How Many People Does God Want to Save?

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FEBRUARY 2005  WM 1259

It is well-known to historians that Augustine (354-430) invented the theory of predestination because he could not sexually control himself. He became a Catholic monk and, later, bishop of Hippo in North Africa. The church eventually "sainted" him because he wrote in his book The City of God, that the papacy was the center of the church and "there was no salvation outside of the church."

John Calvin (1509-1564), of Geneva, was the leading Protestant advocate of predestination.

According to this horrible teaching, God intentionally saves only a few and throws everyone else in eternal hellfire after they die. They never had a chance to be saved. Salvation is not determined by mans decisions and actions, but by Gods arbitrary preselection. Only a few that God "predestines" can be saved.

How can anyone believing such blasphemy love their Redeemer, and why should they live moral lives, thinking they are predestined to be saved?

Large numbers of Christians today accept this hateful doctrine, which actually teaches that God has an arbitrary, mean, vicious character. Here are several Bible verses which clearly disprove this error:

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." 1 Timothy 2:3-6.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Titus 2:11-12.

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure." 2 Peter 1:10.

"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" Ezekiel 18:23.

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:14-17.

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!" Luke 13:34.

"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:9.

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10.

"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32.

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10.

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." 1 John 4:14.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life." Revelation 3:5.

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17.