A Five Pointer: Its Implications

Christ has commissioned His church to preach the Gospel to sinners in every nation. (Matt 28:18-20) Yet while all spiritual blessings are contingent upon believing the Gospel message, only those whom the Father has chosen, the Son has redeemed and the Spirit quickened are guaranteed these blessings and granted that faith. (Matt 22:14; Rom 10:16,17) Indeed, while the outward call of the preacher is made without distinction to all sinners, it is safe to estimate that most who hear the preacher’s message will reject the Gospel, for “broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” (Matt 7:13) Nevertheless, the inward call of the Holy Spirit is made without exception to the elect. It is also safe to conclude that those who hear the Spirit’s call will accept the Gospel, for “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt 7:14; 1 Cor 1:19-31) The Holy Spirit makes persons “willing in the day of His power.” (Ps 110:3; Rom 9:16) And this is the confidence that every preacher takes with him to the pulpit, for Jesus has promised, “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (Jn 6:37)

This article has demonstrated how the TriUne God conquers sinful men by sovereign grace. If man by nature cannot save himself, it is required that God save him. If God initiates the work of salvation, then He is free to choose how and who will be saved. If God chooses how and who will be saved, then His will in election is unconditional, His work in redemption is unshakeable and His way in regeneration is unstoppable. If the unconditional, unshakeable and unstoppable grace of God embraces an individual, then the believer may take courage, for Christ has declared, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” (Jn 10:28,29)

May it please God to grant each of His children the special privilege of joining with the Apostle Paul in his testimony, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Rom 1:16)

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(1) The 1644 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
(2) David Steele, “The Five Points of Calvinism”.
(3) W. J. Seaton, “The Five Points of Calvinism”.
(4) Loraine Boettner, “The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination”.
(5) Louis Berkhof, “Systematic Theology”.