Sovereignty of God

versus

Man’s Free Will

Growing in Grace Ministry

 

Scripture

KJV

Dispensation Covenant

Historical-Grammatical and Contextual Interpretation

 

1Timothy 2:4

Who will have all

men to be saved

 

Grace/Mystery Truth

·         Historical: Early grace church

·         Grammatical: Who does will all men who are saved; Greek translation

·         Contextual:  Paul’s instructions concerning prayer in the dispensation of grace.

 

Titus 2:11

Grace has appeared to all

 

Grace

Mystery Truth

·         Historical: Establishment of early grace church, some among them spreading false doctrine.

·         Grammatical : Salvation is by grace, unto all who are saved.

·         Contextual: Paul’s instructions to Titus  to teach sound doctrine. Patterning the grace doctrine in our lives. The all in this verse is the all who are saved.

 

 

Romans 11:32

He may have mercy upon all

 

 

Grace

Mystery Truth

·         Historical: Israel rejected Jesus during His 1st  advent, their prophetic program is placed on hold during the dispensation of grace.

·         Grammatical : For God cosigned all to disobedience, that to all He may show mercy Greek text

·         Contextual : Paul  explains that God has not cast aside his people Israel, they are in a temporary blinded state until the fullness of the Gentile has come in, then all of Israel will be saved. All in this verse refers to  all of Israel only.

 

 

Acts 2:38

Repent be baptized

 

 

Kingdom

New Covenant

·         Historical: Continuation  of the Kingdom gospel began by John the Baptist.

·          Grammatical: Peter said to them repent (change your mind), and let be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

·         Contextual: The Kingdom is offered, Peter instructs those Jews who were present on the Day of Pentecost to reform  (they had killed their Messiah) and be baptized (Israel’s program requires ceremonial water baptism). Instructions specific for Israel /Kingdom only.

 

John 3:16

For God so loved the

World that He gave

His only begotten son

That whosoever

believeth

 

 

Kingdom

New Covenant

·         Historical: Law-Kingdom First advent of Christ. Jesus talking to Nicodemus , a Pharisee about salvation. Explains the requirements for spiritual new birth.  Water baptism and spiritual regeneration. Israel’s program

·         Grammatical: For God did so love the world that His son he gave, the only begotten He gave, that everyone who is believing on Him may not perish, but may have everlasting life. Greek text

·         Contextual: This passage does not teach that all have the ability to believe,  but rather all those believing in Christ will be saved and will receive everlasting life. (Election article pp. 66-84)

 

John 12:32

And If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all

men unto me

 

 

 

Kingdom

New Covenant

·         Historical:  Kingdom announced. First advent of Jesus.

·         Grammatical: And I , when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto me. Greek text

·         Contextual Jesus speaks about His death and His exaltation, He reveals Himself as the Son of Man, the Light, but those hearing Him did not believe.  The all in this verse again are those who are ordained. Note Jesus said I will draw, this word translates out to mean drag or coercion. It is not man’s ability that saves him. No one has the ability to come except God draws (John 6:44)

 

 

 

2 Peter 3:9

Not willing that any should perish

 

 

 

 

Kingdom

New Covenant

·         Historical:  Peter‘s exhortation on the 2nd Coming of Christ for Israel.

·         Grammatical: Is not slow the Lord concerning His promise, as some consider slowness, but is long-suffering toward you, not desiring any to perish, but all to repentance to come. Greek text

·         Contextual: Peter explains that God is not delayed concerning His promise as some would say, for time belongs to God. 1 day or 1 thousand years.  He is long suffering with Israel, His will for them is not for them to perish, they will all come to repentance. This passage verifies God’s sovereign will in salvation for Israel, all will be saved. (Reference Romans chapter 11)

 

 

2 Peter 1:10

Making your call and election sure

 

 

 

Kingdom

New Covenant

·         Historical:  Peter is exhorting the Kingdom church

·         Grammatical: Therefore rather brothers be diligent sure your calling and election to make for these things doing never once will you stumble. Greek text

·         Contextual: Peter is preparing the church for his death, he urges them to continue in the faith, adding , virtue, knowledge, temperance, endurance, piety, brotherly kindness and love.  Peter says these things being in them and abounding makes them makes fruitful in acknowledging  of Jesus Christ.  Those lacking these are forgetful of their cleansing from past sins.. This passage is in reference to their service and daily lives representing Christ not salvation

 

 

Joshua 24:15

Choose you this day

 

 

Law

Mosaic Covenant

·         Historical: Old Testament Israel during the Mosaic covenant, God’s chosen nation.

·         Grammatical: Choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell. KJV

·         Joshua reminds Israel of all that God has done for them, and if it seem evil to serve God, then choose which of the false gods they will serve.  But as for him and his house he would serve God.  This verse has nothing to do with man’s free will in salvation.  Scripture bears out that Israel’s long standing rejection of God and ultimate salvation is Gods predestined plan for them.

 

 

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