The Christ of Arminianism (Freewillism)
Steven Houck
The Bible warns us that in the last days in which we live there will be many false Christs-those who claim to be Christ but who are imposters. Jesus said, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matt. 24:4-5). We who profess to be Christians must take heed. We must be very careful that we are not deceived. Our calling is to trust, love, and follow the true Christ and Him only. We may have nothing to do with the false Christs who are so numerous in our day.
We know about the Christ of the cults and other religions. He is a good man, a prophet, the first creation of God, a great spirit, a divine idea, or even a god himself. But he is not true and eternal God. He receives his existence from another who is greater than he. He is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.
We know about the Christ of Roman Catholicism. They profess that He is true God. He suffered and died for the forgiveness of sin. He arose again, ascended into heaven, and is coming again. But he is not a complete Savior. The Christ of the Roman Catholics can not save sinners without their own good works and the intercession of priests. He is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.
There is, however, another false Christ who is much more dangerous than the Christ of the cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism. He has deceived people for many years and he continues to deceive millions. This Christ is so dangerous that, if it were not impossible, he would deceive the very elect (Matt. 24:24).
He is the Christ of Arminianism.
This false Christ is extremely dangerous because in many ways he appears to be the True Christ. They say that he is true God, equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They say that he died on the cross to save sinners. They even say that he saves by his grace alone, without the work of man. This Christ will have nothing to do with the Christ of the cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism.
But watch out! Be warned! The Christ of Arminianism is not the Christ of the Bible. Do not be fooled!
1. The Christ of Arminianism - loves every individual person in the world and sincerely desires their salvation.
The Christ of the Bible - earnestly loves and desires the salvation of only those whom God has unconditionally chosen to salvation. (Ps. 5:5, Ps. 7:11, Ps. 11:5, Matt. 11:27, John 17:9-10, Acts 2:47, Acts 13:48, Rom. 9:10-13, Rom. 9:21-24, Eph. 1:3-4)
2. The Christ of Arminianism - offers salvation to every sinner and does all in his power to bring them to salvation. His offer and work are often frustrated, for many refuse to come.
The Christ of the Bible - effectually calls to Himself only the elect and sovereignly brings them to salvation. Not one of them will be lost. (Isa. 55:11, John 5:21, John 6:37-40, John 10:25-30, John 17:2, Phil. 2:13)
3. The Christ of Arminianism - can not regenerate and save a sinner who does not first choose Christ with his own "free will." All men have a "free will" by which they can either accept or reject Christ. That "free will" may not be violated by Christ.
The Christ of the Bible - sovereignly regenerates the elect sinner apart from his choice, for without regeneration the spiritually dead sinner can not choose Christ. Faith is not man's contribution to salvation but the gift of Christ which He sovereignly imparts in regeneration. (John 3:3, John 6:44 & 65, John 15:16, Acts 11:18, Rom. 9:16, Eph. 2:1, Eph. 2:8-10, Phil. 1:29, Hebr. 12:2)
4. The Christ of Arminianism - died on the cross for every individual person and thereby made it possible for every person to be saved. His death, apart from the choice of man, was not able to actually save anyone for many for whom he died are lost.
The Christ of the Bible - died for only God's elect people and thereby actually obtained salvation for all those for whom He died. His death was a substitutionary satisfaction which actually took away the guilt of His chosen people. (Luke 19:10, John 10:14-15 & 26, Acts 20:28, Rom. 5:10, Eph. 5:25, Hebr. 9:12, I Peter 3:18)
5. The Christ of Arminianism - loses many whom he has "saved" because they do not continue in faith. Even if he does give them "eternal security," as some say, that security is not based upon his will or work but the choice which the sinner made when he accepted Christ.
The Christ of the Bible - preserves His chosen people so that they can not lose their salvation but persevere in the faith to the very end. He preserves them by the sovereign electing will of God, the power of His death, and the mighty working of His Spirit. (John 5:24, John 10:26-29, Rom. 8:29-30, Rom. 8:35-39, I Peter 1:2-5, Jude 24-25)
As you can see, although the Christ of Arminianism and the Christ of the Bible may at first seem to be the same, they are very different. One is a false Christ. The other is the true Christ. One is weak and helpless. He bows before the sovereign "free will" of man. The other is the reigning Lord Who wills what He pleases and sovereignly accomplishes all that He wills.
If you believe and serve the Christ of Arminianism, you must recognize the fact that you do not serve the Christ of the Bible. You have been deceived! Study the Scriptures and learn of the True Christ. Pray for grace to repent and trust Christ as your sovereign Savior.
The Holy Scriptures - Christ Of The Bible
Versus - Freewill Interpretation - The Arminian Christ
By Allen Bailey
Scripture -Matt 8:2, Mark 1:40, Luke 5:12--
If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.
Arm.
If you will, Christ can make you clean.
Scripture - - Acts 13:48--
"...As many as were ordained to eternal life believed." (In that sequence.)
Arm.
As many as believed were ordained to eternal life. (In that sequence)
Scripture -John 17:2—
…As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He
should give eternal life to as many
as Thou hast given him.
Arm.
He should give eternal life to all the world, If each individual person will accept Him.
Scripture -John 5:30---
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Arm.
All persons have a "free will" to follow. (Strange, even when Christ, Who was God, was not a "free (moral) agent" to seek His own will as man.)
Scripture -John 6:38.
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Arm.
Christ possessed a free will, and so does everyone. Note: (Christ's will was directed by God The Father's Will, and so is His people's will. ("For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.") Phil 2:13.
Scripture -John 1:12-13
As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Arm.
Individual persons are naturally the children of God by virtue of being born of blood (natural geneology), by the will of the flesh (free natural will), the will of man (the natural individual or collective will of mankind.)
Scripture -Rom 9:7-8.
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Arm.
The basis of all Arminian doctrine looks to the merits of the flesh of mankind.
Scripture -John 17:9.
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are Thine.
Arm.
Christ prayed for the whole world, and desires their eternal welfare if they will but close with the terms of His "offers".
Scripture -Rom 9:13---
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Arm.
God loves ALL men equally. (Or perhaps He just loved Esau less) Note: If the Arminian objection to sovereign election is unfairness on God's part, would'nt His loving Esau less (even a little bit less) still make God's love discriminating, For according to these religious egalitarians, God must love all equally, and this argument could'nt hold. It is strange that some persons seem to be one thing in politics, and another thing in religion.
Scripture -Psa 5:5---
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight:
thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Arm.
God loves all persons, even the workers of iniquity.
Scripture -Psa 11:5---
"..The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked
and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.." Note: He hates their person with their works.
Arm.
God loves the righteous and the wicked equally, and He is not allowed to have a special love to some, as this would make Him unfair (unrighteous) to others.
Scripture -Matt 7:23---
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy
name have cast out devils? and in thy name
done many wonderful works? And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew (loved) you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Arm.
God spiritually loves all. He only hates their evil works.
Scripture -Rom 9:11---
..(For the children being not yet born, neither having done
any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to
election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Arm.
Divine election is made sure (by a work, or works of man) after the recipients are born into the world.
Scripture -Rom 9:15---
I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.…
Arm.
God "offers" mercy to all.
Scripture -Rom 9:18---
Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy,
and whom He will he hardeneth.
Arm.
God hardens no one; they harden themselves independent of God’s will.
Scripture -Rom 9:19---
Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault?
For who hath resisted his will?
Arm.
A phrase common in the mind and mouth of Arminians when confronted with these scriptures, but Paul answered it for them:
Scripture -Rom 9:20—
Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it,
Why hast thou made me thus?
Arm.
A typical Arminian question when faced with God’s sovereignty.
Scripture -Eph 1:4---
He hath chosen us in Him
before the foundation of the world,…
Arm.
God’s choice is based on His mere foreknowledge of what people would do in Time.
Scripture -Eph 1:5---
..But they were not only chosen, they were also
predestined. "…Having predestinated us unto
the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will.
Arm.
Purposefully ignored by Arminians, or change predestination into mere foreknowledge.
Scripture -Eph 1:3
…Who (God) hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen
us in him before the foundation of the world…
Arm.
Our blessings in Time are conditional, not based on election, but our free will.
Scripture -Rom 8:28---
For whom he did foreknow (forelove), he also did predestinate...
Arm.
God spiritually (fore) loves all (people), but did not predestinate them to glory.
Scripture - Matt 1:21---
…Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins.
Arm.
"Shall save" doesn’t mean absolutely, only conditionally, (then possibly, Christ saved none)
Scripture - John 12:37-40---
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
Arm.
All persons are able to believe on Christ, as it is just left to their "free will". Note: (But the Scripture had fenced these Jews off beforehand and precluded them in unbelief by tying a double knot with a "could not" and a "will not".. "...And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life..." John 5:40. -- And a double knot will hold.
All brands, types, flavors and shades of Arminianism is founded on Freewillism and therefore upon Conditionalism, (that salvation in whole (or part) is conditioned and contingent upon the free option of the creature, or upon conditions which may or may not be fulfilled, as the fulfillment depends only on the exercise of the creature’s will, and not upon the absolute will of God.) for without the conditions of grace being fulfilled by the free will of man, (according to their way of thinking.) Then to that extent, would not the Grace of God be partially, if not perhaps - wholly in vain ? - because their doctrine makes some, if not all the Grace of God in Christ built upon mere conditions to be fulfilled by the volition and option of the creature, and man by nature being a mutable, if not totally depraved creature through sin could possibly fail to partake of any of the "offered" blessings, then all of free grace and the favor of God in Christ would fall to the ground. This doctrine does not seek to fully praise the glory of God’s free Grace as stated by divine inspiration. All of salvation for God’s elect was purposed and done by God that it should or would wholly redound "to the glory of His Grace" - Eph 1:5-6:
"…Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved…"
"…Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began…" 2 Tim 1:9
----But the Arminian doctrine praises and places in the forefront the god and sacred cow of their own free will - hence the Scripture is fulfilled:
"Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Rom 1:25.
The Christ of Arminianism (Freewillism)
Steven Houck
We know about the Christ of the cults and other religions. He is a good man, a prophet, the first creation of God, a great spirit, a divine idea, or even a god himself. But he is not true and eternal God. He receives his existence from another who is greater than he. He is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.
We know about the Christ of Roman Catholicism. They profess that He is true God. He suffered and died for the forgiveness of sin. He arose again, ascended into heaven, and is coming again. But he is not a complete Savior. The Christ of the Roman Catholics can not save sinners without their own good works and the intercession of priests. He is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.
There is, however, another false Christ who is much more dangerous than the Christ of the cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism. He has deceived people for many years and he continues to deceive millions. This Christ is so dangerous that, if it were not impossible, he would deceive the very elect (Matt. 24:24).
He is the Christ of Arminianism.
This false Christ is extremely dangerous because in many ways he appears to be the True Christ. They say that he is true God, equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They say that he died on the cross to save sinners. They even say that he saves by his grace alone, without the work of man. This Christ will have nothing to do with the Christ of the cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism.
But watch out! Be warned! The Christ of Arminianism is not the Christ of the Bible. Do not be fooled!
1. The Christ of Arminianism - loves every individual person in the world and sincerely desires their salvation.
The Christ of the Bible - earnestly loves and desires the salvation of only those whom God has unconditionally chosen to salvation. (Ps. 5:5, Ps. 7:11, Ps. 11:5, Matt. 11:27, John 17:9-10, Acts 2:47, Acts 13:48, Rom. 9:10-13, Rom. 9:21-24, Eph. 1:3-4)
2. The Christ of Arminianism - offers salvation to every sinner and does all in his power to bring them to salvation. His offer and work are often frustrated, for many refuse to come.
The Christ of the Bible - effectually calls to Himself only the elect and sovereignly brings them to salvation. Not one of them will be lost. (Isa. 55:11, John 5:21, John 6:37-40, John 10:25-30, John 17:2, Phil. 2:13)
3. The Christ of Arminianism - can not regenerate and save a sinner who does not first choose Christ with his own "free will." All men have a "free will" by which they can either accept or reject Christ. That "free will" may not be violated by Christ.
The Christ of the Bible - sovereignly regenerates the elect sinner apart from his choice, for without regeneration the spiritually dead sinner can not choose Christ. Faith is not man's contribution to salvation but the gift of Christ which He sovereignly imparts in regeneration. (John 3:3, John 6:44 & 65, John 15:16, Acts 11:18, Rom. 9:16, Eph. 2:1, Eph. 2:8-10, Phil. 1:29, Hebr. 12:2)
4. The Christ of Arminianism - died on the cross for every individual person and thereby made it possible for every person to be saved. His death, apart from the choice of man, was not able to actually save anyone for many for whom he died are lost.
The Christ of the Bible - died for only God's elect people and thereby actually obtained salvation for all those for whom He died. His death was a substitutionary satisfaction which actually took away the guilt of His chosen people. (Luke 19:10, John 10:14-15 & 26, Acts 20:28, Rom. 5:10, Eph. 5:25, Hebr. 9:12, I Peter 3:18)
5. The Christ of Arminianism - loses many whom he has "saved" because they do not continue in faith. Even if he does give them "eternal security," as some say, that security is not based upon his will or work but the choice which the sinner made when he accepted Christ.
The Christ of the Bible - preserves His chosen people so that they can not lose their salvation but persevere in the faith to the very end. He preserves them by the sovereign electing will of God, the power of His death, and the mighty working of His Spirit. (John 5:24, John 10:26-29, Rom. 8:29-30, Rom. 8:35-39, I Peter 1:2-5, Jude 24-25)
As you can see, although the Christ of Arminianism and the Christ of the Bible may at first seem to be the same, they are very different. One is a false Christ. The other is the true Christ. One is weak and helpless. He bows before the sovereign "free will" of man. The other is the reigning Lord Who wills what He pleases and sovereignly accomplishes all that He wills.
If you believe and serve the Christ of Arminianism, you must recognize the fact that you do not serve the Christ of the Bible. You have been deceived! Study the Scriptures and learn of the True Christ. Pray for grace to repent and trust Christ as your sovereign Savior.
The Holy Scriptures - Christ Of The Bible
Versus - Freewill Interpretation - The Arminian Christ
By Allen Bailey
Scripture -Matt 8:2, Mark 1:40, Luke 5:12--
If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.
Arm.
If you will, Christ can make you clean.
Scripture - - Acts 13:48--
"...As many as were ordained to eternal life believed." (In that sequence.)
Arm.
As many as believed were ordained to eternal life. (In that sequence)
Scripture -John 17:2—
…As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He
should give eternal life to as many
as Thou hast given him.
Arm.
He should give eternal life to all the world, If each individual person will accept Him.
Scripture -John 5:30---
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Arm.
All persons have a "free will" to follow. (Strange, even when Christ, Who was God, was not a "free (moral) agent" to seek His own will as man.)
Scripture -John 6:38.
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Arm.
Christ possessed a free will, and so does everyone. Note: (Christ's will was directed by God The Father's Will, and so is His people's will. ("For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.") Phil 2:13.
Scripture -John 1:12-13
As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Arm.
Individual persons are naturally the children of God by virtue of being born of blood (natural geneology), by the will of the flesh (free natural will), the will of man (the natural individual or collective will of mankind.)
Scripture -Rom 9:7-8.
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Arm.
The basis of all Arminian doctrine looks to the merits of the flesh of mankind.
Scripture -John 17:9.
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are Thine.
Arm.
Christ prayed for the whole world, and desires their eternal welfare if they will but close with the terms of His "offers".
Scripture -Rom 9:13---
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Arm.
God loves ALL men equally. (Or perhaps He just loved Esau less) Note: If the Arminian objection to sovereign election is unfairness on God's part, would'nt His loving Esau less (even a little bit less) still make God's love discriminating, For according to these religious egalitarians, God must love all equally, and this argument could'nt hold. It is strange that some persons seem to be one thing in politics, and another thing in religion.
Scripture -Psa 5:5---
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight:
thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Arm.
God loves all persons, even the workers of iniquity.
Scripture -Psa 11:5---
"..The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked
and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.." Note: He hates their person with their works.
Arm.
God loves the righteous and the wicked equally, and He is not allowed to have a special love to some, as this would make Him unfair (unrighteous) to others.
Scripture -Matt 7:23---
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy
name have cast out devils? and in thy name
done many wonderful works? And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew (loved) you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Arm.
God spiritually loves all. He only hates their evil works.
Scripture -Rom 9:11---
..(For the children being not yet born, neither having done
any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to
election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Arm.
Divine election is made sure (by a work, or works of man) after the recipients are born into the world.
Scripture -Rom 9:15---
I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.…
Arm.
God "offers" mercy to all.
Scripture -Rom 9:18---
Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy,
and whom He will he hardeneth.
Arm.
God hardens no one; they harden themselves independent of God’s will.
Scripture -Rom 9:19---
Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault?
For who hath resisted his will?
Arm.
A phrase common in the mind and mouth of Arminians when confronted with these scriptures, but Paul answered it for them:
Scripture -Rom 9:20—
Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it,
Why hast thou made me thus?
Arm.
A typical Arminian question when faced with God’s sovereignty.
Scripture -Eph 1:4---
He hath chosen us in Him
before the foundation of the world,…
Arm.
God’s choice is based on His mere foreknowledge of what people would do in Time.
Scripture -Eph 1:5---
..But they were not only chosen, they were also
predestined. "…Having predestinated us unto
the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will.
Arm.
Purposefully ignored by Arminians, or change predestination into mere foreknowledge.
Scripture -Eph 1:3
…Who (God) hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen
us in him before the foundation of the world…
Arm.
Our blessings in Time are conditional, not based on election, but our free will.
Scripture -Rom 8:28---
For whom he did foreknow (forelove), he also did predestinate...
Arm.
God spiritually (fore) loves all (people), but did not predestinate them to glory.
Scripture - Matt 1:21---
…Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins.
Arm.
"Shall save" doesn’t mean absolutely, only conditionally, (then possibly, Christ saved none)
Scripture - John 12:37-40---
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
Arm.
All persons are able to believe on Christ, as it is just left to their "free will". Note: (But the Scripture had fenced these Jews off beforehand and precluded them in unbelief by tying a double knot with a "could not" and a "will not".. "...And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life..." John 5:40. -- And a double knot will hold.
All brands, types, flavors and shades of Arminianism is founded on Freewillism and therefore upon Conditionalism, (that salvation in whole (or part) is conditioned and contingent upon the free option of the creature, or upon conditions which may or may not be fulfilled, as the fulfillment depends only on the exercise of the creature’s will, and not upon the absolute will of God.) for without the conditions of grace being fulfilled by the free will of man, (according to their way of thinking.) Then to that extent, would not the Grace of God be partially, if not perhaps - wholly in vain ? - because their doctrine makes some, if not all the Grace of God in Christ built upon mere conditions to be fulfilled by the volition and option of the creature, and man by nature being a mutable, if not totally depraved creature through sin could possibly fail to partake of any of the "offered" blessings, then all of free grace and the favor of God in Christ would fall to the ground. This doctrine does not seek to fully praise the glory of God’s free Grace as stated by divine inspiration. All of salvation for God’s elect was purposed and done by God that it should or would wholly redound "to the glory of His Grace" - Eph 1:5-6:
"…Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved…"
"…Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began…" 2 Tim 1:9
----But the Arminian doctrine praises and places in the forefront the god and sacred cow of their own free will - hence the Scripture is fulfilled:
"Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Rom 1:25.