The Gospel Jesus Preached (Jn 6:35-47)
Exposition: Strange message?
1. Sovereignty of God (v37a,39)
a. The Father has given his Son certain people (cf 17:2,6)
b. Those whom God has given Him will surely come & be saved (cf 6:45)
Here we find doctrines of Total depravity (Jn 6:44,65, cf Jn 1:13;3:5-8;8:43-47;10:26-27;Rom 8:7;1Cor 2:14); Irresistible grace [effectual calling] (Jn 6:37a,39,44-45,63, cf Jn 1:13;3:6;10:27-29;2Thess 2:13;Rom 8:30); Unconditional election (Jn 6:70;13:18;15:16-19;17:2-12;Rom 9:10-26;Eph 1:4-5;1Cor 1:26-31); Reprobation (cf Acts 7:42;14:16;17:30;Rom 1:24,26,28;Ps 81:12;Mt 15:14;2Thess 2:10-12)
2. Free offer of Gospel (v37b,40)
a. All men warmly invited, welcomed, & urged to come, believe, & have life (cf 6:27-29,33,51)
b. None ever turned away; Christ receives all who come to him
Doctrine: Can we hold both?
1. Incompatibilist theology:
- Arminian (semi-pelagian, Socinian, Anabaptist, RC)
- Hyper-Calvinist (Protestant-Reformed church, Particular Baptists, & Islamic theology). Cf Articles of Faith of Gospel Standard Aid & Poor Relief Societies, art.33
2. Compatibilist theology:
- Calvinist (also Augustinianism which is virtually identical, Luther, most Protestant creeds, including our own, but not most American Baptist & Methodist). Cf Synod of Dort, 2.5-8
In every area of faith & life: 100% God's sovereignty & 100% man's responsibility, e.g. Phil 2:12
Application: What kind of gospel preaching is this?
Man-made message w/man-made gimmicks brings about man-made products, self-centered synthetics. V39 teaches God's sovereignty. V40 teaches free offer of gospel. Which one is evangelistic? Both. |
