Synergistic; God desires all to be saved; ongoing opportunity extends to departed
The New Apostolic Church teaches a synergistic doctrine of predestination: God desires all people to be saved and has predestined salvation for all who respond in faith and obedience. Divine election is not arbitrary or independent of human response; rather, God's foreknowledge encompasses both those who will believe and those who will reject God's grace.
The NAC does not teach double predestination (the predestination of some to damnation while others are elected to salvation). Rather, God has created all people with the capacity and opportunity to respond to His grace. However, some misuse their freedom and reject God's offer of salvation.
What makes NAC teaching distinctive is its extension of this doctrine to the departed. The church teaches that even those who have died without receiving full salvation in life have the opportunity to respond to God's grace through the sacramental ministry of the church. The living can seek Holy Sealing for the deceased, and this sacramental action can effect salvation for those who are spiritually prepared to receive it. This understanding reflects a profound conviction in God's universal will for salvation and in the redemptive power of grace.
Key Distinctions
- Election model:
- synergistic — extends to departed; ongoing opportunity
- Double predestination:
- rejected
- Free will teaching:
- free will affirmed; sacramental life necessary
Scripture References
Sources
- NAC Catechism on divine will and salvation
- NAC teachings on sacraments for the departed