For years it’s had Christians lining up on both sides, by God’s grace, I’ll address this without pride. The question concerns those whom Christ died for, was he trying to save everybody worldwide, was he trying to make the entire planet his bride? Biblically, each of these must be denied. Yes, jesus gave us his life for the bride, but his bride is the elect.
If saving everyone was why Christ came, with so many in Hell we’d have to say that he failed miserably. So many think Christ only came to make salvation possible, but lets follow that to it’s logical conclusion. What about those who were already in the grave? Did he die for them? But worst of all, you’re saying that the cross by itself doesn’t save, that we must do something to give the cross its power. That means at the end of the day the glory is ours. That is man-centered thinking, not christ-centered thinking. The cross will save all for whom it was intended, because for the elect God’s wrath was satisted.
At the end of the day it’s about giving God the maximum amount of Glory, proclaiming a cross that actually saves. Not make salvation possible but actually saves (Matt 1:21). This isn’t controversy for the sake of controversy or theological nit-picking. Salvation is of the Lord.
Theory of The Phil 
I was saved, I am saved & I am being saved. Yes, but only GOD knows who they are.
So are you saying that you believe Christ only died for the elect and not everyone? Well who are the elect and how do you know? I am sorry but I am just trying to understand your point of view.
Yes Staci, I believe that Christ only died for the elect and I believe that is what scripture teaches. If Christ died for everyone, we would have no choice but to label Christ as a failure considering everyone was not saved. I don’t believe a drop of Christ’s blood was shed in vain. As far as knowing who the elect are, only God knows.
Thanks for answering. The one problem I see with that is if only a certain group of elect get to go to heaven… then isn’t it pretty much pointless to have a relationship with God, read the bible and follow it? Remember what John 3:16 says about whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. I can’t remember exactly where in the old testiment it talks about this, but before Jesus came people went to a holding place when they died called “the bussom of Abraham”.( I may be little off on the naming… but I know I have read and heard it before). So I’m sure people were judged and sent to heaven or hell based on how they lived. If they weren’t saved it was because they didn’t believe, not because Christ was a failure. Anyway.. I was just throwing out my point of view. But out of curiosity , are you just hoping and praying your guts out that you are part of the elect and God has chosen you to be saved?
I do not think it’s pointless to have a relationship with God, I think the fact that God chose us makes it more special to have a relationship with him. I don’t have any problems with John 3:16. I believe all that believe in Christ will have eternal life. What do you think of this passage – John 6:44–45: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.”
It seems pretty clear (at least to me) that nobody will choose Jesus unless the father first chooses them.