Saturday, August 3, 2024

Calvinist Proof-Texts Answered: Is Salvation Only By an Irresistible Will of God?

 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)

 “For, ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Rom. 10:13; World English Bible)

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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