A COMPARISON OF THE DOCTRINAL SYSTEMS: AND

The 16th century was essentially a rediscovery of God’s Word and its teachings of salvation by grace alone, through faith. Out of the Reformation came a system of doctrine known as the Reformed Faith, or Calvinism. This system, though most ably defended by John Calvin, was believed and taught by Luther, Zwingli, Bullinger, Bucer, and all the outstanding leaders of the Reformation. Indeed, the Reformed view of salvation was not even new to the Reformation; it was also the teaching of the 4th century cleric, Augustine. The Reformed Faith became the prominent doctrinal position of across Europe and in America. Many see it as the most Biblically consistent understanding of salvation.

In the early 17th century, followers of Jacob Arminius, a noted Dutch pastor and professor of , challenged this prevailing doctrinal system. An assembly of theologians (the of Dort from Germany, Switzerland, England, and Holland was called to discuss and debate the issues raised by Arminius.

The following chart outlines the differences in the two positions and the decision of the Synod of Dort (1619). The “Five Points of Calvinism,” recalled by the acrostic T.U.L.I.P, were the countering responses to the “Five Points of Arminianism.” This material was adopted from, The Five Points of Calvinism Defined, Defended, Documented, by Steele and Thomas, edited with added notes by Pastor Mike Schuelke.

The “Five Points” of ARMINIANISM The “Five Points of CALVINISM

1. Free Will or Human Ability 1. or Total Inability

Although human nature was seriously affected Because of the Fall, man is unable of himself to by the Fall, man has not been left in a state of savingly believe the . The sinner is dead, helplessness. God graciously enables every blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is sinner to repent and believe, but He does so in a deceitful and desperately corrupt. His will is not manner as not to interfere with man’s freedom. free, it is in bondage to his evil nature, therefore, Each sinner possesses a free will, and his eternal he will not—indeed he cannot—choose good destiny depends on how he uses it. Man’s over evil in the spiritual realm. Consequently, it freedom consists of his ability to choose good takes much more than the Spirit’s assistance to over evil in spiritual matters; his will is not bring a sinner to —it takes by enslaved to his sinful nature. The Sinner has the which the Spirit makes the sinner alive and gives power to either cooperate with God’s Spirit and him a new nature. Faith is not something man be regenerated or resist God’s grace and perish. contributes to salvation but is itself a part of The lost sinner needs the Spirit’s assistance, but God’s gift of salvation--it is God’s gift to the he does not have to be regenerated by the spirit sinner and not the sinner’s gift to God. before he can believe, for faith is man’s act and precedes the new birth. He is sick and near- Genesis 6:5—Then the LORD saw that the sighted, but still able to obey, believe, and wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil repent. Faith is the sinner’s gift to God; it is continually. man’s contribution to salvation. Jeremiah 13:23— Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.

Dear reader, this comparison was done with the 1. Total Depravity or Total Inability (cont.) expressed purpose to demonstrate the Biblical veracity of the Reformed or Calvinistic position John 3:3— answered and said to him, "Most of Salvation by Grace alone, considering a total assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he understanding. You will notice texts given to cannot see the kingdom of God." support the Reformed view and none given to John 3:19—And this is the condemnation, that the support the Arminian position. This does not light has come into the world, and men loved dark- mean texts are not given by its proponents. My ness rather than light, because their deeds were desire is that you will study the texts opposite evil. this column and supply your own that support the Arminian view in the space provided. John 6:44—No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up Compare them and ask honestly, “Can the texts at the last day. for Calvinism be in support of, or understood from the Arminian perspective? And, can the John 6:65—And He said, "Therefore I have said to texts given for the Arminian view support, or be you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." understood in the context of the Calvinistic framework?” Romans 3:10-12—As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good,

no, not one."

1 Cor. 2:14—But the natural man does not receive

the things of the Spirit of God, for they are

foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because

they are spiritually discerned.

Ephes. 2:1-3—And you He made alive, who were

dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once

walked according to the course of this world,

according to the prince of the power of the air, the

spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in

the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath,

just as the others.

Ephes. 2:8-9—For by grace you have been saved

through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the

gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2. 2. Unconditional Election

God’s choice of certain individuals unto God’s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world was salvation before the foundation of the world based upon His foreseeing that they would rested solely in His own sovereign will. His respond to His call. He selected only those choice of particular sinners was not based on whom He knew would of themselves freely any foreseen response or obedience on their part believe the gospel. Election therefore was such as faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, determined by or conditioned upon what man God gives faith and repentance to each would do. The faith which God foresaw and individual whom He selected. These acts are the upon which He based His choice was not result, not the cause of God’s choice.

2. Conditional Election (cont.) 2. Unconditional Election (cont.) given to the sinner by God (it was not created by the regenerating power of the holy Spirit) but Election therefore was not determined by or resulted solely from man’s will. It was left conditioned upon any virtuous quality or act entirely up to man as to who would believe and foreseen in man. if, as the Scriptures declare, therefore as to who would be elected unto man’s nature is completely sinful, dead to salvation. God chose those whom He knew spiritual things, then what good can God would, of their own free will, choose Christ. foresee? If faith is a gift of God to the sinner, Thus, the sinner’s choice of Christ, not God’s then what faith does God foresee in the sinner, choice of the sinner, is the ultimate cause of apart from the very faith He gives? salvation. Those whom God sovereignly elected, He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus, God’s choice of the sinner, not the sinner’s choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation.

Deut. 7:6-8—"For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Amos 3:2—"You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins." NIV

Amos 3:2— "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." NKJ

(To “know” according to the Scriptures is to love or choose, to” foreknow” is to love beforehand, not just know about a certain future act of faith.)

Matthew 11:27—All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. (“Chooses to reveal” NIV)

Matthew 24:24—For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

John 6:37—All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

2. Unconditional Election (cont.)

John 6:65—And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father."

John 15:16--You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Acts 13:48—Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Romans 8:29-30—For whom He foreknew, (fore loved) He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 9:11-13—(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger." As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."

Romans 9:14-16—What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. Note: For those who cry “Free will!” The bible clearly says it is by God’s will, not man’s.

Romans 11:5—Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Ephes. 1:4-5—just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (not according to a foreseen decision for Christ.)

Ephes. 1:11—In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

2 Thes. 2:13—But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

3. Universal or General Atonement 3. Limited or Particular Atonement

Christ’s redeeming work made it possible for While the work of Christ is able to save all and everyone to be saved but did not actually secure is offered to all who would believe (John 3:16), the salvation of anyone. He died equally for all Christ’s redeeming work was intended to save men, and paid the provisional price that made the elect only and secured salvation for them. salvation possible for all but guaranteed it for His death was a substitutionary endurance of the none unless they chose freely to accept Him. penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners. Although Christ died for all men and for every man, only those who believe in Him are saved. “All that He did would have been necessary had His death enabled God to pardon sinners on the only one sinner been chosen, but He would not condition that they believe, but it did not have had to do any more had all sinners been actually put away anyone’s sins. Christ’s chosen.” becomes effective only if man chooses to accept it. Hypothetically, if no one When Israel’s High Priest offered sacrifice on chose to accept Christ, then God’s plan would Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—it was have been only a good idea that nobody wanted. not for the Babylonians, the Assyrians, or the Egyptians, it was for Israel. It was for a particular people that the sacrifice was made.

In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ’s redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which unites them to Him. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom

Christ died, thereby guaranteeing their salvation.

Isaiah 53:8—He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people He was stricken.

Matthew 1:21—And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."

Matthew 20:28—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Not for all!)

John 10:15—As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. Note: For whom did Christ lay His life down? The sheep.

John 15:13-14—Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

John 17:6—"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

3. Limited or Particular Atonement (cont.)

John 17:9-10—I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours

are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Note: This is Jesus’ prayer as High Priest, it is for His people--the Disciples given to him by the Father, and all who would believe through their message (vs. 20)--not the world.

John 17:19-20—And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

What did Jesus mean when He says that “for their sakes I would sanctify myself?” In the primary sense, to be sanctified was to be set apart for God’s purpose. God’s purpose for Christ was to redeem a people by dying for them, paying the penalty for their sins. For whom was Christ sanctified? “For their sakes”—the Disciples and those who would believe on their message. For whom did Christ die? According to John 17, for His Disciples and those who would believe their message--not the world.

Acts 20:28—Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Who did He purchase with His blood? The world? No, the Church and the church alone.

Ephes. 5:25-26—Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.

For whom did Jesus Give Himself up that He might sanctify and cleanse? The world? No, the Church.

4. The Spirit can be Effectually Resisted 4. -- Effectual Call of the Spirit

The Spirit calls inwardly all those who are called In addition to the outward general call to outwardly by the gospel invitation; He does all salvation which is made to everyone who hears that He can to bring every sinner to salvation. the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a But inasmuch as man is free, he can successfully special inward call that inevitably brings them to resist the Spirit’s call. The Spirit cannot salvation. The external call (made to all without regenerate the sinner until he believes; faith distinction) can be, often is, rejected; whereas (which is man’s contribution) proceeds and the internal call (which is made to only the elect) makes possible the new birth. Thus, man’s free cannot be rejected; it always results in will limits the Spirit in the application of conversion. Christ’s saving work. The Holy Spirit can only draw to Christ those who allow Him to have His By means of this special call, the Spirit way with them. 4. The Spirit can be Effectually Resisted cont. 4. Irresistible Grace-Effectual Call of the Spirit

Until the sinner responds, the Spirit cannot give irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not life. God’s grace, therefore, is not invincible; it limited in His work of applying Salvation by can be, and often is, resisted and thwarted by man’s will, nor is He dependent upon man’s man. cooperation for success.

The Spirit graciously causes the elect sinner to see, believe, cooperate, repent, and come willingly and freely to Christ. God’s grace therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended.

In all of this, God alone is glorified. The only thing you contribute to your salvation is your sin.

Deut. 29:2-4—Now Moses called all Israel and said to them: "You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land-- [3] the great trials which your eyes have seen, the signs, and those great wonders. [4] Yet the LORD has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day.

Psalm 65:4—Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts.

Proverbs 16:1—The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:9—A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Proverbs 21:1—The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Ezekiel 36:25-27—Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

Luke 14:23—Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

John 6:37—All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

4. Irresistible Grace-Effectual Call of the Spirit

John 6:44—No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:65—And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father."

Acts 5:31—Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and of sins.

Acts 11:18—When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Acts 13:48—When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Acts 16:14—Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.

Romans 8:28-30—And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 11:29—For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

1 Cor. 1:9—God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Cor. 3:6--I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

1 Cor. 4:7—For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Galatians 1:15—But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,

Philip. 2:12-13—Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own

4. Irresistible Grace-Effectual Call of the Spirit

salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

2 Tim. 2:25—in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them

repentance, so that they may know the truth,

James 1:18—Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Whose will is being exercised here, by what means?

5. Falling from Grace 5. Perseverance of the

Those who believe and are truly saved can loose All who were chosen by God, redeemed by their salvation by failing to keep up their faith Christ, and given faith by the Holy Spirit are and profession--failing to walk in the Lord. eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to Not all Arminians agree on this point; some the end. have held that believers are eternally secure in Christ--that once a sinner is regenerated, he can Psalm 37:24—Though he fall, he shall not be utterly never be lost. cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.

Psalm 37:28—For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever,

Psalm 66:9—Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.

Psalm 94:14—For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

Psalm 97:10—You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 138:8—The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Eccles. 3:14—I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it that men should fear before Him.

Jeremiah 32:40—And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.

5. Perseverance of the Saints(cont.)

John 5:24—"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

John 6:37—All that the Father gives Me will come to

Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

John 10:28—And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

Romans 8:30—Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 11:29—For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 14:4—Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls.

Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

1 Cor. 1:8-9—who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our

Lord.

Ephes. 1:13—In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Ephes. 4:30—And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Philip. 1:6- being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

2 Thes. 3:3—But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

Hebrews 12:2—looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 13:5—Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

According to Arminisim According to Calvinism

Salvation is accomplished through the combined Salvation is accomplished by the almighty efforts of God (Who takes the initiative) and power of the Triune God. The Father chose a man (who must respond)--man’s response being people; the Son died for them; the Holy Spirit the determining factor. God has provided makes Christ’s death effective by bringing the salvation for everyone, but His provision elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing becomes effective only for those who, of their them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire own free will, “choose” to cooperate with Him process—election, redemption, regeneration—is and accept His offer of grace. At the crucial the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus point, man’s will plays a decisive role; thus, God, not man, determines who will be the man, not God, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation. recipients of the gift of salvation.

REJECTED REAFFIRMED By the Synod of Dort By the Synod of Dort

This was system of thought contained in the This system of theology was reaffirmed by the “Remonstrance” (though the five points were Synod of Dort in 1619 as the doctrine of not arranged in this order). salvation contained in the Holy Scriptures. The system was at that time formulated into “five It was submitted by the Arminians to the Church points”—in answer to the five points submitted of Holland. in 1610 for adoption, but was by the Arminians—and has ever since been rejected by the Synod of Dort in 1619 on the known as the “Five Points of Calvinism.” grounds that it was unscriptural

This material was adapted from The Five Points of Calvinism Defined, Defended, Documented, by Steele and Thomas

PASSAGES THAT SEEM TO TEACH wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to THE ARMINIAN VIEW repentance. John 1:29--The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the 1 John 2:2--He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not sin of the world! only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

John 3:16-- "For God so loved the world that he gave his Again, dear reader, these passages seem to support the one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not Arminian view, but must be understood in light of the perish but have eternal life. very clear passages that teach that God is sovereign in electing His people according the pleasure of His will. John 6:33--For the bread of God is he who comes down The very clear passages, do not work in the from and gives life to the world." Arminian understanding of salvation. For example, in the Arminian view each man is able to seek and John 6:51--I am the living bread that came down from choose Christ on His own power. The Bible Says: heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the John 6:44--No one can come to Me unless the Father who world." sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:65--And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that Romans 5:18-19--Consequently, just as the result of one no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of by My Father." one act of righteousness was that brings life Romans 3:10-12-- As it is written: "There is none for all men. [19] For just as through the disobedience of righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; the one man the many were made sinners, so also through there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned the obedience of the one man the many will be made aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is righteous. none who does good, no, not one.

Romans 11:12--But if their transgression means riches for THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER: the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! Plainly, Jesus says no one is able to come to Him. Clearly, Paul says “There is no one who seeks Romans 11:15--For if their rejection is the reconciliation of God.” They seek false gods, or succumb to a false the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the view of the true God, but the God of the Bible, they dead? do not seek. Why? Because as Scriptures teach no one (in his own power) seeks God. Why do many 1 Cor. 15:22--For as in all die, so in Christ all will seek the true God? Because He draws them. Why do be made alive. many not seek God? Because He doesn’t draw them.

Why does He draw some and not others? Because: 2 Cor. 5:14--For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. Ephes. 1:11--In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who 2 Cor. 5:19--that God was reconciling the world to himself works out everything in conformity with the purpose in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has of his will. . ., Note: His will, dear reader, not yours! committed to us the message of reconciliation. Romans 9:16--It does not, therefore, depend on 1 Tim. 2:4-- who wants all men to be saved and to come to man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. a knowledge of the truth. Paul’s final argument for the diehard “free- 1 Tim. 2:6-- who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the willer:” Romans 9:19-23--One of you will say to me: testimony given in its proper time. "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists Titus 2:11--For the grace of God that brings salvation has his will?" [20] But who are you, O man, to talk back appeared to all men. to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " [21] Does not Hebrews 2:9-10-- But we see Jesus, who was made a little the potter have the right to make out of the same lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he some for common use? [22] What if God, choosing might taste death for everyone. [10] In bringing many sons to show his wrath and make his power known, bore to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through with great patience the objects of his wrath-- whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. prepared for destruction? [23] What if he did this to

make the riches of his glory known to the objects of 2 Peter 3:9-- The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory. as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not