Calvinism is a man made philosophy depending on fallible human logic which totally ignores many clear Scriptures, perverts many, and misuses others. Long before John Calvin's time the teaching was presented by the Roman Catholic heretic Augustine. Here are some Scriptures that soundly refute the errors of the Calvinist TULIP:
T = TOTAL INABILITY (Called in Calvinism, Total Depravity, but actually taught as the Total Inability of man to choose Truth. The Calvinist plays many such word games. The Word of God teaches that God created man with the ability to reason, choose, and receive Truth.):
Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
James 1:21: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and RECEIVE with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls."
Isaiah1:18: "Come now, and let us REASON together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may live."
Joshua 24:15: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, CHOOSE you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Psalm 119:30, 111, 173: "I have CHOSEN The Way of Truth: Thy Judgments have I laid before me....Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for They are the rejoicing of my heart....Let Thine hand help me; for I have chosen Thy Precepts."
John 1:12: "But as many as RECEIVED him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that Believe on his Name."
2 Timothy 1:12: "...I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have COMMITTED unto him against that day."
U = UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION (Calvinism teaches that God selects those who are to be saved without any condition, but the Bible teaches that there is one condition to salvation: FAITH.):
1 Peter 1:2: "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..."
2 Thessalonians 2:13: "...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth."
Luke 7:50: "... Thy faith hath saved thee ..."
Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
L = LIMITED ATONEMENT (Calvinism teaches that Christ died only for the elect, but the Bible teaches that He died for all mankind. The reason not all are saved is because they failed to repent and receive the Saviour, not because He didn't provide for their salvation.):
Isaiah 53:6: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us ALL."
1 Timothy 4:10: "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of ALL MEN, specially of those that believe."
1 John 2:2: "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of THE WHOLE WORLD."
Hebrews 2:9: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for EVERY MAN."
1 Timothy 2:4: "Who will have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth."
I = IRRESISTIBLE GRACE (Calvinism teaches that God's grace for salvation cannot be resisted, but the Word of God says it can be resisted):
Lamentations 3:35-36: "To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High, To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not."
Matthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and YE WOULD NOT!"
John 5:39-40: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And YE WILL NOT come to me, that ye might have life."
Acts 7:51: "Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always RESIST the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye."
Proverbs 1:24-26: "Because I have called, and YE REFUSED; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh."
Proverbs 29:1: "He, that being often reproved HARDENETH HIS NECK, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
P = PERSEVERANCE (The Bible teaches preservation of the saints; not perseverance of the saints):
Jude 1: "... to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and PRESERVED in Jesus Christ..."
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit and soul, and body be PRESERVED blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. "
John 10:27-29: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand."
Colossians 3:3-4: "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."
Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
CONCLUSION:
Calvinism clearly errs from the teaching of the Word of God on all 5 points of it's TULIP. The logical conclusion of Calvinism is that God is an unfair respecter of persons who chooses people to salvation, not according to any standard that He established, but arbitrarily. This strikes at the love and justice of God, contradicts the fact that Christ gave his life for ALL, and rejects man's responsibility to choose and love his Creator.
Proverbs 24:23: "... It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment."
Acts 10:34-35: "... Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him."
John 6:28-29: "... What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? ... This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.
Ephesians 2:8: "For by Grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
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So you still have not answered the question on how you know you are elect. You are basing all your conversations on a hope so it could be that you are not elect at all and you are the one who is wrong.
You hang all of your "hope" on something that YOU did in response to hearing a FALSE gospel. The "gospel" that you espouse takes a VERY low view of God's sovereignty, renders Christ's atonement ineffectual, and the Holy Spirit totally powerless. Then, you continue to browbeat :boxing: (in typical schoolyard bully fashion) those here who have continuously promoted the TRUE gospel, sound doctrine, and right reason. By contrast to your view, the reformed faith offers a HIGH view of God's Sovereignty, an effectual atonement by Christ for his people, and a Holy Spirit with power to regenerate the lost and dead sinner.
Hmm.... I dunno. :laugh: But, I think I am just gonna have to pass on that "hope" that you are peddling Teach. It reminds me a lot of that "hope and change" that someone else was selling back in 2008 and we all know where that led. :ROFL:
One of the many problems with the Calvinistic Tulip is that of emphasis. Most Calvinists talk of the perseverance of the saints and never talk about the many eternal rewards a saint can **EARN** rather than the good works are all predestined for the glory of God.
2 Peter 1:5-11: Make every effort to add to you faith {A FREE GIFT} goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and **LOVE**. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective...and will make your calling and election sure...and you will receive a *RICH WELCOME* into our Eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ!
By saying REWARDS are not *EARNED* by the saints contradicts over 50 passages from the inspired Words of God and removes one of the most important incentives for obeying all of the NT commands with love with the hope countless eternal *REWARDS* for faithful and loving service!!
Daniel 12:3: Those who impart wisdom {NIV} will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness. like the stars for ever and ever!
Revelation 2:18; 3:21: Jesus says, "To him who overcomes I will give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it....And I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Jesus says, "At the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne...Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive 100 times as much !!" Matthew 19:28,29
SALVATION IS 100% FREE BUT HEAVENLY REWARDS ARE 100% EARNED:
Hebrews 11:1,6: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see....And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He **REWARDS** those who earnestly seek Him!!
Ephesians 6:8: Serve wholeheartedly , as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will **REWARD** everyone for what ever good he does!.
Revelation 22:12 Jesus says, �Behold I am coming soon! My **REWARD** is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done!�
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, �The Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels and THEN He will **REWARD** each person according to what he has done!�
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: We make it our goal to please Him... for we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15: His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives , he will receive his **REWARD**. If it is burned up he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Colossians 3:23-25: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, siince you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a **REWARD**. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
How to Win Heavenly CROWNS:
I Corinthians 9:24-27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes in to strict training. They do it to get a **CROWN that will not last; but we do it to get a **CROWN THAT WILL LAST FOREVER! Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly. I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize!
2 John 1:8: Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be **REWARDED** fully!. Revelation 3:11: Jesus says, �I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your **CROWN!�
2 Timothy 4:7,8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the **CROWN of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,will award to me on that day�and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing!
The **CROWN of Life for those who persevere under trials and persecution:
James 1:12: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the **CROWN OF LIFE that God has promised to those who **LOVE** Him!
Revelation 2:10 Jesus says, �Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the **CROWN OF LIFE!�
Matthew 5:11,12: Jesus says, �Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, beacuase great is your **REWARD** in heaven!�
Hebrews 10:32-36: Remember those earlier days after you had received the Light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of sufferin. Sometimes you were publicaly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly **REWARDED**. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you receive what He has promised!
"One of the many problems with the Calvinistic Tulip is that of emphasis. Most Calvinists talk of the perseverance of the saints and never talk about the many eternal rewards a saint can **EARN** rather than the good works are all predestined for the glory of God." :devil::devil::devil::devil::devil::devil:
Yeah, b/c you know putting "emphasis" on earning some "heavenly rewards" is so much more necessary than putting an emphasis on the doctrines of PREDESTINATION and PERSEVERANCE of the saints. :laugh: Got it!! Ours is DEFINITELY a "problem" of EMPHASIZING PRIMARY doctrines over SECONDARY and TERTIARY doctrines. That's for sure. :laugh:
WHY boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.Thy tongue DEVISETH MISCHIEFS; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou LOVEST EVIL more than good; and LYING rather than to SPEAK RIGHTEOUSNESS. Selah.
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou DECEITFUL tongue.
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall LAUGH at him: :laugh:
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
IWA calls the eternal REWARDS for God's saints a SECONDARY or TERTIARY doctine. But one of the main reasons that God's saints do good works with God's help is to **EARN** the many eternal REWARDS promised to those who work hard to earn many eternal rewards for faithful and loving service and to let their lights shine for the glory of God in a wicked and evil world.
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, �The Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels and THEN He will **REWARD** each person according to what he has done!�
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: We make it our goal to please Him... for we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15: His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives , he will receive his **REWARD**. If it is burned up he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Colossians 3:23-25: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, siince you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a **REWARD**. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
Daniel 12:3: Those who impart wisdom {NIV} will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness. like the stars for ever and ever!
Revelation 2:18; 3:21: Jesus says, "To him who overcomes I will give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it....And I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Jesus says, "At the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne...Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive 100 times as much !!" Matthew 19:28,29
The GOSPEL is PRIMARY. You will not enter the kingdom of heaven without it. I am MUCH more concerned with that then a tertiary doctrine of "obtaining more crowns" when I get there. It's a Calvinist "problem", I am sure. :laugh:
