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Pastor Larry Dela Cruz

APOSTOLIC Theology NOT Reformed Theology

Five Points of Calvinism compared with Scriptures

Foreword

What is Apostolic Theology? It simply means the original teachings and beliefs of
the apostles as taught and commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the centuries simple and knowledgeable men were born again. The simple fastened to the Word but there were some learned men who tried to put logic in the teachings of the Scriptures neglecting other Words therein. We must take the Word as it is taught and not rationalize them. Reformed Theology originated and developed in the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation. Two groups have evolved in the Reformation- Calvinism from John Calvin which later developed into what we call now Reformed Theology and the Arminian Theology from Jacobus Arminus which refuted the Five Points of Calvinism. Today others hold to Biblical Theology which we call herein as the Apostolic Theology. It is the Divine Process which these two Camps have differed but however BOTH believed salvation is ONLY through the atonement of Christ finished on the cross. Today Protestant Christianity adheres to the teachings of these two groups. There were significant truths that were revealed by these two Camps that have been sealed for centuries by the Roman Catholic Church. These were: Salvation and justification through faith in Christ alone, the authority of Scriptures, importance of new birth, and the role of Gods Word in the life of the believers. The Reformation had brought many into the Kingdom of God. The Bible then or the Word of God was accessible to many people. And unto this day the Word of God has been spreading. God called and moved among men proclaiming the Word and it shall be unto the Day of His Coming. Our point is what shall we be teaching to the next generations to come after us? And today what should we teach our people?

The churches holding the Reformed Theology are our brothers too. We are not
saying they are Cults or have denied Christ. It is just there were teachings that have gone overboard and have exceeded to what were written. TULIP proponents have used biblical words but were given different meanings. They have built doctrines on few selected verses neglecting other scriptures. They have rejected other scriptures that contradict their formulated theology. I believe on the other hand that it was unintentional on their part, but, the big but today is, should we find the truth shall we still linger on the half truth. Shall we uphold the teachings of men rather than of God. We are dealing with election, regeneration, the sacrifice of Christ and salvation. This study shall dwell mainly on this divine process and let the Scripture speak and teach us. Also to give credence to our study, we have included the teachings and writings of the early centuries Church Fathers. They were most nearest to the Apostles and some were their immediate Disciples. We shall thoroughly discuss the Five Points of Calvinism and compare it with Scriptures.

Paul once said to the Galatians, I hope you would not have another view. In
another, Have of the same mind. Agree with each other. The apostles have taught the believers to abide in their teachings and the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ. All will agree with me that half truth is not truth at all. It may sound truthful because it is read from Scriptures but neglecting other Scriptures is a grave error, a distortion and adulteration of the word of God. We shall study and investigate the Scriptures then. It has been our RULE and GOAL that the Word of God should speak first before we air our spiritual views and opinions. Paul said, Combine spiritual thoughts with spi ritual words.

CONTENTS
Foreword CALVINISM AND ARMINIANSM CALVINISM ARMINIAN THEOLOGY REFORMERS BELIEFS EARLY CHURCH FATHERS WRITINGS WHAT DOES THE SCRIPTURE SHOW US? APOSTOLIC THEOLOGY Part 1 TOTAL DEPRAVITY PART 2 UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION PART 3 LIMITED ATONEMENT PART 4 IRRISISTIBLE GRACE PART 5 PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS SUMMARY Errors of Reformed Theology 3 5 5 6 8 9 16 16 21

37 54 76 96

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CALVINISM AND ARMINIANSM

The Doctrines of Election, Salvation and Regeneration are influenced by two main thoughts brought about John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius. We shall make an investigation and a thorough study what the Scriptures show us on these bible truths and which are scripturally sound and which are fallacies. What therefore are the Apostolic Theology and what the early church Fathers believed and wrote?

CALVINISM
Salvation (Five Points of Calvinism) The Calvinist doctrine of salvation is summarized in what is commonly called the Five Points of Calvinism, or the Doctrines of Grace, known by the acronym TULIP.

Total Depravity: 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. The doctrine of Total Depravity is derived from scriptures that reveal human character: Mans 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 mans 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." Calvinism also maintains that because of our fallen nature we are born again not by our own will but Gods 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). Unconditional Election: God does not base His election on anything He sees in the individual. 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). Limited Atonement: Jesus died only for the elect. Though Jesu s 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). Irresistible Grace: When God calls his elect into salvation, 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 mans will, but by Gods. Perseverance of the Saints: 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.
Slick, Matthew J.The Five Points of Calvinism.Calvinist Corner.3February2014. <http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip.htm>.

ARMINIAN THEOLOGY
The Arminian party suggested five anti-Calvinist corrections, articulated in the Five articles of Remonstrance of 1610, which gave rise to the historic controversy and are summarized as follows: Universal prevenient grace This grace purportedly restores man's free will which was impaired by the effects of original sin and enables him to choose or refuse the salvation offered by God in Jesus Christ. Some would say that freedom of will is man's natural state, not a spiritual gift and thus free will was not lost in the Fall, but cannot be exercised toward good apart from the grace of God. In either case, God's universal prevenient grace works upon all alike to influence them for good, but only those who freely choose to cooperate with grace through faith and repentance are given new spiritual power to make effectual the good they otherwise impotently intend. As John Wesley stated more forcefully, humans were in fact totally

corrupted by original sin, but God's prevenient grace allowed free will to operate. Universal prevenient grace is the "hair's breadth" that separates Wesley from the Calvinist view of total depravity. Conditional election This point holds that man is the final arbiter of his election, and that God elects him on the basis of foreseen faith which is exercised by libertarian free will, thus making man ultimately decisive. God has decreed to save through Jesus Christ, out of fallen and sinful mankind, those foreknown by Him who through the grace of the Holy Spirit believe in Christ; but God leaves in sin those foreseen, who are incorrigible and unbelieving. This is in contrast to the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election. Unlimited (or universal) atonement Christ's death was suffered on behalf of all men and benefits all men alike. God then elects for salvation those whom he foresees will believe in Christ of their own free will. This is in contrast to the Calvinist doctrine of Limited atonement. Arminians believe that whatever the atonement accomplished, it did so universally for all alike, not just the elect. This point rejects that the atonement has any component which is decisive or effectual in gathering of the elect. Rather, the atonement is seen as a universally effective propitiation and the basis for a universal offer of salvation. The key verse used for this position is 1John 2:2. Resistible grace This point holds that God never overcomes the resistance of man to His saving grace. While both Calvinists and Arminians hold that men often resist God's grace, Arminianism teaches that this resistance is rarely conquered by God because this would be a violation of man's libertarian free will. The grace of God works for good in all men, and brings about newness of life through faith. But saving grace can be resisted, even by the regenerate. This is in contrast to the Calvinist doctrine of Irresistible grace. Uncertainty of perseverance Those who are incorporated into Christ by a true faith have power given them through the assisting grace of the Holy Spirit, sufficient to enable them to persevere in the faith. However, it may be possible for a believer to fall from grace. This is in contrast to the Calvinist's Perseverance of the saints. Not all Arminians have historically embraced this fifth point as stated. Some have embraced a form of eternal security which does not require perseverance in the faith and an attitude of repentance for final salvation. The majority of Arminians, regardless of their position on this point, still affirm that man retains libertarian free will throughout the entirety of earthly life.

The following are also distinctive doctrines and emphases of Arminianism: Libertarian free will A key tenet of Arminianism is libertarian free will. This means that our choices are free from the determination or constraints of human nature and free from any predetermination by God. All "free will theists" hold that libertarian freedom is essential for moral responsibility, for if our choice is determined or caused by anything, including our own desires, they reason, it cannot properly be called a free choice. Equal, impartial, and undifferentiated love Arminianism emphasizes God's equal, impartial, and undifferentiated love for all individuals and denies that God has any sort of electing, particular love that secures one's redemption from the foundation of the world. It infers from this universal love that God would never predestine anyone to hell or hate anyone without reference to their wickedness. The universal call of salvation Arminians hold that God calls all people to Himself through Christ, whether or not this call is effectual depends upon the individual s libertarian free will.
Arminianism.Theopedia.3February2014.<http://www.theopedia.com/Arminianism>.

REFORMERS BELIEFS
Universal Atonement Luther, Wesley, Melanchthon, Osiander, Brentius, Oecoiampadius, Zwinglius and Bucer held the doctrine of a general atonement there is no reason to doubt.... Thus also, it was with their immediate successors, as the language of the Psalgrave Confession testifies.... 'Of the power and death of Christ, believe we,' say these German Christians, that the death of Christ (whilst he being not a bare man, but the Son of God, died,) is a full, all sufficient payment, not only for our sins but for the sins of the whole world . . . The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) of the German Reformed Church in answer to the thirtyseventh question, "What dost thou understand by the word Suffered?" has this answer: "That all the time he lived on earth, but especially at the end of his life, he bore, in body and soul, the wrath of God against the of the whole human race...." The Church of England's official statement of faith is equally clear in its embrace of unlimited atonement. Article thirty one of The Thirty-Nine Articles reads: "The offering of Christ once made is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction , for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone."
Lightner, Robert P.The Death Christ Died -A Case for Unlimited Atonement.BibleBelievers.3February2014.< http://www.biblebelievers.net/Calvinism/kjcalvn6.htm>.

EARLY CHURCH FATHERS WRITINGS

Predestination and Foreknowledge

Clement of Alexandria (150 - c. 215): From what has been said, then, it is my opinion that the true Church, that which is really ancient, is one, and that in it those who according to Gods purpose are just, are enrolled.186 For from the very reason that God is one, and the Lord one, that which is in the highest degree honourable is lauded in consequence of its singleness, being an imitation of the one first principle. In the nature of the One, then, is associated in a joint heritage the one Church, which they strive to cut asunder into many sects. Therefore in substance and idea, in origin, in pre-eminence, we say that the ancient and Catholic Church is alone, collecting as it does into the unity of the one faith which results from the peculiar Testaments, or rather the one Testament in different times by the will of the one God, through one Lordthose already ordained, whom God predestinated, knowing before the foundation of the world that they would be righteous. ANF: Vol. II, The Stromata, Book VII, Chapter XVII. Hear, then, you who are far off; hear, you who are near. The message has not been hidden from any. Light is common; it shines on all men. No one is a Cimmerian in regard to the message. Let us haste to salvation, to regeneration. (Exhortation to the Heathen 9) Not only then the believer, but even the heathen, is judged most righteously. For since God knew in virtue of his prescience [foreknowledge] that he would not believe, [God] nevertheless, in order that he might receive his own perfection, gave him philosophy [a reference to whatever was beneficial among Greek philosophers], but gave it him previous to faith. Irenaeus of Lyons, c. A.D. 183 - 186 They [The Marcionite heretics], "God hardened the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants." Those who allege such difficulties do not read in the Gospel that passage where the Lord replied to the disciples, when they asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?""Because it is given to you to know the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, but to them I speak in parables so that seeing they may not see, hearing they may not hear, and understanding they may not understand. " For one and the same God inflicts blindness upon those who do not believe, but who set him at naught in the same way that the sun, which is his creation, to those who, because of some weakness of the eyes, cannot behold his light. But to those who believe in him and follow him, he grants a fuller and greater illumination of mind . In accordance with this word, therefore, the apostle says, in the Second to the Corinthians, "In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not , lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine [on them]." And again, in that to the Romans, "And as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things that are not convenient ." Speaking

of antichrist, too, he says clearly in the Second to the Thessalonians: "And for this cause God shall send them the working of error, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be judged who did not believe the truth, but consented to iniquity ." If, therefore, in the present time also, God, knowing the number of those who will not believesince he foreknows everythinghas given them over to unbelief and turned his face away from men of this kind, leaving them in the darkness which they have themselves chosen for themselves, then why would it be amazing if he also, in that time, gave Pharaohwho would never have believedalong with those who were with him, over to their unbelief? As the Word said to Moses from the bush, "I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go except by a mighty hand." For the reason that the Lord spoke in parables and brought blindness upon Israel, that seeing they might not see, which is that he knew the unbelief in themfor the same reason he hardened Pharaohs hear. This was so that, while seeing that it was the finger of God which led forth the people, he might not believe, but be precipitated into a sea of unbelief, resting in the notion that the exit of the [Israelites] was accomplished by magical power and that it was not by the operation of God that the Red Sea afforded a passage to the people, but that this occurred by merely natural causes. (Against Heresies IV:29:1-2)

Origen, A.D. 225 250 For a soul is always in possession of free-will, as well when it is in the body as when it is without it; and freedom of will is always directed either to good or evil. (De Principiis III:3) It is not consistent with apostolic gravity ... as if it were in no one's power to do any good or evil, to say that it was the Creator's doing that everyone should act virtuously or wickedly because he makes one vessel to honor and another to dishonor. How can he add the statement, "We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one of us may receive in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad"? For what reward of good will be conferred on him who could not commit evil, being formed by the Creator for that very purpose? Or what punishment will be deservedly inflicted on him who was unable to do good as a consequence of the creative act of his Maker? Then again, how is this not opposed to that other declaration elsewhere, that "in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth, some to honor and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, set aside and fit for the Master's use, prepared for every good task. He, accordingly, who purges himself is made a vessel of honor, while he who has disdained to cleanse himself from his impurity is a vessel of dishonor. From such declarations, in my opinion, the cause of our actions can in no degree be referred to the Creator. ... Therefore every individual vessel has has furnished to its Creator out of itself the causes and occasions of its being formed by him to be either a vessel of honor or one of dishonor. ("On the Freedom of the Will"; De Principiis III:1:20)

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Cyprian, A.D. 249-258 Concerning the other brethren ... we labor to help them avoid the mischievous fellowship of the crafty impostor. We want them to escape the deadly nets of his solicitations, so that they may once more seek the Church from which he deserved by divine authority to be expelled. Such indeed, with the Lords help, we trust may return by his mercy, for one cannot perish unless it is plain that he must perish, since the Lord in his Gospel says, "Every planting which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up" [Matt. 15:13]. He alone who has not been planted in the precepts and warnings of God the Father, can depart from the Church; he alone can forsake the bishops and abide in his madness with schismatics and heretics. But the mercy of God the Father, the indulgence of Christ our Lord, and our own patience will unite the rest with us. (Letters of Cyprian 48:4) Augustine of Hippo, A.D. 395-433 Since there are some persons who so defend God's grace as to deny man's free will, or who suppose that free will is denied when grace is defended, I have determined to write somewhat on this point Now [God] has revealed to us, through his Holy Scriptures, that there is in a man a free choice of will. How He has revealed this I do not recount in human language, but in divine: There is, to begin with, the fact that God's precepts themselves would be of no use to a man unless he had free choice of will [Those precepts] are given that no one might be able to plead the excuse of ignorance. As the Lord says concerning the Jews in the Gospel, "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin." (A Treatise on Grace and Free Will 1-2) [Important Note: Lest Augustine's quote seem to be taken out of context, the editor's preface to A Treatise on Grace and Free Will, as found in NICENE AND POST-NICENE FATHERS, SERIES 1: The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series I, volume V, says the following: "In this treatise Augustin teaches us to beware of maintaining grace by denying free will, or free will by denying grace; for that it is evident from the testimony of Scripture that there is in man a free choice of will; and there are also in the same Scriptures inspired proofs given of that very grace of God without which we can do nothing good."]
Pavao, Paul F. Quotes About Predestination.Christian History for Everyman.3February2014.<http://www.christian-history.org/predestination-quotes.html>.

Unlimited Atonement
Ignatius of Antioch, A.D. 107 113 Pray without ceasing on behalf of everyone. For in them there is hope of repentance so that they may attain to God. Permit them, then, to be instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting; to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast

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to their error be steadfast in the faith; and for their cruelty display your gentleness. ( Letter to the Ephesians 10) Irenaeus, A.D. 130-202, Speaking of Christ and His work on the cross, he said that He ". . . gave Himself as a redemption for those who had been led into captivity ." Athanasius, from A.D. 298 to 373. In his work, The Incarnation of the Word of God , he makes the following observation concerning Christ's humanity and death. "Thus, taking a body like our own, because all our bodies were liable to the corruption of death, He surrendered His body to death instead of all, and offered it to the Father ." Letter to Diognetus, A.D. 80 - 200 He himself took on the burden of our iniquities, He gave his own Son as a ransom for us, the Holy One for transgressors, the Blameless One for the wicked, the Righteous One for the unrighteous, the Incorruptible One for the corruptible, the Immortal One for them that are mortal. For what other thing was capable of covering our sins than his righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified, other than by the only Son of God? Oh, sweet exchange! Oh, unsearchable operation! Oh, benefits surpassing all expectation! That the wickedness of many should be hid in a single Righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors! (ch. 9) Chrysostom (349-407) on Hebrews 9:28. So Christ was once offered.: By whom offered? evidently by Himself. Here he says that He is not Priest only, but Victim also, and what is sacrificed. On this account are [the words] was offered. Was once offered (he says) to bear the sins of many. Why of many, and not of all? Because not all believed, For He died indeed for all, that is His part: for that death was a counterbalance against the destruction of all men. But He did not bear the sins of all men, because they were not willing. NPNF1: Vol. XIV, Epistle to the Hebrews, Homly 17. Ambrose (c. 339-97): Although Christ suffered for all, yet He suffered for us particularly, because He suffered for the Church. Saint Ambrose of Milan, Exposition of the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, trans. Theodosia Tomkinson (Etna: Center for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, 1998), Book VI, 25, p. 201. Clement of Alexandria, c. A.D. 190 Man, that had been free by reason of simplicity, was found fettered to sins. The Lord then wished to release him from his bonds and, clothing himself with fleshO divine mystery!vanquished the serpent and enslaved the tyrant death. Most marvelous of all, man that had been deceived by pleasure and bound fast by corruption had his hands unloosed and was set free. O mystic wonder! (Exhortation to the Heathen 11) We have as a limit the cross of the Lord, by which we are fenced and hedged about from our former sins. Therefore, being regenerated, let us fix ourselves to it in truth, and return to sobriety, and sanctify ourselves. (The Instructor III:12)
Quotations taken from Writings of the Early Church Fathers.BibleStudyTools.3February2014.< http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/early-church-fathers/>.

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The Ante Nicene Fathers on the Freedom of the Will

The ante-Nicene father's pronouncements on the freedom of the will are nearly universal. While there is diversity on many aspects of theology among them, the belief in the freedom of the will is not one of those diverse aspects. Following are a few of many illustrations from the writings of the ante-Nicene fathers. CLEMENT OF ROME: (Knew Peter and Paul personally. He was the third or fourth bishop of Rome. Tradition has identified him with the Clement who is mentioned in Philippians 4:3) "For no other reason does God punish the sinner either in the present or future world, except because He knows that the sinner was able to conquer but neglected to gain the victory." Recognitions of Clement of Rome. 111. 23, V. 8, IX. 30. MATHETES: "And do not wonder that a man may become an imitator of God. He can, if he is willing." - Epistle of Mathetes to Diogenes chap 10. (The author is unknown. It is generally accepted among scholars that he was a disciple of the Apostles - "I do not speak of things strange to me, nor do I aim at anything inconsistent with right reason; but having been a disciple of the Apostles, I am become a teacher of the Gentiles" - Epistle of Mathetes to Diogenes chap 11) IGNATIUS: (30-107 AD - Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John.) " ...and there is set before us life upon our observance [of God's precepts], but death as the result of disobedience, and every one, according to the choice he makes, shall go to his own place, let us flee from death, and make choice of life." The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians chap 5 (Long Version) "If any one is truly religious, he is a man of God; but if he is irreligious, he is a man of the devil, made such, not by nature, but by his own choice." The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians chap 5 (Long Version) JUSTIN MARTYR: (110-165 AD) "God's foreknowledge is intuitive, not active, and is caused by man's choices." And also, "We have learned from the prophets, and we hold it to be true, that punishments, chastisements, and rewards are rendered according to the merit of each man's actions. Otherwise, if all things happen by fate, then nothing is in our own power . For if it be predestined that one man be good and another man evil, then the first is not deserving of praise or the other to be blamed. Unless humans have the power of avoiding evil and choosing good by free choice, they are not accountable for their actions-whatever they may be... For neither would a man be worthy of reward or praise if he did not of himself choose the good, but was merely created for that end. Likewise, if a man were evil, he would not deserve punishment, since he was not evil of himself, being unable to do anything else than what he was made for." (Justin First Apology chap. 43) Justin Martyr in his Second Apology for the Christians addressed to the Roman Senate, in chapter CXLI said, "...God, wishing men and angels to follow His will, resolved to create them free to do righteousness; possessing reason, that they may know by whom they are created, and through whom they, not existing formerly, do now exist; and with a law that they should be judged by Him, if they do anything contrary to right reason: and of ourselves we, men and angels, shall be convicted of having acted

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sinfully, unless we repent beforehand. But if the word of God foretells that some angels and men shall be certainly punished, it did so because it foreknew that they would be unchangeably [wicked], but not because God had created them so. So that if they repent, all who wish for it can obtain mercy from God..." ATHENAGORAS: (177 AD) "Just as with men, who have freedom of choice as to both virtue and vice, so it is among the angels...Some free agents, you will observe, such as they were created by God, continued in those things for which God had made and over which he had ordained them; but some outraged both the constitution of their nature and the government entrusted to them." - A Plea for the Christians 24. TERTULLIAN: (110-165 AD) "...it is not the part of good and solid faith to refer all things to the will of God...as to make us fail to understand that there is something within our power." Exhortation on Chastity 2. TATIAN: (110-172 AD) "The Logos...before the creation of men, was the Framer of angels. And each of these two orders of creatures was made free to act as it pleased, not having the nature of good, which again is with God alone, but is brought to perfection in men through their freedom of choice, in order that the bad man may be justly punished...but the just man be deservedly praised...Such is the constitution of things in reference to angels and men." Also, "...our free-will has destroyed us...Nothing evil has been created by God; we ourselves have manifested wickedness." - Address to the Greeks. IRENAEUS: (120-202 AD) "And in man, as well as in angels, [God] has placed the power of choice...so that those who had yielded obedience might justly posses what is good, given indeed by God, but preserved by themselves. On the other hand, they who have not obeyed shall, with justice, be not found in possession of the good, and shall receive condign punishment: for God did kindly bestow on them what was good...but [they] poured contempt on His super-eminent goodness." Against Heresies 5:37. Irenaeus also states that God sent His Son "as one who saves by persuasion, not compulsion, for compulsion is no attribute of God." Epistle to Diognetus 7:4. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: (153-217 AD) "So in no respect is God the author of evil. But since free choice and inclination originate sins...punishments are rightly inflicted." - Stromata 1:17. Also, "This was the law from the first, that virtue should be the object of voluntary choice." - Stromata 7:2. "A man by himself working and toiling at freedom from sinful desires achieves nothing. But if he plainly shows himself to be very eager and earnest about this, he attains it by the addition of the power of God. God works together with willing souls. But if the person abandons his eagerness, the spirit from God is also restrained. To save the unwilling is the act of one using compulsion; but to save the willing, that of one showing grace." - Salvation of the Rich Man chap. 21 "Neither praise nor condemnation, neither rewards nor punishments, are right if the soul does not have the power of choice and avoidance, if evil is involuntary." Miscellanies bk. 1, chap. 17

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ORIGEN: (185-255 AD) In response to a claim (much like the Calvinist doctrine of God's exhaustive sovereignty) that "whatever happens in the universe, whether it be the work of God, of angels [or] of other demons...is regulated by the law of the Most High God," Origen says, "This is...incorrect; for we cannot say that transgressors follow the law of God when they transgress; and Scripture declares that it is not only wicked men who are transgressors, but also wicked demons and wicked angels...When we say that 'the providence of God regulates all things,' we utter a great truth if we attribute to that providence nothing but what is just and right. But if we ascribe to the providence of God all things whatsoever, however unjust they may be, then it is no longer true that the providence of God regulates all things." Against Celsus 7:68. "He makes Himself known to those who, after doing all that their powers will allow, confess that they need help from Him." Against Celsus bk. 7, chap. 42 ARCHELAUS: (250-300 AD) "All the creatures that God made, He made very good. And He gave to every individual the sense of free will, by which standard He also instituted the law of judgment...And certainly whoever will, may keep the commandments. Whoever despises them and turns aside to what is contrary to them, shall yet without doubt have to face this law of judgment....There can be no doubt that every individual , in using his own proper power of will, may shape his course in whatever direction he pleases ." Disputation With Manes 32, 33 METHODIUS: (260-315 AD) "Those [pagans] who decide that man does not have free will, but say that he is governed by the unavoidable necessities of fate, are guilty of impiety toward God Himself, making Him out to be the cause and author of human evils." - The Banquet of the Ten Virgins discourse 8, chap. 16 These are but a few of many, many passages from the ante-Nicene fathers that argue against the predeterministic interpretation of Romans 9. One could reasonably say that there was a general consensus that man's free will was a central component to orthodox theology. But suffice to say that there is no evidence that anyone interpreted Romans 9 to support any kind of double predestination or exhaustive sovereignty view before Augustine in the fourth century. Greg Boyd says, "This in part explains why Calvin cannot cite ante-Nicene fathers against his libertarian opponents (e.g. Pighuis). Hence, when Calvin debates Pighuis on the freedom of the will, he cites Augustine abundantly, but no early church fathers are cited." Certain Gnostics and the Manicheans held to what we would now call a Calvinistic view, but Calvin couldn't appeal to them, could he? And remember that Augustine was a Manichean before he was a Christian. The Gnostics and Manicheans owe more to Plato and Aristotle than they do to Moses or Paul. Not coincidently, Augustine is the theologian most responsible for the integration of Plato with Christianity. Notice the quote from Archelaus given above. Notice that he was in dispute with Manes, the founder of the Manicheans. Manes believed in Fate, i.e. there is no such thing as free will. The early church Fathers vehemently opposed this teaching. They failed. It came into the church - at least the western church - thanks to Augustine who was a Neo-Platonist and a Manichean before his conversion to Christianity. In my opinion, Augustine never REALLY "converted" from his Platonic/Manichean paradigm. He retained many aspects of that way of thinking, and Christianity has been tainted with it ever since. Augustinian teachings on predestination and the foreknowledge of God are Manichean in nature, and are not what was taught by Jesus

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or the apostles. Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk. Even its adherents have characterized the Reformation as a revival of Augustinianism. Nowhere in the early church fathers can we document the Manichean-like view on predestination prior to Augustine. Subsequent to Augustine it becomes easily documented and comes to it's logical development and conclusion in Luther and Calvin. Indeed, in Book 2, chapter 2, section 4 of Calvin's Institutes, Calvin explicitly says that ALL but Augustine among the early Church Fathers were WRONG in their pronouncements on the subject of the freedom of the will. (Quote) "Moreover although the Greek Fathers, above others, and especially Chrysostom, have exceeded due bounds in extolling the powers of the human will, yet all ancient theologians, with the exception of Augustine, are so confused, vacillating, and contradictory on this subject, that no certainty can be obtained from their writings." (Close quote, emphasis mine) Calvin is just plain wrong here. The ante-Nicene fathers are VERY clear (see quotes above). So Calvin is saying, in effect, that what Paul was teaching was missed by ALL the ante-Nicene fathers, including fathers who knew various original Apostles personally, (Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Mathetes) and fathers who knew men who had been disciples of the original 12. The ONLY ancient church father who "got it" was Augustine, who lived 400 years after the fact, and who didn't personally know any of the apostles or even any disciples of the apostles. Was the Apostle Paul such a poor teacher that his followers didn't understand his teachings? Certainly not. All of the writings of Church leaders that came after Paul and before Augustine taught that mankind had a free will to either choose the gospel or reject it. The fact that we have no textual evidence among the post-apostolic fathers prior to Augustine for the Reformed notion of the bondage of the will, i.e. total depravity, and therefore the necessity of exhaustive predestination, suggests that the pre-deterministic reading of this passage (Rom 9-11) is at least partially the result of people bringing to the text an assumed Augustinian/Calvinistic paradigm (exhaustive sovereignty of God, double predestination, total depravity etc) that Paul, the original apostles, and the early post-apostolic fathers did not share. Obviously Clement of Rome, Justin Martyr, Tatian, Mathetes, Ignatius, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, and Athenagoras, among others, did not read the apostle Paul like John Calvin did, or Martin Luther, or any other of the esteemed theologians Calvinists are so wont to cite in support of their position. Clement of Rome knew the apostle Paul personally! Mathetes was a disciple of the Apostles. Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John. Justin Martyr knew men who were disciples of the original apostles. It seems to me that the understanding of these men should be taken as seriously if not more seriously than men who lived in a different culture 1500 years after the fact, don't you? Just a thought.
The Ante Nicene Fathers on the Freedom of the Will. Masterguitar.3February2014.<http://www.masterguitar.com/theology/Calvinism/22antenicene.htm>.

EARLY JEWISH THOUGHT Free Will

Jewish philosophy stresses that free will is a product of the intrinsic human soul and is closely linked with the concept of reward and punishment, based on the Torah itself:

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Deut 30:19 I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse: therefore choose life...
Bennett, David. Predestined For Free WillPart 2.Standing for God.3February2014.<http://www.standingforgod.com/2011/08/predestined-for-free-willpart-2/>.

Resisting Grace and Fallen from Grace

Some Ante-Nicene Fathers on Hell Clement 150 AD "If we do the will of Christ, we shall obtain rest; but if not, if we neglect his commandments, nothing will rescue us from eternal punishment" (Second Clement 5:5). Clement 150 AD "But when they see how those who have sinned and who have denied Jesus by their words or by their deeds are punished with terrible torture in unquenchable fire, the righteous, who have done good, and who have endured tortures and have hated the luxuries of life, will give glory to their God saying, 'There shall be hope for him that has served God with all his heart!'" (Second Clement , 17:7). Justin Martyr 150 AD: "We have been taught that only they may aim at immortality who have lived a holy and virtuous life near to God. We believe that they who live wickedly and do not repent will be punished in everlasting fire" (First Apology, 21). Athenagoras 177 AD "[W]e [Christians] are persuaded that when we are removed from this present life we shall live another life, better than the present one . . . Then we shall abide near God and with God, changeless and free from suffering in the soul . . . or if we fall with the rest [of mankind], a worse one and in fire; for God has not made us as sheep or beasts of burden, a mere incidental work, that we should perish and be annihilated" (Plea for the Christians 31). Theophilus of Antioch 181 AD "Give studious attention to the prophetic writings [the Bible] and they will lead you on a clearer path to escape the eternal punishments and to obtain the eternal good things of God.. [God] will examine everything and will judge justly, granting recompense to each according to merit. To those who seek immortality by the patient exercise of good works, he will give everlasting life, joy, peace, rest, and all good things.. For the unbelievers and for the contemptuous, and for those who do not submit to the truth but assent to iniquity, when they have been involved in adulteries, and fornications, and homosexualities, and avarice, and in lawless idolatries, there will be wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish; and in the end, such men as these will be detained in everlasting fire" (To Autolycus 1:14).
Shaward, Richard. Some Ante-Nicene Fathers On Hell.Eclectic Orthodoxy.February2014.<http://www.orthodoxchristianity.com/2013/02/some-ante-nicene-fathers-on-hell/>

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WHAT DOES THE SCRIPTURE SHOW US?

APOSTOLIC THEOLOGY
Partial Depravity, Conditional Election, Unlimited Atonement, Resistible Grace, Perseverance of the Elect

PARTIAL DEPRAVITY Man is not totally depraved but partially depraved. He was made in the image and likeness of God and these qualities from God are still inherent and were not totally lost in man even though they have been corrupted by sin. Totally depraved in biblical definition in Romans 1:28 is when God moved the wicked into depravity only after he has fully rejected God and has chosen a life of wickedness. These are the reprobates and they were given into depravity and condemnation. Men who were written aforetimes reject and suppress the truth with their wickedness. When Adam sinned man has not lost the capability to do good and to say everything he does is evil only is unbiblical. God in the olden days have recognized righteous men and abhorred the wicked. Man is not an animal that has no knowledge of God. His soul is neither bereft of all goodness. It is not true that all that he does is evil. Jesus said those who have honest, noble and good heart receive the word and are saved and bear fruit. The apostles declared those who seek the truth, seek and fear God, and do what is right are welcome before God. Romans 3 teaches that no one is righteous and none who does good because we all have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God so that we shall be justified by faith by faith in Christ and not by our good works. Mans good works cannot save him but he who fears God He reveals Himself. God knows their hearts and those who believe in God and whenever the gospel is preached He enables and opens the hearts of those who believe in God and is turned into saving faith in Christ. Depravity is an act of God towards the wicked men who reject Him. He hardens and condemns them. (Lk 8:15, Ps 1:6, 34:15, Eccl 7:20, Act 10:35, 17:27, Rom 1:28, 2:4-10, 3:10, 21-26)

CONDITIONAL ELECTION

Gods election is centered and conditioned upon Christ. He foreordained Christ crucified and therefore foreordained righteousness through faith in Jesus who died for our sins and foreknew His People those in Christ. He has declared and shut up all under sin so that He may have mercy to all and the promise be given to those who believe in Jesus. God elected in Christ those He foreknew in the beginning. Everything is laid bare and open before Godthe past, the present and the future. God knew all men. He knew our hearts. He knows

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those who seek God, fear Him and do what is right from the wicked. They are welcomed by Him. These are those who come to the Light and are justified through faith in Christ. God seeing their hearts, enables, opens their hearts and draws them to His Son through the gospel and saves them. He knew them and predestined them into the image of His Son. He calls through the gospel and justifies them. The Spirit gives them new birth. He has mercy on whom He has mercy those who believe in Jesus and the reprobates and the unforgivable He hardens and condemns. The wicked chose darkness and wickedness. They counted themselves not worthy of eternal life and those ordained to life were those who believe. The Elect at their lifetime neither continued nor lived in sin, have repented, have not fallen away nor have rejected Christ. They shall never perish. Those who believed and were forgiven yet have fallen away, apostatized, wrecked and defected and abandoned their faith, are condemned with the unbelievers. God cannot be wrong when He chooses a person. Everything that surrounds that will is perfect. The Reprobates and Apostates He rejects but the Elect those who hear and follow He saves. Election is centered and conditioned on Christ crucified who was foreordained even before the foundation of the world and that the righteousness of God and justification is through faith in Christ. This is the whole counsel of God on election in Christ: Election is through Him and in Him. Christ was sent to pay for our sins and man through faith in Him was justified and made righteous through the Son, redeemed and saved. He has chosen us in the beginning for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. (1Pet 1:2, 18-23 Eph 1:4-13 Gal 3:22 Rom 8:29-30, 11:32, Jn 3:14-21, Jn 6:64-65 Act 13:44-49, 15:7-9 Rom 1:28, 2:4-5, 2Tim 2:10-12, 19, Rom 5:8-10, 3:21-26, Rev 13:8 2Thess 2:12-14)

UNLIMITED ATONEMENT The Atonement of Christ is not limited only to the Elect. It is for all humanity for He died for all men. To say Jesus died only for the elect and His ransom only for the elect are not found in Scriptures. He died for the sins of the whole world and that is for all humanity. Christ died for all men therefore grace and salvation is accessible and offered to all men. This is Gods love for world. And whoever from the world, whom the Father loved and Jesus died for, shall come to God through Christ shall be saved. It is sufficient for all because He died for all but not effective to all. What was done and finished on the cross? What did Jesus do on the cross? The sin of the world was paid and atoned for and redemption of man was obtained already at the Cross of Calvary. Redemption is in Christ. He offered Himself once and for all and took away the sin of the world and sat down at the right hand of God. He finished the work the Father commanded Him to accomplish. That is why John said He is the propitiation for our sins and not for our sins only but also for the whole world. He is not only our Savior but the Savior of all men. Atonement therefore is unlimited meaning the work of Christ was finished on the cross and is available for all men. The sin of the world was dealt with head-on at the cross that is why forgiveness and salvation in His name is preached. There remained no more sacrifice for sins. But Jesus qualified only those who believe Him shall be saved and those who reject Him are not forgiven and not saved but were condemned already because they believe not in the name of the Son of God. Therefore the work of salvation and redemption were completed on the cross and the grace of God is accessible to all men and shall only be applied to those who receive Him. God is not only a Savior but also a Judge. (Is 53:6, Jn 1:29, 1Jn 2:2, 4:14, 3:14-18, Rom 3:21-26, 5:6, 2Cor 5:19, 1Tm 2:3-6, 4:10, Tit 2:11, Heb 2:9 Lk 24:44-47)

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RESISTIBLE GRACE Regeneration is another word for new birth and being born again. The Bible teaches that new birth is after faith in Christ, after the gospel truth is preached and heard. God enables, opens the hearts and draws to the Son those whose hearts He knew so that they can respond to the gospel and have faith in Christ to be born again and be saved. Therefore, regeneration or new birth is after Christ is received and not before, for God enables them to respond to the gospel. After faith we are made alive and forgiven. Grace can be resisted by men- both the unbelievers and believers. In Romans the wicked unbelievers have resisted and removed Gods revelation and rejected His kindness to them. In Hebrews they did not mix the gospel message they heard with faith and obedience so that they shall be saved. Jesus and the apostles warned if one who has believed and has been forgiven yet has fallen away, he shall be condemned. This confirms that after a man has been saved by His grace can fall from grace, come short of the grace and receive the grace of God in vain. The falling away after receiving the truth is caused by sinning willfully, forsaking Christ, receiving another gospel and a different teaching not from Christ. This is biblical apostasy. Only believers can apostatize. We cannot have contempt for Son of God who has bought us and cleansed us by His blood and sanctified us by the Holy Spirit and not judged by God. Judgment and condemnation is the result of that sin leading to death. God cannot be mocked; those who seek righteousness through obedience in the Holy Spirit results into eternal life and those who become reprobates and have apostatized condemnation and spiritual ruin and death. We are saved by grace but the unrepentant shall fallout from grace. Jesus said to remain in Him and remain in Gods l ove. There are those who walked in and by the Spirit and there were men who grieved and resisted the Spirit. (Jn 1:11-13, Js 1:18, 1Pet 1:3, 23-25, Col 2:12-13, Rom 1:28 and 2:4-5 Heb 3:19-4:2 Heb 3:12,6:46,10:26-9, Gal 1:6-9, 5:2-4, 6:7-8, Jn 15:9-10)

PERSEVERANCE OF THE ELECT The Elect at their lifetime are those that persevere unto the end. They hear and understand the Kingdom of God and His atonement. The power of God works in their lives. They learn to abide in Christ by keeping His commandments and thereby abiding and remaining in His love. They keep the will of God and His word. They draw near to God and God draws near to them strengthening them more in the spirit and faith. They walk in the Light and are washed by the blood of the Lamb. They walk and live in the Spirit. They walk in faith and in truth, in righteousness and in power. They overcome through faith. These are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith in Jesus. God knows those who are His, their beginning and end. Those who believed and forgiven yet fell away and have forsaken and denied Christ were not part of the Elect because they did not persevere and did not overcome. Their names were removed from the book of life and shall be hurt by the second death. The wicked unbelievers are called Reprobates, those who believed yet fell away and denied Christ were called the Apostates and the Saints who persevered unto the end in keeping the commandments of God and faith in Christ are the Elect. (Jn 10:27-28, 1Jn 1:510, Rom 8:1-2, Rev 14:12, Rev 2:10-11, 20-23, 3:3-6, 16:15, Jn 15:1-6, Lk 12:40-46, Mt 25:20-30, 2Tim 2:10-13, 19-21)

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Part 1
TOTAL DEPRAVITY
Calvinism/Reformed Theology Total Depravity
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. The doctrine of Total Depravity is derived from scriptures that reveal human character: Mans 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 mans 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." Calvinism also maintains that because of our fallen nature we are born again not by our own will but Gods 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).
Slick, Matthew J.The Five Points of Calvinism.Calvinist Corner.3February2014. <http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip.htm>.

Calvinism teaches in total depravity that man is an awful sinner and cannot save himself. Some teach man cannot do good things so as to please God but only evil. We agree that man cannot save by his good works. The question is in the verses below does the Bible teach that man can fear God, do what is right, pray to God and therefore welcomed by God? And are these people God will save? And God will bring to Christ? The answer is yes. Therefore total depravity would mean man is bereft of all goodness and knowledge of God and the bible does not teach this.

Act 10:1 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

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Act 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. Gen 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Rom 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

Apostolic Theology PARTIAL DEPRAVITY

Man is not totally depraved but partially depraved. He was made in the image and likeness of God and these qualities from God are still inherent and were not totally lost in man even though they have been corrupted by sin. Totally depraved in biblical definition in Romans 1:28 is when God moved the wicked into depravity only after he has fully rejected God and has chosen a life of wickedness. These are the reprobates and they were given into depravity and condemnation. Men who were written aforetimes reject and suppress the truth with their wickedness. When Adam sinned man has not lost the capability to do good and to say everything he does is evil only is unbiblical. God in the olden days have recognized righteous men and abhorred the wicked. Man is not an animal that has no knowledge of God. His soul is neither bereft of all goodness. It is not true that all that he does is evil. Jesus said those who have honest, noble and good heart receive the word and are saved and bear fruit. The apostles declared those who seek the truth, seek and fear God, and do what is right are welcome before God. Romans 3 teaches that no one is righteous and none who does good because we all have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God so that we shall be justified by faith by faith in Christ and not by our good works. Mans good works cannot save him but he who fears God He reveals Himself. God knows their hearts and whenever the gospel is preached He enables and opens the hearts of those who believe in God and is turned into saving faith in Christ. Depravity is an act of God towards the wicked men who reject Him. He hardens and condemns them. (Lk 8:15, Ps 1:6, 34:15, Eccl 7:20, Act 10:35, 17:27, Rom 1:28, 2:4-10, 3:10, 21-26)

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Mans spiritual condition:

Man was made in the image and likeness of God. He is soul, body and spirit. God is a Spirit. Man is both physical and spiritual. When man sinned his spiritual condition was marred and corrupted but God has not left man alone. He is given the natural and instinctive knowledge of God and of good and evil. These capabilities cannot save us. What God wants is for us to have the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and have faith in Him which is the righteousness of God. This is the relational and experiential knowledge of God possible through Christ alone by the sanctification of the Spirit and power of the gospel. When the gospel is preached God enables and opens the heart of the person who fears and seeks God, seeks righteousness and truth so he can have faith in Christ and be saved.

NATURAL AND INSTINCTIVE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Man was made in the likeness and image of God Children by creation In the beginning God made Man in His likeness and image. That likeness and image are His holiness, righteousness and dominion. In the garden of Eden man was commanded to obey and have dominion. But the devil has deceived man and continues to deceive humanity today. All men have sinned and death (wrath of God) passed to all men but that imprint of God or that DNA of the likeness and image of God are still inherent in man. For we are made that way though man was corrupted and stained by sin he still strives for excellence and goodness. Gen 1:26 Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth. Act 17:28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we also are His children. 29 Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.

Man has natural knowledge of the existence of God Man even he is dead in his spirit because of unrighteousness and transgression has the natural knowledge of the existence of the Almighty. It is seen in His creation and his soul can grope out to Him. Only beasts know not God. Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which

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is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Act 17:26 From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth, determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move about and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we too are his offspring. We instinctively know what is right and wrong Rom 2:11 For there is no partiality with God. 12 For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. 14 For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. 15 They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them, 16 on the day when God will judge the secrets of human hearts, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus. We are given in us His natural laws This commandment I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it too remote. 12 It is not in heaven, as though one must say, Who will go up to heaven to get it for us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it? 13 And it is not across the sea, as though one must say, Who will cross over to the other side of the sea and get it for us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it? 14 For the thing is very near you it is in your mouth and in your mind so that you can do it. 15 Look! I have set before you today life and prosperity on the one hand, and death and disaster on the other.
Deut 30:11

For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things required by the law, these who do not have the law are a law to themselves. 15 They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them,
Rom 2:14

We are bestowed with the will to know and choose We are given free will. We can choose between good and evil.
Deut 30:19

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,

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Josh 24:15

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Rom 2:6 He will reward each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality , 8 but wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness. 9 There will be affliction and distress on everyone who does evil, on the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, for the Jew first and also the Greek. Philemon 1:14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. That is why God commanded all to repent. Act 17:30 Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent, 2Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because He does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. And though we cannot completely follow His commandments He has placed faith in the lips and hearts of men. So that when the gospel is preached he can believe and those who disbelieve are condemned. Deut 31:11 This commandment I am giving you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it too remote. 12 It is not in heaven, as though one must say, Who will go up to heaven to get it for us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it? 13 And it is not across the sea, as though one must say, Who will cross over to the other side of the sea and get it fo r us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it? 14 For the thing is very near you it is in your mouth and in your mind so that you can do it. 15 Look! I have set before you today life and prosperity on the one hand, and death and disaster on the other. 19 Today I invoke heaven and earth as a witness against you that I have set life and death, blessing and curse, before you. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live!

DEAD IN SINS AND CHILDREN OF WRATH

Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned Eph 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

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Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 1Tim 5:6 But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 1Per 2:10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Rom 9:25 As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE, AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'"

RELATIONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Our natural and instinctive knowledge of God and knowing what is right and wrong are not enough for us to be righteous before a Holy God for we all have sinned and come short of His glory. We were not His people but children of disobedience. This has made us spiritually dead or under Gods wrath. Therefore our natural knowledge of God is not the basis of true knowledge of God and His righteousness. That belief has to be corrected and made right by directing it to the Son of God. Relational and experiential knowledge of God is only possible through Christ. It is Christ who reconciled the world to God. He made the way and opened the way for us by the sacrifice of Himself. He said, I am the way, the truth and the life and no man can come to the Father except through Me. He must be accep ted as the Lord and Savior and His payment on the cross for our sins, for our redemption and forgiveness. Jn 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 1Cor 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. Gal 4:8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. To fully know God is to have a relationship with Him and experience His love. This knowledge man does not inherently have and posses. For repentance and faith n Christ are required. Man humbling himself before God and the Son of God exalted and lifted high. God has shut both the Jews and the Gentiles, all men under sin so that the righteousness of God and mans justification shall come through FAITH IN CHRIST who gave Himself for us. Rom 11:32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. Rom 3:21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through

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faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Gal 3:21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe . 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

CAN MAN HAVE FAITH?

The Word of Faith in mans mouth and heart Rom 10:6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: Do not say in your heart, Who will ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or Who will descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we preach), Rom 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Jas 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? Mark 11:22 Jesus said to them, Have faith in God. Matt 8:10 When Jesus heard this he was amazed and said to those who followed him, I tell you the truth, I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel! 11 I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 9:2 Just then some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.

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Lk 7:48 Then Jesus said to her, Your sins are forgiven. 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, Who is this, who even forgives sins? 50 He said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace. Matt 9:21 For she kept saying to herself, If only I touch his cloak, I will be healed. 22 But when Jesus turned and saw her he said, Have courage, daughter ! Your faith has made you well. And the woman was healed from that hour. Matt 9:28 When he went into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord. 29 Then he touched their eyes saying, Let it be done for you according to your faith. Matt 15:24 So he answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 But she came and bowed down before him and said, Lord, help me! 26 It is not right to take the childrens bread and throw it to the dogs, he said. 27 Yes, Lord, she replied, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters table. 28 Then Jesus answered her, Woman, your faith is great! Let what you want be done for you. And her daughter was healed from that hour. Matt 17:18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him, and the boy was healed from that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, Why couldnt we cast it out? 20 He told them, It was because of your little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed , you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you. Luke 17:15 Then one of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He fell with his face to the ground at Jesus feet and thanked him. (Now he was a Samaritan.) 17 Then Jesus said, Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to turn back and give praise to God except this foreigner? 19 Then he said to the man, Get up and go your way. Your faith has made you well.

Faith works through His Name and His Word

Saving Faith Results when directed to Jesus Through the gospel the power of God for salvation
Act 3:16

And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Rom 10:13

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved . 14 How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.

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16

However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, LORD, WHO HAS
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BELIEVED OUR REPORT? Christ.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

MAN IS NOT TOTALLY DEPRAVED UNTIL

Depravity in biblical definition is a state wherein the wicked chooses to remove God from his life and suppress the truth with his evil deeds. God gives them to a depraved mind, hardening and condemning them. These men are the reprobates, the unforgivable, in regard to faith rejected and condemned. The bible shows us that when God talks about the righteous it is not being sinless but he is after the truth, righteousness, fear of God and doing just and upright acts. This definitely shows that man is not that utterly wicked. There are those who seek God and there are those who work unrighteousness. And we must remember too that it is not by our righteousness that we are saved but mans works of righteousness God delights and seeks. Those who disbelieve and reject God, He hardens. They have rejected and removed God from their lives. John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Rom 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a DEPRAVED mind, to do what should not be done. 29 They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 senseless, covenant-breakers, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they fully know Gods righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them. 2Thess 2:10 and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved. 11 Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. 12 And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.

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GOD ACKNOWLEDGES THE WICKED AND THE RIGHTEOUS Ps 1:6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. Ps 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry. Mt 5:45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Lk 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Mt 12:35

The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
Lk 6:45

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Lk 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
1Jn 3:12

not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brothers were righteous.
Gen 5:24

Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Jb 1:8 The LORD said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.
Gen 6:5

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,
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and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The
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LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. Then the LORD said to Noah, Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.
Neh 9:7 Gen 7:1 8 9

You are the LORD God, Who chose Abram

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And brought him out from Ur of the Chaldees, And gave him the name Abraham.
8

You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him 2Pet 2:7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men 8 (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds),
Lk 1:5

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
Lk 23:50 6

And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man. 51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;
Act 10:22

They said, Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you. THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT SINLESSNESS BUT OF THEIR FAITH IN GOD Eccl 7:20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Ezek 18:9 if he walks in My statutes and My ordinances so as to deal faithfully he is righteous and will surely live, declares the Lord GOD. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 4:6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. 8 BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. 9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

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NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS
What is therefore the context of Romans 3 when the Word of God says None is righteous? In regard to man in general we all fall short of Gods glory for we all have sinned and no man shall be justified through the works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Rom 3:9 10 11 12

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.
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for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Rom 7:14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Romans 3 says no one is righteous; no one understands and seeks God. In context Paul is teaching that all men are under sin and goes on verse 23 we all fall short of the glory of God. In Gods standards we all fail. Isaiah even said our good works are as filthy rags the reason is that we all fall short of His standard. These do not teach man is bereft of any goodness in him. It shows man is not completely perfect and holy to earn his salvation. It is not therefore our works but through faith in Christ we are made righteous as seen in verses 21-26. Paul quoted from Psalms. David talked about the wicked and the godly. It is the wicked who has become corrupt and seek not God. Ps 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. 2 The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one. 4 Do all the workers of wickedness not know, Who eat up my people as they eat bread,

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And do not call upon the Lord? 5 There they are in great dread, For God is with the righteous generation. The reason Paul was saying ALL MEN ARE UNDER SIN to show that man is not capable of saving himself and that by faith in Christ he is made righteous and justified in Gods eyes. Abraham was set as an example for us. Jesus said, Abraham saw His days and was joyful. Abraham was righteous before God. Rom 3:19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. Paul is consistent with his theology. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. God has shut all under sin. SO THAT THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST WE SHALL BE JUSTIFIED AND MADE RIGHTEOUS IN HIM. Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe .

CHRIST THE END OF THE LAW FOR RIGTHEOUSNESS

TO HIM THAT BELIEVES WITH THE HEART AND LIPS Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, `WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN? (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heartthat is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from

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the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. ABRAHAM AND WE ARE MADE RIGHTEOUS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST Jn 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad. Rom 4:20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Lk 16:22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abrahams bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us. 27 And he said, Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my fathers house 28 for I have five brothersin order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment . 29 But Abraham *said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. 30 But he said, No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent! 31 But he said to him, If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.

WHO THEN ARE OF GOD AND COME TO GOD?

THOSE WHO DO WHAT ARE RIGHT Jn 3:19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. Lk 10:6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Act 10:34 Then Peter started speaking: I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and

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does what is right is welcomed before him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all). Act 17:26 From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth, determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move about and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we too are his offspring. Rom 2:7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. THOSE WHO HEAR HIS WORD Jn 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God. Lk 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Jn 17:20 I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;

WHO THEREFORE ARE MADE DEPRAVED?

THOSEWHO HAVE REJECTED AND REMOVED GOD FROM THEIR LIVES. John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Rom 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a DEPRAVED mind, to do what should not be done. 29 They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 senseless, covenant-breakers, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they fully know Gods righteous decree that those

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who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them. Rom 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth , but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. 2Thess 2:10 and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved. 11 Consequently God SENDS on them a DELUDING INFLUENCE so that they will believe what is false. 12 And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.

THOSE WHO RESISTED THE GOSPEL ARE CONDEMNED Jn 3:17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light , for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light , and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD. Heb 3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. 4:1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST, although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.

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PART 2 UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

Calvinism/Reformed Theology Unconditional Election

God does not base His election on anything He sees in the individual. 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).
Slick, Matthew J.The Five Points of Calvinism.Calvinist Corner.3February2014. <http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip.htm>.

Calvinism teaches that God does not base His election on anything He sees in the individual. He chooses the elect according to the kind intention of His will 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. Calvinism therefore rejects the teaching that God chose only those in Christ through faith. What they are showing is God chose or selected some individuals for Christ. But the bible teaches He chose us in Christ and according to His foreknowledge through faith in the Son. What is written is we are chosen in Christ and not chosen for Christ. 1Pet 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Eph 1: 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, And others were not chosen according to them. The bible is also clear others were not chosen and were condemned because of their rejection of the gospel and the Son. They were not in Christ but were separated from and without Christ.

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1Pet 2:7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone," 8 and, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 2Thess 1:5 This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 2:10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. Heb 3: 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. 4: 1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.

Apostolic Theology CONDITIONAL ELECTION

Gods election is centered and conditioned upon Christ. He foreordained Christ crucified and therefore foreordained righteousness through faith in Jesus who died for our sins and foreknew His People those in Christ. He has declared and shut up all under sin so that He may have mercy to all and the promise be given to those who believe in Jesus. God elected in Christ those He foreknew in the beginning. Everything is laid bare and open before Godthe past, the present and the future. God knew all men. He knew our hearts. He knows those who seek God, fear Him and do what is right from the wicked. They are welcomed by Him. These are those who come to the Light and are justified through faith in Christ. God seeing their hearts, enables, opens their hearts and draws them to His Son through the gospel and saves them. He knew them and predestined them into the image of His Son. He calls through the gospel and justifies them. The Spirit gives them new birth. He has mercy on whom He has mercy those who believe in Jesus and the reprobates and the unforgivable He hardens and condemns. The wicked chose darkness and wickedness. They counted themselves not worthy of eternal life and those ordained to life were those who believe. The Elect at their lifetime neither continued nor lived in sin, have repented, have not fallen away nor have rejected Christ. They shall never perish. Those who believed and were forgiven yet have fallen away, apostatized, wrecked and defected and abandoned their faith, are condemned with the unbelievers. God cannot be wrong when He chooses a person.

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Everything that surrounds that will is perfect. The Reprobates and Apostates He rejects but the Elect those who hear and follow He saves. Election is centered and conditioned on Christ crucified who was foreordained even before the foundation of the world and that the righteousness of God and justification is through faith in Christ. This is the whole counsel of God on election in Christ: Election is through Him and in Him. Christ was sent to pay for our sins and man through faith in Him was justified and made righteous through the Son, redeemed and saved. He has chosen us in the beginning for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. (1Pet 1:2, 18-23 Eph 1:4-13 Gal 3:22 Rom 8:29-30, 11:32, Jn 3:14-21, Jn 6:64-65 Act 13:44-49, 15:7-9 Rom 1:28, 2:4-5, 2Tim 2:10-12, 19, Rom 5:8-10, 3:21-26, Rev 13:8 2Thess 2:12-14)

WHAT IS ELECTION? What it is not?

There is a group in Christianity that started in the Reformation days that teaches that since man is sinful and cannot save himself and is already condemned therefore God made a choice among them, sent Christ to die only for them, caused them to believe and be saved, called them His own and shall be glorified in the last days while the rest of mankind He also called to repent and believe in the gospel but will not cause them to believe and be saved. This teaching shows a lot of contradictions and inconsistencies on the desire of God for all men to be saved and gave the Son as a ransom for all so that the world might be saved through Him and whoever believes is saved and whoever disbelieves is condemned. What this group teaches is a gospel of selection and not a gospel of salvation through Christs atonement and faith in Him. The verses they hold are: 1) Rom 3:10-18 No one is righteous so God has to choose and cause them to believe. 2) Act 11:18 Repentance was granted by God. 3) Act 13:48 Those appointed to life believed. 4) Rom 9:11-13 Gods purpose according to His choice would stand. In context Rom 3 shows man is sinful and verses 22-26 say for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God so that His righteousness be given to those who have faith in Jesus from whom is our redemption. Act 11:17 the Holy Spirit was given after they have believed the Lord Jesus. And to them was granted repentance. Act 13:48 those appointed believed were alluded to those who gladly received the Word preached contrary to those who were against the words of the apostles found in verses 44-47. And finally in Rom 9 Paul was talking of Gods purposes in the lives of Jacob, Moses as vessels for His use and Esau and Pharaoh as vessels for another use. They were chosen for a purpose and Paul was not talking of salvation of the soul here. But if we move down the verses salvation came in when Israel who were Gods chosen people did not enter because of their choice of unbelief and the Gentiles entered because of their faith in Christ.

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ELECTION THEREFORE IS HE CHOSE US IN CHRIST

Paul was very clear who God has chosen and predestined. God has chosen a group of people. Those whom He foreknew He predestined. Rom 8:29. God knew His people in Christ beforehand. They are His People in Christ. He has chosen them and predestined them. Eph 1:4 says He chose us in Christ take note in Christ before the foundation of the world. The basis and point of reference in choosing is that we are in Christ. We are chosen because of Him and we are in Him positionally. No one is chosen outside Christ. The verse says He chose us in Christ. God in His foreknowledge sends His Son- His Chosen One to make atonement for mans sin and this is applied to those who shall be in Christ through faith which is Gods declared righteousness foreseeing that God shall justify the Gentiles by faith. Rom 10:4 Gal 3:8. Election is not God choosing some people and sending Christ to die for them and put them in Christ giving them the ability to believe and to be saved rather He chose those in Christ through His foreknowledge they who have received the word gladly and have believed. Rom 8:29 because those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified. 1Pet 1:1 From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christs blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure! Romans 11:2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? Eph 1:4 For He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love. 5 He did this by predestining us to adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will 11 In Christ we too have been claimed as Gods own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of Him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will.

Different types of Election

1. Chosen for salvation in Christ through faith in Him 2Thess 2:12-14 Rom 9:30-33, 11:7,20 1Pet 2:6-10 Gal 3:6-14, 21-26 2. Chosen to be holy and blameless Eph 1:4 Col 3:12 3. Chosen to bear fruit Jn 15:16 4. Chosen as an instrument Act 9:15 Rom 9:11-21 5. Chosen to witness Christ Act 10:39-41

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CENTERED AND CONDITIONED UPON CHRIST

Election is through Him and in Him. Did God not consider anything when He made the election and predestination? Why did He predestine the believers and for what? Was not everything centered and conditioned upon His Son for whom and through whom are all things? The Christ from whom the heavens and the earth, principalities and powers should give glory into and confess as the Lord. Can and will God save man without Christ? What is His purpose of predestination? For us to be conformed to the image of His Son and glorified with Him. How then He too accomplishes this election in time, our calling, justification, sanctification and glorification? Therefore who are these people whom He foreknew before the foundation of the world? How were they justified and made righteous? Basic Elements in Gods act of election and predestination A. His election according to the pleasure and counsel of His will centered and conditioned upon Christ. B. His election according to His Foreknowledge centered and conditioned upon Christ. C. His election for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth centered and conditioned upon Christ.

His election according to the pleasure and counsel of His will centered and conditioned upon Christ.
Eph 1: 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

God made a choice according to the pleasure and counsel and kind intention of His will purposed in Christ. The choice was Gods. It was perfect, holy and just. He acted in righteousness. In His pleasure and counsel and will Christ was at the center. Through Him we are made holy, adopted, purchased by God and predestined. This mystery was revealed to us through the gospel- that Jesus died and resurrected and we are justified and made righteous through Christ and through faith in Him. It is because Christ is the Chosen One therefore election is centered and conditioned upon Him and faith in Him. Lk 9: 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!"

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Mt 12: 18 "Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 21 "And in His name the Gentiles will hope."

His election according to His Foreknowledge centered and conditioned upon Christ.
Rom 8:29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. 1Pet 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. God knew His People beforehand even before they were created. He predestined them to be conform to the image of His Son. They were set apart by the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God in order to obey Christ and washed by His blood. The Holy Spirit works in them, cleanses them, washes them and moves them into obedience in Christ.

His election for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth centered and conditioned upon Christ.
2Thess 2:13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Jn 1:1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 1 Pet 1:20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, your so that faith and hope are in God. 22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of

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the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. God chose us for salvation and this is realized through the work of His Spirit and our belief in the truth. His election in the beginning foreseeing the working of the Spirit in the sinner and he putting his faith upon Christ through the power of the gospel. God knowing their hearts giving them the Holy Spirit and were cleansed through faith in Christ.

THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST FOREORDAINED

The Foreordained Christ crucified Without the crucified Christ there shall be no election because election is in Christ. God foreordained that Christ shall die for the sins of all humanity, pay for the sin of the whole world and atone for our iniquities and shall rise again for our life and justification. God through Christ reconciled the world to Himself thereby salvation is given as a free gift to be received through faith in Jesus. With these foreknowledge and foreordination is the revelation of the work of Christ through the preaching of the gospel- the power of God whereby man can repent and believe in Christ and be saved. Those who believed become in Christ and were chosen. Eph 1:4, 12-13. Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel. The Blessedness of the Nations 1Pet 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Christs Death and Resurrection Rev 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beastall whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. Is 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

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Jn 1:29 On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Jn 3:16 For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. 18 The one who believes in Him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. Lk 24:44 Now He said to them, These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day , 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations , beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 2Cor 5:19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself , not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

THE PROMISE MADE TO ABRAHAM Gen 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." Gal 3: 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the nations will be blessed in you." 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

FOREORDAINED WITH CHRISTS RANSOM Justification and Righteousness in Christ foreordained

Gods election and predestination are all CENTERED AND CONDITIONED on the sacrifice of Christ and through Him is justification and righteousness. Christ died for our sins and is the source of salvation and redemption for all people. He has become our justification and righteousness. Since we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God He also foreordained that man shall be justified through Christ. He is the righteousness of God.

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Rom 4:25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Rom 5:15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 1Cor 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, Gal 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

Faith in Christ foreordained

Through faith in Christ we become in Christ by His power. Gen 15:6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Gen 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice. Gal 3:6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU. 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Gal 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, And to seeds, as referring to many, but rather to one, And to your seed, that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

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Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Justification and Righteousness through faith in Christ

Christ is our justification and righteousness. Through faith in Him through the gospel were all foreseen and foreordained by God for mans justification and righteousness. Rom 3:21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, 22 being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God 23 through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His 25 grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously 26 committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus . Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Phil 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, Acts 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith. 2Thess 2:13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Tit 3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. Rom 11:32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

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Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Which Israel rejected and had fallen Rom 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abrahams descendants, but: THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED. 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9 For this is the word of promise: AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON. 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that Gods purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER. 13 Just as it is written, JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED. 14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION. 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH. 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires . Rom 10:1 Brethren, my hearts desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about Gods righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God . 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Rom 11:20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;

THEREFORE, God determined ahead of time, planned and willed to send Christ on the cross and die and resurrect for the forgiveness of our sins. To save those who believe and receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior through the working of God. He called us through the preaching of the gospel- Christs payment for our sins, and that through faith in Christ we shall be justified and made righteous. Our election, all centered and conditioned upon Christ, is according to the pleasure and counsel of His will, according to His foreknowledge, and for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth and the believers justification and righteousness through faith in Him. He made known His plan through a promise- that we shall become Gods children through His Son and His righteousness through faith in His Son. Those who established their own righteousness not according to Christ are rejected and condemned. God made a choice and its perfect. He is certain in what He does and will do. He as a Sovereign God acts in accordance with His mercy, love, justice, righteousness and foreordained plan in Christ. He chose His People- the believers in Christ to be holy and

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predestined to be adopted as sons before the foundation of the world according to His will. He chose us in Christ and those who were chosen were those who believed through the gospel (Eph 1:4,13). This is accomplished only through Christs foreordained death and resurrection and the saints- the believers whose justification and righteousness are also foreordained through faith in Him. The pleasure and counsel of His will and His foreknowledge were centered and conditioned upon Christ and our justification and righteousness through faith in Him.

HOW GOD ACTS?

Throughout the Scriptures from the book of Genesis to Revelation we know that the will and counsel of God are always holy, righteous and just. He never acts that shall contradict His very nature. God does not have pleasure in wickedness but rather abhors them. His counsel is upright always. Even before man has done anything good or bad and even before he was born, God made the choice. And that choice is perfect, just and righteous. God can never make a mistake. Therefore when He made a choice and election He had pleasure on those who would do what is right and not with the wicked. God knew Cain and Abel. He knew Jacob and Esau. Cain and Esau were wicked and Abel and Jacob feared God. Moses obeyed God and Pharaoh rejected God. He had no pleasure with the wicked and wickedness but loves the godly and godliness. He shall have mercy on whom He shall have mercy and compassion on whom He shall have compassion. It is His will to condemn the wicked but save those who fear God and do what is right. GOD ACTS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS The LORD is a Righteous God and Savior. He moves and acts righteously on earth. He loves the righteous and hates the wicked. It is His pleasure and will to deliver the righteous and condemn the wicked. Jer 9:24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things, declares the LORD.
Is 45:21

Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me.
Ps 7:11

God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day.
Ps 11:7

For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.

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Ps 119:137

Righteous are You, O LORD, And upright are Your judgments.

Ps 145:17

The LORD is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds. Ps 1:6 Certainly the LORD guards the way of the godly, but the way of the wicked ends in destruction.
Prov 15:3

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
Ps 58:11

And men will say, Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on earth! He has no pleasure over the wicked. Rom 2:4 Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that Gods kindness leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourselves in the day of wrath, when Gods righteous judgment is revealed! 6 He will reward each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality, 8 but wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness. Acts 10:34 Then Peter started speaking: I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, 35 but in every nation the person who fears Him and does what is right is welcomed before Him. God looks at the hearts of men and those who seek Him and does what is right in spite of our being sinners He welcomes. His will and counsel is to draw, forgive and save and the sinners who seek Him. He grants them repentance and faith in Christ. And for the wicked men who suppress the truth with their wickedness and reject God, He hardens and condemns.

THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD

God knew all men from the beginning. Foreknowledge is knowing beforehand. God knew His People. This also includes everything in manhis thoughts, his hearts, his choices and intentions. There is nothing that is not laid bare in the eyes of God. All hearts are open before Him. He is All-knowing. Though He knew all men God has not predetermined all the actions of men. He acts and deals with us in our present time though He knew our acts before time. In His Time the future seems to be now. God is not bound by time. He has given man the knowledge and the free will to choose good or evil and to believe or

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disbelieve. He knew our choices and our hearts beforehand. Therefore, He has chosen those whom whose hearts He knew, those who shall believe Him through the power of the gospel. And He predestined them His People to be conformed to the image of His Son and set apart and sanctification by the Spirit and washing by the blood of Jesus through faith. And WHO are they? They are His PEOPLE. He has chosen His People and knew them. They are those who are in Christ. They are those who believed the Son. He predestined and called them through the gospel, justified and glorified. Rom 8::29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to The image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 29 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Jesus knew all men from the beginning

He knew who would believe and not believe the gospel. He made a choice beforehand even before the foundation of the world knowing the hearts of them who seek for truth and righteousness and would believe the gospel and those who would disbelieve. He rewards each man according to what he has done either good or evil. The ways of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord. He hates them that work unrighteousness. Those who do not believe are not drawn to the Son but are condemned. Those who in their lives seek for truth and righteousness God shall draw to His Son and upon faith in Christ shall be justified and made righteous through Christ. Jn 2:23 Now while Jesus was in Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover, many people believed in his name because they saw the miraculous signs he was doing. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because He knew all people. 25 He did not need anyone to testify about man, for He knew what was in man. Jn 6:36 But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life , and I Myself will raise him up on the last day. Jn 6:43 Jesus answered and said to them, Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. Jn 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 (But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus had already known from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 So Jesus added, Because of this I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has allowed him to come.

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Jn 6:66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, You do not want to go away also, do you? 68 Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God. 70 Jesus answered them, Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil? 71 Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.

He knew our hearts God knows our hearts, our thoughts and everything in us. He knows if we seek Him, seek the truth and righteousness. He knows those who shall believe the gospel and He enables them and gives them His Spirit after listening to the gospel. Act 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. God knew all men. He knew our hearts. He has no pleasure over the wicked and those who reject righteousness, truth and God. He looked down upon all men who sought the truth and righteousness. He knew all our hearts and knew all men. He has ordained His Son to die on the cross for our ransom and with this plan of God He too has ordained man shall be justified by grace through faith in the Son of God. This God made known to Abraham. This is His will, counsel and plan. His righteousness revealed from faith to faith. His election was centered on Christ and justification by faith. He has chosen us for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and through the belief in the truth, the gospel and good news of salvation Christ did on the cross.

THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST
He chose us in Christ meaning it is centered and conditioned upon Christ's atonement and His righteousness thru faith in Him. 1Pet 1:2...... who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, GREEK for foreknowledge B 1: (Strong's #4268 Noun Feminine prognosis prog'-no-sis ) "a foreknowledge" (akin to A.), is used only of Divine "foreknowledge," Acts 2:23 ; 1 Peter 1:2 . "Foreknowledge" is one aspect of omniscience; it is implied in God's warnings, promises and predictions. See Acts 15:18 . God's "foreknowledge" involves His electing grace, but this does not preclude human will. He "foreknows" the exercise of faith which brings salvation.

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God's election is centered and conditioned upon Christ and His righteousness thru faith in His Son.

GOD'S PREDETERMINED PLAN AND FOREKNOWLEDGE

A) CHRIST WILL DIE FOR MAN'S SIN. Act 2:23 THIS MAN, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you NAILED to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. Is 53:4 Surely our griefs HE Himself BORE, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, He was crushed FOR OUR INIQUITIES; The chastening for our well-being FELL UPON HIM, And by HIS SCOURGING we are healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the INIQUITY OF US ALL To fall on Him. Jn 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD ! B) WE ARE SANCTIFIED AND JUSTIFIED BY FAITH. Act 26:17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that THEY MAY RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS and an inheritance among those who have been SANCTIFIED BY FAITH IN ME. 2Thess 2:12 in order that they all may be judged who DID NOT BELIEVE THE TRUTH, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and FAITH IN THE TRUTH. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 3:21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

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26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus . Gal 3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the nations will be blessed in you."

DECLARATION OF THE SCRIPTURES:

1. It did not all begin in election. God's foreknowledge PRECEDES election. Rom 8:29 For those whom He FOREKNEW, He also PREDESTINED to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 1 Pet 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls . 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow . 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look. 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, "All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever." And this is the word which was preached to you. 2. God FOREKNEW WHAT? God in the ancient days made a choice that the Gentiles WOULD hear and believe. He KNEW the hearts and sanctified them by FAITH. And He knew those who would not believe. Act 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 "And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

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Jn 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 (But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus had already known from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 So Jesus added, Because of this I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has allowed him to come. 3. The Scriptures FORESEEN the GENTILES be justified by FAITH. Gal 3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith , preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the nations will be blessed in you." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Gal 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 4. Faith in Christ should not be put in bad context and making it appear that because we believe then we therefore made God choose us BECAUSE we believe while Jesus said IT IS THE WORK OF GOD and God honors it and declared as His RIGHTEOUSNESS. Satan hates faith in Christ. Jn 6:27 "Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal." 28 Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." Rom 4:6 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5. We BELIEVE because of God's power working through the GOSPEL AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. We cannot believe without it. This is how God works. Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith." 1Cor 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I

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will set aside." 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 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. 1 Cor 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. Lk 7:46 "You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven." 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" 50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." 1Tim 1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Jn 16:7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 6. Those who disbelieved are condemned not because God did not choose them to believe and not because God did not give them the ability to believe but by their own volition disbelieved God, His Word and His Christ. Jn 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone who does evil hates the Light , and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

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2Thess 2:12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Pet 2: 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone," 8 and, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

WHO ARE CHOSEN FOR SALVATION?

He chose us for salvation through the sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2Thess 2:10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish , because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. God chose us in the beginning for salvation. Who are those US that God has chosen for salvation? The Bible is consistent who are saved and who are condemned. Those who believe are saved and those who disbelieved are condemned. In context 2Thessalonians above, Paul teaches there are two groups of people- those who did not receive and believe the love of the truth and those who had faith in the truth. Those who reject the truth loved wickedness and those who believed the truth accepted the gospel or the good news about Christ. These people who believed the truth were chosen by God for salvation in the beginning. Those who disbelieved were condemned. God has chosen us in the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And He called us through the gospel preaching. Those who rejected the gospel are condemned and those who responded to the gospel through faith are saved and sanctified by the Spirit. They are those whom God has chosen because they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Purposed in Him
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love

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5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will , 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. 15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, Pauls letter to the Ephesians shows us that God has done all things in Christ. He chose us those who believed and were in Christ to be conformed to the image of His Son, to be sons of God, blessed with all spiritual blessings, redeemed and sealed with the Holy Spirit. The kind and good intention of His will is that which He purposed in Christ. The blessings are centered and conditioned upon Christ and those in Christ.

Who Are Not Chosen and Condemned?

Those who disbelieve the gospel and Christ are condemned. Jn 3:14 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

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The verses above show us those who disbelieved are condemned not because they were not chosen but they were condemned because they disbelieved and love not the truth then they were not chosen for salvation. Salvation is offered to all men for God is not partial and God is just. Jesus was given by the Father to the world the giving of the Son to the world is His death and resurrection so that the world might be saved through Him (Jn 3:14,16-17). Jesus said he who does evil hates the Light and he who does what is right comes to the Light. And he who does not believe is condemned. And God did not choose them to be condemned for it is His desire all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1Tim 2:3-6) but they were condemned because of their loved for wickedness and they disbelieved the gospel.

Who Are Drawn To Christ?

Those who do not resist the Words of Christ and believe them are drawn by the Father to Him. Jn 6:41 Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, "I am the bread that came down out of heaven." 42 They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now say, 'I have come down out of heaven'?" 43 Jesus answered and said to them, "Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. 46 "Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father. 47 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 57 "As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58 "This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever." 59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. 60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" 61 But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble? 62 "What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? 63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 "But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65 And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." Peter's Confession of Faith 66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?"

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68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." 70 Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?" 71 Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him. In John chapter 6 we can see two encounters and reactions with the words of Jesus- first the Jews and next some of His Disciples. The Jews grumbled and disbelieved the Words of Jesus. Then in a Synagogue some of His disciples also grumbled and disbelieved His words and they did not walk with Him anymore. Jesus said to the Jews that he who listens to the Father comes to Him. They shall be taught by God and after hearing they will come to the knowledge of the truth and come to Christ. Therefore those who do not resist the words of Christ will be taught by God and they will listen to the Father and they will come to Christ. The next group was some of His Disciples who believed Him but later did not believe some of His Words. He asked Peter and the others if they will also go away. Peter said they believed that Jesus has the Words of Life and is the Holy One of God. Even Judas was among chosen because of unbelief he was not saved. Jesus Asked the People to do the works of God that is to believe Him- His Words. Jn 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 "Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal." 28 Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." Therefore those who are chosen to be saved are those who hear the words of Christ, listen to the Father and they were drawn to Christ. Those who loved wickedness and not the truth, do not come to the Light, they grumble and disbelieve the words of Christ and therefore not chosen and are condemned. 1Pet 2:6 For this is contained in Scripture: "Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed ." 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone," 8 and, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed .

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WHO ARE GODS ELECT THEN?

Eph 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 2 Jn 1:1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth,

Those who believed the gospel. Paul wrote He chose us to the believers in Ephesus. Who are they? They are those who believed the gospel after listening to the message of truth. Eph 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvationhaving also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Therefore Gods elect are those who through the gospel preached believed in Christ. These were the men and women who have not rejected the gospel and were not disobedient to the gospel. Those who were condemned and not elected were those who disbelieved the gospel truth and loved unrighteousness and wickedness. 1Pet 1: 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls . 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 1Pet 2:6 For this is contained in Scripture: BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone, 8 and, A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 9 But YOU ARE A CHOSEN RACE, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

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The ELECT and the APOSTATES

The Elect are the believers in Christ whose names are written in the Book of Life of the Lamb from the foundation of the world, who bear fruits, never turn their backs and give glory to God. They are saved forever. The Apostates are those who believed in Christ, were in the faith and after a while turned their backs, denied the Lord, continued in sinning and turned to another gospel or doctrine. They are condemned. Revelation 13: 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. Revelation 3: 1 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 'Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 3 'So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 4 'But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they Will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 'He who overcomes will thus be Clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I Will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' 2 Timothy 2: 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11 It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already Taken place, and they upset the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."

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The Elect
BEFORE REGENERATION AND SALVATION They practice the truth Jn 3:19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. Men of peace Lk 10:6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Seek the truth and righteousness Rom 2:7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Of God and hear Gods words Jn 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God. Honest, noble and good heart Lk 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. They are taught by God and come to Christ Jn 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. AFTER REGENERATION AND SALVATION They hear and follow Christ Jn 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. Jn 12:25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

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Continue and keep His word Jn 8:31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; Jn 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death . They abide in Him and bear fruit Jn 15:1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him , he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His love. Walk in the Light and washed by the blood of the Lamb 1Jn 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

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PART 3 LIMITED ATONEMENT

Calvinism/Reformed Theology 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 bor e the sins of many (not all).
Slick, Matthew J.The Five Points of Calvinism.Calvinist Corner.3February2014. <http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip.htm>.

Calvinism teaches that 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. If the sacrifice of Christ is sufficient for all then it means all men shall be given the opportunity to be saved. It is sufficient for all because Jesus died for all men and not only for the elect. In the verse below the bible did not say Jesus died or took away only the sins of the elect only but His death was for the world and all men. Jn 1:29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Heb 9:26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 1Tim 2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 2Cor 5: 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

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20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 1Jn 2: 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Apostolic Theology UNLIMITED ATONEMENT

The Atonement of Christ is not limited only to the Elect. It is for all humanity for He died for all men. To say Jesus died only for the elect and His ransom only for the elect are not found in Scriptures. He died for the sins of the whole world and that is for all humanity. Christ died for all men therefore grace and salvation is accessible and offered to all men. This is Gods love for world. And whoever from the world, whom the Father loved and Jesus died for, shall come to God through Christ shall be saved. It is sufficient for all because He died for all but not effective to all. What was done and finished on the cross? What did Jesus do on the cross? The sin of the world was paid and atoned for and redemption of man was obtained already at the Cross of Calvary. Redemption is in Christ. He offered Himself once and for all and took away the sin of the world and sat down at the right hand of God. He finished the work the Father commanded Him to accomplish. That is why John said He is the propitiation for our sins and not for our sins only but also for the whole world. He is not only our Savior but the Savior of all men. Atonement therefore is unlimited meaning the work of Christ was finished on the cross and is available for all men. The sin of the world was dealt with head-on at the cross that is why forgiveness and salvation in His name is preached. There remained no more sacrifice for sins. But Jesus qualified only those who believe Him shall be saved and those who reject Him are not forgiven and not saved but were condemned already because they believe not in the name of the Son of God. Therefore the work of salvation and redemption were completed on the cross and the grace of God is accessible to all men and shall only be applied to those who receive Him. God is not only a Savior but also a Judge. (Jn 1:29, 1Jn 2:2, 4:14, 3:14-18, Rom 3:21-26, 5:6, 2Cor 5:19, 1Tm 2:3-6, 4:10, Tit 2:11, Heb 2:9 Lk 24:44-47)

GOD DESIRES ALL TO BE SAVED

Our God is a loving God who desires all men to be saved. Hell was not made for men but for Satan and his angels. He wanted and commanded all men everywhere to repent. God never shuts the door of salvation to any man. Sad to say many has chosen to rebel and reject God. Salvation is offered to all men. Isaiah 45:22 "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. Matt 25:41 Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels!

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Mark 1:14 Now after John was imprisoned, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. Mark 1:15 He said, The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel! Mark 16:15 He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. Jn 12:31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. Jn 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. Jn 12:33 But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. Jn 12:35 So Jesus said to them, For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. Jn 12:36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light. These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. Jn 12:37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. Jn 12:44 And Jesus cried out and said, He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. Jn 12:45 He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. Jn 12:46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. Jn 12:47 If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. Acts 17:30 Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent , Rom 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; Rom 11:32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. 1Tim 2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1Tim 4:10 In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.

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2Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

Jesus invites people to come and believe Him for salvation

Mk 1:14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Mt 11:28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jn 12: 31 "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." 33 But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. 34 The crowd then answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 So Jesus said to them, "For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 "While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light." These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. Jn 5:39 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

CHRISTS ATONEMENT
He died for all men The Bible said that Christ died for the sins of all men and took away the sin of the world. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus did not die only for a few or limited people. He died for all and sufficient for all men. But not all are saved and affected by it because not all receive the Son of God. Salvation is a finished work of Christ. Eternal Life is a gift to be received through repentance and faith in Christ. Man is commanded by Christ to repent and believe the Gospel. Is 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all

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To fall on Him. Jn 1:29 On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Jn 3:16 For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. 18 The one who believes in Him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 1Jn 2:2 and He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world. Rom 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 2Cor 5:19 In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting peoples trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. Heb 2:9 but we see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by Gods grace He would experience death on behalf of everyone. Heb 7:27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. Heb 9:12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 1Tim 2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time 1Pet 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; Sin was dealt with and paid on the cross At the cross our Lord Jesus Christ paid the sins of the world. By the offering of His body and shedding of His blood He has obtained ransom and eternal redemption. He took away the sins of the world thus reconciling the world to God. He finished salvation at the cross and now salvation and eternal is offered as a free gift from God. Whoever believes shall be saved and he who disbelieves is condemned already because he did not believe in the name of the Son of God. At the cross Jesus said, It is finished and then He gave up His Spirit and died and rose on the third day.

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Is 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. Jn 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Heb 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power When He had made purification of sins; He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Heb 9:12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Heb 9:26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Heb 10:10 By his will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands day after day serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, he sat down at the right hand of God, 1Jn 3:5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. Rom 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, Jn 19:30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city , to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. Someone may ask: if Christ already paid the sin of the world- meaning for all humanity why there are still people going to hell? If paid already that means all are saved. Eternal life became a free gift because Christ already obtained eternal redemption and has paid for our sins. He purchased salvation through His blood. After Jesus has finished the work on the cross, he said, Repentance for forgiveness of sins shall be preached in His name to all nations. The condition for salvation is repentance and faith in Christ through the gospel.

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Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Lk 24:45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Mk 1:15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Why is the sin of unbelief not part of what was paid? Many were in the state of unbelief before they heard the gospel. After the gospel was preached those who believed are saved and those who disbelieved were condemned. And one goes to hell not only because of his unbelief. Rev 21:8 But to the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells, idol worshipers, and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second death.

Even those who believed yet should they fall away there remained no more sacrifice for sins but severe punishment and judgment. Heb 10:26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, 27 but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume Gods enemies.

HOW ATONEMENT IS RECEIVED? THE GOSPEL

The gospel show us the atonement God made through the Son so we can believe Rom 10:8 But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we preach), 9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. 11 For the scripture says, Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. 12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved .

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So it is mandatory on our part to PREACH THE GOSPEL Rom 10:14 How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news. 16 But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our report? 17 Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ. 18 But I ask, have they not heard? Yes, they have: Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world . Condition for salvation

The Gospel is Gods power for salvation

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is Gods power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, The righteous by faith will live. 1Cor 1:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1Cor 15:2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you unless you believed in vain. 2Thess 2:13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE PROMISE THROUGH FAITH

Gal 3:6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU. 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

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CONDITION FOR SALVATION

REPENTANCE AND FAITH Even if Christ has taken away and paid mans sin on the cross, the condition for salvation is repentance and faith in Christ. Atonement made on the cross does not equate immediate salvation for man. We are commanded to repent and believe. God has endowed man the ability and capacity to repent and believe. It is evident by His commandment that all men everywhere should repent and that He shall judge the world. Jesus commanded us to repent and believe the good news. Nineveh during the time of Jonah where he was sent to preach to a city of 120,000 people who did not distinguish between right and wrong God commanded them to repent. Jonah preached Gods word and their king and their people responded and repented. God withdrew His hand of judgment to destroy the people in 40 days should they refused to repent. Jesus alluded this incident to the unbelieving Jews that the people of Nineveh shall condemned them in that Day because someone greater than Jonah was preaching to them- the Christ. Mt 12:41 The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. Act 17:0 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, AC 17:31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. Lk 13:3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Lk 24:47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Mk 1:15 He said, The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel! Act 20:20 You know that I did not hold back from proclaiming to you anything that would be helpful, and from teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. Therefore, salvation, atonement, forgiveness and eternal life are available for all men and not all benefit from it because not all have taken heed to repent and believe in Christ. Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.

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They say in Eph 2:1 man is spiritually dead in trespasses and sin how he can repent and have faith? And in 1Cor 2:14 the natural man cannot understand or receive the things of God. There is no scripture that says even man is spiritually dead he has no knowledge of God. God has given man the natural and instinctive knowledge of God. Man has an inner and outside witness that God exists. The experiential and relational knowledge of Christ comes through the gospel as God enables the seeker of the truth. The Lord and His apostles could have not commanded the people to repent and believe should they are not able after hearing the gospel. Repentance and faith are brought about by the gospel and are given to the sinner who comes to the light through the Word- the good news. The sinner begins to have faith in the Son of God through the preaching of the gospel and the power and working of the Spirit of God when it s preached. God opens our hearts to respond to the gospel. And through faith in Christ we are made alive and given new birth and saved. In Luke 8:15 Jesus said there are those who have honest and good hearts receive the Word preached bear fruit. 1Cor 2:14 are for the saints who receive the things of the Spirit for Gods children and Rom 10:17 the Words of Christ are for the natural man for their salvation. Faith comes from hearing and hearing the words of Christ. Lk 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. He Brings to Christ through the Gospel Act 10:1 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, Cornelius! 4 And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Act 10:31 and he said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea. 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord. 34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)

He opens their Hearts Act 16:14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay. And she prevailed upon us.

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The Holy Spirit is Given thereby Regenerated thereafter Act 10:43 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 44 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. 45 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message . Act 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

MEN WHO GROPED FOR GOD AND SOUGHT RIGHTEOUSNESS

Repentance and Faith are given to those who grope for God and seek for the truth and righteousness so that they can believe Christ through the gospel. The preaching of the Words of Christ the Gospel causes the seeking sinners to repent and believe. And even before the gospel is preached He has given man a measure of faith. The word is in us in our mouth and in our hearts. That is why men have religions. God has left an imprint to our souls. Those who grope for God and those who seek for righteousness He saves.

Lk 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. ACT 10:34 Then Peter started speaking: I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all) ACT 17:27 From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth, determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move about and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we too are his offspring.

All were commanded to repent. ACT 17:30 Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent,

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Mk 1:15 He said, The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel! The Righteous who sought God repented and not the Wicked ACT 13:47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have appointed you to be a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began to rejoice and praise the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed for eternal life believed. 49 So the word of the Lord was spreading through the entire region. ACT 11:17 Therefore if God gave them the same gift as he also gave us after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder God? 18 When they heard this, they ceased their objections and praised God, saying, So then, God has granted the repentance that leads to life even to the Gentiles.

The Righteous who fears the Lord He reveals Himself and His Covenant
Ps 65:4 How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple. Jb 34:11 For He pays a man according to his work, And makes him find it according to his way. JOB 34:12 Surely, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice. Ps 25:12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. 13 His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land. 14 The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant . Ps 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry. Neh 9:7 You are the LORD God, Who chose Abram And brought him out from Ur of the Chaldees, And gave him the name Abraham. Neh 9:8 You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him.

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PART 4 IRRISISTIBLE GRACE

Calvinism/ Reformed Theology Irresistible Grace:
When God calls his elect into salvation, 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 mans will, but by Gods.
Slick, Matthew J.The Five Points of Calvinism.Calvinist Corner.3February2014. <http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip.htm>.

Calvinism teaches that When God calls his elect into salvation, 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. There are inconsistencies in these statements. Why then will God offer to all people the gospel message of salvation if He has made only those He has chosen not to resist the call? The Bible teaches us that grace is not irresistible. There are believers who may fall from the grace of God and there are unbelievers who are stubborn from the kindness of God. Rom 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, Gal 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; Heb 3:12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

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13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, Rev 2: 20 'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 'I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22 'Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 'And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

Apostolic Theology RESISTIBLE GRACE

Regeneration is another word for new birth and being born again. The Bible teaches that new birth is after faith in Christ, after the gospel truth is preached and heard. God enables, opens the hearts and draws to the Son those whose hearts He knew so that they can respond to the gospel and have faith in Christ to be born again and be saved. Therefore, regeneration or new birth is after Christ is received and not before, for God enables them to respond to the gospel. After faith we are made alive and forgiven. Grace can be resisted by men- both the unbelievers and believers. In Romans the wicked unbelievers have resisted and removed Gods revelation and rejected His kindness to them. In Hebrews they did n ot mix the gospel message they heard with faith and obedience so that they shall be saved. Jesus and the apostles warned if one who has believed and has been forgiven yet has fallen away, he shall be condemned. This confirms that after a man has been saved by His grace can fall from grace, come short of the grace and receive the grace of God in vain. The falling away after receiving the truth is caused by sinning willfully, forsaking Christ, receiving another gospel and a different teaching not from Christ. This is biblical apostasy. Only believers can apostatize. We cannot have contempt for Son of God who has bought us and cleansed us by His blood and sanctified us by the Holy Spirit and not judged by God. Judgment and condemnation is the result of that sin leading to death. God cannot be mocked; those who seek righteousness through obedience in the Holy Spirit results into eternal life and those who become reprobates and have apostatized condemnation and spiritual ruin and death. We are saved by grace but the unrepentant shall fallout from grace. Jesus said to remain in Him and remain in Gods love. There are those who walked in and by the Spirit and there were men who grieved and resisted the Spirit. (Jn 1:11-13, Js 1:18, 1Pet 1:3, 23-25, Col 2:12-13, Rom 1:28 and 2:4-5 Heb 3:19-4:2 Heb 3:12,6:46,10:26-9, Gal 1:6-9, 5:2-4, 6:7-8, Jn 15:9-10)

THE ELECT
The Elect therefore are those before and after salvation have regard for the truth, righteousness and God. These are those whom Jesus called men of peace, those who have

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honest and good hearts received the Word and bore fruit. They continued their faith and kept the commandments of Christ in all perseverance and hope. They are the sheep who hear His voice and follow Him and they never perish. They are those who responded to the call of salvation through the gospel and in their lifetime never committed apostasy, not denied the Lord and have abided in Him, in His love, walked in the Light, lived in the Spirit and washed in the blood of the Lamb. These are the saints- the Elect. Those who believed and forgiven yet had fallen away in apostasy are called the Apostates.

THE ELECT BEFORE REGENERATION AND SALVATION

They practice the truth Jn 3:19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

Men of peace Lk 10:6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Seek the truth and righteousness Rom 2:7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Of God and hear Gods words Jn 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God. Honest, noble and good heart Lk 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. They are taught by God and come to Christ Jn 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, AND THEY SHALL ALL BE

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TAUGHT OF GOD. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

HOW THEN MAN IS REGENERATED?

THE GOSPEL AND FAITH IN CHRIST
Man is regenerated, given new birth and made alive after the gospel is preached and believed. It is through faith in Christ. The gospel is the power of God to save those who believe. The words of Christ are spirit and life. And faith comes from hearing and hearing the words of Christ. We are able to believe through the power of the gospel of salvation. We are dead from our sins and transgressions but God through the gospel and the Holy Spirit enables us and draws us to the Son of God. He opens our hearts to respond to the gospel and believe and have faith in Christ so we can be born again and be saved. We received the Holy Spirit, made alive and forgiven. This is the correct divine process the scriptures showed. THE WORD OF FAITH IN US God put His Word of faith in our lips and hearts. So we can call upon Him.

Rom 10:8 But what does it say? THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heartthat is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED. THE WORDS OF CHRIST, THE GOSPEL The Words of Christ are life and spirit. The Words of Christ - the Gospel gives life and awakens the spirit of the believer who is dead in sin and trespasses. Saving faith is brought about by the hearing and hearing of the gospel. Because man is spiritually dead he is made alive by the word of God through faith in Christ. Upon hearing the gospel faith comes to him because he sees the CHRIST CRUCIFED and the Holy Spirit convicts him from his sins moving him to repentance. He is born again. Jn 6:63 The Spirit is the one who gives life; human nature is of no help! The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

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BRINGS FAITH IN CHRIST The preaching of the gospel shows us the payment Christ made on the Cross for our sins. People come to realize what He did and faith comes from what they have heard. 1Cor 15:1 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Gal 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified! 2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Rom 10:14 How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news. 16 But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our report? 17 Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ. DRAWS TO CHRIST THROUGH THE GOSPEL Act 10:1 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, Cornelius! 4 And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Act 10:31 and he said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea. 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord. 34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)

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OPENS OUR HEARTS Act 16:14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay. And she prevailed upon us.

MADE ALIVE THROUGH FAITH Col 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh , He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

THROUGH THE GOSPEL WE ARE REGENERATED AND GIVEN NEW BIRTH It is through the preaching and faith through the Gospel that we are given new birth. 1Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 25 but the word of the Lord1 endures forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you. Js 1:18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Jn 17:20 I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; GIVEN THE HOLY SPIRIT Repentance and faith are the rightful response of the believer upon hearing the gospel. They shall be forgiven, washed by the blood of the Lamb and shall be given the Holy Spirit. Act 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith.

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Act 10:42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to warn them that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 About him all the prophets testify, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the message. Gal 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified! 2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?

REGENERATED AFTER RECEIVING THE SON OF GOD Gal 3:6 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. Gal 4:6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts , who calls Abba! Father! Jn 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Jn 3:36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life . The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but Gods wrath remains on him. Jn 5:24 I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.

JUSTIFIED AND RECEIVED GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST

Rom 4: 16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

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NEW BIRTH
Jesus discussed the new birth with Nicodemus a Pharisee, leader among the Jews. You will know a man who is born again by his fruit. Just like knowing when the wind blows when you hear its sound. A man who is born again becomes a new creation. He that is of the flesh is of the flesh and of the Spirit is spirit. It is the Spirit of God that gives birth to man. The life of God, the light of God and the fruit of the Spirit are seen and become evident in him. Jesus discussed with Nicodemus how new birth is made possible that God loved the world and gave His Son and whoever shall believe in Him shall not be condemned but have eternal life. This is the new birth that Jesus was talking about. Whoever shall believe in Him shall have the eternal life. Shall be saved. Shall not be condemned. Shall become sons of God. Shall enter the kingdom. And that is why John wrote in Jn 1:11-13 that whoever received Him were given the right to become children of God and were born by the will of God.

Jn 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. 3 Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you , unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus *said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mothers womb and be born, can he? 5 Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must be born again. 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus said to Him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said to him, Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Jn 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Therefore in the Scripture, regeneration is brought by the death and resurrection of Christ and we are given birth through the words of Christ - the gospel. God enables and opens the heart of the believer so that he can understand the truth of the gospel. He believes and

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receives the Son of God. The Spirit of God regenerates him after hearing the word of truth and faith in the Son of God- after repentance and faith in Christ by the power of the gospel. The gospel message is the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. All that should put their faith in Christ and receive Him shall be given new birth and the authority to become children of God. The Spirit then gives birth to them into the Kingdom of God.

CAN MAN RECEIVE AND RESIST HIS GRACE?

THOSE WHO SEEK FOR GOD, TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNES, HE SAVES God in His Foreknowledge knew all men whether they sought for God or not. Below are the detailed accounts how God reach sinners who seek Him. Yes no one is righteous but that doesnt mean that sinners cannot grope for God. He opens the hearts of those who seek. God looks at the heart God knew what are in the hearts and minds of people. He could not have mercy on the wicked who forsakes God but with those who seek peace, truth and righteousness God moves. 1Sam 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, Dont be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. Jer 20:12 O LORD who rules over all, you test and prove the righteous. You see into peoples hearts and minds. Pay them back for what they have done because I trust you to vindicate my cause. Act 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith. THOSE WHO DO NOT RESIST God draws those who seek Him to the Son through the gospel for salvation. Rom 10:8 But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we preach), 9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. 11 For the scripture says, Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. 12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved .

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Act 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 2Thess 2:13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

They are unregenerated people who seek God and God reaches for them and draws them to the Son. Act 10:34 Then Peter started speaking: I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all). Act 17:26 From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth, determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live, 27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move about and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, For we too are his offspring. Cornelius A devout, God-fearing man who gave much alms for the poor and pray everyday but needed to be saved. Act 10:1 Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was all his household; he did many acts of charity for the people and prayed to God regularly. 3 About three oclock one afternoon he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, Cornelius. 4 Staring at him and becoming greatly afraid, Cornelius replied, What is it, Lord? The angel said to him, Your prayers and your acts of charity have gone up as a memorial before God.5 Now send men to Joppa and summon a man named Simon, who is called Peter. Lydia A God-fearing woman and worshiper of the Lord but needed to be saved. Act 16:14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.

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Ethiopian Eunuch A worshiper at Jerusalem but needed to be saved. Act 8:26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. ( This is a desert road.) 27So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go up and join this chariot. 30Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? 31And he said, Well, how could I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH. 33IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY; WHO WILL RELATE HIS GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS REMOVED FROM THE EARTH. 34The eunuch answered Philip and said, Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else? 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized? 37[ And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may.And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.] 38And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

THOSE WHO RESIST THE GOSPEL ARE CONDEMNED Jn 3:17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light , for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light , and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. Heb 3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. 4:1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST, although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.

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THOSE WHO RESIST GOD ARE HARDENED AND CONDEMNED THE WICKED CONDEMNED The wicked chose to sin and add sin to sin. They have removed God in their ways and distinguished the light in their thoughts, have corrupted all the more, and suppressed the truth with their wickedness, deceived and being deceived. The have become worthy of condemnation and have placed judgment on themselves. God hardens more those who resist Him and condemns them. The unrepentant Wicked were deceived, hardened and depraved The wicked willfully continued to live ungodly lives and thereby suppressed the truth. This is the only time the sinner is depraved when they have removed God from their lives and ways. God gave them over to a depraved mind. Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, 21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened 24 Therefore God GAVE THEM OVER in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen 26 For this reason God GAVE THEM OVER to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, 27 and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And just as they DID NOT SEE FIT TO ACKNOWLEDGE GOD, God GAVE THEM OVER to a DEPRAVED mind, to do what should not be done. Rom 2: 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourselves in the day of wrath , when Gods righteous judgment is revealed!] 6 He will reward each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality, 8 but wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness. 9 There will be affliction and distress on everyone who does evil, on the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, for the Jew first and also the Greek. 2Thess 1:6 For it is right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to you who are being afflicted to give rest together with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 8 With flaming fire he will mete out punishment on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 2Thess 2:10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God WILL SEND UPON THEM A DELUDING INFLUENCE so that they will

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believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 1Tim 6:5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 2 Tim 3:8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. 2Pet 3:7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. Rev 16:7 Then I heard the altar reply, Yes, Lord God, the All -Powerful, your judgments are true and just! 8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was permitted to scorch people with fire. 9 Thus people were scorched by the terrible heat, yet they blasphemed the name of God, who has ruling authority over these plagues, and they would not repent and give him glory. Cain Cain was rejected by God because he chose to be evil. God never moved Cain to sin first and to deny Him. Cain did not do what is right. Gen 4: 3 At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock even the fattest of them. And the LORD was pleased with Abel and his offering, 5 but with Cain and his offering He was not pleased. So Cain became very angry, and his expression was downcast. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast? 7 Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it. Esau Esau rejected first his birthright. God saw the future and He never moved Esau first to deny Him. Esau is an immoral and godless person. Gen 25:23 and the LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. Gen 25: 29 Now Jacob cooked some stew, and when Esau came in from the open fields, he was famished. 30 So Esau said to Jacob, Feed me some of the red stuff yes, this red stuff because Im starving! (That is why he was also called Edom.) 31 But Jacob replied, First sell me your birthright. 32 Look, said Esau, Im about to die! What use is the birthright to me? 33 But Jacob said, Swear an oath to me now. So Esau swore an oath to him and sold his birthright to Jacob.

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34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew; Esau ate and drank, then got up and went out. So Esau despised his birthright. Heb 12:16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears. Mal 1:3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness. Rom9:13 Just as it is written, JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED. Pharaoh Pharaoh did not let the people of God go. God knew whats in Pharaohs heart so he was hardened and condemned. Rom 9:17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh: For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may demonstrate my power in you, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. Ex 3: 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, not even under force. 20 So I will extend my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders that I will do among them, and after that he will release you. Ex 7: 3 But I will harden Pharaohs heart, and although I will multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. I will reach into Egypt and bring out my regiments, my people the Israelites, from the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment. 13 Yet Pharaohs heart became hard, and he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had predicted. Judas Was it God who elected Judas not to be saved or it was Judas own volition? Judas made the choice. In fact Jesus has chosen him to be among the Twelve but Jesus knew Judas heart. He has chosen not to be on Lords side. And therefore God withdraw Himself and not draw them to His Son. Jn 6:64 But there are some of you who do not believe. (For Jesus had already known from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him. 65 So Jesus added, Because of this I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has allowed him to come. 6:70 Jesus replied, Didnt I choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is the devil? 71 (Now he said this about Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for Judas, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.)

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Lk 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. Unbelievers of Christ Jesus knew all men. These men have heard the good news of salvation but refused to repent because they love darkness more than the Light. They rejected Him did not want to come to Him and God would not enable them. Jn 2:23 Now while Jesus was in Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover, many people believed in his name because they saw the miraculous signs he was doing. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people. 25 He did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew what was in man. Jn 8:44 You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. Jn 6:41 Then the Jews who were hostile to Jesus began complaining about him because he said, I am the bread that came down from heaven, 42 and they said, Isnt this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, I have come down from heaven? 43 Jesus replied, Do not complain about me to one another. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him , and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to me. 46 (Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God he has seen the Father.) 47 I tell you the solemn truth, the one who believes has eternal life. Let us read in context. To whom did Jesus say these words? He attributed them to the Jews who were hostile to Him. To those that do not believe in Him. He said to them unless the Father draws them they cannot come to Him. God will not and never draw them to the Son. Why? They did not accept His words. They did not believe His words. They were evil and godless men.

They choose not to believe in Christ. Jn 5:39 You study the scriptures thoroughly because you think in them you possess eternal life, and it is these same scriptures that testify about me, 40 but you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. Jn 12:37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED? 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM.

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Act 28:23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus , from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. 25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying, GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; 27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM. 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.

THOSE WHO BELIEVED BUT FELL AWAY AND APOSTATIZED WERE ALSO CONDEMNED. The Elect are believers but not all Believers are the Elect. Only those who through faith, repentance and obedience in the Spirit are elected and those who believed yet have continued to sin and fell away and have apostatized were condemned. They have fallen from grace and fall short from it. They have resisted God and insulted His Spirit and trampled on foot the Son of God who bought and sanctified them through His blood. The Sin unto Death The believer after being washed by the blood and saved should he live in sin and continue to sin have committed sin unto death shall die spiritually. 1John 5:16 If anyone sees his fellow Christian committing a sin not resulting in death, he should ask, and God will grant life to the person who commits a sin not resulting in death. There is a sin resulting in death. I do not say that he should ask about that. Rom 8:12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 13 (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from

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the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 1Cor 9:26 So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air. 27 Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.

The Faithful and Unfaithful Slave The steward and slave who obeyed his Master and the slave who sinned and have not repented. Luke 12:40 You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect. 41 Peter said, Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and sensible STEWARD, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that SLAVE whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But IF THAT SLAVE says in his heart, My master will be a long time in coming, and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the Master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect Him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. Jn 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love ; just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His love. Those who believed were forgiven yet fell away and apostatized (Either by sinning or by false gospel and doctrine) There are those who fall away, continue to sin and shrink back unto condemnation. Heb 3:12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. Heb 6: 4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 tasted the good word of God and

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the miracles of the coming age, 6 and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt. Heb 10:26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, 27 but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume Gods enemies. 28 Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for the Son of God, and profanes the blood of the covenant that made him holy, and insults the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who said Vengeance is mine, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people. 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 35 So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward. 36 For you need endurance in order to do Gods will and so receive what is promised. 37 For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I take no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not among those who shrink back and thus perish, but are among those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel 7 not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! 9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell! Gal 5:2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all! 3 And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! 2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, but receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting, 11 because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds. The unrepentant and sinning believers resist His grace The sinning believers who will not repent and fall away shall be condemned, erased from the book of life, denied before the Father and harmed by the second death.

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Rev 2: 8

To the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but came to life: 9 I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.
Rev 3: 1

To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. 2 Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you. 4 But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels. The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Apostles feared they could have worked in vain 2Cor 6:1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain 2 for He says, AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU. Behold, now is THE ACCEPTABLE TIME, behold, now is THE DAY OF SALVATION 2Cor 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE, says the Lord. AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18 And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me, Says the Lord Almighty. Phil 2:16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain .

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1Thess 3:5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. 2Cor 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. 1Jn 2:24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.

Destroyed and Perished

1CO 3:16

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in 17 you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
HEB 10:38

BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of Those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. Rom 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

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PART 5 PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

Calvinism/Reformed Theology Perseverance of the Saints:

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.
Slick, Matthew J.The Five Points of Calvinism.Calvinist Corner.3February2014. <http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip.htm>.

Calvinism teaches that 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. We must qualify these statements. It is correct rather to say those who are in Christ are secured and safe. Those outside Him or have fallen from His grace and not remain in His love are lost. The verses below testify that not all who believed and were forgiven cannot lose their salvation if they will not walk in the light, walk in the Spirit, remain in Christ and overcome. Lk 12: 39 "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40 "You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect." 41 Peter said, "Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?" 42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 "Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 "But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master will be a long time in coming,' and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 1Jn 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

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1Jn 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. Gal 6: 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Jn 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 "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. Rev 2:11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.' Rev 3: 4 'But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

Apostolic Theology PERSEVERANCE OF THE ELECT

The Elect at their lifetime are those that persevere unto the end. They hear and understand the Kingdom of God and His atonement. The power of God works in their lives. They learn to abide in Christ by keeping His commandments and thereby abiding and remaining in His love. They keep the will of God and His word. They draw near to God and God draws near to them strengthening them more in the spirit and faith. They walk in the Light and are washed by the blood of the Lamb. They walk and live in the Spirit. They walk in faith and in truth, in righteousness and in power. They overcome through faith. These are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith in Jesus. God knows those who are His, their beginning and end. Those who believed and forgiven yet fell away and have forsaken and denied Christ were not part of the Elect because they did not persevere and did not overcome. Their names were removed from the book of life and shall be hurt by the second death. The wicked unbelievers are called Reprobates, those who believed yet fell away and denied Christ were called the Apostates and the Saints who persevered unto the end in keeping the commandments of God and faith in Christ are the Elect. (Jn 10:27-28, 1Jn 1:5-

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10, Rom 8:1-2, Rev 14:12, Rev 2:10-11, 20-23, 3:3-6, 16:15, Jn 15:1-6, Lk 12:40-46, Mt 25:20-30, 2Tim 2:10-13, 19-21)

What is Apostasy?
Apostasy is the act of defection and abandonment of your faith. It is an act of rebellion towards God. It is the falling away due to deliberate and willful sinning, another gospel, false teachings, deceptions or persecutions. False teachings deny the Deity and eternal Sonship of the Christ; He came down from heaven and took human form. Deny the Deity of the Holy Spirit and His works. It is turning away from the holy commandment and the message of the gospel. It is not trusting Christ anymore as your sole Lord and Savior. It is the falling away the falling from the grace and forgiveness of God unto condemnation.

In the Old Testament Jer 8:4 The LORD said to me, Tell them, The LORD says, Do people not get back up when they fall down? Do they not turn around when they go the wrong way? 5 Why, then, do these people of Jerusalem continually turn away from me in apostasy? They hold fast to their deception. They refuse to turn back to me. 6 I have listened to them very carefully, but they do not speak honestly. None of them regrets the evil he has done. None of them says, I have done wrong! All of them persist in their own wayward course like a horse charging recklessly into battle. 7 Even the stork knows when it is time to move on. The turtledove, swallow, and crane recognize the normal times for their migration. But my people pay no attention to what I, the LORD, require of them. 8 How can you say, We are wise! We have the law of the LORD? The truth is, those who teach it have used their writings to make it say what it does not really mean. 9 Your wise men will be put to shame. They will be dumbfounded and be brought to judgment. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? In the Old Testament times apostasy is: 1. Turning back 2. Falling away 3. Going the wrong way 4. Deceived 5. Refusing to return 6. Regretting not evil deeds 7. Persisting in own course 8. Paying no attention to what is required 9. Teaching not what the Word means 10. Rejecting the Word of the Lord

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In the New Testament Deliberate and Willful Sinning Heb 3:12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. 13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may become hardened by sins deception. 14 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end. Heb 6:4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6 and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt. Heb 10:26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, 27 but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume Gods enemies. 28 Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for the Son of God, and profanes the blood of the covenant that made him holy, and insults the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people. 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Another Gospel, another Jesus 2Cor 11:3 But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus different from the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the one you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough! Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel 7 not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! 9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell! Gal 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified! 2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?

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Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all! 3 And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight the only thing that matters is faith working through love. 7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?

False Teachings 1Tim 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 2Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. 2Pet 2:1 But false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. As a result, they will bring swift destruction on themselves 20 For if after they have escaped the filthy things of the world through the rich knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they again get entangled in them and succumb to them, their last state has become worse for them than their first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them.

Have Fallen from, Come short Gal 5:4 You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! Heb 4:1 Therefore we must be wary that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it. Heb 4:2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith. Heb 4:11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

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Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled. 16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.17 For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears.

Receive the grace of God in vain 2Cor 6:1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain 2 for He says, AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU. Behold, now is THE ACCEPTABLE TIME, behold, now is THE DAY OF SALVATION 2Cor 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE, says the Lord. AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18 And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me, Says the Lord Almighty.

Apostles fear of working in vain Phil 2:16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 1Thess 3:5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. 2Cor 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. 1Jn 2:24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning . If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in

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the Father. 25 This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.

Not Abide Jn 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned . 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His love. 1Jn 2:24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life . 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. 27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. 28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 2Pet 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. In the New Testament times apostasy is: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Evil, unbelieving heart Hardened and deceived by sin Hold not confidence unto the end Not continue to repent Crucify the Son of God Contempt for the Son of God Deliberately sinning Profanes the blood of the covenant Insults the Spirit of grace

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10. Led astray from pure devotion to Christ to another gospel, Jesus 11. Salvation through human efforts away from the gospel 12. Pay attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons 13. Infiltrate with destructive heresies 14. Denying the Master, His work of salvation 15. Entangled and succumb to the world again 16. Turn back from the holy commandment 17. Fallen from the grace of God 18. Come short of the grace of God 19. Receive the grace of God in vain 20. Not abide

Who can commit Apostasy?

Who can commit apostasy? Since apostasy is the defection and abandonment of and from ones faith then only believers can commit this unpardonable sin. Unbelievers and reprobates who reject the gospel truth and commit wickedness were depraved and condemned already. The reprobates were never enlightened, never tasted the heavenly gift, never become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and never tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age. Those who have can fall away. They have crucified Christ unto themselves, had contempt for the Son of God, trodden on foot the Son of God, insulted the Spirit of grace and count unholy the blood of the covenant that sanctified them.

People of God Isa 1:1 Here is the message about Judah and Jerusalem that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz during the time when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah reigned over Judah. 2 Listen, O heavens, pay attention, O earth! For the LORD speaks: I raised children, I brought them up, but they have rebelled against me! 3 An ox recognizes its owner, a donkey recognizes where its owner puts its food; but Israel does not recognize me, my people do not understand. 4 The sinful nation is as good as dead, the people weighed down by evil deeds. They are offspring who do wrong, children who do wicked things. They have abandoned the LORD, and rejected the Holy One of Israel. They are alienated from him. Jer 8:5 Why, then, do these people of Jerusalem continually turn away from me in apostasy? They hold fast to their deception. They refuse to turn back to me. Act 20:28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spiri t has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Lk 12:43 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says in his heart, My master will be a long time in coming , and begins to

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beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. Jn 15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. Heb 3:12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. 13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may become hardened by sins deception. 14 For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end. Heb 6:4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, Heb 10:26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, 30 For we know the one who said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people. 1Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings, 2Tim 2:17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. 2Pet 1:9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. 2Pet 2:1 But false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. 20 For if after they have escaped the filthy things of the world through the rich knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they again get entangled in them and succumb to them, their last state has become worse for them than their first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them. 1Jn 2:28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.

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Rev 16:15 Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.

What is the Judgment for Apostates? Apostates in the Old Testament and in the New Testament were judged the same. They were judged without mercy. Those who rebelled against Moses under the Law were condemned how much more we think those who rebelled against Christ under grace. There shall be no more sacrifice for them but severe punishment from the hands of the living God. Eternal Condemnation.

Physical and Spiritual Death Isa 10:22 For though your people, Israel, are as numerous as the sand on the seashore, only a remnant will come back . Destruction has been decreed; just punishment is about to engulf you. 23 The sovereign master, the LORD who commands armies, is certainly ready to carry out the decreed destruction throughout the land. Jer 4:5 The LORD said, Announce this in Judah and proclaim it in Jerusalem: Sound the trumpet throughout the land! Shout out loudly, Gather together! Let us flee into the fortified cities! 6 Raise a signal flag that tells people to go to Zion. Run for safety! Do not delay! For I am about to bring disaster out of the north . It will bring great destruction. 7 Like a lion that has come up from its lair the one who destroys nations has set out from his home base. He is coming out to lay your land waste. Your cities will become ruins and lie uninhabited. 8 So put on sackcloth! Mourn and wail, saying, The fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us! Ezra 9:10 And now what are we able to say after this, our God? For we have forsaken your commandments. 11 which you commanded us through your servants the prophets with these words: The land that you are entering to possess is a land defiled by the impurities of the local residents! With their abominations they have filled it from one end to the other with their filthiness. 12 Therefore do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons, and do not take their daughters in marriage for your sons. Do not ever seek their peace or welfare, so that you may be strong and may eat the good of the land and may leave it as an inheritance for your children forever. 13 Everything that has happened to us has come about because of our wicked actions and our great guilt. Even so, our God, you have exercised restraint toward our iniquities and have given us a remnant such as this. 14 Shall we once again break your commandments and intermarry with these abominable peoples? Would you not be so angered by us that you would wipe us out, with no survivor or remnant? 15 O LORD God of Israel, you are righteous, for we are left as a remnant this day. Indeed, we stand before you in our guilt. However, because of this guilt no one can really stand before you. Heb 10:28 Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses . 29 How much greater

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punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for the Son of God, and profanes the blood of the covenant that made him holy, and insults the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people. 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 35 So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward. 36 For you need endurance in order to do Gods will and so receive what is promised. 37 For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay. 38 But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I take no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not among those who shrink back and thus perish, but are among those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Destroyed and Perished 1Cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. Rom 8:12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 13 (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. Rom 11:21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, Gods kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 1John 3:15 Everyone who hates his fellow Christian is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 1John 5:16 If anyone sees his fellow Christian committing a sin not resulting in death, he should ask, and God will grant life to the person who commits a sin not resulting in death. There is a sin resulting in death. I do not say that he should ask about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, but there is sin not resulting in death. John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up. Lk 12:45But if that slave says in his heart, My master will be a long time in coming, and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him

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and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. The Scriptures show us that only a believer who has in the beginning has repented, came to the knowledge of salvation in Christ, was sanctified by the blood and by the Spirit can fall away, commit apostasy, depart from his faith and from God. The sins in apostasy are not the sins committed by the believer when he is walking in the light. All unrighteousness is sin. There is a sin that leads to death and there s a sin that leads not. Apostasy is a deliberate forsaking of righteousness, of Christ, of His Words, of His commandments, of the Holy Spirits convictions and the love of God due falling back to sin, living in sin, having heretical and false doctrines, having a different gospel and denying the Lord who bought them. Hebrew 3:2-14, 4:1-11, 6:4-6, 10:26-39 are warnings made to believers not to fall away. Words such as we (the writer including himself), (holy) brethren (Christians), people of God, the righteous all point to children of God washed by the blood of the Lamb, regenerated, forgiven and saved. Warnings such as these implicate terrible consequences should they not heed. Revelation 2 to 3 showed us that the saints in the early centuries experienced troubles, trials, temptations, and false teachings. In Verses 2:10-11 and Rev 3:3-5 Jesus warned the sinning believers who will not conquer and overcome shall be hurt by the second death and their names removed from the Book of Life. They have turned their backs and should they not REPENT apostasy shall take place and condemnation will overtake them. These messages for the Body of Christ. These are for the churches: The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Jesus warned those who were healed, forgiven and saved not to sin anymore or worse things will happen to them. Jn 5:14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you. 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. Jn 8:10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you? 11 She said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said, I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more. Rev 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols . 21 I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

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Those who stain their garments and not obey and not repent shall suffer condemnation. Rev 2:10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death. Rev 3:3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you. 4 But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

SALVATION AND HIS COMING

He will save those who obey and await Him Mt 7:17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? 23 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS. Jn 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. Jn 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. Jn 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death . Heb 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

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Heb 9:28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. 2Tim 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2Pet 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 2Pet 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you . 1Jn 2:28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming . Lk 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes . 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says in his heart, My master will be a long time in coming, and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. Rev 16:15 (Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.)

THE ELECT
The Elect therefore are those before and after salvation have regard for the truth, righteousness and God. These are those whom Jesus called men of peace, those who have honest and good hearts received the Word and bore fruit. They continued their faith and kept the commandments of Christ in all perseverance and hope. They are the sheep who hear His voice and follow Him and they never perish. They are those who responded to the call of salvation through the gospel and in their lifetime never committed apostasy, not denied the Lord and have abided in Him, in His love, walked in the Light, lived in the Spirit and washed in the blood of the Lamb. These are the saints- the Elect. Those who believed and forgiven yet had fallen away in apostasy are called the Apostates.

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THE ELECT BEFORE REGENERATION AND SALVATION

They practice the truth Jn 3:19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

Men of peace Lk 10:6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Seek the truth and righteousness Rom 2:7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Of God and hear Gods words Jn 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God. Honest, noble and good heart Lk 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. They are taught by God and come to Christ Jn 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

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THE ELECT AFTER REGENERATION AND SALVATION

They hear and follow Christ Jn 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. Jn 12:25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. Continue and keep His word Jn 8:31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; Jn 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death. They abide in Him and bear fruit Jn 15:1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His love . Walk in the Light and washed by the blood of the Lamb 1Jn 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

THEY WERE SAVED AND REWARDED

Lk 12:40 You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect. 41 Peter said, Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he

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comes. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says in his heart, My master will be a long time in coming, and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. Mt 25:20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents. 21His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master. 22 Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents. 23 His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master . 24 And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours. 26 But his master answered and said to him, You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

SURE FOUNDATION
God knows those who are His. Those who shall not deny Him and those who will, God knew them all from the beginning. 2Tim 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen , so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11 It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 2Tim 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are His, and, Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness. 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

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SUMMARY

Errors of Reformed Theology

Reformed Theology has not fully adhered to the teachings of the Apostles in the light of the Scriptures and the Gospel. We have dealt one by one these Five Points of Calvinism (TULIP) and it failed the acid test of what the Scriptures completely and explicitly have taught. In summary below are the list of its declarations, used of words, and views. 1. Man is totally depraved. The word depravity is misquoted and misrepresented from scriptures. Man is only depraved when the wicked finally removed God from their lives and suppress the truth with their wickedness. God turned them over to depravity as a result of it. To say at the most man is totally depraved is not what the Scripture have portrayed. Totally depraved is already beyond reparation, salvation and forgiveness. Yes man has fallen and cannot save himself nor his works or anything he does. But that does not make him utterly depraved because God calls man to repent and believe. Only the wicked, the reprobates who rebelled against God shall be depraved. They shall be hardened, deceived and condemned. 2. Man cannot repent, choose and have faith in God. God commanded Israel and all people to repent, choose life, righteousness and God. If God knew this is not possible He would not have commanded. God looks at the heart. If that person seeks and gropes for Him, He moves and saves him. He enables and opens the hearts so we can respond to the gospel truth. Though we have the fallen sinful nature we are still made in the image and likeness of God. God has put His Law, His Words naturally in man therefore man has that instinctive and natural knowledge of God. Moses said that the Law is in you so that you can obey it. Paul said the word of faith is in our hearts and in our lips so we can call upon God. God has given each man a measure of faith. Only others have resisted to believe.

3. God elected others for salvation and others are not and did not consider anything He sees on the individual. The Bible said that we are chosen for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. Christ crucified was foreordained even before the foundation of the world and justification by faith in Him was included. He who knew the hearts of all men justified those who believed. Election is centered upon Christ and faith in Him. Election is based on a) His foreknowledge for He knew all men and, b) according to the pleasure of His will and counsel that is He was no pleasure over the wicked and that His plan of salvation in Christ. With this view of choosing others to be saved and putting faith and repentance to

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them while others were not given the same capabilities shall contradict the nature of God and His desire and that is a) He loved the world and gave His Son for it, b) so that the world may be saved through Him, c) He commanded all to repent, d) He desires all to be saved. 4. Jesus died only for the elect and bore only the sins of the elect. We cannot find this statements and only from Scripture. Rather John said He is the propitiation of our sins and also of the sins of the whole world. Isaiah said we all have gone astray and our sins were all laid upon Him. God so loved the world that He gave His Son to die for the world and that the world might be saved through Him. God reconciled the world to Himself through His Son. The Just for the unjust. The Godly for the ungodly. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. And Jesus qualified forgiveness and salvation to whosoever shall believe in Him shall be saved and whosoever is condemned already because they have not believed in the Name of the Son of God. Salvation and redemption is a finished work of Christ on the cross and redemption is in Him. Everything was paid on the cross that is why Jesus before He was taken into heaven said that repentance and forgiveness shall be preached in His Name. Calvinists have a hard time confessing Jesus died for the whole world because they equate that to universal salvation. That is not what the bible said. Jesus and the apostles qualified it. And God ordained justification through faith in Christ. 5. When God calls his elect into salvation, they cannot resist. God offers to all people the gospel message. They call this as irresistible grace. The statements are self-defeating. They call it grace but it seems they are not received by faith but my coercion or force for they cannot resist. And why should God offer the gospel to all people since He has no reason otherwise in choosing those to be saved. Why is it offered to all but God have not chosen them and will not even saved them nor they were given the ability to repent and believe? Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews, My words are spirit and life but you are unwilling to come to me. The wicked were condemned because it was their own volition to reject God. On the other hand those whom Jesus said whose hearts are honest and good receive His words and are saved and bore fruits. There are people who are of God and come to the Light ad there are those who have hated the Light because of their evil deeds. Jesus in His parables and in the teachings of the apostles that there were those who believed yet have sinned and fell away and apostatized. They have fallen from grace, fall short of the grace of God and have received the grace of God in vain. Jesus warned the churches in Revelation and whoever shall not repent and overcome shall be condemned. 6. Because Man is spiritually dead he cannot know God and has to be regenerated first so he can repent and have faith in Christ. It is true Man alone cannot receive fully anything from God without the divine aid. In the Calvinist mind, to satisfy the dilemma of man being spiritually dead they have misplaced the process of regeneration before faith in Christ so he can believe Christ. Whereas Peter and James said that we were born again after believing the gospel.

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John said that for as many who received Him they were given the power to become children of God and were born again by the Spirit. Jesus in detailed discussed to Nicodemus how a man is born again and this is made possible by God when He sent His Son to die for our sins and whoever shall believe shall be saved. How can a spiritually dead person know Christ? It is through the gospel when preached and heardthe words of Christ which are spirit and life. God opens our hearts, enables us and draws us to the Son. Those who disbelieve the gospel God did not draw to Christ but were condemned. God has not left man bereft of faith. He has given each a measure of faith and the ability to believe and disbelieve otherwise it shall be contradicting God commanding all men everywhere to repent and Jesus commanded us to repent and believe the gospel. 7. You cannot lose your salvation. Those who cannot lose their salvation are the sheep who hear, follow Him, abide in Him, abide in His love, keep His commandments and faith in Christ, defile not their clothes, live and walk in the Spirit and washed by the blood of the Lamb. Those who believed and were forgiven yet have apostatized, rebelled and denied the Lord were condemned. The Parables of Jesus talked about His coming again and warned His servants of falling away. Those who were faithful were saved and those who were unfaithful were condemned. The apostles have taught that if we deny Him, He will also deny us. The saints who have persevered unto the end were the Elect and those who have fallen from grace were the Apostates. 8. We are saved by election. Calvinism is the gospel. These views have gone overboard. The bible said that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. The gospel is the death and resurrection of Christ who ransomed us from our sins and that whosoever shall believe in Him shall have eternal life. If God saves by election alone and the cross of Christ is taken away. You were saved because God elected you or you were saved because Christ died for you. Rather He has chosen us for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. Therefore salvation has a process and not be election alonethrough the Spirit and belief in the good news of salvation in Christ. The gospel can not be corrupted and distorted. We preach the gospel Christ crucified and whosoever shall believe shall be saved. Those who are ordained into eternal life believe. These are those whose hearts God knew and are of God and not the wicked men who reject God and suppress the truth with their wickedness. 9. The sin of the whole world was not fully paid on the cross. This is the worse doctrine Calvinism has made. They rationalize the scriptures. If Jesus has paid and taken away the sins of the whole world, all men, all humanity on the cross therefore all are saved. If not His death is vain and powerless. This is not the way the Scriptures have taught. What were written: our iniquity fell on Him, He came to take away the sins of the world by the sacrifice of Himself, made a purification of sins, obtained eternal redemption, had one sacrifice for sins for all time, condemned sin in the flesh and made atonement for iniquity and sat down at the right hand of God the Father. Before His last breath He said, It is finished. Therefore, Christ has done and finished everything on the cross. Eternal life now is a free gift. God offered salvation to all men and the condition is repentance and faith in Christ- the righteousness of God. That is why whoever believes is saved and whoever

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believes not is condemned already because he believes not in the name of the Son of God. After His resurrection Jesus said, Repentance for the forgiveness of sins shall be proclaimed in His name to all nations. Therefore if nothing was finished on the cross why shall we put faith in Christ should He not really paid and atoned the sins of the whole world- of all humanity? 10. God is Sovereign so He chooses and enables others to be saved and others He does not enable and condemns. This is a perverted version of Gods sovereignty. They wanted to glorify God and attribute all things to Him even not considering His character, love, mercy and justice. It is true that nothing happens in this world without God knowing and approving it but not all things that happen in this world are His will. Example is the work of darkness and wickedness and is not of God. Reformed Theology and Calvinism teach that the elect are saved because God gave them the ability to believe and have faith in Christ. The rest of mankind is therefore condemned because they cannot believe and because God choose them not to believe therefore He did not enable them. They failed to realize that God wanted all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. God is a merciful and loving God and equal to all men giving them the opportunity to be saved. He commanded all men everywhere to repent. Jesus commanded us to repent and believe the gospel. The wicked choose not to believe and suppress the truth by their wickedness and willfully reject the gospel. It was their voluntary decision and it not because God did not gave them the ability to believe. Otherwise God shall be contradicting His own desire that all men shall be saved. Only after the wicked finally rejected God and His kindness that God moved them into depravity and were condemned.

If we shall agree and hold to Calvinism theology entirely and: All things being equal o o o o o o o o all men have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God, no one is righteous, God has shut all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all, He desires all men to be saved, chooses whom to saved, gave the Son to die for our sins, loved the world so that the world might be saved through Him God is Sovereign

WHY NOT: 1. 2. 3. 4. Save all men? Regenerate all men? Grant faith and repentance to all men to be saved? Save others who are to be damned because God hated them without a cause?

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WHY: 1. 2. or 3. He He He He called all men to repent since they cannot? offered the gospel and salvation and forgiveness to all men since some are damned wont save them? wont give them the abilities to respond so as to be saved?

Therefore Reformed Theologys presentation of Gods sovereignty is thwarted neglecting God's justice, righteousness and love. RATHER, God wants all men to be saved. Called all men to repent and have faith in the Son. He gave His Son to the world and died for them so that whoever from the world should repent and believe the Son shall be saved and have eternal life and those who disbelieve are condemned already because they believe not the Son of God. God who knows our hearts, enables us, opens our hearts so we can respond through the gospel of salvation preached to all men, draws us to His Son and after faith in Christ through His Spirit we are made alive, regenerated, forgiven, saved and entered Gods grace. Glory to God for God is not partial to anyone and shall reward each one to what He does. He shall have mercy to whom He shall have mercy and shall harden whom He shall harden. There will be glory, honor and salvation and eternal life through Christ to those who seek the truth and righteousness. And there is trouble, affliction and damnation to those who suppress the truth with their unrighteousness. For God is not mocked. Whatever we sow we shall reap.

WORST OFFSHOOT OF CALVINISM Some extreme and grievous beliefs have come from this flawed doctrine. First, they teach the good news is that Jesus was given as a ransom for the elect only and not for the whole world. Second, they believe they were saved by election and they were saved already before they were born. Third, there is no need that we preach the gospel for salvation because the elect were saved already. Fourth, we are not saved through faith in Christ because its not our faith, its not our own effort and therefore considered as works. If we establish and build a doctrine based on a misunderstanding of the doctrine of election and of the true gospel errors shall come out from it. Paul said our teachings should be sound according to the gospel of Jesus Christ. First let us establish what is the gospel and desire of God. The gospel is the good news that Jesus took away the sin of the world by the sacrifice of Himself (Jn 1:29, Heb 9:26) and that whoever shall confess and believe from the heart that He is Lord and has risen from the dead shall be saved (Rom 10:9, 13). God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth and gave Jesus as a ransom for all (1Tim 2:3-6). Through the faithfulness of and obedience of Christ we are made righteous (Rom 5:19). And we are justified and made righteous through faith in Christ and faith is not considered as works (Rom 3:22, Gal 2:16, 3:22). Faith in Christ is the work of God (Jn 6:27-29). Satan tries to destroy and hid the gospel truth and takes away the gospel that was sown to the hearts of the people so that they will not believe and be saved

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(Lk 8:12). Their doctrine is no different from the Devil. They teach we are not saved through the gospel and faith in Christ. Satan hides the gospel of salvation and faith in Christ (2Cor 4:4). They distort the biblical teaching of preaching the gospel and of faith in Christ. Our faith in Christ is brought about by the preaching of the gospel so from the heart we can believe and be saved (Rom 10:17, 8-9). It is God that opens our hearts so we can respond to the gospel preached (Act 16:14). Paul said if it is by faith then it is accordance with grace (Gal 4:16). Jesus paid for our sins and in Him we trust and believe through the gospel by which we are saved (1Cor 15:1-4,11). Finally in conclusion, the Bible is explicit that we are saved through faith (Eph 2:8) and become sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Gal 3:26). Salvation is indeed for all eternity but it was finished when Jesus died on the cross and the gospel brought light to it (2Tim 1:9-10) so through the power of the gospel and the Holy Spirit we can believe Jesus and be saved (Rom 1:16, 15:19). He chose us for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth and called us through the gospel (2Thess 2:1-14). Jesus commanded men to repent and believe the gospel (Mk 1:14-15). Those chosen were those in Christ after listening to the word of truth- the gospel, believed and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:4, 13). We receive the Spirit through hearing the message of the Cross by faith (Gal 3:1-2). If salvation is through selection and not through the gospel and faith in Jesus Christ who paid for our sins then this is another gospel. This is not election in Christ but selection outside Christ. He chose us in Christ. He chose those who are in Christ according to His foreknowledge (1Pet 1:1-2, 8-9). This is a perversion of the pure gospel and will of God when we do not consider salvation and election through the atonement of Christ and faith in Him. Calvinism is not the gospel.

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As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that WHOEVER believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the WORLD, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14-16

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