One of the doctrines taught within Calvinism (I am not a calvinist), is that man does not have a free will. Calvinists conclude that free will somehow invalidates God’s sovereignty. Recently I watched a Calvinist minister refer to non Calvinist thinking Christians as practical atheists for evidently, not aligning with the Calvinists interpretation of God’s sovereignty.

Does believing that God has given man a free will make me a practical atheist? What if I get my view from the Bible? What if I actually see free will all over God’s covenant with the nation of Israel? What if the Covenant God made with Israel was established on the premise that they were to submit their will to the will of God if they wanted to be blessed by him, and be cursed if they did not.

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.~ Deuteronomy 28:1-2

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee… ~ Deuteronomy 28: 15

In John 5 Jesus says, I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me (v. 30). And in John 6 Jesus says,  I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me (v. 38).

In the garden of gethsemane Jesus prayed, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. ~ Luke 22:42

The apostle Paul, speaking about his calling to preach the gospel says, For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:17

Man’s free will is no threat to God’s sovereignty, and I would contend that if God can’t grant such freedom and remain sovereign, we have a much bigger problem. If man doesn’t have the freedom to choose, he cannot rebel against God or disobey his commands, which makes God the orchestrater of our rebellion against him. Yet God says the following to Israel through the prophet Isaiah:

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. ~ Isaiah 1:17-20

Now consider the following texts from Leviticus 26 to which Isaiah is echoing. Each of these texts speak of man’s freedom to choose.

If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. ~ Leviticus 26:3-6

But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. ~ Leviticus 26:14-18 

And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. ~ Leviticus 26:21 

And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. ~ Leviticus 26:23-24 

And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. ~ Leviticus 26:27-28 

Every text in the Bible which speaks of obeying God, submitting to God, rebelling against God, and being tempted by sin, is a text that supports man’s free will. God created mankind after his image and likeness, placed him in the garden of Eden, and gave Adam both a free will and a command to obey.

And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. ~ Genesis 2:15-17

If Adam was created with a free will, then all humanity has a free will. If Adam did not have a free will, then God would be the author of all the chaos, sin, and darkness in the world. If God created man to be a rebel against him, without the freedom to obey and love him, then we have  a much bigger problem than free will, because such a belief about God is contrary to everything the scriptures teach of God’s character and nature.

When God brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, he gave them a sacrificial system which included offerings from their free will.

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. ~ Exodus 25:2

Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass… ~  Exodus 35:5

The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses. ~ Exodus 35:29 
If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. ~ Leviticus 1:3

And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the Lord, ye shall offer it at your own will. ~  Leviticus 19:5

Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the Lord for a burnt offering; Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. ~ Leviticus 22:18 – 19

And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the Lord, offer it at your own will. ~ Leviticus 22:29

And will make an offering by fire unto the Lord, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the Lord, of the herd or of the flock… ~ Numbers 15:3

If man does not have a free will, he could not offer himself to God as God’s people in Israel did.

Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. ~ Judges 5:2

My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the Lord. ~ Judges 5:9

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. ~ 1 Chronicles 8:29

Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God. Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house. Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal: The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord? Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly… ~ 1 Chronicles 29:1-6

Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:9

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:14

I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:17

And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. ~ 2 Chronicles 17:16

And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. ~ Ezra 1:6

And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord. ~ Ezra 3:5

And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem… ~ Ezra 7:16

And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. ~ Nehemiah 11:12

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good. ~ Psalm 54:6

Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. ~ Psalm 110:3

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

The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water. Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness. ~ Hosea 5:10-12

There is so much more I could say on this topic, but if these texts aren’t sufficient to convince you, you are unwilling to hear, and we can be willingly ignorant as the scripture says (2 Peter 3:5)..

In closing, Calvinist men who teach we do not have a free will could learn something from the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, because she seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. ~ Proverbs 31:10

Many Calvinists believe that regeneration precedes faith because of their belief that the unregenerate are incapable of having faith since they are spiritually dead. Does the Bible support this view? The answer to that question is easily understood when we examine the real people in the Bible.

Before we look at examples of real people in the Bible,  let’s take a moment and review a couple of points from the first article on this topic. There are only two scriptures in the entire Bible that use the word regeneration. They are Matthew 19:28 and Titus 3:5.  In Matthew 19:28 Jesus speaks of regeneration as something which at the time, was still yet to come.

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ~ Matthew 19:28

When we consider the ministry of Jesus we have many references in which real people came to him and received blessings because of their faith. Since no one was regenerated (born again, raised from spiritual death) until after the resurrection of Jesus, for Jesus is the first fruits of the resurrection, why then did Jesus commend the faith of some and reprimand the lack of faith in others, if faith is not possible in the unregenerate? In fact, Jesus often emphasized faith in his teachings. Faith is a major theme in the gospels.

Now, let’s take some time and look at some of the passages in which Jesus commended the faith of those who trusted him, while keeping in mind that none of those who were commended for their faith were yet regenerated, because no one was made spiritually alive in Christ until after Jesus was raised from the dead.

In Matthew 8 Jesus commended the faith of a centurion.

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. ~ Matthew 8:5- 10

According to Jesus, this centurion had great faith! We have many other examples as well throughout the gospels of people who were not yet regenerated, who had faith in Jesus. Why is it that so many Calvinists fail to consider these things, even their theologians? Maybe they need to put their focus on Jesus rather than TULIP.

In Luke 5,  a man who was a paralytic was brought to Jesus on a bed by his friends. Notice what happened.

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. ~ Luke 5:17-25

Because of the faith of his friends, this man was not only healed, but also forgiven. This happened before Jesus died on the cross, so the time of regeneration had not yet come, yet they had faith.

In Luke 7 we read of a woman whom the Bible refers to as a sinner, who came to Jesus and was forgiven because of her faith.

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. ~ Luke 7:37-50

Over and over again, we see real people coming to Jesus and having faith before the time of regeneration.

In Mark 5 we read of the woman with the issue of blood who came and touched the hem of Jesus’s garment and was healed. Jesus commended her faith saying, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Mark 5:34

In Matthew 15 we read of a woman of Canaan who demonstrated great faith.

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. ~ Matthew 15:22-28

Again, I ask why is it that Calvinsist can’t see there things? Take note that not only did this woman have great faith according to Jesus, but she had a free will, for Jesus says, be it unto thee even as thou wilt!  She desired deliverance for her daughter and her faith was not denied, and again this happened before anyone was regenerated because Jesus had not yet died and risen again.

Dear Calvinists who may be reading this, get your eyes off of Calvin and Luther and get them on Jesus! Stop defending Tulip and get into the New Testament and learn of Jesus.

I have more to say along these lines, but it’s late where at the time of this writing and I need some sleep. I do plan to write more on this topic and I hope that what I have written here will provoke some, and stir others to get into God’s Word and find the truth, and stop fighting for the doctrines of men that make the Word of God ineffective. 

Go study everything you can find about faith in the gospels and keep in mind that no one was regenerated before Jesus’s death and resurrection. You will find that many real people who encountered Jesus had faith, had free wills, and were not all they totally depraved.

Jesus said of Nathanael, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Jesus would not have said such a thing to Nathanael if Nathanael had been totally depraved. In response to Jesus’s word, Nathanael declared, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. In response, Jesus acknowledges Nathanael’s faith! Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Nathanael was not yet regenerated, but he had no guile in him, was a true Israelite according to Jesus, and had faith! Nathanael is yet another Biblical witness that much of Calvinistic doctrine is false.

I need sleep, good night…

Recently I came across a quote by a Calvinist theologian (whom I will not name) who is credited with making the following statement:

A man is not saved because he believes in Christ, he believes in Christ because he because he is saved.

It did not take long to find out that this sentiment is held by many Calvinists leaders and ministers, who evidently need it to be true to support their theology, but it’s not true, and they ought to know better.

When a Calvinist preacher stands and condemns others of false teachings and heresies while they teach this doctrine, that is indeed hypocrisy. According to this view, people are actually born again before they believe the gospel. In other words, they are arbitrarily chosen by God and given eternal life without having faith in Jesus. This flies in the face of everything the New Testament teaches about salvation, and how salvation is received.

In this article, I invite you to consider with me what the New Testament has to say about regeneration and faith in Christ.  To begin, let’s take a look at the two places where the word, regeneration appears in the New Testament.

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ~ Matthew 19:28

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour… ~ Titus 3:4-6 

Notice that neither of these texts implies anything about being given eternal life apart from belief in Jesus. To come to any such conclusion would be to read into the texts something that isn’t there. Now the Greek word from which regeneration is translated in the texts above, is παλιγγενεσία, ας, ἡ, and it’s meaning is that of regeneration, and renewal. In usage it has to do with a new birth, regeneration, renewal.

The renewing of the Holy Spirit in the Titus text is a different Greek word (ἀνακαίνωσις, εως, ἡ,) which simply means renewal. It is used one other time in the NT (Romans 12:2) where we are instructed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Its use in Titus is in the context of the new birth by the Spirit of God.

Now before we look at what the Bible teaches doctrinally, about how the new birth, conversion, regeneration, eternal life, and salvation are received, I want to look at a real person’s conversion experience in the book of Acts that disproves that regeneration precedes faith, and that is the conversion of Cornelius.

Cornelius was a Gentile centurion from Caesarea. The Bible says he was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always (Acts 10:1-2). Not only did Cornelius fear God, but those of his household did as well. When the apostle Peter was sent to testify of Jesus to Cornelius and his house, Peter said, “of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. ~ Acts 10:34-35

Now if the belief that regeneration precedes faith were true, then Cornelius would be the strongest biblical example to support this position, for he was a devout man who feared God, who gave much alms to the poor, and constantly prayed to God. In fact Cornelius’s prayers and alms giving to the poor came up as a memorial to God.

Cornelius is indeed the strongest NT example if one wishes to make  the case that regeneration precedes faith. This would then mean that Cornelius was already saved with eternal life by the Spirit of God before Peter shared the gospel with him and his house.

Does the narrative of Cornelius’s salvation experience as given in the book of Acts support the view that regeneration precedes faith? No it does not, and when we examine the story of Cornelius closely it leaves us with no doubt that regeneration does not precede faith.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Cornelius, he said the following to him:

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. ~ Acts 10:5-6

After Peter’s arrival Cornelius told him what the angel of the Lord had said to him.

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. ~ Acts 10:30-31

Later, when Peter was questioned by the Jews at Jerusalem because he had eaten with Gentiles (at the house of Cornelius), Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them (Acts 11:4). Notice what Peter tells them regarding what the angel of the Lord had said to Cornelius.

And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. ~ Acts 11:13-15 

From Peter’s own testimony we can conclude that Cornelius and his house were not yet saved, because Peter was sent to tell them words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. Though Cornelius was a devout man, who feared God, prayed continually, and gave much alms to the poor, he wasn’t regenerated (born again) until after Peter began to speak speak to him and his house the words of the gospel.

While Peter spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ~ Acts 10:44

There is no mention of the Holy Spirit in Cornelius’s life until he heard the gospel. Cornelius’s experience matches perfectly, Paul’s description of how salvation comes through hearing the gospel.

Yet the scriptures declare, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ~ Romans 10:13-17

Cornelius’s experience raises the question, if regeneration precedes faith, why wasn’t Cornelius, or even those of his house regenerated before Peter preached the gospel to them? According to the apostle Paul, faith comes by hearing the Word of God, and according to the narrative, Cornelius and his house were already of a disposition to believe whatever Peter said to them.

Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. ~ Acts 10:33

The moment Peter declared the gospel to them, they believed and the Holy Spirit fell on them. If Cornelius and his house were regenerated at the time of hearing the gospel (by which faith comes), and this is exactly what happened according to the scriptures, then the theological view that regeneration precedes faith is discredited and proven false. If this theology is proven false, it strikes at the heart of multiple doctrines within Calvinism.

You cannot fit Cornelius into the Calvinist view of total depravity, for Cornelius was a devout man, who feared God, prayed to God, and gave much alms to the poor before his salvation.

You can not fit Cornelius into the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election because the scripture reveals that it was Cornelius who was seeking God, and God responded. According to the scripture, God sent his angel and his servant Peter to him because Cornelius’s prayers and alms had come up as a memorial to God.

You cannot fit Cornelius into the Calvinist doctrine of limited atonement because after hearing Cornelius’s testimony, Peter reached the conclusion, God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. ~ Acts 10: 34-35

Cornelius is a standing witness against much of the false doctrines taught within Calvinisms!

I have more to say in refuting the false doctrine that regeneration precedes faith. I hope to write about it sooner rather than later. There is much ground I want to cover about what the Bible teaches doctrinally, about how the new birth, conversion, regeneration, eternal life, and salvation are received as I made mentioned at the outset of this article. However, I do want to write at least one more article showing how the theology that regeneration precedes faith is wrong when examining the real life experiences of people in the Bible, such as Cornelius.

I will end this article here and I would appreciate any feedback if you have found it helpful. 

NOTE: This is not an extensively detailed rebuttal of limited atonement, but it should give the reader some things to consider.

One of the 5 points of Calvinism is limited atonement. In a nutshell limited atonement is the belief that Jesus died for some people but not for all. Allow me to share with you three comments I recently received in an exchange on Twitter from those defending this view.

Right, and that excludes another group—namely, those for whom Christ did not die, who will never have his atoning blood applied to them.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”—John 10:11 “You do not believe because you are not among my sheep.”—John 10:26 Jesus clearly did not lay down his life for all.

Do all go to heaven? Are all saved? If not, then you’re implying God has failed to save all He wants to save.

The first two comments were made by the same person. Notice that he claims that some people are excluded from the atoning sacrifice of Jesus because he claims that Christ did not die for them. He then follows up his argument by citing from John 10 where Jesus says he lays down his life for the sheep. 

I want to address these first two comments, then address the third one. 

Did God exclude any group of people from the atoning sacrifice of Jesus? According to the New Testament, God is not a respecter of persons. If any group of people were excluded from the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, God would be a respecter of persons.

Now, consider with me the words of Peter when God sent him to preach the gospel to Cornelius and his house.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. ~ Acts 10:34-35

Peter’s statement leaves no room for the notion that God excludes anyone for his grace and mercy. Peter says in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Peter says this in response to the manner of man Cornelius was, for Cornelius had just rehearsed to Peter why he had sent his servants to find Peter. Cornelius was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. ~ Acts 10:1-2

Contrary to the Calvinist doctrine of total depravity which claims that even the good things we do are tainted by sin, Cornelius’s alms giving to the poor had come up as a memorial before God. God did not view Cornelius’s giving to the poor as selfish and tainted by sin, but as righteous works instead, which is why Peter says, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Yet Cornelius still needed Salvation, and because his heart was towards God, God sent Peter to him with the words of Salvation.

In Romans 2 Paul declares that there would be glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. This is exactly what happened to Cornelius. Because of his prayers, alms, and fear of the Lord, God sent Peter to tell him and his house the words of salvation. Paul then follows his statement saying, For there is no respect for persons with God. ~ Romans 2:10-11

Notice that Paul says, every man, within the Jew and Gentile context. The Jews were the people of God (his elect, his covenant people) but through the atonement of Jesus, God made grace available to all people, removing the distinction between the two and uniting Jews and Gentiles into one family in Christ.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells the Gentiles that before God’s mercy and grace saved them, they had been the children of disobedience and children of God’s wrath. Paul also tells them that at that time they were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope & without God in the world, but in Christ Jesus they had been made night by the blood of Christ.

The Bible clearly establishes the fact that the New Covenant was given to the house of Israel and the house of Judah (the descendants of Abraham) and that no Israelite is excluded from the call to salvation, though some rejected it. It is within this context that the same salvation offered to the Jews is now available to the Gentiles that believe. Any Calvinist who would claim that salvation was not intended to save all within Israel who believe, are just deceiving themselves.

Now, keep this in mind when reading that the same mercy that came to the Jews through Jesus was now offered to the Gentiles. If no one in Israel is excluded, it would be foolish of us to think that anyone among the Gentiles would be excluded.

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ~ Romans 10:11-13

Notice Paul says there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (the Gentile). These are all inclusive statements. Paul never claims that God’s grace is only for some Jews, or some Gentiles. Paul never claims that God only wanted to save some Gentiles to whom he was sent. The Jew/Gentile texts which speak of God’s salvation include all people and not some.

Now, why did Jesus say that he lays down his life for the sheep? Jesus did not say I lay down my life for my sheep only. When he says he lays down his life for the sheep it is in contrast to the hirling who doesn’t care for the sheep. 

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. ~ John 10:11-15 

Jesus is not giving a detailed theological statement about his atoning work. He is contrasting his character and motives to those who were acting as shepherds over the people, who did not care for the people. It is a reprimand to the religious Jewish leaders who were not his sheep but were serving their father, the devil. It was a rebuke to the thieves (the unjust leaders) who only came to still, kill, and destroy.

According to the scriptures Jesus died for sinners: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. ~ 1 Timothy 1:15

According to the scriptures Jesus died for the ungodly: For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ~ Romans 5:6

According to the scriptures Jesus died for his enemies: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. ~ Romans 5:10

According to the scriptures, Jesus died for the whole world: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ~ 1 John 2:1-2 

Jesus died for sinners, the ungodly, his enemies, and the whole world. This includes all who were dead in Adam.

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. ~ Galatians 3:22

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. ~ Romans 5:17-19 

Notice that this text is all inclusive. The ones to whom the abundance of grace and the gift of righteous is freely given is the all who were under the reign of death because of Adam’s transgression. Notice that Paul says they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness. The salvation that is in Christ must be received.

He came unto his own, and his own received him 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… ~ John 1:11:12

Those who are called his own in the text above refers to the people of Israel, for Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, yet not all received him, but those who did were given the power to become the sons of God. Again, God wanted to save all his people, but he forces salvation on no one. Jesus must be received. In other words whosoever believes in him has eternal life.

And 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. ~ John 3:14-16

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. ~ John 4:13-14

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. ~ John 12:46

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ~ Acts 2:4

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ~ Acts 10:43

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ~ Romans 9:33

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.~ Romans 10:11

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ~ Romans 10:13

Does the fact that many people reject the gospel and die in their sins, mean that God has failed? Consider the third comment mentioned at the beginning. The commenter said, Do all go to heaven? Are all saved? If not, then you’re implying God has failed to save all He wants to save.

No God did not fail, just as he did not fail when many within Israel disobeyed, rebelled against him, and served false Gods. Yet they were God’s covenant people to whom God sent the prophets to rebuke for their sins. In John’s gospel Jesus said to some of the Jews who opposed him,  if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Limited atonement, as well as the 4 other points of Calvinism fails the test when considered in view of God’s history and covenant with Israel. God’s desire was to save every member of the house Israel. When God said, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee ~ Jeremiah 31:1-3, he was talking to Israel  Yet Jesus says to them, if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

God’s everlasting love for Israel was expressed by Jesus when he said,

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! ~ Matthew 23:37

Notice that Jesus expresses God’s desire to draw the people to himself like a mother hen gathers her chicks, but they would not. They resisted the grace of God, which according to Calvinism is not possible.

God’s love for all of Israel is why he sent Jesus the Messiah. God entered into Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and raised up a covenant nation (Israel) from Jacob’s descendants. Through this nation God raised up the Messiah to save all who would believe (receive) him.

Calvinism does not work with the story of Israel. Israel’s history gives us sound Biblical theology about God’s character, goodness and love for humanity. It give us understanding of how to understand God’s election, and choosing. God chooses for no one to die in their sins, but give then the freedom to choose as we repeatedly see throughout Israel’s history.

I am reworking my study/teaching on the cross. It is unfinished, but I hope that it blesses those who take the time to read any portion of it.

THE CROSS

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. ~ John 14:1-2 

The ESV says rooms rather than mansions. The Greek word is moné (μονή, ῆς, ἡ), and means an abiding, an abode. lodging, dwelling-place, room, abode, mansion. This Greek word is only used twice in the New Testament. It is used here in John 14:2, and later in verse 23, where it is translated abode.

Consider its use in verse 23 in the wider context.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and WE (the Father and the Son) will come unto him, and make our ABODE with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. ~ John 14:21-26 

In chapters 14, 15, and 16 of St. John, Jesus speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Here the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the context of the Father and Jesus making their abode with his people.

In John 7, while at the feast of tabernacles, Jesus had said the following:

In the last day, that great day of the feast (this is the feast of tabernacles mentioned in verse 2), Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) ~ John 7:37-39

Notice the text above says, the Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified. This is what Jesus is talking about when he says, I go to prepare a place for you, in John 14:2

The place Jesus went to prepare for us is not some elaborate mansion in the sky reserved for when we get to Heaven. It was the abode of the Father and the Son in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’s message to all at the feast of tabernacles was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The feast of tabernacles was a celebration of the Jews (one of their annual feasts), in which God’s people set up tents and rejoiced in the Lord their God together. This foreshadowed the many abodes in the house of the Father in which the Father and the Son would have their dwelling by the Holy Spirit.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him… Hebrews 5:8-9

Jesus was perfect and without sin. The apostle Peter tells us that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus as of a lamb without spot or blemish ~  1 Peter 1: 18-19. How then was Jesus made perfect through the things he suffered if he was already perfect as the lamb of God without spot or blemish?

Jesus was made perfect by the things he suffered, not as our sacrifice, but as our High Priest.

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him… ~ Hebrews 5:1-9

Notice that Jesus being made perfect is said within the context of his being called as our High Priest. Again, he was not made perfect as our sacrifice because he was already perfect, holy, and unblemished. He had no sin. He was made perfect as our High Priest, and his perfecting as High Priest came through the things he suffered.

Now, before we move forward it is important to point out that Jesus was fully God, and full man. He is as much God as the Father is God, and as much human as you and I are human. In theological terms this is referred to as the hypostatic union. That Jesus was fully God, and fully man, is one of the most important (if not the most important) tenants of our faith.

The hypostatic union of Jesus Christ as God and man did not end when Jesus died and rose again. He did not cease to be a man after his death on the cross. Since his birth, Jesus will forever be fully God and fully man. He did not cease to be a man when he returned to the Father, just as he never ceased to be God when he came into the world.

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples numerous times showing them that he was alive in his human body. Consider the following from Luke 24.

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. ~ Luke 24:36-43

Jesus told his disciples to handle him, handle his hands, and his feet and he ate in front of them. Jesus wanted them to know that they were not seeing a ghost, but that it was he himself, and he had risen from the dead. The things Jesus had suffered was fresh in their memory and now he was alive and they were beholding him. What a powerful, life changing moment that must have been.

Now, have you ever given thought to the fact that Jesus can remember the pain, the sorrow, and the depths of despair that he experienced at the cross. He also remembers the hate he felt from his enemies, the hurt from being betrayed, and the injustice of being lied about. Yet in all he endured, his prayer was, Father forgive them for they know not what they do ~ Luke 23:34.

Just as Jesus died for our sins, he also endured the things he suffered so that he could be the perfect High Priest we needed. There is absolutely nothing we could experience that is beyond the scope of his understanding , compassion, and mercy. He knows the pain, the grief, and the sorrow we feel at times in this life, and he’s able to keep us and bring us through it all.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ~ Hebrews 4:15-16

When we go through suffering, Jesus knows what it feels like, and as our perfected High Priest, he set an example for us to follow:

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously… ~ 1 Peter 2:19-23

So often, what is thought to be an act of God substitutionally punishing Jesus when he went to the cross was actually God perfecting Jesus to be for us a merciful and faithful High Priest. Jesus drank from the cup of human suffering when he was betrayed, forsaken, unjustly condemned, mocked, beaten, and put to death.

In Philippians 3, Paul speaks of his deep desire to know Jesus and the fellowship of his sufferings. How can any truly enter the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings? It is by knowing that his sufferings was the crucible whereby he was perfected for us. Jesus endured severe testing, and triumphed over it. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we are to run our (spiritual) race, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. ~ Hebrews 12:2-3

When we suffer grief and we suffer wrongfully as Peter mentions, we can endure it patiently because we have a High Priest who has been perfected for us. Thus we follow the example that Jesus set for us. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

As our High Priest, Jesus is there to comfort, and minister to us and draw us close to the Father. Jesus is still healing the brokenhearted. He ministers to us by his Holy Spirit, and often it is in those difficult times that we grow much in his grace. Consider Paul’s words from 2 Corinthians.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Before we move forward, I want to point out a side note. There are some people who claim that God only speaks to us through the Bible, and while it is true that God absolutely does speak to us through the Bible, I want you to notice that Paul says, For this thing I besought the Lord thrice (3 times), that it might depart from me. And he said unto me…

God did not speak to Paul about this because Paul was an apostle. This was something that Paul was praying about that was hindering him personally, and God answered him by speaking to him. So don’t let anyone ever tell you that God doesn’t speak to us today, he does but we must draw close to him to hear his voice. 

Now consider the following from the book of Hebrews.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. ~ Hebrews 2:14-18

Take notice that Jesus was made like us in every respect for this purpose, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God. And because his meditation never stops he is able to save us to the uttermost because he ever lives to make intercession for us ~ Hebrews 7:25.

Jesus’s intercession doesn’t mean he’s down on his knees praying to God for us. It means that He ever lives as our perfected High Priest!