SEA member Steve Sewell wrote a short provocative article on the connection between the atonement and Christ’s healing ministry. Here is a short snippet: Everything Jesus did had a purpose. There is no question that…
Sewell. Steve
Did Jesus Reveal the “Who” in “World” in John 3:14-16?
Did Jesus Reveal the “Who” in “World” in John 3:14-16?
There is a lot of debate between Arminians and Calvinists about the meaning of the word, “world” in the NT, as it relates to who Christ died for. Calvinists believe that it refers only to the elect among the various people groups in the world. Arminians, on the other hand, believe that it means what it says, that it literally refers to every individual in the world, from Adam to the very last person to be born.
This disagreement has continued for hundreds of years, but I believe we have before us a unifying passage of Scripture that settles the debate. I believe Jesus Himself reveals who He is referring to when He speaks of the world in John 3:16. Before He states the beloved promise in that verse, He takes us back to the Old Testament where He makes a comparison between an incident that took place there, to the cross He would die on:
Steve Sewell, “Abraham, A Key to Understanding Election”
The doctrine of election causes a lot of confusion for a lot of Christians. So much so, that we have two major opposing positions on what election is and how it works. Calvinism represents one…
Steve Sewell, “Come to Me All….(Matthew 11:28-29)”
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you…
Steve Sewell, “Election and the Character of God”
When studying any doctrine of the Bible, it’s important to have a correct starting point, and that is especially true when studying the doctrine of election. An incorrect starting point will lead us down the…
Steve Sewell, “A Case for Conditional Security, and Why It’s Not a Works-Salvation”
Conditional Security (CS) is the belief that we can lose, or forfeit our salvation through either a lifestyle of unrepentant sin, or a complete falling away from the faith. There are many who have the…
Steve Sewell, “The Gospel and the Kingdom”
Is the gospel message we preach a gospel of true substance? Is it entirely Biblical? Does the listener really understand the message? Does it result in genuine conversions? I believe that the gospel message that…
Steve Sewell, “God’s Plan of Election (Commentary on Romans 9 – Part One)”
Scripture quotations are from the English Majority Text Version (EMTV) unless noted otherwise. Introduction Romans 9 is a very controversial chapter, but it shouldn’t be. All through the Word of God we learn about all…
Steve Sewell, “God’s Plan of Election (Commentary on Romans 9 – Part Two)”
Scripture quotations are from the English Majority Text Version (EMTV) unless noted otherwise. Does God Harden Hearts? (Still addressing verses 17 and 18): 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose…
Steve Sewell, “Calvinism’s Shocking View of God’s Sovereignty”
Many attempt to explain how God carries out His will among mankind as Sovereign God, but they all fall short of the same understanding that God Himself has. However, as limited and imperfect as our…
Steve Sewell, “If Christ Died Only for “The Elect” …
… then faith only applies to “The Elect.” Jesus said, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the…
Steve Sewell, “John 20:31 Disproves Limited Atonement”
All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version unless otherwise noted. John 20:30-31 30 Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book:…
Steve Sewell, “Calvinism’s Unsound Interpretation of John 6:37, 44-45”
All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version unless otherwise noted. John 6:44-45 44 No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will…
Steve Sewell, “Elect Bride”
All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version unless otherwise noted. The Bride of Christ – A Picture of Corporate Election The fact that we, as the Church, are identified as the “Bride”…
Steve Sewell, “Why the Draw to Calvinism?”
I find it strange for a Christian to be drawn to Calvinism — an anomaly, really. I don’t believe that Calvinistic theology is in harmony with who we are as followers of Christ. Christians are…
Steve Sewell, “The Fruit of the Spirit Disproves Determinism”
All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version unless otherwise noted. Galatians 5:16-25: 16 But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For…
Steve Sewell, “Corporate Election in 1 Peter”
All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version unless otherwise noted. 1 Peter 2:3-10 3 if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious: 4 unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected…
Steve Sewell, “The ‘Whosoever’ of John 3:16 Identified”
All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version unless otherwise noted. There is much debate between Arminians and Calvinists about the meaning of the words “whosoever” and “world” in the NT as it…
Steve Sewell, “Get God’s Character Right, You’ll Get His Sovereignty Right”
Get God’s character right, and you’ll get His sovereignty right. God’s character defines His sovereignty, not the other way around. What separates Calvinists and Arminians, primarily, is our view of God. Calvinists are determinists. There…
Steve Sewell, “The Incompatibility of Calvinism and Fulfillment Theology”
All Scripture quotes are from the 1901 American Standard Version unless otherwise noted. Introduction It’s widely known that many Calvinists hold to Fulfillment Theology (FT). The reason that matters is because, I believe, FT and Corporate…