Calvinist Proof-Texts Answered
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13)
Is Salvation Only By An Irresistible Will of God?
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John
1:12)
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his
name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts
10:43)
Commentary: The
context of John refutes the notion that God has irresistibly willed certain
individuals for salvation and others for reprobation since we are told that those
who He made sons of God had to receive Him. The word “receive” in John
1:12 means “to take, to choose, select” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions). This
implies an act of the will on man’s part to procure what is being offered to
him by God. Moreover, the word “whosoever” (or “whoever”) removes the idea that
God had any preselected individuals in mind. On the contrary, it is God’s will
for all to be saved and for none to perish (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). While man
cannot become a child of God of his own will apart from Christ, he must
willingly receive the offer of Christ for his salvation (Matt. 23:37).
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