Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

* Since Israel failed to trust in Christ as a group, does that mean that God has abandoned them as his people? Is the nation Israel still the people of God, and if so, how? * If salvation is due to God showing mercy and not our own initiative, what precisely was our role in coming to Jesus? * Are all believers commanded to go and make disciples, or is this a special calling for a particular group of believers in the Church? How do we know if we have been called to go, baptize, and teach? * What is the relationship between world evangelization and being a Christian? What am I supposed to do about lost people overseas, if I live in the city and have no way to reach them? * What role does the Holy Spirit play in sharing the Good News with others? How does the message of the Great Commission relate to the other places where Jesus commands his apostles to go and be witnesses of him? * What makes a person a valid witness? Can you be God’s witness even though you don’t go to Bible college or seminary? Who is qualified to go, baptize, and teach for God? * Can anyone who wants to be saved come to Christ, or only the elect?

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Only the Elect Will Come to Jesus

In discussing the doctrine of election with other students, one happened to mention that he believes that Christ died only for the elect; those who are not elected to salvation were not included in God’s plan for salvation. He argued that if God wants you saved, you will be saved. It is clear that not everyone is going to be saved, so God does not intend on saving everyone, but only some. Christ died, therefore, just for those whom God wants to save. What do you make of this line of reasoning? Is this argument persuasive? Why or why not?

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God Has Elected You to Damnation

After reading a book on Reformed theology, one student is particularly troubled about an idea he encountered in the book. The idea simply put is this; the fact that God elects some to be saved means also that God has elected some to go to hell.