This week Tulip Publishing republished my book,
Christ Freely Offered: “A Discussion of the General Offer of Salvation in the Light of Particular Atonement.”
Rev Dr Peter Barnes (Editor of the Australian Presbyterian, and Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia) wrote the Foreword. In it he notes apparent tensions there appear to be between various doctrines that are clearly taught in Scripture, and that “a biblical equilibrium can be difficult to maintain”.
By way of examples he observes:
“The Reformed faith teaches, with the Bible, that God chooses a people whom He saves (Rom. 9:14-18; Eph. 1:3-11), yet He commands all and sundry to repent and believe the gospel (Matt. 11:28–30; Acts 17:30); He is in no way the author of sin (1 John 1:5), yet He is sovereign over evil (Isa. 45:7; Lam. 3:38); He does good to His enemies (Matt. 5:44–46), yet He is angry with the wicked every day (Psa. 7:11; 9:5). At first sight, it seems small wonder that the reader might seek refuge in the comfort that we see through the glass darkly (1 Cor. 13:12).”
One such tension arises between the doctrine of Particular Atonement (sometimes referred to as “Limited Atonement” – the “L” in T.U.L.I.P.) and the Free Offer of the gospel. If “God chooses a people whom He saves” and Christ died to save specifically and only those, how then can salvation be offered to all?
Or, can it be offered to all?
Some, notably the Protestant Reformed Churches (U.S.), have denied that salvation should be offered to all as it has not been purchased for all.
Yet the Scriptures clearly teach that, in the name of Christ, we are to offer Christ’s salvation to “all and sundry” whom we “command to repent and believe the gospel”.
Furthermore, this is what is generally taught in our Reformed Confessions.
Eg. Shorter Catechism Q.31:
“Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.”
Those who deny that we are to make such a “free offer” do not usually deny that the gospel is to be preached to all.
The issue, rather, is not whether to preach the gospel, but what kind of gospel to preach.
My purpose, in writing this book, was to unpack and answer the following three questions:
- Does God desire the salvation of everyone?
- Does God offer the gospel to all because He loves all? Does He love all?
- Does God offer Christ and salvation to everyone in the preaching of the gospel?
I approach each question in turn and examine it in the light of Scripture and in the light of the history of theology.
Only Scripture will provide us with a source of infallible knowledge.
However in the history of theology, Bible-believing men on both sides have drawn from the resources of Scripture and arrived at different positions with regard to the “free offer”. It would therefore be foolish to bypass the insights of such well-meaning pioneers with a pious, “Let’s get back to the Bible”. Historical positions must be examined if for no other reason than to discover unanswered questions in one’s own “Biblical” view.
It is now more than 45 years since I wrote this book. The denomination I was part of at the time was debating the topic and asked me to follow it up, as I had previously expressed an interest in, and raised my concerns for, the issues at stake.
Since then the landscape of the evangelical church has changed dramatically. There are many other challenges that face us today.
But there are many things that haven’t changed, the most important being the blessed gospel of our wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ.
At the beginning of my ministry I wrote from the viewpoint of what I believed from the Word of God, but with limited experience in preaching.
Now, after more than 40 years in the ministry, and continuing to preach regularly in the five years since I retired, and having proved by experience the truth of what I wrote back then, I am more than ever convinced that the gospel is God’s only “power to salvation” (Rom 1:16), and of the great need to plead with sinners, who are everywhere perishing in their sins, to repent and embrace the salvation offered to them by an all-sufficient Saviour.
Woe to that man who preaches any other gospel (Gal 1:6–10) or who confuses the distinctive message God has given us to proclaim (1 Cor 14:8).
Over this time I have also been greatly blessed to prove the truth of the free offer of the gospel through the experience of others, especially in reading more widely as to what God has done in pouring out His Spirit in times of genuine revival. It has warmed my heart and encouraged me in the ministry to read of men who were obviously committed to the Reformed faith so blessed in their preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is my prayer that God would be gracious and would yet visit us again in this way.
I hope that Peter Barnes’ testimony that, on this issue, “Ken Stebbins proves to be a clear and lucid guide”, will prove to be the case.
Others who have endorsed this book include:
“Scripture tells us God works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11), and he does all his pleasure (Isaiah 46:10). So is it proper to assume he delights in everything that happens—including the destruction of the wicked? Some would say yes. In fact, this is a notion that seems to be gaining influence in certain forums on the Internet. But God himself says he does not delight in the death of the wicked; he would rather see them repent (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11). How, then, do we reconcile God’s sovereignty with his appeals to hardened sinners? Are we supposed to proclaim the gospel as a plea for sinners to be reconciled with God? Does the gospel message include a well-meant proffer of forgiveness and salvation to all sinners in general, or only the elect in particular? Some would say these are the hardest questions related to the sovereignty of God and the doctrine of election. Ken Stebbins tackles the conundrum and helps sort it out with great care, biblical precision, and uncommon clarity. This is the most readable, easy-to-follow work on the subject I know. It was a tremendous help to me 25 years ago when I was still fairly new to the doctrines of grace. I’m pleased to see it back in print.”
* Phil Johnson | Executive Director, Grace to You
“Calvinists are stewards of beautiful truths derived from Scripture. As such, we have the solemn responsibility to defend them from erroneous interpretation and application. Christ Freely Offered continues to be a helpful resource for those seeking a response against the Hyper-Calvinistic error that persists into our day. Especially helpful are the extensive and helpful discussions of major Reformed theologians on this issue.”
* Dr. Sam Waldron | President and Academic Dean, Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary
“Ken Stebbins alerts us to the faulty steps in logic and the misreadings of Scripture that we can make when reflecting on God’s eternal decree. The mystery is that God delights in the repentance and faith of lost men and women while not including them all in his eternal (decretive) will of salvation. But the author shows from Scripture and the history of theology that Jesus Christ can and should be sincerely and indiscriminately offered in the Gospel message. In the middle chapter there is a helpful defence of the doctrine of God’s common grace that is germane to the subject. To those who are aware of the theological questions and who are looking for reliable answers we recommend this book.”
* Rev. Dr. Douglas Milne | Principal Emeritus, Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne
Others who reviewed the book when it was first published include:
“The Author is fair in his treatment of the issues addressed and is careful to represent the views of those with whom he is interacting in a balanced and gracious manner.”
* Mark Johnston | reviewed in Banner of Truth Magazine
“This is a profound study which touches some of the deeper mysteries of the divine will. So it is not surprising that there should be differences of opinions and expressions which are liable to be misunderstood. Mr Stebbins examines many of these, and, while approving of some, is critical of others, with whom he would agree in many respects. Even though the reader may not agree with Mr Stebbins in every particular, it will do his mind and soul good to grapple with this problem.”
* William Reid McEwen | reviewed in Evangelical Action
“This treatment is not a re-hash of available material but is a serious, competent and perceptive defence of the Free Offer as expressed in the Shorter Catechism. It is obviously the writer’s intention to seek to do full justice to Scripture. He also puts his finger on the real questions and attempts to clear the difficulties peculiar to the Free Offer… The value of this small paper-back goes beyond its treatment of the Free Offer as such and readers will find helpful insight into the decrees of God and the idea of Common Grace. Mr Stebbins may not have written the last word on his chosen subject but it could be regarded as the best statement of it to date.”
* Peace and Truth | Magazine of the Sovereign Grace Union, U.K.
In this latest edition I have made no substantial changes to what I originally wrote: I don’t believe the issues have changed. There are a few minor corrections; and, in view of renewed interest in the “Marrow Controversy” in recent years, I have sought to deal with matters surrounding that period in a more thoughtful and nuanced way.
I am very thankful that, if I go to my grave only ever having written one book, in the providence of God it is on this topic that is so very dear to my heart.
I pray that all who read this book would only be stirred up to proclaim the gospel of Christ ever more clearly and ever more passionately.
The book is available from the following: