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Calvinism teaches that God's election precedes faith. However, the Bible is clear that salvation cannot be achieved unless the person first hears the Gospel being preached.
for "whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" ... So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:13-15, 17 NASB)
ON THIS PAGE
Emphasis Mine In Bible Verses
On This Page
Unconditional Election
According to this doctrine, God unconditionally and "sovereignly" elects who will or will not be saved
irrespective of anything he or she will do in the future
The Word 'Predestinate'
Many of the Biblical verses the Calvinism uses as 'proof-texts' involve some form of the word predestinate - Ephesians 1:11 being a prime example. However, it does no such thing if you pay attention to the pronouns Paul used.
The Book of Romans
A number of proof texts have been drawn from Romans, but not only have these individual verse been interpreted in light of preconceived theories, but the Calvinistic interpretations of many of them directly contradict the overall intent and message of the book.
The Gospel of John
Calvinism takes several passages in John's Gospel and applies them to all believers of all time.
Acts 13:48 - Where The Bible Lays The Blame
Paul with more than a hint of sarcasm told the Jews that they had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life
and 'their blood was on their own heads'
The Second Epistle to Timothy
What did Paul mean when he said God "grants" repentance?
Paul's Methods
Why did Paul try persuading, beseeching, provoking the Jews to jealousy, and praying for them when none of it would have made a whit of difference in light of Calvinistic doctrine.
Unconditional Election
is represented by the second letter of the acronym TULIP.
According to this doctrine way back in the mists of time, God unconditionally and "sovereignly" elected who will be saved and who would not. People are saved not on the basis of their own merit or choosing, but solely according to whether God wills it or not.
Like so much else in Calvinism, there is a lack of consensus on the details. Those who teach "double predestination" assert that God elects both who will be saved and who will be damned. Others maintain that God merely disregards those whom he has not elected to salvation. In other words their own natural depravity damns them. However, neither is any consolation to the ‘unelected' who face exactly the same fate regardless of the technicalities of how they got there.
Which brings us to some of the Biblical verses the Calvinist uses as 'proof-texts' for ‘unconditional election’ especially those that include...
The Word Predestinate
Predestinate was translated from the Greek word proorizo - used a mere four times in the New Testament in regard to salvation.
Ephesians 1:5: He predestined (Gk. proorizo) us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.
Like every other verse in the Bible this one cannot be read as a stand alone but has to be understood in accord with the whole of Scripture. And this is a perfect example...
Although Ephesians 1:5 says God predestined us to adoption, Romans 8:29-30 (below) adds clarification clearly stating that God elected people to salvation based on His foreknowledge.
Romans 8:29-30: For whom he foreknew (Gk. proginosko), he also foreordained (Gk. Proorizo) to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom he foreordained (Gk. Proorizo), them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Emphasis Added)
The verses above follow a sequence. God knew who would believe the Gospel > thus determined beforehand that they would be called and conformed to the image of his Son> He then justified and glorified them
Ephesians 1:11-13
Because these verses include the word predestined, they are often taken as a proof text for predestination.
(11) also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, (12) to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
However, if read very carefully and in context they actually debunk Calvinism. You have to read verses 3 through 13 to catch the full import of what Paul was saying...
There is a distinct difference made between the 'we' of verse 11 and the 'you' of verse 13. In fact, verses 3-12 use the first person plural personal pronouns - we and us. It isn't until verse 13 that Paul switches to the second person - you.
(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (4) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love (5) He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. (7) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrong doings, according to the riches of His grace (8) which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight (9) He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, (10) regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. (11) In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, (12) to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:3-12 NASB)
(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. (Ephesians 1:13 NASB)
It is largely assumed that Paul was referring to Christian converts in general when he used the word we, However, the fact that he says we are the ones "who first trusted in Christ makes it far more likely that he was speaking of himself along with the disciples and other apostles.
This is further exemplified in verse 13 where Paul switches to you (the Ephesian Christians) and says AFTER they believed they were "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise".
The Apostles and Disciples Were Predestined
In other words, the apostles and disciples were predestined to a crucial role in God's overall plan of salvation which is hardly surprising. In order for God's plan to work there is little question that certain individuals had to be predestined to do what the Father wanted them to do in order to spread the Gospel. Without them the plan of salvation would have come to a screeching halt when Jesus died.
Mary was another example. God didn't just look around Israel a few months before He wanted the Savior born and go "Now there a nice young lady who fulfills all My requirements".
With His foreknowledge God knew Mary was perfect for the job and predestined her to give birth to the Messiah.
Similarly, in the Old Testament Joseph told his family not to be grieved or angry at themselves because, being jealous of their father affections for Joseph, they had sold him into slavery. As we know Joseph rose to a position of eminence in Egypt. If he hadn't held that position Jacob's entire family would probably have perished in the famine and with them any chance the Messiah would be born into Abraham's lineage. Knowing what was coming God had sent Joseph ahead to preserve the nation. (Genesis 45:5-8 NASB).
Also See God's Foreknowledge
Ephesians chapters 1-3 are largely devoted to the subject of how God's plan of salvation was never intended to be limited to the Jews but eventually meant to include the Gentiles, i.e. at some point in time there would no longed be 'a middle wall of partition 'between the two groups. Paul wished not only to remind the Ephesians - a non-Jewish church - how greatly blessed they were when they came to salvation in Christ but encourage them to live their lives worthy of the calling they had received.
This strongly emphasized in chapter 2.
and He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, (Ephesians 2:17-21 NASB)
The Book of Romans
Romans is Paul's masterly outline and defense of the Gospel.
All too often isolated verses get a person so bogged down in detail that they neglect to see the big picture. Just as a person cannot tell what a painting is meant to portray if he only focuses on individual brush strokes. He has to step back and view the painting as a whole before he has any idea what the painting is about and what the artist has accomplished.
Which is precisely the problem with Calvinism and the book of Romans.
A number of proof texts have been drawn from Romans but they been not been interpreted in accordance with the book as a whole. Instead isolated verse have been used to shore up preconceived theories. The big picture of Romans is on a separate page HERE however, even some of the stand alone proof texts do not support Calvinism.
Jacob and Esau - Romans 9:10-13:
In Romans 9 Paul brought up Rebecca and Isaac's sons
And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, "the older will serve the younger." just as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (Romans 9:10-13)
Although both Isaac's sons were Abraham's physical descendants God did not pick the eldest son as tradition dictates but chose the younger brother - Jacob. However, this did not mean Jacob or any of his descendants were necessarily saved, nor that Esau or any of his descendants were necessarily damned. God planned for Jesus to be born through Jacob's descendants rather than Esau's
The decision was based on God's foreknowledge of the path their descendants would take. Evidence of this comes from God's words to Rebecca when she was pregnant with the twin boys. (Emphasis Added)
The Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger." (Genesis 25:23 NASB)
Jacob went on to father the twelve tribes of Israel - Esau became the father of the Edomites. Although in Deuteronomy 23:7 God instructed the Israelites to not abhor an Edomite who was their "brother", he warned the Edomites that if they treated the Jews badly their dealing would return home to roost (Obadiah 1:11-15). However, they ignored all warnings and often attacked the Jewish nation. Eventually the Father responded that He would 'stretch out His hand against Edom and cut off man and beast from it" and lay it waste (Ezekiel 25:13).
The Messiah could not come from such a nation. In other words, God was choosing the Messianic lineage not the salvation of the respective men.
Love and Hate: We understand the word 'hate' to mean strong dislike for or hostility toward. However, in the Scriptures the term "love" was used in the sense of strong positive attachment and "hate" (in a comparative sense) implied less love. The Bible often speaks about loving our neighbor and honoring our parents thus when Jesus said "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26), He was simply stressing that we had to put Him first - being a disciple could be at the expense of even our closest relationships.
Pharaoh
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "for this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth." (Romans 9:17 NASB)
Once again agreeing with Augustine (See Part III of the Introduction) Calvin's comments showed that he believed God hardened people (the unelected) thus preparing then for destruction. (Emphasis Added)
it is not without cause the vessels of wrath are said to be fitted for destruction, and that God is said to have prepared the vessels of mercy, because in this way the praise of salvation is claimed for God, whereas the blame of perdition is thrown upon those who of their own accord bring it upon themselves. But were I to concede that by the different forms of expression Paul softens the harshness of the former clause, it by no means follows, that he transfers the preparation for destruction to any other cause than the secret counsel of God. This, indeed, is asserted in the preceding context, where God is said to have raised up Pharaoh, and to harden whom he will. [01]
Many assume that like those that have not been elected to salvation Pharaoh had no choice in the matter but was raised up only so God could demonstrate His power. Not so! There are two points to be made here
1) Why in the world would God need to harden Pharaoh's heart if he was already totally depraved?
2) The account in Exodus says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart five times (Exodus 7:13, 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32 and 9:7) before God got fed up and decided to not give him any more opportunities to do the right thing. After Pharaoh's persistent and stubborn refusal to listen, the Scriptures tell us that God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 9:12, 9:34-35; 10:1, 10:20, 10:27; 11:10 and 14:8).
In other words Pharaoh had a hand in his own doom. God knew from the beginning of time exactly how bull headed the Egyptian ruler was going to be and used the man's stubbornness to demonstrate His own power. However, God did not act on his foreknowledge, but waited until the Egyptian did what God already knew he would do.
Similarly, because so many of the Jews resisted the writings of the prophets and the evidence of the miracles worked by Christ, God both blinded and hardened their already obstinate hearts
For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, "He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them." (John 12:39 - 40)
One of these days it will be too late for those who, like the Pharaoh, have dug their heels in and refused to turn to God. At some point in time God will abandon them to their own wishes and desires. (Romans 1:24).
Romans 9:18-23 - The Potter and The Clay
Paul went on to say (All Emphasis Added)
So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?" On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared (Gk. katartizo) for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy which He prepared (Gk. proetoimazo) beforehand for glory, (Romans 9:18-23 NASB)
When Paul asked whether the potter had the right or power over the clay, this is correctly understood to mean that God molds the clay into whatever He wishes. Some into vessels of honor - others into vessels of dishonor. The error is in assuming that the clay has no choice as to which vessel he or she will be.
Note what Jeremiah said in Chapter 18
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD saying, "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will announce My words to you." Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.
Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.
"At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. "Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it. (Jeremiah 18:1-10 NASB)
The word 'prepared' used in Romans 9:22 that says God endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction. was translated from the Greek Katartizo. However, katartizo can also be used as an adjective which would mean that these people were fit to be destroyed, or perfect for destruction.
Vincent Word Studies says katartizo
is a participle denoting a present state previously formed, but giving no hint of how it has been formed... an agency of some kind must be assumed. In other words they were 'perfect for destruction', but we are not told here how they got to that state. 02]
The fact that God endured them "with much patience" implies that they themselves were responsible.
Additionally 2 Timothy 2:20-21 says (Emphasis Added)
Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
"These things" refers to earlier verses in which Paul spoke about avoiding worldly, empty chatter and men who have gone astray from the truth (Vs. 2:16-18)
John’s Gospel
Calvinism takes several passages in John's Gospel and applies them to all believers of all time. Used as proof texts for 'Unconditional Election'.
Much as we love to take any and all Scriptural verses and apply them to ourselves, there are plenty that were specifically aimed at certain people and do NOT pertain to anyone else.
Much of what the Savior told them in this section was aimed at encouraging and comforting the disciples who needed to be prepared for His death and what they would face later.
John 6:37-39 (Who Was "Given" to Jesus?)
Everything that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I certainly will not cast out. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of everything that He has given Me I will lose nothing, but will raise it up on the lst day. (John 6:37-39 NASB)
Calvinists take the above verse to mean that believers were unconditionally given to Christ before the foundation of the world. For a Detailed Treatment of These Verses See Does John 6:37 Teach Calvinist Predestination?
John 10:29
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. (John 10:29 NASB)
This was written to encourage believers concerning the confidence they have in Christ. This statement is similar to Romans 8:38-39 inasmuch as it endeavors to give the believer confidence that no outside force can snatch them out of the Father's hand.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
John 17:6, 9, and 12
I have revealed Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have followed Your word. (John 17:6 NASB)
I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on the behalf of those whom You have given Me, because they are Yours; (John 17:9 NASB)
While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, which You have given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished (Gk. apollumi) except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. (John 17:12 NASB)
These verses were part of Jesus’ prayer to the Father made shortly before He and the disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane where He was arrested. That verses 6-19 concerned the disciples only is made evident by verse 20 because it is in that verse that Jesus began to pray for all believers. He made a clear distinction between those He sent into the world and those 'who believe in Him through their word'
(18) Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.(19) “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. (20) “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, (John 17:18-20 NASB)
Unity of believers was a primary part of Jesus’ prayer
that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. “The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me. (John 17:21-23 NASB)
John 18:9 (lost)
This took place so that the word which He spoke would be fulfilled: “Of those whom You have given Me I lost (Gk. apollumi) not one.”
Again one can only accurately understand this verse if read in context. The second time Jesus asked the soldiers whom they were seeking they said “Jesus the Nazarene.”
Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you are seeking Me, let these men go on their way.” This took place so that the word which He spoke would be fulfilled: “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” (John 18:8-9 NASB)
The Greek word apollumi means to destroy fully or kill - this made clear by other occurrences in the New Testament. For example,
Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord *appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy (Gr. apollumi) Him." (Matthew 2:13 NASB)
But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing (Gr. apollumi) "and He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. (Luke 8:23-24 NASB) For example John 3:16 says
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish (Gr. apollumi), but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NASB)
Jesus was protecting the disciples from possibly being killed by the assorted mob sent to find him. As He said in verse 12 none of them perished (Gk. apollumi) except the son of destruction
John 15:16 (Whom Jesus Chose)
You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:16 NASB)
Once again the context makes it clear as to who Jesus was speaking to i.e. the disciples
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:15-16 NASB)
In any case, even being chosen by the Savior Himself does not mean that the person concerned cannot resist. There are very many verses in Scripture that clearly tell us that God wishes all men to come to repentance and be saved but many are unwilling, disobedient, obstinate etc. That people can and do resist Him.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. (Matthew 23:37 NASB) More about this verse in chapter Hypocrisy Unlimited
But as for Israel He says, "all the day long I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." (Romans 10:21 NASB)
You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. (Acts 7:51 NASB)
Judas, whom Jesus called "a devil" in John 6:70 was also chosen by Jesus because God knew beforehand what he would do - actions that fulfilled a crucial role.
John 6:44: (The Father Draws)
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws (Gr. helkuo) him; and I will raise him up at the last day
Calvinism interprets the word "drawing" to apply exclusively to the 'elect' and considers this ‘drawing’ to be irresistible.
However, it is both universal and resistible. See Total Inability Part III - Supposed Proof Texts From The New Testament (Scroll Down Slightly)
John 6:65: (Granted)
And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted (Gk. didõmi) him from the Father." (John 6:64-65 NASB)
Verse 65 (nor any other verse in Scripture) should be read as a stand alone. An accurate meaning can ONLY be derived from reading the text in relation to the rest of Scripture. As said by Ron Rhodes
Every word in the Bible is part of a sentence; every sentence is part of a paragraph; every paragraph is part of a book; and every book is part of the whole of Scripture. There is thus both an immediate and a broader context of a given verse. See Context is CRUCIAL
The same Greek word (didõmi) was also used in Matthew 13:10-12 in which Jesus said essentially the same thing. However, in Matthew His words were in response to the disciples asking why Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.
Jesus' answer was that God had granted them the ability to know the mysteries of the kingdom but the same ability had not been granted to many of those who heard Him.
And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted (Gk. didõmi) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted (Gk. didõmi). "For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. (Matthew 13:10-12)
This was not an arbitrary decision made by God. Note the statements below. In quote 1 Jesus said His parables would not penetrate the hard exterior of those who had closed their eyes and ears to the truth. Quote 2 was Paul's parting words to those of the leading men of the Jews who had not been persuaded by his preaching and were leaving.
Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'you will keep on hearing, but will not understand; you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; for the heart of this people has become (Gk. epachynthe) dull, with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed (Gk. ekammysan) their eyes, otherwise they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them.' "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. (Matthew 13:15-16 NASB)
The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying go to this people and say, "you will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; for the heart of this people has become (Gk. epachynthe) dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed (Gk. ekammysan) their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them. "Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen." (Acts 28:24-28 NASB)
In both cases the Greek verb ekammysan rendered ‘closed’ is an active verb which means the people closed their own eyes - They were not born calloused nor was it an inherited condition. The fact that they closed their own eyes caused them to become dull.
In spite of all Jesus' supernatural works what prevented many of the Jews from hearing and responding to His message was the fact that they believed that as Abraham's descendants they had an inside track to God and were already in good standing with Him. Also the fact that much of the nation was expecting a political Messiah that would free them from Roman rule could also have been a factor. See Messianic Expectations in 1st Century.. Documentation From Non-Christian Sources
Acts 13:48: (Where The Bible Lays The Blame)
That those who did not respond positively to the Gospel had closed their own eyes is substantiated by Paul's words in....
It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46 NASB)
The context of this verse is that, on invitation, Paul and Barnabas preached very successfully one Saturday in the Antioch synagogue with the result that the following week "almost the whole city" gathered to hear the apostles. Their success did not sit well with the Jews who seeing the multitudes of people "were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed" (V. 45). Upon which Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and, with more than a hint of dry sarcasm, made the accusation that they had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life'...
The argument will be made that the Jews rejected what the apostles had to say because they were not among the elect that God had predestined to eternal life and thus had no choice but to do so. However, this does not square with Paul's accusation (made with more than a hint of sarcasm) that they had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life' - They had closed their own eyes.
The reaction of the Jews (V. 46) Vs. the Gentiles (V. 48) was like night and day.
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. (Acts 13:45 NASB)
When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48 NASB)
And, once more, one cannot use the word 'appoint' in V. 48 to prove Unconditional Election when Romans 8:29-30 clearly stated that God elects people to salvation based on His foreknowledge.
Romans 8:29-30: For whom he foreknew (Gk. proginosko), he also foreordained (Gk. Proorizo) to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom he foreordained (Gk. Proorizo), them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Emphasis Added)
The verses above follow a sequence. God knew who would believe the Gospel > thus determined beforehand that they would be called and conformed to the image of his Son > He then justified and glorified them.
Their Blood Was On Their Own Heads
In later incident in Corinth, Paul reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath trying to persuade the Jews that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 18:4-5) but when the Jews "resisted and blasphemed", he was very clear that they were the cause of their own destruction. He shook out his garments and said,
He was very clear that they were the cause of their own destruction. As pointed out by David Servant, (Emphasis Added)
It is utterly impossible to have freedom to resist God if one doesn't have freedom to yield to God. [03]
In other words, if they were entirely responsible for their own fate, why can the same not be said for those who believed and followed Christ?
Last (but certainly not least) there are the numerous verses in both the Old and the New Testaments that clearly state we will be judged according to our deeds.
See Good Works in The Myth of Faith Alone
2 Timothy 2:24-26 - God "Grants" Repentance
The Lord's bond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant (Gk. didõmi) them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
Taken in isolation, the verse above does indicate that repentance is not something the sinner can initiate but is sovereignly given or granted by God. However, this interpretation contradicts Paul's statement in 1 Timothy 2:4 which clearly states that that God desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
More about the word 'all' in the next chapter - Limited Atonement
The parable of the sower (Luke 8:5-15) clearly indicates salvation depends on the sinner's response to the gospel. If he or she does not pay sufficient attention and the Gospel never so much as gains a foothold - if he has a faith too shallow to successfully resist temptation - if he allows the cares and pleasures of the now to supplant the hope of the future, all is lost. However, he who not only hears the Word, but holds it fast and brings forth fruit with patience will be saved.
Thus it is more than improbable that Paul was telling Timothy to be gentle and kind with those that opposed him in case God had divinely ordained them to salvation. What is more likely is that Paul was emphasizing that the non believer is far more likely to be more receptive to the Gospel if they have not already been rubbed up the wrong way by a discourteous believer.
Granting Repentance to the Gentiles
Two other verses say that God granted (didõmi) repentance to both the Jews and the Gentiles. If granted means He sovereignly causes something to happen these verses indicate that every single Israelite and every single Gentile was granted Unconditionally Election and was saved. If this is the case we can pack in all evangelizing and retire all missionaries.
He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant (Gk. didõmi) repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31 NASB)
When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted (Gk. didõmi) to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." (Acts 11:18 NASB)
However, we know that salvation is not universal therefore God "granting repentance" does not necessarily mean that He sovereignly causes the person or people concerned to repent and believe in the Gospel.
See More about the word 'grant' in John 6:65 above
Paul's Methods
1. Persuasive Preaching
Calvinism teaches that God's election precedes faith. However, the Bible is clear that salvation cannot be achieved unless the person first hears the Gospel being preached.
for "whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" (Romans 10:13-15 NASB)
One Calvinist confirms that there is no salvation without the Gospel (Emphasis Added)
From our perspective there is a 50/50 chance the person we encounter may be elect, but a 100% chance that without Christ they will die in their sin. There is a 100% guarantee that if nobody shares the Gospel with them, they will not be saved (Romans 10:17). [04]
Doesn't the word 'unconditional' in Unconditional Election mean without conditions or limitations. So why is it that a person elected to salvation cannot be saved if he does not hear the Gospel?
John Piper, founder of desiringGod.org, says this .. (Emphasis Added)
It should be obvious from this that irresistible grace never implies that God forces us to believe against our will. That would even be a contradiction in terms. On the contrary, irresistible grace is compatible with preaching and witnessing that tries to persuade people to do what is reasonable and what will accord with their best interests. [05]
Another question...
Doesn't Irresistible mean impossible to resist? If " irresistible grace is compatible with preaching and witnessing that tries to persuade people to do what is reasonable" how in the world does the word 'irresistible' come into it?
Or is it that
A. God only elected those individuals whom He knew would one day hear the good news or
B. He arranged for someone to preach the Gospel to the people He had already elected?
Both of which render "persuasive preaching" superfluous because what it boils down to is the elect don't need persuading and the non-elect can't be persuaded. Which makes me wonder why Paul made every possible effort to persuade his audience to believe in the Gospel, often spending days reasoning with them from the Scriptures. (Acts 17:2-4, 28:23-24, 2 Corinthians 5:11)
Incidentally, ANY attempt to "persuade" an unbeliever to repent and come to faith in Christ conveys the impression that he can choose to do so which, if Calvinism is true, is totally misleading since the person concerned may or may not be one of those "elected" to salvation. See When The Gospel Becomes a Lie.
2. Beseeching
As Peter did on the day of Pentecost Paul beseeched people to be reconciled to God. If Calvinism is true, then both these pillars of the Apostolic church were severely misleading many of their listeners.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20 NASB)
And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" (Acts 2:40 NASB)
3. Provoking The Jews To Jealousy
In Romans 11 Paul expressed the wish that he could somehow arouse his own people to envy which might have motivated at least some to receive the gift of salvation.
if somehow I might move to jealousy (Gk. parazeloš) my fellow countrymen and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Romans 11:14-15 NASB)
His words were a reflection of Deuteronomy 32:21 in which Moses predicted that nothing would be more likely to offend the Jews than the suggestion that they would be cast off and the Gentiles accepted.
They have made Me jealous with what is not God; They have provoked Me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation, (Deuteronomy 32:21 NASB)
Again, this stands in direct contradiction to Calvinistic theology. If some Jews were predestined to be saved and others to be damned, Paul’s strategy of trying to make them jealous was a complete waste of time. No amount of stirred up feelings would make any difference to what had already been decided according to God's "good pleasure"?
4. Praying for the Lost
The tenth chapter of Romans begins with the words "Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation". (Romans 10:1). If every individual's salvation or damnation had already been pre-determined Paul's prayer that his fellow Jews may be saved was a waste of time.
If Calvinism is true then Paul was a very confused man. His use of the word If in verse 9 clearly indicates that he believed salvation is dependent on a person believing and confessing that Jesus is Lord.
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." (Romans 10:9-11 NASB)
But there is more. If people hear but do not heed the Gospel, the New Testament clearly shows that they only have themselves to blame and their blood was on their own heads.
Continue On To Part II C - Limited Atonement
Jesus on Calvary bore the full punishment due his elect thus ensuring their final salvation. He did not die for the non-elect who are excluded from the Atonement. HERE
Or Return to Index To Tulip
End Notes - Unconditional Election
[01] John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, translated by Henry Beveridge (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans), reprinted 1983, vol. III, Chapter 23. Pg. 2226. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.v.xxiv.html
[02] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/vnt/romans-9.html
[03] David Servant. Calvinism’s Total Depravity And Irresistible Grace.
https://www.davidservant.com/articles/calvinism/calvinism-total-depravity-and-irresistible-grace/]
[04] Dr. John L. Rothra. An Evangelistic Five Point Calvinist is Possible.
https://www.johnrothra.com/knowing/theology/an-evangelistic-five-point-calvinist-is-possible/
[05] John Piper. What We Believe About the Five Points of Calvinism.
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-we-believe-about-the-five-points-of-calvinism
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