BIBLICAL UNIVERSALISM
"SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES"
BIBLICAL UNIVERSALISM has had many proponents throught the ages. In fact there are those who argue that it was the prevailing viewpoint of the Church for its first 500 years. Whether true or not, it is certain that many have held the view down through the ages, and today there is a growing resergence of the teaching among conservative bible believing evangelicals. Although no organized denomination of evangelical universalists exists today there are many biblical universalist congregations and ministries. We may be found sprinkled throughout the various evangelical denominations as well.
Biblical Universalism has been given many names: It has been called Christian Universalism, Universal Restorationism, apocatastasis, universal salvation, inclusivism, the"wider hope" and many other labels.
Simply put, it is the belief that in the end all sentient beings will be holy and happy through faith in Jesus Christ.
Proponents of the Biblical Universalism included Origen, Clement of Alexandria, Marcellus of Ancyra, Titus of Bostra, Gregory Nazianzen, Evagrius, Didymus, Diodorus of Tarsus, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Fabius Manus Victorinus, and Gregory of Nyssa. During the reformation the Anabaptists of Germany taught universalism. There have been many English clergy and philosophers such as Dr. David Hartley, who wrote the "Observations on Man," Bishop Thomas Newton, Sir George Stonehouse, John Henderson, James Brown, D.D., Rev. R. Barbauld, and Rev. John Brown. Many english Libertarians such as Rev. Theophilus Lindsey, were universalists.
James Relly began to preach Universalism in the city of London about 1750 followed by Rev. John Murray in America in 1770. Murray founded the Universalist Church in America which was a Biblical Universalist denomination until it merged with the Unitarians in 1961 and ceased to exist.
Theologians Adolph E. Knoch and William Barclay were universalists. Canon F.W. Farrar and Canadian theologian Arthur Custance were sympathetic to the doctrine. Paul Revere, US President Abraham Lincoln, Clara Barton and Florence Nightengale were also universalists.
It is evangelical universalism that we promote and defend on this website and not the liberal anti-biblical form such as that associated with the unitarian universalists.
Contrary to false charges from our critiques we do not teach that God forgives sin without the blood of Christ. We insist that only through faith in Christ may any be saved. We do not deny that there will be many who must first suffer the pains of hell before they ascent to heaven. We simply deny that hell is of endless duration and that there is no possibility for repentace and receiving Christ for the lost in hell.
Contrary to critical opinion, we hold to the plenary, verbal inspiration of Scripture. We teach that the Bible alone is the standard for all faith and practice.
The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”—a complete life full of purpose (John 10:10).
But here’s the problem:
We have all done, thought or said bad things, which the Bible calls “sin.” The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The good news?
Jesus died in our place so we could have a relationship with God and be with Him forever. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). But it didn’t end with His death on the cross. He rose again and still lives! “Christ died for our sins. … He was buried. … He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).
In the end you will be reconciled, but, if you do not become saved before death you will face after life purification and correction toward being restored from your sin nature. You can become Born Again in the Holy Spirit before death and walk in Christ now.
We can’t earn salvation; we are saved by God’s grace when we have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner, that Christ died for your sins, and ask His forgiveness. Then turn from your sins—that’s called repentance. Jesus Christ knows you and loves you. What matters to Him is the attitude of your heart, your honesty. We suggest praying the following prayer to accept Christ as your Savior:
"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Born Again Christian; Biblical Fundamentalist, Received Text-KJV, Dispensational
