The Woman Who Was Told That Her Gospel Would Not Help If Her Neighbour Was Not "Chosen"
She was a loving Christian woman, raised in a Calvinist church. And when she wanted to share her faith with her unbelieving neighbour, someone whispered to her at the church: "Do not worry too much. If your neighbour is among the elect, God will draw her; if she is not, nothing you do will change that." She felt as though she was inside a play already scripted — as though the gospel were a message for a secret, unnamed group. But she believed that God sent His Son for everyone, and so she went and shared her faith simply and with love. And her neighbour believed. And afterwards the woman asked herself: "Did this happen because my neighbour was predestined in eternity with no reason, or because she heard the genuine good news and answered of her own will?" That is the essential question that separates the God of the Bible from the god of Calvinism on the matter of election.
Calvinism teaches "Unconditional Election": that God chose in eternity — without any cause in the person and without any foreknowledge of their faith — specific individuals for salvation, and passed over the rest, leaving them to destruction. This election is absolute and without condition — no virtue, no faith, nothing in man explains it. And the question that must be asked is: is this truly what the Holy Bible says? Or does election in Scripture have an entirely different face?
Chosen "In Him" — Whoever Enters Christ Is Chosen, Not Chosen to Enter Him
The most prominent text Calvinists cite for election is Ephesians 1:4: "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." (Ephesians 1:4). But they ignore two crucial words: "in him." The election is not simply an election of individuals to individuals — it is election "in him," that is, in Christ. The believer is chosen because he is in Christ by faith. Whoever entered Christ by faith finds himself within the chosen — because Christ Himself is the first and original "Chosen One," and believers are chosen through their union with Him.
The next verse completes the picture: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." (Ephesians 1:5). Adoption "by Jesus Christ" — that is, through the mediation of and union with Him. And the purpose: "that we should be holy and without blame" — that is, election is for purpose, transformation, and mission, not merely for classifying who is saved and who is rejected.
"According to the Foreknowledge of God the Father" — Election Is Grounded in Foreknowledge
When the apostle Peter identifies the chosen believers, he specifies the foundation of that election with complete clarity: "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father." (1 Peter 1:2). "According to the foreknowledge of God the Father" — the election is built upon the prior eternal knowledge of God, not upon a blind decree without cause. And this is consistent with Romans 8:29: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son." (Romans 8:29). "Whom he did foreknow" comes before "he also did predestinate" — prior knowledge precedes prior appointment.
The Calvinist says: "Election is not because of foreseen faith." But Scripture says: "election according to the foreknowledge of God" — and this means that God in His unlimited eternal knowledge saw who would believe when the gospel was presented to them — and this election does not cancel human responsibility or turn faith into an illusion, but makes election consistent with genuine human response.
Chosen "Through Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth" — Election Runs Through Faith
The apostle Paul reveals something the Calvinist cannot bypass: "because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." (2 Thessalonians 2:13). Yes — God chose them from the beginning. But the election was "through sanctification of the Spirit" — that is, through the working of the Holy Ghost in them — and "belief of the truth" — that is, through their personal faith in the truth. The mechanism and path of election runs through personal faith, not around it.
This verse alone dismantles "Unconditional Election" from its roots. For if election is accomplished "through belief of the truth," then belief — that is, faith — is not merely a later consequence of the eternal election, but the very channel through which the divine election reaches the man.
"God Is No Respecter of Persons" — Arbitrary Election Contradicts the Justice of God
When the apostle Peter opened his heart and began to perceive that the gospel was for all men, he said in wonder and reverence: "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." (Acts 10:34). "No respecter of persons" — He shows no partiality. God does not deal in arbitrary discrimination; He does not choose some for hidden reasons and turn from others without cause.
But the Calvinist "Unconditional Election" — which by definition is based on no cause in the person and no prior knowledge — is an arbitrary election that distinguishes between two people in the same position with no known reason whatsoever. And this is precisely what Scripture rejects in saying "God is no respecter of persons." If God shows no partiality in His justice, how could He choose who is saved and who is damned with no reason at all in the person? What the Calvinists call "absolute sovereignty," Scripture calls "respect of persons" — and God denied it of Himself.
The Universal Will of God — "Who Will Have All Men to Be Saved"
Scripture declares that the revealed will of God is the salvation of all: "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4). "All men" — not a pre-selected group. And it continues: "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). "Not willing that any should perish" — the will of God is that no one perish. How then does the Calvinist teach that God chose in eternity to condemn most of mankind, when Scripture plainly says He is "not willing that any should perish"? Two wills cannot belong to one God — a secret will that condemns the majority, and a revealed will that desires the salvation of all. Scripture teaches only one.
"Come unto Me, All Ye That Labour" — The Call Knows No Exceptions
The Lord Jesus Christ said: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). "All ye that labor and are heavy laden" — He did not say "ye elect, come." He said "all ye that labor" — a description that covers every human soul bearing the weight of sin and life. If the call is genuinely to "all who labour," salvation is available to every one of them. And the final invitation of Scripture is open to whoever will: "And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17). "Whosoever will" — a limitless word. If Calvinist election were correct, the only genuine invitation would be "let him whom God has secretly chosen come" — but Scripture says "whosoever will."
Election for Purpose — "That Ye Should Go and Bring Forth Fruit"
When the Lord said to His disciples "I have chosen you," what was the purpose? "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit." (John 15:16). Election is "that ye should go and bring forth fruit" — for service, mission, and commission. This reveals that election in Scripture often is election for purpose and task, not merely an eternal classification of who is saved and who is rejected.
God chose Israel as a nation — not because it was better, but for a missionary purpose to be a witness before the nations. And He chose the apostles — not for an exclusive salvation unavailable to others, but for a mission He defined. Biblical election is richer and broader than the Calvinist individual election — and its foundation is purpose and mission, not arbitrary eternal classification.
Eternal Reprobation — No Prophet or Apostle Taught It
"Unconditional Election" logically entails eternal reprobation: if God chose some before birth without cause, He passed over the rest and decreed their destruction without cause also. But not a single verse in Scripture says "God decreed a person to hell before birth." Not one. Every Calvinist text on eternal reprobation is an interpretation added by men, not a plain declaration of Scripture.
Rather Scripture declares the opposite: "As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live." (Ezekiel 33:11). How could God decree a person to destruction from eternity while at the same time declaring He takes no pleasure in his death and desires him to turn and live? The two cannot be reconciled — unless eternal reprobation is not the teaching of Scripture at all.
"Him That Cometh to Me I Will in No Wise Cast Out" — Security for Whoever Came
The Lord Jesus gave an absolute promise: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37). Two parts: the Father's gift — and the man's coming. "Him that cometh" — the action is from the man of his own will. And "I will in no wise cast out" — absolute security for whoever came. He did not say "I will not cast out those I have chosen." He said: "I will not cast out him that cometh." So the path to security is coming — and it is available to all who will come. And He also said: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:28). Security is guaranteed for the sheep who follow Him — not for a secret predetermined list, but for every sheep that follows Him in faith.
"Jacob Have I Loved, but Esau Have I Hated" — About Two Nations, Not Two Eternal Destinies
Calvinists frequently cite "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" (Romans 9:13) as proof of unconditional individual election. But the context is plain: the apostle Paul in Romans nine is defending the faithfulness of God to His promises toward Israel in history — not building a theological system for individual election to heaven or hell. The quotation from Malachi (1:2-3) speaks of two nations — Israel and Edom — in the course of historical events. Even on the personal level, "hate" in the Eastern idiom means "to love less," not an eternal decree to hell. Esau received abundant earthly blessings in his lifetime. The election here is a national election for a redemptive-historical purpose — "the elder shall serve the younger" (Romans 9:12) — not a declaration of eternal individual destiny decided before any action or faith.
In the Acts of the Apostles — People Choose and Are Held Responsible for Their Choice
When the apostle Paul preached in Pisidian Antioch and the Jews rejected the message, he said words the Calvinist interpretation cannot accommodate: "seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:46). "Judge yourselves unworthy" — they judged themselves by their own free will — God did not judge them from eternity. And in Athens (Acts 17:32-34), when the apostle Paul finished his sermon on the resurrection, the audience responded in three different ways: "some mocked... some said... and others clave unto him and believed." Three different responses from the same audience who heard the same message — each one decided for himself. If Calvinist election were correct, all the elect in that moment would have believed by overpowering force — but we see a natural spread of rejection, delay, and belief.
Why Preach to Everyone If Election Is Fixed from Eternity?
The internal logic of Calvinism lands it in a practical dilemma: if God determined from eternity who is saved and who perishes, and if irresistible grace would infallibly draw the elect regardless — why preach the gospel to all men without exception? This question troubled Calvinists themselves. But the Word of God gives no convoluted answer. It says simply: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15). "Every creature" — because the gospel is genuinely true and for everyone who hears it, and salvation is available to all who respond. Universal preaching means the gospel is a sincere offer to everyone — not a message for a secret, unknown group. This fits the biblical election "in Christ": whoever receives Christ enters the scope of election — because Christ is the Chosen One and the door, and all who enter through Him enter into God's choosing.
John 3:16 Will Not Accept the Calvinist Interpretation
Some Calvinists attempt to interpret "God so loved the world" as meaning "the world" = "the elect from all nations," not all people. But this interpretation conflicts with John's use of the word "world" throughout the same Gospel, where he always used it for fallen humanity in its entirety — "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (1:29), and "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (3:17). "All" and "the world" and "every man" in these texts will not accept narrowing to "the elect only" without forcing the text and imposing interpretation. The God of the Bible loved the world truly and literally — and you are part of that world too.
When Does a Believer Know He Is Chosen? — When He Believes
The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica saying "we give thanks... because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13) — and he said this to people who had already believed, not to people searching the eternal records to see if they were chosen. Biblical election is discovered from the back end after faith, not from the front end as a prior condition for faith. The sequence: you hear the gospel, the Holy Ghost convicts you, you believe in Christ — and you then discover that the Father chose you in Him before the foundation of the world. And if you wonder "how do I know if I am chosen?" the biblical answer is not "wait and check the eternal register." The answer is: believe now. And the moment you believe, you will know you were chosen — not as prior knowledge you needed before daring to believe, but as an unshakeable certainty and peace afterward. And the one who came to Christ is assured: "him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
The True God of the Bible Does Not Hide a List of the Chosen — He Calls You Openly
If you are searching within yourself whether you are among "the chosen," hear the Word of Scripture: there is no closed list hidden from you. God does not hide the election behind a shut door. Rather He says to you openly: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). You are one of "all ye that labor." The call is for you. And when you come to Christ in faith, you will find that you were chosen "in Christ" — and whoever is in Christ is among the chosen. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31) — not "wait until it is declared to you that you are chosen."
And we encourage you to begin reading the Gospel of John for yourself, and to continue in the Word of God in the King James Version — the truest and purest Word of God in the world — and in the Van Dyck in Arabic, both found on this website (alinjil.com). You will find in them a God who does not hide behind secret election lists, but stands before you with open arms and says: Come. May God bless you as you come to Him.
An Invitation to Receive Divine Salvation — Accept The Lord Jesus Christ as Your Personal Saviour
Dear reader — if these words have touched your heart and you have recognised that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour, know that God is calling you to Himself in this very moment. You do not need a priest, or a human mediator, or a holy place, or rituals or works. The Lord Jesus Christ paid the full price on the cross, and the promise of God is certain and clear:
What saves you is not the words of this prayer — but the faith in your heart that the Lord Jesus Christ died for you and rose from the dead. But if you want to express your faith in sincere words, read this prayer with a humble heart as though you are speaking to the living God:
The Prayer of Salvation
"O Great, Holy, and Loving True God,
I come to You now with complete humility, confessing that I am a sinner. I have broken Your commandments many times in my thoughts, in my words, and in my deeds. I know that my sin deserves eternal death and eternal separation from You. I have no good work I can offer that is able to redeem my soul, and no righteousness of my own to cover my nakedness before Your holiness.
But I believe with all my heart in the testimony of Your Word that Your only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, died on the cross for my sins — bearing in my place the punishment I deserved. I believe that He was buried, and that He rose from the dead on the third day, alive and victorious over death and the grave, and that He is alive now unto the ages of ages.
In this blessed moment, I receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. I trust in Him alone — not in my works, not in my religion, not in rituals or any person or angel or saint. On the Lord Jesus Christ alone, and on His precious blood shed on the cross, I build the hope of my eternal salvation.
I thank You, my Father, that You have now received me in the Lord Jesus Christ, and have forgiven all my sins, and have given me eternal life as a free gift by Your grace. I thank You that You have sent Your Holy Ghost to dwell in my heart, bearing witness to me that I have become Your child. Give me grace to know You more day by day, and to live the rest of my life for Your glory alone.
I pray all this in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
After You Have Prayed — What Now?
If you prayed this prayer from a truly believing heart, the greatest miracle in all your history has happened in this moment: you have passed from death to life, from darkness to light, from the kingdom of sin into the kingdom of the beloved Son of God. You have become a child of the living God, and God's own promise guarantees this to you in His trustworthy Word:
Notice the power of this promise: "gave he power" — a settled right, guaranteed, not a wish or a possibility. And notice "them that believe on his name" — not "those who performed great deeds," not "those who completed rituals," but simply "them that believe." You are now one of them — with absolute certainty.
Here are five simple steps to establish you in your new life with the Lord Jesus Christ:
First — Read the King James Bible every day. Begin with the Gospel of John, then continue through the rest of the New Testament, then the Psalms and Proverbs. God speaks to you through His Word as a father speaks with his son. Do not read quickly — read with meditation and prayer. "The holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15).
Second — Pray every day. Speak to God as a loving Father — not with memorised words, but with words from your heart. Share with Him your joys and sorrows and questions and fears. Prayer is the breathing of the Christian life. "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Third — Join a Bible-believing church. Do not walk this road alone. Faith grows in the fellowship of believers, where the Word is preached faithfully and baptism and the Lord's Supper are practised according to the King James Bible. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25).
Fourth — Be baptised according to the King James Bible. Baptism is not a condition for salvation, but it is the first step of obedience after faith. It is a public declaration that you died with the Lord Jesus Christ and were buried with Him and rose with Him to a new life. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16) — faith first, then baptism as its natural fruit.
Fifth — Witness to others about the Lord Jesus Christ. What you have experienced of salvation and love cannot remain hidden. Begin with your family and friends. Tell them simply and honestly how the Lord Jesus Christ changed your life. "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you" (1 John 1:3).
And finally, remember always that your salvation is not built on your feelings or on any work you perform — but on the unchanging promise of God:
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life."
— 1 John 5:13
Notice: "that ye may know" — not "that ye may hope," not "that ye may wish," not "that ye may wait in anxious fear." But that ye may know with complete, unshakeable certainty that you have eternal life. This is the difference between all the world's religions and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ: religions say "work and perhaps you will be saved" — and the Word of God alone says: "believe and know that you are saved."
✉ Share Your Testimony of Salvation
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." — Luke 15:10