Introduction
- The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, and Documented by Steele, Thomas, and Quinn
- Calvinists argue that the saved cannot fall away. Those that do fall away were never really saved.
Colossians 1
- This letter was clearly written to the saved (Colossians 1:1-2, 13, 21-23).
- “… if you continue in the faith” (Colossians 1:23)
- Colossians 2:5 – Paul was not doubting their commitment to God, but he shows it was possible for them to fall away.
- I Timothy 1:19; 4:1 – Examples of those who did fall away.
Hebrews 3-4
- Hebrews 3:1
- Hebrews 3:7-11 – The Israelites were unfaithful and were not allowed to enter the promised land.
- Hebrews 3:12-14 – Learn from the Israelites and don’t fall away!
- Hebrews 3:15-19 – Don’t repeat the mistakes of the Israelites.
- Hebrews 4:1-11 – There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
- Is sin a matter of salvation? See Hebrews 3:6; 4:14. Yes!
Once a child, always a child?
- I John 3:1-2
- Terry Watkins, Dial-the-Truth Ministries argues for this view
- John 10:14; Matthew 5:13 – A good shepherd raises sheep to be sheered and slaughtered. Is that what this figure means? Salt kills slugs. Does that mean that we should be the salt of the earth and kill slugs?
- John 1:11-13 – Those who received Jesus were given the right to become children of God.
- Hebrews 12:5-8
- I John 3:7-10 – Those who do not practice righteousness are not of God.
- If you start as a child of the devil (as per Calvinism), then by this reasoning you would always be a child of the devil.