Calvinism: a.k.a. doctrine of predestination

Prophet of Calvinism: Once Saved, Always Saved (OSAS)

Opposing Points of Views

• There are 2 opposing points of views regarding the roles in God and man in regards to the process of achieving reconciliation (between God and man):– God predestines His “chosen ones” to be saved– God grants ALL man a free will to choose what

he wants: to be with God (saved) or not be with God

Importance of this debate

• Deu 4:2 You shall not add to the Word which I command you, neither shall you take away from it, so that you may keep the commands of Jehovah your God which I command you. – One of the point of view is true (complies

with the Words of God)– The other CONTRADICTS the Words of

God• And do you know WHO would love to get you

to disobey the Words of God ?

Predestination: Origins• Rom 8:29-30: For those God foreknew he

also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified

• The “Predestination” concept is part of a larger doctrine called “Calvinism”

• The “Predestination” concept has very profound theological consequences

Calvinism: It’s core doctrines• T - Total depravity

• U - Unconditional election (or: Predestination)

• L - Limited atonement

• I - Irresistible grace

• P - Perseverance of the saints

The last 4 doctrines follows logically if you acceptthe (first) doctrine of Total Depravity…

1. Total depravity

• Man is totally corrupt. Man's thoughts, actions, and ambitions are all bad.

• Man does not have the ability to do what God commands him to do (repent).

• “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23)

• “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Man is DEAD. Dead things can’t do anything !!

2. Unconditional election (Predestination)

• If you believed the "T" of TULIP, LOGIC determines that you must accept the “U”:– If man is unable to repent and believe the Gospel,

then it follows that God must choose some for Heaven (and send the rest to Hell).

• Calvinism teaches that everything that happens was planned by God and nothing can be done to change it.

2. Unconditional election (Predestination)

• Means that God chooses (elects) certain people to be saved and go to Heaven.

• Rom 8:29-30: For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified

• (The rest are chosen by Him to go to Hell ???)

2. Unconditional election (Predestination)

• Ephesians 1:4-5: For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

3. Limited atonement • Meaning: Christ only died for certain people.

– Those He died for will go to Heaven. – The rest will go to Hell.

• Doctrine of Limited Atonement is a logical consequence of the Total Depravity:– Man cannot repent and believe to be saved, so:– God has predestined who will be saved and who will

be lost, – therefore it is only logical that Christ died only for

those God has planned to save.

3. Limited atonement

• Verses “in support” of Limited Atonement:– John 10:11 I am the Good Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

– John 15:13 No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

– Act 20:28 … the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood.

– Eph 5:25 …even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it

4. Irresistible grace

• The elected is saved and taken them Heaven regardless of they like it or not.

• Ephesians 2:8: “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”

• The sinner is neither capable nor willing to receive salvation... The saving grace of God, changing the heart of the sinners, precedes the sinner’s will to come to Christ.

5. Perseverance of the saints

• Once a person is saved, he will persevere to the end.

• A child of God once saved, cannot be lost.

• “When you are saved, you are born again. You cannot become unborn”

• Conclusion of Calvinism:

“Once Saved Always Saved”

Once Saved, Always Saved - Basis

• Rom 8:38-39: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Once we are saved, nothing can separate us from the love of God: always saved

Once Saved, Always Saved - Basis

• John 10:28: I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

• Once we are saved, nothing can separate us from the love of God: always saved

The Logic behind Calvinism• It all starts with : “Man is depraved”

– Man is dead in sin. What can dead people do ? Nothing !

• If man can’t do anything, everything must be done by God. – God chooses (predestines) some of us to be saved

• Since God does the choosing, you cannot do anything to become “chosen” (you are dead, remember ?)– Then: you also cannot do anything to become

“unchosen” • Conclusion: once a child of God, always a child of God !

What do you like to hear ?

• What would you LIKE to believe ?– Once you have been saved, your salvation is

secure !– Or: Your sins have been forgiven, BUT: sin no

more !

• Is OSAS the best idea since sliced bread ?

• Or is it another lie from the serpent ?

• Remember the lie: "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman

-1. Total hereditary depravity • Man does not have the ability to do what God

commands him to do (repent) ?

• “If anyone chooses to do God's will…” (John 7:17) – This is Jesus (God) speaking !

• Why didn’t Jesus (God) say:– “If God makes anyone choose to do God’s

will…” ???

• In fact, God Himself (Jesus) said in John 7:17 that “anyone has a FREE WILL” !!!

-1. Total hereditary depravity

• Man does not have the ability to do what God commands him to do (repent) ?

• Acts 10:1-4 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment…. the angel said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.“– Would God be so happy if He made Cornelius

pray ?

-1. Total hereditary depravity

• Man does not have the ability to do what God commands him to do (repent) ?

• Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." – Man has a choice

-1. Total hereditary depravity

• Man does not have the ability to do what God commands him to do (repent) ?

• Matthew 9:2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.“– Jesus did not say He put the faith in him first !

-2. Unconditional election (Predestination)

• Rom 8:29-30: For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified

• God DID call and predestine some people !• But did Paul said God predestined ALL

people ?

God DID predestined SOME people

• Twelve disciples:– Mark 10:39: Jesus said to them, “You will drink the

cup I drink…”

• Paul:– Acts 9:15-16: But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go!

This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

• (God used some people to accomplish His plan)

Did God predestined ALL people ?

• Rom 8:29-30: For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified

• The tense of the verse is PAST TENSE !!!• So “justification” is finished at the time of

writing: so no justification for later believers ???• Those SOME people, not ALL !!!

-2. Unconditional election

• Ephesians 1:4-5: For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will– Is part of the beginning of the letter (not the

meat)– Sounds like Paul is praising God for his fortune

-2. Unconditional election• God chooses (elects) certain people to be

saved and go to Heaven ?

• Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”

• 1 Timothy 2:3-4 “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved…”

• Also: I cannot believe in a loving God who would “choose” some men to be send to hell.

-3. Limited atonement

• Christ only died for certain people ?

– John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him”

– Not: “Whoever the Son has died for has eternal life,…”

-3. Limited atonement

• Christ only died for certain people ?

– 1 John 2: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

– Not: …sins of certain people….

-3. Limited atonement

• Christ only died for certain people ?

– Hebrews 2:9: “…so that by the grace of God He (Jesus) might taste death for everyone.”

– Not: …might taste death for certain people….

-4. Irresistible grace

• The elected is saved and taken them Heaven regardless of they like it or not ?

• Ephesians 2:8: “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” – It Faith ? Faith is a gift of God ?– It Salvation ? Salvation us a gift of God ?

• Greek textual analysis: grace is a gift of God (Salvation through grace is a gift of God) – And you only receive it through your faith in Jesus

-4. Irresistible grace

• The elected is saved and taken them Heaven regardless of they like it or not ?

• Or does man has a free will ?

• Deut 30:17-18 “But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed.”– Does this sound like God forces His will on man ?

-4. Irresistible grace

• The elected is saved and taken them Heaven regardless of they like it or not ?

• Or does man has a free will ?

• Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…”

– Does this sound like God forces His will on man ?

-4. Irresistible grace

• The elected is saved and taken them Heaven regardless of they like it or not ?

• Or does man has a free will ?• John 15:6-7 “If anyone does not remain in me, he is

like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

– Does this sound like God forces His will on man ?

-5. Once Saved, Always Saved

• Rom 8:38-39: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Bible does not say that “you cannot walk away from God by your own decision” !!!

-5. Once Saved, Always Saved

• John 10:28: I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

• Bible does not say that “you cannot walk away from God by your own decision”

-5. Once Saved, Always Saved

• Luke 15:12: “The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate'…”

– Nobody snatched this boy from the Father– No angel or demon separated this from from

the Father– This boy did it to himself ! – Free will !!!

The DANGER of Calvinism

• Calvinism has led some to believe in a number of very dangerous false teachings

• A number of well-known preachers are spreading a dangerous lie known as:– Once Saved, Always Saved (OSAS)

• OSAS teaches that once you becomes a believer of Christ, you will always be saved – no matter what you will do in your life

False teachings of OSAS

• And so, sometimes out of ignorance or whatever it might be, they (believers) attempt to gratify and meet those needs the same way they did before they were saved, and therefore, you can't tell a carnal believer from a lost man. That is, you can't tell the cold from the carnal because the truth is, they're both acting the same way. Now, one of them is in Christ and one of them isn't. One of them is lost and the other one is in Christ. --- Charles Stanley, Spiritual Vs. Carnal -- Study in 1 Cor., Tape #8, PQ092)

False teachings of OSAS• " Eternal Security never gives a license to sin, but at

the same time sin does not cause us to lose our salvation" (Charles Ryrie, So Great Salvation, Victor Books, 1989, p. 143).

• "No matter what you do as a child of God, you are forgiven. You say, 'Murder?' Forgiven. 'Stealing?' Forgiven. 'Adultery?' Forgiven. 'Worshiping idols?' Forgiven. " --- Charles Stanley, Grace: God's Second Chance -- Grace and Continuing Sin, Tape #4, MC213.

The Logic of the Lie of OSAS• It all starts with the axiom that “Man is depraved” (Man

is dead in sin. What can dead people do ?)• If man can’t do anything, everything must be done by

God. So God must have chosen (predestined) some of us to be saved

• Since the ones saved are chosen by God and only God does the choosing, therefore: you CANNOT do anything to become “chosen” (you are dead, remember ?)

• If we can’t do anything to become “chosen”, you also CANNOT do anything to become “unchosen” (once a child of God, always a child of God)

• Christians can live like devils and still go to heaven !!

False teachings of OSAS

• Somebody had heard this kind of great news before:

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "  "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.

False teachings of OSAS

• "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.– God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the

tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "

• “Sin does not cause us to lose our salvation” OSAS said to the Christian. – Romans 6:23: The wages of sin is death

False teachings of OSAS• This may be the worst lie from all of OSAS

teachings…• From Charles Stanley’s book “Eternal Security

– can you be sure ?”:– You and I are not saved because we have enduring

faith, we are saved because at a moment in time we expressed faith in our enduring Lord. (page 78)

– Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy. (page 93)

– … believers who lose or abandon their faith will retain their salvation .... (page 94)

False teachings of OSAS

• “You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.– God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree

that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "

• “You will not surely die if you disown Jesus” OSAS said to the Christian. – In Matthew 10:33, Jesus said: “whoever

disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven”

False teachings of OSAS

• Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it

• Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

You can sinYou can deny Jesus

Sin no moreBelieve onto Jesus

Gate to Heaven

Gate to Heaven

Predestination contradicts Gods word• Theorem: IF predestination is true, then the

Word of God (Bible) lies ( sin has no effect !)

• Proof:– IF predestination is true, then you are either

predestined to go to heaven or not go to heaven– Assuming that you are predestined to go to heaven,

then you can sin all you want, and you will still go to heaven

– Assuming that you are predestined not to go to heaven, then it does not matter and you can sin all you want. So either way, sin has no effect !

Concluding Remarks• Believing in Predestination will not get you to heaven

nor get you to hell; only the blood of Jesus can do that• BUT: what you DO after you believe in Predestination

(and in Jesus) WILL send you to heaven or to hell:– 1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the

unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.