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CALVINISM
REFUTED
Verse by Verse
(Errors of Calvinism)
F!RE"!RD
T#e Do$%rines of C#ris%iani%y even sin$e from %#e early $en%&ries
#ave been in'l%ra%e( by erroneo&s %ea$#in)s from men b&% %#ese
$an be %es%e( an( %#eir $laims $an be a&%#en%i$a%e( by %#e *&re
+ri%%en "or( of ,o(- T#e Tea$#in)s of %#e A*os%les are $onsis%en%
an( #ave no% $#an)e( ever sin$e %#ey +ere *ro$laime( an(
+ri%%en- Any vie+ %#erefore %#a% (oes no% *ass %#e s$r&%iny of %#e
+ri%%en "or( s#o&l( be o&% ri)#%ly re.e$%e( by %#e sain%s- "e
a(ore an( &*lif% %#e +ri%%en "or( of ,o( an( (es%roy all
s*e$&la%ions an( (o$%rines no% $en%ere( an( base( &*on C#ris%-
Any %ea$#in) %#a% (oes no% $onform %o %#e )os*el %r&%# s#o&l( be
avoi(e( an( no% a$$e*%e( an( moreover e/*ose( an( no% %a&)#%-
Calvinism is a %#eolo)i$al %#o&)#% $on$o$%e( by a man name(
0o#n Calvin in %#e (ays of Reforma%ion aro&n( 1122- 3is errors are
en#an$e( by #is follo+ers- T#is is $learly seen by %#eir %a4in)
+or(s from S$ri*%&re an( a((in) ne+ +or(s %#erein an( %#ere yo&
#ave a (o$%rine- T#e errors of Calvinism an( Calvinis%s are %#a%
%#ey ma4e a (o$%rine o&% of one an( a fe+ S$ri*%&res no%
$onsi(erin) %#e $on%e/% an( ne)le$%in) o%#er verses of %#e
S$ri*%&re %#a% (eal +i%# %#e same s&b.e$%- Tea$#in) *ar%ial %r&%# of
S$ri*%&re or #alf5%r&%# is no% %r&%# a% all- T#is is $lear (is%or%ion of
%#e "or( of ,o(- A((in) an( removin) %ea$#in)s from %#e 6oo4
,o( *ro#ibi%s an( $on(emns-
Calvinism7s ma.or (o$%rines are an$#ore( on TULI8 an a$ronym for
%#e 've *oin%s of Calvinism- T#is s%&(y is a *oin% by *oin% an(
verse by verse ref&%a%ion of %#eir (o$%rines-
9
Basically, Calvinism is known by an acronym:
T.U.L.I.P.
Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original
Sin)
Unconditional Election
Limited tonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
Irresistible !race
Perseverance o" t#e $aints (also known as Once Saved
Always Saved)
VERSE 6: VERSE REFUTATI!N
;
T%TL DEP&'IT(:
Sin has affected all parts of man The heart! emotions! will! mind! and body are all affected by
sin "e are completely sinful "e are not as sinful as we could be! but we are completely
affected by sin
The doctrine of Total #epravity is derived from scriptures that reveal human character$
%an&s heart is evil (%ark '$()*(+) and sick ,er )'$-) %an is a slave of sin (.om /$(0) 1e
does not seek for 2od (.om +$)0*)() 1e cannot understand spiritual things () 3or ($)4) 1e
is at enmity with 2od (5ph ($)6) And! is by nature a child of wrath (5ph ($+)
The 3alvinist asks the 7uestion! 8In light of the scriptures that declare man&s true nature as
being utterly lost and incapable! how is it possible for anyone to choose or desire 2od98 The
answer is! 81e cannot Therefore 2od must predestine8
3alvinism also maintains that because of our fallen nature we are born again not by our own will
but 2od&s will (,ohn )$)(*)+): 2od grants that we believe (Phil )$(-): faith is the work of 2od
(,ohn /$(;*(-): 2od appoints people to believe (Acts )+$4;): and 2od predestines (5ph )$)*)):
.om ;$(-: -$-*(+)
Sin has affected all parts of man The heart! emotions! will! mind! and body are all affected by
sin "e are completely sinful "e are not as sinful as we could be! but we are completely
affected by sin
(es, I a)ree #ere t#at man is sin"*l and all #ave sinned b*t to say man is bere"t o" all
)oodness is not script*ral.
&omans +:,+
,+
-or all #ave sinned and "all s#ort o" t#e )lory o" !od,
Contin*in) t#e verse s#ow t#at t#e man w#o "all s#ort o" t#e )lory o" !od and #ave
sinned can believe and be .*sti"ied t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s.
Deat# came to all men beca*se o" dam and Li"e is available to all men beca*se o" C#rist
and is received by t#e sinner t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s. T#is is w#at Pa*l is teac#in) in t#e
Book o" t#e &omans.
'erses ,01,2
,0
bein) .*sti"ied as a )i"t by 3is )race t#ro*)# t#e redemption w#ic# is in C#rist /es*s4
,5
w#om !od displayed p*blicly as a propitiation in 3is blood t#ro*)# "ait#. This was to
demonstrate 3is ri)#teo*sness, beca*se in t#e "orbearance o" !od 3e passed over t#e
sins previo*sly committed4
,2
"or t#e demonstration, I say, o" 3is ri)#teo*sness at t#e
present time, so t#at 3e wo*ld be .*st and t#e .*sti"ier o" t#e one w#o #as "ait# in /es*s.
&omans 5:6,, 67
6,
T#ere"ore, .*st as t#ro*)# one man sin entered into t#e world, and deat# t#ro*)# sin,
and so deat# spread to all men, beca*se all sinned8
67
$o t#en as t#ro*)# one trans)ression t#ere res*lted condemnation to all men, even so
t#ro*)# one act o" ri)#teo*sness t#ere res*lted .*sti"ication o" li"e to all men.
<
&omans 2:,+
,+
-or t#e wa)es o" sin is deat#, b*t t#e "ree )i"t o" !od is eternal li"e in C#rist /es*s o*r
Lord.
The doctrine of Total #epravity is derived from scriptures that reveal human character$
T#e term Total Depravity is not "o*nd in $cript*res. T#is was a coined word by Calvinists
and t#en make a doctrine o*t o" it. 3*man c#aracter is not totally depraved.
%an&s heart is evil (%ark '$()*(+)
9ark ::,61,+
,6
;-or "rom wit#in, o*t o" t#e #eart o" men, proceed t#e evil t#o*)#ts,
"ornications, t#e"ts, m*rders, ad*lteries,
,,
deeds o" covetin) and wickedness, as well as
deceit, sens*ality, envy, slander, pride and "oolis#ness.
,+
;ll t#ese evil t#in)s proceed
"rom wit#in and de"ile t#e man.;
In conte<t, /es*s s#owed t#at "rom t#e #eart o" man comes all t#ese evil t#in)s. T#is
s#ows man is a sinner. B*t did /es*s mean t#at t#ere can be no )oodness in man=s
#eart> In ot#er instance /es*s s#owed t#e sinner can #ave an #onest and )ood #eart
and can receive t#e ?ord o" !od so as to be saved. T#ere"ore yes man is a sinner b*t
not *tmost evil or most evil ot totally depraved. $atan and #is demons in t#eir condition
we can say are totally depraved beca*se t#ey are beyond salvation.
L*ke 7:65
65
;B*t t#e seed in t#e )ood soil, t#ese are t#e ones w#o #ave #eard t#e word in an
#onest and )ood #eart, and #old it "ast, and bear "r*it wit# perseverance.
and sick ,er )'$-)
/eremia# 6::516@
5
T#*s says t#e L%&D, ;C*rsed is t#e man w#o tr*sts in mankind nd makes "les# #is
stren)t#, nd w#ose #eart t*rns away "rom t#e L%&D.
2
;-or #e will be like a b*s# in t#e
desert nd will not see w#en prosperity comes, B*t will live in stony wastes in t#e
wilderness, land o" salt wit#o*t in#abitant.
:
;Blessed is t#e man w#o tr*sts in t#e
L%&D nd w#ose tr*st is t#e L%&D.
7
;-or #e will be like a tree planted by t#e water, T#at
e<tends its roots by a stream nd will not "ear w#en t#e #eat comes4 B*t its leaves will
be )reen, nd it will not be an<io*s in a year o" dro*)#t Aor cease to yield "r*it.
B
;T#e
#eart is more deceit"*l t#an all else nd is desperately sick4 ?#o can *nderstand it>
6@
;I,
t#e L%&D, searc# t#e #eart, I test t#e mind, Even to )ive to eac# man accordin) to #is
ways, ccordin) to t#e res*lts o" #is deeds.
In t#ese verses t#e L%&D is s#owin) t#an man can eit#er tr*st !od or not Cverses 517D.
3e said man=s #eart is desperately sick. $ick not totally depraved beca*se i" #e is sick #e
can still be c*red. nd t#at is w#y in t#e ne<t verse !od said 3e tests t#e #earts and
s#all reward eac# man accordin) to #is deeds.
1
nd t#e $cript*res never teac# t#ere is no c*re "or t#e sick #eart o" man and t#e c*re "or
t#e sick #eart is to listen to t#e ?ord o" t#e Lord and repent.
Psalms 6@::,@
,@
3e sent 3is word and #ealed t#em, nd delivered them "rom t#eir destr*ctions.
EEekiel 67:+61+,
+6
;Cast away "rom yo* all yo*r trans)ressions w#ic# yo* #ave committed and make
yo*rselves a new #eart and a new spiritF -or w#y will yo* die, % #o*se o" Israel>
+,
;-or I
#ave no pleas*re in t#e deat# o" anyone w#o dies,; declares t#e Lord !%D. ;T#ere"ore,
repent and live.;
Gec#araia# 6:+12
+
;T#ere"ore say to t#em, =T#*s says t#e L%&D o" #osts, ;&et*rn to 9e,; declares t#e
L%&D o" #osts, ;t#at I may ret*rn to yo*,; says t#e L%&D o" #osts.
0
;Do not be like yo*r
"at#ers, to w#om t#e "ormer prop#ets proclaimed, sayin), =T#*s says t#e L%&D o" #osts,
;&et*rn now "rom yo*r evil ways and "rom yo*r evil deeds.;= B*t t#ey did not listen or
)ive #eed to 9e,; declares t#e L%&D.
5
;(o*r "at#ers, w#ere are t#ey> nd t#e prop#ets,
do t#ey live "orever>
2
;B*t did not 9y words and 9y stat*tes, w#ic# I commanded 9y
servants t#e prop#ets, overtake yo*r "at#ers> T#en t#ey repented and said, =s t#e
L%&D o" #osts p*rposed to do to *s in accordance wit# o*r ways and o*r deeds, so 3e
#as dealt wit# *s.=;=;
%an is a slave of sin (.om /$(0)
&omans 2:,@
,@
-or w#en yo* were slaves o" sin, yo* were "ree in re)ard to ri)#teo*sness.
(es t#is is correct man is a slave o" sin beca*se o" #is sin"*l nat*re #e sins. B*t #is
bein) sin"*l does not make #im totally depraved. 3is bein) slave to sin does not mean #e
cannot come to !od. /es*s is t#e one w#o will set *s "ree "rom sin. 3e brin)s li)#t to t#e
?orld. 3e enli)#tens everyman so one can come to 3im. /es*s addressed *s all to
believe in t#e Li)#t so t#at darkness may not overtake *s and so t#at we may become
sons o" t#e Li)#t.
/o#n 6:B, 6,
B
T#ere was t#e tr*e Li)#t w#ic#, comin) into t#e world, enli)#tens every man.
6,
B*t as many as received 3im, to t#em 3e )ave t#e ri)#t to become c#ildren o" !od,
even to t#ose w#o believe in 3is name,
/o#n 6,:02107
+0
T#e crowd t#en answered 3im, ;?e #ave #eard o*t o" t#e Law t#at t#e C#rist is to
remain "orever4 and #ow can (o* say, =T#e $on o" 9an m*st be li"ted *p=> ?#o is t#is
$on o" 9an>;
+5
$o /es*s said to t#em, ;-or a little w#ile lon)er t#e Li)#t is amon) yo*.
?alk w#ile yo* #ave t#e Li)#t, so t#at darkness will not overtake yo*4 #e w#o walks in
t#e darkness does not know w#ere #e )oes.
+2
;?#ile yo* #ave t#e Li)#t, believe in t#e
Li)#t, so t#at yo* may become sons o" Li)#t.; T#ese t#in)s /es*s spoke, and 3e went
away and #id 3imsel" "rom t#em.
=
02
;I #ave come as Li)#t into t#e world, so t#at everyone w#o believes in 9e will not
remain in darkness.
0:
;I" anyone #ears 9y sayin)s and does not keep t#em, I do not
.*d)e #im4 "or I did not come to .*d)e t#e world, b*t to save t#e world.
07
;3e w#o re.ects
9e and does not receive 9y sayin)s, #as one w#o .*d)es #im4 t#e word I spoke is w#at
will .*d)e #im at t#e last day.
/o#n 7:+01+2
+0
/es*s answered t#em, ;Tr*ly, tr*ly, I say to yo*, everyone w#o commits sin is t#e slave
o" sin.
+5
;T#e slave does not remain in t#e #o*se "orever4 t#e son does remain "orever.
+2
;$o i" t#e $on makes yo* "ree, yo* will be "ree indeed.
Biblical depravity.
Totally depraved means beyond salvation and irreparable. In t#e same book o" &omans
in conte<t ;depraved= is *sed only "or t#ose w#o "inally re.ect !od, t#ose w#o love
wickedness and #ave re.ected t#e tr*t#.
&omans 6:,7
,7
nd .*st as t#ey did not see "it to acknowled)e !od any lon)er, !od )ave
t#em over to a depraved mind, to do t#ose t#in)s w#ic# are not proper,
,B
bein) "illed wit# all *nri)#teo*sness, wickedness, )reed, evil4 "*ll o" envy,
m*rder, stri"e, deceit, malice4 they are )ossips,...
in t#is verse one is )iven into depravity w#en t#ey #ave "*lly re.ected !od.
Pa*l=s t#eolo)y is repeated:
, T#essalonians ,:6@16,
6@
and wit# all t#e deception o" wickedness "or t#ose w#o peris#, beca*se t#ey
did not receive t#e love o" t#e tr*t# so as to be saved.
66
-or t#is reason !od
will send *pon t#em a del*din) in"l*ence so t#at t#ey will believe w#at is "alse,
6,
in order t#at t#ey all may be .*d)ed w#o did not believe t#e tr*t#, b*t took
pleas*re in wickedness.
T#ere"ore t#ose w#o we can say depraved Ct#e bible not even said totally depraved b*t
t#e term can be applied in its senseD are t#ose !od #as )iven into depravity and are
condemned beca*se t#ey #ave re.ected !od, not received t#e love o" t#e tr*t#, not
believed t#e tr*t# and took pleas*re in wickedness.
1e does not seek for 2od (.om +$)0*)()
&omans +:6@16,
6@
as it is written, ;There is none righteous, not even one4
66
There is none who
understands, There is none who seeks for God4
6,
All have turned aside, together they
have become useless4 There is none who does good, There is not even one.;
Calvinists take t#is verse o*t o" conte<t. ?#at does Pa*l really teac# #ere> ?#at is t#e
reason #e says man does not seek "or !od> nd w#at can man do on t#e ot#er #and to
be welcomed and accepted by !od inspite #is bein) not ri)#teo*s> Let *s contin*e t#e
>
verse "or Pa*l did not stop at verse 6,.
T#e reason no one is ri)#teo*s and no one seeks a"ter !od beca*se we #ave "ailed
obeyin) t#e Law o" !od. ?e #ave trans)ressed a)ainst t#e Law o" !od and #ave not
"*l"illed it to t#e letter and t#e dot and t#ere"ore we all "all s#ort o" t#e )lory o" !od and
t#ere"ore all o" *s are acco*ntable be"ore 3im. nd no one is .*sti"ied in 3is si)#t by t#e
Law.
'erses 6+1,@
6+
;Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues they keep deceiving,;
;The poison of asps is under their lips;4
60
;Whose mouth is full of cursing and
bitterness;4
65
;Their feet are swift to shed blood,
62
Destruction and misery are
in their paths,
6:
And the path of peace they have not known.;
67
;There is no
fear of God before their eyes.;
6B
Aow we know t#at w#atever t#e Law says, it
speak to t#ose w#o are *nder t#e Law, so t#at every mo*t# may be closed and
all t#e world may become acco*ntable to !od4
,@
beca*se by t#e works o" t#e
Law no "les# will be .*sti"ied in 3is si)#t4 "or t#ro*)# t#e Law comes t#e
knowled)e o" sin.
3ow t#en can a sinner be .*sti"ied be"ore !od lmi)#ty> T#e sinner w#o is not ri)#teo*s
in &omans +:6@ can be ri)#teo*s and be .*sti"ied t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s . Pa*l is not
teac#in) #ere t#at t#e sinner cannot believe /es*s in "act #e teac#es ot#erwise since
man "all s#ort o" t#e )lory o" !od beca*se #e "ailed t#e Law #e can only be made ri)#t
wit# and be"ore !od t#ro*)# "ait# in t#e $on o" !od w#o died "or #im. -ait# in C#rist is
!od=s ri)#teo*sness revealed.
'erses ,61,2
,6
B*t now apart "rom t#e Law the ri)#teo*sness o" !od #as been mani"ested,
bein) witnessed by t#e Law and t#e Prop#ets,
,,
even the ri)#teo*sness o"
!od t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s C#rist "or all t#ose w#o believe4 "or t#ere is no
distinction4
,+
"or all #ave sinned and "all s#ort o" t#e )lory o" !od,
,0
ein)
.*sti"ied as a )i"t by 3is )race t#ro*)# t#e redemption w#ic# is in C#rist /es*s4
,5
w#om !od displayed p*blicly as a propitiation in 3is blood t#ro*)# "ait#.
This was to demonstrate 3is ri)#teo*sness, beca*se in t#e "orbearance o" !od
3e passed over t#e sins previo*sly committed4
,2
"or t#e demonstration, I say,
o" 3is ri)#teo*sness at t#e present time, so t#at 3e wo*ld be .*st and t#e
.*sti"ier o" t#e one w#o #as "ait# in /es*s.
!%D 3$ $3UT UP LL IA DI$%BEDIEACE $% T3T 3E 9( $3%? 9E&C( T% LL
AD T3T I$ T3&%U!3 -IT3 IA /E$U$ C3&I$T. T#is is t#e tr*e )race o" !od.
Tit*s ,:66
66
-or t#e )race o" !od #as appeared, brin)in) salvation to all men,
&omans 66:+,
+,
-or !od #as s#*t *p all in disobedience so t#at 3e may s#ow mercy to all.
?
!alatians +:,,
,,
B*t t#e $cript*re #as s#*t *p everyone *nder sin, so t#at t#e promise by "ait#
in /es*s C#rist mi)#t be )iven to t#ose w#o believe.
&omans 6@:610
6
Bret#ren, my #eart=s desire and my prayer to !od "or t#em is "or their salvation.
,
-or I
testi"y abo*t t#em t#at t#ey #ave a Eeal "or !od, b*t not in accordance wit# knowled)e.
+
-or not knowin) abo*t !od=s ri)#teo*sness and seekin) to establis# t#eir own, t#ey did
not s*b.ect t#emselves to t#e ri)#teo*sness o" !od.
0
-or C#rist is t#e end o" t#e law "or
ri)#teo*sness to everyone w#o believes.
nd in t#e %T conte<t Pa*l H*oted Psalms "rom David and David was re"errin) to t#e
"ools or t#e wicked in t#at verse and also spoke o" t#e blessedness o" t#e ri)#teo*s and
t#*s t#ose w#o believed in (a#we#.
Psalms 60:615
6
T#e "ool #as said in #is #eart, ;T#ere is no !od.; T#ey are corr*pt, t#ey #ave committed
abominable deeds4 T#ere is no one w#o does )ood.
,
T#e L%&D #as looked down "rom
#eaven *pon t#e sons o" men To see i" t#ere are any w#o *nderstand, ?#o seek a"ter
!od.
+
T#ey #ave all t*rned aside, to)et#er t#ey #ave become corr*pt4 T#ere is no one
w#o does )ood, not even one.
0
Do all t#e workers o" wickedness not know, ?#o eat *p
my people as t#ey eat bread, And do not call *pon t#e Lord>
5
T#ere t#ey are in )reat
dread, -or !od is wit# t#e ri)#teo*s )eneration.
Pa*l con"irmed t#is t#at man can seek !od "or we live in 3im and move and
e<ist. !od is not "ar "rom man t#at t#ey cannot seek 3im.
cts 6::,21,7
,2
and 3e made "rom one man every nation o" mankind to live on all t#e "ace o" t#e eart#,
#avin) determined their appointed times and t#e bo*ndaries o" t#eir #abitation,
,:
t#at
t#ey wo*ld seek !od, i" per#aps t#ey mi)#t )rope "or 3im and "ind 3im, t#o*)# 3e is not
"ar "rom eac# one o" *s4
,7
"or in 3im we live and move and e<ist, as even some o" yo*r
own poets #ave said, =-or we also are 3is c#ildren.=
3e made 3imsel" evident to every man.
&omans 6:6716B
67
-or t#e wrat# o" !od is revealed "rom #eaven a)ainst all *n)odliness and
*nri)#teo*sness o" men w#o s*ppress t#e tr*t# in *nri)#teo*sness,
6B
beca*se t#at
w#ic# is known abo*t !od is evident wit#in t#em4 "or !od made it evident to t#em.
1e cannot understand spiritual things () 3or ($)4)
?#at does Pa*l really teac# #ere> Does #e teac# t#e nat*ral man cannot believe and
receive t#e )ospel or t#e conte<t say t#e nat*ral man cannot receive t#e t#in)s !od #as
prepared "or 3is c#ildren> T#e conte<t #ere is t#e t#in)s !od #as prepared "or 3is
c#ildren and is not talkin) abo*t salvation.
12
6Corint#ians ,:B162
B
b*t .*st as it is written, ;Things which eye has not seen and ear has not
heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared
for those who love Him.;
6@
-or to *s !od revealed them t#ro*)# t#e $pirit4 "or
t#e $pirit searc#es all t#in)s, even t#e dept#s o" !od.
66
-or w#o amon) men
knows t#e thoughts o" a man e<cept t#e spirit o" t#e man w#ic# is in #im>
Even so t#e thoughts o" !od no one knows e<cept t#e $pirit o" !od.
6,
Aow we
#ave received, not t#e spirit o" t#e world, b*t t#e $pirit w#o is "rom !od, so
t#at we may know t#e t#in)s "reely )iven to *s by !od,
6+
w#ic# t#in)s we also speak, not
in words ta*)#t by #*man wisdom, b*t in t#ose ta*)#t by t#e $pirit, combinin) spirit*al
thoughts wit# spirit*al words
60
B*t a nat*ral man does not accept t#e t#in)s o" t#e $pirit
o" !od, "or t#ey are "oolis#ness to #im4 and #e cannot *nderstand t#em, beca*se t#ey
are spirit*ally appraised.
65
B*t #e w#o is spirit*al appraises all t#in)s, yet #e #imsel" is
appraised by no one.
62
-or who has known the mind of the !ord, that he will instruct
Him> B*t we #ave t#e mind o" C#rist.
?#at is t#ere"ore Pa*l=s teac#in) "or t#e nat*ral man or *nsaved man so t#at #e can
receive t#e t#in)s o" !od> I" t#e believers receive t#e t#in)s o" t#e $pirit t#ro*)# t#e
$pirit t#ere"ore t#e nat*ral man m*st be saved and receive t#e $pirit o" !od "irst so as to
become 3is sons and t#is is t#ro*)# "ait# in t#e )ospel. T#e sinner is made ri)#teo*s
and .*sti"ied t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s and t#*s become 3is c#ild and t#e $pirit o" !od is
)iven and received.
!alatians +:61B, ,51,2
6
(o* "oolis# !alatians, w#o #as bewitc#ed yo*, be"ore w#ose eyes /es*s C#rist was
p*blicly portrayed as cr*ci"ied>
,
T#is is t#e only t#in) I want to "ind o*t "rom yo*: did
yo* receive t#e $pirit by t#e works o" t#e Law, or by #earin) wit# "ait#>
+
re yo* so
"oolis#> 3avin) be)*n by t#e $pirit, are yo* now bein) per"ected by t#e "les#>
0
Did yo*
s*""er so many t#in)s in vain11i" indeed it was in vain>
5
$o t#en, does 3e w#o provides
yo* wit# t#e $pirit and works miracles amon) yo*, do it by t#e works o" t#e Law, or by
#earin) wit# "ait#>
2
Even so bra#am believed God, and it was reckoned to him as
righteousness.
:
T#ere"ore, be s*re t#at it is t#ose w#o are o" "ait# w#o are sons o"
bra#am.
7
T#e $cript*re, "oreseein) t#at !od wo*ld .*sti"y t#e !entiles by "ait#,
preac#ed t#e )ospel be"ore#and to bra#am, saying, ;All the nations will be blessed in
you;
B
$o t#en t#ose w#o are o" "ait# are blessed wit# bra#am, t#e believer.
,5
B*t now t#at "ait# #as come, we are no lon)er *nder a t*tor.
,2
-or yo* are all sons o"
!od t#ro*)# "ait# in C#rist /es*s.
T#ey become sons o" !od C)iven birt#D t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s and t#e $pirit is received
and now t#ey can *nderstand t#e t#in)s o" !od by t#e $pirit in t#em.
!alatians 0:2
2
Beca*se yo* are sons, !od #as sent "ort# t#e $pirit o" 3is $on into o*r #earts, cryin),
;bbaF -at#erF;
11
1e is at enmity with 2od (5ph ($)6)
Ep#esians ,:6+162
6+ B*t now in C#rist /es*s yo* w#o "ormerly were "ar o"" #ave been bro*)#t near by t#e
blood o" C#rist. 60 -or 3e 3imsel" is o*r peace, w#o made bot# groups into one and
broke down t#e barrier o" t#e dividin) wall, 65 by abolis#in) in 3is "les# t#e enmity,
which is t#e Law o" commandments contained in ordinances, so t#at in 3imsel" 3e mi)#t
make t#e two into one new man, thus establis#in) peace, 62 and mi)#t reconcile t#em
bot# in one
body to !od t#ro*)# t#e cross, by it #avin) p*t to deat# t#e enmity
?#at is t#e enmity #ere spoken o"> It is t#e Law o" Commandments w#ic# C#rist #as
taken wit# 3im on t#e cross n*lli"yin) its e""ect on man t#*s makin) peace. Beca*se man
cannot obey t#e Law and by t#e Law #e is condemned and by C#ristIs o""erin) o" 3is
body #e made peace wit# !od and reconciled man to !od. nd t#ro*)# "ait# in 3im t#e
!entiles and Israel #ave become one body and saved.
Pa*l teac#es t#at C#rist already reconciled t#e world to !od not co*ntin) t#eir sins and
we are reconciled t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s.
,Corint#ians 5:6B1,6
6B
namely, t#at !od was in C#rist reconcilin) t#e world to 3imsel", not co*ntin) t#eir
trespasses a)ainst t#em, and 3e #as committed to *s t#e word o" reconciliation.
,@
T#ere"ore, we are ambassadors "or C#rist, as t#o*)# !od were makin) an appeal
t#ro*)# *s4 we be) yo* on be#al" o" C#rist, be reconciled to !od.
,6
3e made 3im w#o
knew no sin to be sin on o*r be#al", so t#at we mi)#t become t#e ri)#teo*sness o" !od
in 3im.
And! is by nature a child of wrath (5ph ($+)
(es be"ore we are saved we are c#ildren o" wrat# and are condemned. ll were c#ildren
o" t#e devil w#en we were not saved. I" we contin*e t#e verse we are saved and made
alive t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s.
Ep#esians ,:617
6
nd yo* were dead in yo*r trespasses and sins,
,
in w#ic# yo* "ormerly walked
accordin) to t#e co*rse o" t#is world, accordin) to t#e prince o" t#e power o" t#e air, o"
t#e spirit t#at is now workin) in t#e sons o" disobedience.
+
mon) t#em we too all "ormerly lived in t#e l*sts o" o*r "les#, ind*l)in) t#e desires o"
t#e "les# and o" t#e mind, and were by nat*re c#ildren o" wrat#, even as t#e rest.
0
B*t
!od, bein) ric# in mercy, beca*se o" 3is )reat love wit# w#ic# 3e loved *s,
5
even w#en
we were dead in o*r trans)ressions, made *s alive to)et#er wit# C#rist Cby )race yo*
#ave been savedD,
2
and raised *s *p wit# 3im, and seated *s wit# 3im in t#e #eavenly
places in C#rist /es*s,
:
so t#at in t#e a)es to come 3e mi)#t s#ow t#e s*rpassin) ric#es o" 3is )race in
kindness toward *s in C#rist /es*s.
7
-or by )race yo* #ave been saved t#ro*)# "ait#4
and t#at not o" yo*rselves, it is t#e )i"t o" !od4
1
9ade alive t#ro*)# "ait# t#e same teac#in) in
Colossians ,:6,16+
6,
#avin) been b*ried wit# 3im in baptism, in w#ic# yo* were also raised *p wit# 3im
t#ro*)# "ait# in t#e workin) o" !od, w#o raised 3im "rom t#e dead.
6+
?#en yo* were dead in yo*r trans)ressions and t#e *ncirc*mcision o" yo*r "les#, 3e
made yo* alive to)et#er wit# 3im, #avin) "or)iven *s all o*r trans)ressions,
T#ese verses s#ow *s t#at re)eneration Craisin) *p and makin) aliveD or new birt# is
t#ro*)# "ait# in t#e workin) o" !od and never be"ore "ait# and never be"ore t#e )ospel is
preac#ed. It is a"ter t#e )ospel preac#ed we p*t "ait# in /es*s to be saved and become
sons o" !od. ll were c#ildren o" wrat# in t#e be)innin) "or all #ave sinned and !od=s
way "or *s to be 3is c#ildren is t#ro*)# 3is $on1 by "ait# in 3im.
The 3alvinist asks the 7uestion! 8In light of the scriptures that declare man&s true nature as
being utterly lost and incapable! how is it possible for anyone to choose or desire 2od98 The
answer is! 81e cannot Therefore 2od must predestine8
3ere t#e Calvinists make t#eir own dilemma and make a sol*tion lo)ically and not
biblically. (es man is lost b*t t#e $cript*res did not say t#at #e is not able to come to
!od wit# t#e aid and power o" t#e ?ord and t#e $pirit. In t#e verses above we #ave taken
in conte<t we #ave "o*nd t#at:
6. 9an is a sinner and "all s#ort o" t#e )lory o" !od.
,. C#rist reconciled man to !od not co*ntin) t#eir sins.
+. 9an is .*sti"ied and made ri)#teo*s t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s.
0. 3e is able to believe t#ro*)# t#e )ospel and in t#e workin) o" !od.
5. 3e is )iven new birt#, made alive and raised *p t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s.
2. 3e receives t#e $pirit t#ro*)# "ait# in t#e preac#in) o" C#rist cr*ci"ied.
3alvinism also maintains that because of our fallen nature we are born again not by our own will
but 2od&s will (,ohn )$)(*)+):
/o#n 6:6616+
66
3e came to 3is own, and t#ose w#o were 3is own did not receive 3im.
6,
B*t as many as received 3im, to t#em 3e )ave t#e ri)#t to become c#ildren o" !od,
even to t#ose w#o believe in 3is name,
6+
w#o were born, not o" blood nor o" t#e will o" t#e "les# nor o" t#e will o" man, b*t o"
!od.
(es we cannot born o*rselves a)ain "or it is an act o" !od and will o" !od. T#e H*estion
is w#o is )iven new birt#> It is "o*nd in t#e conte<t. 'erse 66 spoke o" 3is own w#o did
not receive 3im and "or t#ose w#o received 3im 3e )ave t#em t#e ri)#t to become
c#ildren o" !od. T#ere"ore t#ose w#o are )iven new birt# by !od are t#ose w#o received
t#e $on and believed in 3im Cverse 6,D. 'erse 6+ s#ow *s t#at t#ese w#o were born as
19
sons were !od=s will. ?#o are t#ey> T#ose w#o received and believed in t#e $on. $o in
biblical t#eolo)y everyt#in) is t#ro*)# "ait# and by "ait# and never be"ore "ait# in /es*s.
2od grants that we believe (Phil )$(-):
P#ilippians 6:,71,B
,7
in no way alarmed by your opponents11w#ic# is a si)n o" destr*ction "or t#em, b*t o"
salvation "or yo*, and t#at too, "rom !od.
,B
-or to yo* it #as been )ranted "or C#rist=s sake, not only to believe in 3im, b*t also to
s*""er "or 3is sake,
To w#om did !od )rant to believe> It is to t#ose w#o did not oppose t#e )ood news.
'erse ,7 said t#ere were t#ose w#o oppose.
faith is the work of 2od (,ohn /$(;*(-):
/o#n 2:,21,B
,2
/es*s answered t#em and said, ;Tr*ly, tr*ly, I say to yo*, yo* seek 9e, not beca*se yo*
saw si)ns, b*t beca*se yo* ate o" t#e loaves and were "illed.
,:
;Do not work "or t#e "ood w#ic# peris#es, b*t "or t#e "ood w#ic# end*res to eternal li"e,
w#ic# t#e $on o" 9an will )ive to yo*, "or on 3im t#e -at#er, !od, #as set 3is seal.;
,7
T#ere"ore t#ey said to 3im, ;?#at s#all we do, so t#at we may work t#e works o" !od>;
,B
/es*s answered and said to t#em, ;T#is is t#e work o" !od, t#at yo* believe in 3im
w#om 3e #as sent.;
Calvinists #ave taken t#is verse o*t o" conte<t. T#is is t#e common error o" Calvinism.
T#ey take one verse o*t o" conte<t and make a doctrine o*t o" it. /es*s was not teac#in)
#ere we cannot believe 3im b*t in "act 3e was teac#in) t#e men in conte<t to do t#e work
o" !od and t#at is by believin) in 3im.
2od appoints people to believe (Acts )+$4;):
ct 6+:0015@
00
T#e ne<t $abbat# nearly t#e w#ole city assembled to #ear t#e word o" t#e Lord.
05
B*t
w#en t#e /ews saw t#e crowds, t#ey were "illed wit# .ealo*sy and began contradictin)
t#e t#in)s spoken by Pa*l, and were blasp#emin).
02
Pa*l and Barnabas spoke o*t boldly
and said, ;It was necessary t#at t#e word o" !od be spoken to yo* "irst4 since yo*
rep*diate it and .*d)e yo*rselves *nwort#y o" eternal li"e, be#old, we are t*rnin) to t#e
!entiles.
0:
;-or so t#e Lord #as commanded *s, =I have placed "ou as a light for the
Gentiles, That "ou may bring salvation to the end of the earth.=;
07
?#en t#e !entiles
#eard t#is, t#ey began re.oicin) and )lori"yin) t#e word o" t#e Lord4 and as many as #ad
been appointed to eternal li"e believed.
0B
nd t#e word o" t#e Lord was bein) spread
t#ro*)# t#e w#ole re)ion.
5@
B*t t#e /ews incited t#e devo*t women o" prominence and
t#e leadin) men o" t#e city, and insti)ated a persec*tion a)ainst Pa*l and Barnabas, and
drove t#em o*t o" t#eir district.
1;
)ain anot#er error takin) o*t o" conte<t. Did t#e verse say !od appointed people to
believe> T#e verse say t#ose appointed to eternal li"e believed. T#e H*estion a)ain w#o
are t#ose appointed to eternal li"e> T#e conte<t #ere is t#at t#ere were , )ro*ps seen1
t#e /ews w#o contradicted t#e )ospel and t#e !entiles w#o )ladly received t#e )ood
news. T#ere"ore t#ose w#o were appointed to eternal li"e and #ave believed were t#ose
w#o did not rep*diate t#e words o" t#e postles. T#e $cript*re never ta*)#t t#at all men
will re.ect t#e words o" C#rist. T#ose w#o receive and believe t#e )ood news !od draws
t#em to t#e $on to be saved.
Calvinist t#en will ask ;3ow can a sinner believe w#en #e is dead in spirit>;
T#e verses above s#ow *s t#e workin) o" !od and t#e power o" t#e ?ords o" C#rist. T#e
3oly $pirit too works wit# t#e )ospel preac#ed. Pa*l said in &omans 6@:6: "ait# comes
"rom #earin) and #earin) t#e ?ords o" C#rist. /es*s said in /o#n 2:2+ t#at 3is words are
spirit and li"e. In /o#n 5:+B 3e said t#at we searc# t#e $cript*res beca*se in t#em we
t#ink we #ave eternal li"e beca*se t#ey testi"y abo*t 3im. 3ebrews 0:6, says t#at t#e
?ord o" !od is power"*l and is able to penetrate man1 so*l, body and spirit. ?#at are we
sayin) #ere> (es man is dead in sin b*t t#ro*)# t#e words o" C#rist "ait# is bro*)#t "ort#
and t#ose w#o )ladly receive t#e word t#e -at#er draws t#em to t#e $on and to t#ose
w#o oppose t#e )ood news t#ey are not drawn to t#e $on. /o#n 2:20
9an is not totally depraved b*t t#is does not mean #e can save #imsel"> Ao. 3e needs
!od "or salvation and knowled)e o" t#e tr*t#. T#at is w#y !od reac#es o*t "or man w#o
seeks and "ears 3im and sends t#e )ospel t#e power o" !od into salvation w#erein "ait#
is bro*)#t.
Calvinism is #avin) a problem wit# t#e nat*re o" man. It teac#es man is totally dead and
incapable to respond or seek !od. !od #as )iven man conscience and t#e ability to
believe and disbelieve. %*r conscience is not evil. T#is conscience moves men to do
w#at is ri)#t and "ear !od. T#is is seen in many people in t#e bible even be"ore t#ey were
saved. nd !od makes 3imsel" known to t#ose w#o "ear 3im.
&omans ,:60165
60
-or w#en !entiles w#o do not #ave t#e Law do instinctively t#e t#in)s o" t#e Law,
t#ese, not #avin) t#e Law, are a law to t#emselves,
65
in t#at t#ey s#ow t#e work o" t#e
Law written in t#eir #earts, t#eir conscience bearin) witness and t#eir t#o*)#ts
alternately acc*sin) or else de"endin) t#em,
Psalms ,5:60
60
T#e secret o" t#e L%&D is "or t#ose w#o "ear 3im, nd 3e will make t#em know 3is
covenant.
!enesis 5:,,
,,
T#en Enoc# walked wit# !od t#ree #*ndred years a"ter #e became t#e "at#er o"
9et#*sela#, and #e #ad ot#er sons and da*)#ters.
1<
!enesis 2:517
5
T#en t#e L%&D saw t#at t#e wickedness o" man was )reat on t#e eart#, and t#at every
intent o" t#e t#o*)#ts o" #is #eart was only evil contin*ally.
2
T#e L%&D was sorry t#at 3e
#ad made man on t#e eart#, and 3e was )rieved in 3is #eart.
:
T#e L%&D said, ;I will blot
o*t man w#om I #ave created "rom t#e "ace o" t#e land, "rom man to animals to creepin)
t#in)s and to birds o" t#e sky4 "or I am sorry t#at I #ave made t#em.;
7
B*t Aoa# "o*nd
"avor in t#e eyes o" t#e L%&D.
/o#n 6:0:
0:
/es*s saw Aat#anael comin) to 3im, and Jsaid o" #im, ;Be#old, an Israelite indeed, in
w#om t#ere is no deceitF;
cts 6@:610
6
Aow there was a man at Caesarea named Corneli*s, a cent*rion o" w#at was called t#e
Italian co#ort,
,
a devo*t man and one w#o "eared !od wit# all #is #o*se#old, and )ave
many alms to t#e #ewish people and prayed to !od contin*ally.
+
bo*t t#e nint# #o*r o"
t#e day #e clearly saw in a vision an an)el o" !od w#o #ad $ust come in and said to #im,
;Corneli*sF;
0
nd "i<in) #is )aEe on #im and bein) m*c# alarmed, #e said, ;?#at is it,
Lord>; nd #e said to #im, ;(o*r prayers and alms #ave ascended as a memorial be"ore
!od.
and 2od predestines (5ph )$)*)))
Ep#esians 6: 1-13
6
Pa*l, an apostle o" C#rist /es*s by t#e will o" !od, To t#e saints w#o are at Ep#es*s
and who are "ait#"*l in C#rist /es*s:
,
!race to yo* and peace "rom !od o*r -at#er and
t#e Lord /es*s C#rist.
+
Blessed be t#e !od and -at#er o" o*r Lord /es*s C#rist, w#o #as
blessed *s wit# every spirit*al blessin) in t#e #eavenly places in C#rist,
0
.*st as 3e
c#ose *s in 3im be"ore t#e "o*ndation o" t#e world, t#at we wo*ld be #oly and blameless
be"ore 3im. In love
5
3e predestined *s to adoption as sons t#ro*)# /es*s C#rist to
3imsel", accordin) to t#e kind intention o" 3is will,
2
to t#e praise o" t#e )lory o" 3is
)race, w#ic# 3e "reely bestowed on *s in t#e Beloved.
:
In 3im we #ave redemption
t#ro*)# 3is blood, t#e "or)iveness o" o*r trespasses, accordin) to t#e ric#es o" 3is
)race
7
w#ic# 3e lavis#ed on *s. In all wisdom and insi)#t
B
3e made known to *s t#e
mystery o" 3is will, accordin) to 3is kind intention w#ic# 3e p*rposed in 3im
6@
wit# a
view to an administration s*itable to t#e "*llness o" t#e times, that is, t#e s*mmin) *p o"
all t#in)s in C#rist, t#in)s in t#e #eavens and t#in)s on t#e eart#. In 3im
66
also we #ave
obtained an in#eritance, #avin) been predestined accordin) to 3is p*rpose w#o works
all t#in)s a"ter t#e co*nsel o" 3is will,
6,
to t#e end t#at we w#o were t#e "irst to #ope in
C#rist wo*ld be to t#e praise o" 3is )lory.
6+
In 3im, yo* also, a"ter listenin) to t#e
messa)e o" tr*t#, t#e )ospel o" yo*r salvation11#avin) also believed, yo* were sealed in
3im wit# t#e 3oly $pirit o" promise,
I" we "ollow t#e Doctrine o" Calvinism !od predestined ot#ers "or salvation, C#rist dyin)
"or t#em only, t#e 3oly $pirit callin) t#em only and ca*ses t#em "reely to believe /es*s.
T#ey alone are )iven t#e ability to believe and repent and t#e rest o" #*manity le"t into
damnation and c*rsed. T#is is abs*rd and not t#e teac#in)s o" t#e postles. T#is is
anot#er )ospel. )ospel o" selection or election. T#e tr*e )ospel o" salvation is, K!od
sent 3is $on to t#e world to save t#e world by )ivin) 3im as a ransom "or all and
11
w#oever believes s#all be saved and w#oever disbelieves s#all be condemned beca*se
#e does not believe in t#e name o" t#e $on o" !od w#o died "or #im.; /o#n +:621,6.
(es we believe t#at !od predestines. T#e H*estion a)ain w#o is predestined> T#e
answer is "o*nd in Ep#esians t#ey stopped in verse 66, in verses 6, to 6+ t#ose w#o
were described in C#rist in t#e precedin) verses w#o were c#osen to be #oly and
blameless, predestined as sons, redeemed and "or)iven were t#ose w#o were in C#rist
a"ter believin) t#e )ospel o" salvation and were sealed by t#e 3oly $pirit.
Ep#esians 6:6,16+
6,
to t#e end t#at we w#o were t#e "irst to #ope in C#rist wo*ld be to t#e praise o" 3is
)lory.
6+
In 3im, yo* also, a"ter listenin) to t#e messa)e o" tr*t#, t#e )ospel o" yo*r
salvation11#avin) also believed, yo* were sealed in 3im wit# t#e 3oly $pirit o" promise,
(.om ;$(-: -$-*(+)
&omans 7:,B
,B
-or t#ose w#om 3e "oreknew, 3e also predestined to become con"ormed to t#e ima)e
o" 3is $on, so t#at 3e wo*ld be t#e "irstborn amon) many bret#ren4
Lookin) at t#e verses it .*st con"irmed w#o are t#ose w#om !od predestined1 t#ose
w#om 3e "oreknew. ?#o are t#ose t#en 3e "oreknew> In Ep#esians 6:6,16+ t#ese were
t#ose In C#rist w#o believed t#ro*)# t#e )ospel. -oreknowled)e is knowin) be"ore #and.
&omans B:B1,+
B
-or t#is is t#e word o" promise: ;At this time I will come, and %arah shall have a son.;
6@
nd not only t#is, b*t t#ere was &ebeka# also, w#en s#e #ad conceived twins by one
man, o*r "at#er Isaac4
66
"or t#o*)# the twins were not yet born and #ad not done
anyt#in) )ood or bad, so t#at !od=s p*rpose accordin) to His c#oice wo*ld stand, not
beca*se o" works b*t beca*se o" 3im w#o calls,
6,
it was said to #er, ;The older will serve
the younger.;
6+
/*st as it is written, ;#acob I loved, but &sau I hated.;
60
?#at s#all we
say t#en> T#ere is no in.*stice wit# !od, is t#ere> 9ay it never beF
65
-or 3e says to
9oses, ;I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I
have compassion.;
62
$o t#en it does not depend on t#e man w#o wills or t#e man w#o
r*ns, b*t on !od w#o #as mercy.
6:
-or t#e $cript*re says to P#arao#, ;'or this very
purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate (y power in you, and that (y name might be
proclaimed throughout the whole earth.;
67
$o t#en 3e #as mercy on w#om 3e desires, and 3e #ardens w#om 3e desires.
6B
(o*
will say to me t#en, ;?#y does 3e still "ind "a*lt> -or w#o resists 3is will>;
,@
%n t#e
contrary, w#o are yo*, % man, w#o answers back to !od> T#e t#in) molded will not say
to t#e molder, ;?#y did yo* make me like t#is,; will it>
,6
%r does not t#e potter #ave a
ri)#t over t#e clay, to make "rom t#e same l*mp one vessel "or #onorable *se and
anot#er "or common *se>
,,
?#at i" !od, alt#o*)# willin) to demonstrate 3is wrat# and to make 3is power known,
end*red wit# m*c# patience vessels o" wrat# prepared "or destr*ction>
,+
nd He did so
to make known t#e ric#es o" 3is )lory *pon vessels o" mercy, w#ic# 3e prepared
be"ore#and "or )lory,
1=
Let *s see t#e conte<t:
'erse 66 says ;... so t#at !od=s p*rpose accordin) to His c#oice wo*ld stand, not
beca*se o" works b*t beca*se o" 3im w#o calls,;
T#is verse does not speak o" c#oosin) one "or #is personal salvation it speaks o" !od
*sin) an individ*al as 3is instr*ment to do w#at is 3is p*rpose. Esa* served /acob. !od
loved /acob and #ated Esa* "or 3e knew t#em be"ore t#e "o*ndation o" t#e world.
T#ro*)# /acob !od=s people were bro*)#t t#ro*)# #im. nd to 9oses 3e said 3e s#all
#ave mercy on w#om 3e s#all #ave mercy. I" we )o to t#e story o" 9oses and P#arao#
!od knew in t#e be)innin) P#arao# will not listen to 9oses to let 3is people )o *nless
by "orce.
E<od*s +:6B
;B*t I know t#at t#e kin) o" E)ypt will not permit yo* to )o, e<cept *nder comp*lsion.
nd beca*se o" t#is !od #ardened P#arao# all t#e more.
E<od*s 0:,6
T#e L%&D said to 9oses, ;?#en yo* )o back to E)ypt see t#at yo* per"orm be"ore
P#arao# all t#e wonders w#ic# I #ave p*t in yo*r power4 b*t I will #arden #is #eart so
t#at #e will not let t#e people )o.
!od is .*st and will never damn a person w#o does not re.ect 3im. 9oses obeyed so #e
#ad mercy and !od *sed #im to deliver Israel. $o t#e verses in conte<t in &omans B
spoke o" vessels o" wrat# and vessels o" mercy. It did not speak o" predestinin) a person
to salvation or damnation o" #is so*l. %n t#e ot#er #and t#eir re.ection o" (a#we#
bro*)#t t#em to condemnation and not !od c#oosin) t#em to be condemned.
Let *s "inis# t#e conte<t. In t#e "ollowin) verses now salvation is talked abo*t. 3ere we
#ave a people w#o were not 3is people b*t became 3is people and t#ose w#o were 3is
people were .*d)ed. T#e "ormer #ad mercy beca*se o" t#eir "ait# in /es*s and t#e latter
#ad not compassion beca*se o" t#eir *nbelie".
&omans B:,01++
,0
even *s, w#om 3e also called, not "rom amon) /ews only, b*t also "rom amon)
!entiles.
,5
s 3e says also in 3osea, ;I will call those who were not (y people, )(y
people,= And her who was not beloved, )beloved.=;
,2
;And it shall be that in the place
where it was said to them, )you are not (y people,= There they shall be called sons of the
living God.;
,:
Isaia# cries o*t concernin) Israel, ;Though the number of the sons of
Israel be like the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved4
,7
for the !ord will
e*ecute His word on the earth, thoroughly and +uickly.;
,B
nd .*st as Isaia# "oretold,
;,nless the !ord of %abaoth had left to us a posterity, We would have become like
%odom, and would have resembled Gomorrah.;
+@
?#at s#all we say t#en> T#at !entiles,
w#o did not p*rs*e ri)#teo*sness, attained ri)#teo*sness, even t#e ri)#teo*sness
w#ic# is by "ait#4
+6
b*t Israel, p*rs*in) a law o" ri)#teo*sness, did not arrive at that law.
+,
?#y> Beca*se they did not pursue it by "ait#, b*t as t#o*)# it were by works. T#ey
st*mbled over t#e st*mblin) stone,
++
.*st as it is written, ;-ehold, I lay in .ion a stone of
stumbling and a rock of offense, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.;
1>
T#ere"ore t#ose w#o are predestined were t#e 3is people w#om 3e "oreknew w#o
believed t#ro*)# t#e )ospel and not t#ose w#o disbelieved and disobeyed. T#is is
con"irmed in t#e earlier verses o" t#e same c#apter B o" &omans t#at t#e c#ildren o" !od
are t#e c#ildren o" t#e promise and t#e c#ildren o" t#e promise were t#ose o" t#e "ait# o"
bra#am1 t#ose w#o believed t#e )ospel, t#ose w#o believed in /es*s.
&omans B:217
2
B*t it is not as t#o*)# t#e word o" !od #as "ailed. -or t#ey are not all Israel w#o are
descended "rom Israel4
:
nor are t#ey all c#ildren beca*se t#ey are bra#am=s
descendants, b*t: ;through Isaac your descendants will be named.;
7
T#at is, it is not t#e
c#ildren o" t#e "les# w#o are c#ildren o" !od, b*t t#e c#ildren o" t#e promise are
re)arded as descendants.
nd t#e c#ildren o" t#e promise are o" t#e "ait# o" bra#am t#ose w#o believed t#ro*)#
t#e )ospel preac#ed.
!alatians +:51B
5
$o t#en, does 3e w#o provides yo* wit# t#e $pirit and works miracles amon) yo*, do it
by t#e works o" t#e Law, or by #earin) wit# "ait#>
2
Even so bra#am believed God, and it
was reckoned to him as righteousness.
:
T#ere"ore, be s*re t#at it is t#ose w#o are o"
"ait# w#o are sons o" bra#am.
7
T#e $cript*re, "oreseein) t#at !od wo*ld .*sti"y t#e
!entiles by "ait#, preac#ed t#e )ospel be"ore#and to bra#am, saying, ;All the nations
will be blessed in you;
B
$o t#en t#ose w#o are o" "ait# are blessed wit# bra#am, t#e
believer.
1?
UAC%ADITI%AL ELECTI%A:
2od does not base 1is election on anything 1e sees in the individual 1e chooses the elect
according to the kind intention of 1is will (5ph )$4*;: .om -$))) without any consideration of
merit within the individual <or does 2od look into the future to see who would pick 1im Also!
as some are elected into salvation! others are not (.om -$)6! ())
2od does not base 1is election on anything 1e sees in the individual
It is correct t#at we are not elected beca*se o" o*r own merit. ?e cannot be c#osen on
o*r own "or we are all sinners and "all s#ort o" t#e )lory o" !od. T#ere is not#in) in *s
alone t#at !od sees to save *s. Calvinism "ailed to see w#at real election is. Election is in
C#rist. ?e are c#osen in C#rist. Election o*tside C#rist is not biblical election. !od #as
c#osen *s beca*se o" C#rist, 3e sees C#rist in *s and *s in C#rist. T#e term is not
election or c#osen alone it is election in C#rist it is c#osen in C#rist. !od mad a c#oice
in t#e be)innin) people w#o are in C#rist and not o*tside C#rist. T#ere"ore election is
based and conditioned *pon C#rist, by C#rist, t#ro*)# C#rist and in C#rist.
1e chooses the elect according to the kind intention of 1is will (5ph )$4*;)
Ep#esians 6:1-13
6
Pa*l, an apostle o" C#rist /es*s by t#e will o" !od, To t#e saints w#o are at Ep#es*s
and who are "ait#"*l in C#rist /es*s:
,
!race to yo* and peace "rom !od o*r -at#er and
t#e Lord /es*s C#rist.
+
Blessed be t#e !od and -at#er o" o*r Lord /es*s C#rist, w#o #as
blessed *s wit# every spirit*al blessin) in t#e #eavenly places in C#rist,
0
.*st as 3e
c#ose *s in 3im be"ore t#e "o*ndation o" t#e world, t#at we wo*ld be #oly and blameless
be"ore 3im. In love
5
3e predestined *s to adoption as sons t#ro*)# /es*s C#rist to
3imsel", accordin) to t#e kind intention o" 3is will,
2
to t#e praise o" t#e )lory o" 3is
)race, w#ic# 3e "reely bestowed on *s in t#e Beloved.
:
In 3im we #ave redemption
t#ro*)# 3is blood, t#e "or)iveness o" o*r trespasses, accordin) to t#e ric#es o" 3is
)race
7
w#ic# 3e lavis#ed on *s. In all wisdom and insi)#t
B
3e made known to *s t#e
mystery o" 3is will, accordin) to 3is kind intention w#ic# 3e p*rposed in 3im
6@
wit# a
view to an administration s*itable to t#e "*llness o" t#e times, that is, t#e s*mmin) *p o"
all t#in)s in C#rist, t#in)s in t#e #eavens and t#in)s on t#e eart#. In 3im
66
also we #ave
obtained an in#eritance, #avin) been predestined accordin) to 3is p*rpose w#o works
all t#in)s a"ter t#e co*nsel o" 3is will,
6,
to t#e end t#at we w#o were t#e "irst to #ope in
C#rist wo*ld be to t#e praise o" 3is )lory.
6+
In 3im, yo* also, a"ter listenin) to t#e
messa)e o" tr*t#, t#e )ospel o" yo*r salvation11#avin) also believed, yo* were sealed in
3im wit# t#e 3oly $pirit o" promise,
Did t#e verse say 3e c#ooses t#e elect or 3e c#ooses t#e believers in C#rist> %ne
cannot be an elect wit#o*t bein) in C#rist. T#ere"ore one #as to be a believer to be in
C#rist. %ne #as to be in C#rist to be an elect. In Ep#esians Pa*l was addressin) t#is
messa)e to t#e saints t#e believers in C#rist. In verses 6, to 6+ t#ey were in C#rist a"ter
listenin) to t#e messa)e o" tr*t#, t#e )ospel o" salvation and were sealed in 3im wit# t#e
3oly $pirit o" promise.
2
T#ere"ore 3e c#ose *s believers, predestined *s as sons and made known to *s t#e
mystery o" 3is will, accordin) to 3is kind intention and will w#ic# 3e p*rposed in 3im.
3ere we can see #ow we were c#osen by answerin) w#at is t#e mystery o" 3is will made
known and w#at is 3is kind intention w#ic# 3e p*rposed in 3im> ?#at is t#e will o" !od
revealed and t#e p*rpose o" !od in C#rist> T#is seen in conte<t 1 !od=s salvation,
"or)iveness and redemption in C#rist. 'erse 66 says 3e predestined *s accordin) to 3is
p*rpose and will and contin*in) t#e verse t#at will is addressed to t#ose w#o "irst #ope
in C#rist and were in C#rist a"ter believin) t#e )ospel and were sealed in 3im wit# t#e
3oly $pirit. T#is is t#e will o" !od. T#is is t#e kind intention o" !od. ?#en we say kind
intention o" !od it is abo*t !od=s mercy bestowed. T#is is p*rpose o" !od in C#rist.
?#en we say w#ic# 3e p*rposed in 3im t#e $cript*re talks abo*t !od=s predetermined
plan and "oreknowled)e o" C#rist=s s*""erin) and its application to t#e believers.
T#ere"ore election in C#rist is based and conditioned *pon C#rist, by C#rist and t#ro*)#
C#rist.
?#at is t#e predetermined plan and "oreknowled)e o" !od in C#rist>
C#rist to die and res*rrect "or man=s sin. T#is is t#e p*rpose o" !od in C#rist1 3is kind
intention and will.
cts ,:,+1,0
,+
t#is (an, delivered over by t#e predetermined plan and "oreknowled)e o" !od, yo*
nailed to a cross by t#e #ands o" )odless men and p*t Him to deat#.
,0
;B*t !od raised
3im *p a)ain, p*ttin) an end to t#e a)ony o" deat#, since it was impossible "or 3im to be
#eld in its power.
Aow C#rist was )iven w#at is !od=s will #ow man can be .*sti"ied>
T#e $cript*res #as "oreseen t#at !od wo*ld .*sti"y t#e !entiles by "ait#.
-ait# in C#rist is !od=s eternal decree "or man=s .*sti"ication "or 3e )ave 3is $on to t#e
world.
!alatians +:51B
5
$o t#en, does 3e w#o provides yo* wit# t#e $pirit and works miracles amon) yo*, do it
by t#e works o" t#e Law, or by #earin) wit# "ait#>
2
Even so bra#am believed God, and it
was reckoned to him as righteousness.
:
T#ere"ore, be s*re t#at it is t#ose w#o are o"
"ait# w#o are sons o" bra#am.
7
T#e $cript*re, "oreseein) t#at !od wo*ld .*sti"y t#e
!entiles by "ait#, preac#ed t#e )ospel be"ore#and to bra#am, saying, ;All the nations
will be blessed in you;
B
$o t#en t#ose w#o are o" "ait# are blessed wit# bra#am, t#e
believer.
T#at is w#y t#ose w#o are called c#osen are t#ose in C#rist t#ro*)# "ait# in 3im. T#is is
t#e will o" !od. T#is is t#e p*rpose and predetermined plan o" !od in C#rist. T#ere"ore
election is in C#rist and never o*tside C#rist. ?e are c#osen beca*se o" C#rist in *s and
*s in C#rist. Election is never done o*tside C#rist and not t#ro*)# C#rist. Election
wit#o*t C#rist=s ransom in t#e pict*re is tantamo*nt to C#ristless t#eolo)y. T#at will
res*lt into a )ospel o" selection not a )ospel o" salvation t#ro*)# C#rist and by "ait# in
3im and t#ro*)# 3im. T#at is w#y in Ep#esians c#apter 6 Pa*l mentioned many times ;In
C#rist; verses + and 6, , ;In 3im; verses 0, :, B, 6@ and 6+ ;T#ro*)# C#rist; verse 5, ;In
t#e Beloved; verse 2. nd w#o are t#ese w#o are in C#rist> T#ose w#o #ave "ait# in
/es*s verses 6, 6,, 6+ and 65.
1
(.om -$))) without any consideration of merit within the individual
&omans B:B1,+
B
-or t#is is t#e word o" promise: ;At this time I will come, and %arah shall have a son.;
6@
nd not only t#is, b*t t#ere was &ebeka# also, w#en s#e #ad conceived twins by one
man, o*r "at#er Isaac4
66
"or t#o*)# the twins were not yet born and #ad not done
anyt#in) )ood or bad, so t#at !od=s p*rpose accordin) to His c#oice wo*ld stand, not
beca*se o" works b*t beca*se o" 3im w#o calls,
6,
it was said to #er, ;The older will serve
the younger.;
6+
/*st as it is written, ;#acob I loved, but &sau I hated.;
'erse 66 says
;... so t#at !od=s p*rpose accordin) to His c#oice wo*ld stand, not beca*se o" works b*t
beca*se o" 3im w#o calls,;
T#is verse does not speak o" c#oosin) one "or #is personal salvation it speaks o" !od
*sin) an individ*al as 3is instr*ment to do w#at is 3is p*rpose. Esa* served /acob. !od
loved /acob and #ated Esa* "or 3e knew t#em be"ore t#e "o*ndation o" t#e world. -rom
/acob came t#e people o" !od and not "rom Esa*. T#ese two were sons o" Isaac w#o
was t#e son o" bra#am to w#om t#e promise was made t#at t#ro*)# #im all nations
s#all be blessed in #im. !od was speakin) abo*t C#rist1 t#e blessin) o" bra#am. nd
t#is blessin) is in "act received t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s like bra#am w#o believed !od.
nd !od be"ore#and preac#ed t#e )ood news to bra#am and bra#am believed. nd
t#ose w#o are o" "ait# are c#ildren o" bra#am and c#ildren o" t#e promise. T#is is t#e
conte<t o" &omans B in verses 2 to 7 be"ore verse B.
2
B*t it is not as t#o*)# t#e word o" !od #as "ailed. -or t#ey are not all Israel w#o are
descended "rom Israel4
:
nor are t#ey all c#ildren beca*se t#ey are bra#am=s
descendants, b*t: ;through Isaac your descendants will be named.;
7
T#at is, it is not t#e
c#ildren o" t#e "les# w#o are c#ildren o" !od, b*t t#e c#ildren o" t#e promise are
re)arded as descendants.
!od=s plan t#ere"ore "ait# in C#rist is always incorporated "or man to be .*sti"ied and
made ri)#teo*s all in C#rist.
<or does 2od look into the future to see who would pick 1im
-ait# in C#rist is t#e will and decree o" !od. It is !od=s ri)#teo*sness and t#ro*)# it man
is .*sti"ied. To take away t#is plan and will o" !od is contrary to $cript*res. ?e #ave
noted in Ep#esians 6 t#ose w#o believed were p*t in C#rist, in !alatians + t#e $cript*res
#ave "oreseen man=s .*sti"ication t#ro*)# "ait# in C#rist and in &omans B t#e c#ildren o"
t#e promise were t#ose o" t#e "ait# o" bra#am.
?e are c#osen accordin) to t#e "oreknowled)e o" !od. Peter made it clear #ow t#e plan
o" !od was e<ec*ted and "*l"illed. /es*s died and res*rrected. ?e were born a)ain
t#ro*)# t#e )ospel preac#ed t#ro*)# "ait# in /es*s.
6 Peter 6:61+, :16,, ,@1,5
6
Peter, an apostle o" /es*s C#rist, To t#ose w#o reside as aliens, scattered t#ro*)#o*t
Pont*s, !alatia, Cappadocia, sia, and Bit#ynia, w#o are c#osen
,
accordin) to t#e "oreknowled)e o" !od t#e -at#er, by t#e sancti"yin) work o" t#e $pirit,
to obey /es*s C#rist and be sprinkled wit# 3is blood: 9ay )race and peace be yo*rs in