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Chapter: 14.18
(Section 14: Selective Salvation)
Copyright © Michael Bronson 1998 - 2005
BibleHelp.org
Regardless of our personal feelings on the subject of selective salvation, we are bound to accept whatever the Bible teaches. As a result, our next logical step is to look at the Bible and see what it has to say concerning this subject. A major theme of the Bible is God’s love for the world. God’s love for the world was so great that He gave His son for its redemption. The Bible says whoever believes on Jesus will have eternal life. Following are some verses (about 300) that show the gift of salvation is open to everyone.
Although I've created a comprehensive list of verses to help you in your studies, it is still your responsibility to look them up and conduct a careful study. Don't assume I'm accurately interpreting the Bible; check them out for yourself. Next to each verse is a brief summary (or description) of the verse. Although theses descriptions are often very close to the actual text, they are usually not direct quotes (only descriptions with " " marks are direct quotes).
Originally, my goal was only to provide you a master list to use in your research. This list had no summary or description to tell you what the verses said. I then decided to include the whole verse in the list. Apart from making the list large and cumbersome, it created another problem. A verse should always be studied in the light of its context. The surrounding verses should always be included in your studies. Human nature being what it is, I was afraid people would look at the single verse and not study the verse in its context. As I stated earlier, the purpose of the list was to provide you a tool to help you in your research, it was not intended to be a substitute for your research. Therefore, I decided to only include a brief description. The NIV Bible was used when making the descriptions for most of the verses.
Salvation is offered to ALL men
1 Timothy 4:10 |
God is the savior of all men |
1 Timothy 2:3,4 |
God wants all men to be saved |
1 Timothy 2:6 |
Jesus gave Himself to be a ransom for all men |
1 Timothy 2:1 |
We are to pray for all men |
1 Timothy 2:4 |
God wants all men to be saved |
1 Timothy 2:6 |
God gave Himself a ransom for all men |
2 Cor. 5:15 |
Jesus died for all |
2 Peters 3:9 |
God does not want any to perish, but wants all to come to repentance |
Acts 17:30 |
God commands all people everywhere to repent. |
Isaiah 45:22 |
"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth." |
John 1:12 |
To all who receive Him … become the children of God. |
John 12:32 |
When I am lifted up. I will draw all men unto myself. |
Luke 2:10 |
The angels said to the shepherds that the good news was for all men |
Matthew 11:28 |
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened |
Romans 8:32 |
God gave His Son for us all |
Romans 3:22 |
Righteousness comes to all who believe |
Romans 3:23,24 |
All have sinned … and are justified |
Titus 2:11 |
Salvation has appeared to all men |
Zephaniah 2:3 |
All who seek the Lord … |
Salvation is offered to WHOEVER believes
1 John 2:23 |
Whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father |
John 10:9 |
"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." |
John 11:25 |
Whoever believes in me will never die. |
John 11:26 |
Whoever believes in Jesus will never die |
John 3:15 |
Whoever believes in Him shall not perish |
John 3:16 |
Whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life |
John 3:18 |
Whoever believes in him is not condemned |
John 3:21 |
Whoever lives by the truth … |
John 3:36 |
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life |
John 4:13 |
Whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst |
John 4:14 |
Whoever drinks the water will never thirst |
John 5:24 |
Whoever hears my words … has eternal life |
John 6:37 |
Whoever comes to me I will never drive away |
John 6:53 |
Whoever eats my flesh … has eternal life |
John 6:54 |
Whoever drinks the blood of Jesus has eternal life |
John 6:56 |
Whoever drinks the blood of Jesus remains in Jesus |
John 6:56 |
Whoever eats my flesh … remains in me |
John 7:38 |
Whoever believes in Jesus will have streams of living water flow through them |
John 8:12 |
Whoever follows me … will have the light of life |
Luke 12:8 |
Whoever acknowledges Jesus before men will be acknowledged before the angels |
Luke 9:24 |
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." |
Mark 16:16 |
Whoever believes … will be saved. |
Mark 3:35 |
Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother. |
Mark 8:35 |
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." |
Matthew 10:32 |
Whoever acknowledges Jesus before men will be acknowledged before God |
Matthew 16:25 |
"Whoever loses his life for me will find it." |
Salvation is offered to ANYONE
1 John 2:1 |
If anyone sins, he has an advocate with the Father. |
Revelation 3:20 |
If anyone hears my voice … I will come in. |
1 John 4:15 |
If anyoneacknowledges that Jesus is God …God lives in him |
John 6:51 |
If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. |
John 7:37 |
If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink |
John 8:51 |
If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death |
Romans 10:11 |
Anyone who puts his trust in Him will never be put to shame |
Ezekiel 18:32 |
"For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign |
Matthew 22:9 |
Go to the street corners and invite anyone you find (Parable of Kingdom of Heaven.) |
Salvation is offered to the WORLD
1 John 2:1, 2 |
Jesus didn’t die only for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world |
1 John 4:14 |
Jesus is the Savior of the world |
1 Timothy 1:15 |
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners |
2 Cor. 5:14, 19 |
Christ died for all and He wants to bring the world to Himself |
2 Cor. 5:19 |
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ |
John 1:29 |
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world |
John 16:8 |
He will convict the world of guilt |
John 18:23 |
Jesus asked God to let the world know He sent Jesus and loved them as much as He loved Jesus |
John 3:16 |
For God so loved the world |
John 3:17 |
God did not send the Son to condemn the world … but to save the world through Him |
John 4:42 |
Jesus is the Savior of the world |
John 6:51 |
This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world |
John 8:12 |
I am the light of the world |
John 9:5 |
I am the light of the world |
Salvation is offered to EVERY person
1 John 5:1 |
Everyone who believes …is born of God |
Acts 10:43 |
Everyone who believes receives forgiveness |
Acts 2:21 |
Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved |
Hebrews 2:9 |
Jesus tasted death for every man |
Joel 2:32 |
"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." |
John 1:9 |
The true light that gives light to every man … |
John 3:14,15 |
Everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. |
John 6:40 |
God’s will is that everyone who believes in Him shall have eternal life. |
John 6:45 |
Everyone who listens to the Father … |
Romans 1:16 |
Salvation for everyone who believes |
Romans 10:13 |
Everyone who calls upon the Lord will be saved |
Miscellaneous verses showing anyone can accept the gospel
1 John 1:9 |
If we confess our sins … |
1 John 3:23 |
Those who obey His command, live in Him |
1 Peter 2:6 |
The ones who trust in Him will never be put to shame |
2 Peter 2:1 |
Even the false prophets were "bought" by God |
Ezekiel 34:16 |
I will seek that which is lost |
Isaiah 28:16 |
The one who trusts will never be dismayed |
Isaiah 8:14 |
The one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame |
John 11:25 |
He who believes in me will live |
John 6:35 |
He who believes in me will never be hungry or thirsty |
John 6:47 |
He who believes has everlasting life |
John 6:58 |
He who feeds on this bread will live forever |
Luke 19:10 |
Jesus came to save the lost |
Luke 5:32 |
I have come to call the sinners to repentance |
Mark 1:15 |
Repent and receive the good news (this was spoken to the general public) |
Matthew 18:14 |
God is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost |
Revelation 22:17 |
Let Him who hears, come |
Romans 5:6 |
Christ died for the ungodly |
Romans 9:33 |
The one who trust in Him will never be put to shame |
People can reject the gospel
(This shows people have the ability to choose to go to Heaven or Hell.)
1 Chron. 28:9 |
If you forsakeHim, He will forsake you |
2 Chron. 15:2 |
If you forsake Him, He will forsake you |
Ezekiel 18:23 |
The wicked should return from his ways and live |
Ezekiel 18:30 |
Repent and turn from your transgressions |
Ezekiel 18:31 |
Cast away your transgressions … make yourself a new heart |
Ezekiel 18:32 |
The wicked should return from his ways and live |
Ezekiel 3:19 |
If the wicked does not turn from his wicked ways he will die in his sins |
Ezekiel 33:19 |
If the wicked turns from his wickedness … he shall live |
Ezekiel 33:9 |
If the wicked does not turn from his wicked ways he will die in his sins |
John 3:18 |
He that believeth not is condemned already |
John 3:36 |
He that believeth not shall not see life |
John 5:40 |
… and you will not come to me that you might have life |
John 8:24 |
You will die in your sins because you do not believe I am He |
Luke 12:9 |
He that denies me shall be denied |
Mark 8:16:16 |
Whoever does not believe will be condemned |
Mark 8:35 |
Whoever will save his own life will lose it |
Mark 8:38 |
Whoever is ashamed of me … I will be ashamed |
Matthew 16:25 |
Whoever saves his own life will lose it |
Great Commission
(We are instructed to preach the gospel to the world.)
Acts 1:8 |
We are to be God’s witnesses to the ends of the world |
Luke 24:47 |
Forgiveness of sins is to be preached to all nations |
Mark 16:15 |
We are to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation |
Matthew 28:18 |
We are to go and make disciples of all nations |
Verses showing God is displeased that some are not saved
1 Cor. 15:34 |
Some have not the knowledge of God, this is our shame |
1 Timothy 2:4 |
God wishes that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of truth |
2 Peter 3:9 |
God is not willing that any should perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance |
2 Sam 14:14 |
"But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him." |
Ezekiel 18:23 |
God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked |
Ezekiel 18:32 |
God takes no pleasure in anyone’s death |
Ezekiel 33:11 |
God said, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked" |
Matthew 23:37 |
Jesus wanted to gather Jerusalem like a chicken gathers her chicks under her wings, but they would not have it |
God is looking for those who seek Him
(Why would He be looking for this if He has already predetermined who will be seeking Him?)
Hebrews 11:6 |
God is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him |
I Samuel 13:14 |
The Lord sought a man after His own heart |
John 4:23 |
God is looking for those who will worship Him in truth |
Psalm 14:2 |
God looks down from Heaven to see if there are any who seek Him |
Psalm 53:2 |
God looks down from Heaven to see if there are any who seek Him |
Verses that show some people are needlessly going to Hell
Ezekiel 3:16-21 |
If we don’t warn the wicked, they will die in their sins |
Ezekiel 33:6-9 |
If we don’t warn the wicked, they will die in their sins |
Hosea 4:6 |
For a lack of knowledge my people perish |
Jeremiah 8:20 |
The harvest is past and we are not all saved |
John 4:35 |
Don’t say that there are four months to the harvest. Look the fields are ripe for harvest. |
Luke 10:2 |
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few |
Luke 12:47-48 |
Those who did not know God’s will are still punished |
Matthew 9:37 |
The harvest is great, but the workers are few |
Rom. 1:18-2:1 |
All sinners are without excuse and destined to Hell |
Romans 2:12 |
Those who sinned without the law will perish without the law |
Verses that show God is no respecter of persons
1 Peter 1:17 |
Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially … |
2 Chron. 19:7 |
For with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality …" |
Acts 10:34 |
I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism |
Col 3:25 |
… and there is no favoritism |
Deut 10:17 |
The great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality …" |
Ephesians 6:9 |
There is no favoritism with Him |
Galatians 2:6 |
As for those who seemed to be important--whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance |
Job 34:19 |
[God] "who shows no partiality …" |
Romans 2:11 |
For God does not show favoritism |
Verses showing that a person’s surroundings can impact his reception of the gospel
1 Cor. 15:33 |
Bad company corrupts good character |
1 Peter 3:1,2 |
The conduct of a wife may win over an unbelieving husband |
Matthew 19:24 |
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to Heaven |
Matthew 23:13 |
The Pharisees had "shut up Heaven." As a result, not only were they not going to Heaven, but they were blocking others from going in too |
Matthew 24:12 |
Because iniquity abounds, the hearts of many grow cold |
Proverbs 18:19 |
A person offended is harder to win than a fortified city |
Proverbs 22:6 |
Raise up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it |
Verses showing degrees of punishment in Hell
(Indicating that the severity of a person’s punishment is based on the person’s choice and actions.
2 Cor. 5;10 |
Judgment seat of Christ |
Heb. 10:29,30 |
Punishment will be more severe for those who "trample the Son of God under foot" |
Jude 1:15 |
Judgment will be executed upon the ungodly for their ungodly deeds |
Luke 12:47, 48 |
Parable of those who were punished because they knew the Lord’s will and did not do it. To those who were given much, much is required. |
Luke 20:46, 47 |
False teachers will be punished more severely |
Mark 12:40 |
False teachers will be punished more severely |
Mark 14:21 |
For the person who betrayed Jesus, it would have been better if he were never born |
Matthew 11:24 |
In the day of judgment, it will be more tolerable for Sodom than it will be for Capernaum |
Matthew 12:36 |
We will give account for every idle word in the day of judgment |
Matthew 23:14 |
False teachers are warned of punishment |
Rev. 20:11-15 |
White Throne Judgment |
Rev. 20:12,13 |
Non-Christians are judged according to their ungodly deeds |
Romans 2:12 |
Those who have sinned without the law will be judged without the law |
Romans 2:5 |
A hardened heart stockpiles wrath against the Day of Wrath |
Verses showing God wants us to repent
(Why would God instruct the world to repent if they are unable to repent?)
1 Kings 8:47 |
Repent |
2 Chron. 6:37 |
Repent |
2 Peter 3:9 |
God wants everyone to repent |
Acts 8:22 |
Repent |
Acts 13:24 |
John preached repentance |
Acts 17:30 |
God commands all people everywhere to repent |
Acts 2:38 |
Peter preached repentance |
Acts 20:21 |
They must turn to God in repentance |
Acts 26:20 |
Paul preached repentance |
Acts 3:19 |
Repent and turn to God |
Acts 8:22 |
Repent of this wickedness |
Ezekiel 14:6 |
Repent and turn from all of your abominations |
Ezekiel 18:30 |
Repent and turn from your transgressions |
Ezekiel 18:32 |
God says, "Turn and live" |
Ezekiel 33:11 |
God begs us to turn from our wicked ways |
Hosea 12:6 |
Turn to God |
Hosea 6:1 |
Return unto the Lord |
Isaiah 30:15 |
Repentance |
Isaiah 59:20 |
The Redeemer will come to those who repent |
Jeremiah 15:19 |
If you repent, I will restore you |
Jeremiah 3:1 |
Return to me |
Jeremiah 4:1 |
Return to me |
Job 34:33 |
Why do you refuse to repent? |
Job 36:10 |
God commands people to repent |
Joel 2:3 |
Turn unto the Lord |
Luke 13:3 |
Jesus said that you will perish unless you repent |
Luke 13:5 |
Jesus said that you will perish unless you repent |
Luke 15:10 |
There is rejoicing over one sinner who repents |
Luke 24;47 |
Repentance shall be preached among all nations |
Luke 3:3 |
John the Baptist preached repentance |
Luke 5:32 |
Sinners are called to repentance |
Mark 1:15 |
Jesus said repent and live |
Mark 1:4 |
John the Baptist preached repentance |
Mark 6:12 |
The disciples preached that men should repent |
Matthew 3:2 |
John the Baptist preached repentance |
Matthew 4:17 |
Jesus told people to repent |
Rev. 2:16 |
Repent |
Rev. 2:21 |
I gave her space to repent … she repented not |
Rev. 2:5 |
Repent |
Rev. 3:19 |
So be earnest and repent |
Rev. 3:3 |
Obey and repent |
Zechariah 1:3 |
Turn unto me |
Verses showing God wants us to seek Him
(Why would God instruct the world to seek Him if He can’t be found?)
1 Chron 16:11 |
Seek His face always |
1 Chron 28:9 |
If you seek Him, He will be found by you |
1 Chron. 2:8,9 |
If you seek Him, He will be found |
2 Chron 19:3 |
Set your heart on seeking the Lord |
2 Chron. 15:2 |
If you seek Him, He will be found |
2 Chron. 7:14 |
Seek my face |
Acts 15:17 |
That the remnant of men seek the Lord |
Amos 5:4 |
Seek me and live |
Amos 5:6 |
Seek the Lord and live |
Colossians 3:1 |
Seek those things that are above |
Deut. 4:29 |
Seek the Lord |
Hebrews 11:6 |
God rewards those who earnestly seek Him |
Isaiah 55:6 |
Seek the Lord while He may be found |
Jeremiah 29:13 |
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart |
Job 8:5 |
Seek God early |
Lam. 3:25 |
God is good to those who seek Him |
Luke 11:9,10 |
Seek and you will find |
Luke 12:31 |
Seek His kingdom |
Matthew 6:33 |
Seek God’s kingdom |
Proverbs 8:17 |
Those who seek Me will find Me |
Psalm 105:4 |
Seek His face always |
Psalm 119:2 |
Blessed are those who seek Him with all their hearts |
Psalm 27:8 |
God said seek my face |
Psalm 69:32 |
The heart that seeks God shall live |
Zephaniah 2:3 |
Seek the Lord |
Verses showing that people can be led astray from God and salvation
(This shows that our destiny has not been pre-planned.)
1 Cor. 12:2 |
The people were led astray by mute idols |
1 John 2:26 |
False teachers were trying to lead the people astray |
1 John 3:7 |
The people were warned about being led astray |
1 Kings 11:3 |
Solomon was led astray by multiple wives |
2 Chron. 21:11 |
Jehoram led his people astray |
2 Chron. 33:9 |
Manasseh greatly led his people astray |
2 Kings 21:9 |
Manasseh led his people astray |
Amos 2:4 |
The influence of their ancestors led them astray |
Deut 13:13 |
Wicked people have led people astray |
Deut 17:17 |
Leaders are warned that multiple wives can lead them astray |
Ezekiel 13:10 |
Bad counsel led God’s people astray |
Galatians 2:13 |
The Jews' hypocrisy led Barnabas astray |
Hosea 4:12 |
A spirit of prostitution led them astray |
Isaiah 3:12 |
Bad guides can lead you astray |
Isaiah 9:16 |
People can be misled by a bad guide |
Jeremiah 23:13 |
False prophets have led God’s people astray |
Jeremiah 23:32 |
God’s people are led astray by reckless lies |
Jeremiah 50:6 |
Bad shepherds have led God’s people astray |
Micah 3:5 |
Prophets led the people astray |
Prov. 22:24, 25 |
A bad friend may lead you astray |
Proverbs 10:17 |
An undisciplined person can lead others astray |
Proverbs 12:26 |
Bad friendship can lead a person astray |
Proverbs 13:20 |
Companions of a fool are destroyed |
Proverbs 18:24 |
Wrong companionship can lead to a person’s ruin |
Proverbs 20:1 |
Wine can lead a person astray |
Proverbs 7:21 |
Pervasive words can lead a person astray |
Rev. 12:9 |
Satan leads people astray |
Verses showing Israel was a stiff-neck people
(This shows people can reject God’s plan.)
- 2 Chronicles 30:8
- 2 Chronicles 36:13
- 2 Kings 17:14
- Acts 7:51
- Deuteronomy 10:16
- Deuteronomy 31:27
- Deuteronomy 9:6,13
- Exodus 32:9
- Exodus 33:3,5
- Exodus 34:9
- Jeremiah 17:23
- Jeremiah 19:15
- Jeremiah 7:26
- Nehemiah 9:16,17,29
- Proverbs 29:1
|
Verses showing Israel was a stubborn people
(This shows people can reject God’s plan.)
- Deuteronomy 2:30
- Deuteronomy 21:18,20
- Deuteronomy 9:27
- Ezekiel 2:4
- Hosea 4:16
- Isaiah 46:12
- Isaiah 48:4
- Jeremiah 11:8
- Jeremiah 13:10
- Jeremiah 16:12
- Jeremiah 18:12
- Jeremiah 23:17
- Jeremiah 3:17
- Jeremiah 7:24
- Jeremiah 9:14
- Judges 2:19
- Leviticus 26:19
- Mark 16:14
- Mark 3:5
- Psalm 78:8
- Psalm 81:12
- Romans 2:5
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Other Chapters in this Section
Home
Up
PART 1: What is Selective Salvation?
PART 2: What Does the Bible say about Selective Salvation?
What does the Bible Say?
Why, then, do some still Believe in Selective Salvation?
Interpreting the Bible
Does All mean All?
How Could God make it any Clearer?
Does it all Add Up?
Are People Perishing Despite God's Desire for their Salvation?
Why did Jesus Cry out for Their Forgiveness?
What is "Election" and "Predestination?"
Does a Sovereign God do Whatever He Wants?
The Sovereignty of God
Failures of Great Leaders in the Bible
God's Foreknowledge
PART 3: Problems with Selective Salvation
PART 4: “Choice” –The Achilles’ Heel of Selective Salvation
PART 5: Difficult Questions Answered
Appendix: Foundational Documents used by Selective Salvationists
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