@Doran
You submitted the Scriptures that you indicated state that Jesus did not die for all but ONLY for some unknown few. I addressed every one, noting the obvious, none of them state that. Again, these are Scriptures YOU presented, that you indicated state that Jesus ONLY and FEW (that's the critical, essential thing since that IS the point).
I submitted several. Among them...
Hebrews 2:9 so that by the grace of God he might taste death
for everyone.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has
died for all
2 Corinthians 5:15 And
he died for all
1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself as a ransom
for all.
Now, I've read the books of First Timothy and Second Corinthians and Hebrews MANY times, DOZENS of times; I've attended Bible studies on these books. And I see nothing in them that would suggest that these verses mean "Jesus did not die for all people but only, exclusively, solely for some unknown few."
I've also studied the Church Fathers (albeit, no expert) and Church Councils... and I know that they understood that Jesus died for all people; none taught that Jesus did NOT die for all but ONLY, EXCLUSIVELY, SOLELY for some unknown FEW. I know that Luther and Calvin taught that.
Now, I don't agree that ERGO all are personally justified, faith being irrelevant (that's Dave's position), I don't think the "goats" (those without faith) are thus saved. I hold that Jesus died for the elect and for many... and also for blonde girls and for Americans and for Donald
Trump but I don't hold taht THEREFORE they are personally justified (I hold faith is also necessary). I do not believe that faith is a good work of dead people, I believe that BOTH the CROSS and FAITH are completely, totally the work and gift of God. But I also agree with Scripture and Christians that God meant it when He so often stated that Jesus died for all. That's how I know He died for me (I'm an "all"); if God had made that SO clear, I'd never know if Jesus was for ME, if the Gospel is THERE for me, if my faith is apprehending something for ME.
As I said, we COULD argue if "us" refers to all or not. But "us" does not mean "ONLY, EXCLUSIVELY, SOLELY some unknown few. And I think we have that issue cleared up by MANY Scriptures, Such as these...
Hebrews 2:9 so that by the grace of God he might taste death
for everyone.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has
died for all
2 Corinthians 5:15 And
he died for all
1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself as a ransom
for all.
and many more like them.
"Us" isn't a contradiction to "all." "Us" is not the equal of "an unknown few, probably not including you." "Many" probably doesn't usually mean "some unknown FEW." You argue that "many" = supports the "L" position of "some few." But this is not what the Greek states. You are reading an implication into this passage that doesn’t exist in the Greek. Jesus doesn’t say that he’ll die for “many of us.” He literally says that his blood is poured out “for the many.”
1. The issue is this: Does Scripture state that Jesus died for all OR does it state that Jesus did NOT die for all but ONLY, EXCLUSIVELY, SOLELY for some few. We've proved it often states that He did, you've supplied nothing that stated HE did NOT.
2. I disagree with your assumption that God ONLY loves those who first love Him and obey Him. Here's what Scripture states:
"Not that we love God but that God loved us" 1 John 4:16
"God shows His love for us in that while we were enemies, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8
"You were dead in your sins..." Ephesians 2:1
"He saved us by virtue of His mercy." Titus 3:5
"Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6
There is no verse that states, "Jesus died ONLY for those who first loved Him and obeyed Him."
.