Proof for the Teaching of Universalism
(Doctrine of Inclusion, Ultimate Reconciliation, Universal Salvation, Apokatastis, Apocatastasis, Universal Redemption, The Larger Hope, The Greater Faith, The Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul's Gospel, Universal Restoration, Universalism)
By Gary Amirault
There are many proofs for the wonderful teaching of the salvation of all mankind through the work of the cross by Jesus the Messiah. We have hundreds of them on our internet site: http://www.tentmaker.org
A good starting point is: http://www.tentmaker.org/ScholarsCorner.html
There is a rather unique proof on a site that has invented a lot of material negative to this glorious teaching. That site is CARM, Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry located at http://www.carm.org It is run by a Charismatic Calvinist named Matt Slick.
CARM is one of the largest Christian apologetics sites on the Internet. It hosts dozens of discussion boards. http://www.christiandiscussionforums.org/v/index.php
One can discuss just about anything there. One can discuss astrology, New Age, Satanism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Seventh Day Adventist and Christian cults of all kinds. One can discuss theological concepts and doctrines of all kinds. All religions from Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Bahi, Christadelphian, Free Masonry, Eastern Orthodox, Christian Scientist, Oneness Pentecostalism, Roman Catholicism, etc can be discussed. As a matter of fact, they have separate discussion rooms for each of these groups. There are separate discussion boards discussing abortions, Atheism, UFO's, and pregnancy. One can argue just about any theological concept and position ranging from Arminian, Calvinist, Word of Faith, etc. All is fair and game at Carm including witchcraft…. All except one topic…Universalism, the teaching that Jesus Christ is indeed the “Savior of the world,” as the Scriptures plainly state. (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14)
Yes, the belief that the early believers and their teachers taught apokatastasis, the “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21), this glorious topic is banned by Matt Slick at CARM. Errors of all kind may be propagated at Christian Apologetics and Research Ministries, witchcraft, Satanism, denominationalism of all kind (something Paul, the apostle warned against) is perfectly acceptable to Matt Slick, but to give God His full glory, to give honor and the highest respect and thanksgiving to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, that will get a person quickly banned from the CARM Discussion Boards and will earn one the label of heretic. Matt Slick has a real hatred towards those who have come to see the Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. And that should tell the reader what spirit operates at Christian Apologetics And Research Ministry and in Matt Slick's heart. Some times what one does NOT allow speaks far more than what is permitted.
Dear reader, before you leave this page, please answer for yourself a few questions which are not even allowed to be asked at CARM. And after answering them, do the right thing:
In Acts 5:34-38, the wise teacher, Gamaliel, warned the leadership of Israel not to fight against Jesus' disciples. He said if God was not with these disciples, their work will just become nothing. But if God was with these disciples, then the leadership of Israel would find itself fighting God Himself.
We are once again in such a situation in the earth. God is unveiling His greatness and majesty through His disciples. And once again, the very leaders of God's institutions and their constituents are in a position where they are fighting the very work of God. The following statements will help the reader to determine whether they are on the side of God or on the side of tradition. After answering all the statements whether they are true or false, the reader must decide which side he/she will be on or whether to close their mouth and not participate in this battle. Be careful with your answers. Be even more careful with the decision regarding whose side you will be on - tradition or Truth.
Jesus asked the question, "When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" When Jesus came to the "chosen people" 2,000 years ago, he found more faith outside of Israel than in it. If Jesus visited "the church" today, perhaps your church, is it possible He might find more faith in the local tavern than your church? The following statements are designed to show the reader their level of faith or unbelief. It is designed to show that the "traditions of men" can indeed "make the word of God of no effect" in their lives. They can attend church regularly just like the Jews in Jesus' day attended their Synagogues habitually, but never "come to the knowledge of the truth."
For each statement below declare out loud whether YOU PERSONALLY believe the statement is True or False. It is important that you do it verbally, not just in your mind. Or perhaps print it out and then circle the T or F.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (John 1:1, Mark 20:31) T or F
He was crucified, was buried and rose again on the third day. (Acts 2:23; 4:10) T or F
Jesus Christ's blood was shed for the remission of sins. (Matt. 26:8) T or F
"The Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14) T or F
Jesus is "the Christ, the Savior of the world." (John 4:42) T or F
"This is good and acceptable in the sight of our God our saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Tim. 2:3-6, KJV) T or F
Jesus "is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." (1 John 2:2) T or F
Jesus "did not come to judge the world but to save the WORLD." (John 12:47) T or F
"Jesus, was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for EVERYONE." (Heb. 2:9) T or F
"Love NEVER fails." (1 Cor. 13:8) T or F
"With God NOTHING is impossible." (Luke 1:37) T or F
"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL MEN, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach." (1 Tim. 4:9-11) (Remember, answer OUT LOUD True or False to each of these statements.)
"At the name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that EVERY tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:10:11) T or F
"God was pleased to have all fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself ALL THINGS on earth or in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation." (Col. 1:19, 21, 22) T or F
In Jesus Christ is "the restoration of ALL THINGS, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:21) T or F
The Gospel is "good tidings of great joy will be to ALL people." (Luke 2:10) T or F
Believers in Christ are "born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13) T or F
God appointed Jesus "heir of ALL THINGS, and through whom He made the universe." (Heb. 1:2) T or F
"No one can come to Christ unless the Father who sent Him draws him." (John 6:44) T or F
"As God gave Jesus authority over ALL FLESH, that he should give eternal life to as many as God have Him." (John 17:2) T or F
The Father "has given ALL THINGS into Jesus' hands." (John 13:3) T or F
Jesus "was the true light which gives light to EVERY MAN who come into the world." (John 1:9) (Remember, answer out loud True or False to each of these statements.)
"Just as the result of one trespass was condemnation of ALL MEN, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for ALL MEN." (Rom. 5:18) T or F
Jesus is "able even to subdue ALL THINGS to Himself." (Phil. 3:21) T or F
Jesus came "that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times he might gather together in one ALL THINGS in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works ALL THINGS according to the counsel of His will." (Eph. 1:10, 11) T or F
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) T or F
"God was Christ reconciling THE WORLD to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:19, 20) T or F
"ALL the nations shall be blessed." (Gal 3:8) T or F
"The Bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives Life to the WORLD." (John 6:33) T or F
Jesus commanded us to be like Himself and His Father: "Love your enemies, bless those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:44, 45) True or False
"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw (drag in the Greek, helkuo) ALL MANKIND unto Myself." (John 12:32) T or F
"Creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope, because creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Rom. 8:20, 21) T or F
"The Father loves the Son and has given ALL THINGS into His hands." (John 3:35) T or F
"Since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam ALL died, even so in Christ ALL shall be made alive." (1 Cor. 15:22) T or F
Jesus "is the image of the invisible God, the first born over ALL CREATION. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." (Co. 1:15, 16) True or False
"ALL shall know the Lord, from the least of them to the greatest of them." (Heb. 8:11) T or F
"The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to ALL MEN." (Titus 2:11) T or F
We are not to "repay evil for evil." (Rom. 12:17) True or False
"If anyone's work which he has built endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved yet so as through fire." (1 Cor. 3:14, 15) T or F
"Of Him and through Him and to Him are ALL THINGS, to whom be glory forever. Amen" (Rom. 11:36) T or F
"ALL Israel will be saved." (Rom. 11:26) T or F
"Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for ALL, and therefore all died." (2 Cor. 5:14) True or False.
"The head of EVERY man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." (1 Cor. 11:3) T or F
"ALL nations shall come and worship You, for your judgments have been made manifested." (Rev. 15:4) T or F
"When God's judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the WORLD will learn righteousness." (Isaiah 26:9) T or F
"Mercy shall TRIUMPH OVER (exalt over) judgment." (James 2:13) (Remember, answer out loud True or False to each of these statements.)
"Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more." (Rom. 5:20) T or F
"EVERY CREATURE which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever." (Rev. 5:13) T or F
If we REALLY knew the Lord, we "would not have condemned the guiltless." (Matt. 12:7) (Remember, answer out loud True or False to each of these statements.)
"God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning EVERY MAN and teaching EVERY MAN man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Col. 1: 27, 28) T or F
"ALL nations whom God has made will come and worship before Him" (Psalm 86:9)
God's "mercy endures forever." (1 Chron. 16:34) T or F
God's Spirit "will be poured out on ALL FLESH." (Joel 2:28) T or F
God beckons us: "Come, and let us return to the Lord, for He has torn, but He will heal us. He has stricken, but He will bind us. After 2 days, He will revive us. On the THIRD DAY He will raise us up that we may live in His sight." (Hosea 6:1, 2) T or F
"The Lord had made bare His Holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and ALL the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." (Isaiah 52:10) T or F
"The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and ALL FLESH shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 40:5) T or F
God will "open His hand and satisfy the desire of EVERY living thing." (Psalm 145:16) T or F
God is "gracious in ALL His works." (Psalm 145:17) T or F
"The EARTH is the Lord's and ALL its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1) T or F
"ALL the kings of the earth shall praise you, 0 Lord, when they hear the words of your mouth." (Psalm 138:4) T or F
God "reveals Himself by those who did not ask for Him: He was found by those who did not seek Him." (Isaiah 65:1) T or F
"The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to ALL, and His tender mercies are over ALL His works. ALL your works shall praise you, 0 Lord." (Psalm 145:8-10) T or F
"ALL the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and ALL the families of the nations shall worship before You. ALL those who go down to the dust (death) shall bow before You." (Psalm 22:27, 29) T or F
"0 You Who hear prayer, to you ALL flesh will come. Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, you will provide atonement for them." (Psalm 65:2-4) T or F
"Through the greatness of your power your enemies shall submit themselves to you. ALL the earth shall worship You and sing praises to you." (Psalm 66:3, 4) T or F
"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions FAIL NOT. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:21-24) T or F
"The Lord will NOT cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His
mercies." (Lam. 3:31, 32) (Remember, answer out loud True or False to each of these statements.)
"For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made." (Isaiah 57:16) T or F
"There is no God besides Me, a just God and Savior; There is none besides Me. Look to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him. In the Lord ALL the descendants of Israel shall be justified and shall glory." (Isaiah 45:21-25) T or F
"In this mountain the Lord of Hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees. And he shall destroy on this mountain the surface of the covering cast over ALL nations. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord will wipe away tears from all faces." (Isaiah 25:6-8)
"ALL the nations of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 18:18) T or F
"ALL the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 12:3, 28:14) T or F
"It shall come to pass the saying that is written: `death is swallowed up in victory. Oh, Death, where is your sting Oh, Hell (Hades) where is your victory.' The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 15:54-58) T or F
Of those who crucified Him (which is all of us) Jesus asked: "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) Did the Father forgive us all? T or F
"It is finished." (John 19:30) T or F
What is finished? What did Jesus come to do? When John and James wanted to call fire down on the Samaritans' heads because they did not believe Jesus was the Son of God, who did Jesus condemn, His disciples or the Samaritans for not believing the gospel directly from the apostles' own mouth?
"But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." And they went on to another village." (Luke 9:55, 56) Dear Christian, think! These Samaritans, who knew the Law of Moses, rejected disciples who personally knew Jesus AND rejected Jesus Himself. Why didn't Jesus do what the typical modern evangelist do, condemn them to Hell because they didn't "decide to follow Jesus," they "didn't give their hearts to the Lord." According to the modern traditional gospel, these Samaritans were given the chance to go to heaven but they rejected the way. Yet Jesus didn't condemn them - He condemned His own disciples for behaving the way the typical Christian behaves today.
Jesus came to save the world, not just a part of it. If He succeeded, then He could rightfully be called the "Savior of the world." But if He failed, then not only could He not claim that title, He could not be the Messiah because He would have failed in the mission of the Messiah.
If you said "True" to all of the Scriptures above, then you now understand those who believe in Universal Salvation, Ultimate Reconciliation, Doctrine of Inclusion, Universal Reconciliation, Universalism, etc. Those Christians who believe everyone will ultimately be saved do NOT believe so from wishful thinking or "sloppy agape" as they so often are accused of - they believe so because it is plainly written in EVERY SINGLE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE. So dear reader, if you accuse those who believe Jesus will save all mankind of being a heretic, you are accusing someone of simply believing what is plainly written in the Bible. Could it be that you just don't have as much faith as these who see these glorious Scriptures and believe them with childlike faith?
The Scriptures admonish us to make "supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks for all men." (1 Tim. 2:4) The Scriptures further state in the KJV that "God will have all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2:4, KJV) It also states that "whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:23) It takes the faith of Jesus Christ to believe such great promises. Jesus wondered when He returned whether He would find faith on the earth. (Luke 18:8) If Jesus is indeed the Savior of all mankind, can you now see why He might make such a statement? You see, most of the churchworld doesn't believe these glorious Scriptures even though they have read them hundreds or thousands of times.
Dear Christian, do not condemn those few on the earth who have faith to believe Jesus is able to do what He came to do. There are not many who stand by the words of Jesus and the Scriptures. There were not many in Jesus' day who believed in Him as He truly was even though they regularly attended synagogue and knew the Scriptures. Millions of Christians are in exactly the same condition as the Jews in Jesus day - they regularly attend church and read the Scriptures, but their image of Jesus is one who ends up losing most of these He died for. And they are taught to label as heretics those who believe in the Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, that is, that He will save all mankind. I strongly advise you not to do this anymore. You may find yourself fighting the very God you say you believe in. Remember the wise words of Gamaliel who advised Israel NOT to go against Christ's disciples because they might find themselves fighting God. (Acts 5:34-38) Be very careful, my Christian friend, especially if you are in leadership, that you find yourself fighting those whom God has given great faith. You may find one day Jesus saying to you, "Oh ye of so little faith, why did you doubt my great love and saving power?"
As shown above, most Christians have forsaken the bold promises of the prophets and apostles and have had their ears tickled by modem day false teachers who merely pass on the "traditions of men that make the word of God of no effect." (Matt. 15:6-9) Instead of condemning the "little flock," the "remnant" through whom God has chosen to preserve the truth, perhaps you should repent of your unbelief. After all, unbelief was Israel's primary sin. Is it possible that it is your primary sin as well? After all, the Jews were for signs and examples for those who would follow, that is, for Christians. The Church-at-large has fallen into the same unbelief the Jews fell into and for the very same reasons - they followed the traditions of men. Look at the church world - over 30,000 different denominations with tens of thousands of different rituals, traditions, articles of faith, creeds, forms of government, etc. What did Paul say about following different men? Why do people today call themselves "Lutherans, Protestants, Wesleyans, Calvinists, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, etc? Is Christ divided? He most certainly is in Christendom. The "traditions of men" most certainly blind us thus making the true word of God of no effect. Ask Jesus to set you free from them. Then He will give you the faith to believe in His promises. Then your eyes will be opened to the glorious truth which is written on almost every page of the Bible. And what is that truth? It is that Jesus Christ came to redeem all of mankind and that He succeeded on the Cross. His work is finished indeed. He IS the "savior of the world." Oh, ye of so little faith, why do you doubt?!
“First they ignore it, then they laugh at it, then they say they knew it all along.” 19th century German philosopher Alexander Humbold
Stand up for the Real Jesus. Stop worshiping some other weak counterfeit who cannot do what
the Scriptures say He has the WILL TO DO ...and WILL DO ! Listen and PRAY ABOUT IT:
God is love mp3
This audio is J Preston Eby's "God is Love" from his "Savior of the World" series narrated by Gary Amirault with music in the background. It is a wonderful way to introduce the message of our Father's lavish love for all mankind. It is a high quality mp3 (36 megs) and takes a while to download. Be patient. We also have this audio in CD format in our Tentmaker Resources Center: God is Love CD You may freely copy this CD and pass it on.
tentmaker.org
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