Kermos
Well-Known Member
Your fatal assertion opposing the election of people by God to salvation is decimated by Lord Jesus and the Apostle John's writings.That won't be necessary. I have ALREADY posted that God does elect specific individuals for specific ministries or purposes, and that has been true since creation. Paul is a good example. Each of the apostles is another good example.
But God does NOT elect anyone for salvation or damnation, since that would violate both His character and His Gospel. Since God desires the salvation of all mankind, He commands all men everywhere to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prior to John 15:16, the Apostle John last reported that the disciples were with Jesus, and after John 15:16 the Apostle John reports the subsequent movement of the disciples departing with Jesus to Gethsemane. The Apostle John does not report the 12 nor just the Apostles exclusively were with Jesus, no, rather the Apostle John did report the disciples were with Jesus at the time our Lord and Savior said "you did not choose Me but I chose you" (John 15:16), and we know that the women followed Jesus, too. And what of the two disciples, Cleopas and his companion who were on their way to Emmaus from Jerusalem after the crucifixion - those two whom the Risen Lord Jesus intercepted and comforted? The Apostle John wrote that the disciples were with Jesus at the time John 15:16 was recorded.
By God's grace, for God's glory, some very important and relevant posts in this thread:
"The 'not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance' in 2 Peter 3:9 explained Post (in this thread)" contains valuable information, and there's no freewill nor choosing Lord Jesus in this passage.
For the explanation of "desires all men to be saved" in 1 Timothy 2:4, please see "Examination of "all" in 1 Timothy 2:1-6 in the Light of our Lord Jesus Post (in this thread)" and "The Apostle Paul does not indicate 'choose Jesus' nor freewill to salvation in 1 Timothy 2:1-6 Post".
Please see "Refutation of freewill/choice/human agency in Matthew 22:37 and Matthew 16:24 Post"
Please see "Predestination Means God Destined Beforehand Including Salvation Post (in this thread)" (along with the indepth examination of "The Hand of God upon His Creatures and all His Creation as spoken by Apostle Peter and Apostle John and Way companions recorded in Acts 4:28 Post (in this thread)") which remains true according to the Spirit! Man cannot choose Jesus, period, Jesus chooses men (John 15:16). Acknowledge Lord Jesus in all your ways, and He will make your path straight - do not be deceived by the teachings of men - trust in Him with all your heart - He is the door of the sheep. This is quoting Proverbs 3:5-6 and Matthew 7:13-14 and Matthew 22:37-40 and Luke 13:23-24 and John 10:7).