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The Doctrines of Grace (TULIP)

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#Predestination #Total Depravity #Soteriology
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Reformed theology articulates the doctrines of grace through TULIP: Total Depravity asserts that fallen humanity is spiritually dead and unable to savingly believe without regeneration by the Spirit; Unconditional Election affirms God's sovereign choice of the elect before the foundation of the world based solely on His will, not foreseen faith or works; Limited Atonement teaches that Christ's substitutionary death was intended specifically for and secured salvation for the elect; Irresistible Grace explains that the Holy Spirit's inward call to the elect inevitably brings them to salvation and cannot be resisted; and Perseverance of the Saints declares that all the chosen, redeemed, and regenerated are eternally kept in faith by God's power. These doctrines, grounded in Scripture including Romans 9, Ephesians 1-2, and John 6, emphasize God's absolute sovereignty in salvation while maintaining human responsibility in freely responding to divine grace.

What does the Bible say about Total Depravity?

Total depravity means that because of the fall, man is unable to believe the gospel apart from God's regenerative work.

Total depravity is a core tenet of Reformed theology, explaining that due to the fall of Adam, every person inherits a sinful nature that renders them spiritually dead, blind, and unable to respond positively to God. This condition is not merely weakness or inefficacy; it implies that one's will is in bondage to a sinful nature, making saving faith impossible without divine intervention. Scripture supports this doctrine, indicating that man's heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and that no one seeks God (Romans 3:10-18). Thus, regeneration is necessary to bring about true faith and repentance, illustrating that faith itself is a gift from God rather than a contribution from the sinner.

Genesis 2:15-17, Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 3:10-18, Jeremiah 17:9, John 6:44, Ephesians 2:1-10

What does the Bible say about total depravity?

The Bible teaches that because of the fall, all humans are spiritually dead and cannot choose good over evil without divine intervention.

According to Scripture, total depravity indicates that as a result of Adam's sin, every person inherits a sinful nature that renders them unable to savingly believe the gospel. Passages like Genesis 2:15-17 and Romans 5:12 highlight the consequence of Adam's transgression, while Psalm 51:5 explains that all are born in sin. The heart of man is described as deceitful and desperately corrupt (Jeremiah 17:9), meaning his will is in bondage to this nature. Therefore, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is necessary for new life and belief in Christ, emphasizing that faith is a divine gift, not a human contribution (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Genesis 2:15-17, Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5, Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 2:8-10

How do we know Unconditional Election is true?

Unconditional election is based on God's sovereign will, not on any foresight of faith or obedience in individuals.

The doctrine of Unconditional Election asserts that God chose certain individuals for salvation before the foundations of the earth solely based on His sovereign purpose. This concept emphasizes that God's choice is not influenced by any anticipated goodness or decision on the part of the sinner. Key passages such as Ephesians 1:4-11 and Romans 9:10-21 affirm that election is rooted in God's divine will, underscoring that those He chooses will indeed come to faith through the work of the Holy Spirit, who changes their hearts. Therefore, unconditional election empowers us to understand that our salvation is entirely of God's grace and not of our own doing.

Romans 9:10-21, Ephesians 1:4-11, Romans 8:29-30, Acts 11:18, Acts 13:48

How do we know unconditional election is true?

Unconditional election is affirmed in the Bible, which teaches that God's choice of certain individuals for salvation is based solely on His sovereign will, not on any foreseen merit from them.

Unconditional election involves God's sovereignty in choosing particular individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world, as demonstrated in Ephesians 1:4-11. This choice is not conditioned on any prospective faith or good works, emphasizing that it is solely God's will that determines who will be saved. Romans 9:10-21 illustrates that God's mercy and compassion are given irrespective of human actions. The result of this divine selection is that God grants faith and repentance to those whom He has elected, ensuring that their eventual acceptance of Christ is the outcome of His sovereign decision. Therefore, the ultimate cause of salvation rests with God, not with human choice.

Ephesians 1:4-11, Romans 9:10-21

Why is Limited Atonement important for Christians?

Limited Atonement asserts that Christ's sacrificial death was specifically intended for the elect, securing their salvation.

The doctrine of Limited Atonement teaches that Jesus Christ died with the specific purpose of saving the elect, those whom God has chosen for salvation. This means that His death is not just a potential remedy for all sin, but an accomplished fact that ensures the salvation of those for whom it was intended. Scriptures such as Matthew 1:21 and John 10:11-30 highlight that Christ's atonement is effective and that it secures everything necessary for the salvation of the elect, including the gift of faith. Understanding Limited Atonement helps Christians appreciate the depth of God's grace and the certainty of salvation, as it aligns with the biblical portrayal of Christ's redemptive work.

Matthew 1:21, Romans 5:12-21, John 10:11-30, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 8:28-30

Why is limited atonement important for Christians?

Limited atonement underscores that Christ's death was intended to secure salvation specifically for the elect, ensuring that His redemptive work accomplished everything necessary for their salvation.

The doctrine of limited atonement holds that Christ's sacrificial death was designed to atone only for the sins of the elect—those whom God sovereignly chose for salvation. This is supported by verses like Matthew 1:21 and John 10:11-30, which indicate that Jesus laid down His life specifically for His sheep. The implication of limited atonement is that Christ's work effectively accomplishes salvation for the elect, leading to their faith and ultimately their eternal security (Romans 5:12-21). Such a view inspires profound assurance among believers, knowing that their salvation is not a mere possibility contingent on their choices, but rather an assured reality purchased by Christ's death.

Matthew 1:21, John 10:11-30, Romans 5:12-21

What is Irresistible Grace in Christian theology?

Irresistible Grace indicates that the Holy Spirit's call to the elect results in certain salvation that cannot be rejected.

Irresistible Grace is the doctrine that, when the Holy Spirit extends His inward call to the elect, it effectively leads them to salvation. This means that those whom God has chosen will inevitably respond to His call and receive salvation, as the Spirit enables them to cooperate willingly. Unlike the external call of the gospel, which can be ignored or rejected, the internal call is powerful and persuasive, ensuring that the elect will come to faith. Scriptures like John 6:44 and Romans 8:28-30 emphasize that God's grace is never thwarted; it accomplishes His purpose in the lives of those He has chosen, emphasizing the sovereign nature of God's salvation.

John 6:44, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 8:28-30, John 3:16, Romans 8:35-39

How do the Perseverance of the Saints apply to Christians?

Perseverance of the Saints teaches that those truly saved will remain in faith until the end, protected by God's power.

The Perseverance of the Saints doctrine asserts that all who are genuinely chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit will continue in their faith and ultimately be saved. This teaching reassures believers that their salvation is secure, as it is sustained by God's almighty power rather than their own efforts. Key biblical passages like John 6:35-40 and Philippians 1:6 affirm that true believers will persevere, as they are kept in God's grace. The assurance of perseverance is rooted in the nature of God's saving work, which is both effective and everlasting. Believers can, therefore, find comfort and confidence in the promise that nothing can separate them from the love of God.

John 3:16, John 6:35-40, Philippians 1:6, Jude 24-25, Romans 8:35-39

(These are taken from Appendix D of Steele and Thomas' ROMANS, An Interpretive Outline.)

Total Depravity
Because of the fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the gospel. 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 will not--indeed he cannot--choose good over evil 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 God's gift of salvation--it is God's gift to the sinner, not the sinner's gift to God.
Genesis 2:15-17, Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 3:10-18, Jeremiah 17:9, John 6:44, Ephesians 2:1-10

Unconditional Election
God's choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will. His choice of particular sinners was not based on any foreseen response or obedience on their part, such as faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance to each individual whom He selected. These acts are the result, not the cause of God's choice. Election therefore was not determined by or conditioned upon any virtuous quality or act foreseen in man. Those whom God sovereignly elected He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus God's choice of the sinner, not the sinner's choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation.
Romans 9:10-21, Ephesians 1:4-11, Ephesians 2:4-10, Romans 8:29-30, Acts 11:18, Acts 13:48

Limited Atonement
Christ's redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them. His death was a substitutionary endurance of the penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners. In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ's redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which united them to Him. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, thereby guaranteeing their salvation.
Matthew 1:21, Romans 5:12-21, Romans 3:21-26, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:5-6, Philippians 1:6, John 10:11-30, John 17:6-12, Romans 8:28-30, John 6:44, Acts 20:28

Irresistible Grace
In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who 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) can be, and often is, rejected; whereas the internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected, it always results in conversion. By means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not limited in His work of applying salvation by man's will, nor is He dependent upon man's cooperation for success. The Spirit graciously 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.
John 3:16, Matthew 22:14, Acts 17:29-31, Matthew 23:37-39, John 6:44, Romans 8:28-30, John 1:12-13, John 3:1-8, Ephesians 2:8-10

Perseverance of the Saints
All who were chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end.
John 3:16, John 6:35-40, John 6:44, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:12-13, Jude 24-25, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8:28-30, Romans 8:35-39

Topics:
Gospel Distinctives Reference Documents
209 views Published: Jul, 11 2004 Updated: Jan, 31 2019

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