The "In Christ" Doctrine

[RobertPate]

What does it mean to be "In Christ"?

For the born-again Christian it means great joy and peace.

Those that are "In Christ" have ceased from their own works (religion) and have entered into his rest, Hebrews 4:10. They are resting in the righteousness of Christ and in his atonement for their sins and believe that they are complete in him, Colossians 2:10.

Paul wrote, "I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them as dung, that I might win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" Philippians 3:8-9.

To be "In Christ" means that you are trusting that Jesus in your name and on your behalf, fulfilled all of the demands of God's Holy Law. God requires two things for the salvation of fallen man.

1. A life of perfect obedience according to his holy law, Matthew 5:18.

2. A perfect atonement for man's sins the sins of all of humanity, 1 John 2:2.

Jesus, in our name and on our behalf, has victoriously met both of these requirements and in doing so has thrown the gates of heaven wide open for those who do nothing more than call upon his name, Romans 10:13.

Salvation is a free gift from God, Ephesians 2:8. All that one has to do to be saved is to receive it. Receive the life that was lived for your justification, Romans 3:26. Receive the atonement that was made for your sins, 1 John 2:2. We have nothing to offer, but much to be received.

 

[Der Alte]

What does it mean to be "In Christ"?
For the born-again Christian it means great joy and peace.
Those that are "In Christ" have ceased from their own works (religion) and have entered into his rest, Hebrews 4:10. They are resting in the righteousness of Christ and in his atonement for their sins and believe that they are complete in him, Colossians 2:10.
Paul wrote, "I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them as dung, that I might win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" Philippians 3:8-9.
To be "In Christ" means that you are trusting that Jesus in your name and on your behalf, fulfilled all of the demands of God's Holy Law. God requires two things for the salvation of fallen man.
1. A life of perfect obedience according to his holy law, Matthew 5:18.
2. A perfect atonement for man's sins the sins of all of humanity, 1 John 2:2.
Jesus, in our name and on our behalf, has victoriously met both of these requirements and in doing so has thrown the gates of heaven wide open for those who do nothing more than call upon his name, Romans 10:13.
Salvation is a free gift from God, Ephesians 2:8. All that one has to do to be saved is to receive it. Receive the life that was lived for your justification, Romans 3:26. Receive the atonement that was made for your sins, 1 John 2:2. We have nothing to offer, but much to be received.

A little list I made recently.
Romans 3:24, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 3:14, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:10, Ephesians 2:13, 2 Timothy 2:10, Galatians 2:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:14,

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.​

Not “now in Christ,” still afar off, not nigh.

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:​

Not "in Christ," no redemption.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.​

Not "in Christ" and walk after the flesh, still condemned.

2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.​

Not "in Christ," the veil is not taken away, they remain blind.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.​

Not "in Christ," not a new creature, old things are not passed away.

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:​

Not "in Christ, in Him" not gathered together.

2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.​

Not "in Christ," do not obtain salvation or eternal glory.

Galatians 2:16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.​

Not “in Jesus Christ” not justified by faith

1 Thessalonians 4:14
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.​

Those who are not "in Jesus," God does not bring with Him.

 

[RobertPate]

A little list I made recently.
Romans 3:24, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 3:14, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:10, Ephesians 2:13, 2 Timothy 2:10, Galatians 2:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:14,

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.​

Not “now in Christ,” still afar off, not nigh.

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:​

Not in Christ, no redemption.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.​

Not in Christ and walk after the flesh, still condemnation

2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.​

Not in Christ, the veil is not taken away, they remain blind.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.​

Not in Christ, not a new creature, old things are not passed away.

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:​

Not in Christ, not gathered together.

2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.​

Not in Christ, do not obtain salvation or eternal glory.

Galatians 2:16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.​

Not “in Jesus Christ” not justified by faith

1 Thessalonians 4:14
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus​

will God bring with him.[/indent]
Those who are not in Jesus, God does not bring with Him.

Very well done.
There are only two places that one can be, "In Christ" or in your sins. To be "In Christ" is to have eternal life. To be in your sins is eternal damnation.

 

[Der Alte]

Why is any of the above important?

1 Corinthians 15:22
(22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.​

There is a certain faction active at this forum who claim that this verse means all mankind will be made alive in Christ, unrighteous and righteous alike.
But Paul said what he meant and meant what he said. Paul did NOT say what that faction claims. All mankind is, "in Adam" because all mankind are actual, physical descendants of Adam. However, all mankind is NOT inherently in Christ, that requires a conscious choice by every person, only, in this life.
All mankind is not made "in Adam" by death and all mankind is NOT made "in Christ" by death.
That is not just wild-eyed notion I thought up. The very next verse clearly says that.

1 Corinthians 15:23
(23) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.​

According to them other folk this verse should read.

"every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's [all mankind] at his coming." ​

But it does not say that, rather it says after Christ those who already belong to Christ will be resurrected. Mankind is NOT made in Christ at death, as UR-ites claim.

 

[RobertPate]

Why is any of the above important?

1 Corinthians 15:22
(22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.​

There is a certain faction active at this forum who claim that this verse means all mankind will be made alive in Christ, unrighteous and righteous alike.
But Paul said what he meant and meant what he said. Paul did NOT say what that faction claims. All mankind is, "in Adam" because all mankind are actual, physical descendants of Adam. However, all mankind is NOT inherently in Christ, that requires a conscious choice by every person, only, in this life.
All mankind is not made "in Adam" by death and all mankind is NOT made "in Christ" by death.
That is not just wild-eyed notion I thought up. The very next verse clearly says that.

1 Corinthians 15:23
(23) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.​

According to them other folk this verse should read. "every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's [all mankind] at his coming." But it does not say that it says after Christ those who already belong to Christ will be resurrected. Mankind is NOT made in Christ at death, as UR-ites claim.

I agree. Those that are "In Christ" are there because they heard and believed the Gospel and were born again, 1 Peter 1:23. They are no longer in Adam, they are "In Christ. The old Adam was crucified with Christ, Romans 6:6.

Many are trying to resurrect the old Adam and restore him. They are wasting their time. God and Jesus like new things, 2 Corintians 5:17. This is why we are new creations in Jesus Christ. Not only was the old Adam crucified with Christ. The Old Covenant of law and religion was crucified with Christ also. Colossians 2:14.

 

[AVB 2]

Those that are "in Christ" were "in Christ before the foundation of the world." Ephesians 1:3-6 "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved." Who "chose us"? God. When? Before the foundation of the world. Why? "That we should be holy and without blame." By Whose will was it that this happened?" The good pleasure of His will to the praise of the glory of His grace."

There is no escaping the plain and simple teaching of this passage that God is 100% in control of granting salvation according to His will, He did it before He created the world, and He predestined us to adoption making us accepted in the Beloved. All praise and glory to God alone.

 

[RobertPate]

Those that are "in Christ" were "in Christ before the foundation of the world." Ephesians 1:3-6 "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved." Who "chose us"? God. When? Before the foundation of the world. Why? "That we should be holy and without blame." By Whose will was it that this happened?" The good pleasure of His will to the praise of the glory of His grace."

There is no escaping the plain and simple teaching of this passage that God is 100% in control of granting salvation according to His will, He did it before He created the world, and He predestined us to adoption making us accepted in the Beloved. All praise and glory to God alone.

The "US" in Ephesians 3:3-6 are Christians. A Christian is one that has accepted Christ by his own free will, not because he was predestinated to. Actually, all of humanity was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. God chose Jesus Christ to be the savior of the whole world, John 3:17. Salvation has been provided for everyone, Hebrews 2:9. The fact that some have chosen Christ to be their savior and others have not, is proof that man has a free will. To believe that God has chosen some to be saved and others to be damned to hell is to believe that God is an unjust tyrant.

 

[Der Alte]

Those that are "in Christ" were "in Christ before the foundation of the world." Ephesians 1:3-6 "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasu that are "in Christ" were "in Christ before the foundation of the world." Ephesians 1:3-6 "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved." Who "chose us"? God. When? Before the foundation of the world. Why? "That we should be holy and without blame." By Whose will was it that this happened?" The good pleasure of His will to the praise of the glory of His grace."
There is no escaping the plain and simple teaching of this passage that God is 100% in control of granting salvation according to His will, He did it before He created the world, and He predestined us to adoption making us accepted in the Beloved. All praise and glory to God alone.

That was written by Paul. When Paul wrote that, do you think maybe he forgot what he wrote when he wrote this in chapter 5? Or the other vss. following? This is a good example of quoting verses out-of-context trying to make them say something they do not really say.

Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, [no wrongdoer] hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: [no wrongdoer] neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Twenty two categories of unrighteous people who have no inheritance in the kingdom of God.1. adulterers, 2. covetous, 3. drunkenness, 4. effeminate, 5. emulations, 6. envious, 7. extortion 8. fornication, 9. hatred, 10. heresies, 11. homosexuals, 12. idolators, 13. lasciviousness, 14. murder, 15. reveling, 16. revilers 17. sedition, 18. strife, 19. thieves, 20. uncleanness 21. witchcraft. 22. Wrath
Vss cited: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 3:17​

 

[Der Alte]

Those that are "in Christ" were "in Christ before the foundation of the world." Ephesians 1:3-6 "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved." Who "chose us"? God. When? Before the foundation of the world. Why? "That we should be holy and without blame." By Whose will was it that this happened?" The good pleasure of His will to the praise of the glory of His grace."
There is no escaping the plain and simple teaching of this passage that God is 100% in control of granting salvation according to His will, He did it before He created the world, and He predestined us to adoption making us accepted in the Beloved. All praise and glory to God alone.

The only ones "escaping the plain and simple teaching of this passage" are those who quote it out-of-context as a UR proof text.

Ephesians 1:1-2
(1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
(2) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.​

The cited verses clearly refer to "the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus" NOT all mankind.

 

[RobertPate]

The only ones "escaping the plain and simple teaching of this passage" are those who quote it out-of-context as a UR proof text.

Ephesians 1:1-2
(1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
(2) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.​

The cited verses clearly refer to "the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus" NOT all mankind.

I agree, but Jesus did atone for the sins of the whole world, making salvation available to everyone. Hebrews 2:9.

 

[Der Alte]

I agree, but Jesus did atone for the sins of the whole world, making salvation available to everyone. Hebrews 2:9.

I could not agree more. Jesus did say "In that day many will say to me 'We have done many wonderful works in your name.' But I will say to them I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity." Matt 7:21-23.

 

[RobertPate]

I could not agree more. Jesus did say "In that day many will say to me 'We have done many wonderful works in your name.' But I will say to them I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity." Matt 7:21-23.

Not many are going to be saved. Most are preoccupied with their works, obedience and their religion.

 

[Soyeong]

What does it mean to be "In Christ"?

Being in Christ is being unified with him by expressing his nature through following his example, which is why 1 John 2:6 says that those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way he walked.

For the born-again Christian it means great joy and peace.

In 1 John 3:4-10, those who do not practice righteousness in obedience to God's law are not children of God. A chip off the old block is some who has the same nature of character as their father, so this is the sense that we are children of God and of Abraham, which is why Jesus said in John 8:39 that if they were children of Abraham, then they would be doing the same works as Abraham.

Those that are "In Christ" have ceased from their own works (religion) and have entered into his rest, Hebrews 4:10. They are resting in the righteousness of Christ and in his atonement for their sins and believe that they are complete in him, Colossians 2:10.

In Hebrews 3:18-19, they did not enter into God's rest because of their disobedience and unbelief, and in Ezekiel 20:10, it specifically mentioned that they greatly profaned God's Sabbaths. In Hebrews 4:9, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. In 4:10, whoever has enter God's rest has also rested from his works as God has rested from His, so again it is about expressing God's nature through following his example. Furthermore, in Hebrews 4:11, we should therefore strive to enter into God's rest so that no one may fall away by the same sort of disobedience. So nothing in this passage is speaking about ceasing to practice religion, but rather it is speaking it is precisely speaking against the disobedience that you are promoting.

Paul wrote, "I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them as dung, that I might win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" Philippians 3:8-9.

In Matthew 7:23, Jesus said that he would tell those who are workers of lawlessness to depart from him because he never knew them, so Philippians 3:8-9 should not be mistaken as saying that we just need to know Christ while obeying God's law is dung, but rather what Paul referred to as being dung was obeying the law without having a focus on knowing Christ, so he was missing the whole goal of the law.

To be "In Christ" means that you are trusting that Jesus in your name and on your behalf, fulfilled all of the demands of God's Holy Law. God requires two things for the salvation of fallen man.

1. A life of perfect obedience according to his holy law, Matthew 5:18.

2. A perfect atonement for man's sins the sins of all of humanity, 1 John 2:2.

Jesus, in our name and on our behalf, has victoriously met both of these requirements and in doing so has thrown the gates of heaven wide open for those who do nothing more than call upon his name, Romans 10:13.

Nowhere does the Bible speak about Jesus fulfilling the law in our name on our behalf, not does Matthew 5:18 say anything about needing to have perfect obedience.

In Romans 10:5-10, our faith references Deuteronomy 30:11-16 to say that God's law is not too difficult for us to obey, that the one who obeys it will attain life by it, in regard to what we are agreeing to obey when we confess that Jesus is Lord, and in regard to the way to believe that God raised him from the dead. Furthermore, Romans 10:16 speaks against those who do not obey the Gospel, so you need to deliberately ignore most of that chapter in order to say that we just need to call upon the name of the Lord. Furthermore, obedience to God's law is the way to call on the name of the Lord.

Salvation is a free gift from God, Ephesians 2:8. All that one has to do to be saved is to receive it. Receive the life that was lived for your justification, Romans 3:26. Receive the atonement that was made for your sins, 1 John 2:2. We have nothing to offer, but much to be received.

Living in obedience to God's law is the content of the free gift of Jesus saving us from not living in obedience to it. in Matthew 19:17, Jesus said that the way to enter eternal life is by obeying God's commandments. In Romans 2:13, Paul said that only doers of the law will be justified.

 

[RobertPate]

Being in Christ is being unified with him by expressing his nature through following his example, which is why 1 John 2:6 says that those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way he walked.



In 1 John 3:4-10, those who do not practice righteousness in obedience to God's law are not children of God. A chip off the old block is some who has the same nature of character as their father, so this is the sense that we are children of God and of Abraham, which is why Jesus said in John 8:39 that if they were children of Abraham, then they would be doing the same works as Abraham.



In Hebrews 3:18-19, they did not enter into God's rest because of their disobedience and unbelief, and in Ezekiel 20:10, it specifically mentioned that they greatly profaned God's Sabbaths. In Hebrews 4:9, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. In 4:10, whoever has enter God's rest has also rested from his works as God has rested from His, so again it is about expressing God's nature through following his example. Furthermore, in Hebrews 4:11, we should therefore strive to enter into God's rest so that no one may fall away by the same sort of disobedience. So nothing in this passage is speaking about ceasing to practice religion, but rather it is speaking it is precisely speaking against the disobedience that you are promoting.

[quote\Paul wrote, "I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them as dung, that I might win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" Philippians 3:8-9.

In Matthew 7:23, Jesus said that he would tell those who are workers of lawlessness to depart from him because he never knew them, so Philippians 3:8-9 should not be mistaken as saying that we just need to know Christ while obeying God's law is dung, but rather what Paul referred to as being dung was obeying the law without having a focus on knowing Christ, so he was missing the whole goal of the law.



Nowhere does the Bible speak about Jesus fulfilling the law in our name on our behalf, not does Matthew 5:18 say anything about needing to have perfect obedience.

In Romans 10:5-10, our faith references Deuteronomy 30:11-16 to say that God's law is not too difficult for us to obey, that the one who obeys it will attain life by it, in regard to what we are agreeing to obey when we confess that Jesus is Lord, and in regard to the way to believe that God raised him from the dead. Furthermore, Romans 10:16 speaks against those who do not obey the Gospel, so you need to deliberately ignore most of that chapter in order to say that we just need to call upon the name of the Lord. Furthermore, obedience to God's law is the way to call on the name of the Lord.



Living in obedience to God's law is the content of the free gift of Jesus saving us from not living in obedience to it. in Matthew 19:17, Jesus said that the way to enter eternal life is by obeying God's commandments. In Romans 2:13, Paul said that only doers of the law will be justified.[/QUOTE]



The only way that you can be a doer of the law is to be "In Christ". God must see you "In Christ" or you will not receive the Holy Spirit, Galatians 3:2.

You are in denial that the Old Covenant of law and religion has been abolished and that the New Covenant is about salvation by grace through faith apart from the works of the law.

You were born after Adam. This means that God sees you in Adam. You need to be born again by the Gospel, 1 Peter 1:23. So that God will see you in Christ.

 

[AVB 2]

I agree, but Jesus did atone for the sins of the whole world, making salvation available to everyone. Hebrews 2:9.

I see you believe in double jeopardy. "Jesus atoned for the sins of the whole world." So if Jesus atoned for the sins of the whole world, absolutely no one will go to Hell! How unfair of Jesus. Jesus paid the price at Calvary, then on Judgment Day the sinner pays the price again. Even heathen courts of law and crooked judges will not allow double jeopardy.

The truth is Jesus atoned for the sins of the elect only.

 

[AVB 2]

I could not agree more. Jesus did say "In that day many will say to me 'We have done many wonderful works in your name.' But I will say to them I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity." Matt 7:21-23.

"But I will say to them I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity." Matt 7:21-23. So Jesus claims that "I never knew them?" NEVER KNEW THEM? John 10:27 "“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." So this group of sinners could not be in Christ's flock of sheep because He said I know them." This group of sinners obviously didn't have their sins atoned for by Christ, if He never knew them. Maybe they were from another flock, like from Mars or Venus? Or they were not part of the elect, you know they are the one's that Christ died for.

 

[AVB 2]

The only ones "escaping the plain and simple teaching of this passage" are those who quote it out-of-context as a UR proof text.

Ephesians 1:1-2
(1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
(2) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.​

The cited verses clearly refer to "the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus" NOT all mankind.

""the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus" NOT all mankind. Agreed 100% Christ did not atone for the sins of "all mankind" He only atoned for the sins of the elect who were "chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world" and they are "the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus." God predestined them and He calls them "the children of the promise" and they and they only will receive eternal life in heaven.

 

[Der Alte]

""the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus" NOT all mankind. Agreed 100% Christ did not atone for the sins of "all mankind" He only atoned for the sins of the elect who were "chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world" and they are "the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus." God predestined them and He calls them "the children of the promise" and they and they only will receive eternal life in heaven.

I am not a Calvinist. I would not go that far.

John 3:15-16
(15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal [aionios] life.
(16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting [aionios] life.​

Jesus said "whosoever" twice not "the elected". Whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have eternal life.

 

[Der Alte]

"But I will say to them I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity." Matt 7:21-23. So Jesus claims that "I never knew them?" NEVER KNEW THEM? John 10:27 "“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." So this group of sinners could not be in Christ's flock of sheep because He said I know them." This group of sinners obviously didn't have their sins atoned for by Christ, if He never knew them. Maybe they were from another flock, like from Mars or Venus? Or they were not part of the elect, you know they are the one's that Christ died for.

See my post #18 above. I don't believe that there are some people who are elect and only they will be saved and all others will not.

 

[AVB 2]

See my post #18 above. I don't believe that there are some people who are elect and only they will be saved and all others will not.

You join million of others who also believe that God is sovereign over things like the grass of the fields, trees, mountains, sparrows, the weather, and rock badgers but is completely powerless over the sinful free will of mankind. I guess our souls are not in His bailiwick. He sits in heaven wringing His hands hoping that someone somewhere someday will have the inner righteousness to go against their wicked free will and humbly receive Christ.