Calvinism is a system of theology that attempts to
explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in
the matter of salvation.
Calvinism is named after John Calvin a French
theologian who live from 1509-1564. John Calvin got this doctrine of Calvinism
from Augustine.
The teaching of Calvinism (TULIP, 5 points) which is
usually:
Total Depravity - Means that you're so deprived and
dead in your sin, you don't even have the ability to come to God on your own
accord. This is not true. The Bible says:
For whosoever shall call upon
the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13
Unconditional Election - Is the view that God elect
individuals to salvation based entirely on His will. Some believe that you have
been predestined to hell and others believe that you have been predestined to
heaven. We reject that completely. God does not predestined anyone to hell. The
Bible says:
The Lord is not slack concerning
his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Limited atonement - The most controversial of the 5
points. It is the belief that Jesus only died for the elect. This is not true
because Jesus died for all but that His death is not effectual until a person
repents, believes, and trust in Lord Jesus Christ alone.
The Bible says:
For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
And saying, The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the
gospel.
Mark 1:15
Irresistible Grace - Calvinist believe God calls a
person to salvation, that a person will inevitably comes to salvation. This is
not true, God calls all to salvation but many people resist and reject His
call.
And the times of this ignorance
God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Because he hath appointed a day,
in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath
ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised
him from the dead.
Acts 17:30,31
Perseverance of the Saints - Refers to the concept
that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not
permanently deny Christ.
The work has been already been done at the cross of
calvary. Jesus said "It is finished."
When Jesus therefore had
received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave
up the ghost.
John 19:30
We hold to eternal to eternal security, once saved
always saved.
And I give unto them eternal
life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my
hand.
John 10:28
Being confident of this very
thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the
day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6
Ultimately it is our view that this system fails in
their attempt to explain the unexplainable. How do you know you've been chosen
by God? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you just confirmed you've been
chosen by God, because God gives you a choice in the matter.
That if thou shalt confess with
thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised
him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9,10
Blessings
Gay & David
