Why Gen. Santos City Missionary Baptist Church
REJECT CALVINISM AND ARMINIANISM?
Lesson Text: John 3:14-18.
Devotional Reading-Subject: God is Longsuffering, 2 Peter 3:9.
AIM: That the pupil understand that Jesus died for all sinners.
HOME READING
All Guilty, Romans 1:18-20.
Whosoever Shall Call, Romans 10:8-13.
Election of Grace, Romans 11:5, 6.
Not of Works, Eph. 2:1-10.
No Condemnation, Romans 8:1-4.
Believer Secure, Romans 8:35-39.
1. Because of What Calvinism Is.
The term “Calvinism” and similar terms come from John Calvin, the founder of the Presbyterian Church A.D. 1535. That is John the Presbyterian, not John the Baptist. Calvinism claims five points as a basis fellowship in doctrine.
First, there is total inability, the teaching man is so lost he can’t respond to the gospel. A sinner is totally unable to save himself; however, that does not mean a sinner is unable to hear, repent, and believe (Rom. 10:8-17).
Second, there is unconditional election the teaching God determined in eternity whom He would save and who would be lost forever without any consideration of repentance and faith. That doesn’t harmonize with the Lord’s teachings (Luke 13:3, 5; John 8:24).
Third, there is limited atonement, the teaching Christ died only for those whom God determined to save. Calvinism considers atonement for all mankind being wasteful with the blood. Part three will deal with this matter.
Fourth, there is irresistible grace, the teaching to elect cannot resist God’s grace when it is time for them to respond. However, the Bible gives many examples of people resisting God. In fact, Hebrews 4:2 speaks of some who resisted the gospel by their unbelief.
Fifth, there is the perseverance of the saints, the teaching of security of the believer for every true believer. All true Baptist accept this point, But it was a point of Baptists long before Calvin lived (John 3:27-29).
2. Because of What Arminianism Is
The term “Arminianism” comes from Jacob (or James) Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived most of his life after Calvin’s death. His doctrine is also stated in five points and one can see they are directly opposite to Calvinism.
First, there is man’s ability to work with God in spiritual regeneration, a strong denial of the total depravity of man. Also, it is an indication of salvation of works. One who studies the Bible should know total depravity is a Bible doctrine (Eph. 2:1-3). Also, he should realize salvation is “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:9).
Second, there is election on the condition of God’s foreknowledge of who would believe and endure to the end. One can accept an element of this if this doctrine doesn’t go so far as to have God decreeing some to believe and others not to believe. The fact is people are elected to salvation by faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26). Also, the idea of enduring to the end is salvation by works, plain and simple. It won’t work, because the Lord finished all the work necessary for salvation (John 19:30).
Third, there is unlimited atonement, teaching Christ died for all people. Assuredly, not all people will receive Christ, but all people could receive Christ. He did die for all mankind, which will be the point of part three.
Fourth, there is falling from grace, the natural result of teaching salvation by works. It is the direct opposite of security of the believer. It is also the direct opposite of Bible teaching (John 5:24).
