“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 Jn. 4:1 Test, examine, prove

John Calvin Switzerland  Great Talent  Good memory  Good thinker  Influenced many

T otal Hereditary Depravity U nconditional Election L imited Atonement I rresistible Grace P erseverance of the Saints

All conceived in sin Born children of wrath Inherit sins back to Adam Some elected to be saved Some elected to be lost God chooses who will be saved / lost Jesus died only for the elect to be saved God’s saving grace cannot be resisted Once saved always saved

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 Jn. 4:1 Test, examine, prove

 Adam not corrupted at creation Luke 3:38 “which was the son of God”  Children are pure Matt.18:3 “become as little children”  Judged by our own actions Rom.2:6 “every man according to his deeds:”  Sin cannot be transmitted Ezekiel 18:1-20 “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” “the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father”

 Conditions for salvation Rev. 3:20 “If any man hear my voice and open”  All given a chance 1 Tim.2:4 “Who will have all men to be saved”  Great Commission - Go Matt. 28:19-20 Mark 16:15-16 Why preach ? No need for predestined to be saved Useless for predestined to be lost

God’s Predestination - Rom. 8: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

God’s Predestination - Rom. 8:28-30 Certain characteristics that God approves Matt. 5:6 “hunger and thirst after righteousness” Jn. 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Bible does not teach Calvinistic Predestination ! God has not decided ahead of time who will be saved / lost Free moral agents = accept or reject

Questions for the Calvinists to consider How does God desire all to be saved, if he chose some to be lost ?? Why go preach if every person cannot be saved ? How can we be accountable for what God foreordained? Is God a respecter of persons if he chose some to be saved and some to be lost?

 Jesus died for all men Luke 19:10 “seek and to save that which was lost” Heb. 2:9 “taste death for every man 2 Cor. 5:15 “And that he died for all”  His blood can wash away sins of all 1 Jn. 2:2 “for the sins of the whole world” Jn.1:29 “taketh away the sin of the world” Jn.3:16 “have everlasting life” 2 Pet. 3:9 “not willing that any should perish”

 Invitation is for all Rev. 22:17 “whosoever will” Mark 16:15-16 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Does not mean all men will be saved !

Elect are forced to be saved Tit. 2:11-12 God’s grace brings salvation to all men God’s grace can be resisted Acts 7:51 “ye do always resist the Holy Spirit” 2 Tim.3:8 “so do these also resist the truth” Jn. 1:12 “But as many as received him,…”

Elect are forced to be saved If true then man is just a robot – machine Programmed to act No choices

Impossibility of apostasy – once saved always saved 2 Pet.1:5-11 “If ye do these things, ye shall never fall” 2 Pet.2:20-22 “entangled again” 1 Tim.1:19-20 “shipwreck” of their faith 2 Tim. 2:16-18 – erred from the truth 1 Tim.4:1-4 “depart from the faith” Hymenaeus Alexander Hymenaeus Philetus

Impossibility of apostasy – once saved always saved 19. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20. Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

If Adam and Eve were predestined to sin they had no choice, therefore God is responsible for sin. God would be a respecter of persons. Rm.2:11 Wicked will not suffer for their sins but because God chose them to be lost. Cannot pray for salvation of sinners ! Why preach the Gospel?

T otal Hereditary Depravity U nconditional Election L imited Atonement I rresistible Grace P erseverance of the Saints

Total depravity Unconditional election Limited atonement Irresistible grace Perseverance of the saints

Total innocence Unconditional election Limited atonement Irresistible grace Perseverance of the saints

Total innocence Restricted election Limited atonement Irresistible grace Perseverance of the saints

Total innocence Restricted election Universal atonement Irresistible grace Perseverance of the saints

Total innocence Restricted election Universal atonement Thwarted grace Perseverance of the saints

Total innocence Restricted election Universal atonement Thwarted grace Holiness lost

Total innocence Restricted election Universal atonement Thwarted grace Holiness lost

Lost / saved because of deeds done in the Body II Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Each is responsible for his own sins. Romans 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Will be judged based upon our:  Obedience to God  Rejection of God

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning January 18, 2015