A STUDY OF THE FIVE POINTS OF CALVINISM

A STUDY OF THE FIVE POINTS OF CALVINISM Part One: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY - Sovereignty of God in All Things To say that God is sovereign is to say that He is supreme, awesome, and almighty . He is possessor of all power so that none can defeat His counsels, stop His purpose, or resist His will. Scripture Proofs Dan 4:3 Ps 115:3 1 Tim 6:15 Dan 5:23 Prov 16:1, 9 Prov 19:21 Prov 21:1 Prov 21:30 Job 9:12 Ps 33:11 Isa. 14:24, 27 Isa. 46:9-11 Ps 2:1-4 Matt 24:31 Jonah 2:9 Ezek. 11:9 Phil 2:13 Ps 110:3 Eph 1:3-5, 11 Job 42:2 Acts 15:18 (NKJV) Rom 9:15, 16 Rom 11:33 Isa 45:7 Amos 3:6 Ps 135:6-7 2 Chron 20:6 Conclusion: 2 Tim 3:16, 17 and Isa 66:2 Part Two: THE ESSENTIALS OF T.U.L.I.P 1. Total Depravity of Man The state of man: Man's fallen condition from Adam; his bondage to sin, to all means every last inch of him. In natural man, no good exists. Nothing to warrant grace or nothing to lay hold of the Gospel on his own. Man's will is enslaved by his heart condition. He has no free will concerning salvation and the will he has is directed by his spiritual state...dead. Scripture Proofs Rom 5:12 I Cor 15:22 Eph 2:1 Jer 17:9 Rom 8:7-8 Job 15:14-16 Gen 2:17 Jer 17:9-10 Jn 6:44 Rom 1:28-32 Rom 3:9-19 Gen 8:21 Col 2:13 Rom 3:11, 18 Titus 3:3 Job 14:4 Ps 58:3 Gen 6:5 Eph 2:1-5 Ps 14:1=3 Jer 4:22 Exo 33:19 Deut 7:6-7 Ps 33:12-13 Haggai 2:33 Ps 65:4 Ps 106:5 Jer 13:23 Conclusion: Man is totally inable to come to God on his own. His mind is enslaved, his heart is darkened and in need of a new one. The heart condition directs the whole man (Prov 4:23). Man is in no shape to assist God in his own salvation. Man is not only spiritually sick, but also dead. Can a dead man help himself to the medicine cabinet? (i.e. the Gospel) Salvation is totally of God (Col 2:13). 2. Unconditional Election Predestination and election by God is what brings about salvation. By this we mean the eternal choice by God of certain definite individuals in Jesus Christ into salvation. Scripture Proofs Matt 23:14 Eph 1:4-5 Rom 9:11-13 Rom 8:29-30 Jn 6:40 2 Tim 1:9 Jn 17:9 Rom 9:23 Rev 17:8 Rom 9:21-23 Eph 2:8-19 Rom 11:5 Deut 7:6 Eph 1:11 James 1:18 Acts 13:48 Jn 1:13 2 Thess 2:13 Jude 4 Acts 5:31 1 Pet 5:31 Jn 5:21 Rev 13:8 Jn 13:18 Jn 15:16 Acts 15:18 Mal 1:3 Prov 16:4 1 Pet 2:8-9 Conclusion: Eph 2:8-9, Rom 9:16, Rom 11:33-35. God is sovereign over our salvation. This causes total humility in us and gratitude towards Him for choosing us. Motivating us to give God all the glory. 3. Limited Atonement [Definite Atonement] The benefits of Christ's death and resurrection are not offered nor applied to all humanity by God. It (the benefits of atonement) are limited to: 1) Those pre-chosen (predestined) and 2) Those who will come to Him by the knowledge and power of God. Thus, atonement is not universal but specific. Scripture Proofs Jn 10:26-28 Matt 11:25-26 Lk 1:68 Jn 13:18 Jn 11:49-52 Jn 10:11-16 Lk 19:10 Matt 1:21 Jn 6:37-39 Jn 17:1-2, 6, 9, 24 Acts 20:28 Heb 9:28 Jn 15:16, 19 Matt 20:16 Isa 53:8, 10-11 Jn 17:16 Jn 5:20 2 Thess 3:2 Matt 26:28 Jn 12:37-39 Jn 13:1 Jn 15:13 Matt 20:28 1 Tim 1:15 1 Jn 4:10 Conclusion: Atonement is not universal, offered, or applied to all. Atonement is limited and effectual. Christ's blood is now wasted for an unbelieving soul. Atonement is specific because God knew whom He had chosen to receive. Thus giving more "punch" to the phrase "Christ died for you." You were the reason He came--you are His sheep. 4. Irresistible Grace Salvation depends on God to take the action and apply salvation. Man can not have a hand in it because he is unable and unwilling. Unable because of his total depravity, unwilling because God applies salvation to us; we don't apply it. God's sovereignty guarantees those whom He calls (Jn 6:44) will come to Him. Salvation is not dependent on us. Man's will is not free to choose or reject salvation. Scripture Proofs Dan 4:35 Eph 2:8 Isa 55:11 Eze 36:26-27 Jn 6:37, 39, 44-45 Rom 8:29-30 2 Tim 2:25 Jn 1:13 Eph 2:1 Isa 46:9-10 Prov 21:1 2 Tim 1:9 Jn 3:27 Acts 20:24 Jn 3:19-20 Titus 3:5 Acts 15:18 (NKJV) Rom 3:24 Rom 9:16 Rom 11:6 Jn 1:12-13 Isa 65:1 Deut 30:6 1 Pet 1:23 Jn 6:65 Jn 3:8 Acts 5:31 Acts 11:18 Acts 16:14 Phil 1:29 Phil 2:13 Conclusion: 1 Cor 15:10, 1 Cor 4:7, Jer 9:23-24. Predestination establishes the basis for irresistible grace. 5. Perseverance (or Preservation) of the Saints Salvation is eternal and secure. All who are recipients of foreknowledge and irresistible grace can never lose it or fall away from it. Man is not in charge of keeping his salvation--that is not in his job description. His sinfulness, his enemies of the world, and Satan are under God's sovereign control. Because of that, God makes us willing and able to stand. Scripture Proofs Ps 37:23-24 Jn 10:27-29 Jn 17:11, 24 Rom 8:35-39 1 Cor 1:7-9 2 Cor 4:8 Phil 1:6 Lk 23:39-43 1 Thess 5:23-24 2 Tim 1:12 2 Tim 4:18 Heb 7:25 Heb 10:14 1 Pet 1:5 Gen 18:19 Jn 5:24 2 Thess 3:3 Matt 18:12 Jn 6:34-40 Ps 37:28 Isa 45:17 Isa 49:16 Jer 32:40 Phil 2:13 Lk 22:31-32 Jn 4:14 1 Cor 1:8 Jn 15:16 Conclusion: 1 Jn 3:2-3. Saints are elected (chosen) by God for atonement (effectual salvation) and sovereign grace. They can not therefore, ever be lost or fall out of their position with God. This is the anchor for the soul and the beginning of service and gratitude through devotion to God. Blessed Assurance!