The Question of Universal Salvation: Will All Be Saved?

While there are many good doctrinal posts on this thread, I still haven’t read one which directly addresses the issue given in the article.

Based upon Romans 5:18 (and I would also note verse 19), what precludes universal salvation in this passage?

IMHO, it will take more than this passage to assert the argument against universal salvation. I also do not believe universal salvation is the position of Scripture, but this particular passage doesn’t seem to limit it, unless it might be a translational issue of Greek Imperatives, Infinitives, and participles.

IMHO, the doctrinal position also touches upon the doctrines of Atonement, Justification, salvation, sanctification, redemption, forgiveness, regeneration, repentance, faith, and propitiation.

Rom 5:17-19
(17) For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
(18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
(19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Verse 19 poses an interesting situation, which I suspect highlights a nuance in translation.

It doesn’t use the term “ALL” either in reference to all men becoming sinners, not in “ALL” becoming righteous.

So if we accept the doctrine of the old sin nature, total depravity of man, then likewise it would appear the verse would also mean all men would be made righteous.

Verse 18 hinges upon the word “UNTO” where a free gift is come upon “ALL” men “UNTO” justification.

Doctrinal positions generally assert that not all men are justified, but those with faith in Christ do have justification.

He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, “I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:22-30

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer then, “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46

Fifth Ecumenical Council (Constantinople II) held in 553; From “The Anathematisms of the Emperor Justinian against Origen”:

IX. If anyone says or thinks that the punishment of demons and of impious men is only temporary, and will one day have an end, and that a restoration (apokatastasis) will take place of demons and of impious men, let him be anathema.

Anathema to Origen and to that Adamantius, who set forth these opinions together with his nefarious and execrable and wicked doctrine and to whomsoever there is who thinks thus, or defends these opinions, or in any way hereafter at any time shall presume to protect them.

If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. (Mt 18:8)

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous,nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of
God (1 Co 6:9)[see also Galatians 5:21]

If salvation is universal, there’s no need to evangelize or live or believe rightly.

There would still be cause to evangelize, though I do not believe universal salvation is sound doctrine.

1) we have the Great Commission.

2) Once in fellowship with God, then we wan be in the right place, at the right time, to do the right thing in the right way, so that at the bema seat judgment, we will be qualified for another eternal crown. Those who fall away out of fellowship, may still have salvation, aren’t getting away with anything. They simply lose an inheritance that had been predestined for them logistically.

3) It is also crucial to recognize that the Cross was all Judgment of sin, not forgiveness. Forgiveness occurs after the judgment, at the moment when we understand the Cross and believe in Him, then confessing our sins through Him, are then in a position where God remains Perfectly Holy when He forgives us. The same occurs in post salvation sin. That forgiveness doesn’t occur until we face Him and confess our sin, and by 1stJohn 1:9, He is sure and just to forgive us that sin.

Universalism ignores the mechanics of forgiveness, which would then fail to win a spiritual battle.

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