Reformed Sorteriology and Acts 3:26?

[broodingbaird]

If the "you" in Acts 3:26 is the Jews, then why are they not all turned from their wicked ways? Is this an example of universal call as opposed to effectual call? If so on what exegetical grounds? Could someone use this verse to support the idea that Jesus death only makes Salvation possible?

 

[Contra_Mundum]

The statement is found in a preaching/evangelistic context. It's a gospel call, general in nature.

But it certainly is effectual only unto faith. Notice v23 offers a warning against unbelief.

JFB Commentary, loc. cit.

(4) With what skill and power does the apostle, seeing himself surrounded and gazed on by a wondering multitude, seize his opportunity, and, founding on resistless facts, drive home to the conscience of his auditors their guilt in crucifying the Lord of Glory; then soothe their awakened minds by assurances of forgiveness on turning to the Lord, and a glorious future as soon as this shall come pass-to terminate with the Personal Return of Christ from the heavens where He has ascended-ending all with warnings, from their own Scriptures, to submit to Him if they would not perish, and with calls to receive from Him the blessings of salvation.

While someone might claim that this proves only the "possibility" of salvation; they would have to qualify that by admitting that the "possibility" is tied to this opportunity. This, we are happy to admit, given our own understanding of the bounds and purposes of "possibility."

Arguing that this text proves "Christ's atonement merely made salvation possible in a free-will world," uses the rhetoric of the preacher to remove the freedom of God to make possibilities actualities on his timetable. They attempt to push the contingency back to the actual event of the death of Christ.