TULIPER 7 Points of Calvinism - Richard P. Belcher, SR.

TULIP-ER

Total Depravity (or total inability): The unbeliever is in bondage to Satan and is incapable of exercising his will freely to turn to Christ. Man is beyond all self—help because he is ‘dead in his trespasses and sin.̓ (This is not absolute depravity as everyone could be worse.) Man is “as bad off” spiritually as he can be and is naturally in rebellion against God.

Unconditional Election: Before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals out of His free grace and love and by His sovereign will. His choice was not based on any foreseen response, obedience, faith, repentance, or any condition, but according to His unchangeable purpose, secret counsel, and the good pleasure of His will.

Limited Atonement (definite atonement or particular redemption): “Christ died to save particular persons who were given Him by the Father in eternity past. His death was, therefore, a one hundred percent success, in that all for whom He died will be saved, and all for whom He did not die will receive 'justice' from God when they are cast into hell.” (D. E. Spencer) The intention of the atonement was for the elect and it actually obtained salvation for them.

Irresistible Grace (or effectual call): Salvation is based on God̓s free will and because God is all—powerful (omnipotent),, His grace cannot be resisted. “In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the Gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The external call” (made to anyone) “can be, and often is, rejected; whereas the internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion.” (Loraine Boettner)

Perseverance of the Saints: Every individual who was chosen by Cod, redeemed by Christ, regenerated and given faith by the Holy Spirit will persevere to the end. Once truly believing, always persevering. Their assurance and trust will remain in Christ̓s finished work and in the promise that ‘salvation is of the Lord.̓ God will keep His sheep that He brings into His fold. His sheep have a love for the Savior, a hatred of sin, and a growth in holiness.

Evangelism: All believers must share the Gospel with the lost. We are commissioned by Christ to bring the gospel to everyone in our world. All people groups must be discipled. God ordains both the means and the ends. The people of God and the Word of God are key means to spreading the gospel to every people group on the earth and establishing a church among each people group to further the work of the gospel. Missions must be our heartbeat and it is not optional.

Responsibility: The Bible holds all men responsible to repent, believe, and turn from their rebellion to the Lord Christ. All people are without excuse for ignoring general revelations and special revelation. Believers are responsible to follow Jesus fully, including to be witnesses for Him to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Calling in the NT

Selected Verses on "Calling" in the New Testament

New Testament nuances of the terms translated into English as "call, calling, called"

1) The general call to salvation

2) The specific call to salvation, connected with election

3) The naming or describing of something or someone

4) As a synonym for the "saved" or "elect" (the called)

5) To summon or to call together a group, to invite someone to something

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How should we understand a person being “called” in the church today?

One view is:

There is only one New Testament “call,” a call to salvation with four aspects, and all believers have experienced this same call and its four aspects without exception:

a. A call to faith, repentance, surrender, salvation

b. A call to holiness

c. A call to service in the church

d. A call to suffer

Thus, ministry hours (volunteer, part-time, full-time, bi-vocational) and ministry positions are determined by the spiritual gifts, God given desires (aspirations), and the direction of the Holy Spirit (God’s Will) on the life of the believer, not on some special status belonging to only a few individuals.  This direction by God can change several times and in different seasons of a person’s life.

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Another view:

Preachers and missionaries have received 3 calls, where the average Christian only gets two, and the pastor / preacher stands in the line of the Old Testament Prophets and the New Testament Apostles as receiving an extra special “call.”  This gives this man the authority to individually rule in the church like a king, so some call this the “king” view, maybe unfairly.

a. A call to salvation (all)

b. A call to service (all)

c. A call to full-time ministry (a few)

Look at the texts below where the various forms of kaleo are used and discover which view has the support of the New Testament.  A popular view without textual support is just a man-made tradition.  Also consider the implication for continuing revelation if the pastor is directly connected in his “call” to inspired Scripture writers who received Special Revelation directly from God.  A few of the references where the term “called” nuance was “named,” (i.e. He will be called a Nazarene) have not been included, but ALL other nuances are included without exception below.

(Mat 9:13 NKJV)  "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call (kale,w) the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

(Mat 10:1 NKJV)  And when He had called (proskalew) His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

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(Mat 20:16 NKJV)  "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, (klhtoV klātos) but few chosen."

(Mat 22:3 NKJV)  "and sent out his servants to call (kalew) those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.

(Mat 22:14 NKJV)  "For many are called, (klātos) but few are chosen."

(Mark 1:20 NKJV)  And immediately He called (kalew) them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

(Mark 2:17 NKJV)  When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call (kalew) the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

(Mark 3:13-19 NKJV)  And He went up on the mountain and called (proskalew) to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.  Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, {15} and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: {16} Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; {17} James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder"; {18} Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; {19} and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.

(Mark 6:7 NKJV)  And He called (proskalew) the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

(Mark 8:34-35 NKJV)  When He had called (proskalew) the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. {35} For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

(Luke 5:32 NKJV)  "I have not come to call (kalew) the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

(Luke 6:13 NKJV)  And when it was day, He called (prosfwne,w) His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:

(Acts 2:39 NKJV)  "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call (proskalew)."

(Acts 13:2-4 NKJV)  As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called (proskalew) [Perfect Middle Indicative 3^rd singular] them." {3} Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. {4} So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

[At first glance, one may think this verse is talking about the modern day "call to the ministry," but it is not describing that at all.  In this context and at this chronological point in the text, Barnabas is the leading elder and has brought Paul back to assist him in teaching this Gentile church at Antioch.  Barnabas has been the organizing pastor/teacher or elder and has been in the ‘ministry’ for a significant amount of time.  At the time of this event, both Barnabas and Paul are teaching and are equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry at Antioch.  The ‘call’ here is one of redirection of two men serving in a mission church to begin a church planting effort beyond Antioch.  (Paul’s ‘call’ to Apostleship came years before on the Damascus road.  In Antioch he is functioning as an Assistant Pastor, not as a layman waiting for a mysterious ‘call to the ministry.’) On this first trip, the Apostle Paul becomes the leader of the missionary band and Barnabas becomes his associate.  They are further directed by the Holy Spirit on two places to not to go to on there several missionary journeys.  Special revelation is involved in these three redirections.  Paul is also an Apostle of Christ, has all the sign gifts and the ability to give sign gifts of his own will by the laying on of his hands.  Paul was never in the "full-time ministry," and remained a tent-maker (bi-vocational) during his life, with the exceptions of when he was in prisons that would not allow him to work.]

(Acts 15:17 NKJV)  So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called (evpikale,w) by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.'

(Acts 16:10 NKJV)  Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called (proskalew) [Perfect Middle Indicative 3^rd singular] us to preach the gospel to them.

(Acts 22:16 NKJV)  'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling (evpikale,w) on the name of the Lord.'

(Rom 1:1 NKJV)  Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called (klātos) to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

(Rom 1:6-7 NKJV)  among whom you also are the called (klātos) of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called (klātos) to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Rom 2:17 NKJV)  Indeed you are called (evponoma,zw) a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God,

(Rom 8:28 NKJV)  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called (klātos) according to His purpose.

(Rom 8:30 NKJV)  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; (kalew) whom He called, (kalew) these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

(Rom 9:22-27 NKJV)  What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, {23} and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, {24} even us whom He called, (kalew) not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? {25} As He says also in Hosea: "I will call (kalew) them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved." {26} "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called (kalew) [Future Passive Indicative 3^rd plural] sons of the living God." {27} Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved.

(Rom 10:12-14 NKJV)  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call (evpikale,w) upon Him. {13} For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." {14} How then shall they call (evpikale,w) on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

(Rom 11:29 NKJV)  For the gifts and the calling (klāsis) of God are irrevocable.

(1 Cor 1:1-2 NKJV)  Paul, called (klātos) to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, {2} To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called (klātos) to be saints, with all who in every place call (evpikale,w) on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

(1 Cor 1:9 NKJV)  God is faithful, by whom you were called (kalew) [Aorist Passive Indicative 2^nd plural] into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

(1 Cor 1:22-26 NKJV)  For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; {23} but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, {24} but to those who are called, (klātos) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. {25} Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. {26} For you see your calling, (klāsis) brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, {are called}.

(1 Cor 7:15-19 NKJV)  But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called (kalew) us to peace. {16} For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? {17} But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called (kalew) each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. {18} Was anyone called (kalew) while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called (kalew) while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. {19} Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

(1 Cor 7:20-26 NKJV)  Let each one remain in the same calling (klāsis) in which he was called (kalew) [Aorist Passive Indicative 3^rd singular].  {21} Were you called (kalew) while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. {22} For he who is called (kalew) in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called (kalew) while free is Christ's slave. {23} You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. {24} Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called (kalew). {25} Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. {26} I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress; that it is good for a man to remain as he is:

(1 Cor 15:9 NKJV)  For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called (kalew) an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

(Gal 1:6 NKJV)  I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called (kalew) you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

(Gal 1:15 NKJV)  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called (kalew) me through His grace,

(Gal 5:13 NKJV)  For you, brethren, have been called (kalew) to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

(Eph 1:4,18 NKJV)  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 . . . the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, (klāsis) what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

(Eph 4:1 NKJV)  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling (klāsis) with which you were called, (kalew)

(Eph 4:4 NKJV)  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called (kalew) in one hope of your calling; (klāsis)

(Phil 3:14 NKJV)  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call (klāsis) of God in Christ Jesus.

(Col 3:15 NKJV)  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called (kalew) [Aorist Passive Indicative 2^nd plural] in one body; and be thankful.

(1 Th 4:7 NKJV)  For God did not call (kalew) us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

(2 Th 1:11 NKJV)  Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, (klāsis) and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

(2 Th 2:14 NKJV)  to which He called (kalew) you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Tim 6:12 NKJV)  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called (kalew) [Aorist Passive Indicative 2^nd singular] and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

(2 Tim 1:9 NKJV)  who has saved us and called (kalew) us with a holy calling, (klāsis) not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

(2 Tim 2:22 NKJV)  Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call (evpikale,w) on the Lord out of a pure heart.

(Heb 3:1 NKJV)  Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, (klāsis) consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

(Heb 5:1-6 NKJV)  For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. {2} He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. {3} Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. {4} And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called (kalew) [Present Passive Participle Masculine Nominative singular] by God, just as Aaron was. {5} So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." {6} As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek";

(Heb 5:9-10 NKJV)  And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, {10} called (prosagoreu,w) by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek,"

(Heb 9:15 NKJV)  And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called (kalew) may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

(Heb 11:8 NKJV)  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called (kalew) to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

(James 2:7 NKJV)  Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called (evpikale,w)?

(1 Pet 1:15-17 NKJV)  but as He who called (kalew) you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, {16} because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." {17} And if you call (evpikale,w) on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

(1 Pet 2:9-10 NKJV)  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called (kalew) you out of darkness into His marvelous light; {10} who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

(1 Pet 2:20-21 NKJV)  For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.  {21} For to this you were called, (kalew) because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

(1 Pet 3:9 NKJV)  not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called (kalew) to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

(1 Pet 5:10 NKJV)  But may the God of all grace, who called (kalew) us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

(2 Pet 1:3 NKJV)  as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called (kalew) us by glory and virtue,

(2 Pet 1:10 NKJV)  Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call (klāsis) and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

(1 John 3:1 NKJV)  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called (kalew) children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

(Jude 1:1 NKJV)  Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, (klātos) sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

(Rev 17:14 NKJV)  "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, (klātos) chosen, and faithful."

(Rev 19:9 NKJV)  Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called (kalew) {Perfect Passive Participle Masculine Nominative plural] to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

(Rev 19:11 NKJV)  Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called (kalew) Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

[Who are called or named, “the ministers of the church?”  Is it an elite group called “Clergy?”   No, it is the saints, all the saved members of a local church.]

(Eph 4:11-16)  And He Himself [Christ] gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; {14} that we should no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Nuances of the terms translated as "call, calling, called"

1) The general call to salvation

2) The specific call to salvation, connected with election

3) The naming or describing of something or someone

4) As a synonym for the "saved" or "elect" (the called)

5) To summon or to call together a group, to invite someone to something

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One view is:

There is only one New Testament “call,” a call to salvation with four aspects, and all believers have experienced this call and its four aspects:

a. A call to faith, repentance, surrender, salvation

b. A call to holiness

c. A call to service in the church

d. A call to suffer