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The Doctrines of Grace
“The doctrines of grace” are neither an addition to nor a substitute for the teaching of the Bible, God’s holy and infallible Word. They are rather a systematic expression of the faith once delivered to the saints and, more particularly, of that portion of the faith which relates to God’s gracious work in redeeming fallen men and women from the ruin and condemnation of sin. As such, they stand in complete harmony with what the Lord has been pleased to reveal to us in Holy Scripture.
Further, the doctrines of grace are frequently understood and expounded with reference to five particular teachings, known as the “five points of Calvinism”, after John Calvin, the 16th century preacher and theologian. Those who followed Calvin and shared his convictions found it useful to summarise the Bible’s teachings under five heads: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and the Perseverance of the Saints. The headings may be remembered by using the acrostic TULIP.
Total Depravity
By affirming Total Depravity, we accept the Bible’s teaching that all men and women are born with thoroughly sinful and corrupt natures and are, consequently, incapable of any spiritual good, including responding to the offer of everlasting life in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This does not mean that men and women are as wicked as they could possibly be; but it does mean that the seed of every sin is to be found within the human heart. “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Romans 3:10,11).
Unconditional Election
By affirming our belief in Unconditional Election, we accept the Bible’s teaching that God has chosen a number from the entire ruined human race (the elect) whom He will save, for no other reason than it has pleased Him to do so, in accordance with His infinite and unmerited love. God’s choice is not conditional upon or constrained by any goodness in the elect or any predisposition on the part of the elect to believe the gospel. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love...” (Ephesians 1:3,4).
Limited Atonement
By affirming or belief in Limited Atonement, we accept the Bible’s teaching that the Lord Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for the sins of the elect, thereby satisfying the strictest demands of divine justice, and has turned away the wrath of God from the elect once for all, so that they do not receive the just punishment for their sins. We believe that Christ has not simply made it possible for the elect to be saved but rather that He has made it certain that the elect will be saved. We also accept the Bible’s teaching that the atonement made by the Lord Jesus Christ was on behalf of the elect alone, so that He did not die for those who are not elect and who suffer the just punishment for their sins in everlasting hell. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it...” (Ephesians 5:25).
Irresistible Grace
By affirming our belief in Irresistible Grace, we accept the Bible’s teaching that the elect will be saved, that God will call all those for whom Christ has died irresistibly to faith in Him. By His Holy Spirit, God transforms the elect from within, making those who previously refused to repent and believe willing to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. “All that the Father giveth to me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
Perseverance of the Saints
By affirming our belief in the Perseverance of the Saints, we accept the Bible’s teaching that none of those for whom Christ has died will be lost eternally. We believe that those who are genuinely converted will persevere and endure to the end; even if they fall grievously following public profession of faith, the Lord will restore them in His mercy and sovereign grace. “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38,39).
It is most wonderfully liberating and humbling to understand and believe the doctrines of grace. Liberating, because we know that we have a sovereign, gracious Lord who has granted us his certain and everlasting salvation; humbling, because we realise that we have contributed nothing and can contribute nothing. Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9).