Calvinism-4
Jude 3-4
Introduction-1
• Jude wrote exhorting christians to contend earnestly for the
faith once delivered to the saints
• Even then false teachers were at work teaching error and
trying to lead disciples astray
• Calvinism contains the most pervasive religious errors
among those who claim to be christians
• It consists of five points sometimes represented by the
acronym, TULIP
Introduction-2
• T- total hereditary depravity
• U- unconditional election
• L- limited atonement
• I- Irresistible grace
• Perseverance of the saints
• These are found in the handbooks, manuals and disciplines of
the various denominations
• And many of their members believe these erroneous teachings
Introduction-3
• John Calvin was an influential French theologian who preached
during the Protestant reformation
• These teachings did not originate with him, but he popularized
them through his teaching and writings during the 1500’s
• Knowing the truth about these teachings can prevent us from
believing them, and also help us lead others out of error
• This afternoon I want to the fourth of the five tenants of
Calvinism which is irresistible grace
Meaning of Irresistible Grace
• Grace (charis) means to receive favor or to be in favor with
• Here it refers to God’ favor toward sinners in forgiving their sins
• That we are saved by grace is without question
• Eph. 2:8 says “For by grace you have been saved by grace through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”
• But this teaching says that God through the direct operation of
the Holy Spirit will change the heart and the will of those who
are among the elect so that they will understand the gospel,
believe and be saved
Irresistible Grace Stated-1
• I. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those
only, He is pleased, in His appointed 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;
enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand
the things of God, taking away their heart of stone, and giving
unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and, by His
almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and
effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ: yet so, as they come
most freely, being made willing by His grace. (Westminister
Confession of Faith, Chp. X, section 1)
Irresistible Grace Stated-2
• II. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not
from anything at 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 in it. (Westminister Confession of
Faith, Chp. X, section 2)
Proof Texts Claimed for Irresistible Grace-1
• Rom. 8:7- Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it
is not subject to the law of God , nor indeed can be.
• The claim is that the carnal mind is unable to understand God’s
word and respond to the gospel call because it is depraved by
original sin from birth
• But the reason for people’s rejection of God’s word is not a lack
of ability but a lack of interest in and desire for it- Rom. 1:25
• They have set their mind on the things of the flesh- v.5 & Jn.3:19
Proof Texts Claimed for Irresistible Grace-2
• Acts 16:14- Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was
a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God.
The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
• The assertion is that the Holy Spirit acted directly on Lydia’s
heart enabling her to believe what Paul taught
• If that were true, then God did for her something that He did not
do for any other convert recorded in the New Testament
Proof Texts Claimed for Irresistible Grace- 3
• First, Lydia was not depraved but was already a worshiper of God
and prayed to Him
• God opened her heart the same way Jesus opened the
understanding of the two disciples going to Emmaus and His
apostles by teaching them in a way so that they could
understand the truth about Himself- Lk. 24:27 & 45
• Her heart, like the heart of many of the Jews, was closed by a
misunderstanding of the Messiah and His kingdom
• The language emphasizes God’s providence in her conversion
Scriptures that Refute Irresistible Grace
• Stephen said that the unbelieving Jews had always resisted the
Holy Spirit- Acts 7:51
• The assertion is made that people may resist some influences of
the Holy Spirit
• But if some influences may be resisted, why not all of them
• People are not called directly by the Holy Spirit but by the gospel
inspired by Him- II Thess. 2:13-14
• All are invited to come and enjoy life in Christ- Mt. 11:28
In Conclusion
• Irresistible grace stands in direct opposition to the plain
teachings of the scriptures
• It denies man’s freedom of choice
• It makes people nothing more than robots
• It makes God unjust in condemning those are not directly called
by the Holy Spirit
• God calls all to salvation through the gospel of His beloved SonRom. 1:16