Irresistible Grace. An unregenerate person cannot voluntarily believe in God but once God determines to save him, that same individual cannot overcome or resist the power of God no matter what he may desire.
Scriptural Objections to Irresistible GraceIrresistible Grace contradicts the Scriptural principle of free agency. This tenet of Calvinism declares that the grace of God cannot be rejected. In contrast, the Bible plainly teaches that ones salvation is conditional upon his obedience -- that one can either reject or accept salvation as it is offered through Jesus Christ. The grace of God has appeared to all people (Titus 2:11) and yet millions have rejected it. Each person is accountable for his response to the gospel. (John 12:47-48) Those who reject the teachings of Jesus are held responsible. (John 5:24; 8:24) The Bible states that each individual is free to choose whether or not to take advantage of the grace of God. It clearly demonstrates one may resist God's grace as revealed in His word.
Irresistible Grace mistakenly portrays how people are called by God to salvation. All people are called by the gospel. (2 Thes. 2:14) The Bible does not say that people are called by some still, small voice or by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit on them. The Holy Spirit in the conviction and conversion of the sinner does not work apart from the word. (Rom. 1:16)
Irresistible Grace changes the order of belief and salvation. A Calvinist, Loraine Boettner, says, "A man is not saved because he believes in Christ; he believes in Christ because he is saved." (The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination) But in the Bible, salvation always follows belief, i.e., faith always precedes salvation.
While that is what they say, the Bible teaches that one is made alive when, after hearing the gospel, he is baptized. (Col. 2:12,13; cf. John 3:3-5)
ConclusionThe Scriptures reveal we are saved by the grace of God. (Eph. 2:8) However, using our freedom to choose, we accept this grace by our faith not because God forces us to accept it. (Rev. 22:17)
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Irresistible Grace mistakenly portrays how people are called by God to salvation. All people are called by the gospel. (2 Thes. 2:14) The Bible does not say that people are called by some still, small voice or by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit on them. The Holy Spirit in the conviction and conversion of the sinner does not work apart from the word. (Rom. 1:16)
Irresistible Grace changes the order of belief and salvation. A Calvinist, Loraine Boettner, says, "A man is not saved because he believes in Christ; he believes in Christ because he is saved." (The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination) But in the Bible, salvation always follows belief, i.e., faith always precedes salvation.
- John 3:16. Belief then salvation.
- Acts 16:31. Belief then salvation.
- Mark 16:16. Belief, baptism, then salvation.
- Hebrews11:6. One cannot be saved without faith, thus making it a condition of salvation and causing it to have to precede the salvation of one's soul.
While that is what they say, the Bible teaches that one is made alive when, after hearing the gospel, he is baptized. (Col. 2:12,13; cf. John 3:3-5)
ConclusionThe Scriptures reveal we are saved by the grace of God. (Eph. 2:8) However, using our freedom to choose, we accept this grace by our faith not because God forces us to accept it. (Rev. 22:17)
Read more information on this link.