THE FIVE POINTS OF CALVINISM

In summary, salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God.  God, the Father, chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ’s death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel.  The entire process (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone.  Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.

1.  Total Depravity

Because of the fall, man is unable in and of himself to believe the Gospel for salvation.  The sinner is dead, blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is deceitful and desperately corrupt.  His will is not free, it is in bondage to his evil nature, therefore, he can not choose good over evil, at least in the spiritual realm.

Consequently, it takes much more than the Spirit’s assistance to bring a sinner to Christ, it takes regeneration by which the Spirit makes the sinner alive and gives him a new nature.  Faith is not something man contributes to salvation but is itself a part of Gods gift of salvation.  It is Gods gift to the believer, not the sinners gift to God.
 

2.  Unconditional Election

God’s choice of certain individuals, to bring to salvation since before the foundation of the world rests solely on His sovereign will.  His choice of particular sinners is not based on any foreseen response nor obedience on their part, such as faith, repentance, etc.  On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance to each individual He selected.  These acts are the result, not the cause of Gods choice.  Election therefore was not determined by nor conditioned upon any virtuous quality nor act foreseen in man.  Those whom God elected He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ.  Thus Gods choice of the sinner, not the sinner’s choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation.
 

3.  Limited Atonement

Christ’s redeeming work was intended only to save the elect.  His death was the penalty for sin in the place of certain specified sinners (those elected).  In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ’s redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which unites them to Him.  The gift of faith is applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, therefore guaranteeing their salvation.
 

4.  Irresistible Grace

In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone whom hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation.  The external call, which is made to all without distinction, often is rejected.  Whereas the internal call, which is made only to the elect, cannot be rejected - it must always result in conversion.  By means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ.  The Holy Spirit is not limited in His work of applying salvation by either man’s will or cooperation for success.  The Spirit causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ.  God’s grace, therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended.
 

5.  Perseverance of the Saints

All whom have been chosen by God, are redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit, are eternally saved.  They are kept in faith by the power of God and therefore will persevere to the end.