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John Calvin (1509-1564). FOUNDER of The Presbyterian Church (Switzerland, 1536 AD). A Number of Churches Teach His Fundamental Doctrine. . Calvinism. T U L I P. otal Hereditary Depravity. nconditional Election. imited Atonement. rresistible Grace. erseverance of the Saints. Calvinism.
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John Calvin(1509-1564) FOUNDERofThe Presbyterian Church(Switzerland, 1536 AD) A Number of ChurchesTeachHis Fundamental Doctrine.
Calvinism T U L I P otal Hereditary Depravity nconditional Election imited Atonement rresistible Grace erseverance of the Saints
Calvinism T U L I P otal Hereditary Depravity nconditional Election imited Atonement rresistible Grace erseverance of the Saints
Calvinism Irresistible Grace “This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed by it.” The Westminster Confession of Faith (Chap. X)
Calvinism Irresistible Grace “Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, the special inward call of the Spirit never fails to result in the conversion of those to whom it is made. This special call is not made to all sinners but is issued to the elect only! The Spirit is in no way dependent upon their help or cooperation for success in His work of bringing them to Christ. It is for this reason that Calvinists speak of the Spirit’s call and of God’s grace in saving sinners as being ‘efficacious,’ ‘invincible,’ or ‘irresistible.’ For the grace which the Holy Spirit extends to the elect cannot be thwarted or refused, it never fails to bring them to true faith in Christ!” David N. Steele & Curtis C. Thomas, The Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended, Documented(pp. 48-49)
Calvinism Irresistible Grace “Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, the special inward call of the Spirit never fails to result in the conversion of those to whom it is made. This special call is not made to all sinners but is issued to the elect only! The Spirit is in no way dependent upon their help or cooperation for success in His work of bringing them to Christ. It is for this reason that Calvinists speak of the Spirit’s call and of God’s grace in saving sinners as being ‘efficacious,’ ‘invincible,’ or ‘irresistible.’ For the grace which the Holy Spirit extends to the elect cannot be thwarted or refused, it never fails to bring them to true faith in Christ!” • Cf. Jn. 17:20, “Neither pray I FOR THESE ALONE (I.E. The Apostles, vv. 17-18), but FOR THEM ALSO WHICH SHALL BELIEVE ON ME THROUGH THEIR WORD.” • Cf. Acts 15:7, “…ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should HEAR THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL,and BELIEVE.” • Cf. 11:14 David N. Steele & Curtis C. Thomas, The Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended, Documented(pp. 48-49)
Calvinism Irresistible Grace • Irresistible Grace –Dictionary.com Unabridged • Irresistible – “not resistible; incapable of being resisted or withstood: an irresistible impulse.” • Grace – “favor or good will. a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior: It was only through the dean’s grace that I wasn’t expelled from school.”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, HEARD US: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, THAT SHE ATTENDED UNTO THE THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN OF PAUL.” • The Calvinists Have Things Out Of Order: • Her Heart Was OpenedAfter She Heard The Word, Then She Attended To What Was Spoken. • Question:WhyWasLydiaBaptized(v.15; Cf. Acts 2:38)?
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, HEARD US: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, THAT SHE ATTENDED UNTO THE THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN OF PAUL.” • The Calvinists Have Things Out Of Order: • v. 15, “And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, IF YE HAVE JUDGED ME TO BE FAITHFUL TO THE LORD, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” • Cf. Rom. 10:17 (Mk. 16:15-16) • Her Heart Was OpenedAfter She Heard The Word, Then She Attended To What Was Spoken. • Question:WhyWasLydiaBaptized(v.15; Cf. Acts 2:38)?
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, HEARD US: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, THAT SHE ATTENDED UNTO THE THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN OF PAUL.” • The Calvinists Have Things Out Of Order: • Rom. 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: for IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Cf. II Thess. 2:14 • Her Heart Was OpenedAfter She Heard The Word, Then She Attended To What Was Spoken. • Question:WhyWasLydiaBaptized(v.15; Cf.ICor.1:21)?
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, HEARD US: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, THAT SHE ATTENDED UNTO THE THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN OF PAUL.” • The Calvinists Have Things Out Of Order: • Eph. 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.” Cf. Heb. 4:12 (I Cor. 1:21) • Her Heart Was OpenedAfter She Heard The Word, Then She Attended To What Was Spoken. • Question:WhyWasLydiaBaptized(v.15; Cf.ICor.1:21)?
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, HEARD US: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, THAT SHE ATTENDED UNTO THE THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN OF PAUL.” • The Calvinists Have Things Out Of Order: • Cf. Acts 2:37-38, “Now WHEN THEY HEARD THIS, they were PRICKED IN THEIR HEART (NKJV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, ‘CUT to the heart;’ NASB, ‘PIERCED to the heart’), and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?…” • Her Heart Was OpenedAfter She Heard The Word, Then She Attended To What Was Spoken. • Question:WhyWasLydiaBaptized(v.15; Cf.ICor.1:21)?
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, HEARD US: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, THAT SHE ATTENDED UNTO THE THINGS WHICH WERE SPOKEN OF PAUL.” • The Calvinists Have Things Out Of Order: • Cf. Acts 7:51-54, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, YE DO ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY GHOST: as your fathers did, so do ye.…54 WHEN THEYHEARD THESE THINGS, THEY WERE CUT TO THE HEART, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. ” • Her Heart Was OpenedAfter She Heard The Word, Then She Attended To What Was Spoken. • Question:WhyWasLydiaBaptized(v.15; Cf.ICor.1:21)?
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Jn. 3:5-7, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man BE BORN OF WATER and OF THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 6 That which is BORN of the fleshIS FLESH; and that which is BORN OF THE SPIRIT is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Jn. 3:5-7, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man BE BORN OF WATERandOF THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 6 That which is BORN of the fleshIS FLESH; and that which is BORN OF THE SPIRIT is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” I Pet. 1:22-25, “Seeing ye have PURIFIED YOUR SOULS in OBEYINGTHE TRUTHthroughTHESPIRIT…23 BEING BORN AGAIN, not ofcorruptibleSEED, but ofincorruptible, byTHE WORD OF GOD…”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Jn. 3:5-7, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man BE BORN OF WATERandOF THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 6 That which is BORN of the fleshIS FLESH; and that which is BORN OF THE SPIRIT is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” Jn. 6:63, “It isTHE SPIRITthat QUICKENETH; THE FLESHprofiteth nothing:THE WORDSthat I speak unto you, THEY areSPIRIT, and THEY are LIFE.” Cf. v. 68
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Jn. 3:5-7, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man BE BORN OF WATERandOF THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 6 That which is BORN of the fleshIS FLESH; and that which is BORN OF THE SPIRIT is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” I Cor. 12:13, “For byONE SPIRIT areWE ALL BAPTIZEDINTO ONE BODY, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,whetherwebebondorfree;andhavebeen all made to drink into ONE SPIRIT.” Cf.Rom. 6:3;Gal.3:27
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Rom. 8:7, “Because THE CARNAL MIND is enmity against God: FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE.” • If One Possesses “The Carnal Mind,” Are They Depraved (I.E. Unable To Understand And Obey The Law Of God) Until The Spirit Enables Them?
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Rom. 8:7, “Because THE CARNAL MIND is enmity against God: FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE.” • If One Possesses “The Carnal Mind,” Are They Depraved (I.E. Unable To Understand And Obey The Law Of God) Until The Spirit Enables Them? • Cf. I Cor. 3:1-3, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto CARNAL, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto YE WERE NOT ABLE TO BEAR IT, neither yet NOW ARE YE ABLE. 3 For YE ARE YET CARNAL: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not CARNAL, and WALK AS MEN?”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Rom. 8:7, “Because THE CARNAL MIND is enmity against God: FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE.” • If One Possesses “The Carnal Mind” Are They Depraved (I.E. Unable To Understand And Obey The Law Of God) Until The Spirit Enables Them? • The Context Reveals Our “Free Will” To Choose: • Rom. 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT.” • Cf. II Cor. 5:7 (Rom.10:17)
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts • Rom. 8:7, “Because THE CARNAL MIND is enmity against God: FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE.” • If One Possesses “The Carnal Mind” Are They Depraved (I.E. Unable To Understand And Obey The Law Of God) Until The Spirit Enables Them? • The Context Reveals Our “Free Will” To Choose: • Rom. 8:5-6, “For THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE FLESH DO MIND THE THINGS OF THE FLESH; but THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE SPIRIT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT. 6 For to becarnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, THEM he also CALLED: and whom he called, THEM he also JUSTIFIED: and whom he justified, THEM he also GLORIFIED.” • Question: HOW Did He Do These Things? • Answer: By “The Gospel”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, THEM he also CALLED: and whom he called, THEM he also JUSTIFIED: and whom he justified, THEM he also GLORIFIED.” • Question: HOW Did He Do These Things? • Answer: By “The Gospel” II Thess. 2:14, “Whereunto HE CALLED YOUbyOUR GOSPEL, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, THEM he also CALLED: and whom he called, THEM he also JUSTIFIED: and whom he justified, THEM he also GLORIFIED.” • Question: HOW Did He Do These Things? • Answer: By “The Gospel” Rom. 3:24, “Being JUSTIFIED freely BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is IN CHRIST JESUS.” Cf. Acts 20:32; Gal. 1:6-7; Tit. 2:11-12
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, THEM he also CALLED: and whom he called, THEM he also JUSTIFIED: and whom he justified, THEM he also GLORIFIED.” • Question: HOW Did He Do These Things? • Answer: By “The Gospel” Rom. 5:1, “Therefore being JUSTIFIEDBY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Cf. Rom. 10:17
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, THEM he also CALLED: and whom he called, THEM he also JUSTIFIED: and whom he justified, THEM he also GLORIFIED.” • Question: HOW Did He Do These Things? • Answer: By “The Gospel” II Thess. 2:14, “Whereunto HE CALLED YOUbyOUR GOSPEL, to the obtaining of THE GLORY of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts I Cor. 15:10, “But BY THE GRACE OF GOD I am what I am: and HIS GRACE which was bestowed upon me WAS NOT IN VAIN; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but THE GRACE OF GOD which was with me.” If The Grace of God Is The Spirit’s “Irresistible” Call, How Can Some Receive The Grace of God “In Vain”? Cf. II Cor. 6:1, “We then, as workers together with him, beseechyoualsothatYERECEIVENOTTHEGRACEOFGOD IN VAIN.” Cf. Acts 20:32; Gal. 1:6-7; Tit. 2:11-12
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Eph. 2:1-2, “And YOU HATH HE QUICKENED, WHO WERE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” MustOneWhoIsDead In Sin Be Made Alive By Supernatural Power, Like A Dead Corpse? Cf. Christ/Lazarus • Being Dead Physically Means:“The Body” Is “Without The Spirit” – Jas. 2:26
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Eph. 2:1-2, “And YOU HATH HE QUICKENED, WHO WERE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” MustOneWhoIsDead In Sin Be Made Alive By Supernatural Power, Like A Dead Corpse? Cf. Christ/Lazarus • Being Dead In Sin Means:“Separated”FromGod-Isa.59:1-2;Col.1:21(“Alienated”)
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Eph. 2:1-2, “And YOU HATH HE QUICKENED, WHO WERE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” MustOneWhoIsDead In Sin Be Made Alive By Supernatural Power, Like A Dead Corpse? Cf. Christ/Lazarus • Cf. Col. 2:11-13, “…13 And YOU, being DEAD IN YOUR SINS and the uncircumcision of your flesh, HATH HE QUICKENED TOGETHER WITH HIM, having FORGIVEN YOU all trespasses.” • Being Dead In Sin Means:“Separated”FromGod-Isa.59:1-2;Col.1:21(“Alienated”)
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts II Tim. 1:9, “Who hath SAVED US, and CALLED US WITH AN HOLY CALLING, not according to our works, but according to HIS OWN PURPOSE and GRACE, which was given us IN CHRIST JESUS before the world began.” v. 10, “But is NOW MADE MANIFEST by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, AND HATH BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT THROUGH THE GOSPEL.”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts II Tim. 1:9, “Who hath SAVED US, and CALLED US WITH AN HOLY CALLING, not according to our works, but according to HIS OWNPURPOSE and GRACE, which was given us IN CHRIST JESUS before the world began.” v. 10, “But is NOW MADE MANIFEST by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, AND HATH BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT THROUGH THE GOSPEL.” I Cor. 15:10, “But BY THE GRACE OF GOD I am what I am: and HIS GRACE which was bestowed upon me WAS NOTINVAIN;but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but THE GRACE OF GOD which was with me.”
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts II Tim. 1:9, “Who hath SAVED US, and CALLED US WITH AN HOLY CALLING, not according to our works, but according to HIS OWN PURPOSE and GRACE, which was given us IN CHRIST JESUS before the world began.” v. 10, “But is NOW MADE MANIFEST by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, AND HATH BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT THROUGH THE GOSPEL.” • Cf. Eph. 3:11, “According to THE ETERNAL PURPOSE which HE PURPOSED IN CHRIST JESUS our Lord.” • Cf. Jn. 1:1, 14 (Rev. 19:13); 6:48; 8:12; 14:6 • See Also: Acts 20:32;Gal. 1:6-7;Tit. 2:11-12
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Exposed Questions For The Calvinist: Why Does The Bible Teach That Faith Is Produced By Hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17)? Acts 14:1, “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and SO SPAKE, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks BELIEVED.” Cf. II Cor. 5:11 (Acts 26:28)
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Exposed Questions For The Calvinist: Why Does The Bible Teach That Faith Is Produced By Hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17)? Acts 15:7-9, “…Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles BY MY MOUTH SHOULD HEAR THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL, and BELIEVE. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, PURIFYING THEIR HEARTS BY FAITH.”Cf.Rom.10:17(I Pet.1:22f) Acts 14:1, “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and SO SPAKE, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks BELIEVED.” Cf. II Cor. 5:11 (Acts 26:28)
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Exposed Questions For The Calvinist: Why Does The Bible Teach That Faith Is Produced By Hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17)? Acts 15:7-9, “…Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles BY MY MOUTH SHOULD HEAR THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL, and BELIEVE. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, PURIFYING THEIR HEARTS BY FAITH.”Cf.Rom.10:17(I Pet.1:22f) Acts 14:1, “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and SO SPAKE, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks BELIEVED.” Cf. II Cor. 5:11 (Acts 26:28)
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Exposed Questions For The Calvinist: Why Does The Bible Say The Lord Opens The Heart After One Hears, And Not Before? Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, HEARD US: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” Cf. Jas. 1:21-25
Calvinism Irresistible Grace Calvin’s “Proof” Texts Exposed What Is So Sad For Calvinists: Their Assurance of Salvation Is Based Upon Their Personal Feelings,RatherThanGod’sWord(IJn.5:13;Cf.Jn.20:30-31). What Is Worse, They Believe That They Are Directly Guided (Throughout Their Entire Life) To Interpret The Bible Correctly. This Is The Reason Calvinists Are So Difficult To Reach With The Truth Of The Gospel. They Are Caught In A Circle of False Logic