Whosoever Will
FrontLine May/June 2017 | VOLUME 27 | NUMBER 3
Larry Oats
As the apostle John concludes the Book of Revelation, he gives God’s last great invitation to the lost. “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). God gave His Son for the salvation of mankind. The articles from Maranatha Baptist University in this issue focus on the proclamation of the gospel.
Dr. Fred Moritz begins our series with an overview of grace and focuses on the relationship between faith and regeneration. A historical study by Dr. Dave Saxon on Andrew Fuller follows. While probably best known for his modification of Calvinism to a less extreme and more evangelistic form, we cannot leave out the impact of Fuller’s “new” theology on William Carey, the first Baptist missionary.
The result of salvation should be obedience, the first step of which is baptism. Baptism in other denominations, however, frequently precedes salvation. Dr. Larry Oats demonstrates why Baptists baptize their converts rather than their infants. Dr. Steve Love follows this with an appropriate article on sacrifice. Having grown up on a mission field, he understands the concept of sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. Dr. Bryan Brock views Paul’s evangelistic efforts in Athens as a helpful model for apologetic evangelism today. And finally, “whosoever will” implies that some will not. Dr. Andy Hudson concludes our series with an explanation of why some will not be saved.
Those of us who know Jesus Christ as Savior have an obligation to tell the world the good news of salvation. After God’s invitation to salvation in Revelation 22:17, Jesus declares in verse 20, “Surely I come quickly.” We are compelled to take the gospel to the lost in whatever time we have left, for Maranatha—Christ is coming soon.
Features
Grace from Eternity to Time
Fred Moritz
“God has only one provision for the salvation of mankind, unchanged through all dispensations.”
A Gospel Worthy of Global Proclamation
David Saxon
If one shares the gospel only with those who are giving signs of being elect, how often will one do so?
The Water That Divides
Larry R. Oats
In the current culture, baptism is frequently denigrated—the mode is unimportant, the recipient can be almost anyone, and the meaning is uncertain.
Sacrifice for the Sake of the Gospel
Steve Love
Is the gospel possible to effect without sacrifice?
Paul’s Gospel Apologetic in Athens
Bryan W. Brock
Almost without exception, when a believer evangelizes, he will answer potential objec- tions and defend Christian theism over and above any other competing view of salvation.
Whosoever Won’t
Andrew Hudson
Several New Testament passages are used to claim that Jesus prevented the Jews from believing.
Departments
Mail Bag & News from All Over
On the Home Front
Wit & Wisdom
David Atkinson
Regional Fellowships
The Jehoshaphat Principles
David Innes
Newsworthy
Robert Condict
On Language & Scripture
Mark L. Ward Jr.
At a Glance: The Progress of Doctrine in the New Testament, Part 2
Layton Talbert
Death Notifications
Joe Willis
The Ministry of Interceding for Others
Jerry Sivnksty
Our sincere thanks to Dr. Larry Oats for coordinating this issue of FrontLine magazine.
(Originally published in FrontLine • May/June 2017. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.)