by R. L. Morrison

As with many questions people ask about the scriptures, many varied answers are given to each one. The question of the title of this article is certainly no exception.

Many today teach: "Christ did not die for all men. Atonement was limited. Redemption was particular. Only the elect bride of Christ was the object of his love. Christ loved the church and gave himself for it (the church). The "All" for whom the Savior died are the elect whom the Father chose to give him as a bride, "holy and without blemish." (Taken from The Five Points of Calvinism by Duane Edward Spenser, page 40).

This is the third of the five points of Calvinism, a doctrine which apparently had its origin with John Calvin and which is called by his name. This doctrine is widely accepted by many in the denominational world today. We do not believe this doctrine is taught in the scriptures, and in that which follows, we will show why we do not so believe.

1. Matthew 11:28-30. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." You will notice, that Jesus invited ALL. He did not say: "You who are the elect come unto me." Rather he invited those who labor and are heavy laden, that is, those who are burdened with sin. This means all mankind, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23). This invitation requires action on the part of the one who accepts it. He who does so MUST act, must come to Jesus, in order to obtain that rest, or the forgiveness of past sins. This invitation is NOT limited to just a few or to a certain group of people. Whosoever will, may come.

2. Mark 16:15-16. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Jesus taught that every "creature" is to hear the gospel, which is God's power to save the sinner. (Rom. 1:16). The person who hears, believes and chooses to obey will be saved. Every "creature" means all mankind, all men everywhere. But Calvinism teaches the elect (the saved) were chosen by God before the foundations of the world were laid. IF one is NOT of the "elect," he is lost and there is absolutely nothing he can do about it. He cannot be saved. But, if one is of the elect, there is absolutely nothing he can do which will result in his being lost! Then, we ask, "Why preach the gospel?" IF Calvinism be true, the gospel is of no value. It is utterly useless! But, remember, Jesus selected these apostles and sent them into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature. Why? So he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved! Do you understand WHY we say that Calvinism is a false doctrine and not taught in the scriptures?

3. Romans 5:6. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." This scripture plainly states that Christ died for the ungodly. But Calvinism teaches that Christ died ONLY for the elect, those who had been chosen for salvation, and that choosing was done before creation. If this be true, then they were chosen before they existed. And Paul wrote that Christ died for the ungodly, so they must have been ungodly before they existed. Who can believe it? The truth is that this point of Calvinism, that Christ died ONLY for the elect, is as false as anything could be!

4. Romans 3:24-26. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God, to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Redemption is IN Christ. A believer is justified. But the faith or belief which saves is the result of the sinner hearing the word. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17). Baptism in the ONLY WAY a believer gets INTO Christ (Romans 6:3; Gal. 3:27). Obedience is the result of knowledge and the desire to do that which is right. Obedience and salvation are NOT the result of a direct operation by the Holy Spirit on the heart of the sinner, nor is it the result of a choice made by God before creation.

5. Acts 5:34-35. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him." This is plain. If it is considered without prejudice, it can be easily understood. Peter simply said any person who fears God and submits to doing God's will is acceptable to Him. That is why he put His saving power in the gospel and commanded that it be preached to every person in all nations. Man thus has the opportunity to hear and believe if he chooses to do so.

Actually, this is what God foreordained before creation. It is His plan for the salvation of sinners. He knew beforehand that men would sin. He planned for man's redemption through faith in Christ and man's obedience to the saving gospel. This is what was foreordained, not the foreordianation of certain people to be saved and all others lost. Calvinism is a false doctrine. The result of accepting it is the eternal loss of the soul, for it prevents those who believe it from obeying the gospel of Christ.

What do you believe?