Questions and Answers
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This page allows you to submit your questions to us at the Glencoe Church of Christ.
We will attempt to answer your questions as best as we can within a couple of weeks. You will be emailed when we have posted an answer to your question. Also included here, are questions and comments (phrased as questions) that I have stumbled upon from people on other sites. Some things seem to be common misconceptions, which I have placed here to clear up/answer. Submit your questions to the right and view the questions and answers below. **Click on the questions below to display the answers.** |
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Q1: Why do you call yourselves Christians?
A1: In Acts 11:26, we read that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Q2: Why "Church of Christ"?
A2: We use the "Church of Christ" because it is an appropriate description that had been used by congregations in the Scriptures (see Romans 16:16). We are an assembly (congregation, church) of followers belonging to Christ. But that does not mean that it is the only name/description that can be used. There are other ways that assemblies of Christians have been referred to as in the Scriptures. Ie. church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2), the church (Acts 8:1).
Q3: Some people believe God predestined those who would be saved. What do you think about this teaching? Did God predestine certain ones who would go to heaven and all others would be lost? What scriptures would you use to back up your thoughts on this?
A3: There are a number of passage that speak of the predestined (Rom. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:5, 11) and the elect (Luke 18:7; Rom. 8:33; 11:7; Col. 3:12), so there must be some sort of predestination – that is clear from the Scriptures – but does it mean what many interpret it as? Are certain individuals chosen to be saved and others left to be lost?
We know that as the inspired word of God (2 Tim. 3:16), the Bible does not contradict itself. However, if we assume that God did predestine certain people to go to heaven, leaving all others to be lost, we can see that that would leave us with some contradictions. Let’s briefly take a look at some of the verses that would oppose this doctrine and then briefly look at what the actual meaning of the elect and predestined is.
Rom. 2:11 – We read that there is no partiality with God, which would be a contradiction of God’s character if He actually did select certain individuals for salvation. Not everyone would have opportunity for salvation since some would have been “left off the list”.
John 3:15-16 – dictionary.com defines “whoever” as “whatever person; anyone that”. Here we read that whoever believes will have eternal life. There is no limit on who can believe and obey God’s word to inherit salvation. It is not “the elect should not perish but have eternal life”. Anyone who desires to follow Christ can “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow [Him]” (Mark 8:34).
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord does not want anyone to be lost. He waits and waits, allowing time for more and more to come to Him. If God chose some to be saved and left the rest to be lost than He isn’t really willing to have everyone saved is He? If He chose certain individuals to inherit eternal life, than He willingly left out other ones to perish and suffer eternal death and separation from God.
These three verses contradict the view that God chose certain people to be saved and left everyone else to be lost. Therefore, since the Bible does not contradict itself, we must be people who can choose to follow God or not. Consider Matthew 16:24 (Jesus says “if” – it’s conditional – a choice must be made).
As an aside: Having choice does not contradict with God being all-knowing. We know that God knows all things (1 John 3:20), but just because God knows what we will choose does not nullify our choice. If I offer my dog a meaty bone or a leaf of lettuce, I know she will choose the meaty bone. I didn’t force her to take the bone – she still had, and made, a choice – but I knew her well enough to know what choice she would make.
So if individuals are not predestined, then what are the verses that speak of it referring to? What about verses on being chosen?
Eph. 1:4 – the verse doesn’t simply say that “He chose us, before…”, it reads “He chose us in Him…” Those who are chosen are those who come to Christ and enter in to His family (Matt. 12:49-50) – those who enter into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27).
Eph. 1:11-12 – it is through Christ that we obtain that great and heavenly inheritance. We must be obedient to the Lord. And we read that it is those who trust in the Lord who are predestined. They are predestined according to the purpose of Jesus Christ - we can read of that purpose in verses 7-10 of Ephesians 1: Christ made it possible that any and all could be redeemed.
Col. 3:12-13; 1:2 – in verse 12 we read that those whom Paul is writing to are of the elect. And in verse 2, we read that he was writing to those who were faithful followers of Christ. The elect – chosen – are those who faithfully and obediently follow Jesus. So that which has been predestined is the Church. It was planned from the beginning that all those who would come through Christ would be forgiven of their sins and saved. Consider James 2:5: the promise (eternal life) is for all who love Christ.
We get the picture that we, as individuals, were not predestined and chosen by God to be saved. It is the body of Christ, the Church, the Christian that was predestined to be saved. It was planned that Christ would come and die for our sins. And it was planned that those who obeyed and followed after Christ would be saved. We still have to choose to be obedient and to enter into the elect – the body of Christ. Also Consider: 2 Peter 1:10-11 (must make our election sure); Mark 16:16 (anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved); Rom. 1:16 (the gospel is for everyone)
We know that as the inspired word of God (2 Tim. 3:16), the Bible does not contradict itself. However, if we assume that God did predestine certain people to go to heaven, leaving all others to be lost, we can see that that would leave us with some contradictions. Let’s briefly take a look at some of the verses that would oppose this doctrine and then briefly look at what the actual meaning of the elect and predestined is.
Rom. 2:11 – We read that there is no partiality with God, which would be a contradiction of God’s character if He actually did select certain individuals for salvation. Not everyone would have opportunity for salvation since some would have been “left off the list”.
John 3:15-16 – dictionary.com defines “whoever” as “whatever person; anyone that”. Here we read that whoever believes will have eternal life. There is no limit on who can believe and obey God’s word to inherit salvation. It is not “the elect should not perish but have eternal life”. Anyone who desires to follow Christ can “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow [Him]” (Mark 8:34).
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord does not want anyone to be lost. He waits and waits, allowing time for more and more to come to Him. If God chose some to be saved and left the rest to be lost than He isn’t really willing to have everyone saved is He? If He chose certain individuals to inherit eternal life, than He willingly left out other ones to perish and suffer eternal death and separation from God.
These three verses contradict the view that God chose certain people to be saved and left everyone else to be lost. Therefore, since the Bible does not contradict itself, we must be people who can choose to follow God or not. Consider Matthew 16:24 (Jesus says “if” – it’s conditional – a choice must be made).
As an aside: Having choice does not contradict with God being all-knowing. We know that God knows all things (1 John 3:20), but just because God knows what we will choose does not nullify our choice. If I offer my dog a meaty bone or a leaf of lettuce, I know she will choose the meaty bone. I didn’t force her to take the bone – she still had, and made, a choice – but I knew her well enough to know what choice she would make.
So if individuals are not predestined, then what are the verses that speak of it referring to? What about verses on being chosen?
Eph. 1:4 – the verse doesn’t simply say that “He chose us, before…”, it reads “He chose us in Him…” Those who are chosen are those who come to Christ and enter in to His family (Matt. 12:49-50) – those who enter into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27).
Eph. 1:11-12 – it is through Christ that we obtain that great and heavenly inheritance. We must be obedient to the Lord. And we read that it is those who trust in the Lord who are predestined. They are predestined according to the purpose of Jesus Christ - we can read of that purpose in verses 7-10 of Ephesians 1: Christ made it possible that any and all could be redeemed.
Col. 3:12-13; 1:2 – in verse 12 we read that those whom Paul is writing to are of the elect. And in verse 2, we read that he was writing to those who were faithful followers of Christ. The elect – chosen – are those who faithfully and obediently follow Jesus. So that which has been predestined is the Church. It was planned from the beginning that all those who would come through Christ would be forgiven of their sins and saved. Consider James 2:5: the promise (eternal life) is for all who love Christ.
We get the picture that we, as individuals, were not predestined and chosen by God to be saved. It is the body of Christ, the Church, the Christian that was predestined to be saved. It was planned that Christ would come and die for our sins. And it was planned that those who obeyed and followed after Christ would be saved. We still have to choose to be obedient and to enter into the elect – the body of Christ. Also Consider: 2 Peter 1:10-11 (must make our election sure); Mark 16:16 (anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved); Rom. 1:16 (the gospel is for everyone)
Q4: What does Romans 8:33 mean?
A4: To really get the sense of this verse it helps to first look at its context. Backing up to Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Over the next few verses this same thought is expressed, namely no one can oppose God, and we are with God, so we don’t need to worry (Matthew 6:25-34).
We read these questions in verses 31, 33, 34, and 35: “Who can be against us?” “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?” “Who is he who condemns?” “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”
No one! No one can truly oppose God (and hope to overcome). No one can truly accuse/bring a charge against God’s people because they have been justified by God, through His Son. No one can condemn what God has justified. And no one can separate us from Christ (Paul expands on this in verses 38-39)!
Through Christ we are made more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). God is the victor and those who are obedient and sided with Christ will also be victorious and receive a crown of righteousness on that Day (2 Timothy 4:8).
Of course, we know there is the accuser who will try and bring a charge against God’s people. He brings accusations day and night (Revelation 12:10). He opposes God and His people, he would like to condemn all people, and he would love to separate us from the love of Christ. But he cannot succeed if we don’t let him. It is up to us whether we remain obedient to the Lord or not.
Romans 8:33 should be comforting to the faithful Christian. This verse let’s us know that Satan’s accusations will not stick because the Christian has been justified by God!
We read these questions in verses 31, 33, 34, and 35: “Who can be against us?” “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?” “Who is he who condemns?” “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”
No one! No one can truly oppose God (and hope to overcome). No one can truly accuse/bring a charge against God’s people because they have been justified by God, through His Son. No one can condemn what God has justified. And no one can separate us from Christ (Paul expands on this in verses 38-39)!
Through Christ we are made more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). God is the victor and those who are obedient and sided with Christ will also be victorious and receive a crown of righteousness on that Day (2 Timothy 4:8).
Of course, we know there is the accuser who will try and bring a charge against God’s people. He brings accusations day and night (Revelation 12:10). He opposes God and His people, he would like to condemn all people, and he would love to separate us from the love of Christ. But he cannot succeed if we don’t let him. It is up to us whether we remain obedient to the Lord or not.
Romans 8:33 should be comforting to the faithful Christian. This verse let’s us know that Satan’s accusations will not stick because the Christian has been justified by God!
