Sunday, 25, August 1996

Salvation: only for a few, or, for all?

“God will save only those that He wants - the rest are doomed from birth” Is it true? Or, false?

Salvation / Eternal Life: Does God determine for us, or, do we determine for ourselves?

If God predestines, on His own accord, who will be saved, then, He shows favoritism over some.

Does He?

Acts 10:34 (niv) Then Peter began to speak: "I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Roma 2:9 (niv) There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favouritism.

Ephe 6:9 (niv) And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.

What is the truth?

1Tim 1:15 (niv) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. ( Not some sinners, not few sinners, but, plain, sinners )

1Tim 2:3 (niv) This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

The truth is that God does not predestine, does not choose, who He saves!

Acts 2:21 (niv) And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' {Joel 2:28-32}

Roma 1:16 (niv) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, {Or is from faith to faith} just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." {Hab. 2:4}

...

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is for ever praised. Amen.

Those who perish, do so only as a result of their own choice; not because God did not choose them.

Those who believe that God predestines who will be saved, do so because of a misinterpretation of the phrase:

"No-one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”

Also, because of Romans 9, and, the words: "Those who were appointed -or, ordained- for eternal life”. I΄ ll use the same verses to prove exactly the opposite.

John 6:40 (niv) For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

….

John 6:44 (niv) "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: `They will all be taught by God.' {Isaiah 54:13} Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 No-one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life.

….

John 6:63 (niv) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit {Or Spirit} and they are life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no-one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

"No-one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” The Holy Spirit is the means by which the Father draws to Himself! He gives it to those who “accept” the foolish message of Christ’s death and resurrection. More specifically, to

“everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him”.

He regenerates them from above, through the Holy Spirit. But here is where many people fall short of God’s glory; “acceptance” is a heart knowledge, is something that you know! - it is not a mind processed, logical deduction. Hence, the phrase:

“No-one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father”

Who is from God? He who has been spiritually reborn. Unless you have the same spirit inside you as what God is, how can you see Him? Hence: “The Spirit gives life” ( also, John 3 ). It is the giving of the Holy Spirit that “enables” man to “see” God;

"This is why I told you that no-one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

The text shows clearly that “Father draws” = “Father enables”. So, now the question is: to whom does He give the Spirit?

The text also tells us that “Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe”.

Therefore, He has known from the beginning, also, who has believed. Notice the past tense? “did not believe”. He has known who has accepted the message that were to be preached, and has drawn them to Him. And, what is that message?

Roma 10:8 (niv) But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," {Deut. 30:14} that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {Isaiah 28:16}

The KEYS: “if you believe in your heart & confess’’, & ‘‘who trusts in him’’

Again: “Anyone who trusts in him”, not some, not those selected, not those He picks and chooses. Those people, God has foreknown ( see above, John 6:64b ) Them, He has predestined - for His inheritance - to be ultimately glorified.

Roma 8:29 (niv) For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

So, first, we make the call! Then, He “goes back” in time ( God is infinite, He has no time limitations ), before the Creation, and He writes our names in the book of life, because we have accepted the message of salvation. This is what makes us chosen and predestined! That we believed in the gospel of Christ, which is the only "door" to the Kingdom.

Ephe 1:11 (niv) In him we were also chosen, {Or were made heirs} having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

The meaning of the word “chosen” does not come from “choose”. The meaning of the text deals with “inheritance”, as shown in the alternative ( and correct ) translation in the brackets. The KJV is more accurate:

“Ephe 1:11 (KJS) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance..”

So, the first thing that happens, is we believe in the Word of Truth. Then, we are “marked in him with a seal”. This is what makes us “chosen” and “predestined” for inheritance. Further, have you ever seen a seal that is not obvious, apparent, striking? The seal we are marked with, is “the promised Holy Spirit”. ( are you marked with this seal? )

Let’s now look at Romans 9, which leads to the misinterpretation that

God has predestined only some for salvation, before man was born.

Roma 9:12 (niv) not by works but by him who calls--she was told, "The older will serve the younger." {Gen. 25:23} 13 Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." {Mal. 1:2,3}

( antithesis: works versus being called. who has been called? he who has been foreknown. for what? for having accepted the word of faith. the jacob - esau comparison, serves the same purpose: to proclaim that even before we are born, god’s ways are given. when we come to life, we cannot change them - can only obey! Also see below v.30. what must we obey in? the word of faith!

in the particular case of v.13, esau failed god’s ways, in that he sold his rights as firstborn for a plate of lentil soup. in so doing, he disobeyed god’s given ways: “Gene 25:34 (niv) Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew... So Esau despised his birthright.” which, he did not have the option of doing. it was against the law - see Deut. 21:15-21. this is why god hated esau. it was esau’s choice that caused god’s hatred, and not god’s pre-destination that caused jacob to be loved ).

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!

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." {Exodus 33:19} 16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

( again the same message:” does not depend on man's desire or effort”. it is again a condemnation of human methods of salvation, and proclamation of salvation by grace = “God's mercy”. and for whom does he have mercy? for those who obey his command, which is to believe in christ jesus. )

18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

( again the same message, from the angle of outcome: mercy = salvation on the one hand, and hardening = condemnation, i.e. perishing, on the other - because of no acceptance of the gospel; see pg.1: Romans 1:18-25 .

19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?"

20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?'" {Isaiah 29:16; 45:9}

21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? 22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath-- prepared for destruction? ( KJV: “the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: {fitted: or, made up}” )

23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory-- 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

“not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles” as already said, the gospel is for all, not just the jews, i.e. the chosen nation. the very idea that the gospel was for all the nations, and not only for the selected people, disproves the theory that salvation is only for a few, in the sense of the few that god picked and chose. the theory of god’s pre-destination is basically an extension of the zionist conviction.. it is Hitler’s “arian race” from a different perspective. it is the ground of racism and fascism.

still we need to address the difficult and seemingly contradictory verses 20-23. let’s see what the o.t. text, quoted here, tells us:

“Isai 29:15 (niv) Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?" 16 You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"?” and:

“Isai 45:9 (niv) "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, `What are you making?' Does your work say, `He has no hands'? 10 Woe to him who says to his father, `What have you begotten?' or to his mother, `What have you brought to birth?'”

as we see here, there is no reference to a “predestination” of the formed pottery; on the contrary, we see that the text refers to people making their own choices, against god’s will, in darkness. we see people in disobedient quarrelsome mood. this confirms the spirit of the whole chapter 9 - and the epistle -. it is not about predestination, but about man’s free choice to turn away from god, causing his anger and punishment.

we can reach the same conclusion by examining v.22: “vessels of wrath fitted to destruction” the word fitted comes from the greek verb:

Lexicon Greek 2675 katartizo {kat-ar-tid'-zo} from 2596 and a derivative of 739; TDNT - 1:475,80; v

AV - perfect 2, make perfect 2, mend 2, be perfect 2, fit 1, frame 1, prepare 1, restore 1, perfectly joined together 1; 13

1) to render, i.e. to fit, sound, complete 1a) to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair 1a1) to complete

1b) to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust 1b1) to fit or frame for one's self, prepare

1c) ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be ).

the word does not imply predestination. let’s also look at the “n.t. dictionary, s.efstratiadou, alexandria, 1910”. it translates: “made perfect in being ready to perish in hell”. now, let’s look at the tense:

Lexicon Greek 5772 Tense - Perfect See 5778 Voice - Passive See 5786 Mood - Participle See 5796 Count - 463

the passive voice shows that they made themselves up, ready for hell; they fitted themselves to destruction. this is one more evidence that there is no predestination implied in the bible, but man’s free choice.

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 28 For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality." {Isaiah 10:22,23}

(this should be straight forward: “only the remnant will be saved”. salvation is for anyone who will accept. now, why are they just a few? because, god has foreseen that only few will believe, but not because he chose just a few.

herebelow is the confirmation that the previous verses with “works versus grace”, and not god’s selection of specific people. the text shows the conclusion of the previous verses: “What then shall we say”

30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling-stone". 33 As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {Isaiah 8:14; 28:16}

( the chapter ends, proclaiming the “righteousness that is by faith” versus “a law of righteousness”. and if we go back to the beginning, or, to the “key”, faith is the key through which god has foreknown us, hence, predestined us, hence, called us, hence, justified us, hence, glorified us )

the whole spirit and context of the chapter is not the selection of the few, but the selection of those who believe what god has given as the only road to salvation. the chapter proclaims His Sovereignty in choosing what the method of salvation is, versus, what are the people’s choices -i.e. works-, and, not His Sovereignty in whom.

The spirit and context of the epistle is also shown in how it begins, and how it ends:

Roma 1:5 (niv) Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

( again: who is called? he who, as god knew in advance, accepted “the obedience that comes from faith” )

Roma 16:25 (niv) Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-- 27 to the only wise God be glory for ever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

( again: what is god’s will? “that all nations might believe and obey him”, not just a few… )

Has God appointed / ordained?

Acts 13:46 (niv) Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first.

Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "`I have made you {The Greek is singular.} a light for the Gentiles, that you {The Greek is singular.} may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" {Isaiah 49:6}

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord;

and all who were appointed ( KJV: ordained, Greek: “ησαν τεταγμενοι” ) for eternal life believed.

As hard to believe as it sounds, we have a case of a major translation error here. But before looking at the original Greek word, let’s look at the context of the passage; verse 46 qualifies the word “were appointed” to be something one chooses for oneself, and, not what the English words imply, that, it is given from someone else, who is in power to appoint.

Also, if “God appointed”, then, this would disqualify other Bible verses, like: “God does not show favouritism”, and,

“God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved”. But, the Bible does not disprove itself; neither is God a liar.

And now, here is the meaning of the original Greek word: “οσοι ησαν τεταγμενοι”.

Lexicon Greek 5021 tasso {tas'-so} a prolonged form of a primary verb (which latter appears only in certain tenses);

AV - appoint 3, ordain 2, set 1, determine 1, addict 1; 8

1) to put in order, to station

1a) to place in a certain order, to arrange, to assign a place, to appoint

1a1) to assign (appoint) a thing to one

1b) to appoint, ordain, order

1b1) to appoint on one's own responsibility or authority

1b2) to appoint mutually, i.e. agree upon

Let us now look at the tense: Lexicon Greek 5772 Tense - Perfect See 5778 Voice - Passive See 5786 Mood - Participle See 5796 Count - 463

The verb in the passive voice means that I appoint / assign myself, and not I am appointed / assigned by someone else. In modern Greek we still use the same verb when we voluntarily present ourselves to the Army, to serve the country.

The most profound and relative use of the verb is found -even to date- in Politics, in opposing religious groups, in sports, e.t.c. What it actually stands for, is: I take sides; I pick which side to serve, and it shows commitment.

Example: the jury has to decide guilty, or, innocent. The question to the members of the jury would be:

“Which option do you stand for?” = “υπερ ποιας αποψεως τασσεσθε;” Same verb, passive tense, same meaning:

“For which option do you assign / appoint yourself?”

As extra support: the same translation, further explained in footnote, is found in the 1995 translation of the Bible in modern Greek by Spiros Filos, PERGAMOS publications, ISBN 960-7241-25-8.

Therefore, God does not appoint / ordain the men to be saved, but man chooses whether to believe what God has appointed / ordained to be the only method of salvation ( the only open door to Heavens - faith in Christ, and the redeeming sacrifice on the cross, which was for all men, not just the "chosen" ones - ). This is also shown in the passage below:

Romans 6:16 (niv) Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-- whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Again, the “setting free from sin” follows our “offering ourselves” by having “wholeheartedly obeyed”.

How is the concept of “predestination” supported?

Having studied a paper Pastor David supplied me on "predestination", I am adding this section, looking into those verses that are claimed to support it, and which I have not examined above. The view of “Predestination” is based, amongst others, on the six verses where the word “predestine” appears. Let’s examine all of them, in the light of the Scriptures: ( the texts in italics are the ones used by the supporters of “predestination” ).

Acts 4:26 (niv) The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' {That is, Christ or Messiah} {Psalm 2:1,2}

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people {The Greek is plural.} of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

The first problem I have with the above verse 18, if it were to be interpreted to mean, “Herod and Pilate acted in line with God’s predestined plan”, is: 1) Neither one could be held responsible for their actions, for they were only tools in the hands of the mighty Lord. 2) If they only did what they were programmed to do, then, they are in line with God’s will, therefore, God is pleased with them, for they only carried out His plan. BUT, we see below, that Pilate was warned:

Matt 27:19 (KJS) When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just { righteous } man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

His wife was warned in a dream, to ask him not to touch Jesus; but he did not hear, because, the demands of the crowd outweighed the merits of doing the right thing ( which were intangible ). Had he done the right thing, he would have to cope with the resulting uprising. It was much more of a relief for him to pass the responsibility of the death to the Jews ( as he thought he was doing ). Bottomline, he made a call between what his heart told him, and, his wife warned him, on the one hand, and, on the other, what was politically called for, and, without repercussions.

I can imagine what the “pro-predestination” advocates would say: God hardened his heart, according to His divine plan; but, because he warned him through his wife, the responsibility rests on Pilate. Even though this option still leaves God “guilty” of bloody schemes, in which He uses humans as little toys, it must be examined for what it is worth.

Same “plan”, same “predestination” would hold valid in the case of Juda, who betrayed Jesus. Again, back to the scriptures:

John 6:64 (niv) Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.

65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no-one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

Here we are told that Juda was known for the choice he made not to believe and to betray. Again, we have the concept of God having known from the beginning, having foreknown the choices people made. They were not “constructed” to carry out a specific mission; rather, God, having foreknown what their choices would be, used them to carry out His plan.

In the end, Juda committed suicide, he did not repent, he did not ask for forgiveness. If he had asked, he would have been forgiven ( according to God's written promises ). Peter also denied Jesus, but repented, and, was freed of his guilt. If Juda was of “right” heart, i.e. if he genuinely sought the truth of God, but, fell for his weakness for money, he would ultimately turn to God confessing his mistake. The fact that he chose to give an end to his mistake by killing himself, shows that he had never submitted his life to God. Peter had.

The last passage shows us one more thing: “This is why I told you that no-one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” It qualifies once more that the Father enables as a result of what has been known from the beginning to have already happened, i.e. people having believed. Not the other way round. That’s why John says:

John 1:10 (niv) He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, {Greek of bloods} nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

I have proclaimed earlier that “the Father enables” means He gives His Spirit, He regenerates those people who have accepted the word of faith. John says exactly the same thing here. “born of God.” is a result “to all who received him, to those who believed in his name”. So, people are not predestined to salvation, or, to condemnation. They choose. John also explains very clearly why people are condemned:

” whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed”.

John 3:18 (niv) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. {Or God's only begotten Son}

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." {Some interpreters end the quotation after verse 15.}

Is there more support in the Scriptures that God does not pre-determine the ways of people, but, rather, He responds according to what people choose as their own ways?

Jere 32:17 (niv) "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

18 You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the fathers' sins into the laps of their children after them. O great and powerful God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, 19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve.

“bring the punishment for the fathers' sins”: why? If pre-destined for sin, why use this threat to keep people away from sin? And wouldn’t God be a terribly unfair, unjust, horrible person, if He punished 3, 4 generations of people, for sins their fathers were predestined to do anyway? Can it be that God makes people to sin, and, then He punishes them, and their children, on top?

Why examine the ways of men, to “reward everyone according to his conduct”? If predestined, why are God’s “eyes.. open to all the ways of men”? But the answers are very simple. God never planned any sin for any man.

Jere 32:25 (niv) And though the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, you, O Sovereign LORD, say to me, `Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed.'"

26 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 27 "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

28 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I am about to hand this city over to the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it.

…………………

Jere 32:30 (niv) "The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth; indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but provoke me with what their hands have made, declares the LORD.

31 From the day it was built until now, this city has so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove it from my sight. 32 The people of Israel and Judah have provoked me by all the evil they have done--they, their kings and officials, their priests and prophets, the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem.

33 They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline. 34 They set up their abominable idols in the house that bears my Name and defiled it.

35 They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters {Or to make their sons and daughters pass through [the fire]} to Molech, though I never commanded, nor did it enter my mind, that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin.

God warns again and again, against sinning. Why would He do that, if He had predestined people to sin? The text below makes it very clear that people have free choice, and the responsibility for what they choose.

Ezek 3:16 (niv) At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: 17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

18 When I say to a wicked man, `You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for {Or in; also in verses 19 and 20} his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.

20 "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling-block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 21 But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself."

Paul testifies to the same effect:

Acts 20:20 (niv) You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

22 "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

25 "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. {Traditionally bishops} Be shepherds of the church of God, {Many manuscripts of the Lord} which he bought with his own blood.

Other pro-“predestination” verses:

1Cor 2:7 (niv) No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"-- {Isaiah 64:4} 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

The preceding verses 1:17 to 2:5 are the core of the gospel, proclaiming what is God’s predestined method, and, only road to salvation. I.e. the acceptance of the foolish message of the “cross”. If God predestined the ones who will be saved, why sacrifice Jesus on the cross? Why ask that all nations / people believe in Him so that they may be saved?

Notice? “prepared for those who love him”. Not those He predestined. Also, this passage testifies that the secret things can only be revealed through the Spirit. Everybody can read the Scriptures. But, only the ones who love Jesus, AND, have already received the Spirit ( i.e. spiritually reborn ), can understand - by revelation by the Spirit.

Other pro-“predestination” verses:

Ephe 1:4 (niv) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

….

11 In him we were also chosen, {Or were made heirs} having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

In His divine providence, He was pleased to explain in the later verses whom He predestined ( as already seen earlier ):

12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

Other pro-“predestination” verses:

2The 2:13 (niv) But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you {Some manuscripts because God chose you as his firstfruits} to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

The preceding verses give us again the full picture. People do not perish because they were so predestined, but,

“because they refused to love the truth and so be saved”.

2The 2:10 (niv) and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

And as far as God hardening people’s hearts, here is the answer: v. 11 and 12. Again, “because they refused to love the truth and so be saved”. No predestination! On the contrary, people’s ways come first, then God’s reaction.

Other pro-“predestination” verses:

Psal 33:11 (niv) But the plans of the LORD stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

Let’s see how the text continues:

13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling-place he watches all who live on earth--

15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

The v. 11 is also used, by the pro-“predestination” supporters, as proof that “God’s decrees are unchangeable”. This is as good reflection of the truth, as the “decree of predestination” itself:

Jere 18:6 (niv) "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.

9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.

11 "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, `This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.' 12 But they will reply, `It's no use. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.'"

The above passage tells us more than one things:

1) When God says “the plans of the LORD stand firm for ever”, He does not mean it with respect to predestining people to salvation, or, condemnation, or, it would contradict Jeremiah 18:7-10. Instead,

2) it is perfectly in line with the truth that I proclaim: God has predestined the plan / the method / the vehicle, through which people can be saved; this plan will not change. He will not show any favoritism, in offering salvation to people who will seek salvation through different means.

3) Needless to write it, but… God promises to “relent and not inflict … the disaster … planned”. Why would He give such promises, if He knew that those He “predestined” to perish had no chance at all? Why does He warn: “I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions”. The O.T. is full of such warnings, but, also, such were the warning words of Jesus.

· Why bother if all is predestined? Why did He send John the Baptist to call people to repentance?

· Why “Luke 24:47 (niv) repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” ?

· Why did Jesus put so much effort to bring people to repentance? The text below also shows free choice in believing:

“Matt 11:20 (niv) Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. {Greek Hades} If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."”

Other pro-“predestination” verses:

John 15:16 (niv) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

17 This is my command: Love each other. 18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

It is clear that, within the context of man’s free choice to accept God’s word, AND, receive salvation by grace, he becomes chosen by God to carry out God’s will; re. The Great Commission. The bearing of the fruit is the qualifier of this truth, and is proven through the earlier verses of the same chapter, where, Jesus is clearly defining the two options that are based on man’s free choice.

John 15:3 (niv) You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

The context of the entire Bible is the calling to repentance and acceptance of the word of the truth: Jesus was crucified, so that ALL who believe in Him will be saved. The context of the entire Bible is that God is Love. He is terrible in his punishment, and, spares none in His wrath, but only because He loves His creatures, and He wants them to come to their senses and believe in Him, so that they may enjoy everlasting life.

The concept of “predestination” is anti-Christian. It nullifies the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross, because, if predestined to be saved anyway, then, the cross, was just a little game God played. Instead of it, God could have pulled any other neat trick in its place. But in the end, those predestined, would be saved anyway. Who cares about Jesus on the cross? The trick of the deal is in the predestination, and not in Jesus’ death on the cross.

The concept of “predestination” is heretical. It raises one particular aspect of the Bible ( not even a true one ) and examines the entire Bible in the light of this aspect. This, as true for all heresies, removes the essence from large parts of the Scriptures, nullifying their message - thus bringing the Bible into contradicting itself.

The concept of “predestination” is blasphemous. It makes God a horrible, unloving, unfair, unjust Emperor whose favour, if you are lucky, you ‘ve got from the time you were born. Otherwise, tough luck! You ‘re doomed mate! But worse than these, “predestination” assumes that God has Evil as part of His Nature; for, if He produces evil people, doomed for destruction -for the praise of His glory-, then, He is Evil Himself. But the Bible tells us that God is Holy, and, there is no evil in him. If “predestination”, then, God is a liar, too…

I understand how a person can be lead to call themselves Christian, and, believe in “predestination”. It is easy to fall in the trap of this heresy, just like millions of people have followed, and, are still following, numerous heresies of all kinds. All of them call themselves “Christian”, and, all of them claim that they “know” better. They can also “explain” why.

God is not interested in what people think, or, say, no more than He is interested in their works. But, He is interested in people’s hearts. As long as people follow a heresy thinking that they follow Jesus, they will not be held accountable for blasphemy. But after they have heard the word of truth, they have to choose sides. Are we for Jesus calling to repentance, and, free acceptance of the word of faith based on our choice, or, God’s “predestination”?

Closing, if you still believe in “predestination”, you ‘ll have to adequately explain to yourself the following verses:

1Tim 2:1 (niv) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour,

4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.

Note:

I dare be as bold as I am, out of love, both for the Spirit of God who is saddened by people's misinterpretation and unwillingness to see the Truth of the Gospel, and, for the people who seek God's glory, but fail to receive it because of wrong teachings that lead them off to wrong directions, away from the essence, the true substance of our Lord God.

Before taking up the challenge to reveal the truth to my local church, and, before writing this study, I checked with God over and over again. I asked Him many times; He always answered. For every prayer on the subject, He gave me at least one more Bible passage testifying to the Truth. And confirmed my progress on the right path in multiple ways.

In fact, there is a slightly different angle to this: He led me into this challenge in such a way, as a liquid flows through a funnel; no way out, but the small hole at the end. I am confident to say that I have been just an instrument in His hands, which, I chose out of my free will to become, in restoring the Truth in His church.

George E. Markakis