Page 235 - Bible Writers Theology Original

V - The Extent of Christ's Death
A God did not send Christ for the Eiect Only
The New Testament era is ushered in with the proclamation from heaven, ''behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10; Luke 3:6; 2:31). In God's economy. His universal call for mankind precedes election. Those who qualify for the state of the elect are those who have in their consciences the moral and spiritual disposition that makes them respond by faith to the call of salvation. The scripture says, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him..." (II
Chronicles 16:9). Paul in II Timothy 3:8 declares, "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." Only the corruption of mind and deliberate refusal of the call for salvation can disqualify men from election.
Calvinist doctrine, which holds that certain persons are elected by God wholly without relation to faith or works, is scripturally baseless and con tradicts the impartial justice of God. It is contrary to God's choice of those who believe and persevere by grace in faith and works. It is written, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself to us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of
good works" (Titus 2:13-14).
Moreover, the Great Commission is to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15; Luke 2:10; II Corinthians 5:18-20; 1Timothy 1:15; II Peter 3:9). The extent of God's universal message is well expressed by the apostle Paul, quoting the prophecy of David in Romans 10:18: "But I say. Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."
Created with a free will, man is fully responsible for his response to the
call of God. His destiny is determined by his subsequent actions, for the Law of God is sealed in his conscience (Romans 2:14-16). John explains the position of the elect when he declares, "But as many as received him (the
true Light which lighteth every man that comelh into the world), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:9, 12). Paul says that he is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, "for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). No doubt Paul is tar geting those who hear the call unto salvation, yet are found guilty, when he writes, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodli-
Soteriology • Salvation ♦ 219