Does the Bible Support or Oppose Five-Point Calvinism?

[Crowns&Laurels]

Calvin believed that God cannot be betrayed by another's free will because He is the omnipotent, omniscient Creator; that nothing transcends God's will.
The entire basis of Calvinism is built on that.

 

[Crowns&Laurels]

I don't understand why so many non-Catholics freak out over Calvinism. Protestantism altogether is built on predestination, it wasn't just Calvin.
Lutheranism and the majority of Baptist congregations lean right on predestination theology. In fact, it's really only Methodists and Pentecostals who are bent on free will.

 

[Crowns&Laurels]

The issue is what is predestined. Is it everything, including all mans sin- which makes God the author of evil and man just robot puppets. This is why there is so much contention.

Baptist are a mixed bunch. The Sovereign Grace variety are a minority. Wonder why God predestined that !

As for being bent on free will. This is where Calvinist ( speaking with a broad brush) get it so wrong. Few hold that one can save oneself by free will. The very few that do are generally considered cranks by Methodist and Penties. Baffles me why Calvinist latch on to this false notion.

~Isaiah 45:7~
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

It's not like the scriptures do not outright declare such preeminence as Calvin proposed.

 

[Lazy_Proverb]

You said 'choice'. Arrrggh. Blown it.

Hardly so. It was a matter of keeping my remarks in context to those I had addressed to FG2.
Calvinists do not dismiss free will, btw. That is something that can be found in hyper-Calvinism.

This verse says nothing about salvation. We are predestined ( not all of us, sure) for future adoption. I.e those who believe have a destiny set that is different to those who do not believe.

This is the problem with cherry picking verses. It does nothing for you argument.

Have a blessed day.

 

[Lazy_Proverb]

I already have in this thread. You'll find that about two pages back or so.

 

[SinnerInTheHands]

I'm glad that this has gotten as far as it has. I hope to respond to each of your arguments point by point over the next few days.

 

[Crowns&Laurels]

I'm glad that this has gotten as far as it has. I hope to respond to each of your arguments point by point over the next few days.

People fear what they don't understand, and because predestination is so misunderstood, those such as Calvin or Luther are attacked.

 

[SinnerInTheHands]

Prove what? I could post the Bible but that wold take quite a few posts. My point was about context. The five points aren't taught anywhere in Scripture. They're supported by proof texts. There are no Scriptures that say man is totally depraved, none that speak of unconditional election, none that speak of limited atonement, none that speak of irresistible grace or perseverance of the saints. All of these doctrines are "INFERRED" from passages of Scriptures then it is claimed that this is what the Bible teaches. Inferences aren't teaching, they're conclusions drawn by a person. Inferences can be correct or incorrect. However, that are not teaching.

Really? How about Romans 9? Or Ephesians 1? Or Romans 8? Or John 17? Or John 6?

Need I go on?

You might want to take a look at some other botanicals:

• The Mutant Tulip
• The Daisy That Posed as a TULIP

Biased sources with no Biblical proof.

The truth is somewhere in the middle because Calvinism/Augustinianism is one extreme and Pelagianism and Arminianism is the other extreme. Calvinists believe if you are not Calvinist then you must be Arminianist. There is nothing else. I can quote Calvinists, if you like. But, those are belief systems created by men as they extracted from the Bible, extreme interpretations. Below, we will just see what the Bible says.

One Extreme-------------------------->
Pelagianism states that our willing choice is the determining factor in the participation of our salvation. Pelagianism is seen as extremely humanistic and Arminianism is not as extreme in its humanistic factors (meaning what we do) it does not totally effect our salvation. Evangelicalism also tends to focus on our own actions and performance.

<------------------------Other Extreme
Augustinianism and Calvinism is pretty much the reduction of our being in that fallen humanity is deemed depraved (defective) to the point that they are incapable of responding to the Lord's offer of grace. The meaning of grace is misunderstood as divine determinism. This means that God will sovereignly elect/select some for salvation and others for perdition.

<----------------------------------------------------------Balance---------------------------------------------------------------->

There is the Divine initiative and then.................................... there is Man's response.
GRACE .................................................................................................... FAITH
Eph 2:5,8 "for by grace you have been saved..." -------------- Eph 2:8 "...saved through faith"

God divinely and dynamically extends His grace -------------- Faith is our response to the Divine activity of God to us via His Son, Jesus Christ (Jn 1:17) and by Holy Spirit, not only initially but continually, throughout the Christian life. Faith puts us in a position of receiving. Faith enables us to be receptive to the Holy Spirit.
"As many as received Him.." Jn 1:12
Acts 15:11 "through the grace of the Lord Jesus -------------- “believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved” Act 16:31
Christ we shall be saved,"
Titus 2:11 - “the grace of God has appeared --------------------- “salvation through faith in Christ” II Tim. 3:15
bringing salvation to all men.”
II Tim. 1:9 - “saved us according to His own ------------------ “chosen for salvation...through faith in the truth” II Th 2:13
purpose and grace..”
I Pet. 1:10 - “this salvation, the prophets --------------------- “outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” 1 Pet 1:9
prophesied of the grace to come

The "Finished work" of Jesus Christ which makes salvation available to ALL men is proven a universal objective by the Word of God. No one is elected to perdition.

• Jn 3:16 - For God so loved the world (ALL are Loved)
• Eph 1:7 - In whom we have redemption (ALL are Redeemed)
• Jn 1:29 - Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (ALL are Forgiven)
• Rom 5:18,19 - "...so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (ALL are made righteous)
• Rom 5:10,11 - "...we were reconciled to God..." - (ALL have been reconciled)
• Rom 5:18 - "...upon all men unto justification of life." (ALL have been given life)
• Titus 2:11 - "...grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (ALL are saved)
• Eph 1:3 - "who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (ALL are Blessed)
• Jn 12:32 - "...will draw all men unto me." (ALL men drawn to Christ)

All the bulleted scriptures are objective, eternal realities whether a person believes or does not believe.

The one extreme for the above verses would be Universalism. Everyone is predestined to spend eternity in heaven and this is determined solely by God and not dependent on any human response. Towards this same extreme is Determinist theology that indicates ALL humanity (smaller part) is included in the life and ministry of Jesus' humanity which was of a vicarious nature in that all human beings will be incorporated into Him forever and ever.

More on Calvinism
"Particularism" in the processes of salvation is the mark of Calvinism. Particularism deals not generally with mankind at large, but particularly with the individuals who are actually saved. If you deny Particularism you are denying the supernaturalism of salvation, that is, Christianity itself. It is logically the total rejection of Christianity. "ALL qualified", actually means only God's predestined elect. Salvation is not an option for the non-elect.

THE BALANCE
1. Some reject God's grace and do not receive the living Lord Jesus.
2. Human beings have freedom of choice, and the freedom of choice that we are born with has no merit in and of itself regarding automatic eternal blessings.
3. Faith is never a work in the New Testament and neither is it a gift of God. "A measure of faith", has been given to all men.
Rom_12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Faith is a response on our part to receive what God is giving us. Faith receives God's divine activity.

4. Either-or - Some will receive Jesus, and some will reject Jesus.

Calvinism pretty much denys that an individual is able to respond in faith to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Evangelicals, on the other hand have a different view of salvation. An individual "gets saved" by their personal choice to receive Jesus, but in saying this to them, they are subtly communicating that men are contributing to their salvation by their own faith-action of assent to facts, raising your hand, walking the aisle and getting your "ticket punched". It could also be reciting a creed, getting baptized, joining a religious organization, promising to keep the Church's rules, going to catechism, etc., etc. None of these things produce regeneration and if you are not regenerated (converted) you are not saved according to the Bible.

Acts 16:30,31 - “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
Eph. 2:8,9 - “For by grace you have been saved through faith.”
Rom. 10:8-10 - “...confess with mouth, believe in heart, you will be saved.”
I Cor. 1:21 - “God was well- pleased to save those who believe”
Rom. 5:10 - “...saved by His life”

Regeneration - or conversion is a defining moment in one's life. It is radical!! Not a ceremony or ritual. One is going from spiritual death to spiritual life. This is not done by rituals, reciting of creeds, church membership classes, baptism, et al.

Matt. 18:3 - “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Jn. 3:3,7 - “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
I Pt. 1:3 - “...begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
Acts 26:18 - “To open their eyes, and to turn them (convert) from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God,"Titus 3:5 - “...saved us by the washing of regeneration...”

The result of conversion is Union with Christ.
II Pt. 1:4 - “partakers of the divine nature”
I Cor. 6:17 - “he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.”
Heb. 3:14 - “partakers of Christ”
Heb. 6:4 - “partakers of the Holy Spirit”

Extremes of Union with Christ are mysticism, pantheism, panentheism, monistic unification of Christ and the Christian to the point where they become one and there is no distinction between them. Let's talk about Union with Christ, later.

I have had to readjust my thinking quite a bit through the years to keep from falling off into the ditch of "isms" rather than taking into account the "full counsel of God". You can see that you really do not need any "isms", and the Word of God and the Spirit of God seem to do just fine.

You don't have to subscribe to Arminianism, Calvinism, Methodism, Lutheranism, Catholicism, etc, etc. You just need to be Christocentric, because that is what the Word of God is.

From Genesis to Revelation, it is the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

This is an entirely Arminian response.

 

[rnmomof7]

And the second verse?

As a fellow Reformed believer I agree totally with the sentiment of that verse as you likely mean it as a Calvinist by the way.

That is 2 verses

 

[Marvin Knox]

I'm glad that this has gotten as far as it has. I hope to respond to each of your arguments point by point over the next few days.

Could you start with addressing the 3 requests stated several times in the posts of FreeGrace2?

They are:

Please direct me to any verse that clearly indicates that Christ did not die for everyone in humanity.
Please direct me to any verse that clearly indicates that God chooses who will believe.
Please direct me to any verse that clearly indicates that all believers will persevere in the faith to the end of their life.

How do you answer him?

 

[Lazy_Proverb]

That's sad.
Good luck with that request brother SITH.

 

[Marvin Knox]

That is 2 verses

Right you are. I'm color blind. My bad.

John 1:…12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, BUT OF GOD

 

[SinnerInTheHands]

Please direct me to any verse that clearly indicates that Christ did not die for everyone in humanity.

As posted earlier:

1] Christ's death is set forth within Scripture as what accomplished salvation, rather than what made salvation possible.

"God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life." [Romans 5:8-10]

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." [2 Corinthians 5:18-19]

"By abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." [Ephesians 2:15-16]

"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him." [Colossians 1:21-22]

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." [Galatians 3:13]

"Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works." [Titus 2:14]

"He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." [Hebrews 9:12]

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." [Luke 19:10]

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." [1 Timothy 1:15]
​

2] Jesus Christ was sent into the world to save only those the Father had given Him.

"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the last day." [John 6:37-40]

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." [John 10:14-18]

"So the Jews gathered around Him and said to Him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." [John 10:24-29]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him." [Ephesians 1:3-4]

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." [Ephesians 1:7]

"In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." [Ephesians 1:13]​

3] Christ's work as high priest/intercessor was intended for the specific people [the Elect] the Father had given Him, rather than the entire world.

"When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.'" [John 17:1-11]

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word." [John 17:20]

"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." [John 17:24-26]

"Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." [Hebrews 2:17]

"Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession." [Hebrews 3:1]

"So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." [Hebrews 9:28]​

4] Christ's gift of salvation was intended for the specific people [the Elect] the Father had given Him, rather than the entire world.

"She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." [Matthew 1:21]

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." [John 10:11]

"Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep." [John 10:15]

"But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep." [John 10:26]

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." [Acts 20:28]

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." [Ephesians 5:25-27]

"He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." [Romans 8:32-34]

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13]

"Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." [Matthew 20:28]

"For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." [Matthew 26:28]

"So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." [Hebrews 9:28]

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." [Acts 20:28]

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." [Ephesians 5:25-27]

"He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." [Romans 8:32-34]

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13]

"Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." [Matthew 20:28]

"For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." [Matthew 26:28]

"So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." [Hebrews 9:28]​

 

[SinnerInTheHands]

Please direct me to any verse that clearly indicates that God chooses who will believe.

Once again, as posted earlier:

1] God has an elect people He has chosen to grant salvation.

"Yet the Lord set His heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day." [Deuteronomy 10:15]

"And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." [Matthew 24:22-24]

"And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." [Matthew 24:31]

"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day." [John 6:37-39]

"And He said, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.'" [John 6:65]

"I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours." [John 17:9]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies." [Romans 8:28-33]

"So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace." [Romans 11:5]

"Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will." [Ephesians 1:4-5]

"In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of his will." [Ephesians 1:11]

"For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake." [1 Thessalonians 1:4-5]

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." [1 Thessalonians 5:9]

"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." [2 Thessalonians 2:13]

"To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with His blood." [1 Peter 1:1-2]

"They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." [1 Peter 2:8-9]
​

2] God's choice was not based on any foreseen faith or good works.

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that He swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." [Deuteronomy 7:6-8]

"Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad - in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of Him who calls - she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.' As it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'" [Romans 9:11-13]

"So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." [Romans 9:16]

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." [1 Corinthians 1:27-29]

"Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." [2 Timothy 1:9]
​

3] Faith and good works are the results, not the grounds, of predestination.

"And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed." [Acts 13:48]

"And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed." [Acts 18:27]

"So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory." [Ephesians 1:12]

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:10]

"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake." [Philippians 1:29]

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." [Philippians 2:12-13]

"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake." [1 Thessalonians 1:4-5]

"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." [2 Thessalonians 2:13-14]
​

4] The Fall has resulted in a spiritual death for all men:

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." [Ephesians 2:1-3]

"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses." [Colossians 2:13] ​

5] Fallen man is blind and deaf to spiritual truth:

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil." [Jeremiah 13:23]

"The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." [Genesis 6:5]

"And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, 'I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.'" [Genesis 8:21]

"This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead." [Ecclesiastes 9:3]

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" [Jeremiah 17:9]

"For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." [Mark 7:21-23]​

6] Fallen man is under the control of Satan, and in bondage to sin.

"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." [John 8:44]

"God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." [2 Timothy 2:25-26]

"By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." [1 John 3:10]

"None is righteous, no, not one. no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." [Romans 3:10-12]

"Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you." [Psalm 143:2]

"For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness." [Romans 6:20]

"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another." [Titus 3:3]​

7] Fallen man in his natural state is totally unable to repent, believe, or accept the Gospel.

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day." [John 6:44]

"And He said, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.'" [John 6:55]

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." [Romans 8:7-8]

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." [1 Corinthians 2:14]​

 

[SinnerInTheHands]

Please direct me to any verse that clearly indicates that all believers will persevere in the faith to the end of their life.

Finally, as posted earlier:

1] The person who truly believes in Christ has new eternal life.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16]

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." [John 3:36]

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." [John 5:24]

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." [John 6:47]

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." [John 6:51]

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.'" [John 11:25-26]

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life." [1 John 5:13]

"Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God." [1 Peter 1:23]​

2] All of the elect are kept secure for eternity in God by His power.

"Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.'" [John 6:35-40]

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." [John 10:27-29]

"And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled." [John 17:11-12]

"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." [John 17:15]

"For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified." [Romans 8:29-30]

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Romans 8:35-39]

"Who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." [1 Corinthians 1:8]

"He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will." [Ephesians 1:5]

"In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." [Ephesians 1:13-14]

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." [Ephesians 4:30]

"And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." [Philippians 1:6]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." [1 Peter 1:3-5]​

3] The elect will persevere to the end in faith and obedience by the power of God.

"Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” [John 14:21]

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." [John 15:1-11]

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:10]

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." [1 Peter 5:10]

"Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." [2 Peter 1:10]

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." [Philippians 2:12-13]

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you." [Philippians 3:12-15]

"No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." [1 John 3:9]

"We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him." [1 John 5:18]

"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us." [1 John 2:19]

"And this is the promise that he made to us - eternal life." [1 John 2:25]​

 

[SinnerInTheHands]

DT 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now

choose life, so that you and your children may live

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day." [John 6:44]

JOS 24:15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then

choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." [1 Corinthians 2:14]

ISA 56:4 For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant--

"None is righteous, no, not one. no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." [Romans 3:10-12]

PS 34:11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil." [Jeremiah 13:23]

EZE 3:27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, `This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' Whoever will listen let him listen, and whoever will refuse let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.

"And He said, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.'" [John 6:55]

MK 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

JN 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

JN 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

JN 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

"Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit." [1 Corinthians 12:3]

REV 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

REV 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day." [John 6:44]

Let me ask you a few questions. I assume we can both agree that God as we know Him exists outside of space and time. So my question is this: what about Gods foreknowledge and foreordination? If man has complete free will, then God has no foreknowledge of what will happen, and if God has foreknowledge of what will happen and man has complete free will, then God has no foreordination. If God has no foreknowledge, He is not omniscient, and if He has no foreordination, He is not omnipotent. Thus, God, existing outside of time and space, must both know all things and ordain all things [as the creator and preserver of the universe].

 

[FreeGrace2]

Calvin believed that God cannot be betrayed by another's free will because He is the omnipotent, omniscient Creator; that nothing transcends God's will.
The entire basis of Calvinism is built on that.

Isa 1:18-20 shows that God allows free will.

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. 19 “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land; 20 “But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

This shows that mankind is free to "consent and obey" or "refuse and rebel". That's what free will is about.

 

[FreeGrace2]

As for being bent on free will. This is where Calvinist ( speaking with a broad brush) get it so wrong. Few hold that one can save oneself by free will. The very few that do are generally considered cranks by Methodist and Penties. Baffles me why Calvinist latch on to this false notion.

Maybe because it is the only view of free will that they can attack.

 

[FreeGrace2]

~Isaiah 45:7~
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

It's not like the scriptures do not outright declare such preeminence as Calvin proposed.

The Hebrew word for "evil" here has a number of semantic uses, one of which is "calamity". Those who think that God creates EVIL are totally out of line. He certainly does create calamity.

 

[FreeGrace2]

As posted earlier:

1] Christ's death is set forth within Scripture as what accomplished salvation, rather than what made salvation possible.

"God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life." [Romans 5:8-10]

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." [2 Corinthians 5:18-19]

"By abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." [Ephesians 2:15-16]

"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him." [Colossians 1:21-22]

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." [Galatians 3:13]

"Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works." [Titus 2:14]

"He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." [Hebrews 9:12]

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." [Luke 19:10]

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." [1 Timothy 1:15]​

None of these verses teaches that Christ's death was exclusionary; only for some. How does one answer Heb 2:9 and 2 Cor 5:14 and 15? They state specifically that He died for all. Please show me where in context each of these verses aren't using "all" in an exhaustive way.
​

2] Jesus Christ was sent into the world to save only those the Father had given Him.

"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the last day." [John 6:37-40]

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." [John 10:14-18]

"So the Jews gathered around Him and said to Him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." [John 10:24-29]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him." [Ephesians 1:3-4]

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." [Ephesians 1:7]

"In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." [Ephesians 1:13]​

Which one of these verses teaches that God chooses who will believe? That was my challenge. He does choose whom He will save, and we know that He chooses ONLY believers to be saved, per 1 Cor 1:21 - For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. That's who God chooses to save: believers.

But, there are NO verses that teach that God chooses who will believe.​

3] Christ's work as high priest/intercessor was intended for the specific people [the Elect] the Father had given Him, rather than the entire world.

Yet, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. Were the Samaritans Calvinists?
"and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” Jn 4:42

Was John the Baptist a Calvinist?
"The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" Jn 1:29

Or was the apostle John a Calvinist?
"We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 Jn 4:14

And we can't ignore 1 Jn 2:2 - and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

​

4] Christ's gift of salvation was intended for the specific people [the Elect] the Father had given Him, rather than the entire world.

"She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." [Matthew 1:21]​

So, who are "His people"? The Jews only? In that context, there is no mention of the NT concept of the elect, both Jew and Gentile. In fact, that verse is about Jesus saving fellow humans from their sins, as clearly taught in 1 Jn 2:2, already cited.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." [John 10:11]

In Jn 10, Jesus describes 3 types of sheep:
THE sheep, meaning all of humanity.
MY sheep, meaning Jewish believers
other of MY sheep, meaning Gentile believers
NOT of My sheep, meaning unbelievers

So, because Jesus said several times that He would lay down His life for THE sheep, it is clear that He would die for everyone.

"Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep." [John 10:15]

Right. #2

"But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep." [John 10:26]

Unbelievers. But the verse doesn't say that He wouldn't die for them. He SAID He would die for THE sheep.

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." [Acts 20:28]

This verse does not preclude His death for all.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." [Ephesians 5:25-27]

Same as Acts 20:28

"He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." [Romans 8:32-34]

Where does this passage teach that He died only for some?

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13]

What about these verses?
For whom did Jesus come to save? The sick, the lost, the poor, the unrighteous, the ungodly, and sinners.
Matt 9:12 On hearing this, Jesus said, it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Are just the elect “sick”?

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. Are just the elect “lost”?

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. Are just the elect poor?

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once FOR ALL, the righteous (Christ) for the unrighteous (humanity, all of them), to bring you to God. Are just the elect unrighteous?

Rom 5:6 You see, just at the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Are just the elect ungodly?

Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Are just the elect sinners?

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;


If Christ died for just the elect, then Calvinism leads to universalism, because of these verses. That means the non elect are neither sick, lost, poor, unrighteous, ungodly, or sinners. So they don’t need salvation. And Christ wouldn’t need to die for any of them.

"Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." [

Matthew 20:28]

The Greek word for "many" here is 'polloi' meaning "the masses".

"For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." [Matthew 26:28]

Ditto.

"So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." [Hebrews 9:28]

Ditto.

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood." [Acts 20:28]
No teaching that He died ONLY for the flock.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." [Ephesians 5:25-27]

Again, no teaching that He died ONLY for the flock.

"He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." [Romans 8:32-34]

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13]

Neither of these verses teaches that He died ONLY for His friends, or the elect.

"Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." [Matthew 20:28]

"For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." [Matthew 26:28]

The masses.

"So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." [Hebrews 9:28]

​

The masses.

This post fails to support the claims of Calvinism. None of the verses teaches that Christ's death was exclusionary, and verses were given that teach that His death was inclusionary.