Does "all" mean "all"?

Helen,

Here's a recent thread on this subject:
Pete's "all" thread

All means what it means in context......

 

Helen,
Do you agree that Jesus' Atonement is for the sins of the world? The world is the whole, or ALL of the world. and that Atonement is a Once-for-ALL event, meaning all the sins for all time, past, present, and future.

Jesus' words mean that ANY out of ALL who are weary and burdened, can come to Him in faith, and He will give rest to all who do! Therefore His statement is not universalist, meaning that all will come, but the invitation is open for all, so that those who do come will get rest.

My first paragraph deals with 1 Peter 3:18.

The Hebrews 9 passage, clearly states that Jesus' entry into the most Holy Place is a one time, totally unique event, never occuring before, and never to be repeated.

Hebrews 7, declares that Jesus atonement is a once for all, or a one time atonement that covers all, the sins of all times, past present and future.

1 Timothy 2:3-6 This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved...[/quote]It is God's desire that because of all the work that God has done to make salvation available to ALL MEN, that All men should be saved.

God wants man to KNOW ALL the truth. There is nothing worse than filling one's mind and spirit with half truth.

Verification that Jesus' death on the Cross in atonement for the sins of the world is for ALL MEN, not just some nebulous "the elect".

Helen, I suggest that you look for that which is to be applied to "all" in order to determine whether or not the "all" means "all out of all", or merely "all that meet a specific criteria". For example: "All the Jews" is not "All Mankind", So, unless all is modified by a criteria, then it should be taken to mean all out of all. "The sins of the world" means each and every sin that ever occurred, or will occur in, or on the world, there are none excluded.

It may be the practice of many to theologically rationalize other meanings, but it is not honest!

 

Does 'all' still mean 'all'? [/QB][/QUOTE]

Hi Helen,

Thank you for the opportunity to spread the GOOD NEWS - Jesus Christ Savior of all, especially of those who believe!!

Here are excerpts of a great article on this question of 'all' from Tentmaker Ministry - website address -

http://www.tentmaker.org/tracts/DoYouBelieveAllInTheBible.html

DO YOU BELIEVE ALL IN THE BIBLE?


The early Christians of the first few centuries knew what the Greek word "ta panta" meant. It meant "all." They took Scriptures listed below and believed what they said. To the early Christians, "all" meant "all." This Greek word "ta panta" meant "all" in the Greek and it means "all" in the English. Unfortunately, we live in a time when man calls good, evil and evil, good. To the modern church, "all" does not mean "all." As a matter of fact, "all" in many evangelical churches means "some" or "very few." Below are listed a few of the many plain scriptures which no longer mean what they say. Should you decide to believe these plain Scriptures, you will find yourself among the "remnant." The majority of the church has long since abandoned the simplicity and power of the "Original Good News." The remnant will embrace perfect love and cast out fear and live in a new world. Now study these Scriptures in their proper context and see the full salvation of our wonderful Father. We realize a Scripture referring to all trees cannot be meant to imply all human beings. But if the Greek for all things includes both trees and human beings, we must then include human beings. Look at the following Scriptures through all of our Heavenly Father’s attributes, Omnipotence, Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Justice beautifully and harmoniously clothe His nature which is Love. Then rejoice!


1) 1Tim 2:4 God will have all to be saved. (KJV) Can His will be thwarted?

2) 1Tim 2:4 God desires all to come to the knowledge of truth Will His desire come to pass?

3) 1Tim 2:6 Salvation of all is testified in due time Are we judging God before due time?

4) Jn 12:47 Jesus came to save all Will He succeed?

5) Eph 1:11 God works all after the counsel of His will Can your will overcome His?

6) Jn 4:42 Jesus is Savior of the world Can He be Savior of all without saving all?

7) 1Jn 4:14 Jesus is Savior of the world Why don’t we believe it?

8) Jn 12:32 Jesus will draw all mankind unto Himself To roast or to love?

9) Col 1:16 By Him all were created Will He lose a part of His creation?

10) Rm 5:15-21 In Adam all condemned, in Christ all live The same all?

11) 1Cor 15:22 In Adam all die, in Christ all live Again, the same all?

12) Eph 1:10 All come into Him at the fulness of times Are you getting tired of seeing the word, all?

13) Phl 2:9-11 Every tongue shall confess Jesus is Lord Will the Holy Spirit be given to everyone?

14) 1 Cor 12:3 Cannot confess except by Holy Spirit See what I mean?

15) Rm 11:26 All Israel will be saved But most Jews don’t believe yet!

16) Acts 3:20,21 Restitution of all How plain can you get?

17) Luke 2:10 Jesus will be joy to all people Is there joy is "hell"?

18) Heb 8:11,12 All will know God How long, O Lord?

19) Eph 2:7 His grace shown in the ages to come Have we judged Him before the time?

20) Titus 2:11 Grace has appeared to all Experientially or prophetically?

21) Rm 8:19-21 Creation set at liberty How much of creation?

22) Col 1:20 All reconciled unto God There’s that word "all" again.

23) 1Cor 4:5 All will have praise of God What for?

24) Jms 5:11 End of the Lord is full of mercy Is "hell" mercy?

25) Rev 15:4 All nations worship when God’s judgments are seen Could His judgment be mercy?

26) Rm 11:32 All subject to unbelief, mercy on all All?

27) Rm 11:36 All out of, through, and into Him All into Him?

28) Eph 4:10 Jesus will fill all things Including "hell?"

29) Rev 5:13 All creation seen praising God Including Satan?

30) 1Cor 15:28 God will be all in all What does that mean?

31) Rev 21:4,5 No more tears, all things made new "All" made new?

32) Jn 5:25 All dead who hear will live How many will hear?

33) Jn 5:28 All in the grave will hear & come forth How will the "righteous" judge?

34) 1 Cor 3:15 All saved, so as by fire How can fire save you?

35) Mk 9:49 Everyone shall be salted with fire Including you?

36) Rm 11:15 Reconciliation of the world Will fire save the world instead of destroy it?

37) 2Cor 5:15 Jesus died for all Did He die in vain?

38) Jn 8:29 Jesus always does what pleases His Father What pleases the Father? (1Tim 2:4)

39) Heb 1:2 Jesus is Heir of all things Does "things" include people?

40) Jn 17:2 Jesus gives eternal life to all that His Father gave Him How many did the Father give Him?

41) Jn 3:35 The Father gave Him all things (Repeated for emphasis) Study the word "things" in the Greek.

42) 1 Tim 4:9-11 Jesus is Savior of all! Jesus is Savior of all! Can’t seem to get away from that word "all."

43) Heb. 7:25 Jesus is able to save to the uttermost How far is "uttermost?"

44) 1Cor 15:26 Last enemy, death, will be destroyed Including "lake of fire" which is "second death?"

45) Is 46:10 God will do all His pleasure Does Old Testament agree with the New?

46) Gen 12:3 All families of the earth will be blessed Here comes that word "all" again.

47) Dan 4:35 God’s will done in heaven and earth What can defeat His will?

48) Ps 66:3,4 Enemies will submit to God Can any stay rebellious in "hell?"

49) Ps 90:3 God turns man to destruction, then says return How can one return from "destruction?"

50) Is 25:7 Will destroy veil spread over all nations All nations?

51) Deut 32:39 He kills and makes alive Kills to bring life?

52) Ps 33:15 God fashions all hearts "All" hearts, including men like "Hitler?"

53) Prv 16:9 Man devises, God directs his steps What about "free will?"

54) Prv 19:21 Man devises, but God’s counsel stands So much for "free will."

55) La 3:31,32 God will not cast off forever Why does He cast off in the first place? (1 Cor 11)

56) Is 2:2 All nations shall flow to the Lord’s house "All" nations?

57) Ps 86:9 All nations will worship Him "All" nations!

58) Is 45:23 All descendants of Israel justified Including the wicked ones?

59) Ps 138:4 All kings will praise God Are you catching on?

60) Ps 65:2-4 All flesh will come to God That sounds wondrous.

61) Ps 72:18 God only does wondrous things I wish we would believe that.

62) Is 19:14,15 Egypt & Assyria will be restored Really?

63) Ezk 16:55 Sodom will be restored to former estate Sounds impossible.

64) Jer 32:17 Nothing is too difficult for Him Nothing? No, nothing!

65) Ps 22:27 All ends of the earth will turn to Him For what purpose?

66) Ps 22:27 All families will worship before Him Praise His name!

67) Ps 145:9 He is good to all Including your worst enemies.

68) Ps 145:9 His mercies are over all his works Let’s start believing that.

69) Ps 145:14 He raises all who fall Who hasn’t fallen in sin?

70) Ps 145:10 All His works will praise Him For "eternal torment?"

71) Is 25:6 Lord makes a feast for all people And you are invited.

72) Jer 32:35 Never entered His mind to eternally torture his children with fire Came from man’s mind.

73) Jn 6:44 No one can come to Him unless He draws them You can’t "chose" to follow Him.

74) Jn 12:32 I will draw all mankind unto Myself Amen!!!

75) Ps 135:6 God does what pleases Him. If it pleases Him to save all that He might be in all, are you upset?


Happy studying!

GH

Oh, and the context is ALL.

 

Well GH, let's look at the first 17 scriptures you posted for our consideration.

God established salvation by FAITH ALONE so that everyone out of ALL mankind can be saved, therefore God's will is that Everyone out of ALL should have FAITH and thereby have eternal life. BUT GOD DOES NOT HAVE FAITH AND THEREFORE HAS NONE TO GIVE TO MAN. Man must come to faith through hearing the Word of God.

see #1

Yes, Jesus Atonement is for ALL the sins of the world, for ALL Times, past, present, and future all of which are relative to man. The ransom paid is the penalty for sin, not the salvation of man. Salvation, both old testament and new testament is by FAITH ALONE! However, before Jesus paid the penalty that sin exacts of man, no man could live for all have sinned. The atonement of Jesus Christ removed the penalty of sin from Mankind, so that man could have life.

How is salvation accomplished? Through FAITH, Man's Faith in God, Man's Faith in Jesus. Not all men will have faith in God! That is why there is a second death. (Rev 20:15)

I'll come back to this one.

Sure, there is nothing mysterious about it when you understand Salvation is by HUMAN FAITH ALONE! God established that fact in John 3:16. It was Jesus who paid the penalty of sin for ALL mankind, so that Penalty would not be levied against any man in judgement. For the sake of Salvation, man is not held accountable for sin!

We do! but not in the sense that you do! Jesus is the savior of the world, so that Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. If the whole world believed in Jesus as Savior, then the Whole world would be saved. But if even ONE were atheist, that would be ONE less than the whole. YET, the rest would still be saved!

Ah Yes, Those who come to Jesus in FAITH shall indeed receive the full measure of His love. Those who are drawn to him lacking faith shall be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15)

YES! If you read Revelation

Imagine that, God is going to "roast" this heaven and earth and replace it with new. What is man that God should be mindful of him?

Yes, the Same ALL, In Adam sin entered mankind and with sin the penalty of death. In Jesus, the penalty of death was paid ONCE, FOR ALL (SAME ALL). For mankind there is no longer a penalty of sin to be paid! So in Jesus all have life because Jesus died in the stead of ALL.

SAME ANSWER AS #10

At the appointed time Jesus will return, establish His kingdom upon this earth and reign for a millennium. Every thing shall be subjected to Jesus as he reigns. And I never get tire of the word 'ALL' because it means that I am included!

The scripture you reference makes no mention of the Holy Spirit, however yes whether in victory or in defeat, every knee shall bow before Jesus, acknowledging that Jesus is Lord!

Sure, this is easy too! No one who lacks faith in Jesus can claim Jesus to be his lord. However, in Judgment every knee shall bow in acknowledgement that Jesus is in truth LORD. When a battle is won, the defeated party acknowledges defeat, giving just due to the victor. Those who willingly subject themselves to Jesus do so because Jesus is their personal Lord and Master, a choice made by the willing one.

OK! I believe it!

Let's see what it says,

Speaking of the Second Coming of Jesus the Christ, the "Universal restoration".

Has Jesus not brought you Joy? Has the atonement not paid the penalty for sin for all the sins of the world, including those who are "in hell" so that they too might have the opportunity to have life? What Joy they must have had when they heard that they need not pay the penalty for sins, but can through faith have life.

I'll look at more later, That was quite a list.

 

Nothing in context would deny the invitation being to all people. And neither does the Calvinist deny that, if that's what your getting at. The invitation of the gospel is to all people without distinction.

These ones are "once for all time" as evidenced by the last quotation. The OT priests had to sacrifice over and over again, but Jesus's sacrifice was "once for all". It never had to be repeated, for when he died, the job was completed forever. It was finished--eternal redemption was obtained.

Since the context mentions praying for all types of people--even king, etc., I take this one to be "all types" as well.

 

Dear Helen,

Enjoy your church experience today!

I don't expect a response soon or ever - really. I only desire to lift up our sovereign, loving and just God. He is the giver of truth in the deep calling unto deep sense.

I would discuss though - as much as I can.

In Him, GH

 

All is defined by those who will come.

I don't know if anyone else has pointed this out since I haven't read all this, but the text says "hapax." "for all" is not there. "Hapax" means once. The context of "once for all" is a reference to time, not to people. He died "once," not multiple times.

Same as above.

Same as above.

It could be all types of men (cf. the context). It could also be addressing the unlimited merit of the atonement. Christ did give himself as a ransom for all men. Limited atonement does not deny that. What limited atonement or particular redemption affirms is that the atonement is efficient only for the elect. That does not mean it is limited in its provision, but rather in its application.

It does all the time ... but the context must dictate the answer to the question "all of what?"

 

All is defined by those who will come.</font>[/QUOTE]If this is true then those who don't come are not weary and burdened.

 

All is defined by those who will come.</font>[/QUOTE]If this is true then those who don't come are not weary and burdened. </font>[/QUOTE]No, those who don't come are still weary and burdened, but they don't come. The all is those who are wearied and burdened. The rest is given to those who come. My understanding was that the question dealt with the correspondence between "rest" and "burdened and wearied." If I was wrong about the question, then accept my apology. My point was that the rest is given to "all who come," not "all who are wearied and burdened."

 

All is defined by those who will come.</font>[/QUOTE]If this is true then those who don't come are not weary and burdened. </font>[/QUOTE]No, those who don't come are still weary and burdened, but they don't come. The all is those who are wearied and burdened. The rest is given to those who come. My understanding was that the question dealt with the correspondence between "rest" and "burdened and wearied." If I was wrong about the question, then accept my apology. My point was that the rest is given to "all who come," not "all who are wearied and burdened." </font>[/QUOTE]Then shouldn't it say, "Come to me if you who are weary and burdened, and I will give all who come rest"?

I'm reading it as a universal invitation, but I am not sure exactly how you are reading it. At first you said all is defined by those who come, then in your response you wrote that all are weary and burdened. Not trying to cause trouble here, just confused about who you think the all are.

 

My point was not about the verse but rather the question in the OP. Helen was asking who the "all" was in that verse. I thought she was asking about the "all" with respect to "rest." Do "all" get "rest"? My answer was, No. The ones who get "rest" are the "weary and burdened" who "come." The "all who get rest" are the "weary and burdened who come to him."

Hope that clarifies. I was answering a different question than you were I believe.

 

Pastor Larry,

There simply is no way that man can limit the atonement that Jesus brought to the world. Atonement is not salvation! Atonement deals with sin only! The Sin of Adam brought death to mankind, the Atonement of Jesus removed death from mankind so that the FAITH condition of each man determines that one's eternal life.

In other words Sin doesn't cause the death of the sinner since Jesus paid the penalty for sin once - for - all. One who keeps on sinning is obeying two masters, and God says you cannot serve two masters. We have within us the power to stop sinning, even unbelievers can stop sinning, so it ain't no big deal! Can I then go sin with impunity? Yes, but beware, every sin brings with it a consequence, and sin itself has the effect of eroding whatever faith one has. One's salvation is totally dependent upon one's faith, not on one's deeds. Both sin and good works are deeds. You are known not by your faith, but by your deeds. It's not what you believe but what you do with what you believe that telegraphs you inner character.

No man is exempted from atonement! All men for ALL times are covered by the power of the atonement. So it does not matter what man believes about atonement, it is a God performed act that restores to man the ability to have everlasting life and no man is exempted.

If no man is exempt from Atonement, that must mean that No man is exempt from FAITH. If no man is exempt from FAITH, then WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. Is there an Elect? Yes, the Children of Israel remain God's elect, and yes scriptures declare that they all will be saved. Then all who come to God in faith are, through faith, of the elect.

 

Yep, thanks.

 

no one is exempt from believing, but only those who God enables to beilieve will come.

 

No one said man can.

True, but atonement is what brings satisfaction so that salvation can be given by God.

Non sequitur. The "faith condition" of each man is all that determines man's salvation. But the atonement removes death only from those covered by the atonement. Eternal death still exists for those not covered by the atonement, i.e., those who don't believe.

That is a direct denial of the explicit teaching of Scripture in passages such as Rom 5:12.

The last part is true. The first part is totally illogical and without scriptural merit. The atonement is not applied to all men. It is applied only to those who believe.

The Scriptures never make the elect dependent on belief. It is always teh other way around. There is an elect int he sense of the nation of Israel. There is also an elect in the sense of salvation. "Elect" does not always mean the same thing. You made a major hermeneutical error on that point. Paul quite often uses elect to refer to those not of the nation of Israel, and he even uses it to refer to people who have not yet been saved. Use terms the way Scripture does and you will avoid this nonsense.

 

no one is exempt from believing, but only those who God enables to beilieve will come. [/QB]</font>[/QUOTE]If you are willing to read or even hear the Word of God, you are able to believe! God said so, because he enables those who are willing to do so! The choice is yours!

 

GH, Here's some more response to the list you posted.

It is now! The Spirit of God is everywhere on the earth, all man know God because His spirit is among men.

Context is verse 1-10. If you had read the context you would know the answer, and not asked the question.

When one understands God's Grace is a behavioral trait of God, and not something that God dispenses as if candy, then it is not difficult to understand that every part of God's creation knows, or experiences, God's grace. Paul is teaching Titus a younger follower and a pastor, or leader of a other pastors in the region of Crete, that God's revealed Grace is for the whole world, everyone is included. If God was to save only a predetermined "Elect", then why would God reveal his grace and provide atonement for the whole world, ALL mankind?

The words say all of Creation awaits the revelation of the Children of God. It is the whole of Creation that awaits freedom from corruption brought forth by sin.

My goodness, don't stop with verse 20. Go on with verses 21-23 and discover how those vile Colossians are made irreproachable before the throne of God. And how Paul warns them against falling away.

The return of the Lord Jesus Christ who shall reveal the content of each person's heart. It is then that everyone will receive the appropriate commendation from God.

That is not what is said in James 5:7-11. James is admonishing his readers to be patient in perseverance because the Lord rewards those who are. He gives Job as an example. Was God merciful to Job's first family? Were they not wiped out? Blotted off the face of the earth? Did Job not love them as a father loves his children? Yet God restored to Job more than what he had before.

I don't think one should confuse judgment and mercy, they are not the same. Mercy is Grace, where judgment is condemnation. God's Judgment of a man is his final disposition of that man.

Paul is explaining the effect of sin and atonement. That is, God subjected All mankind to the penalty of sin which is death. Then God gave us his only begotten son to free all mankind from the penalty of sin. Thus no man faces death because of sin.

You refer us to the last stanza of a hymm

Yes the All is All inclusive. Even those who are cast into the lake of fire, Rev 20:15, are treated that way for the Glory of God!

Do you not realize that once this heaven and earth pass away (revelation 21) that that there will be no more hell, no more lake of fire, no more evil. For they too will have "passed away" never to be replaced. For without evil, there is no need for hell, no need for a lake of fire. Once these have passed away, it is forever and ever and ever...

The moment of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, The Lamb of God was victorious over Satan and Evil wherever it may be. Satan has been defeated, Death has been defeated, Evil has been defeated. So whether or not they too praise God is not important. However all the rest of creation praises God! It is not clear that Satan was of the creation anyway, for he seems to have been around from before the foundation of the world. He knew Jesus before the foundation of the world. The demons too knew Jesus before creation. So I'm not sure they count in "all of Creation".

The Godhead will no longer be separated persons, but all will be together in the form of one God. And according to Revelation 21 and 22, That one God will live among men in the New Jerusalem which is on the New Earth in the New Heavens.

Yeah, New Heaven and New Earth, and New Jerusalem. NO dying, no marrying, no sin, no pain, no sickness. ALL NEW! The old has passed away, never to be seen again!

Jesus spoke directly to certain dead, and they responded by returning to the living, alive! Now because Jesus died to atone for the sins of the World, "ALL sins in ALL times", the dead who hear Him; probably in the same ratio that the living hear Him, will come to "faith" in Him, and thus be saved by their FAITH in Him. Just as All living must choose to believe or not believe what they hear, the dead who hear, and all dead have the same Gospel that the living have, must also choose for themselves whether or not to believe. The dead do not have any advantage of knowledge over the living.

The answer? Verse 29,

Just as Jesus said in John 3:18.

Let the scripture speak for itself. 1 Cor 3:15. "the one whose work is burnt down will suffer the loss of it, though he himself will be saved; he will be saved as someone might expect to be saved from a fire."

Everyman's deeds shall be tested as if in fire. The good deeds shall come through the fire in the manner that Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones come through fire without losing their value. Bad deeds (sins) are consumed in the fire in the manner that wood, hay, and stubble are consumed, leaving only worthless ashes. See 1 Cor 3:15 above.

Not from the scripture you referenced, which is discussing the Jews rejection of Jesus and the resulting acceptance of Jesus by the gentiles.

Read the scripture in its context, 11-15, and your confusion should disappear.

OBEDIENCE!

Does God the father own all things? Then of course, Jesus the only begotten offspring of God, inherits all that belongs to the Father. Seems you should know that!

Again if you will read the context you will find that ALL who know (believe, have faith in) God and Jesus Christ shall have eternal life. So the answer to your question is that old standby John 3:16 "For God so loved the World (nothing short of the whole), that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever (any number out of all) believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life." Can you count the grains of sand on a beach? Then why are you concerned with numbers? That is God's domain and not man's. The only thing you should be concerned with is your own belief in Jesus. If your faith is in HIM, you have everlasting life, if you do not then sorry Charlie! You have every opportunity that all others have!

NO NEED TO DO SUCH A STUDY! If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, then you must understand that what belongs to GOD the FATHER, belongs to GOD the SON! Is there anything that does not belong to GOD? YES, evil, sin, unbelief, unholiness, etc. do not belong to GOD, therefore they cannot belong to Jesus.

YOU HAVE MISREAD the scripture. Jesus' atonement is for the Sins of all men of all times, thus Jesus is the Savior of the whole world, the ONLY ONE who has done what can save the world. However, it is only those who believe in GOD and SON that are saved.