The Calvinism Debate - Way of Life Literature

e phrase “vessels of wrath fitted to destruction” allows fora variant voice; according to the PC Study Bible, it can be boththe passive and middle voice in Greek; middle means to fitoneself. In the middle voice the subject acts in relation tohim/herself. Consider this note from Vincent Word Studies:“NOT FITTED BY GOD FOR DESTRUCTION, but in anadjectival sense, ready, ripe for destruction, the participledenoting a present state previously formed, BUT GIVINGNO HINT OF HOW IT HAD BEEN FORMED. at theobjects of final wrath had themselves a hand in the mattermay be seen from 1 ess. 2:15-16.” By allowing the Bible tospeak for itself through the plain meaning of the words andby comparing Scripture with Scripture we see that the sinnerfits himself for destruction by his rejection of the truth. Eventhose who have never heard the gospel, have the light ofcreation and conscience and are responsible to respond to thelight that they have that they might be given more light (Acts17:26-27).4. Romans 9:23-24 does not mean that God calls only acertain pre-chosen elect group to salvation.“And that he might make known the riches of his glory onthe vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also ofthe Gentiles.” One has to read that into the language of theverses. e Calvinist claims that verse 24 refers to “effectualcalling,” which is a term that describes the “irresistible callingof the elect,” but this is adding to God’s Word, which is a greaterror. e Bible plainly states that God has called all who willcome to Christ. God calls through the gospel (2 ess. 2:14)and the gospel is to be preached to every creature (Mk.16:15). God calls “whosoever will” (Rom. 10:13; Rev. 22:17).God calls every one that believes on Christ. “And this is thewill of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son,and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I willraise him up at the last day” (Jn. 6:40).101