Biblical Verses Supporting Reformed (Calvinist) Theology

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sparkman

Guest
#1
#1
The purpose of this thread is to present verses which support Reformed (Calvinist) Theology and to elaborate upon them.

The specific points that these verses support are as follows:

1. God's sovereignty
2. Total depravity (radical corruption)
3. Unconditional election
4. Limited Atonement
5. Irresistible Grace
6. Perseverance of the Saints

Soli Deo Gloria!
 
S

sparkman

Guest
#2
#2
Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

This verse displays how God's sovereignty is maintained, despite the evil intentions of mankind. Joseph's brothers sinned by selling him to traders who sold him to Pharaoh, yet God used those events to protect Israel through a period of famine that may have eliminated God's chosen, elect nation.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#3
#3
Genesis 20:6 God said to Him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also have kept you from sinning against Me, therefore I did not let you touch her".

The point with this verse is that God could prevent mankind from sinning, but he allows it to happen because it serves His purpose. If nothing else, it allows him to more fully show his attribute of mercy when he forgives sin through the sacrifice of his son, and his attribute of justness when he punishes the sin of unbelievers. God is sovereign over all.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#4
#4
Exodus 24:24 I will drive out nations before you, and enlarge your borders, and no man shall covet your land when you go up three times to appear before the Lord your God.

The point with regards to these verses is that God can, and did, affect the desires of unconverted men (the pagan nations around Israel) with regards to desiring the land that Israel possessed while the males attended the festivals.

This verse refutes the notion that man's free will reigns supreme over God's sovereignty. God is sovereign even over the wills of the unconverted.

Similar verses force us to realize that there is a big difference between the biblical concept of free will and the philosophical view of autonomous free will that some have.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#5
#5
Psalm 33:10-11 The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plan of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever; the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

God is sovereign over all plans of men.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#6
#6
Psalm 115:3 Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

God is in total control, not man.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#7
#7
Psalm 135:6 Whatsoever the Lord pleases, He does. In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all the deep.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#8
#8
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Mankind thinks that many events are random, but in fact God controls even things that mankind considers to be random. God is in control.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#9
#9
Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.

Mankind thinks he's in control, but in reality he is not. God's will supercedes any decision man can make, and his decision is subordinate to God's will.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#10
#10
Proverbs 20:24 Man's steps are ordained by the Lord. How then can man understand his way?
 
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sparkman

Guest
#11
#11
Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He chooses.

Who's in control? :D
 
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sparkman

Guest
#12
#12
Job 14:5 Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You; and his limits You have set so he cannot pass.

God grants free will but only within certain parameters, and those parameters are determined by God. Mankind does not have autonomous free will like many claim. It is only free will within certain parameters.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#13
#13
Lamentations 3:37-38 Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High, that both good and ill go forth?

It is clear that God is in control of both the good and bad things that happen to man, and both serve his purpose.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#14
#14
Isaiah 45:7 I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things

God is in total control, and all that happens serves His purpose.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#15
#15
Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that have not been done, saying, "My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good purpose".

Can God fail to accomplish His purpose? No. These verses clearly state this. So, if everyone is not saved, then it must not be part of what he desires.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#16
#16
Romans 9:11 So that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls.

Notice that the sovereignty of God is related to God's purpose, and that it is about His choice, and that it is not about works but is about his calling.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#17
Jan 13, 2016
16,642
3,533
113
#17
Jonah 3:10, "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not."

See, God is in control. If He wants to change His mind He can and has. God can change His mind based on what man does with the word of God.
 
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sparkman

Guest
#18
#18
Ephesians 1:11 We have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose, who works all things after the counsel of His will.

Notice that the focus is on God's purpose, which cannot be thwarted, and that he works ALL THINGS after the counsel of HIS WILL.

What is there in these verses about failure and about our will? Also, notice that the focus is His purpose.

The focus with a lot of free willers is on themselves, and not about glorifying God and focusing on His purpose. God saves to glorify himself, and it's all about his purpose..to redeem a specific people for himself. Mankind doesn't exist to be saved, but he exists to glorify God.
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#19
Jul 3, 2015
55,885
26,048
113
#19
sparkman said:
Psalm 115:3 Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

God is in total control, not man.
Click to expand...
If you do what you please, does that mean you have total control?

And just so nobody can come along and falsely accuse me of claiming
that God is not sovereign, that is not what I am saying at all.
 
S

sparkman

Guest
#20
#20
2 Timothy 1:9 He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.

Notice that the redeemed are saved for God's own purpose, and that it is totally about grace and not about works. Obedience and works are produced by salvation, but the salvation is not entered into by works.
 
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