Answer: The five points of Calvinism can be summarized by the acronym TULIP. T stands for total depravity, U for unconditional election, L for limited atonement, I for irresistible grace, and P for perseverance of the saints. Here are the definitions and Scripture references Calvinists use to defend their beliefs:
Total Depravity - As a result of Adam�s fall, the entire human race is affected; all humanity is dead in trespasses and sins. Man is unable to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).
Unconditional Election - Because man is dead in sin, he is unable to initiate a response to God; therefore, in eternity past God elected certain people to salvation. Election and predestination are unconditional; they are not based on man�s response (Romans 8:29-30;9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6, 11-12) because man is unable to respond, nor does he want to.
Limited Atonement - Because God determined that certain ones should be saved as a result of God�s unconditional election, He determined that Christ should die for the elect alone. All whom God has elected and for whom Christ died will be saved (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25).
Irresistible Grace - Those whom God elected He draws to Himself through irresistible grace. God makes man willing to come to Him. When God calls, man responds (John 6:37, 44; 10:16).
Perseverance of the Saints - The precise ones God has elected and drawn to Himself through the Holy Spirit will persevere in faith. None whom God has elected will be lost; they are eternally secure (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).
While all these doctrines have a biblical basis, many people reject all or some of them. So-called �four-point Calvinists� accept Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints as biblical doctrines. Man is definitely sinful and incapable of believing in God on his own. God elects people based on His will alone � election is not based on any merit in the person chosen. All those whom God has chosen will come to faith. All those who are truly born-again will persevere in their faith. As for Limited Atonement, however, four-point Calvinists believe that atonement in unlimited, arguing that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just for the sins of the elect. �And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world� (1 John 2:2). Other verses in opposition to limited atonement are John 1:29; 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:6; and 2 Peter 2:1.
The five-point Calvinists, however, see problems with four-point Calvinism. First, they argue, if Total Depravity is true, then Unlimited Atonement cannot possibly be true because, if Jesus died for the sins of every person, then whether or not His death is applicable to an individual depends on whether or not that person �accepts� Christ. But as we have seen from the above description of Total Depravity, man in his natural state has no capacity whatsoever to choose God, nor does he want to. In addition, if Unlimited Atonement is true, then hell is full of people for whom Christ died. He shed His blood in vain for them. To the five-point Calvinist, this is unthinkable. Please note: this article is only a brief summary of the five points of Calvinism. For a more in in-depth look, please visit the following pages: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints.
Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and Chosen But Free, revised edition: A Balanced View of God's Sovereignty and Free Will by Norm Geisler and The Potter's Freedom by James White.
Luke 13:22�And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.�
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:�
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.�
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.�
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.�
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.�
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.�
Luke 19:1�And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.�
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.�
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.�
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him:for he was to pass that way.�
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.�
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.�
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.�
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.�
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.�
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
John 1:41�He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
**** obviously they were seeking the Messiah...based on the teachings
John 8:21�Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins:whither I go, ye cannot come.�
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above:ye are of this world; I am not of this world.�
24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins:for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou?�And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.�
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you:but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.�
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.�
28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29 And he that sent me is with me:the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.�
Romans 10:14�How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?�
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!�
1 6 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?�
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Revelation 3:20�Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
I am just taking your first scripture text you pull out of context to try so hard to prove your false teaching off free will.
Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he [Jesus] went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also:for therefore came I forth.
39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. .
v. 37. They told him that he was much wanted, that there were a great many patients waiting for him; All men seek for thee. They were proud that their Master was become so popular already, and would have him appear in public, yet more in that place, because it was their own city; and we are apt to be partial to the places we know and are interested in. "No,�� saith Christ, "Capernaum must not have the monopoly of the Messiah�s preaching and miracles. Let us go into the next towns, the villages that lie about here, that I may preach there also, and work miracles there, for therefore came I forth, not to be constantly resident in one place, but to go about doing good.�� Even the inhabitants of the villages in Israel shall rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, Jdg. 5:11
This passage has nothing to do with your ability to choose God before he changed your heart through the work of the Holy Spirit. This passage actually has nothing to do with salvation.
"37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee"
Rom 3
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, THERE IS NONE THAT SEEKETH AFTER GOD.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
First off, I guess someone has a harmonization issue.
Secondly, I wonder if ALL means ALL? Did every man from every country from all over the world from the beginning of time until the end of time seek for him?
The verse states that all in that city sought Jesus...some because of His reputation of healing, some out of curiosity, some because they believed He was the Messiah, they sought Him for various reasons. All in this instance, in context, means all in the city.
I have lived in small towns where a dignitary comes and everyone in the town came out to see...whether they liked the person or not.
And it does have o do with salvation. These people were taught of the coming Messiah and they wanted to know if was Him.
People have been searching for the Messiah since the fall of Adam, just like the magis who came from the East following the star. They had studied about the prophecy and were looking for the King, whom they found. Was the Holy Spirit involved...well that's interesting because the 'Comforter' had not come.
Your answer fails to deal with the "harmonization issue".
Also, I am glad to see you acknowledge that "ALL" can in fact be restricted based on context. A point that you seemed loathe to admit many times before.
