There are basically only three views of salvation:

1. Calvinism – some will be saved, God chooses (elects) who will be saved and we have no choice in it.

2. Arminianism – some will be saved, each person has a choice in it, those who believe in Jesus will be saved and those who reject Christ will not.

3. Universalism – everyone will be (or already are) saved. We have no choice in it, or if we do have a choice then God somehow persuades everyone to choose to believe in Him and thus be saved.

Both Calvinists and Arminianists believe that those who are not saved go to hell.  Some Universalists do not believe in hell, but most believe that hell is just a place of purification (and they often reject the term “hell”), and believe that all who go there will eventually leave and be saved. For the various views on hell and why we reject the universalist view of hell, see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/avoid-judgment/ .

Calvinism

Calvinism is based on five points, TULIP:

T: Total Depravity, sometimes called Total Inability

U: Unconditional election

L: Limited atonement

I: Irresistable grace

P: Perserverance of the saints

We reject Calvinism, for the following reasons:

• Total depravity is the idea that everyone without Christ is depraved and unable to receive salvation. Although it is true that unbelievers are condemned already (John 3:18), all are loved by God (John 3:16) and made in His image (Gen 1:27). Jesus died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2), thus all are able to receive salvation if they believe on and receive Jesus.
• To say that people are elected (or chosen) to be saved without any conditions is to deny that we need to believe in Jesus to be saved (Mark 16:16, Acts 16:31 etc).
• We reject limited atonement, i.e. the false notion that Jesus’ death on the cross was only for a select few people and does not cover the sins of the entire world and make salvation available to everyone.
• The claim that grace is irresistible denies that we have any choice in whether we are saved, i.e it denies freewill. This is unbiblical, see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/freewill.
• Perseverance of the saints means that all who are elected remain saved – “once saved, always saved”.  This is not biblical, see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/once-saved-always-saved/

Elements of Calvinism are of course Biblical such as predestination, i.e. that God knows who will believe on Jesus and therefore predestines them to receive eternal life.

Universalism

Universalism is basically the idea that all are or will be saved. There are two main types of universalism: Unitarian Universalism and Christian Universalism.

Unitarian Universalism rejects the death and resurrection of Jesus, and thus teaches that we don’t need to believe in Jesus to be “saved” or live forever. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarian_Universalism.

Christian Universalism, on the other hand, sometimes called universal reconciliation is that all are or will be saved because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Universalism. Included in this teaching is that all are saved, they just don’t know it, or that they need to realise their true identity or that they are already saved so that they can enjoy their salvation (this variant of Christian universalism is often known as the gospel of inclusion or inclusionism).  It also includes the idea that everyone will in the future be persuaded to believe in Jesus and thus everyone will be saved (sometimes incorrectly called “the restoration of all things” teaching). Many Christian Universalists also believe in hell, but that hell purifies and restores such that all are saved in the end.  The three views of hell are explained very well here: http://rethinkinghell.com/forum/2-general-discussion/1689-steve-gregg-three-views-of-hell-book

Another slight variation on universalism is hopeful universalism, which is the hope that everyone is saved.

The idea that all are or will be saved is not true or logical in our view:

1. If universalism was true, then everyone is or will be saved then why would Jesus and Paul say that only those who believe in Him and are born again are saved? If everyone is going to be persuaded to believe in Jesus and be saved in the future then it seems there is little point telling anyone they need to believe right now. It thus does away with evangelism in our view. See the following verses:
   Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
   Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
   Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
   Rom 10:9-13,  ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ¹² For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that all upon him. ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
   Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
   Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
   There is no point in telling anyone they need to believe in Jesus if everyone is going to be persuaded to believe in Him and be saved anyway.
2. If universalism was true, then why live a holy life? Why then would Paul to tell us to yield to God and our members as instruments of righteousness and to be filled with the Holy Spirit if everyone was saved or is going to be saved anyway? See the following verses:
   Rom 6:13 yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
   Eph 5:18 be filled with the Spirit;
   2 Cor 7:1 let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
3. If universalism was true, then why did Jesus say that there are few who find the narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:14) and when he said that many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).  Gal 5:19-21 show that those who continue in the works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God. Why say this if everyone is going to be saved?   Mark 16:16 says “he who does not believe will be condemned”.  If everyone eventually believes in Jesus it would be pointless to say this. For further scriptures that teach this, see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/many-people-not-saved/
4. If universalism was true and everyone is or will be saved, then why did Paul, Peter and John say people needed to repent or cast off the works of darkness? For example in these verses:
   2 Cor 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
   Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
   Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   Rev 2:20-23 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.²¹ And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.²² Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.²³ And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
   It would be pointless to turn away (ie repent) from sin if everyone is saved anyway.
5. If universalism was true and people can go from Hell to Heaven, then why did Jesus, Paul and John talk about judgement, eternal fire and separation from God and being outside the New Jerusalem in Matt 7:23, Luke 16:22-28, Matt 25:41, Rom 1:32, 2:5-12, 2 Cor 5:10, Rev 14:9-11, 21:8? Rev 21:27 and 22:15 show that many people are outside the Holy City, whose names are not in the Lamb’s book of Life and who defile, cause abomination and a lie.
6. If universalism was true, then why did Jesus tell us to go into all the world and preach the gospel, so that people can believe on Jesus to be saved (Mark 16:15, Matt 28:19)? There seems little value in preaching the gospel if everyone is already saved.

The idea that all can be saved and go from hell to heaven after they die and that hell purifies we believe is also not Biblical, see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/avoid-judgment/

Benny Hinn calls the idea that the whole world is saved, they just don’t know it (Universalism, as is taught in John Crowder’s “Hell Revisited” video – see http://spiritbodysoul.com/hell-revisited/) a “very deadly doctrine”, a “very devilish teaching”, “heresy”:

Franklin Graham (Billy Graham’s son) calls Rob Bell a false teacher and heretic – Rob Bell believes in hopeful universalism and that there is a way out of Hell:

 Arminianism and Conclusion

Freewill is Biblical – there are many scriptures to prove this, see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/freewill/. Arminianism is in fact basically the closest to the Biblical view of salvation, i.e. Jesus died for the sins of the world, He has offered the free gift of salvation to everyone, but only those who believe/repent/receive Jesus are saved, see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/believe/ and http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/repentance/.

Please note that this is not an attack in any way on any one individual who is preaching these universalist heresies, as many people have preached these heresies for many years, these are age old heresies. Also, those who teach these errors may teach a lot of truth.  We love everyone, whatever they teach, and hope and pray that they read this and come back to Biblical truth.  However, we believe this is a very serious issue, striking at the very foundation of our faith, and that is why we feel it is necessary to discuss it in this way.  We are still learning and would appreciate and will consider any constructive comments you may have on this, including encouragements, questions, corrections and clarifications, so please add your comments below.

For another excellent blog on this subject see http://escapetoreality.org/2012/03/07/jesus-savior-of-the-world/ . We also recommend E W Kenyon’s excellent book New Creation Realities, http://hopefaithprayer.com/books/NewCreationRealities.pdf or available from Amazon.

Here is an audio recording of Jonathan doing a teaching based on this page at a Well Church life group in 2013:

Introduction

There is some awesome revelation in Romans Chapter 6.  Paul teaches two vital truths in this chapter:

1. What Jesus does for us because of his death on the cross
2. What we need to do in response – repent and believe

So let’s consider each of these two vital truths and explain the results of them.

What Jesus does for us because of the cross

What does Jesus do for us because of his death on the cross? Paul answers this in Romans 6:

• We are dead to sin (v2)
• We are freed from sin (v7, 18, 22)
• We were baptized into Jesus Christ and into his death (v3, 4)
• We were planted together in the likeness of his death (v5)
• Our old man was crucified and dead with him (v6, 7, 8)
• The body of sin is destroyed (v6)
• Sin no longer has dominion over us (v14)
• We are made into the likeness of his resurrection and alive from the dead and will live with him (v5, 13)
• We are not under the law, but under grace (v14, 15)
• We become servants of righteousness (v18) and to God (v22)

What we need to do in response – repent and believe

So what do we need to do in response to what Jesus does? Paul gives the answers again in Romans 6.  He gives several definitions of repentance, without actually using that word. Believing in Jesus includes repentance.

Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound and because we are not under the law? Paul answers no (“God forbid”) (v1-2, 15).   So we are not to continue in sin – this means we must turn away from sin; this is one definition of repentance.

How shall we…live any longer therein (in sin) (v2)?  So we have a choice – will we continue to live in sin or will we turn from sin – i.e. will we repent from sin?

We also should walk in newness of life (v4).  So there is a choice of what we walk in, and Paul is telling us we should walk in new life, i.e. we should repent.

Henceforth we should not serve sin (v7).  Paul is telling us we should not serve sin, it is something we should choose to do, this is another way of saying we need to repent from sin.

We are to reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (v11).  Again this is something we are to do, we need to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. This is another aspect of repentance – about how we view what Jesus has done for us in making us dead to sin.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof (v12).  Paul is telling us to do this because it is a choice we have to make to not allow sin to reign in us and not to obey it in its lusts.  This is repentance.

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God (v13).  This is a great definition of repentance: stop yielding ourselves to sin and instead yield to God.

We have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to us (v17).  Obedience to the gospel (the doctrine delivered to us) is a turning to God, again a definition of repentance.

As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness (v19).  Paul is telling us to do something – yield, turn from yielding to uncleanness and iniquity and instead yield yourselves as servants to righteousness. This again is repentance.

So according to Romans 6 and many other parts of the Bible, salvation is not just about what Jesus did on the cross.  Although its only by the shedding of blood that there is remission of sin (Heb 9:22) and Jesus finished the sacrifice (John 19:30) so that whoever believes can be saved (John 3:16), it is clear from Romans 6 that there is a response of repentance and faith that we have to make to be saved – our salvation was not finished on the cross.  Yet that faith is a gift of God (Eph 2:8); it is the faith of God (Gal 2:20 KJV). How amazing!

Definition of Repentance in Romans 6

So to summarise what we have just said above, Paul gives several definitions of repentance in Romans 6 as follows:

• Turning from continuing in sin (v1, 15) or to live in sin (v2)
• Turning from serving sin (v7)
• Turning to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God (v11)
• Turning from letting sin reign in our bodies or obeying its lusts (v12)
• Turning from yielding our members to sin to yield ourselves to God (v13, 19)
• Turning to walk in newness of life (v4)
• Turning to obey the gospel (v17)

Repentance is a choice that Paul tells us to make, in response to what Jesus does for us because of his death on the cross. Repentance is included in believing. As Romans 10:9 says, if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Results

What Jesus does for us and our response to this in repentance (believing) results in us turning from death (v16, 21, 23) to holiness (v19) and eternal life (v22, 23).  To receive holiness and eternal life and therefore to be saved is not just because of what Jesus did on the cross or what we do in response by repenting, which is included in believing in Jesus.  Salvation and eternal life is a result of both, you cannot be saved without one or the other. Paul’s statement in Eph 2:8 that we are saved by grace through faith is similar to this, grace being what Jesus revealed when he died on the cross and faith is our response in repentance. Salvation is not just by grace or through faith, it is both, it is by grace through faith.  These are two truths that are so vital to our salvation and eternal life.

We are saved by grace through faith, and is not by works, and that salvation is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8). By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Gal 2:16).  All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).  The works of the law cannot make us righteous (Rom 9:32) or save us (Gal 2:16).

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his (Heb 4:9-10).

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain (Gal 2:19-21).  In Gal 2:20 the correct translation is “faith of the Son of God” not “faith in the Son of God”. The faith comes from God, and does not originate from ourselves. How is that faith received? Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom 10:17).

We need to repent of dead works (Heb. 6:1) – i.e. works of the law in self effort to try to earn salvation.

We are saved and justified when we receive and believe in Jesus Christ, and we are saved by grace through faith (which is the faith of Jesus Christ, a gift of God). This can be seen from the following scriptures:

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Heb 10:39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Gal 2:16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Rom 3:26 To demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Yes Jesus died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2, John 1:29), but this does not mean and the Bible nowehere says that everyone was saved when Jesus died on the cross. The true Biblical gospel is that we need to receive and believe in Jesus Christ  to be saved, but the idea that everyone was saved when Jesus died on the cross leads to the false gospel that we just need to believe that we are already saved.  If you believe this you will believe that no repentance from sin is needed – it is pointless to repent and turn from sin if you are already saved and not a sinner.

Jesus is the Saviour of the world (1 John 4:14) and that He died on the cross for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). This simply means salvation is available to everyone, not that everyone is saved. Only by the shedding of blood is remission, cleansing or forgiveness of sin (Heb 9:22, Mt 26:28, 1 John 1:7). Romans 3 states that righteousness (v.21) and remission of sin (v.25) are “by faith in Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all those who believe” (v.22) and “through faith in His blood” (v.25).

More to be written, come back later.

In the meantime please see this excellent article: http://www.biblebelievers.com/the_blood.html

Is repentance a pre-requisite for salvation, or are you already saved and therefore repentance is a fruit of salvation?

Christian Universalists believe we are already saved because of what Jesus did on the cross, and all we need to do is realise that we are already saved (see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/three-views-of-salvation/). Then, believing that all are already saved, they therefore also believe that repentance is a fruit not a pre-requisite of salvation. But according to the Bible, we are saved and justified when we believe (Mark 16:16, Acts 16:31, Rom 10:9-13, Heb 10:39, 1 Cor 15:2, Gal 2:16).  With this belief straightened out, we can now see that repentance precedes salvation. We can see this from Scripture as follows:

• According to Acts 2:38, Peter told people to repent and be baptised      before receiving the Holy      Spirit. In Acts 3:19, 8:22 and 1 John 1:9 it is stated that confession of      sins and repentance is required for sins to be forgiven:
• Acts 3:19      Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,      when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
• Acts 8:22      Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the      thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to      forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

These scriptures make no sense with a Universalist belief that all are saved.  It is obvious from Scripture that we are saved and justified when we believe, and repentance is therefore a pre-requisite for salvation. Believers also sometimes need to repent, see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/repentance-process/.

What is freewill

One definition of freewill is “the ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints.” Freewill is simply about choices.

Why is freewill important?

It is very important because without freewill (or choice), all human beings would be robots, and would not be able to determine (choose) their destiny. The only alternative to freewill is that God dictates everything, including who will be saved. So, logically, the only alternatives to freewill are either God dictates that everyone is saved (this is known as universalism) or He dictates that only a select few, or the “elect” will be saved (this is known as Calvinism). So if you don’t believe in freewill, then you are either a universalist or a Calvinist. The belief that everyone has freewill to choose their salvation is known as Arminianism. For more about these three views of salvation and why Arminianism is to be preferred, see http://word.spiritbodysoul.com/three-views-of-salvation/.

What freewill is not

Freewill is not a struggle, it is not mindpower, it is not salvation by works.

Why freewill is Biblical

Here we explain why freewill is a Biblical concept and that we have a choice in our salvation:
Before we explain this we must make it very clear that we believe that salvation is by grace through faith in the blood of Jesus on the cross and not by works (Eph 2:8-9, Rom 3:25). Rom.9:11-16 says “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. …. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Eph. 1:4-5 teaches that God chooses and predestines us to adoptions as sons. But does this mean that only some selected people are called? Actually it is clear from Scripture that God calls everyone (John 12:32, John 1:9, Romans 1:19-20). Predestination is on the basis of God’s foreknowledge of whether we will believe or not (Rom 8:29).
So why is it then that not everyone is saved? Is it, as the first point of Calvinism teaches, due to the “total inability” of unbelievers to be saved (sometimes called “total depravity”)? No, it is not the inability of some people, but their unwillingness that prevents them from being saved, as can be seen from the following Scriptures:

Ye will not come to me, that ye will have life (Jn 5:40).

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Mt 23:37),

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 (Rev 22:17).

The following Scriptures clearly show that we have a choice to follow God or not:
• But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (Jn 1:12).
• Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong [your] days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.
• John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
• John 15: 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 ¶ As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
• 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and [before] Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep [this] commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing.
• 2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
There is a reward for doing good works, as can be seen from the following verses. It is clearly a choice whether to do those good works.
• Romans 2:10 but glory, honour, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.
• 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain [it]. 25 And everyone who competes [for the prize] is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a perishable crown, but we [for] an imperishable [crown].
• Ephesians 6:8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Without free will, many Bible statements would make no sense:
• People can “resist the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:10; 7:51-55); this clearly indicates that they have free will.
• Why do you call me Lord and don’t do what I say (Lk 6:46)? Jesus puts the responsibility on the person’s freewill to choose not to obey Him, He does not say that “God willed it that you don’t do what I say!”
• Whosoever believes on Him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16). The verse does not say “whosoever God makes a believer will have eternal life”.
• And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (Acts 17:30). God does not force people to repent, but He commands people to repent, and of their free will they decide whether or not to repent.
• Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Re 22:17). Not “only whosoever is selected by God can take the water of life.”
• And whosoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them (Lk 9:5). Not a testimony against God for not choosing them.
• Come to me you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest (Mt 11:28). Not “God makes you come to me.”
• Philemon 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. This is free will.
For further discussion which shows that we have freewill, refer to the following excellent Rational Roundtable Freewill Megadebate series of Youtube videos by Michael J Crawford:

We are aware that Spurgeon stated that “free will carried many a soul to Hell, but never a soul to Heaven”. Also Luther talked about an “idolatry of free will”. We do not agree with this, for the reasons described above. For more information see also http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Doctrines/Calvinism/spurgeon.htm. Calvin’s rejection of freewill ended up with him controlling Geneva by forced conversion and violence and punishment to those who dared to question him – see http://www.biblelife.org/calvinism.htm  similar in some ways to the controlling, bullying and threatening behaviour of some of the Christian universalists who deny freewill today, which we have personally observed.
It is also said by some people that it is pride, self-religion and works to talk about free will. Of course Jesus Christ saved us through his blood, but we still have free will whether or not to receive his free gift of salvation, God does not force anyone to be saved. In fact free will is also a gift from God, as everything on this earth is.

What is grace?

Salvation is by grace and not by works (Eph 2:5, 8-9, Titus 3:5, Gal 2:16).

Who does the Bible say grace came from? In John 1:17 it is stated that “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

We recommend this great article by Andrew Murray on “The Freedom of the Christian”: http://articles.ochristian.com/article310.shtml and books by Andrew Murray. Phil Whitehead has written an excellent book entitled “Thriving In the Grace of God”, see http://www.eden.co.uk/shop/thriving_in_the_grace_of_god_pb_95476.html.  We recommend Andrew Wommack, Paul White and Lucas Miles.  Mike Bickle from IHOP Kansas City has written an excellent article on grace, which we highly recommend.  Another excellent book which addresses this subject is “The Supernatural Ways of Royalty” by Bill Johnson & Kris Vallotton. All these men preach grace but don’t preach universalism.

More to be written, come back later.