ARMINIANISM - BELIEF THAT CHRIST DIED FOR ALL
Many of you are probably thinking ‘What’s wrong with this it looks like what I believe?’. The basic premise here is true, Christ did die for all. The problem here really lies in extremes. While one extreme says that Christ died only for the elect (Calvinism, which will be covered in the C’s), the other teaches that Christ not only died for everyone, but also that everyone is forgiven of their sins as a result. As with most cases of extremes the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
The Bible teaches clearly that Christ came to die for everyone, but his death only covers the sins of those who believe and obey, not all of those for whom He died. Here are just a few of the many verses in scripture that teach that though Christ died for all not all will receive the benefit of the death. I have emphasized pertinent sections with all capital letters.
1) (1 Tim 2:3-4) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; {4} WHO WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2) (Titus 2:11-12) For the GRACE OF GOD that bringeth salvation hath APPEARED TO ALL MEN, {12} TEACHING US that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
3) (Acts 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now COMMANDETH ALL MEN every where to REPENT: {31} Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath GIVEN ASSURANCE UNTO ALL MEN, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
4) (Mark 16:15-16) And he said unto them, Go ye into ALL THE WORLD, and PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. {16} He that BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
5) (1 Tim 4:10) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, SPECIALLY OF THOSE THAT BELIEVE.
6) (Mat 7:13-14) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: {14} Because STRAIT IS THE GATE, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.
7) (Mat 7:21) NOT EVERY ONE that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
8) (Heb 9:28) So Christ was once OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
9) (Heb 10:14) For by one offering he hath PERFECTED FOR EVER THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED.
From These combined passages we learn (1) God wants all men to be saved, (2) His grace appeared to all men, (3) His grace only taught ‘us’ Paul says meaning Christians, (4) God commands all men to repent, thus they are not already saved, (5) God has given proof to everyone of his promise of a resurrection in Christ’s resurrection, (6) Jesus told the apostles to preach to every creature; it would have been a waste of time if either they were already saved or they could not be saved, (7) Only the ones who believe and are baptized will be saved, (8) God is the savior of all; there is no other; men must believe, (9) There will be few saved, (10) Not all will even say ’Lord, Lord’, but even of those who do not everyone will be saved; just those who do God’s will, (11) Christ will only actually bear the sins of many, not all, (12) By his offering he perfected those who are sanctified, not everyone. So we see that while Christ died in order to present God’s grace to all only those who accept by obedient faith will receive the promise. Have you received that promise? Have you told others about it? Keep the faith, but don’t keep it to yourself.
Many of you are probably thinking ‘What’s wrong with this it looks like what I believe?’. The basic premise here is true, Christ did die for all. The problem here really lies in extremes. While one extreme says that Christ died only for the elect (Calvinism, which will be covered in the C’s), the other teaches that Christ not only died for everyone, but also that everyone is forgiven of their sins as a result. As with most cases of extremes the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
The Bible teaches clearly that Christ came to die for everyone, but his death only covers the sins of those who believe and obey, not all of those for whom He died. Here are just a few of the many verses in scripture that teach that though Christ died for all not all will receive the benefit of the death. I have emphasized pertinent sections with all capital letters.
1) (1 Tim 2:3-4) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; {4} WHO WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2) (Titus 2:11-12) For the GRACE OF GOD that bringeth salvation hath APPEARED TO ALL MEN, {12} TEACHING US that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
3) (Acts 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now COMMANDETH ALL MEN every where to REPENT: {31} Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath GIVEN ASSURANCE UNTO ALL MEN, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
4) (Mark 16:15-16) And he said unto them, Go ye into ALL THE WORLD, and PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. {16} He that BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
5) (1 Tim 4:10) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, SPECIALLY OF THOSE THAT BELIEVE.
6) (Mat 7:13-14) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: {14} Because STRAIT IS THE GATE, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT.
7) (Mat 7:21) NOT EVERY ONE that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
8) (Heb 9:28) So Christ was once OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
9) (Heb 10:14) For by one offering he hath PERFECTED FOR EVER THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED.
From These combined passages we learn (1) God wants all men to be saved, (2) His grace appeared to all men, (3) His grace only taught ‘us’ Paul says meaning Christians, (4) God commands all men to repent, thus they are not already saved, (5) God has given proof to everyone of his promise of a resurrection in Christ’s resurrection, (6) Jesus told the apostles to preach to every creature; it would have been a waste of time if either they were already saved or they could not be saved, (7) Only the ones who believe and are baptized will be saved, (8) God is the savior of all; there is no other; men must believe, (9) There will be few saved, (10) Not all will even say ’Lord, Lord’, but even of those who do not everyone will be saved; just those who do God’s will, (11) Christ will only actually bear the sins of many, not all, (12) By his offering he perfected those who are sanctified, not everyone. So we see that while Christ died in order to present God’s grace to all only those who accept by obedient faith will receive the promise. Have you received that promise? Have you told others about it? Keep the faith, but don’t keep it to yourself.
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