I have posted on salvation and now I wonder how many people believe that salvation is a continuing struggle by mankind?
If God claims that He adopted the gentiles into His family, and we call Him Father, why do we think that He will reject us if we sin?
God claims that He is not man and doesn't change His mind, how can we think that He made a "mistake" when He adopted us? Why would He change His mind? How can He make an error in judgment? Can He be trusted to be a good Father and not leave nor forsake us?
Calvinism can be summed up in the five points known as T U L I P.
T: This usually stands for "Total depravity:" This means as a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God -- the Fall of Man -- sin has extended to all parts of every person's being: "his thinking, his emotions and his will." God must first decide to intervene in the form of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, the person is lost forever. "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned;" [Rom 8:12]
Death in Adam's sin and life in Christ.U: This stands for "Unconditional Election." This is the concept of predestination: that God has chosen to make Himself known to the chosen. The rest will remain ignorant of God, and the Gospel. [2 Cor 4:3,4] God made this selection before the universe was created, and thus before any humans existed. [Rev 13:8; 17:8] It is not through any good works on the part of the individual. He extends the gift of the Holy Spirit, not knowledge to some in order to find out who will accept salvation and who will not. "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.'" [Rom 9:15] and "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" [Rom 9:21]
If God were not free to show His mercy, no one would be blessed, for no one deserves His grace, and it cannot be earned.L: This stands for "Limited atonement." This is the belief that Jesus did not die to save all humans. He only died for the sins of those predestined for salvation.
There are parallel passages in the Gospels where Jesus declares that His blood was shed for the forgiveness (Gr. aphesis; freedom; (fig.) pardon:--deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission) of sins.
I believe Paul when he wrote "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures" [1 Cor 15:3] and "Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus
Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father [Gal 1:3,4]
I believe that the death of "Christ has
redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us... that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." [Gal 3:13,14] Which law? The law of sin and death! [Rom 8:2] "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" [1 Cor 15:55]
I: This stands for "Irresistible Grace:" This is the belief that every human whom God has elected will inevitably come to a knowledge of God. The elect cannot resist the call. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." [Rom 8:14] also John 6:44, 1 Peter 5:10.
I lean more to John 3:16 with the interpretation by Acts 13:48. "as many as had been
appointed to eternal life believed."
This scripture seems to say that we are incapable of believing without being predestined with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
P: This stands for "Perseverance of the saints:" This is the "Once saved, always saved" belief -- that everyone who has been saved will remain in that state. God will begin and continue a process of sanctification which will continue until they reach heaven. None are lost; it is impossible for them to lose their salvation. ""This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day." [Jn 6:39] also Rom 8:28-39, Phil 1:6.
I believe that Calvin was more into predestination then Once Saved Always Saved.
Arminianism holds to the following tenets:
* Humans are naturally unable to make any effort towards salvation (see also prevenient grace).
* Salvation is possible only by God's grace, which cannot be merited.
* No works of human effort can cause or contribute to salvation.
* God's election is conditional on faith in the sacrifice and Lordship of Jesus Christ.
* Christ's atonement was made on behalf of all people.
* God allows his grace to be resisted by those who freely reject Christ.
* Believers are able to resist sin but are not beyond the possibility of falling from grace through persistent, unrepented-of sin.
(ref: Wikipedia)
While I don't agree with all the above, I do believe in Once Saved, Always Saved for non-scriptural reasons.
First, if you are not saved by God [John 6:44 with John 14:6] then you have salvation by works. [John 6:29]
If you have to do anything to save yourself then Paul lied in Eph 2:8, 9 (My domain is named after v8)
Second, I can't believe that God the Father would adopt us by giving us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee [2 Cor 5:5] and if we sin or disappoint Him He would boot us to the curb. Didn't He say He would never leave us nor forsake us and we need only confess and He is faithful and just to forgive us [1 Jn 1:8] I would expect a human father to do that but even if your earthly father disowned you, you are still his child. Take a DNA test and it will prove that he can never say you aren't his. We are Children of God! Jn 1:12; Rom 8:16, 21; Phil 2:13-15; and probably all of 1 John.
Actually, when I first came to Christ, I never heard the word Calvinist until I mentioned to my friend that it appears we are predestined to salvation. Now I was a Calvinist. I might even be classified hyper-Calvinist in that I think the only thing we need do is believe with faith that Jesus did it all.
Hyper-Calvinists believe that a person has zero responsibility for their own salvation; it is all up to God.
For many are called but few are chosen and Rev 17:14 adds
"faithful" Faith Alone separates us from the called and chosen.
Lose your salvation? Not according to my Bible! Hallelujah!!!!
In His service
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