One Verse Theology

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

There seems to be a great deal of what I call “one verse Theologians” loudly expressing their views in the religious world today. Often times I read a Bible tract that I come across, see a website, or catch a radio or TV broadcast prepared by Arminians, in which the point they attempt to prove uses several verses. That’s all fine, as long as the verse they use to prove a point isn’t taken out of context. However, most of the time, that’s not the case.

One of the most commonly used verses we see is John 3:16,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever should believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
What a beautiful verse it is, especially when seen in its intended context. Unfortunately, most of the religious world today does not see it that way. Many use that verse as an invitation to every man, woman, and child to “accept the Lord.” That may sound right, if you don’t read the whole chapter (or book for that matter). Verses 17 and 18 of the same chapter, sum it up for us.
“17: For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
“18: He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
The world in that chapter refers to His Elect. God sent His Son not to condemn the world (elect) but that those who believe in Him (elect) will have eternal life. Those who don’t believe (those not elect) are condemned already. If this were an invitation for man to let God do anything, it would contradict other verses in John that state God gives only His elect the ability to believe, and that each one of them will (ch6 v36-40; ch10 v26-30).

Another verse used out of context is Revelation 3:20. “Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.” That verse is frequently used to encourage people to “ask Christ into your heart.” I don’t believe that is the intended message. Do notice the word “heart” isn’t in the verse. Studying the whole chapter, we see that this verse isn’t written to non-believers, it is written to the churches. Now, if one is in the church, he is already a believer. Why would one who ALREADY believes have to ask the Lord into his heart? Also, two verses later, in Rev 3:22 Christ says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches.” Who is “He that hath an ear?” Matthew 11:15 is very similar: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” One difference, in Matthew Christ says those who hear, hath an ear to hear. This makes the statement that all men do not, cannot, and will not hear this message. Those who can hear, are His elect who he has regenerated, who He has given the ability to hear. This verse, I feel, is instruction for those regenerated children of God, in the church, to walk in the ways Christ has laid out for us. To walk with Him (open the door), and he will bless us (sup with us) with the spiritual blessings that an obedient child receives.

I pray, through the strength of God, we "rightly divide the truth" in God's word, and fully understand the meanings of the text. I also thank God, that our eternal salvation does not depend on the interpretations of feeble men. If my mind (or any other man’s) was held responsible for the salvation of a people, we would all be doomed.
May the Lord Bless,
Ben Winslett