UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION / IRRESISTIBLE GRACE
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Transcript
DISCUSSION
Calvinism is one of the saddest and most evil false doctrines in the history of mankind.
Calvinism is one of the saddest and most evil false doctrines in the history of mankind.
Calvinism takes from man any ability on his part to be with God even though he desires it earnestly.
A man may long with all his being to be with God, but it will be to no avail if he is not especially chosen by God.
A man may long to go heaven but is not allowed to enter if he is not of God’s select few.
Calvinism contains five basic planks:
Calvinism contains five basic planks:
Men are totally depraved by virtue of inheriting such a sinful nature from their parents and ancestors – Total Hereditary Depravity.
God has chosen a definite number from all eternity to be recipients of eternal life - without faith or works or any other thing on the part of man as a condition – Unconditional Election.
Jesus died only for those whom God elected to be saved. His atonement was limited. The benefits of his death were not for all men – Limited Atonement.
Only those who were elected, and for whom Christ died, would receive direct operation of the Holy Spirit. This miraculous power, exerted upon their hearts by the Holy Spirit, would be overwhelming – Irresistible Grace.
The elect saints will always be preserved in their relationship with God. Such persons cannot fall away and be lost – Perseverance of the Saints.
These five doctrines have come to be identified with the word TULIP.
These five doctrines have come to be identified with the word TULIP.
John Calvin (1509-1564), a reformer in Switzerland in the sixteenth century, is the man credited as the father of the TULIP doctrine.
His works are abundant and widespread. His influence has swept the world of Christendom in that most denominations teach at least one or more of his deadly false doctrines.
Hardly is there a place where his influence has not gone.
What is sad and appalling is that this devil’s doctrine has found fertile soil even among some churches of Christ.
What is sad and appalling is that this devil’s doctrine has found fertile soil even among some churches of Christ.
DISCUSSION
Unconditional Election
Unconditional Election
This doctrine is connected to several words found in the New Testament.
This doctrine is connected to several words found in the New Testament.
Elect (Col. 3:12), election (1 Thess. 1:4), and chosen (Rev. 17:14) are three of these words.
This teaching proclaims that before the foundation of the world, God chose to save some men of the fallen race of Adam. Those He did not choose will be lost.
The number of the saved is definite and cannot be changed. These individuals were chosen solely by God.
The selection of these individuals had nothing to do with anything within these individuals...Their selection was according to God’s good pleasure and sovereign will.
This doctrine has been called by some of its adherents as the “keystone” of their faith; thus, if unconditional election falls, their entire system falls.
Some refer to this as the doctrine of “predestination.”
Some refer to this as the doctrine of “predestination.”
In other words, the eternal destination of all human beings was predetermined by God long before he created the world.
A few were predestined to eternal life and the remainder will be lost eternally in the lake of fire and brimstone.
John Calvin declares, “By Predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. All are created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and accordingly, as each has been created for one or the other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death” (Calvin’s Institutes, Book III, chap. 21, sect. 5).
How can we not be appalled at a doctrine that makes God out to be a monster?
How can we not be appalled at a doctrine that makes God out to be a monster?
We should be repulsed by a doctrine which has God creating some for the sole purpose of suffering eternally.
God is fair and will give all an equal chance of salvation.
God through the prophet Ezekiel pronounced…
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
We all have freewill to be saved.
We all have freewill to be saved.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.
24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
46 And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
God renders to each one of us according to our works.
God renders to each one of us according to our works.
6 who will render to every man according to his works:
4 Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings: Give them after the operation of their hands; Render to them their desert.
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work?
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works:
15 It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.
We know that we receive eternal life or eternal damnation according to whether we are worthy.
We know that we receive eternal life or eternal damnation according to whether we are worthy.
4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.
6 for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and blood hast thou given them to drink: they are worthy.
5 which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Sinners are lost because they thrust eternal life from themselves, will not seek God, and refuse to obey the Gospel.
Sinners are lost because they thrust eternal life from themselves, will not seek God, and refuse to obey the Gospel.
46 And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
7 and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, 8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
On the other hand, the righteous are saved because they have met the conditions for eternal life.
On the other hand, the righteous are saved because they have met the conditions for eternal life.
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;
40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
6 who will render to every man according to his works: 7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: 8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
Unconditional election cannot be true because God loves all – even the lost.
Unconditional election cannot be true because God loves all – even the lost.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Unconditional election cannot be true because Christ died for all.
Unconditional election cannot be true because Christ died for all.
6 For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly.
2 and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
10 For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.
6 who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times;
Let us look at one of the favorite passages the Calvinists use as a “proof text” for the false doctrine of unconditional election (predestination).
Let us look at one of the favorite passages the Calvinists use as a “proof text” for the false doctrine of unconditional election (predestination).
11 for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, 12 it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. 18 So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Romans 9:11 says “the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.”
Note that Jacob in the passage was not elected to salvation – but to a service (cf. 9:4).
God calls today in a way that all can respond.
We are called by the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14), and the gospel must be obeyed (2 Thess. 2:8-10).
Therefore, election and unconditional election are not the same.
Romans 9:13 says God loved Jacob and hated Esau.
But the language is not spoken of individuals.
The quote is taken from that which was written hundreds of years after the death of Esau - and refers to Edom (Mal. 1:1-4).
To “hate” is used in the sense of to put secondary in God’s work of a plan to bring forth the Messiah.
It is similar in sense to Luke 14:26-27 where Christians are to “hate” father, mother, and wife and children.
Romans 9:16 says “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy.”
But whom is it God’s will to save? It is those who obedient believe in Christ (John 3:16; Heb. 5:8-9), those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt. 5:6), and those who seek him (Matt. 7:7-8).
To whom does God show mercy? To those who have received the washing of regeneration (Tit. 3:4-5), and those who believe and obey (Jn. 3:16).
Irresistible Grace
Irresistible Grace
The Calvinists define Irresistible Grace as “the grace of God which comes through the Holy Spirit, who puts faith in the heart of man and makes him acceptable for salvation. He cannot resist this grace, and none can receive it but those whom God chooses.”
The Calvinists define Irresistible Grace as “the grace of God which comes through the Holy Spirit, who puts faith in the heart of man and makes him acceptable for salvation. He cannot resist this grace, and none can receive it but those whom God chooses.”
The doctrine of Irresistible Grace is demanded by the very nature of the doctrine of Total Hereditary Depravity.
Since Calvinism teaches that all men are totally depraved sinners from birth, they cannot do anything to be saved nor can they even decide on their own, to be saved.
The Calvinists say that once God works on one’s heart, he no longer has any choice in the matter but to be saved. This is why it is irresistible.
Does this not make man a mere robot?
Does this not make man a mere robot?
He is made, according to Calvinism, a machine that can only do what he is programed to do.
If you are programed to be lost, you are lost and there is nothing you can do be saved – no matter what your desires. What a sad and evil doctrine.
Calvinism removes freewill from mankind. But the Bible made it plain long ago that we do have freewill.
Calvinism removes freewill from mankind. But the Bible made it plain long ago that we do have freewill.
26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if ye shall hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, which I command you this day; 28 and the curse, if ye shall not hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
The people had a choice, freewill, whether to obey God or not.
Jesus presented his disciples with a choice
66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away?
They had the choice to leave – it was their choice.
Notice the choice presented in
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered;
Every man has the freewill to choose.
Consider this, if a man has no freewill to choose to be saved or lost, why is the Great Commission commanded?
Consider this, if a man has no freewill to choose to be saved or lost, why is the Great Commission commanded?
19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
If mankind has been eternally elected to be saved or lost why should be preach to the world with urgency?
Why should we bother sending missionaries out into the world?
If Irresistible Grace is true, then the Bible is unproductive, worthless, and a lie.
If Irresistible Grace is true, then the Bible is unproductive, worthless, and a lie.
But Paul said
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to nought. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
Scripture places a burden upon every soul to obey the Bible’s commands concerning salvation.
Scripture places a burden upon every soul to obey the Bible’s commands concerning salvation.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Why should Jesus command such if irresistible grace is truth?
On the day of Pentecost Peter preached
38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
If Calvinism is true, then Peter lied.
Paul declared
12 So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
If salvation is all God’s part, what did the Philippians have to work out?
John wrote
14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
These conditions have no meaning or are deceptive if irresistible grace is true.
CONCLUSION
The doctrines of Unconditional Election and Irresistible Grace are from man and not God.
The doctrines of Unconditional Election and Irresistible Grace are from man and not God.
These doctrines are a great enemy of the truth.
These doctrines are a great enemy of the truth.
3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.