For over 20 years, I was part of Shepherd’s Chapel, drawn by its verse-by-verse teaching and distinctive interpretations that opened up what felt like hidden depths in the Bible—ideas like a “first earth age” where souls existed before creation, the Kenites as a unique lineage tied to evil, and a division between “elect” and “free-will” believers. It was exhilarating to feel like I was uncovering secret truths, and this sense of discovery shaped my early faith. But as I immersed myself deeper in Scripture, doubts began to surface. Some of Shepherd’s Chapel’s teachings seemed to stray from the Bible’s clear message, prompting me to question their foundation. My shift to Calvinism was more than a theological pivot—it was a life-altering encounter with God’s sovereign grace that brought clarity, peace, and a renewed trust in His Word.
Whosoever Will?
Who Is the "Whosoever" in John 3:16?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 (KJV)
John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses in Scripture, proclaiming God’s love for the world and the gift of His Son for salvation. But who is the “whosoever” that believes? Some interpret this verse as teaching universal atonement, suggesting that salvation is available to all based on human free will. However, a closer look at Scripture reveals a different perspective.
God’s Unfailing Work in Salvation
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3, ESV).
What a glorious truth! Our salvation is not something we earned, deserved, or initiated. It is entirely the work of God, rooted in His great mercy. As Peter declares, God caused us to be born again. This new birth is not a fleeting moment or a fragile state—it is a transformation that ushers us into a living hope, made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave now works in us, securing our salvation for eternity. Since God is the author of our salvation, we can trust that He will preserve it forever.
The Core of Christian Faith: Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign Savior
From the perspective of Calvinism and New Covenant Theology, we affirm that Jesus Christ is fully God, coeternal and consubstantial with the Father, exercising divine sovereignty over all creation. His eternal existence underscores God’s unchanging decree to redeem His elect through Christ’s perfect work, fulfilled in the New Covenant established by His blood.
His Will, Not Our Own: Understanding God’s Sovereign Grace
The human heart, as described in Scripture, is deeply flawed and incapable of seeking God on its own. This truth lies at the core of understanding salvation as an act of God’s sovereign will, not human effort. Through key biblical passages, we see that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, initiated and completed by His divine will.
Original Sin and Ezekiel 18
Ezekiel 18:20 (NKJV): “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”
Does Ezekiel 18:20 contradict the doctrine of original sin? To address this, we must first define original sin, examine its biblical basis, and then interpret Ezekiel 18:20 in context to determine whether it challenges this doctrine.