Recently, I decided to research into what the five points of Calvinism are, and whether I agree with them.
From what I understand, the simple version of these five points is as follows:
1. All mankind is born into sin, and is incapable under their own power of coming to Salvation.
2. Those who will accept Jesus' sacrifice and thus become saved have been predestined since before the beginning.
3. When Jesus died on the cross, He only died for those that are predestined to Salvation.
4. The Christian comes to saving faith through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and not by their own power.
5. Once a Believer, there is nothing that can remove one's Salvation. It is permanent.
Point one is definitely scriptural.
Rom 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;(NAS)
The Bible makes it very clear that we are all sinners and all incapable of working towards salvation on our own. The second half of this first point is so closely linked to the 4th that I'll hold off for now.
Point two is also backed by scripture.
John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.(NAS)
Eph 1:4-6
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.(NAS)
I believe point three, however, is not scriptural.
I believe that because of a verse that just about everyone knows:
John 3:15-16
15 that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life.16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.(NAS)
Point four is also scriptural.
Rom 8:30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.(NAS)
Finally, point five is, yes, scriptural.
Eph 1:13-14
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of {God's own} possession, to the praise of His glory.(NAS)
I guess that makes me a 4-point Calvinist. And now I know. Although I'd prefer to be known as a "Christian," or a "follower of Christ," or best of all, a "man after God's own heart." I think that's the goal. Follow Christ and pursue a life that is pleasing to God. Nothing else really matters.
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