The Whosoevers

Who are the “whosoevers?” This word has a number of meanings in the Greek language. Whatever Greek word one chooses still shows that everyone has the opportunity to be saved, have forgiveness of sins, born again, or condemned.

            John writes in John 3:16, “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.” The “whosoever” here is the “all” of Matthew 28:19, 20 where Jesus told the apostles to, “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.” All are to be taught all things. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2.  All or every person is included in the “whosoever” of salvation.

            Peter stated, “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:42, 43. The remission of sins is for all or every person and not just a select few as the doctrine of limited atonement teaches. All or every person who continues faithfully after obeying the Gospel of Christ will continue to have the forgiveness of sins. All or every person is included in the “whosoever” of forgiveness. John wrote, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9.

            John writes that “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him” 1 John 5:1. Jesus spoke of being born again in John 3:3-5. Peter writes, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23. In the Great Commission to the apostles, Jesus said the Gospel was to be preached to all or every person. To preach the Gospel of Christ is to preach the Word of God, which lives and abides forever.

When the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ, is preached, there will be those who will be born again. All or every person is included in the “whosoever” of being born again. To be born again one must hear the Gospel of the Christ, Romans 10:17, believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, repent of their sins, Acts 2:38, confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Romans 10:10, and be immersed in water to have their sins washed away, Acts 22:16, contacting the blood of Christ, Revelation 1:5. The Hebrew writer wrote, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22. When one contacts the blood of Christ in the watery grave of immersion [burial, not sprinkling or pouring], their sins are washed away, and they have been raised a new creature. Romans 6:3, 4; 2 Corinthians 5:17.

            In John 8:34, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” Every or all people have sinned. Paul wrote, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 3:23; 6:23. Jesus uses the word “committeth” which is present active participle meaning “the ones continuing in sin.” Therefore, whosoever continues in sin is a servant of sin.  Paul wrote, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18.

            John writes in Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” This whosoever means “if any, whoever.” God is not a respecter of persons according to Acts 10:34, 35. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”   Who are these folks? They are the ones who refused to obey the commands to be born again, refused the forgiveness of sins, refused the gift of salvation, or continue in sin. These are the “whosoevers” of those who will be condemned into the lake of fire.

            “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit” (Romans 8:1).   John wrote, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17.
Bobby D. Gayton