From the thread "The Five points in a Nutshell.........." That thread shows the "Five Points" of Calvinistic beliefs.
1. God elects, chooses, before the foundation of the world whom he will save and whom he will pass by and leave to unbelief and sin and rebellion. He does this unconditionally, not on the basis of foreseen faith that humans produce by a supposed power of ultimate self-determination (= �free will�).
2. The Atonement applies to the elect in a unique, particular way, although the death of Christ is sufficient to propitiate the sins of the whole world. The death of Christ effectually accomplished the salvation for all God�s people.
3. Because of the Fall, humans are incapable of any saving good apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. We are helpless and dead in sin. We have a mindset that �cannot submit to God without divine enabling.
4. God�s call to salvation is effectual, and, hence His grace cannot be ultimately thwarted by human resistance. God�s regenerating call can overcome all human resistance.
5. Those whom God calls and regenerates He also keeps, so that they do not totally and finally fall away from faith and grace.
We all believe that we are to preach the Gospel [Mark 16:15] to a lost and dying world, but do we preach what we believe? The Calvinist believes in the above "Five Points" as far as Salvation is concerned. So do you, the Calvinist, preach what you believe? Do you preach the above "Five Points" when reaching out to the lost since they are foundational to Salvation in your belief? Do you preach what you believe?
Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!
Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!
*From a song "Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus)" by Chris Rice*
The simplicity of the Gospel... No "points"... Just truth.
? Do you preach the above "Five Points" when reaching out to the lost since they are foundational to Salvation in your belief? Do you preach what you believe?
James replies:
No, of course not. That is NOT the Gospel. Neither is a persons position on the end times, or the nature of God.
You preach the gospel and that is all, when you are preaching the gospel.
If you look at Dr. D. James Kennedy's "Evangelism Explosion" which is a VERY good way to teach Christians to share the gospel, there is nothing in there about the doctrines of Grace.
If you look at the thread I started on here a while back about sharing your faith, it was by a Calvinist, and it also had NOTHING about the doctrines of Grace in it.
That stuff comes later....IF the person accepts Jesus.
And if YOU are teaching Arminianism to people WHILE trying share the Gospel with them YOU are messing up!!!
A Catholic will preach the main stream Gospel, then later you find it is by the sacraments you are saved.
Mormons will do the same then later you find out God lives on the planet circling the star Kolab and Jesus and Satan are brothers.
The Jehovah Witnesses will tell you about God's real name and preach the Gospel then later you find out Jesus is actually Michael the Arch Angel.
The Calvinist will preach the main stream Gospel in accordance with the Bible, only later do you find out it is not for everyone, and if your not choosen by God before the creation of the world it may not be for you either.
One could liken the true gospel of Calvinism as God selling raffle tickets, winners to be announced at the great white throne judgement.
James wrote - "No, of course not. That is NOT the Gospel. Neither is a persons position on the end times, or the nature of God. You preach the gospel and that is all, when you are preaching the gospel."
So you don't include "grace" in your preaching of the Gospel? Even though it is by grace that we are saved?
James wrote - "If you look at Dr. D. James Kennedy's "Evangelism Explosion" which is a VERY good way to teach Christians to share the gospel, there is nothing in there about the doctrines of Grace."
No grace in his Gospel of Jesus Christ either, huh?
James wrote - "If you look at the thread I started on here a while back about sharing your faith, it was by a Calvinist, and it also had NOTHING about the doctrines of Grace in it."
Still no grace in your Gospel of Jesus Christ? Interesting.
James wrote - "That stuff comes later....IF the person accepts Jesus."
Yeah, I can see why grace for your Gospel would come later if the person accepts Jesus... If you introduced your "Five Points" during the preaching of your Gospel, a person would most likely have to wonder if there really was a chance for them to receive eternal life, not to mention the question in their mind, "Does God love me?"
James wrote - "And if YOU are teaching Arminianism to people WHILE trying share the Gospel with them YOU are messing up!!!"
I wouldn't know how to teach Arminianism to people while trying to share the Gospel. Like I've mentioned numerous times, I've never read an article by one, so I don't know what method[s] they use to preach the Gospel. I share Scripture. Don't even have to redefine words. All have sinned. God so loved the world. He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ who bore the sins of all on the cross at Calvary. His death brought forgiveness. Three days later, He rose, just as He said He would. His resurrection brought life. Believe, repent, and receive eternal life.
