Five Verses for the 5 Points of Calvinism
FIVE VERSES FOR THE FIVE POINTS OF CALVINISM
(Nicolas Edwards)
Calvinism has been, and continues to be, a big problem. John Calvin's doctrine has, to some degree, left its mark upon nearly every protestant denomination. Calvin's system of theology contains five points: (T)otal Hereditary Depravity, (U)nconditional Election, (L)imited Atonement, (I)rresistible Grace, and (P)erseverance of the Saints. These are often remembered by the acronym, "TULIP". Let's define each one:
TOTAL HEREDITARY DEPRAVITY. This doctrine teaches that infants are born completely depraved (morally corrupt; wicked), having no inclination whatsoever to goodness. It teaches that infants are born in sin. Often this doctrine is referred to as the doctrine of original sin. The title gives the definition: "Total" (The whole, entire, complete, absolute) "Hereditary" (Inherited, conferred to, passed on, relating to inheritance) "Depravity" (Moral corruption; wickedness) suggesting our whole, entire being, body and soul, is born corrupt by inheritance.
UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION. This doctrine suggests that God has predetermined the number to be saved, predestinated those He has elected to be in that number to be saved and the number foreordained by God can not be increased nor diminished.
LIMITED ATONEMENT. This doctrine says that Jesus died and shed His blood for the elect only. His blood cannot reach the reprobate for He did not die for them.
IRRESISTIBLE GRACE. This doctrine would have you believe that man is saved by the irresistible grace of God. They teach that the Holy Spirit sends the elect a special inward call that brings them to salvation. Thus, the Holy Spirit irresistibly draws the sinner to Jesus Christ. They suggest that the Holy Spirit operates directly and separate from God's word. This is sometimes called "The direct operation of the Holy Spirit".
PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS. Also called "once saved always saved" or "once in grace, always in grace", this is the teaching that a child of God cannot so sin as to lose his soul eternally. Thus, those God elects are eternally secure no matter what they do.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? Only one verse from the Truth is needed to destroy each of these false theories.
Total Hereditary Depravity. Ezekiel 18:20, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the Father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."
Unconditional Election. 2 Peter 3:9, "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."
Limited Atonement. 1 John 2:2, "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Irresistible Grace. Acts 7:51, "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and in ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye."
Perseverance of the Saints. Hebrews 3:12, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God."
The plain teaching of the word of God stands against each point of Calvinism. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12).
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