Last time we gave a brief overview of the differences between the Arminian Remonstrance and the Five Points of Calvinism. Because the Calvinistic view was established first among the Reformed, but was objected to by the Arminians, and because our church is Calvinistic, I will provide a little more explanation on each of the Five Points of Calvinism. I will call them not by the more traditional terms (in parentheses), but by terms that are more accurately descriptive;
1. Pervasive Evil (Total Depravity) All men are born sinners, and therefore under condemnation. This does not mean men are as sinful as they could be, but rather that a) all mankind is sinful, and b) every area of every individual’s being has been adversely affected by sin. All men are sinners, and therefore are sinful. The sinful state of the lost is described in Ephesians 2:1-5 as being dead in sin unless God makes a spiritually dead person alive in Christ (Regeneration). (Is. 64:6; Ps. 14:1-3; Rom. 3:10-23)
This refutes the Arminian error that no one is so lost that he cannot believe savingly by an act of his will.
2. Sovereign Election (Unconditional Election) Those who are elected by God to be saved were not chosen on the basis of any personal merit, but by God’s sovereign will. (Acts 13:48)
This refutes the Arminian error that God merely knows who will believe in Christ by an act of his will, and “elects” people to salvation based on their will to be saved and action of believing.
3. Particular Redemption (Limited Atonement) Christ came to save those God elected to salvation. All of the elect will be saved, and only the elect will be saved. This is not a limitation on the power of Christ’s atonement, but on the purpose—which is to save the elect. (Jn. 6:39-44; 10:26-28)
This refutes both universalism and the Arminian error that salvation is dependent on the choice of unregenerate people.
4. Effectual Calling (Irresistible Grace) The sinful nature of the elect is not greater than the grace of God. Those whom God has chosen to save will be saved. Those who die resisting God’s grace were not elect to salvation. God does not save the elect against their wills, rather He graciously overcomes their resistance, giving them the desire and ability to trust in and lovingly follow Christ. This does not mean human beings are not responsible to trust in and follow Christ. But left to ourselves, no one would ever do so except by God’s grace. (Jn. 6:39-44, 10:26-28; Acts 13:48)
This refutes the Arminian error that salvation is left to the choice of unregenerate men.
5. Faithfulness Of God (Perseverance of the Saints) Those who are truly saved will persevere to the end—none of them will fall away—because God is faithful to keep those whom He has saved. This is due to His faithfulness, not ours! 1 John 2:19, clearly states that those who fall away were never saved in the first place. (Jn. 6:40, 10:27-28; 1 Jn. 2:19)
This refutes the Arminian error that saved people can fall away from saving grace either due to sin, or by rejecting the faith they once claimed to have.