In this same context, Jesus also says there are sheep that are "His" (v.14), and "other sheep of His" (v.16) and even "those who are not His sheep" (v.26)
So in the context of "the" sheep, there are sheep that are His (saved Jews), other sheep of His (saved Gentiles) and "those not His sheep" (unbelievers).
Therefore, it should be quite obvious that "the sheep" refers to everyone.
That's some sleight of hand with the verses... If we post the chapter's verses in order, it clearly says the Messiah lays down His life for His sheep, but not for those who are not His sheep.
John 10:15-16; 25-28
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Mark 16:15: preach the Gospel to every creature. If Calvin was right, this makes no sense.
I don't care about Calvin but what the scriptures say.
Nothing wrong with preaching the gospel to every creature. That's the mission. Remember I said that the Almighty's seed is the Word and mankind is the earth. Some seed will fall on the dry ground never taking root, some will be choked by thorns, some will be snatched away by fowls...but a few will take root in fertile ground and spring forth a harvest 30, 60, 100 fold (
Matt 13:3-8).
The Almighty seeks His harvest. The Messiah died for those who believe in Him.
John 6:40 For this is the will of the Father, that everyone (pas) who beholds and believes on the Son may have eternal life.
It doesn't say "everyone" without qualification, but "everyone
WHO believes". The Messiah didn't die for those who don't believe. They are not His sheep (
John 10:26).
John 12:32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
Indeed, every knee shall bow, both friend and foe. This will be fulfilled at the Great White Throne Judgment.
John 1:7 He (John the Baptist) came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the Light (Christ), that all (pas) might believe through him. The subjunctive mood means potential.
John 3:16, 17 For God so loved the world, that He gave His uniquely born Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) …not to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.
The message shared is different from the death suffered. John is sent as a witness
to all. Again, the seed goes out everywhere so that it
might;
potentially take root ("whosoever"). But there are - and will be - those who refuse. Those who do refuse are not His sheep and so He didn't die for them.
John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
John 4:42 This One is indeed the Savior of the world.
All sin will be eradicated and the world will be saved. 1st advent was to justify and sanctify His sheep. The 2nd advent will be to destroy His enemies.
John 17:21 that they may all be one, even as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in thee, that they also may be in Us: that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me.
This prayer was made in the garden on behalf of His sleeping disciples and those of His sheep in the world (His sheep "not of this fold") who will hear His word preached through them.
Acts 17:27 God did this (created mankind) so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. (see also Heb 11:6 regarding mankind having the ability to look for God, in contrast to point 1 of Calvinism)
I don't support Calvinism. The world has an opportunity to accept the seed. Not all will. For those who do not, The Messiah's death wasn't' for them. The wage of sin is death. If one doesn't accept the Messiah the wage must be paid by that person. They are not saved by the Messiah's death on the cross. The Messiah's death is only for His sheep, those who believe Him.
Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all (pas) people everywhere to repent. See also 2 Pet 3:9
This is a requirement for all.
Rom 5:6 In due time, when we were without strength, Christ died for the ungodly (that’s every human), not just the “elect” per point 3 of Calvinism. Consider Rom 3:23 ‘for ALL have sinned, and come short’
Rom 5:18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass (Adam’s Fall) was condemnation for all (pas) men, so also the result of one act of righteousness (Cross) was justification that brings life for all (pas) men. [Adam’s fall affects the entire human race, and Christ’s atonement also affects the entire human race]
The proper context is established in the first two verses of the chapter.
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The gift (of Messiah's atonement) doesn't automatically reach all. It's only given to those who have faith. Salvation by grace through faith.
Rom 11:32 For God has bound all (pas) men over to disobedience, so that He may have mercy on them all (pas). Cf: Rom 3:23, 6:23, Rom 5:6,8 All humans are sinful and Christ died for all of them.
He
MAY have mercy on them all. It's up to them.
Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." In 5 point Calvinism, elect aren’t really “lost” since they were elected, so just what does this verse mean? Obviously, the entire human race is lost and is in need of a Savior. So the Son of Man came to seek and save the entire human race.
You're employing eisegesis instead of exegesis. Sounds logical, but it's not the context.
Truly the Son of man came to save the lost, but
Romans 11:5-7 says there is a remnant of Israel who wasn't "blinded" to the truth like the rest of Israel. Paul is one such person, as well as the Apostles. So they wouldn't be considered "lost". Calvinism has this point correct, generally speaking (even though they may be incorrect in "who" the elect actually is).
2 Cor 5:14,15 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all (pas), that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
2 Cor 5:19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
This is the same as what I mentioned in my earlier post.
1) All mankind is from Adam. Adam is from the dust. Mankind = earth (
Genesis).
2) The Messiah died and His blood fertilizes all the earth (
2 Cor 5:14)
3) Almighty's word is the seed planted in the earth. He intends to harvest from the earth His specific crop. (Paul and disciples PREACHING the gospel;
2 Cor 5:19)
4) From the earth grows the crop of the seed He planted. And only God knows from where in the earth that crop will spring. (
2 Cor 5:17 - IF IF IF anyone is in Christ He is a new creature...)