Is Justification By Works?
by Clint Brown

One doctrine that separates the churches of Christ from nearly all of the religious world is our insistence on baptism for the remission of sins. We believe the Bible clearly teaches that only those who have been immersed in water for the purpose of having their sins washed away will enjoy the benefits of the blood of Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mk. 16:16). Since the Bible contains many passages that substantiate this fundamental doctrine, one surely marvels at the attempts made today to deny this Scriptural truth. However, such attempts have been characteristic of the religious world for centuries – especially among those who claim to be Bible believing Christians.

What is probably the most popular argument against teaching the essentiality of baptism for salvation is to claim that since salvation is by God's grace (Eph. 2:8,9), and grace is a "free gift" (Rom. 3:24), then neither baptism nor any other human work will save. Those inclined to this view present the following argument:

The problem is that the argument contains an informal fallacy. The argument has failed to distinguish the different kinds of works discussed in the Bible. It lumps all works together and assumes that is what Paul is discussing in Ephesians 2:8,9. But notice how this same kind of argument can be used in favor of baptism for the remission of sins:

Works DO save (Jas 2:24)

Baptism is a work

Therefore, baptism DOES save.

On one hand, the Bible teaches that works cannot save (Eph. 2:8,9; Tit. 3:5; et al). On the other hand, the Bible teaches that works do save (James 2:24; I Pet. 2:22). This apparent contradiction can easily be resolved by noting that the Bible teaches two kinds of works. On one hand, works of merit cannot save. That is, there is no amount of good deeds you or I could do whereby we could say to God, "Lord, You owe me salvation because of what I have done." But on the other hand, works of obedience does save us. That is, our conformity to the will of God has a direct relationship to what God will do for us by His grace.

As you can see, the "grace only" advocates confuse the word "free" in Romans 3:24 with the word "unconditional." They read the verse this way, "...and are unconditionally justified by His grace..." But the verse doesn't say that. Paul says we are freely justified by God's grace and that carries a far different meaning. Jesus freely healed a blind man by anointing his eyes with clay mixed with spittle. But the healing was conditioned upon the obedience of the man who was told to "go wash in Siloam" (Jn. 9:7). Sadly, many people today would refuse to obey the Lord's command for fear that they would be attempting to earn their sight. Naaman was freely healed of his leprosy, but the healing was conditioned upon his washing "in the Jordan seven times" (II Kings 5:10). Many today would refuse to wash in the Jordan because the human activity might offend the free gift of God.

Undoubtedly, one cannot earn God grace. Paul said, "to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace, but as debt" (Rom. 4:4). There is nothing you or I could have done or can do that would obligate God to send his Son, to make salvation possible for us, to give us His word, to provide every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, or to give any other blessing we receive by His grace. But at the same time, the Giver of these things, God Himself, has set conditions that are to be met in order to receive His grace. These conditions are necessary in order to be saved. Incidentally these conditions involve "works." These are not the same works that Paul discusses in Romans 4:4, Ephesians 2:8-9, et al., but the works that James discusses in James 2:14-26. James says explicitly, "you see then that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."

Ironically, even the "grace only" advocates, by implication, teach that works are necessary to be saved. They boldly teach that salvation is an unconditional gift from God and that you do not have to do anything. Then they immediately exhort you to believe on Christ to receive His salvation. Little do they realize they have just stipulated a condition. Moreover, this condition is also described in the Bible as a work (Jn 6:28,29). The bottom line for the "grace only" advocate is this: You can't have it both ways. Either salvation is totally a gift from God in which men are entirely passive, OR salvation is conditioned on man's obedience to the will of God as set forth in His word. If men are entirely passive in the salvation process then all men are going to be saved because "the grace of God has appeared to all men" (Tit. 2:11). But Jesus said that not all men would be saved (Mt. 7:13,14). Since conditions are required we had better understand the conditions correctly or be lost! One hopes that the adherents to the false teaching of "grace only" will see the contradiction of their doctrine and obey the truth.

The Bible teaches that baptism is essential to one's salvation. Baptism puts one into Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27). Baptism washes away sin (Acts 22:16). In this way, baptism saves (Mk. 16:16; I Pet. 3:21). We must never approach baptism, or any other work of obedience, as a way to put God in our debt, or to earn our salvation in any way. We should approach all obedience as divinely established conditions whereby we have the privilege of accepting the free gift of God's grace. Even after we have conformed to God's plan of salvation we still ought to say, "We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do" (Lk 17:10).

If we can't know the answer to this question how may we know if we are "citizens of the kingdom" or "members of the body of Christ?"  In other words just who is a Christian, a child of God, a brother to Jesus Christ and to others who are in fellowship with deity (1 John 1:1-7; 1 John 5:10-15)?  Just who are citizens of Christ's kingdom?

   I have no illusions that I will be able to answer these questions to the satisfaction of every reader. I may not answer them to anyone's satisfaction. I do hope I can answer to Christ's satisfaction however

1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

1 John 1:1-7 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

1 John 5:10-15 “He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

John 8:31-32 “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."”

Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”

Hebrews 5:9 “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”

1 Peter 1:22-25 “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.”

Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

More Prerequisites Than Many Think

   Evidently there are more prerequisites to "salvation from alien sins and membership in Christ's blood bought body" than many (even among us who call ourselves just Christians) understand or believe.  Let me put it this way for a beginning. I suggest that the "sum total" of what the New Testament cases of conversion following the "Great Commission" given by Christ to His apostles involved, forms the pattern for how one may be a convert to Christ and a member of His blood bought body today, just as was true in the beginning.

   Some say that "just so long as one is baptized to obey Christ, their baptism is valid, even though they have associated themselves by choice with a Protestant church." If this be true, then I suppose all "brands" of Baptists are our brethren even though they may not acknowledge us as their brethren. Why do I say this? Because according to every creed I have read among them, they all admit to the following. “Baptism is not essential to salvation, …but it is essential to obedience, since Christ has commanded it…” (Note  8, Pg. 20 Standard Manual For Baptist Churches by Edward T. Hiscox, D.D. 1961 edition) The articles of faith among them may vary in how they state this, but basically, most all of them say much the same. They often accuse members of the body of Christ of believing in "baptismal regeneration" which they all denounce. What they evidently do not realize is that we do as well. "Baptismal regeneration" would be true only if we thought that baptism alone saved one like the rituals performed among the Catholics and some others, and that, even of infants. We are as opposed to such as are our Protestant friends. However, when preceded by the proper teaching, baptism is referred to as "the washing of regeneration..." (Titus 3:5). Too, the apostle Peter said plainly "...baptism doth also now save you..." (1 Peter 3:20-21). I like to refer to baptism as "the final act of the new birth of the water and of the Spirit," without which one may not "see" nor "enter" into the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5).

ARE ALL WHO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED "FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS" OUR BRETHREN IN CHRIST?

   Some with whom I have discussed this matter will answer in the affirmative! My next question is, are the Mormons our brethren? The Mormons baptize by immersion "for the remission of sins." Yet they do not believe in the same God nor the same Lord Jesus Christ as do we. Usually the one who has just stated the above affirmation will all of a sudden be unwilling to be consistent with what he has just affirmed and will not accept members of this Cult as his brothers in Christ. How, I ask, if his premise is correct, can he deny this conclusion? I deny it because I believe there are several other prerequisites to scriptural baptism.  Inspired apostles and evangelist took into account just where folks were in their understanding of some essential beliefs before they would baptize folks into Christ. For example when Paul preached on Mar's Hill he instructed them concerning the nature of the "one true God and His Son" for without this knowledge even if he should have baptized them, they would not have been saved (Acts 17:22-31; John 8:21-24; Hebrews 11:6).

RE-BAPTIZED EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD BEEN BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS BY JOHN'S BAPTISM (MARK 1:4).

   When Paul encountered some folks who had been immersed "knowing only the baptism of John," he realized that they were not converts to Christ and were in need of submitting to "baptism by Christ's authority" which was not only "for the remission of alien sins, but into Christ and into the one body," His blood bought church. These folks were immediately baptized scripturally. You can read the account in (Acts 19:1-7) See also (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 2:38, 40-41; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:13-16).

   Some time ago I was reading from a publication of the Assemblies of God denomination in which it was suggested that one should be "baptized in running water to wash away their sins." I wondered how this baptism could do as they suggested when in other places in their own literature they claimed salvation when they came to the alter, accepted Christ and prayed for salvation? Do you get what's wrong with that picture? While a good Bible passage is alluded to which is (Acts 22:16), their application isn't parallel to the case of Saul of Tarsus. He was lost until he obeyed the Lord's commandment as to "what he must do," which was, now that he was a penitent believer who had confessed faith in Christ, had prayed and even fasted, “...arise and be baptized and wash away your sins…” (Acts 22:16; John 3:3-5). Are members of the Assembly of God our brethren in Christ? I wish they would learn the truth and become such, but as things now stand the answer must be no!

WE HAVE LONG TAUGHT THAT "ONE CANNOT BE TAUGHT WRONG AND HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED RIGHT." WERE WE CORRECT IN THIS CONTENTION? IF YES-THEN IT'S STILL TRUE!

   My answer is we were, and we are correct when we maintain the above affirmation. Why do I say this? I rely on Paul's inspired remarks in the Roman letter where he affirms that until or unless one “obeys from the heart that form of doctrine they were delivered” they remain lost. In other words it takes “obeying from the heart” a form of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, to be made free of alien sins (Romans 6:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). “Obeying from the heart” means (if I understand the inspired language) "with one's understanding" of what constitutes Scriptural baptism, and why one is being baptized. He must believe, before he goes down into the waters of baptism, that he is lost and in need of cleansing in the blood of Christ and believe when he arises from said immersion it is to a newness of life and that then, and not before, he becomes a servant of righteousness and a member of the blood bought body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).

   The conversion of the Queen's treasurer is an interesting case pointing of another prerequisite to Scriptural baptism. When Philip “preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35), as soon as they came to water the treasurer requested baptism and asked, “what doth hinder me to be baptized” (v-36)? He was told that he must “believe with all of his heart” before he could be baptized. In order to know that he did in fact believe on Jesus Christ he had to confess his faith with his mouth just as Jesus and later Paul had also affirmed (See Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:26-39) See also (1 Timothy 6:12).

ONE DOESN'T ACCIDENTALLY GET INTO THE CHURCH

   I don't happen to believe that the New Testament teaches that one can accidentally get into the "one body," the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. I see in (1 Corinthians 12:13) reason to believe that these folks knew into what relationship baptism would place them since it was "by one Spirit they were baptized into one body." By one Spirit means simply the teaching they received from men who were guided by the Holy Spirit they knew they were being baptized into this one body where reconciliation unto God is to be found (See Acts 2:1-4; 22-38, 40-41, 47; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 2:13-17; Ephesians 3:1-6; Ephesians 4:1-6; Ephesians 5:22-33).

   Hearing and learning are prerequisites to conversion or the “new birth” of “water and of the Spirit” (John 3:3-5; Titus 3:3-5). Jesus said so in (John 6:44-45). When the Great Commission was faithfully taught by Christ's apostles the people were being taught by God through these inspired men. The passage reads:

“No man can come to Me except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God, every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, cometh unto Me” (John 6:44-45).

   While not all cases of conversion to Christ spell out all of the steps that are prerequisite to salvation, since some simply say something like, “many of the priest were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7), and “believers were the more added to the Lord…” (Acts 5:14), still when we take each case of conversion a normal progression follows which we have come to list as the "five steps into Christ" 1. Hear the gospel. 2. Believe the same. 3. Repent of sins. 4. Confess one's faith in Christ. 5. Be baptized into Christ and into the one body for the remission of sins. Those steps aren't listed anywhere in your new testament in that exact form, but a gospel preacher by the name of Ben Franklin, if I am not mistaken, many years ago properly put them in this order (which is the only logical order leading to full conversion) so the "five finger method" of teaching others could be easily utilized in converting others to Christ.

   Let me share something else that is interesting to me. Foy E. Wallace Jr. -told this story and I have it on tape. He was in a gospel meeting and a woman came out after the service and told him, "brother Wallace, you converted me to Christ but your brother Cled baptized me." Foy said "no lady you're wrong about that." She was quite disturbed with him and repeated the statement and Foy denied her claim once again and added "If I didn't baptize you, I did not convert you, for one isn't converted until one is scripturally baptized." He then paralleled (Acts 2:38 with Acts 3:19). In Acts 2:38 Peter told believers to "repent and be baptized...for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" and in (Acts 3:19 he said to another audience of believers that they must "repent and be converted when times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Father." See the point? He used "converted" as parallel to "being baptized." Therefore, one isn't converted until and unless one is scripturally baptized - See? Beside that, see the parallel between (Acts 2:38 and Matthew 26:28). The same reason Christ shed His blood is why we are to be baptized “for (in order to) the remission of sins.” This is an ungetaroundable argument. It can be denied but it can't be disproved.

   As I stated in the very beginning, "I doubt that I will be able to satisfy everyone on this matter" but let me say again, "I do not believe one can be taught wrong and baptized right, nor do I believe one can slip up and accidentally become a member of the body of Christ without knowing it."

WE ARE BAPTIZED INTO A NAME AS WELL

   Everyone who is "baptized" is "baptized into some name." For example if a joint meeting of various denominations was engaged in and they decided to "divide the spoils" of those whom they believed were "converted to Christ" by "faith alone" or at the point that each "accepted Jesus as personal Savior," let me ask you. What are those so called "converts" religiously at this point? Now let us suppose the meeting was jointly conducted by the Methodist-Baptist-Presbyterians and Lutherans. How do those they claim are converts to Christ get to wear these various names? You know as well as I it is when which ever preacher from each group "baptizes them" that they take that name whether it be "Baptist-Methodist-Presbyterian or Lutheran."

   Conversely to the above if a penitent believer in Jesus Christ is baptized into Christ and into the name of Christ as well as into the only body, he takes the name Christian, a name which unites and doesn't divide (See Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-6; Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16; Acts 4:10-12). Think, my friends and my brethren as well.

ARE THERE CHRISTIANS IN THE VARIOUS DENOMINTIONS?

   There is only one "plan of salvation." So far as I know everyone who “Obeys from the heart that form of doctrine is made free from sins and becomes a servant of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18; Colossians 2:12).  If after thus obeying one decides to "join" himself or herself to a manmade denominational body, they had better get out of that "plant not planted by the heavenly Father," for sooner or later they will be rooted up (Matthew 15:13; Psalm 127:1; Ephesians 5:22-33). It is certain the Lord "has never added one to a human denomination." He only adds the saved to his blood bought body when they obey the gospel (Acts 2:22-38, 40- 41, 47; Col. 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:22-25). Those who “obey not the gospel” will suffer everlasting punishment following judgment day according to the words of the inspired apostle Paul in (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9). If you have yet to "obey the gospel of Christ" and this lesson has convinced you of you need to attend to this matter, get in touch with us and allow us to assist you in your obedience. 

Let's Just Do What God Says
T. Doy Moyer

Religious division is a result of failing to do what the Lord says. It reflects an earthly mindset. The apostle Paul told the factious Corinthians: "for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealously and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, 'I am of Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3-4).

Look around. Hundreds of denominations exist. They call themselves after men or peculiar doctrines. They engage in a plethora of unauthorized activities because this is what they want. Focus is put upon the social or political. All of this is done supposedly in the name of Christ. However, the Lord says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Religion has become so feeling and emotion oriented that to suggest that there are those who are practicing lawlessness "in the name of Christ" is to be mean spirited and unkind. There is no such thing as false worship in today's society. "Tolerance" for all the various ways of "serving God" is the call of today.

Shame on us for suggesting that there is a pattern of authority for the worship and work of God's people. Frankly, with an attitude like this, we might as well write our own Bible. God's will is unity. We are to endeavor for it by following His plan in the Scriptures (Ephesians 4:1-6). We are not at liberty to toss aside any of the teachings of the Bible. Yet, in order for denominationalism and division to exist, tossing aside what God says is exactly what is being done. It's no wonder that the world has responded with disbelief (see John 17:20-21).

Let's just do what God says. That may sound simplistic, but it is still the key to pleasing God and maintaining unity among believers. Let's be just Christians. It can be done - it must be done if we are to please God. May we all examine ourselves, our practices, and our doctrines, and see if we are following God's will. It's in the Book.

~In Gospel Power

CHURCH HISTORY: A BIBLICAL VIEW
Part III - No. 18 Compiled and written by Gary Eubanks

Augustine (354-430) was the most influential leader of the Roman Catholic Church since apostolic times. His greatest achievement, and the source of his profound influence, was a doctrinal system which shaped and dominated Roman Catholic theology throughout the Middle Ages and heavily permeated Protestant theology also. Augustine's Views were greatly affected by his background. He was born in North Africa to a pagan father and a Catholic mother. The differences in the religious beliefs of his parents typify, and perhaps led to, the prolonged conflict he experienced between his ideals and his actual conduct. He felt two natures at work in himself; one-earthy and base, and the other spiritual and idealistic. The lower of his two natures held sway during the earlier part of his life, though he was never really happy to have it so. Pursuing an academic education and career, he finally wound up as a teacher of rhetoric in Milan, Italy in 384. During his early years he was influenced, but never wholly captivated, by various philosophies. After his return to North Africa Augustine's inner struggle finally culminated in his "conversion" in 386, though he was not baptized until the next year. He applied himself diligently and soon rose through the hierarchy to become bishop of Hippo, where he died in his old age during a siege by the Vandals.

Perhaps the most prominent of Augustine's teachings were those relating to sin and salvation. He believed that the whole human race, even infants suffered under the curse of Adamic depravity - that in Adam all sinned and fell into a hopelessly wicked state. God arbitrarily predestinated individuals, whose number was definitely fixed, to be saved.

Augustine's conception of the grace by which these individuals were saved left no room for an exercise of free will on their part. According to Augustine, God's grace is irresistible. This grace infuses faith, love, and enabling-power into the heart and life of the individual. Faith, then, is a direct gift of God. These concepts were closely tied to the background of Augustine, who felt that he had been saved from the enslaving power of sin by the irresistible grace of God.

Augustine's concepts were seriously challenged by Pelagius, an Irish or British monk who came to Rome in 400 and North Africa in 410. Contrary to Augustine, he held to the idea of free will in men. "If I ought, I can," well expresses his thinking. Men did not inherit any original sin from Adam. Adam merely set a bad example for men to follow. Thus, men had the power not to sin, though they failed to use this power. Pelagius did not rule out grace but felt that it consisted in the remission of sins in baptism and obedience to divine teaching. Augustine led a vigorous battle against the views of Pelagius, who, although not without his strong and influential supporters, was condemned by various synods, councils, emperors, and popes. The Catholic Church and, later, the Protestant Churches embraced Augustine's views on sin and salvation.

A. Sin The idea of a transfer of Adam's guilt, sinful nature, and the spiritual consequences thereof to all his posterity is the basis for the Augustinian conception of sin and salvation, and it is a grossly false idea. Sin is not something men inherit but something they do by transgressing God's law (I Jn. 3:4). Infants cannot discern right from wrong (Deut. 1:39; Isa. 7:16), and Scripture speaks of them being in a state of innocence (Rom. 9:11; I Cor. 14:20; Matt. 19:14). As a matter of fact, the Bible teaches that men will be held accountable only for their own sins (Ezek. 18:20; II Cor. 5:10). Men did not sin representatively in Adam, nor do they inherit his guilt or sinful nature. Adam's sin indirectly made all men sinful by introducing sin into the world and setting an example of sin (Rom. 5:12-21; cp. Matt. 5:32).

B. Free Will. There is no sense in speaking of someone having a will at all if that will is not his own - if it is not free. However, the Bible talks about man having a will of his own (Matt. 16:24; Jn. 7:17). Moreover, why should it be thought that Adam's first sin resulted in a loss of free will to him and his posterity? The doctrine of a lack of free will in man holds implications too terrible to concede. Such a doctrine (1) relieves man of his responsibility in sinning, (2) places the burden of sin upon God (because He did not give men the ability to overcome sin), and (3) makes God unjust for condemning men for committing sin which they had no choice but to commit.

C. Grace. The grace of God comes to all men in the same way, bringing them salvation (Tit. 2:11), but that grace may be resisted (Acts 7:51).

D. Predestination. The Bible does speak of Christians being predestinated insofar as their purposes and objectives are concerned (Rom. 8:29, 30; Eph. 1:5,11), but it does not speak of particular individuals being predestinated by God to become Christians and be saved while all others are left to go to hell. Such a concept of predestination makes God a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) and is plainly contrary to His desire for the salvation of all men (I Tim. 2:4; II Pet. 3:9).