As I have stated in previous posts, I was surprised with the number of passages that seem to support an evangelical universal reconciliation teaching. Of course many may think, as I initially thought, that this teaching didn’t include a form of hell, or that the cross was not necessary. This is not so.
Also, please do not think that this teaching is the same as the “all roads lead to heaven” teaching, which I consider to be blasphemous. There is only one way to the Father, and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ.
With this, I would like to begin delving into some of the New Testament passages Mr. Giles brought to my attention, for your consideration, edification and civil discussion.
Our next post will consider 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
1 Corinthians 15:21-22
For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Okay lets consider the two verses above, and consider some thoughts on possible interpretations.
One author I read concerning this set of verses taught that Paul is using this passage to teach that without transgression, no death would have come into the world. A man (Adam) sinned and brought death into the world. A man (Jesus) obeyed and brought resurrection into the world. This is true, but is that Paul’s point here, to speak of theoretical truths?
Maybe, but the issue to address from the topic under consideration is the second “all” in verse 22. Yes Jesus brought life and immortality to light for all of creation. Romans 8 teaches that all of creation groans until the redemption is realized. Could “the creature” in Romans 8 passage be considered support for UR? We may need to consider that at a later time!
It seems blunt to say it, but if the first all in verse 22 means all humanity (and it does since all have died, with few exceptions – Enoch, Elijah, maybe Moses), then all shall be made alive. Of course my determinist friends will want to insert “kinds of men” in the second phrase, so that it may read as such…
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all kinds of men be made alive.
Other than adherence to a systematic theology that has a number of Biblical concerns and philosophical problems, inserting text into a verse causes me a wee bit of consternation. Not a fan!
Is there an interpretive solution to this verse that negates what it seems to be saying, and that is that … all die…all shall be made alive”?
Come on Carl – Read the verse!
Paul qualifies each group (those who die, and those who live) by the representative man who brought in the “condition” of death or life. I kind of understand it as..
Since you are in Adam, you will die (all humans are in Adam!)
Since you are in Christ, you will live (all those who have faith in the Messiah are in Christ!)
Although Mr. Giles offered this text as a proof for universal reconciliation, he had to justify the “all in Christ” as being every person ever created. Although he made a valiant effort at proving this particular text, I didn’t find it convincing.
What think ye? Let me know your thoughts.
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Considering the Bible 
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (KJ3)
For since death is through man, also through a Man is a resurrection of dead ones;
22 for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive
“ In Christ” “all” “will be made alive”
It is because of Jesus Christ’s work and person as His people’s substitute for punishment, payment for sin and a perfect life lived Matthew 1:21 that “All” (His people) that He promised to save are in Christ and will be made alive. Is this what is meant by “In Christ”, The Atonement?
How are “ All” (His people) “in Christ” made alive that are predestinated in Christ from before the foundation of the world Roman 8:28-30 Ephesians 1 Ephesians 2
John 5:21 tells us
21 For even as the Father raises the dead, and makes alive, so also the Son makes alive whom He wills
Matthew 11:27
All things were given over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and to whomever the Son purposes to reveal Him.
Matthew 16:17
17 And answering, Jesus said to him, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you,
but My Father in Heaven.
John 6:47
47 Truly, truly, I say to you, The (one) believing into Me has everlasting life.
John 6:63-65
63 It is the Spirit, the One making alive. The flesh does not profit, nothing! The words which I speak to you are spirit and are life.
64 But there are some of you who are not believing. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they are, the ones not believing, and who is the one giving Him over.
65 And He said, Because of this, I have told you that no one is able to come to Me if it is not given to him from My Father.
Comment: The one believing into Me “has” everlasting life demonstrates that belief reflects having prior received everlasting life. No reception of the spirit means no belief. The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit. He thinks they are foolishness
1 Corinthians 2:14 1:18
It appears belief follows the receiving of Christ ( His Spirit) ( eternal life) ( regeneration) from above John 3:3,5,8 which reflects being made alive by The Son and The Father to whom they will; unto belief of the Gospel that salvation is by the work and person of Jesus Christ alone without any effort from the ones chosen from before the foundation of the world.
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