Limited Atonement and Irresistible Grace (2)
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Limited Atonement and Irresistible Grace
Introduction:
1). Previous lessons
a). Calvinism is growing and increasing in popularity
b). Brethren have been influenced by Calvinism
c). We have answered the doctrines of Total Depravity and Unconditional Election
2). Today let us discuss two more points of Calvinism: Limited Atonement and Irresistible Grace
I. Limited Atonement
I. Limited Atonement
A. Defining “Limited Atonement”
A. Defining “Limited Atonement”
1). The Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended, and Documented
“Christ’s redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them. His death was a substitutionary sacrifice of the penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners. In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ’s redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith, which united them to Him. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, thereby guaranteeing their salvation.” (The Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended, Documented, p. 17)
2). Westminster Confession of Faith
The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience, and sacrifice of himself, which he, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him.
3). David Spencer
“Christ died to save particular persons who were given Him by the Father in eternity past. His death was, therefore, a one hundred percent success, in that all for who He died will be saved, and all for whom He did not die will receive ‘justice’ from God when they are cast into hell.”
B. Refuting Limited Atonement
B. Refuting Limited Atonement
1) God’s Grace Has Appeared to ALL MEN -
(NKJV)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
2). God Doesn’t Want Any to Perish -
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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.
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.
3) Christ Died for ALL MEN -; ; ; ;
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
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2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
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9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
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14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
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10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
C. Answering Calvinist Arguments
C. Answering Calvinist Arguments
1).
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As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
a). Argument - Jesus died only for his sheep
b). The Answer
1). The sheep of v.15 is a reference to the Jews
2). Notice v.16 - Jesus has “other sheep” not of that flock - that is the Gentiles
3) Together they would become “one flock”
(NKJV)
having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
4). Dan King - “This text speaks out against the ingrained exclusivity of the Jewish people.”
2). , ; ;
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Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
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Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
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8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(NKJV)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
God’s Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
a). Of course, it is true that Jesus died on behalf of those who would become Christians
1). Limited atonement assumes that these passages are “EXCLUSIVE"
a). Christ loved ONLY the church.
b). Christ was sacrificed ONLY for the elect.
c). That is an unnecessary assumption that is unjustified
2). This harmonize perfectly with the passages like ; etc
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
II. Irresistible Grace
II. Irresistible Grace
A. Defining “irresistible grace”
A. Defining “irresistible grace”
1). Philadelphia Confession of Faith
“Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, he is pleased in his appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them to that which is good, 26 Spencer, pp. 39-40. tiptoeing through the tulips - Dvorak - ECIC 2016.docx, Page 19 of 27 and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace. This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, nor from any power or agency in the creature, being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit; he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it, and that by no less power than that which raised up Christ from the dead.”
2). The Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended, and Documented
“Thus the once dead sinner is drawn to Christ by the inward supernatural call of the Spirit who through regeneration makes him alive and creates within him faith and repentance. Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, the special inward call of the Spirit never fails to result in the conversion of those to whom it is made. This special call is not made to all sinners but is issued to the elect only! The Spirit is in no way dependent upon their help or cooperation for success in His work of bringing them to Christ. It is for this reason that Calvinists speak of the Spirit’s call and of God’s grace in saving sinners as being ‘efficacious,’ ‘invincible,’ or ‘irresistible.’ For the grace which the Holy Spirit extends to the elect cannot be thwarted or refused, it never fails to bring them to true faith in Christ.”
“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 is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended.”
3) David Spencer
. “Since the living human spirit which is 'born of God' finds the Living God wholly irresistible, just as a dead human spirit finds the god of the dead (Satan) wholly irresistible, the Lord ‘quickens’ (‘makes alive’) all whom He chose in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world. It is the gift of the New Nature which makes us find Jesus Christ absolutely ‘irresistible.’”
B. Refuting Irresistible Grace
B. Refuting Irresistible Grace
1). Faith is produced by the Word of God Not Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit - ,; ;
(NKJV)
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom theyhave not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
(NKJV)
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one,
as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’
(NKJV)
13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who
will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’
2). Irresistible Grace Denies the Power of the Word of God
a). The word is the power of God unto salvation -
(NKJV)
The Just Live by Faith
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
b). In Calvinism the word is useless in conversion - Before the “Effacious call of the Spirit” the sinner
CANNOT turn from his sins. After “The call” the sinner cannot help but be drawn to God.
3). Irresistible Grace Contradicts the Principle of Free Moral Agency
a). Man doesn’t to have a choice if irresistible grace is true.
b). We have seeing our other lessons that man clearly has a choice about serving God.
c).
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
d).
(NKJV)
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
4). Irresistible Grace Changes the Order of Belief and Salvation
a). “A man is not saved because he believes in Christ; he believes in Christ because he is saved.” (Loraine Boettner, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination)
b). This is not the Biblical order of things
1).
(NKJV)
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
2).
(NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
3).
(NKJV)
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
4).
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But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
C. Answering Calvinist Arguments
C. Answering Calvinist Arguments
1).
(NKJV)
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.
a). Calvinist use this verse repeatedly. - “See man cannot come to God unless he draws them to him"
b). Agreed, but how does God draw man to himself
(1). They are taught by God = They hear and learn and then come.
(2). This agrees with what Paul said in
(NKJV)
to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
c) Man cannot reject that word -
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He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
2).
(NKJV)
Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
a). Did God open the heart of Lydia? Absolutely, but how did he do it?
b). Notice that Lydia was able to “listen” or “heard” before her heart as opened
*. F.F. Bruce - “heard- “listened carefully”
c) It is often said that God did something when he did it through an agent -
Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
d). God opens hearts through the word of God
1). Lenski - “The Lord opens the heart, but the hand with which he lifts the latch and draws the door is the word…and the. Door opens when we heed…”
2). The statement does not deny Lydia’s free moral agency
a). Compare to Pharaoh’s heart being hardened
b). God said, “I will Harden Pharaohs’ heart” -
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.
c). “Pharoah’s heart grew hard” -
Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.
d). “He hardened his heart” - ;
But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said.
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants.
e). “The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart” -
But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go.
3). God gives the word, man has a choice to accept or reject, to open or harden,
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.
Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said.
But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said.
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants.
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go.
3). God gives the word, man has a choice to accept or reject, to open or harden,
3).
(NKJV)
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
a). Not difficult verses at all.
b). The carnal mind is one who has his mind set on the flesh
c). It is similar to
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
d). As long as we are living by the flesh we CANNOT submit to God - Not saying that it is impossible for man to change.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
1). These principles are completely unbiblical -
2). Christ died that all might be saved. If it up to them whether to accept it or not.