Calvinism’s Terrible Tulip

“A man is not saved because he believes in Christ; he believes in Christ because he is saved” ( L. Boettner; The Reformed Doctrine Of Predestination ).

“ This effectual call is of God’s free & special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened & renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, & to embrace the grace offered & conveyed in it” ( Presbyterian Confession of Faith ).

“ …when God undertakes to save a person by his grace or unmerited favor, that grace is invincible. Even in making every effort, a person could not refuse it. Therefore no credit should be due for accepting it” ( Presbyterians, Their History & Beliefs by Walter Lingle ).

“ Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, & 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 & 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” ( The Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended, Documented by David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas ).

The apostles did receive a direct operation of the Holy Spirit; a baptism (Acts 1:5; 2:1-4). –A promise not a command (Acts 1:4, 8; 2:14). –To qualify witnesses (John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13). –Instruments of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). The apostles did receive a direct operation of the Holy Spirit; a baptism (Acts 1:5; 2:1-4). –A promise not a command (Acts 1:4, 8; 2:14). –To qualify witnesses (John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13). –Instruments of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8).

John 12:32 – And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. John 6:44 – No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; & I will raise him up at the last day. John 12:32 – And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. John 6:44 – No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; & I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:45 – It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard & learned from the Father comes to Me.

1 Cor 1:18-21 – For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

John 20:30-31 – And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, & that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31 – And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, & that believing you may have life in His name.

Can It Be Resisted By The Elect? Acts 7:51 –Stephen rebuked his fellow Jews for rejecting the gospel by saying, “You always resist the H.S.; as your fathers did, so do you.” –Isa 45:4 – The “fathers” WERE among God’s “elect”. Can It Be Resisted By The Elect? Acts 7:51 –Stephen rebuked his fellow Jews for rejecting the gospel by saying, “You always resist the H.S.; as your fathers did, so do you.” –Isa 45:4 – The “fathers” WERE among God’s “elect”.

The Holy Spirit is not The Word of God: –Eph 6:17 – The Word of God is the Spirit’s Sword –John 16:8 – The H.S. works with the revealed (written) Word of God to accomplish His work. Like a carpenter works with a saw & hammer, & a painter with paint & brush. The Holy Spirit is not The Word of God: –Eph 6:17 – The Word of God is the Spirit’s Sword –John 16:8 – The H.S. works with the revealed (written) Word of God to accomplish His work. Like a carpenter works with a saw & hammer, & a painter with paint & brush.

Convicts: –John 16:8 – And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, & of righteousness, & of judgment: –Titus 1:9 – holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort & convict those who contradict. Convicts: –John 16:8 – And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, & of righteousness, & of judgment: –Titus 1:9 – holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort & convict those who contradict.

Teaches: –1 Cor 2:13 – These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. –2 Tim 3:16 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, & is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, Teaches: –1 Cor 2:13 – These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. –2 Tim 3:16 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, & is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Comforts: –Acts 9:31 – Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, & Samaria had peace & were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord & in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. –Psa 119:50 – This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. 1 Thess 4:18 – Therefore comfort one another with these words. Comforts: –Acts 9:31 – Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, & Samaria had peace & were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord & in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. –Psa 119:50 – This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. 1 Thess 4:18 – Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Purifies / Cleanses: –1 Pet 1:22 – Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, –John 15:3 – You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Purifies / Cleanses: –1 Pet 1:22 – Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, –John 15:3 – You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Generates New Birth: –John 3:5 – Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water & the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. –1 Pet 1:23 – having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives & abides forever, Generates New Birth: –John 3:5 – Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water & the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. –1 Pet 1:23 – having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives & abides forever,

Exerts Power: –Rom 15:13 – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy & peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. –Rom1:16 – 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 & also for the Greek. Exerts Power: –Rom 15:13 – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy & peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. –Rom1:16 – 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 & also for the Greek.

Saves: –Titus 3:5 – not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration & renewing of the Holy Spirit, –Jas 1:21 – Therefore lay aside all filthiness & overflow of wickedness, & receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls Saves: –Titus 3:5 – not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration & renewing of the Holy Spirit, –Jas 1:21 – Therefore lay aside all filthiness & overflow of wickedness, & receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls

Sanctifies: –1 Peter 1:2 – elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience & sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you & peace be multiplied. –John 17:17 – Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. Sanctifies: –1 Peter 1:2 – elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience & sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you & peace be multiplied. –John 17:17 – Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

To be filled with One is to possess the Other: –Eph 5:18 – …but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, singing & making melody in your heart to the Lord, –Col 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching & admonishing one another in psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. To be filled with One is to possess the Other: –Eph 5:18 – …but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, singing & making melody in your heart to the Lord, –Col 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching & admonishing one another in psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Makes God responsible for the lost. Denies God’s gift of free moral agency (Titus 2:11; John 12:47-48). –We are personally accountable to His word. Mistakenly portrays how sinners are called to salvation (2 Thess 2:14; Rom 10:14). –We are called by the preaching of the gospel. Changes God’s plan of salvation (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31; Heb 11:6). –Belief comes before salvation. Makes God responsible for the lost. Denies God’s gift of free moral agency (Titus 2:11; John 12:47-48). –We are personally accountable to His word. Mistakenly portrays how sinners are called to salvation (2 Thess 2:14; Rom 10:14). –We are called by the preaching of the gospel. Changes God’s plan of salvation (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31; Heb 11:6). –Belief comes before salvation.