Many religious groups [churches] today follow the error of John Calvin.
It needs to be shown – according to Gods word - the error it teaches.
Error, that if embraced and practiced, will prevent man from one day being with God in heaven. We hope you will look up the Bible verses given in this study and read them for yourself.
All are admonished in John 4:24 to “worship in spirit and in truth”. Spirit = right attitude toward God and His word; truth = right information ie: Gods word. “Thy word is truth”. John 17:17.
John Calvin (French; 1509 – 1564); was an influential [of the day] French theologian during the Protestant Reformation.
Calvin's writing and preachings provided the seeds for the branch of theology that bears his name. He was a principal figure in the development of the [erroneous] system of Christian theology later called ‘Calvinism’.
‘Christian theology’ ie: Calvinism, is the enterprise to construct a coherent system of Christian belief and practice based primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and the New Testament as well as the historic traditions of the faithful.
It’s unfortunate that Calvin didn’t accept Gods plan for saving mankind. Gods way is found in the New Testament and was planned “before the foundations of the earth.” Ephesians 1:3-4.
The main points of Calvins uninspired ‘theology’ are easily shown as T-U-L-I-P. Lets see what Gods word says about Calvinism.
1). T – total depravity. Calvin believed and propagated another erroneous doctrine referred to as ‘original sin’. ie: Because of Adam and Eves sin in the garden of Eden, sin passed directly to all men. Calvin and others say that all mankind are born in sin because of Adam and Eve.
A reading of Gods word shows this doctrine to be in error. 1 John 3:4 – “whosoever commith sin transgretth the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.” (Gods law).
Ezekiel 18:4 tells us that “all souls are mine [Gods]; the soul that sinneth, it shall die”.
Ezekiel 18:20: “…the son shall NOT bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son”. This also shows the error of infant baptism. A new born baby is not capable of knowing right from wrong nor of sinning. Baptism is for remission of sins and an act of faith and obediance by a pentitent believer. Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37.
Romans 2: 6 – “Who [God] will render to every man, according to his [mans] deeds”. 2 Corinthians 5:10 – “for we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
Ephesians 2:3 tells us that man is “by nature children of wrath”. An aquired nature, not one that man is born with - Gods word says man is NOT born in total depravity, but each man is in fact, responsible for deeds and words done in his own body. See 1 John 3:4; 1 Peter 1:7.
And, Revelation 20:12-13 – “And I [John] saw the dead, small and great standing before God, and books were opened [gospel]. And another book was opened, which is the book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”
2). U – unconditional election – predestination! Calvin taught it made no difference what a person did or did not do, every person has already been ‘predestined’ to be saved or lost. Can’t be changed!
This is NOT what Gods word teaches. Ephesians 1:5 – “predestined” – meaning ‘determined beforehand’. God determined before the foundation of the world to save us IN Christ. God determined HOW, NOT WHO!
Acts 10:34-35 - “of a truth I perceive that God is NO respector of persons; but in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteouness is accepted with Him.”
Titus 2:11 - “for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL men.” Also, Ephesians 1:3-4, any [living faithfully] IN Christ are ‘predestined’ to be saved. But this opportunity is available to ALL, not just particular ones. Also, Romans 8:29-30 – speaking to purpose and character, not a personal identity. Also, 1 Peter 1:2; 2:9.
3). L – limited atonement. Calvinism says Christ died for only a chosen few. Gods word – the bible - tells us Christ died for ALL! Luke 19:10 -
“for the Son of man (Christ) is come to seek and save that which was lost,” (mankind). 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - “he died for ALL.” Also, John 1:29; 1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9.
4). I – irresitible grace. Calvinism teaches that those ‘predestined’ ones are overcome with Gods grace. Can’t resist, have no choice. Gods grace somehow falls upon you and overwhelms you! These men have no freewill.
Titus 2:11 tells us – “for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to ALL men.” 2 Peter 3:9 – “the Lord is not slack concerning His promise…but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.” Acts 17:30 - God now “commands ALL men everywhere to repent.”
5). P – perpetuation (perserverence) of the saints. Calvin taught - once saved, always saved. No way to fall from that ‘irresistible grace’.
The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1-4 that if one tried to be justified by old law (Old Testament) “ye are fallen from Grace”. 2 Peter 3:17 - “beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.”
Hebrews 3:12 – “Take heed, brethern, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, departing from the living God”.
Also, Hebrews 2:1; 4:1; 10:36.
The apostle Paul sums this up in 1Corinthians 9:27 – “But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be castaway.”
If the inspired apostle Paul knew it was possible to ‘fall away’ and be lost and took steps to prevent it, where does that leave the rest of us? Once saved, always saved, is a false doctrine and false hope to those who do not know Gods word.
Calvins doctrine can be summed up this way: 1). Don’t seek – can’t find it.
2). If you find it – you can’t get it. 3). If you get it – you can’t lose it. 4). If you lose it – you never had it!
As we read Gods word, we see God says nothing about the ideas Calvin set forth. Quite the contrary!
“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is NONE OTHER name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12.
That name most certainly is NOT Calvin, but is in fact, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek”. Romans 1:16.
