“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold”

Posted by ericgmorgan

November 3, 2007

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold” (John 10:16). It is clear that the Lord is here contemplating His elect among the Gentiles. Not only for the elect Jews would He “lay down his life,” but for “the children of God that were scattered abroad” (John 11:52) as well. But note Christ does not here say, “other sheep I shall have,” but “other sheep I have.” They were His even then; His, because given to Him by the Father from all eternity. A parallel passage is found in Acts 18. The apostle Paul had just arrived in Corinth, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision by night, and said unto him, “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace; for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee, for I have much people in this city” (verses 9, 10). How positive, definite, and unequivocal these statements are! How they show that everything is to be traced back to the eternal counsels of the Godhead! - Arthur Pink