Exploring God's Sovereignty and Human Choice
A Bible study exploring the nature of God's sovereignty and humanity's role in salvation.
1. God's Universal Love and Foreknowledge
1.1 Foreknowledge vs. Predestination
Verses: Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:2
- God's foreknowledge doesn't predetermine individual destinies but reflects His awareness of choices.
- Divine knowledge doesn't equate to divine decree; God knows what will happen without causing it.
1.2 The Scope of Atonement
Verses: John 3:16; 1 John 2:2
- God's love extends to all humanity, desiring that everyone be saved.
- The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was for the sins of the whole world, not just a select few.
2. Humanity's Response to Grace
2.1 The Role of Faith
Verses: Romans 10:13; Ephesians 2:8-9
- Salvation is offered freely to all who believe and call upon the name of the Lord.
- Faith is a response to God's grace, not a work that earns salvation.
2.2 Free Will and Human Response
Verses: Revelation 3:20; John 12:32
- Humanity has the capacity to respond to God's grace and accept or reject salvation.
- The Spirit draws all people, but individuals must yield to that drawing.
3. The Nature of Salvation
3.1 Conditional Security
Verses: Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 2:20-22
- Salvation is a process of ongoing growth and transformation.
- While salvation is secure in Christ, believers can fall away through persistent sin and rejection of God.
3.2 The Importance of Perseverance
Verses: Galatians 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:12
- The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live a life of holiness and obedience.
- Maintaining a relationship with God requires continual reliance on His grace and a commitment to following His Word.
4. The Godhead
4.1 The Singular Nature of God
Verses: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5
- God is one singular being, manifested in different ways.
- The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not distinct persons but different expressions of the same God.
4.2 Jesus as the Fullness of God
Verses: Colossians 2:9; Acts 2:38
- Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
- The name of Jesus represents the totality of God's being and authority.