In Paul's Letter to the Romans Chapter Five, verses 12, 15-21, the Scriptures state seven times in a row that salvation has come to all people as grace, a "free gift of God."
Romans 5:12, 15-21 NRSV 2nd Test. Pg. 156
Adam and Christ: The Doctrine of Universal Salvation
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned. . . .
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass.
(Here the Holy Spirit through St. Paul states SEVEN TIMES that all are saved. Br. Benedict)
(#1) For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many.
16 And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin.
(#2) For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification.
(#3)17 If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
(#4) 18 Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.
(#5) 19 For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
(#6) 20 But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
(#7) 21 so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification[f] leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Like so many other "surprise gifts" we receive, you may not have asked for this "free gift of God."
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