Calvinism consists of theological doctrines which use words found in the Bible. However, Calvinism consistently redefines those words, takes them out of context, applies the doctrines inappropriately, exaggerates the meaning of the words to the extreme, or in some other way distorts the Word of God to match the theology written by John Calvin in his book, Institutes of the Christian Religion. The following is a typical definition of Irresistible Grace, the Fourth Point of Calvinism, written by one of the popular Calvinist authors.
Irresistible Grace or the Efficacious Call of the Spirit
"In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The external call (which is made to all without distinction) can be and often is rejected; whereas the internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion. By means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not limited in His work of applying salvation by man's will, nor is He dependent upon man's cooperation for success. The Spirit graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ. God's grace, therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended."
The word "grace" is used 119 times in the New Testament. Of these, the Apostle Paul uses the word 92 times. Paul uses the word "grace" in his greeting and farewell salutations where a doctrinal definition of the word is not clearly conveyed. In other cases, his use of the word gives us a clear understanding of the strong and rich doctrine contained therein. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, and the word "grace" is directly connected to Christ's revelation to Paul of the gospel of grace for the Gentiles. The Jewish believers continued to keep the Mosaic Law and circumcision as approved by the Apostles to the Jews. However, the incarnate Christ instructed Paul to go to the Gentiles with the gospel and remove from them the requirement of keeping the Mosaic Law and circumcision. This removal or relaxation of the requirements was described by Paul as "grace." Paul uses the word "work" to mean "works of the law" or keeping the Mosaic Law. Therefore, we must give careful consideration to the definition of "grace" as used by Paul. A few typical verses written by Paul can give us a very clear understand of the primary definition of "grace" in the New Testament. Grace means the Gentiles were justified by faith alone without works as stated by Paul in Romans 11:5-6.
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 11:5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then [it] [is] no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if [it] [is] of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it] [is] the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 3:2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly [places], 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
Theological Seminaries Are Centers for Higher Brainwashing.
Calvinists and many other Bible teachers and preachers give the word grace a common humanist definition or the Webster dictionary definition of "unmerited favor." It is certainly true that God has always approached mankind with unmerited favor, but that is not the definition used by the Apostle Paul. Paul did not mean that the "dispensation of grace" was a "dispensation of unmerited favor." God did not usher in a new dispensation of unmerited favor that did not exist previously. God's unmerited favor has always existed. This proves that the definition of grace used by the Apostle Paul does not mean unmerited favor. Calvinists completely miss the meaning of grace and give it a definition that does not apply to any of the letters written by Paul. Grace means justification without works.
Scripture Disproves the Efficacious Call of the Spirit
The following verses clearly show Israel's election and Israel's rejection of God's grace. These verses clearly contradict the erroneous Calvinistic doctrine of Irresistible Grace. Israel clearly rejected the call of God in the Old Testament, resisted the grace of the Lord Jesus, and resisted the call of the Spirit in the New Testament. In Matthew 23:37 we see that Jesus made every attempt to save the Jews in Jerusalem but He could not. They resisted God's grace. This shows that faith was their responsibility. Jesus did not considered them to be totally depraved according to the false doctrines of John Calvin. God would not over-power their free will to resist.
Proverbs 1:22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. 23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, 25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you."
Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under [her] wings, but you were not willing! 38 "See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 "for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, `Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the Lord!' "
Acts 7:51 "[You] stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers [did], so [do] you. 52 "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 "who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept [it]."
How Calvinists can hold to their theology of "Irresistible Grace" or "The Efficacious Call Of The Spirit" after reading Proverbs 1:22-27, Matthew 23:37-39 and Acts 7:51-53 is beyond comprehension. John Calvin's theology of Irresistible Grace is false doctrine.
The Lord is not willing that any should perish in 2 Peter 3:9 below; yet, God's will is frustrated by man in 2 Peter 3:15-16 in an act of resisting grace.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:15 and consider [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable [people] twist to their own destruction, as [they] [do] also the rest of the Scriptures.
Scripture Proves Grace (God's Unmerited Favor) can be Resisted
John Calvin falsely taught that God draws only those to Himself that He elects to be saved. Calvin taught that those chosen could not resist the call. According to John Calvin a person is elected by God, saved by God's grace, and given faith to believe as the final step. Calvin taught that this series of actions by Jesus Christ and God cannot be resisted by the elected person. On the other hand, Calvin taught that most people were not drawn by Jesus. Calvin taught that those not drawn by Jesus could not believe and could not be saved no matter what they did. Calvinists must twist scripture, ignore the clear message given and literally butcher the text in order to keep John Calvin's chain of false doctrines from total collapse. Jesus spoke doctrines clearly and directly that refute these false doctrines of John Calvin.
John 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all [peoples] to Myself."
1 Timothy 2:3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Jesus does draw all people to Himself. Jesus said He will draw all people unto Himself if He were to be lifted up and crucified. God desires all mankind to be saved, but most people resist being drawn. John Calvin's doctrine of "Irresistible Grace" is clearly shown to be incorrect by Jesus' clear declaration.
Calvin's Taught Salvation by Works in Infant Baptism
John Calvin taught in his book, Institutes, that God elects those He chooses to save and imputes faith without any thought, deed, or action of any part by the individual. He taught that God predestined the rest to eternal torment. Strangely, after all his ranting about election and grace, Calvin taught that infants became saved by baptism in an act that could only be described as works. These two doctrines are contrary to each other, and neither are supported by Scripture. Calvin himself based his own salvation on his infant baptism which was the work of his parents.
We believe that salvation is by grace through faith based upon the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus took upon Himself the sin of all mankind by His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead provides salvation to all who believe. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God.
Grace is Not God's Unmerited Favor on Fortunate Individuals
Many people, Bible teachers and pastors can be heard to say, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." This statement is made in response to another person who is in a very undesirable condition or situation. The other person could be retarded, blind, quadriplegic or crippled. He/she could be a murderer, prostitute, drunk or drug addict, or he/she may be a member of another religion. However, the phrase, "There, but for the grace of God, go I" is not in the Bible. The message in the phrase is false teaching and contrary to the Bible truth. Bible teachers and pastors who use this phrase are teaching falsely. In fact, the Bible teaches just the opposite.
Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
The phrase, "There, but for the grace of God, go I" is sending the message that God has shown some unmerited favor upon one individual that He has not shown unto another. The message indicates that God is more gracious to some than other. God is not ungracious to some and ungracious to others. God does not do that. God is impartial. A person may have no legs because he was a drunk who crashed his car, not because God is partial and withheld grace. A drug addicted prostitute is a drug addicted prostitute because she uses drugs and sells her body, not because God is partial and withheld grace. People have health problems because they eat carbohydrates, not because God was ungracious toward them. A person who says, "There, but for the grace of God, go I" is transferring the sin from the sinner to God, and God does not sin. A person can choose to sin or not sin. The "grace of God" has nothing to do with it.
John Calvin taught a doctrine that God was partial in granting salvation by "grace" to certain individuals whom he called the "elect" while rejecting others. Calvin falsely taught that this was acceptable because God was sovereign and all people are "Totally Depraved." John Calvin's string of logic may seem logical to a Calvinist, but it is contrary to Bible truth as revealed in Romans 2:11 above.
John Calvin taught that he and his followers were the only people on Earth whom God "elected" to be saved by grace but God condemned everyone else to an eternity in Hell. This certainly doesn't sound like a Savior "full of grace and truth." This Calvinist false doctrine is the epitome of pride and arrogance.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, `He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, [but] grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
The phrase "unmerited favor" is used by most pastors and Bible teachers as the definition of grace. This definition focuses on the receiver of the favor, not the giver, but John 1:14-17 above focuses on Jesus Christ, the giver of the favor. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for the sins of the whole world without any remuneration. The true definition of grace in these verses mean "unrewarded payment." Jesus paid the price for our sins by giving of His life without receiving any reward Himself. Jesus gave His life by grace.
The meaning of grace in the Bible is not "unmerited favor." The word "grace" was also used by the Apostle Paul in describing the gospel as man's justification by faith apart from the law (Ten Commandments) and circumcision. We are not under the condemnation of the Ten Commandments and are not required to perform the Jewish custom of circumcision in the present Dispensation of Grace. In these verses the focus of grace is on the receiver of the gift in that he is not required to perform any works as payment for salvation. You cannot earn salvation or be justified before God by your good works, deeds or efforts. We are saved by faith alone.
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Calvinists certainly believe they are saved by grace, but the definition of grace used by Calvinists is not in the Bible. They certainly do worship a god, but the god of their faith does not exist. The attributes of John Calvin's god are not the same as those of the Almighty God of Creation.
Believing and Faith are not Works
Calvinists falsely claim that believing and faith are works. Calvinists often claim Noah and Abraham were elected to be saved by grace prior to their believing God. The Bible teaches the opposite. The typical Calvinist definition for grace is "undeserved favor." That definition is rarely, or perhaps never, used in the Bible. The most common use for grace as defined by Paul means "without the law and circumcision."
Noah saw favor in the sight of the Lord, but it was not undeserved favor. Noah was a righteous man. If God used undeserved favor He would have selected a wretched sinner like John Calvin to build the arc, but He didn't. He picked a righteous man, Noah, who was righteous before being chosen by God to build the arc.
Adam was not simply forgiven by grace for his sin. No! Adam was thrown out of the garden. God placed angels to guard the garden gate in order to prevent Adam and Eve's reentry. Adam's sin cause the entire human race to be separated from God until Jesus' death brought reconciliation.
The Bible does not say Abraham was saved by grace. It says,
Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works.
Abraham believed. Abraham did something. God would not have counted Abraham's faith as righteousness if the faith had been imputed to Abraham by God. We can clearly see that God did not saved Abraham by undeserved election prior to his faith. Romans 4:4 say wages are not counted as grace but as a debt. Abraham's belief was not counted as a debt. Therefore, his faith was not wages or works as falsely claimed by Calvinists. Believing does not require election or grace as falsely claimed by Calvinists.
Romans 4:5 clearly states that believing is not works. The Calvinist simply brainwash themselves and others with false doctrines that are the opposite to the true doctrines found in the Bible. Many fall to an eternity in Hell because of their brainwashing by John Calvin's false doctrines.
The Dutch Church convened the Synod of Dordrecht in 1610 to resolve the dispute between Remonstrants (followers of Jacob Arminius) and the Reformed Church (followers of John Calvin) concerning the correct interpretation of the Bible. In the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, Jacob Arminius began to teach doctrines contrary to the Reformed faith. The Remonstrants drew up five statements of doctrine in which they set forth their own views. The Calvinists answered the Five Points of the Arminians with their own, which has come to be known as the Five Points of Calvinism. The approval of the Calvinist position was sealed by a prejudiced Synod before it began, and the Calvinists relished the victory by murdering many of their opponents as they fled for their lives. This appeared to be a great victory for Calvinism at the time, but it has since been shown to have been the high point in their theological domination. Calvinism has continued to decline over the centuries because John Calvin's technique of terror is no longer allowed for the spread of his theology.
The Five Points of Calvinism which form the acrostic T-U-L-I-P will be shown here to distort and blaspheme the true attributes of God, the true nature of man and the Holy Scriptures.
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Click below for Bible studies, references, books and other links.
False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Geneva
What Love Is This?
Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God by Dave HuntThe Seven Dispensations
Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
by Dr. C. I. Scofield
The best book for the study of
dispensations is:
Gods'
Plan for Man
by Finis Jennings Dake, 1990 ISBN-10: 1558290265
Highly recommended book for studying many different theologies is:
The Moody Handbook of Theology
by Paul Enns, ISBN: 0-8024-3428-2
An extremely well written and documented book in refute of Calvinism is:
The Other Side of Calvinism
by Laurence M. Vance, Ph. D., ISBN: 0-9628898-7-3
Prophecy Today for the Body of Christ
Are the Sins of All Mankind Forgiven?
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