John 1:6-7,9 - There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (John the Baptist.) This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through Him might believe. That was the true Light which, coming into the world, gives light to every man.
Romans 3:3 - For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.
Does a person's unbelief make Gods faithfulness without effect? No! Did God subject us to unbelief (Chapter 1) then make our unbelief responsible for nullifying His faithfulness toward us? If unbelief cut off the expression of God's faithfulness, there would be no Christians.
Hebrews 1:3 - who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Jesus purged all sins. Purged means cleansed, washed clean and washed away. So, how does Christianity reconcile Jesus wiping out all sins with teaching billions will suffer forever because of their sin? These two ideas can't be reconciled, they can't co-exist.
(Sidenote: Is it just me or does it seem like Christians express either pride or indifference when proclaiming billions will suffer torment forever? Their gross underreaction to the gravity of this "reality" is telling.)
Hebrews 2:8-9 - For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Hebrews 2:14-15 - Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Who did Jesus release? All those who were subject to bondage. Chapter 1 unequivocally tells us everyone was subject to bondage. Therefore; Jesus released everyone. (Even though we don't see it yet.)
Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Note: Yes, Paul wrote this to believers, but it applies to everyone. Jesus was delivered up for believers, because Jesus suffered and died on the cross for everyone, as Romans 6:10, Hebrews 7:27, and many other Scriptures demonstrate.
Hebrews 7:27 - who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
Romans 8:19-21 - For the earnest expectation of the creation (humanity) eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation (us) was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Creation was subjected, and creation will be delivered. The defintion of creation is the same in both verses. Whoever was subjected will be delivered.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Galatians 1:3-4 - who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
It's non-sensical (and lazy) to conclude Paul is saying Jesus is only delivering believers. The text plainly states Jesus delivered those He gave Himself for, and the NT repeatedly states He gave Himself for everyone.
1 John 2:1-2 - My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
There’s that word world again. Do you still think it means “only a few?”
1 John 4:9-11 - In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. :19 We love Him because He first loved us. (God is cause; we are effect.)
1 Peter 1:18-20 - knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you.
Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world to do what? Redeem us all with His blood. Jesus was not foreordained before the foundation of the world to redeem only those who believe. Please consider the implications of this false Christian/Catholic doctrine.
Luke 3:6 - As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness:‘ Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
All flesh shall see the salvation of God...but only a few will experience it? Really? Would you prepare a meal in front of 100 homeless people then feed only 1?
1 Timothy 4:10 - For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach.
God is the Savior of ALL men...and no rational mind concludes "especially of those who believe" means "ONLY those who believe."
2 Timothy 1:8-12 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
What causal role did we play in the expression of God detailed in these texts? Was salvation through Gods purpose and grace given to "believers only" before time began? (That's what Christianity and Catholicism teach.) Believing salvation is conditional upon our response to God is equal to North Koreans believing Kim Jung Un doesn't have bowel movements, and is the supreme leader of humanity. A crude analogy to be sure, but fitting given the absurdity of both beliefs.
Hebrews 10:17-18 - then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
I wonder how Catholic ministers respond when they read this? Why are they still making offerings for sin and requiring everyone else to do the same? Is it so we remain dependent on them? Of course it is, because that’s how human nature works...whether we're conscious of it or not.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
God is not counting whose trespasses against them? The worlds! In the most significant/end of story sense, God is not counting anyone's sins against them. “It is finished.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
He was made to be sin for everyone so that everyone would become righteous in Him...because of Him...you played no causal role.
Galatians 4:4 - But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
God sent Jesus to do what? Redeem those under the law. Who was under the law? Everyone. (Galatians 3:23, Romans 3:19-20) Therefore, if Jesus came to redeem everyone, then everyone was redeemed; there was no chance He would not complete what He came to do.
Ephesians 1:7 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Redemption is in Him, according to His grace...we play no causal role, therefore for everyone.
Ephesians 1:13 - In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Can anyone honestly conclude, upon reading the Scriptures detailed in this Chapter, that the purchased possession are only believers? If you're not convinced, when did the purchase take place? Before you believed or after?
They heard "the gospel of their salvation." What did you hear? The good news of your salvation, or your possible salvation if you say and do the right things from this point forward?
Ephesians 3:11 - According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gods eternal purpose was accomplished - past tense - in Christ. What does the NT tell us God accomplished in Christ? Was it not the removal of sin, and the reconciliation of all to God? Redemption and reconciliation for all was Gods eternal purpose. Does it make any sense to say His eternal purpose was redemption and reconciliation for only the few who believe, and the rest suffer eternal torment?
Colossians 1:12-14 - He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins.
Was this only for the Colossians? Only for believers? No! When did He deliver us from the power of darkness? On the cross or when we believed? It was on the cross before we believed.
Colossians 1:28 - Him we preach that we may present every man complete in Christ.
How many is every? How many authors use the word every to represent the concept of "a few?"
1 Timothy 1:15 - This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Why did Christ come into the world? If Christian/Catholic leaders (past and present) had their way, this text would read: "Jesus came into the world to give sinners an opportunity to be saved IF they say and do the right thing now, and in the future." (Which is of course absurd.)
Titus 1:1-3 - Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.
God promised eternal life before time began. Conditional promises are an artifact of the Old Covenant, not the New.
Titus 3: 4-7 - But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
According to His mercy He saved us...having been justified (past tense) by His grace. Translation: You had and have nothing to do with it causally.
1 John 3:5 - And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
Does it add up His reason for becoming human was to take away our sins, yet billions suffer in hell forever for their sins? Please tell me you're starting to see the foolishness of Christian/Catholic theology when it comes to Gods purpose for all of humanity.
Matthew 1:21- And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
He WILL save His people from their sins. Not, He might. Not, He will if you believe. Not, He will if you meet certain conditions. He will.
John 3:17 - For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn (judge) the world, but that the world through Him be saved.
John 4:42 - Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."
Have you noticed how often the NT writers use the words all, every, and world to represent "the few?" (Yes, that was sarcasm.)
John 6:33 - For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
John 12:32 - Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all to Myself." This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
How many people is He going to draw to Himself as a result of the cross?
Romans
4:25 - Who (Jesus) was delivered up because of our offenses and was raised because of our justification.
Whose offenses? Whose justification? We've already determined He was delivered up for everyone's offenses; therefore, He was raised for everyone's justification. (Again, it's faulty logic to say this applies to believers only, because He was writing to believers.)
5:6-10 - For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
What was our state when Christ died for us? What was our condition when His blood justified us and saved us from wrath? What was our standing when God reconciled us? Is there any mention of these things occurring after we confessed and believed? NO, it all took place while we were sinners (Chapter 1), before we did/said anything. You play(ed) no causal role...You Have Nothing To Do With It
6:10 - For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
8:3 - For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.
1 Corinthians
5:7 - Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
15:3 - For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
Christ was NOT sacrificed for believers only. He did NOT die for the sins of believers only. You can't find this condition in the Scriptures, it's entriely man made, a doctrine of demons.
Galatians 6:14-15 - But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
When was the world crucified to us and us to the world? What causal role do you play in events that occur before you're born?
Ephesians
2:11-13 - Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
2:14-18 - For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
When and how did God reconcile both Jews and Gentiles to Himself? What state were people in when this occurred?
5:25-27 - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Did Christ give Himself for the church? Yes. For the church - as currently defined - only? Absolutely not. How many times have you already read in the Scriptures that He gave Himself for everyone?
Colossians
1:20 - and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
When and how did God make peace and reconcile ALL things to Himself? Did our faith have anything to do with it? (How could it when it happened on the cross before we were born?) Is our reconciliation only valid if we believe it? Is the sky blue because you believe it is?
2:13-14 - And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven (sent away) you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
When did this happen? What state were you in when it happened? Christianity teaches this text is speaking only of believers. I trust I’ve shown this to be false but, if true then we must conclude God arbitrarily chose some for never-ending joy and others for eternal torment. Thankfully that god does not exist.
If God wiped out what was against us all, then nothing against anyone exists. God has identified the end of the story for everyone before we experience it. (See point #3 in the context section of Chapter 2 if this is confusing.)
1 Thessalonians 5:9 - For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Titus 2:11-14 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Hebrews
8:7-12 - For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."
Under the New Covenant, how many people shall know Him? Whose sins and lawless deeds will He forget? Why no mention of "if you believe" or 'if you repent and confess Jesus as your Lord?" Why no mention of these qualifiers anywhere in the 66 Scriptures I've quoted? (Hint: Because they don't exist.)
10:9-10 - Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
10:12-13 - But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.
10:14 - For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Ten times “once for all,” or words representing this concept, are used in Hebrews, and never once qualified with “if you believe.”
1 Peter 2:24 - who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
We play(ed) no causal role in any of God's completed work in and through Christ.
2 Peter
1:9-10 - For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Luke
19:10 - Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
John
1:16 - And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
6:51 - I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.
12:47 - And if anyone hears My words and does not guard them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
If Jesus came to save the world, then He saved the world. Otherwise, we're saying man prevented Jesus from accomplishing what He came to do, and in so doing we've expressed the very problem He came to rescue us from.
Do you really believe God fulfilling His eternal purpose depends on you? If you do, then by the grace and mercy of God I'm saying, this lie is exactly what Jesus came to save you from.