JOHN CALVIN

1509 - 1564

“INSTITUTES OF RELIGION”

Calvinism can be summed up by the word TULIP

[Quotations are from The Westminster Confession, 1646.]

It should be pointed out that few denominational groups teach and support “5 - point” Calvinism today. Most teach one, two or three of these points. The teachings on predestination, and limited atonement are almost non-existent in denominations today. Some religious groups teach one or two of these points - without seeing the inter-connection of all five.

T................Total Depravity (Original Sin)

VI, II By this sin they (Adam and Eve, mrl) fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.

VI, III They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation.

VI, IV From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.

U................Unconditional Predestination

III, III By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death.

III, IV These angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it can not be either increased or diminished.

III, V Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace.

L.................Limited Atonement

III, VI Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed in Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.

X, I All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ..

X, IV Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and many have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore can not be saved.

I..................Irresistible Grace (Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit)

X, II This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not form any thing al all foreseen in man; who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed.

P.................Perseverance of the Saints (Eternal Security)

XVII, I They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved.

XVII, II This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own free-will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

XVII, III Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and for a time continue therein: whereby they incur God’s displeasure, and grieve the Holy Spirit; come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts; and have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.