Predestination
One of the oldest and most bitter controversies in the church is that of predestination vs. free will. Thousands of books have been written on the subject, and I cannot do it justice in this brief article. But I did want to make a few comments on this issue as it relates to evangelism. Two centuries ago, many Christians believed that God predestines some people to Heaven and others to Hell, and there is nothing we can do about it. One result of this thinking was that many Christians felt there was no purpose in witnessing. If a person was destined to be saved, he would get saved, regardless of what we do. Of course, God might predestine that some would preach the gospel, but the outcome had already been determined.
One of the main passages of scripture dealing with predestination is Romans 9. In this passage, Paul uses an analogy of a potter and clay, and says “has not the potter power over the clay…to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor.” This scripture needs to be taken in its context, and in light of the entire Word of God. Romans 9-11 is talking about God’s plan for Israel, that “blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles are come in” (Rom. 11:25).
There is a vast difference between God predestining the way He will deal with nations and His predestining the eternal destinies of individuals. Paul mentions Jacob and Esau, not to discuss their eternal destinies, but rather God’s choice of Jacob as the ancestor of Jesus Christ. Then he mentions Pharoah, whom God used to show His power in setting His people free from slavery. In Exodus, we are told both that “Pharoah hardened his heart” (Ex. 8:15) and “God hardened his heart” (Ex. 7:13). God helped him do what he wanted to do. The potter and clay analogy is used against those who are quick to pass judgment on God’s ways, based on incomplete and distorted understanding. Once we see the whole picture, we can see that God is just and merciful in all His ways. Paul is not suggesting, contrary to all scripture, that humans are mere lumps of clay with no will of their own.
The term predestination (proorizo) is found in only two passages of scripture: Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:5,11. In each case, it is God’s plan of salvation–not the specific fates of individuals–that is predetermined. Ephesians 1:5 could be paraphrased “he predestined that those of us who have believed would be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ.” And the Living Bible paraphrases Romans 8:29 “For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him–and all along he knew who would–should become like his Son.” Foreknowledge is different from predestination. God knows everything, including the future, but He does not force people to do what they do.
Hundreds of scriptures teach that people have a free will, especially in regards to the most important decision we must make–to receive or reject salvation. “And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning” (Ex. 36:3). “Choose you this day whom you will serve” (Josh. 24:15). “God…gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish” (John 3:16). “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). We could go on for several pages with such scriptures.
The idea that God predestines certain people to Heaven and others to Hell is contrary to all we know about God’s nature and the entire weight of scripture. Today, fewer Christians hold this view than two centuries ago. Still, it affects almost every Christian in a subtle way. We believe that we were saved because we made a decision to receive Christ (in response to someone preaching the gospel to us and the Holy Spirit drawing us). But we often think that others will be saved whether or not we witness to them. “If they are meant to be saved, God will send someone else to witness to them,” we reason. This is not necessarily true. Our obedience or disobedience to Jesus in the preaching of the gospel can affect the eternal destinies of others. Jesus said, “pray to the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:37). Why did He say this? Because the more laborers, the more people will get saved. If the same people would be saved regardless of the number of laborers, there would be no point in praying for laborers or in laboring.
Friends, we need to get this kind of fatalistic thinking out of our minds! It only leads to complacency and laziness with regards to our responsibility to reach others for Jesus. The most important decision a person can make is whether to accept or reject Jesus Christ. But every Christian faces a daily decision, one with eternal consequences: whether to obey our Lord in telling others about Jesus Christ and the choice they must make.
Letters from Children
Right before Thanksgiving, I received a packet of letters from children at West Heights Christian School in Santa Cruz. West Heights Church has ministered at several of our outreaches and I spoke at their church last year. Their teacher Lynette Mello read our newsletter to her Bible class grades 2-5. “We just got through studying the story of Noah,” she wrote, “and your life and ministry reminds us of his. Noah’s preaching was rejected yet he kept on. I am very much moved in my heart that you are continuing to obey God’s command to witness in San Francisco even though it’s so very tough. It also moves me that you continue to whole-heartedly obey God even though the Christian body is asleep and not willing to join you or support you as they should. We are praying for the dear souls that did respond to your tracts, and we thank Jesus for loving them deeply. My little class wrote you thanksgiving letters, as they are learning how to be ministers of encouragement. My classes will continue to pray for you, your team, and those you are ministering to.”
I wish I could show you all the letters, colored with beautiful borders, but here are a few of them:
I thank you for keeping up your ministry. I love you. I am 7 years old. I am in second grade. We have heard about your ministry, and my parents have helped you. “Dear God, may we forever seek you as the source of all rest and comfort.” Amen. Love, Joel.
God will bless you for not giving up. I love you for doing the will of God. Here is an encouragement for you: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” Joshua 3:7. I love the Lord too. Love, Abigail.
Jesus loves you and he cares very much about your work. Thank you for keeping up your work. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1. I am seven years old. Love, Jacob.
Thank you for obeying God like Noah! Here is a scripture for you: “If any man serve me, him will my Father honor” John 12:26. Love, Isaac.
I thank you for being on fire for God. We have heard that you are being rejected by many people. I was there when you spoke at our church at the old property. “He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isa. 40:26. Dear Jesus, help me to walk in the courage of my faith. Love, Sarah.
God bless you for your work with SOS Ministries in San Francisco. I was at Dolores Park when West Heights Christian Church did a “concert” there. I was the read-headed boy who caught the pigeon. Remember me? I’m writing to encourage you in your work. Keep it up! I’m really blessed when I see you preaching. In 1 Corin. 15:1-2a it says, “And now I want to remind you my brothers of the Good News which I preached to you, which you received, and on which your faith stands firm.” God bless you and may you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! Love, Paul.
Ministry News
On Saturday November 19, sixteen high school students from the First Baptist Church in Clovis (near Fresno) witnessed with us in the Haight-Ashbury district. They also brought some clothes to give out on the street. I hope many of these young people will be encouraged to witness more boldly for Jesus in their own community, and some will want to return to San Francisco.
During the past month we have begun outreaches in two new areas. On November 12, a group of worshipers and dancers from Shiloh Christian Fellowship in Oakland led an outreach at the United Nations Plaza, 7th Street and Market. We had three amplifiers for our sound system and all three broke down that afternoon. Nonetheless, the worship group kept singing, using only one small amplifier and speaker. On November 26, Paul and Norine Coca ministered at 5th St. and Market. We set up a sound system right on the sidewalk and ministered to thousands of Christmas shoppers.
We have applied for permits from the park department for January and February, but I do not know whether we will get them. The head of the department is still threatening to deny us permits because of a few complaints he received last summer. Meanwhile, we are getting permits from the police department to use amplifiers on city sidewalks. These permits could also be denied if they receive any complaints. In a city like San Francisco where so many people are anti-Christian, it is amazing that these officials have received so few complaints. Please pray that we will continue to get permits. Also, please pray for us as we prepare for next summer’s SOS-San Francisco outreach, June 30- July 8.
The Chinese New Year Parade is scheduled for Saturday February 11. We have applied for a Union Square permit that afternoon, but I don’t know if we will get it. In any event, we will witness at the parade. This is the largest annual event in San Francisco, drawing about 300,000 people. Call us a few days before the parade for time and location.
Again, I want to thank each of your for your prayers and financial support. We are printing 100,000 copies of three tracts, and hope to have them finished next month. Also, we need an artist to help us make some new signs to use on the streets. Please let me know if you can help.
We continue to witness every Friday night and Saturday afternoon. On Friday we meet at 7:30 PM at Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1098 Harrison St. at 7th St. Call us for information about our Saturday outreaches. Please help us bring the gospel to those who are perishing. Our Tape of the Month is Evangelism by Steve Gregg. Steve is Director of the Great Commission Bible School in McMinnville, Oregon. This is one of the most thorough teachings on evangelism I have heard.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
