The Calvinism Debate - Way of Life Literature

In Acts 13:43 we see that sinners can be persuaded tocontinue in the gospel. “Now when the congregation wasbroken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followedPaul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded themto continue in the grace of God.” us there is more tosalvation than Sovereign Election and Sovereign Calling. ewill of man is involved in the issue and the effort of soulwinners has an effect upon the outcome. is is why Paulsaid, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain theweak: I am made all things to all men, THAT I MIGHT BYALL MEANS SAVE SOME” (1 Cor. 9:22), and, “For though Ibe free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all,THAT I MIGHT GAIN THE MORE” (1 Cor. 9:19).In Acts 13:46 we see that the gospel is offered to sinnersand they can reject it. “en Paul and Barnabas waxed bold,and said, It was necessary that the word of God should firsthave been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, andjudge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn tothe Gentiles.” ese Jews were not sovereignly chosen toreprobation. God offered them salvation and would havesaved them, but they, by an exercise of their wills, put it away.In Acts 13:47 we see that the gospel is intended for all men.“For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set theeto be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be forsalvation unto the ends of the earth.” is cannot be limitedmerely to some pre-elected group of men. e gospel is to bepreached to every creature (Mk. 16:15) and God would haveall men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4).What, then, does Acts 13:48 mean? “And when the Gentilesheard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord:and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”It means simply that as many whose hearts werepredisposed to accept the gospel, as many as were willing tocall upon the name of the Lord (Rom. 10:13), believed.e Greek word translated “ordained” here is “tasso” and itmeans “to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or106