CLOGHER VALLEY BIBLE CLASS

A STUDY IN THEOLOGY AND DOCTRINE THE REFORMED FAITH A STUDY IN THEOLOGY AND DOCTRINE

TULIP T otal Depravity of Man U nconditional Election L imited Atonement or Particular Redemption I rrestible Grace or Effectual Calling P erseverance of the Saints or Eternal Security

TULIP I RRESISTIBLE GRACE

THE WORK OF THE HOLY GHOST Unlimited Election – the work of the Father Limited Atonement – the work of the Son Irresistible Grace – the work of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit and Salvation “Since the Holy Spirit is one of the three persons in the blessed Trinity, it necessarily follows that he is in full sympathy with the will and design of the other persons in the Godhead. The eternal purpose of the Father in election, the limited design in the death of the Son and the restricted scope of the Spirit’s operations are in perfect accord…The mission of the Holy Spirit in the world today is to apply the benefits of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice.” Arthur Pink, The Sovereignty of God

Other Terms For Irresistible Grace Regeneration Conversion New Birth Effectual Calling Calling

THE TERMINOLOGY Irresistible – The Spirit infuses new life into the sinner without human involvement. The sinner is then able to repent of his sin and embrace Christ. Grace – People are not regenerated because of their own particular qualities; it is an act of grace alone.

The Internal Call Sinners are called to repentance externally by the preaching of the word. This, however, is insufficient without the work of the Spirit (Matthew 20:16). Irresistible grace occurs when the sinner hears the call internally in his heart and conscience; This has been termed, “Effectual Calling.”

The Shorter Catechism Question 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ? Answer. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit. Question 30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased Christ? Answer. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. Question 31. What is effectual calling? Answer. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

The Process of Effectual Calling From John Flavel 1: Conviction of sin - John 16:8 2: Illumination of the mind in the knowledge of Christ - Acts 26:18 3: Renewing and making flexible the will of the sinner - Psalm 110:3 and Ezekiel 36:26

Is It Possible To Be Converted Without This Grace? No; man’s depravity renders him incapable of spiritual thoughts without the direct intervention of God in his heart; John 6:44. Faith is something foreign to the heart of man, 2 Thessalonians 3:2 Man cannot please God in his natural state, Romans 8:8 Therefore the faith which pleases God must originate with God, Hebrews 11:6.

The Holy Spirit Constantly Works In A Sovereign Fashion “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8). As with the wind man has no control over the Spirit. As with the wind man cannot understand nor predict the Spirit. As with the wind the Spirit’s work in the hearts of individuals differ from person to person. As with the wind the results of the Spirit’s power are clearly observable.

The Metaphors For Conversion Suggest A Sovereign Work 1: A birth – John 3:6 The child is not in control of the process. 2: A resurrection – John 5:24 Man is dead spiritually and therefore needs to be resurrected by the power of God.

The Work Of The Spirit Precedes The Actions Of Man In Conversion “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth:” (2Th 2:13) God first of all chooses the sinner in election The spirit then sanctifies or sets apart (irresistible grace) As a result of this the sinner is able to exercise faith

The Work Of The Spirit Precedes The Actions Of Man In Conversion “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (1Pe 1:2) 1: Election is the foundational act. 2: Sanctification or regeneration (as it is in this case) follows. 3: Afterwards the sinner obeys and God justifies or sprinkles the blood upon the soul.

Can The Non Elect Receive The Work Of The Spirit? “This is not to deny that the Spirit does work in a certain sense on those who remain unbelievers and finally perish (Gen 6:3) and men resist his operations (Acts 7:51,52). There is a general work of the Holy Spirit upon those who hear the truth and which in some cases appears to be saving (Matthew 13:5,6,20,21) and yet because of the unremoved enmity of the natural heart this work is ineffectual. And as all men are at enmity against God the Spirit’s work would be ineffectual in all if He did not work in a special and regenerating manner in the elect, enabling them to believe those saving truths which ‘the natural man receiveth not’ (1 Corinthians 2:14) Banner of Truth Trust in a footnote to their edition of Arthur Pink’s “The Sovereignty of God”

FOR NEXT WEEK 1: Consider the significance of the term “The Perseverance of the Saints” 2: Search for references which teach this doctrine. 3: Where does the catechism teach this truth.