, as some are elected into salvation, others are not (Rom. 9:15, 21).

7. After God provided the means of salvation (the Cross) it was necessary for Him to overcome the OSN in elect man. Calvin's doctrine made it impossible for man's will to function in salvation. Man's natural will was to hate God, so God sent the Holy Spirit to the elect to issue an "efficacious or undeniable call" to salvation. This efficacious call would negate the OSN in the elect so that he would be free to accept that call to salvation.

a. When God calls his elect into salvation ("Irresistible Grace"), they cannot resist. God offers to all people the gospel message. This is called the external call. But to the elect, God extends an internal call and it cannot be resisted. This call is by the Holy Spirit who works in the hearts and minds of the elect to bring them to repentance and regeneration whereby they willingly and freely come to God. Some of the verses used in support of this teaching are Romans 9:16 where it says that "it is not of him who wills nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy"; Philippians 2:12-13 where God is said to be the one working salvation in the individual; John 6:28-29 where faith is declared to be the work of God; Acts 13:48 where God appoints people to believe; and John 1:12-13 where being born again is not by man's will, but by God's.

8. Once the elect accepted the call (and he had no choice), God justified him (declared him righteous), applied the Son's sacrifice to their lives (marked them as children of God), and will ultimately glorify him so he will be fit to enter Heaven.

a. This state of salvation is eternal ("Perseverance of the Saints"), and cannot be forfeited. You cannot lose your salvation. Because the Father has elected, the Son has redeemed, and the Holy Spirit has applied salvation, those thus saved are eternally secure. They are eternally secure in Christ. Some of the verses for this position are John 10:27-28 where Jesus said His sheep will never perish; John 6:47 where salvation is described as everlasting life; Romans 8:1 where it is said we have passed out of judgment; 1 Corinthians 10:13 where God promises to never let us be tempted beyond what we can handle; and Phil. 1:6 where God is the one being faithful to perfect us until the day of Jesus’ return.

9. The offer of salvation is freely given to all through the Gospel according to the Directive Will of God. But the elect alone are saved by the efficacious call of the Spirit via God's decreetive will.

10. Though Calvin recognized that there were numerous verses in Scripture that seemed to recognize the existence of free will in man, he deemed these verses to be mysterious, without explanation. How free will and election worked together in Scripture was never determined by Calvin.

Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement (Particular Atonement)
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints (Eternal Security)

I believe that the truth of election lies somewhere between both Arminianism and Calvinism. I know for a fact that, if you read the account of Paul's conversion (Acts 9.3-6), you can't possibly believe that he was given a "free" choice of accepting Christ as Savior. Paul was literally knocked down, blinded, and was not restored to health until he repented. As a preacher I can appreciate this method of conversion, and there are many times I wished God would strike down members of our audience and force them to salvation. Yet I digress! You can see, in Paul's life (at any rate) a clear indication of coercion of will by God to achieve salvation in one of the elect (that is, if you're honest about the text). So let's see what the Scripture has to say.

Hebrews 2:9-10  "But we see (BLEPO, see at a glance) Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned (Perfect Passive Participle, crowned in the past with continuing results into the future) with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste (Aorist Active, taste once and for all) death for every man. (HUPER + accusative case PAS = for everyone)  [10] For it became him, for whom (DIA + accusative case = because of whom) are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing (Aorist Active AGO, leading once and for all) many sons unto glory, to make the captain (ARCHEGOS = the highest rank in the Roman army, today equaling the rank of General) of their salvation perfect (TELEIOO, Aorist = make complete once and for all) through sufferings. (note this is plural)"

1 John 2:1-2  "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (PARAKLATOS = lawyer, council for the defense) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation (ILASMOS = means of appeasing, acceptable sacrifice) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Revelation 20:11-15  "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  [12]  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. [13]  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. [14]  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15]  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

2 Corinthians 5:14-15  "For the love of Christ constraineth (literally = keeps on pressing down on us on all sides) us; because we thus judge, that if (EAN, first class condition = if, and it is true) one died for all, then were all dead: [15]  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."

1 Timothy 2:5-6  "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6]  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

1 Timothy 4:10  "For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe."

Titus 2:11  "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation (SOTERIOS used adjectivally = imparting salvation)hath appeared (Aorist Passive Indicative EPIPHAINO = has clearly become manifest) to all men"

2 Peter 2:1  "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

Calvin taught that Christ's Atonement was only limited, that is, it only served to atone for the sins of the elect. Yet even a casual reading of the Scriptures seems to dispute this claim. Hebrews tells us that Jesus tasted death "for every man".  John says that Jesus was the propitiation (payment price of redemption) for not only our sins, but "for the sins of the whole world". Corinthians teaches us that One (Jesus) died "for all", as does the writings in Titus and Timothy. Let's examine each text in more detail, but so far, even with a casual reading, I have to believe that Calvin missed the boat on this one.

In the Hebrews text we see that Christ taste(d) (Aorist Active, taste once and for all) death for every man. (HUPER + accusative case PAS = for everyone) . The Scripture places no qualifier on who this "everyone" is. Calvin would have us add to or modify the text to read, "tasted death for everyone of the elect", but no where does this Scripture support such a modification. The purpose of the Cross was clearly for Jesus to suffer the penalty of sin for all of fallen mankind so that God could justly bring us into a right relationship with Him. The fact that Christ suffered and died for the whole world doesn't automatically assume that the whole world will be saved - this is Unitarian/ Universalist hogwash. You must accept what Christ did for you for the payment to be effective, otherwise you stand before the Great White Throne judgment of God on your own merit (not a good thing, if Revelation is to be believed). Christ is the means of salvation, but your faith in Him is the key that unlocks that means. When the means and the key unite, salvation results.

In our 1 John text the Unlimited Atonement of Christ is even more clearly presented. John said that Christ is the propitiation (ILASMOS = means of appeasing, acceptable sacrifice) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Calvinism counters by stating that for the sins of is an addition of the King James translators, and is not found in the original text. This is true, but the fact that John was referring to "sins" prior to talking about the whole world (this was, indeed, the major thrust of the message)  then any thinking person can see that what the translators added was no more than what was clearly implied. Christ's sacrifice didn't just pay for a select group, but for the sins of all mankind.

You can see the ramifications that Unlimited Atonement has on all mankind, whether they have accepted its merits or not. At the Great White Throne Judgment (see our Revelation text, above) you see that people are judged according to their works. Not "according to their sins" but "according to their works". Jesus paid the penalty for sin, so they will not be judged for their sins, but based on what they did (works) that gave them right to enter Heaven. Of course, none of us have "works" that give us right to enter Heaven, so, after looking in the Book of Life (the names of all those who accepted Christ as Savior) and finding their names missing, God examines the lost person's works to determine their fitness to enter Heaven. Human good always misses the mark of righteousness (Isaiah 64.6), whether it be giving to a charitable cause, joining a Church, or caring for the homeless. The unbeliever will enter the Lake of Fire, not because of his sins (which were paid for on the Cross) but because he refused to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and tried to make it into Heaven on his own foolish, inadequate works. How sad! The check was signed at the Cross, the pardon accepted, and the fool rejected it. The Atonement was universal, unlimited, but ignored and thus lost to these foolish people.

The Apostle Paul approached the Unlimited Atonement of the Cross from a different perspective. He assumed the Doctrine was true (if (EAN, first class condition = if, and it is true) one died for all, then were all dead:  And that he died for all) and then used it to assert two other Doctrines: the Universality of Sin and the Doctrine of Christian Motivation. Christ paid for the sins of the whole world. The very fact that He did this proved that "were all dead", that is, all mankind was fallen under the weight of sin. In order for God to provide a fair rescue for all humanity, which was dead in sin, then He had to die for all mankind.

Having proved this, Paul took the argument a step farther. Since Christ made Unlimited Atonement for sin, and since the believer is freed from sin under this payment, then those who are in Christ should live their lives as if they are in Christ. Paul said "they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again". The believer must, of necessity, live his life like a Christian, not like a lost person. Would that many of those in Churches all across America today would take this to heart. Rather than compromise the Scripture in order to maintain acceptability in our lost society, we should be standing firm on the truths of Scripture. Homosexuality is condemned by Scripture - support that stand. Adultery is condemned by Scripture - don't tolerate it in order to appease the world's view of "love". Abortion is an abomination before God - reject such acts of murder rather than tolerate it for large growth in the Church. A tumor increases the weight of a person's body, yet such growth is undesirable!

In Timothy, Paul was more direct in supporting the Doctrine of Unlimited Atonement. Christ is "a ransom for all", not just for a select number. Christ is "the Savior of all men", not just for Calvin's elect. The payment was made in full for all, if all would only accept it.

Since Christ made an Unlimited Atonement for the world, then it's only natural that God would offer this salvation equally and freely to all men. In Titus Paul said this Grace of God "hath appeared (Aorist Passive Indicative EPIPHAINO = has clearly become manifest) to all men", has clearly manifested itself to all. The Aorist Passive tells us a lot about this Scripture. First, it tells us that this "manifesting" action comes to every person (all men) at least once in their lifetime. In other words, there comes a time in every person's life when God lifts the veil of sin, just for a moment, and allows us to make a rational decision for or against God. The Passive Voice further tells us that the object (all men) of the sentence has nothing to do with this manifestation. At some time in your life, whether you are debased or exalted, of high intelligence or of low, whether rich or poor, whether male or female - the Lord opens a window of opportunity for salvation. When that window is open you have a choice: accept or reject that pardon.

If news reports are true, Jane Fonda became a Christian not too long ago. I myself would have never believed that she would ever accept Christ as Savior. Jane was so far to the left, that liberals looked up to her as a sort of god. She believed in herself and her agenda, not God or her country. Yet she has, the reports go, accepted Christ as Savior and God used her driver to witness to her. What I would have never believed, God made possible. Of course, when I was growing up there were many who believed that I would never be saved, myself included. Yet when the window of opportunity was opened, I came in and met a Savior that thoroughly refreshes. Praise Him that He reached out, and still reaches out today! Good for you, Jane, if this is true. You will be blessed - I promise.

Finally, we see that Christ even died for those who have a hidden agenda in the Church. These people (who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them) have been paid for on the Cross, bought by the Lord, yet reject Him in order to sow discord in the Church. Many of them are present in the Church today. They reject the Scripture as God's Word because it does not fit their agenda. They equate love of God with loving sinful actions, and so bring in "damnable heresies". They are paid for, but not redeemed, because they reject the purchase price of the Cross. You see them on television, see them pervert the lofty aims of mainline denominations in our country, and all for the sake of their own agenda. They will have their reward.

Is Calvinism's assertion of "Limited Atonement" correct? No, the Scripture does not support such a theory. Christ died for all, no matter how despicable, so that all might have a chance at eternal life.

Calvinism teaches that God's love is selective, only expressed toward the elect. The text he used to support this claim was:

Romans 9. 6-23 "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: [7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. [8] That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. [9] For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. [10] And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; [11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. [14] What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. [15] For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. [16] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. [17] For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. [18] Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. [19] Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? [20] Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? [21] Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? [22] What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: [23] And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory"

The problems with using this text to address the "selective love" of God are numerous. Certainly God can choose who He will or will not save. We are the creation, He is the Creator, and He can do as He will. Yet we must view this text within its clear context. The text itself speaks of the nation Israel, and how God chose the lineage of this nation to go through Jacob rather than Esau. Though Jacob deceived his father and gained the blessing due to the firstborn, and though this was, in itself, an act of sin - God allowed it in order to insure the line would go through the proper son. God also raised up Pharaoh, then moved his heart to disobedience in order that His power would be shown forth. The whole context addresses God's control of the human will and the physical world in which we live in order to achieve His purposes. Yet the text no where states that God controls man in order to attain his own salvation.

Let me be quick to point out, though, that just as I disagree with many of the claims of Calvinism, I also disagree with many of the claims of Arminianism. Arminius raised the power of the human free will to an almost god-like status, yet this is incompatible with Scripture. I started out this study by alluding to Paul the Apostle and his conversion. Jesus Christ literally knocked the man down, blinded him, and forced him to salvation. You might say that Paul chose God of his own free will, and Paul did choose God. Yet wouldn't you choose God if He visibly appeared to you, knocked you down, blinded you, then led you to a place where He restored your sight? No matter how hardened the Atheist, a big enough stick will bring a person meekly to Christ.

God controls nations, kings, and governments in order to achieve His will. Though He allows us a free choice in salvation, if it suits His will He will coerce our wills in order to maintain His agenda (Deut. 28.47-49; 2 Chron. 36.16-17; Ezra 6.22; 7.27; Job 12.24-25; Psa. 105.25; Prov. 21.1; 20.24; Exo. 4.21; 7.3; 9.12; 10.1). God decided that He would send Messiah through the seed of man. Satan acted on this, and tried to pervert the lineage of mankind (Gen. 6.1-10) by intermingling fallen angels with mankind. God destroyed the earth by flood, and saved only eight souls through Noah. God further determined that Messiah would go through the line of Abraham. Though Abraham was faithless, and had a child from his maid, God determined that the lineage of Christ would go through Sarah and the child Isaac. God made a great nation out of Hagar's son Ishmael, the Arabic people, but the Christ came through Isaac. Human free will says, "Well, Ishmael was just as good as Isaac - let Jesus come through Ishmael", but God said "No!".

When Isaac grew into manhood he married Rebekah, and she bore him twins: Esau and Jacob. Esau was born first, so he was due the blessing of the firstborn. Jacob (the name means "con man") was deceitful and cunning, and determined that he would receive the blessing instead. God allowed Isaac to deceive his father, and receive the blessing. The Lord says, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated", or literally "Jacob I have chosen, Esau I have not chosen". Why? Was Jacob better than Esau morally? No, he was a con man, a deceiver. Yet it suited God's purpose to allow this, and to continue the line of Christ through Jacob.

We can sit back and try to second guess why God allowed or caused these things all day long, but Paul answers all arguments with this statement: "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?".  You may not like it, but like it or not God made you, and has every right to do with you as He will. He alone is God, Creator of all. Only in our own arrogance have we thought to raise our own wills to equal that of God, and mores the pity. The fact is, God can do as He wants with us, and we can cry about it all we want. We are His, whether saved or not. He does have the right to forcibly save some if He wants, as in the case of Paul. He has the right to allow others to freely accept if He wants. The only absolute as regards God and salvation is this: He can do as He wants. What is His love policy toward the world at large? You know it by heart:

John 3:16  "For God so loved (AGAPAO, Aorist = loved in the past. Loved so that He committed this action) the world, (KOSMOS = the sum total of those who live on earth, or will ever live on earth) that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth (PISTEUO, Perfect Participle = keeps on believing) in him should not perish, (APOLLUMI, Aorist Middle Subjunctive = should not cause self to be destroyed {in Hellfire}) but have (Present Active Subjunctive = keep on having) everlasting life."

This very familiar passage of Scripture declares God's love policy to all as pertaining to salvation. Because of His love for the KOSMOS, God caused His Son to make atonement for the entire KOSMOS. Since the sins of the KOSMOS were paid for on the Cross, then it is only logical to assume that everyone has at least an equal chance at salvation. Had God's love policy determined that the Cross would only pay for a few (and He had every right to make this decision - the Potter has power over the clay), then Christ would not have been offered for the KOSMOS, but only for that select few. God would not be cruel to His Son and require that He make payment for those who were not even offered salvation. God would not have written a check in the blood of His Son, then lock that check away so that only some could get to it. God gives a call, a window of opportunity to all to accept the payment of Christ. To some He may force the issue (as in the case of Paul) when it was necessary for the greater good of His plan. He has this right. Yet to refuse to offer to some after making the Son pay for all? This is inconceivable!

When Jesus' messenger, John the Baptist, saw Him for the first time he announced:

John 1:29  "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb (AMNOS = sacrificial lamb) of God, which taketh away (AIRO, Present Participle = keeps on lifting up, keeps on taking away) the sin of the world (KOSMOS = those who live on or have lived on this earth)."

It was plain to the holy messenger, John the Baptist, that Jesus was the Messiah - the One who was going to pay for the sins of the whole world - not just the select few. Later in His ministry when Jesus was telling the disciples their purpose in life, He said:

Matthew 5:14-16  "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [15]  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Light is not light if it is unseen. Light in outer space, outside of our human range of vision, is useless to any. Hidden light is useless, but we who are saved are the "light of the world". We are to shine so that anyone in the KOSMOS can see our light, and come to the Christ we profess. Jesus said:

John 12:46-47 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth (PISTEUO, Present Participle = keeps on believing) on me should not abide (MENO, Aorist Subjunctive = should not stay in) in darkness. [47]  And if any man hear (AKOUO, Aorist Subjunctive = should hear) my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."

Jesus Himself believed that He was the PHOS, light of the KOSMOS, or world. His ministry of salvation was to the entire KOSMOS, not just a select few. Jesus recognized that the volition or will of man would be a necessary element in this offered salvation when He used Present Participles and Aorist Subjunctives. Those who "keep on believing" shall be saved. Those who AKOUO, or hear or their own will and believe will be saved. Those who reject will not be saved, but will be damned.

In John 17 Jesus prayed for the Church, and prayed not just for the handful of disciples that He had at that time, but for those who would accept Him in the future. He said:

John 17:20  "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;"

Jesus knew that others would come, but He didn't call these others "a select few", but placed no number on those called. Many would come to know Him through God's call throughout history, and Jesus knew this because He is, indeed, God.

God's love policy toward all mankind is also highlighted by the verses that teach that He is non prejudicial. God is not a "respecter of persons", as these verses highlight:

2 Samuel 14:14  "For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect (NACAH = to be partial to, choose one over another because of determined merit) any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him."

2 Chronicles 19:7  "Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect (MASSO = partiality in decision) of persons, nor taking of gifts (God does not accept bribes)."

Proverbs 24:23  "These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect (NACAH = to be partial to, choose one over another because of determined merit)of persons in judgment."

Romans 2:11  "For there is no respect of persons (PROSOPOLEPSIA = partiality to people) with God."

Ephesians 6:9  "And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons (PROSOPOLEPSIA = partiality to people)with him."

The Bible repeatedly teaches that God doesn't show partiality in judgment, and this is the reason that "meritorious behavior" doesn't get you into Heaven. The impartiality of God extends to salvation, to all facets of God's agenda. When God gave His Son for the whole world (which we have beforehand proved), then if He selects a chosen few for salvation He is showing partiality. God is the Author of holiness, and lives by what He has Authored. Unless God gives every person on earth a chance at salvation, then He is partial in judgment and grace.

This is not to say that God never shows partiality. When His predetermined plans or laws decree a certain standard then He is partial to that standard. When Cain and Abel brought their offerings to God, and God accepted Abel's offering and not Cain's (Genesis 4.5), this is because He had taught man that, at that time, animal sacrifices were necessary for worship and atonement. He decreed these standards, and when Cain ignored the decree then the offering was rejected. In His eternal plan God determined that the line of Christ would come through Isaac and Jacob. This was His decree, and He showed partiality to Isaac and Jacob in honoring this decree. To have accepted either Ishmael or Esau would have run counter to His plan, and He has every right to protect the integrity of His plan. But when God decreed that Christ would die for the whole world, He locked partiality out of the equation. Had He allowed for only a Limited Atonement then His plan would have decreed only a select few enter this Atonement, that is, those for whom Christ died. But instead God, as Creator, made provision for the whole world, and His impartiality decrees that He offer each person at least one honest chance at receiving this salvation. The window of opportunity may be opened only once - and for this reason no person should hold off accepting the offer when it comes. But that window of opportunity will be opened in every person's life at least once.

Click here to go to the next article on Election, or on the logo at the top of this page to return to our main menu. God Bless!