Hebrews 9:15
For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
“May,” in this sense, should not be inferred to mean might or might not. It’s like saying, “All who believe in Jesus may receive eternal life.” They will receive eternal life. It’s not a might or might not, type expression.
Laurence Vance: “The Calvinist would at least have to admit that Christ made an effectual atonement for the Old Testament saints.” (The Other Side of Calvinism, p.429)
John Calvin: “He speaks of they that have been called in order to make a greater impression on the Jews who were the partakers of this calling. This is a singular favour that the knowledge of Christ is bestowed on us.” (Calvin’s New Testament Commentaries: Hebrews and I and II Peter, p.123, emphasis mine)
John Calvin: “Some take the called in the sense of the elect; in my judgment wrongly. The apostle is saying here the same thing as in Rom. 3:25 that righteousness and salvation have been ordained by the blood of Christ and are laid hold of by us in faith.” (Calvin’s New Testament Commentaries: Hebrews and I and II Peter, p.123, emphasis mine)
For the Calvinist, the Jewish believer is one of Calvinism’s elect, just like any other racial member of Calvinism’s elect, and so any reference to the Jewish believer is the same as referencing a member of the class of Calvinism’s elect. For the Calvinist, Calvinism’s elect in the first/old covenant are saved in exactly the same way as are those of Calvinism’s elect in the second/new covenant, which is by the regeneration and new birth of being made Born Again as a new creation with an Irresistible Grace. Therefore, for the Calvinist, such a designation as “called” must also include any member of Calvinism’s elect?
