Is Universalism Biblical?

Arthur Melanson

What is Universalism? Here’s Webster’s definition: universalism n (1805) 1 often cap a: a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved b: the principles and practices of a liberal Christian denomination founded in the 18^th century originally to uphold belief in universal salvation and now united with Unitarianism 2: something that is universal in scope 3: the state of being universal.

Universalism is, obviously, a very old chestnut and until recently a dead issue as far as Bible believing Christians were concerned. This changed with the modern preterist movement; the old chestnut of Universalism is back with a new vigor. Those preterists that proclaim it have universal salvation in mind—there are no lost souls, everyone finds salvation, eventually.

If you think the teaching of universal salvation is contrary to the teaching of the Bible, you are absolutely correct. Frankly, several other false doctrines combine with Universalism to pave the way that goes astray. They are Heaven Now (on this earth), Annihilationism (no eternal, conscious punishment) and Open Theism (making God in man’s image). Sadly, many subscribe to these erroneous teachings.

A word before we proceed: Preterism (Jesus returned in the first century) is of God. Many are now free from the shackles of false futurism (Jesus has not yet returned, but will in the future).

Christians now realize that both comings of Jesus Christ took place in the same generation. They can see this truth in the Scriptures. The modern preterist movement is of God. Not since the days of Martin Luther have we seen such a turning back of spiritual darkness. It is a time of awakening.

With every great move of God there is a contrary movement. It is spiritual warfare. As long as this earth remains there will be spiritual battles. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.” The “heaven now” people would deny this, but it is nevertheless so.

The false doctrines that now pervade preterism are attacks to nullify the truth about the Second Coming of Christ and the resurrection in the first century. Preterism has an enormous job in pushing back the darkness of entrenched futurism; it’s an uphill struggle, but it will succeed because it is of God. How to stop it? Let’s flood it with a lot of kooky, unbiblical teachings. People will then throw up their hands and run away from the truth of preterism. Universalism, Annihilationism, Heaven Now, and Open Theism are attempts to accomplish that goal. These are attacks against preterist truth and the integrity of the word of God.

We’re dealing with two types of people when we consider the adherents to these diabolical doctrines: 1. Real Christians who are babes, immature, or generally not Christ-centered in their understanding of the Bible. 2. Wolves (unconverted religionists) in sheep’s clothing who desire to eat up the true sheep and scatter the rest of the flock. “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:29-30) A wolf in sheep’s clothing is not a recent idea.

The power for salvation always comes from God. He alone is able. Consider these verses. “He (Jesus Christ) came unto His own, and His own received him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:11-13) Notice, please, that the power to become the sons of God (salvation) was to those that received Him.

Notice, also, that man cannot bring salvation to anyone, including himself, for it’s not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Who can receive salvation without God? No one!

The only verse one really needs to refute Universalism is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This verse is telling us the same truth we saw in the first chapter of John. Here it uses the words believes in Him rather than received Him, but it is the same truth.

Our New Testament is replete with examples, but let this account with the Philippian jailer be adequate. “And he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” (Acts 16:30-31) What do we understand from these examples? Clearly, believing in Jesus Christ is necessary for our salvation.

The Universalist loves to use verses that appear to prove his point. Here’s an example: “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) Jesus was, indeed, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), but that does not mean everyone receives Him or believes in Him. Hebrews states it most clearly. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) What is that reward? It is God Himself and eternal life in Him.

Jesus Christ is in the exact center of all God does, yesterday, today, and forever. Universalism removes Jesus Christ from the center and relegates Him to the sidelines. What Jesus did in the past was absolutely necessary, says the Universalist, but that is all finished now. We don’t need Jesus anymore. Salvation is now automatic for everyone. Men don’t have to believe in Jesus. They don’t have to love Him. They don’t even have to like Him. Everyone receives salvation, even Judas Iscariot, according to Universalism.

Hint—whenever Jesus Christ is not the centerpiece of a particular teaching, that teaching is not of God.

Under the doctrine of Universalism, the Gospel becomes an old-fashioned, outdated message. It was necessary for the first century, of course, but not for today. The all-inclusive work of Jesus Christ saves all of humanity forever. Who needs Jesus or the Gospel? All mankind reaps eternal life automatically. Why bother preaching the Gospel when all men become God’s children regardless of what they believe? (This contradicts the Bible that calls the Good News the everlasting Gospel in Revelation 14:6.)

Why, you may ask, has the old unbiblical teaching of Universalism reared its ugly head within the framework of the modern preterist movement? That’s a great question, because it reveals a “blind spot” in preterism to which many subscribe. The first century saints, and many generations of saints since the first century, are in God’s living presence in glory. For them, death is swallowed up in victory, they see God face to face, they are made perfect, and God is all in all. That is, all in them is of God—not as in this earth where the believer’s flesh contends against the Spirit of God.

All preterists know these truths. The “blind spot” occurs when we observe the perfected generation(s) in glory and then claim that same perfection to a generation still in their earthen vessels—us! This leads to “heaven now” and other bad teachings such as Universalism. They fail to see that each generation must be born again of incorruptible seed (1 Pet. 1:23) and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What is true for past saints in glory cannot apply en masse to the rest of humanity. The perfect has come for the glorified saints; we, however, still bear the treasure in our imperfect, earthen vessels. Glory is our destiny, but not yet our experience.

Universalism is unbiblical. It leaves the way of truth and places Jesus Christ on the periphery of God’s plan of redemption. It declares repentance out of date, the born-again experience unnecessary, and accuses those who criticize Universalism as not understanding the fullness of God’s “grace.” God’s true grace is in His Son, Jesus Christ. He saves you as an individual. Salvation is an intimate, personal experience with the Lord. It is not an impersonal, universal principle for all mankind.

One last thought in closing. In the world today many saints witness for Jesus Christ at the risk of their freedom, their well being, and their very lives. One organization that reports on these activities is The Voice of the Martyrs.

These faithful saints live in repressive regimes. The powers that be hate the Gospel and the name of Jesus Christ. It takes great courage and Holy Spirit power to enable these children of God to preach and teach the hope of salvation in Christ.

Many go to prison. Many suffer disfigurement, and many die. They think it is worth it for the privilege of telling the lost about Jesus Christ and His salvation. They believe God enables them to infiltrate the darkness. We believe He does, too.

One wonders what these courageous saints would say to the teachers of the false doctrine of Universalism?

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