TULIP

This morning I've been doing some reading again.. this time on the views of John Calvin.

John Calvin , who lived at the time of Luther's Reformation in the 1500s, formulated a system of theology which I also share.
He takes a serious view of scripture as the infallible Word of God, adhering to it solely for all discussions- focusing on the Sovereignty of God at all times.
Scripture teaches that God by his Sovereign Grace has predestined the elect to salvation.
He regenerates us to where we desire Him, and it's not possible to lose our redemption.

Calvin states his theology in 5 critical points, though certainly there is more.

Total depravity-
"among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest."
Ephesians 2:3

"For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
Mark 7:21-23

Unconditional Election-
"For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls"
Romans 9:11
" For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy."
Romans 9:15-16
Some are elected to salvation, some are not.

Limited Atonement-"
"I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours" John 17:9
Jesus prayed for the elect, not the whole world.
He died for the elect- Isaiah says at Jesus crucifixion 'he bore the sins of many'.. not everyone.

Irresistable Grace-
" But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name:who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
John 1:12,13
By the working of the Holy Spirit within our hearts and minds, the elect are called and cannot resist. We come of our own free will repenting of our sins and are regenerated.
God calls, we answer.

Perseverance of the Saints-
"being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ"
Philippians 1:6
You can't lose your salvation.