I will start this blog post by explaining why I hold to the Doctrines of Grace. I simply hold to them because I read the concept and teaching of the Doctrines of Grace that I read in the Holy Scriptures-The Bible.
The Doctrines of Grace are commonly called the 5 Points of Calvinism. They are represented by the acronym T.U.L.I.P.
- T-Total Depravity, mankind is conceived and born into sin. Just as it is written in Psalm 51:5(ESV)-Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. It is also written in Romans 5:12-14(ESV)-Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned- for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
- U-Unconditional Election,this simply means God’s choice of his Elect/true Christians or true followers. As it is written in Romans 9:9-26(ESV)-9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad-in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls-12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory-24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.'” 26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.'”
- L-Limited Atonement, Jesus Christ died for only the Elect. Therefore he didn’t die for the sins of every single person who has ever lived. As it is written in Matthew 26:27-28(ESV) 27And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Isaiah 53:12(ESV)-Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. John 10:11,14;15(ESV)-I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
- I-Irresistible Grace, we cannot resist God and his grace when the Father gives us to the Son. As it is written in John 6:37-40(ESV)37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
- P-Perseverance of the Saints, the saints persevere because the Spirit helps us in our weakness.In the midst of the Spirit helping us we therefore persevere in our Faith in Jesus Christ . As it is written in Romans 8:26-30(ESV) 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
I Am A Calvinist 