Many people today in the bodies of man made denominational religion have been swept up into the theology of Calvinism. John Calvin taught that only certain people were picked by God to receive salvation ( election ) and the result has been it creates a lax attitude towards repenting of sin, evangelism is now questioned and personal daily holiness in ones life seems less important as we are not responsible for anything. I admit this topic is very complex but I will address it quickly at one of its core issues and I will post some scripture to guide us.
First, let me say that my every heart beat and very breath are alone to God's glory so in truth... GOD GETS THE GLORY FOR EVERYTHING IN ALL THINGS! I take no claim in my own salvation as it is all done at the CROSS by my Lord.
Many Calvinist teachers will say that "you are unable to repent of your own will" and their own testimonies lack any evidence or details of them actually understanding and seeing the facts and details of their very sinful state then turning their minds from it in obedience to God's Word. This would make you a robot and a slave to God and if that was His aim.... why is sin allowed to rule today? (Most will tell you correctly because man has a choice or free will.)
Example: if you were a drunk but kept drinking and you didn't even realize your in a sinful drunken state then one day God just moves and you were born again on the spot without you even understanding it all? This is not what God's Word shows us. Even the Apostle Paul who was visited by Christ Himself knew that he was in sin, a murderer and had to turn and change for God's glory.
While God and the Holy spirit are indeed involved in our salvation, just how are they involved?
Romans 2 says "God's goodness leads us to repentance."
John 16:8 says "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment"
Remember we must use scripture to tell us what scripture means. God's grace, goodness and His conviction by the Holy spirit will led us to repentance and then salvation.
Many have told us they didn't even know what going on as God was saving them at the time? This would be like infant baptism for salvation, would it not? How is this accountable behavior in the life of a FOLLOWER ( verb ) of Christ who could be judged and is accountable to a Holy God?
If we read Acts 2 where the church was first started, clearly we can see the men reacting to Peter's preaching and being convicted they said in verses 37-38 "Men and brethren, what shall we do"?? Peter tells them to repent and be baptized.
Clearly these men knew exactly what they must do turn from their sin ( repent ) and come to the Lord in obedience. They knew just what was happening indeed! It was their will at work.
A great weakness of Calvinism is that it does not consider ALL of God's word but defies it by picking and choosing verses rather than embracing all of God's word.
Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 "we live by every word out of the mouth of God"
Still many Calvinists tell us that only God can grant you repentance even as your repenting. They base this on these scriptures:
Acts 5:30-31 "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
*We see that this verse above clearly says He has granted repentance to Israel. (No where does it mean He had to then grant EACH person special repentance power and some would not be given it.)
Acts 11:17 "If God therefore gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" And when they heard this, they quieted down, and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."
* Again this verse above clearly states that God HAS already far in the past allowed the Gentiles (you and me) to come through Christ (in repentance and salvation) so no special individual granting needed nor rejecting of some.
Grant= the Greek root word "didomee" which means to deliver, give, bestow
God has delivered, given and bestowed on us ALL the ability to come and repent.
Many will use this verse below and they stand hard on it:
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
While this verse "may appear" to say God may withhold salvation to some, if we continue and read ALL of scripture this is clearly NOT the case is it? (As scripture can't contradict scripture can it?)
Go to 1 Timothy 2:4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 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.
* So if we use ALL of God's Word to interpret itself, we see He wants ALL to be saved. Does this sound like limited election to you? No, not at all.
These verses below mention repentance but they do not say God must first grant it special in each persons case does it?
Acts 26:19-20 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Jesus said in Luke 15 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Note: The ability to repent is already given to the Jews and the Gentiles as taught in the word long ago. It is the gift of God that any man can come to God though Jesus Christ in faith and repentance.
This portion of scripture below takes Calvin's ideals and really blows them away (Paul on Mars Hill)
Acts 17
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
* In the above verses Paul is saying God is there for everyone of us ( including those pagans ) and He commands EVERYONE to repent.
As stated above, the verses below show us that God's goodness leads us to repent and those who did not repent store up wrath which He will render each according to their deeds. Clearly this also destroys Calvinism.
Romans 2 says it is Gods goodness that leads us to repentance and we are responsible for the unrepentive heart we have. "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath"
So how can God require something of man for salvation (repentance) when Calvinists say He alone can do it for them?
It seems clear that if a person reads all of scripture, we do not see how they can rest in Calvinism doctrine as it is often taught or stated (election) at all? The poor fruit of such a theology that we have seen is for people to be very lax on sin in their life. It indeed appears to give men an excuse to be in sin, not to live holy or be obedient to God's FULL Word and no where does He EVER teach us that in all of Holy scripture. So don't pick and choose your theology by sorting verses but cling to ALL of God's Word and then you will be fully rooted in truth unto eternal life to come.
To be clear... A man is indeed called to salvation by God alone as the Holy Spirit convicts.
No one can come to God unless He is drawn by the Spirit.
Then God in His grace and mercy has already granted us (Jews and Gentiles) the ability to turn and repent to His Son and His ways and receive eternal life. This is not in any works based way but in and through the glory of the cross of Christ ALONE. It is Him that marked the accounts of those who will come .... paid in FULL! Glory to Our King and Savior!
As you know we warn against following man's ways, and Calvinism is just another man made doctrine to repent of and avoid for God's glory. Walk in spirit and truth alone. (John 4:24)
Lastly, did you know that Calvin was a murderous man who sent a man to a death by fire only because he opposed Calvin's theology? (See Michael Serveetus)
Here is Calvin's quote on that murder:
"Honour, glory, and riches shall be the reward of your pains; but above all, do not fail to rid the country of those scoundrels, who stir up the people to revolt against us. Such monsters should be exterminated, as I have exterminated Michael Servetus the Spaniard."
And I am ashamed to tell you that often Calvinists know this (we tell them) and they won't dispute it but they follow man's false ways just the same! Please don't be one of them.
Repent and believe the gospel!
Luke 13:3
Repent or you all will likewise perish
First, let me say that my every heart beat and very breath are alone to God's glory so in truth... GOD GETS THE GLORY FOR EVERYTHING IN ALL THINGS! I take no claim in my own salvation as it is all done at the CROSS by my Lord.
Many Calvinist teachers will say that "you are unable to repent of your own will" and their own testimonies lack any evidence or details of them actually understanding and seeing the facts and details of their very sinful state then turning their minds from it in obedience to God's Word. This would make you a robot and a slave to God and if that was His aim.... why is sin allowed to rule today? (Most will tell you correctly because man has a choice or free will.)
Example: if you were a drunk but kept drinking and you didn't even realize your in a sinful drunken state then one day God just moves and you were born again on the spot without you even understanding it all? This is not what God's Word shows us. Even the Apostle Paul who was visited by Christ Himself knew that he was in sin, a murderer and had to turn and change for God's glory.
While God and the Holy spirit are indeed involved in our salvation, just how are they involved?
Romans 2 says "God's goodness leads us to repentance."
John 16:8 says "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment"
Remember we must use scripture to tell us what scripture means. God's grace, goodness and His conviction by the Holy spirit will led us to repentance and then salvation.
Many have told us they didn't even know what going on as God was saving them at the time? This would be like infant baptism for salvation, would it not? How is this accountable behavior in the life of a FOLLOWER ( verb ) of Christ who could be judged and is accountable to a Holy God?
If we read Acts 2 where the church was first started, clearly we can see the men reacting to Peter's preaching and being convicted they said in verses 37-38 "Men and brethren, what shall we do"?? Peter tells them to repent and be baptized.
Clearly these men knew exactly what they must do turn from their sin ( repent ) and come to the Lord in obedience. They knew just what was happening indeed! It was their will at work.
A great weakness of Calvinism is that it does not consider ALL of God's word but defies it by picking and choosing verses rather than embracing all of God's word.
Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 "we live by every word out of the mouth of God"
Still many Calvinists tell us that only God can grant you repentance even as your repenting. They base this on these scriptures:
Acts 5:30-31 "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
*We see that this verse above clearly says He has granted repentance to Israel. (No where does it mean He had to then grant EACH person special repentance power and some would not be given it.)
Acts 11:17 "If God therefore gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" And when they heard this, they quieted down, and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."
* Again this verse above clearly states that God HAS already far in the past allowed the Gentiles (you and me) to come through Christ (in repentance and salvation) so no special individual granting needed nor rejecting of some.
Grant= the Greek root word "didomee" which means to deliver, give, bestow
God has delivered, given and bestowed on us ALL the ability to come and repent.
Many will use this verse below and they stand hard on it:
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
While this verse "may appear" to say God may withhold salvation to some, if we continue and read ALL of scripture this is clearly NOT the case is it? (As scripture can't contradict scripture can it?)
Go to 1 Timothy 2:4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 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.
* So if we use ALL of God's Word to interpret itself, we see He wants ALL to be saved. Does this sound like limited election to you? No, not at all.
These verses below mention repentance but they do not say God must first grant it special in each persons case does it?
Acts 26:19-20 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Jesus said in Luke 15 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Note: The ability to repent is already given to the Jews and the Gentiles as taught in the word long ago. It is the gift of God that any man can come to God though Jesus Christ in faith and repentance.
This portion of scripture below takes Calvin's ideals and really blows them away (Paul on Mars Hill)
Acts 17
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
* In the above verses Paul is saying God is there for everyone of us ( including those pagans ) and He commands EVERYONE to repent.
As stated above, the verses below show us that God's goodness leads us to repent and those who did not repent store up wrath which He will render each according to their deeds. Clearly this also destroys Calvinism.
Romans 2 says it is Gods goodness that leads us to repentance and we are responsible for the unrepentive heart we have. "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath"
So how can God require something of man for salvation (repentance) when Calvinists say He alone can do it for them?
It seems clear that if a person reads all of scripture, we do not see how they can rest in Calvinism doctrine as it is often taught or stated (election) at all? The poor fruit of such a theology that we have seen is for people to be very lax on sin in their life. It indeed appears to give men an excuse to be in sin, not to live holy or be obedient to God's FULL Word and no where does He EVER teach us that in all of Holy scripture. So don't pick and choose your theology by sorting verses but cling to ALL of God's Word and then you will be fully rooted in truth unto eternal life to come.
To be clear... A man is indeed called to salvation by God alone as the Holy Spirit convicts.
No one can come to God unless He is drawn by the Spirit.
Then God in His grace and mercy has already granted us (Jews and Gentiles) the ability to turn and repent to His Son and His ways and receive eternal life. This is not in any works based way but in and through the glory of the cross of Christ ALONE. It is Him that marked the accounts of those who will come .... paid in FULL! Glory to Our King and Savior!
As you know we warn against following man's ways, and Calvinism is just another man made doctrine to repent of and avoid for God's glory. Walk in spirit and truth alone. (John 4:24)
Lastly, did you know that Calvin was a murderous man who sent a man to a death by fire only because he opposed Calvin's theology? (See Michael Serveetus)
Here is Calvin's quote on that murder:
"Honour, glory, and riches shall be the reward of your pains; but above all, do not fail to rid the country of those scoundrels, who stir up the people to revolt against us. Such monsters should be exterminated, as I have exterminated Michael Servetus the Spaniard."
And I am ashamed to tell you that often Calvinists know this (we tell them) and they won't dispute it but they follow man's false ways just the same! Please don't be one of them.
Repent and believe the gospel!
Luke 13:3
Repent or you all will likewise perish