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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

 

 

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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