Doctrines of Grace

How are people saved from their sins and made right before a thrice-holy God? This is the big question. Several positions are held in Christianity. Some hold exclusively to salvation by works, while others hold to salvation by grace plus works of a particular type; for example, grace and works, grace and the church, grace and the sacraments. Yet, others believe salvation is by God’s grace alone.

What does the holy, inerrant, infallible Word of God teach? We must not judge matters by our opinions, what society thinks, what culture dictates, what various denominations teach, or by what we feel. The Holy Scriptures alone, not tradition, are the Church’s only infallible rule of faith and practice. Sometimes you find this principle expressed, made famous by the Protestant Reformers and written in Latin: Sola Scriptura, which means the Scriptures alone. It is to the Holy Bible alone that we must yield our allegiance and when we do so we find it teaches salvation is by grace alone. There are five biblical truths that set this forth called the doctrines of grace.

Although sometimes referred to as The Five Points of Calvinism, again these are simply five key teachings found in the Word of God that were written down as articles by the Synod of Dort in 1610. This was done to counter the five articles published by the followers of James Arminius, which were at variance with the Holy Scriptures.

These five articles underline the vitally important truth that God is in control of all things, not man; that the triune God is the source of salvation; and that men and women can do nothing to save themselves. They glorify God, not man, and emphasize our total dependence as guilty sinners on the mercy and grace of God for salvation. These form the foundation of true biblical Christianity.

I. Total Depravity

The Scriptures clearly teach that the effects of sin have extended to all parts of our being, including our wills, rendering us incapable of spiritual understanding and love towards God. This came about because our first parents — Adam and Eve — disobeyed God, sinned, and fell in the Garden of Eden. Despite the heading of this first article, it does not indicate that all people are as wicked as they could possibly be in all areas of belief and practice. However, sin has so fully and deeply affected our lives that, spiritually speaking, we are in a totally hopeless condition, unable and unwilling to get ourselves out of this fallen state.

Our natural spiritual incapacity prevents us from being able to respond by our own strength to the call of the gospel message, yet this does not remove our guilt and responsibility. While fully responsible to repent and respond, we are unable. Instead, we choose to follow the natural inclinations of our depraved hearts because when left to ourselves that is all we want to do.

Scripture references: Genesis 3:1-12; Romans 5:12-19; Ephesians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 1:30; John 3:18, 5:40, 6:44, 65, 12:39, 15:25; Luke 19:14; Isaiah 5:20; Titus 1:15; Deuteronomy 32:18; Hebrews 2:1.

II. Unconditional Election

God has shown in His Word that from eternity past He has elected some sinners to be saved from sin and the condemnation that is justly deserved by all, purely on the account of His gracious mercy and love; not because of any foreseen merits or acts in those sinners. Because of the fact of total depravity, salvation must originate with God, and the Scriptures teach that it is God’s sovereign will alone that has determined the recipients of that salvation. This doctrine does not render God unjust, for all are guilty and all deserve to suffer God’s judgment. Rather, it emphasizes the grace of God by the fact that He has chosen some for salvation.

Scripture reference: Psalm 65:4, 103:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 9:11, 11:5, 15,23; Ephesians 1:4,5,9,11; 1 Peter 1:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Jonah 2:9.

III. Particular Redemption (or Limited Atonement)

Put simply, Christ died only to save the elect, securing with absolute certainty their salvation. This is not to teach that there is anything lacking in the power of God, perhaps suggesting that He is not able to save all men. Rather, God’s Word indicates that it was the Father’s intention that His Son was to suffer and die only for His chosen people, atoning for their sins alone. Christ’s atonement was limited only in extent, not in power, according to the sovereign will of God.

In the Bible we read that the Lord’s servant (Jesus) would see the results of His work (His atoning sacrifice) and “be satisfied.” Also, Jesus stated plainly that there were many who were heading for eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13). We can only reconcile these two statements if we understand that Christ died only for a limited number of people — God’s elect.

Scripture references: Acts 13:48, 20:28; John 3:14-15 6:38-39; 10:11, 17:9,10,24; Galatians 1:4-5; Hebrews 9:12; Revelation 5:9, 13:8, 17:8; 1 Peter 2:21; Romans 5:8-10 8:33-34; I Thessalonians 1:10; Luke 1:68; Isaiah 53:11.

IV. Irresistible Grace (or Effectual Calling)

When the gospel is preached, an invitation is issued by the Lord to all people to come to Him for salvation. However, as the natural state of all people renders them incapable of responding to this invitation, except to reject it. So when God calls an elect sinner to repentance and faith in Christ, He sends His Holy Spirit to work a change in the heart, enabling him to see his sin, his need of a Saviour, leading him to turn from his sin and put faith in Christ alone for salvation. The Lord, by His Spirit, irresistibly draws His elect to Himself, regenerating and raising him to spiritual life, making him willing to trust in Jesus alone.

Scripture references: Matthew 11:28-30, 23:37; John 6;37; Ephesians 1:12; Ezekiel 11:19-20; Psalm 110:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:11.

V. Perseverance of the Saints

Once God has saved elect sinners, He continues to keep and preserve them by His power and grace and will never let them go. Thus, they persevere to the end and can never be lost. If God did not do this, we would inevitably turn back again to the world, because of the sin that is around us and remains in us. Thus, God enables His children to continue in faith and obedience throughout their earthly lives, then to pass into God’s presence in heaven forever. This doctrine is not to be taken as a license to go on sinning, as if the believer is free to act in any way he chooses now that he is sealed in Christ. The true believer will show signs of a growing desire for holiness and an increasing loathing of sin. The one who attempts to use grace as an excuse for sinful living is in all probability not a true believer, for where there is spiritual life, the fruit of the Spirit will become evident.

Scripture references: 1 Peter 1;5; James 4:6; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30; Philippians 1:6,19; John 6:39, 10:28-29; Romans 8:8, 38-39; Galatians 5:13-26.