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To be fair to Arminians, we must ignore what their detractors have said and focus on the Five Articles of the Remonstrants (1610).
http://www.crivoice.org/creedremonstrants.html
Of the Five Articles, Article I teaches conditional salvation, meaning that if a person does not persevere, he can lose his salvation. But the other four are not in error.
Article I
That God, by an eternal and unchangeable purpose in Jesus Christ his Son before the foundation of the world, has determined that out of the fallen, sinful race of men, to save in Christ, for Christ’s sake, and through Christ, those who through the grace of the Holy Spirit shall believe on this his son Jesus, and shall persevere in this faith and obedience of faith, through this grace, even to the end ... [THIS IS CONDITIONAL SALVATION]
The Bible says that we are "kept by the power of God" which means that we cannot lose our salvation. At the same time wilful disobedience or failure to repent do have serious consequences.
Calvinists generally misrepresent Arminians in that they suggest that Arminianism fails to take into account that salvation is a supernatural work of God, and that men therefore "save themselves". That is quite false. Here is what Arminianism says:
Article III
That man does not posses saving grace of himself, nor of the energy of his free will, inasmuch as in his state of apostasy and sin he can of and by himself neither think, will, nor do any thing that is truly good (such as saving Faith eminently is); but that it is necessary that he be born again of God in Christ, through his Holy Spirit, and renewed in understanding, inclination, and will, and all his faculties, in order that he may rightly understand, think, will, and effect what is truly good, according to the Word of Christ, John 15:5, “Without me you can do nothing.”
http://www.crivoice.org/creedremonstrants.html
Of the Five Articles, Article I teaches conditional salvation, meaning that if a person does not persevere, he can lose his salvation. But the other four are not in error.
Article I
That God, by an eternal and unchangeable purpose in Jesus Christ his Son before the foundation of the world, has determined that out of the fallen, sinful race of men, to save in Christ, for Christ’s sake, and through Christ, those who through the grace of the Holy Spirit shall believe on this his son Jesus, and shall persevere in this faith and obedience of faith, through this grace, even to the end ... [THIS IS CONDITIONAL SALVATION]
The Bible says that we are "kept by the power of God" which means that we cannot lose our salvation. At the same time wilful disobedience or failure to repent do have serious consequences.
Calvinists generally misrepresent Arminians in that they suggest that Arminianism fails to take into account that salvation is a supernatural work of God, and that men therefore "save themselves". That is quite false. Here is what Arminianism says:
Article III
That man does not posses saving grace of himself, nor of the energy of his free will, inasmuch as in his state of apostasy and sin he can of and by himself neither think, will, nor do any thing that is truly good (such as saving Faith eminently is); but that it is necessary that he be born again of God in Christ, through his Holy Spirit, and renewed in understanding, inclination, and will, and all his faculties, in order that he may rightly understand, think, will, and effect what is truly good, according to the Word of Christ, John 15:5, “Without me you can do nothing.”
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Yes please use the word of God to back up your points or they hold no power. It is written, thus says the word.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
I see that being born again is a requirement for the kingdom of Heaven, but nothing that states that you can never fall or reject the Spirit.
On the Day of Pentecost, when, convicted of sin, they cried out, "What shall we do?" The first word of Peter's answer was, "Repent." Acts 2:37, 38. At another time, shortly after, he said, "Repent, . . . and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Acts 3:19.
Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. Unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.
David needed to repent, he saw the enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart.
If David did not choose to repent, the saving relationship would have been lost.
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord
imputeth not iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no guile."
Psalm 32:1, 2.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to
Thy loving-kindness:
According unto the multitude of Thy tender
mercies blot out my transgressions. . . .
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my
sin is ever before me. . . .
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. . . .
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
I see that being born again is a requirement for the kingdom of Heaven, but nothing that states that you can never fall or reject the Spirit.
On the Day of Pentecost, when, convicted of sin, they cried out, "What shall we do?" The first word of Peter's answer was, "Repent." Acts 2:37, 38. At another time, shortly after, he said, "Repent, . . . and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Acts 3:19.
Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. Unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.
David needed to repent, he saw the enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart.
If David did not choose to repent, the saving relationship would have been lost.
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord
imputeth not iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no guile."
Psalm 32:1, 2.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to
Thy loving-kindness:
According unto the multitude of Thy tender
mercies blot out my transgressions. . . .
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my
sin is ever before me. . . .
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. . . .
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Then how do you reconcile with this conditional statement :
if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Colossians 1:23 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/col.1.23.NIV
if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Colossians 1:23 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/col.1.23.NIV
The early elders created the Roman Creed. By 390 after much discussion they updated it with the Apostles Creed. There were 2 basic issues it was created to define. There was a lot of differing opinions about many issues. 1 what was these are the required beliefs to be considered Christian. The second was anything contradicting it would be considered heresy. Any issue outside of it was agree to disagree. Today these legitimate differences are shown by the different gospel preaching denominations. Both Calvinism, Armenianism, and the many variations are still Christians.
I will quote this passage from the KJB:
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Verse 21: Believers have ALREADY been reconciled to God through Christ
Verse 22: Christ has ALREADY planned to present perfected saints to Himself
Verse 23: Therefore Christians are warned to avoid apostasy and false doctrines which would unsettle them.
In this epistle Paul warns believers about the seductions of Gnosticism, Ascetism, and Judaism, so this is what would unsettle Christians and lead them astray:
COLOSSIANS 2
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ...
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using, after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Verse 21: Believers have ALREADY been reconciled to God through Christ
Verse 22: Christ has ALREADY planned to present perfected saints to Himself
Verse 23: Therefore Christians are warned to avoid apostasy and false doctrines which would unsettle them.
In this epistle Paul warns believers about the seductions of Gnosticism, Ascetism, and Judaism, so this is what would unsettle Christians and lead them astray:
COLOSSIANS 2
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ...
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using, after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
After much prayer and seeking the truth, God has led me to a Reformed Baptist Calvinist Church.
I visited many different denominations and carefully studied the Bible, compared all of the various Church confessions and God led me to believe that the Reformed Church is the closest to the New Testament Church.
In the begging Calvinism sounded unbiblical and it made God look unfair, but after considering the whole counsel of God it became clear that it was the most Biblically accurate position of all. Only a saved person can understand the truth of the Gospel, no amount of human reasoning or wisdom can unveil the truth, only God can reveal the truth to a believer.
I visited many different denominations and carefully studied the Bible, compared all of the various Church confessions and God led me to believe that the Reformed Church is the closest to the New Testament Church.
In the begging Calvinism sounded unbiblical and it made God look unfair, but after considering the whole counsel of God it became clear that it was the most Biblically accurate position of all. Only a saved person can understand the truth of the Gospel, no amount of human reasoning or wisdom can unveil the truth, only God can reveal the truth to a believer.
Unsettle them back into being unsaved that is back to this: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
Colossians 1:21 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/col.1.21.NIV
Colossians 1:21 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/col.1.21.NIV
Your hermeneutical contortions are not the Biblical truth. You hold Calvinism over the Bible. Grace is not irresistible :
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
Acts 7:51 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/act.7.51.NIV
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
Acts 7:51 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/act.7.51.NIV
It is a Christian belief system directly opposed to Calvinism.
Calvinism vs Arminianism
5 points of Calvinism
Calvinism is known by an acronym: T.U.L.I.P.
1. Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
2. Unconditional Election
3. Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
4. Irresistible Grace
5. Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)
5 points of Arminianism
1. Human Free Will
2. Conditional Election
3. Universal Atonement
4.Resistable Grace
5. Fall from Grace
Calvinism vs Arminianism
5 points of Calvinism
Calvinism is known by an acronym: T.U.L.I.P.
1. Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
2. Unconditional Election
3. Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
4. Irresistible Grace
5. Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)
5 points of Arminianism
1. Human Free Will
2. Conditional Election
3. Universal Atonement
4.Resistable Grace
5. Fall from Grace
Calvinism is the most Biblically correct of all the views out there, that's why only the elect accept it. The Word of God is foolishness to those who are perishing, they will never figure it out. It will remain foolishness to the end, so we believe that faith is a gift from God and He only gives it to those He foreknew.
It wouldn't matter how many scriptures I show you that support Calvin's view, you would still deny them if you are not one of the elect.
It wouldn't matter how many scriptures I show you that support Calvin's view, you would still deny them if you are not one of the elect.