The acrostic: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and the Perseverance of the Saints is shorthand for what is known as the Five points of Calvinism or The Doctrines of Grace
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This application was created to provide a means to dig deeper into the Doctrine of Grace, and provide references which can be used daily as a reminder of God's sovereignty and love. it is my sincere hope you enjoy it.
The Five Points of Calvinism, occasionally known by the mnemonic TULIP, constitute a summary of Reformed soteriology. Named after John Calvin, they largely reflect the teaching of the Canons of Dort. The Five Points of Calvinism assert that God saves every person upon whom he has mercy, and that his efforts are not frustrated by the unrighteousness or inability of humans. They have been summarized under the acrostic TULIP.
Because of the fall, man in his natural condition apart from any work of grace is guilty before God, hostile to God and good, inclined only toward evil continually, spiritually dead and unable to save himself. Sin has so affected every part of man (mind, will, emotions) that he cannot and will not by nature turn from sin and believe in Christ to be saved. Rather, he will exercise his will in rebellion against God and the pursuit of sin.
Election refers to God’s choosing of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world. This choice is unconditional in that it is not based on any merit in the sinner or any foreseen response from the sinner, but rests only in the sovereign wisdom and good pleasure of God. Repentance and faith are the result of election not the cause of election. Apart from the election of grace, none would be saved for none would seek after God.
The doctrine of limited atonement (perhaps better referred to as definite
atonement or particular redemption) addresses the extent of Christ’s atoning
work on the cross. It answers the question, “For whom did Christ die?” More
specifically, it grapples with the question of what Christ’s death actually
accomplished: did it merely make salvation possible for those who might believe
or did His death actually accomplish and secure the salvation of His elect?
The Scriptures teach that Christ’s death actually achieved the salvation of
those for whom He died. Christ’s death was not general, but particular and
definite in its aim. Christ died for the elect. He died for His bride, the
Church. And His death actually accomplished all that was necessary to secure
the everlasting salvation of His people. Christ’s death on the cross cancels
the debt of their sin, satisfies the holy wrath of God, and wins for His people
all the benefits of salvation, including the gifts of repentance, faith and new
life by the Spirit. While Scripture references will be listed below to support
this understanding of Christ’s death on the cross, it should be noted that
limited atonement is best understood by a careful study of the meaning of union
with Christ by faith as well as the great terms used in the NT to describe
Christ’s cross-work, such as: redemption, reconciliation, propitiation,
substitution, satisfaction.
Because man is spiritually dead in sin, only a sovereign work of God can overcome man’s rebellion against God and bring him to faith in Christ. Irresistible grace refers to that special inward work of God the Holy Spirit whereby a sinner is made spiritually alive and given the gifts of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s sovereign work of grace can and will overcome all resistance when He wills to draw His elect to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
All those so chosen by God before time, redeemed by Christ, effectually called by God to faith in Christ and given new life in the Spirit, will be finally saved. This is not simply a matter of eternal security, though it includes that. Scripture teaches that the saints will be kept in persevering faith and the obedience of faith by the power of God to the end. The fruits of conversion will be evident in their lives, though not without remaining sin.
This application is brought to you by Dr. M. Keith Foskey and Sovereign Grace Family Church, Jacksonville, FL
You can follow Keith on X and Instagram: @YourCalvinist, and you can visit Sovereign Grace Family Church on line at https://sgfcjax.org/
I hope this application will be an inspiration to dig deeper into Scripture, and into the Doctrines of Grace. If you are curious, have any questions or comments feel free to reach out. If not to me, then find a good Bible believing Church and talk to them. If you would like prayer, for any reason, let me know so that I can lift you up.
And, if you find yourself in the Jacksonville Fl area, please come by and visit. The people of Sovereign Grace Family Church would love to meet and talk to you.