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.
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 predestine
anyone to hell.
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.
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 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
David & Gay
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