Armenian or Calvinist?

What does this each mean?

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and , lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' A'-men" Matthew 28: 18-20 KJV

So where does Arminianism or Calvinism fit?

From Bitannica.com

"Arminianism, a theological movement in Protestant Christianity that arose as a liberal reaction to the Calvinist doctrine of predestination. The movement began early in the 17th century and asserted that God’s sovereignty and human free will are compatible."

Calvinism , the theology advanced by John Calvin, a Protestant reformer in the 16th century, and its development by his followers. The term also refers to doctrines and practices derived from the works of Calvin and his followers that are characteristic of the Reformed churches.

What stands out most are the issues of Predestination or Free Will. You can find passages in the Bible that are used to strengthen the debate in both directions. Let's look at 2 examples from the Gospel in the Book of John.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 KJV

This verse is repeated at just about any given sermon on any given Sunday. You can read "free will" in "whosoever believeth in Him."

HOWEVER,

Also in the Book of John (6:35-40) we read;

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

If I am understanding this right? Jesus is stating that "All that the Father giveth" shall go to Him - Jesus. And Jesus will lose no-one, which is the blessed assurance of salvation.

The Father has given His Son a bride...which is the Church. His elect. But understand that whether we pick the side of Arminius or Calvin is irrelevant. Are you His? Do you believe in the Gospel, aka the "Good News" of Salvation.

Jesus was born of a virgin, He lived a perfect life, He died for our sins on the cross. And rose again on the third day. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again, to judge the living and the dead. He is the Son of God and our Redeemer.

See Paul Washer dismantle the debate.

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8

Dr. Barnett points out that even Peter

had a hard time understanding Paul.

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:15-16

In closing... I cannot stress the absolute importance in getting into your bible. Whether by election or not, if you seek the Truth, Way & Life. You will only find it in Jesus. You won't find it in the "universe" or have some magic mushroom or some man-centric understanding. Personally, the more I get into the bible, the more predestination jumps out. However, this doesn't mean I totally reject the free-will argument. At the end of the day, this isn't a hill I'm going to die on. All I know is that I'm thankful to be Saved by God's Grace through Faith in Jesus our Lord & Savior.

And on that hill, I will give my last drop of blood and breath of life.