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Ephesians 1:3-6 (KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. |
The outcome of the spiritual blessings in Christ which the believer is blessed in Christ, is that we “should be holy and without blame before him in love”, but the thought continues, the act of blessing the believer with ALL spiritual blessings occurs when the believer is made accepted in the beloved. Thus far, not one of these verses refers to salvation of souls prior to the physical creation of the universe, but rather, the spiritual blessings God bestows upon the future adopted children in Christ. |
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Ephesians 1:3-6 (LSB) |
1.“all” spiritual blessings. They added an extra participle “the” heavenly… 2.” according as he hath chosen us”, present progressive. 3. “by predestining” us denotes a present tense action of “just as he chose us in him before”, which denotes a present tense ongoing of those “sons” to adoption before him. Notice not “unto” the adoption as an isolated event, but rather this context presents adoption synonymous with sons. |
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Ephesians 1:3-6 (ESV) |
“even as”, whereby this version attempts to convey the similar actions of “spiritual blessings” with choosing us in him. “UNTO THE adoption” is omitted in all these versions, which removes the parallel verse which connects with this doctrinal future event presented in Romans 8:23 (KJV) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. The adoption therefore is not the selecting/choosing one’s salvation prior to the foundation of the world, but rather, the outcome of the believers who will inherit “all spiritual blessings” in Christ, wherein one is “MADE accepted” in the beloved, which takes place after conversion for the sinner. |
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Ephesians 1:3-6 (NASB) |
“as sons”, “as sons and daughters” is what’s altered in these modern versions. This doctrinal error confuses the parallel passage of “Galatians 3:26 (KJV) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:16 (KJV) The Spirit itself bearish witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Romans 8:17 (KJV) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:21 (KJV) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ALL these spiritual blessings are bestowed upon the children of God, as God hath “chosen us in him before…” Those who are “chosen” must be “in Him”, to afford and receive ALL the above-mentioned spiritual blessings of heirship, redemption of the body, and the future presentation unto Himself (God the Father) as holy and without blame before Him in love. |
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Ephesians 1:3-6 (NKJV) |
“wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”. The other modern versions alter this to “, which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.”/ “with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”/ “with which He favored us in the Beloved.”/ “by which He [a]made us accepted in the Beloved.”. “WHEREIN” denotes the place/position/time/what the believer was made accepted in the beloved, which is “in Christ”. Without the wherein, the object of the believer’s placement in Christ is not continued from the earlier verses, but rather they focus on the “pre-determined grace of God doctrine” of God’s grace. God did not make men accepted in the beloved prior to the foundation of the world, but rather, once the sinner is” placed INTO/made partaker of/is made a part of Christ, in that moment, this action on God’s part is seen as completed in Christ. |
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1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: |
Notice, the outcome of those “call” upon the name of JC, once they call, they become “sanctified” in CJ. |
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Luke 22:67 (KJV) Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe.
John 4:42 (KJV) And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. |
Notice here, the audience before JC could have believed in the Lord, but Jesus said, that they wouldn’t believe. They could have believed from the beginning of his earthly ministry, however, they continued to rebel against Him etc. Notice the audience of the Samaritans who heard JC preach personally to them, just like the woman at the well. They believed in Him. They personally responded to Him. |
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1 John 3:23 (KJV) And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. |
Notice the general commandment from God, that men should believe. Which clearly proves the ability to respond to the commandment. God will not contradict Himself, nor dose He pre-program the hearts of men to perform an act contrary to His clear commandment, if He commands men to believe, it’s clear that men can respond.
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John 11:27 (KJV) She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. |
Martha believed in the O.T scripture that foretold of Messiah that would come into the world. Therefore, once He came, His voice was compatible with her belief she already possessed. |
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John 20:31 (KJV) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. |
Notice here, “these are written, that YE MIGHT believe that Jesus is THE Christ…and that Believing YE MIGHT have life through his name”. Man can respond to the written scripture, For God grants men the opportunity to do so. |
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Acts 8:37 (KJV) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. |
Here, the Ethiopian eunuch had already responded to Jehovah in faith, as a gentile proselyte to the God of Israel. However, after he completed his worship in Israel and obtained a copy of Isaiah, ironically, he read a portion concerning the suffering servant/Messiah. The H.S told Philip the evangelist to join himself to his cart, and minister to him the gospel from that passage of scripture. By the end, he ended up trusting Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of that scripture, proving that his faith he had already possessed, along with continually seeking after God, provided him an easy mind to equate that to the preaching of Jesus as Messiah. C.f. Acts 16:14 (KJV) And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. |
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Acts 15:11 (KJV) But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. |
Again, the apostolic council, as well as the elders, harmoniously agreed that they where all saved by faith in Christ, not of the works/deeds of the law given Israel, and that this faith was available to all men, i.e., even the gentiles. |
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Acts 19:4 (KJV) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. |
Paul here refers back to the ministry of John the Baptist, which was the forerunner to the Lord’s 1st advent, in that his ministry was to promote faith in Messiah that was to come for their salvation, “Mark 1:7 (KJV) And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. Matthew 3:11 (KJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Luke 3:16 (KJV) John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: John 1:29 (KJV) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:34 (KJV) And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John the Baptist bore record to the Deity and ministry of the One whom he baptized that day, that Jesus was the Christ who was foretold that should come into the world take away the sins of the world. Quick nugget, who taught John or how did or from where did he receive inspiration to call Jesus the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world? Mmmm. |
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Romans 3:22 (KJV) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference. |
Notice, how this righteousness of Christ is available to ALL that believe! |
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2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (KJV) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. |
The gospel is said to be hid to them that are lost, because of their un-belief in Jesus, not because of their inability to respond to Jesus. |
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Galatians 3:22 (KJV) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. |
Once again, the promise of the hope of eternal life is afforded to THEM THAT Believe. |
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1 Timothy 1:16 (KJV) Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. |
Paul’s life serves as the universal example of any sinner who can be saved. God permits him here to testify to his former life, i.e., prior to his conversion. This serves as a beacon of hope for even the worst of sinners, for the hope of forgiveness made available unto them through the cross of Christ, “to them which should hereafter BELIEVE on him to life everlasting”. |
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John 6:60 (KJV) Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? John 6:64 (KJV) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. John 6:66-69 (KJV) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. |
Notice here, the immediate context of the passage concerning the “many disciples” who had heard of Christ’s teaching/preaching. Jesus knew from the beginning of his earthly ministry, who they where of the many disciples he had, that truly and sincerely believed, and who didn’t. Notice here, in vs.65, “John 6:65 (KJV) And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. Christ does not speak of salvation, He makes NO reference whatsoever to any salvific notation here to anything preceding the creation that hinders men from coming to him, but rather, the ministry of his immediate “disciples”. Luke 6:13 (KJV) And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;. Specifically for the 12 where granted authority over devils in their preaching ministry, NOT granted to ALL his disciples, Luke 9:1 (KJV) Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. HOWEVER, He did authorize “OTHER SEVENTY ALSO” Luke 10:1 (KJV) After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Which from the previous CHAPT 9, seems to indicate that they also where an extension of the 12 in their immediate delegated duties from the Lord, concerning signs and miracles that followed in their preaching. With all these scriptures in mind, |
Unique exceptions to certain “disciples” permitted by God to perform miracles in the name of Christ, that where not associated with the “seventy” or the “twelve”. Mark 9:38-40 (KJV) And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. Luke 9:49-50 (KJV) And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. Here is the ONLY record we have in the N.T gospel accounts, concerning early discipleship ordination, and the outworking of their ministries while serving the Lord at His 1st advent during His early ministries etc. This “One” man, apparently seemed to be a part of His discipleship to have been able to learn how to perform such work, perhaps one of the “many” from John 6 who didn’t turn back from following Jesus, but kept believing and following, or perhaps one of the general of the multitude of the many accounts He interacted with folks. Regardless of how one views this, the specific out-working of the early disciples to perform certain supernatural actions in the name of Jesus Christ, could ONLY be permitted by the approval from the Godhead. Therefore, in context and relation to John 6, of the “many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him”, this is concerning His specific choosing of the them, however, although He chose them out from among men, they still possessed free will to turn back from following, much like we read for of the remaining 12, who still in one manner or shape or form, failed to carry out the duties of their Master while on the earth. There was a special grant from God the Father for those certain who would continue His ministry post His resurrection, that would be through the remaining 11, since Judas killed himself. From God the Father, HE promised to send the H.S, Luke 24:49 (KJV) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Acts 1:4 (KJV) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. Therefore, it is my conclusion, that of the “many” who at one point believed, i.e., they outwardly professed to follow Him, clearly, solely Jesus knew the true intentions of the heart of ALL men, John 2:25 (KJV) And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. Therefore, of the many that followed, and of the ones HE specifically called out, there where only certain permitted by the Godhead to carry out special functions during his earthly ministry, to be an extension if you will, of His preaching/teaching ministry to both Israel and the gentiles etc. Overall conclusion to this topic, once sinners respond to Christ with a sincere heart of faith, the pre-destined plan God had promised the eternal word in eternity, would be for their future glorification and joyous unification with God in heaven, and for the eternal glory to come. ALL who come and believe have a sure destiny, according to the purpose of God. Aren’t you glad God already worked for you your future home and eternal destiny to come? Two basic, and yet POWERFUL words, receive and believe, “But as many as received him… even to them that believe on his name”?
