History: The debate Calvinism vs. Arminianism has been ongoing since the 3rd century (Augustine vs. Pelagius), igniting when followers of Jacobus Arminius challenged some teachings of the Protestant Reformation. They tried to replace the Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism (official creeds of the Dutch Reformed Church) with the 5 Points of Arminianism. The Synod of Dort created a 5 point rebuttal referred to as the 5 Points of Calvinism. The findings of the Synod of Dort, called the Cannons of Dort became the 3rd creed of the Dutch Reformed Church. Today 5 point Calvinism is affirmed in Presbyterian, Dutch Reformed, Anglican & Baptist etc. confessions and creeds. Though John Calvin taught all five points, John Calvin did not invent Calvinism.
Total Depravity: At the fall, man fell completely. Every aspect of man is corrupted by sin; his mind (Genesis 6:5), emotions (Jeremiah 17:9) and will (Ephesians 2:3), the non-Christian is a slave to sin (John 8:34). Man’s will is in bondage to his sinful nature which cannot understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14), please God (Romans 8:7-8) or choose God (Romans 3:10-12).
Because no one can choose God, the only way someone can believe is if God draws them (John 6:44). People are born again by the will of God (John 1:12-13), belief is the work of God (John 6:28-29) and no one can come to God (John 6:65). God chose man; man did not choose God (John 15:16).
Unconditional Election: God predestined whom he would save before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5). This is called election. God’s choice is based solely on His sovereign will (Romans 9:15-16), not on any faith or virtuous quality (Romans 9:11) foreseen in man. Those God sovereignty elected (2 Thessalonians 2:13), He brings through the power of the Holy Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ (Titus 3:5). If you have questions like ‘isn’t it unjust to only choose some people’, I suggest reading Romans 9, additionally Paul Washer deals with the issue here.
Limited Atonement: Christ died for only the elect (John 10:11, 15) - those chosen before the foundation of the world. Christ’s blood is sufficient to save everyone, in that if he wanted to save anyone else he wouldn’t need to die again, but Jesus only died for the elect so his death is only effective for the elect (Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:25-27). Jesus death is a propitiation (Romans 3:25,Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 4:10) which means ‘a sacrifice that turns God’s wrath into favour’. If Christ died for everyone, His wrath would be satisfied against everyone, so everyone would be saved, contractingJohn 3:36.
Irresistible Grace: To the elect, God sends an internal call (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) to believe which cannot be resisted (John 6:37, Romans 9:19-21, Ephesians 2:4-5) because God is omnipotent (Acts 13:48, 1 Corinthians 1: 23-25). This call is by the Holy Spirit who regenerates the elect bringing them to repentance whereby they come to God (Ezekiel 36:26, Titus 3:5, Romans 9:16).
Perseverance of the Saints: You cannot lose your salvation (Jeremiah 32:40, Hebrews 6:11). Because salvation is entirely the work of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), those saved are eternally secure in Christ (John 6:37, Revelation 3:5). By the power of God you will preserve in faith from being sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) to the end (John 10: 27-28. 1 Corinthians 1: 8-9, Philippians 1:6).
Conclusion: Are not the words choose and believe verbs (actions)? So if one believes that they choose God, they actually have human works contributing to salation. John 6:28-29 states faith is a work, andPhilippians 1:6 refers to both faith and perseverance as works. If man plays any part in salvation, we have a works gospel.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not you own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
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