Did Christ Die for All People, or Only for a Chosen Few? A Biblical Answer from the Former Adventists Philippines

This is one of the biggest questions any Christian can ask — and how you answer it shapes your entire view of the gospel, grace, and salvation.

Many people wonder: Did Jesus Christ die only for a select group of people, or did He die for everyone? The Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) holds to the Reformed Arminian view, and here’s our clear and biblical answer:

Christ Died for All People

We believe Jesus’ death on the cross was for all humanity. That’s what Scripture repeatedly teaches:

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”— 1 John 2:2

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”— John 3:16

“We see Jesus… that He might taste death for everyone.” — Hebrews 2:9

Jesus’ sacrifice was not limited to a small group of predetermined people. It was for everyone, because God’s love is universal, and the gospel invitation is open to all.

But Only Believers Receive the Saving Benefits

Although Jesus died for all, not everyone is automatically saved. Salvation is only applied to those who repent and believe the gospel.

“Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”— John 3:16

“Whoever does not believe stands condemned already.”— John 3:18

Jesus’ death is sufficient for all, but efficient only for believers. That means the offer of salvation is real for everyone — but only becomes effective when someone places their faith in Christ.

God Enables Everyone to Respond

You might wonder, “But how can anyone believe if they’re spiritually dead?” Good question. FAP affirms that God gives prevenient grace — a grace that comes before salvation, which awakens people, convicts them, and enables them to respond to the gospel freely.

“When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself.”— John 12:32

That’s God’s loving initiative. He draws everyone, but He does not force anyone. People still have the real, God-enabled choice to respond in faith or reject Him.

Reformed Arminianism vs. Calvinism

FAP rejects two extremes:

View	Who Did Jesus Die For?	Who Benefits?
Universalism	All people	All are saved (even without faith)
Strict Calvinism	Only the elect	Only the elect
Reformed Arminianism (FAP)	All people	Only those who believe

We believe this is the best balance of God’s love and justice, sovereignty and human responsibility. It’s also consistent with how Scripture presents the gospel.

Why This Matters for Former SDAs

Most of us were taught in Adventism that salvation required faith plus Sabbath-keeping or obedience to the law. That’s not the gospel. The Bible is clear:

“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”— Ephesians 2:8-9

Christ’s death is enough. You don’t need to add to it. You don’t need to prove yourself first. The gospel isn’t about joining the right church or keeping the right day — it’s about trusting the right Savior.

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Let’s Talk: Friendly Dialogue

Q: So Jesus died for people who still go to hell?

A: Yes. Like the parable in Matthew 22, the king invited many to the wedding feast, but not all came. The invitation was real — but it had to be accepted.

Q: Isn’t that wasting His blood?

A: No. It shows that God’s love is real and offered sincerely. He doesn't force salvation — He gives people the freedom to accept or reject the gospel.

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Final Thoughts

At FAP, we proclaim a gracious, powerful gospel:

• Christ died for all.

• He offers salvation to everyone.

• Only those who believe will be saved.

That’s the good news — and the true freedom — we found after leaving Adventism. And it’s the message we now joyfully share.

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For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944