What does the Bible say about salvation not being of man?

In Galatians 1:15-16, Paul emphasizes that his calling was not of man but of God. He stresses that true salvation is divine in origin and cannot be earned through human effort or tradition. This aligns with the Reformed understanding of salvation by grace alone, underscoring that God initiates and secures salvation without human merit. The emphasis on God's sovereignty in salvation serves to remind believers that it is God's work that transforms hearts and draws individuals to Himself.

Furthermore, throughout Scripture, we see examples of God's initiative in salvation. For instance, Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states that by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. This underlines the key Reformed tenet that human traditions and efforts do not contribute to our standing before God, but it is solely through Christ's accomplished work on the cross that we are saved.