Does salvation depend upon man's willingness to be saved apart from a prior work of the Holy Spirit? No one is saved against his will; however, God changes the willer so as to make the sinner willing. The subject of free-will is at the very heart of Christianity and has a profound effect on our message and method of evangelism. While it is true that "whosoever will may come," the Bible teaches that salvation depends not on man's willingness but on God's willingness, God's grace, and God's power. Furthermore, if God did not have power over man's will the whole world would go to hell. God does not exclude anyone in His invitations; however, sinners do exclude themselves.

About the Author:

Ernest C. Reisinger was pastor emeritus of Grace Baptist church in Cape Coral, Florida, and associate editor of The Founders Journal.   He has authored numerous books and pamplets, including, What Shall We Think of ‘The Carnal Christian?’, The Law and the Gospel, Today's Evangelism and Lord & Christ:  The Implications of Lordhsip for Faith and Life. Pastor Reisinger went home to be with the Lord Monday morning May 31, 2004 at the age of 84.

Over the past 50 years ‘Ernie’ was a leading figure in the revival of Reformation theology and Puritan literature. He held a unique place in assisting the reform of churches, the support of theological seminaries, the formation of conferences, and the teaching and giving of books to young pastors. Through his effective witness and warm personal guidance Mr. Reisinger has been a spiritual father to thousands.

Born in 1919 at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA, he was converted prior to serving in the US Navy during the Second World War. Mr. Reisinger then became a successful businessman in his hometown. It was during the 1950’s that he came to a knowledge of ‘the doctrines of grace’ through his study of Christian literature. He then felt, as John Bunyan once wrote, ‘I had grown from a babe into a man’.

Spiritual concerns came to take more and more of Ernie’s time. After his ordination in 1971, in which Dr. Cornelius VanTil participated, he served as pastor to churches in Islamorada and North Pompano in Florida, USA. These were Southern Baptist churches, and, by the 1980’s he was playing a leading role in working for the recovery of the doctrines of grace, in that denomination. He demonstrated that this was a recovery, not an introduction, by directing the reprinting of James Boyce’s Abstract of Theology. To the last he remained the Associate Editor of The founders’ Journal: Committed to Historic Southern Baptist Principles. Nonetheless his instincts always remained genuinely ‘catholic’, and few men can have been welcomed to the pulpits of so many denominations.

Sample Text: