Index To All Sections Part 1: An Introduction to John Calvin and his Doctrines of Grace Part 2: Introduction to the acronym T.U.L.I.P - each letter stands for one of the five fundamental tenets of Calvinism.
2A. Total Inability
You Are Here  2B. Unconditional Election
2C. Limited Atonement
2D. Irresistible Grace
2E. Perseverance of The Saints Part 3: When the Gospel Becomes a Lie
Part 4: God’s Sovereignty and Character
Part 5: Hypocrisy Unlimited
Part 6: Conclusion Part 7: The Sins of Augustine. Part 8: Calvinism in the First 1500 Years Calvinism And The Book of Romans HERE
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
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 Calvinist 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
Several verses in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John especially those that use the words “given”, “draws”, and “granted” seem to state that God sovereignly chooses who will come to Jesus. But do they? Acts 13:48 - Where The Bible Lays The Blame
Paul with more than a hint of dry 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 them w
ould have made a whit of difference in light of Calvinistic doctrine.
Unconditional Election
is represented by the second letter of the acronym TULIP.
Introduction: According to this doctrine, people are saved solely according to whether God wills it or not. God unconditionally and "sovereignly" elects who will be saved. 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 while others, perhaps in an effort to protect God's reputation, maintain that God merely disregards those whom he has not elected to salvation, so that their own natural depravity damns them. However, this is not exactly 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' beginning with some of those that contain...
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. For example although Ephesians 1:5 says God predestined us to adoption, Romans 8:29-30 (below) adds another layer - 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 The words foreknew and foreordained, translated from completely different Greek words, do not have anywhere near similar meanings. To foreknow (Gk. proginosko) is to know beforehand whereas foreordain or predestine (Gk. proorizo) means to determine beforehand or unalterably prearrange. The only similarity between them is that they are both preceded by the preposition pro, which simply means before and can be attached to many words. When speaking to king Agrippa note how Paul used proginosko in referring to the Jews since they have known (Gk. proginosko) about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. (Acts 26:5 NASB)
Other verses For He was foreknown (Gk. proginosko) before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you (1 Peter 1:20 NASB) You therefore, beloved, knowing (Gk. proginosko) this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, (2 Peter 3:17 NASB)
Ephesians 1:11-13 : also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. These verses are often taken as a proof text for predestination. However, if they are read very carefully they actually debunk Calvinism. You have to read verses 11 through 13 to catch the full import of what Paul is saying... (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. (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. (Emphasis Added)
There is a distinct difference made between the 'we' of verse 11 and the 'you' of verse 13 (both in bold above). 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. 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". 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 something which if left undone would throw the whole plan into jeopardy. Take Mary for 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 Also one needs to pay attention to the broad picture being painted. There is no question that God works all things after the counsel of His will, but in this case was Ephesians 11 speaking of something particular that God had planned and was putting into action? The only way we can know what specific 'thing' Paul was talking about is by the context. 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. In summary, Ephesians 1 is simply telling us that according to His will, God predestined both Jew and Gentile to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ. 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)
Isaac and Ishmael
The choosing of Isaac is an example of the fact that promise is more important than lineage. Displaying the same mindset as Moses did in Exodus 32:31-32 Paul declared himself willing to be separated from Jesus if that would somehow bring about the salvation of his brethren who were "Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises. (Vs. 3-4). He then went on to say, (the added underlining is when Paul quoted Genesis 21:12 in which God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.) But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "through Isaac your descendants will be named ." That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. For this is the word of promise: "at this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son." (Romans 9:6-9 NASB)
In other words, the Jews could not count on the favor of God based solely on the fact that they were Jews. Lineage did not guarantee salvation. However, the Gentile believers were warned... for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree? (Romans 11:21-24 NASB)
The Book of Romans
The book of 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. As an example, a person cannot tell what a painting is meant to be if he only focuses on individual brush strokes. He has to step back to where he can 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 isolated 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 our tradition dictates. He chose Jacob, the younger brother. 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. It simply tells us that God planned that Jesus would be born through Jacob's descendants rather than Esau's But why Jacob? 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, but 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). Also see Amos 1:11. The Messiah could not come from such a nation. In other words, God was choosing not the salvation of the respective men, but the Messianic lineage. 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
Paul also brought up Pharaoh saying, 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 as he did much of the time (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 the unelected) 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? Surely there can not be degrees of total depravity? 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).
All of which makes it very clear that that the 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. 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, the Calvinist correctly understands this 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. Read what Jeremiah said in Chapter 18 (All Emphasis Added) 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 verse 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/suitable 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. God's involvement is however clear in the next verse (23) ... "And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared (Gk. proetoimazo) beforehand for glory.
However, the word preparation here (proetoimazo) is related to being prepared for glory. In other words, God foreknew who would believe and then predetermined that they would "be conformed to the image of his Son". (Romans 8:29). In any case 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.
In all likelihood "these things" probably refers to earlier verse in which Paul spoke about avoiding worldly, empty chatter and men who have gone astray from the truth (Vs. 2:16-18)
The Gospel of John. (Who Was "Given" to Jesus?)
(John 6:37-39, 10:29, 17:6, 17:9, 17:12, 18:9)
Calvinism takes the several 'gave Me' passages in John's Gospel and applies them to all believers of all time. Used as proof-texts for 'Unconditional Election' these verses have been taken to mean that God sovereignly elects those He predestined to be saved and 'gives' them to Jesus
But do these verses apply to the Universal church? Actually they do not. 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 apply to anyone else. In order for God's plan to work there is little question that certain individuals had to be predestined to do something which if left undone would throw the whole scheme into jeopardy. As previously mentioned 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 it is hardly surprising that the disciples were predestined to a crucial role in God's overall plan of salvation and equally unsurprising that Jesus chose them as it says in John 15:16. "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)
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. The verses beginning with John 13:12 through 17 are all part of Jesus' final discourse made to the disciples right after they celebrated the Passover and Jesus had washed their feet and just before He was arrested. Much of what the Savior told them in this section was aimed at encouraging and comforting the distraught disciples who were troubled by the fact that He was soon to leave them. They needed to be prepared for His death and what they would face later. Note: The section includes the "given" to Him verses and the very controversial verses in John 14:12 in which Jesus said that we would do greater works than He did. See Cessationism Part II - Continuationism "I have manifested 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 kept Your word. (John 17:6 NASB) "I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; (John 17:9 NASB)
There is no question that He was speaking about His disciples making a clear distinction between those He sent into the world and those 'who believe in Him through their word' As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. "For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; (John 17:18-20 NASB) Also See Jesus Didn't 'Lose' Any Of Those Given To Him In Part II E - Perseverance of The Saints
However, once again 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 and unambiguously state 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)
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
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. didőmi) 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
Matthew 13:10-12 - Why Some Did Not Hear Nor Respond
The same Greek word (didőmi) 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 question asked by the disciples - 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. didőmi) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted (Gk. didőmi). "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 which included quotes from Isaiah 6:9-10. 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 - the passive voice in both cases. 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 pre-destined 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 dry sarcasm) that they had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life' - They had closed their own eyes (Above) The reaction of the Jews (V. 46) and the reaction of 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 another 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, Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 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
Pharaoh
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). (Above) This is exactly the same situation with the unbelieving Jews. 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)
Similarly, because so many of the Jews resisted the writings of the prophets and the evidence of the miracles worked by Christ, God gave them up to the hardness of their own hearts and they continued to reject the Gospel.
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. didőmi) 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 is 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 (didőmi) 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 Elected 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. didőmi) 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. didőmi) 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 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 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. parazelođ) 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 strategy of trying to make them jealous was a complete waste of time. Perhaps he just didn't know that they were either saved or were not, and that 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 | 
