What can be said about a so-called Christian doctrine that is supposedly taken from the Bible, that then denies the love of GOD for all mankind? Of course I'm talking about Calvinism's third & fourth tenets in their statement of faith called LIMITED ATONEMENT and IRRESISTIBLE GRACE, that should more properly be called The doctrine of Predestination, which I believe is the core tenant of Calvinism. I also believe you are about to see how Satan has craftily twisted these Calvinistic definitions of certain biblical verses to try and deceive the unlearned believer by these false interpretations shown below in brown text.
3. LIMITED ATONEMENT
Sometimes called “Particular Redemption,” Limited Atonement teaches that Christ died specifically for those whom the Father had given Him, securing their salvation fully and finally. This does not mean Christ’s sacrifice has no infinite value; rather, it means His redemptive work is definite and effectively applied to those chosen before the foundation of the world.
(1) Verses used to justify Calvin's interpretation:
• John 10:14-15: “I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me … and I lay down My life for the sheep.” Jesus describes His sacrificial death as being for “His sheep.”
• Matthew 1:21: “She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” The language highlights that His redemptive mission is particularly aimed toward “His people.”
Verses used to rebuke Calvin's interpretation:
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him MIGHT be saved." John 3:14-17
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:21
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
(2) Efficacy of the Cross:
Those who affirm Limited Atonement hold that Christ’s death is fully effective in accomplishing the salvation of those for whom it was intended. It does not merely make people “saveable,” but actually redeems and reconciles. Consequently, the redeemed receive guaranteed benefits of forgiveness, justification, and eternal life.
This, Efficacy of the Cross statement, like all of Calvinism's doctrinal stances, (including once saved always saved) seem to leave out all the "if"s, "but"s, and in this case, the "whosoever"s of the Bible. You will find most every false doctrine does this selective proofing to justify their demonically deceived false interpretations. The Bible calls this a "false balance," something GOD hates. The world calls this "cherry picking" and is a very deceitful practice.
Verses used to rebuke Calvin's interpretation:
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, IF they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6
"For IF after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, AND overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:20-22
"A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight."
Proverbs 11:1
"Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good."
Proverbs 20:23
4. IRRESISTIBLE GRACE
This doctrine, also known as “Effectual Calling,” teaches that those chosen by God will inevitably be drawn to faith in Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit transforms the heart, making the gospel invitation effective so that the person willingly responds in belief.
(1) Divine Initiative:
• John 6:37: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away.” Those given by the Father to the Son unfailingly come because of God’s gracious work in the heart.
• Ezekiel 36:26-27: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you … I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.” This prophecy illustrates the powerful internal renewal God provides.
(2) The Changed Will:
When the Holy Spirit draws a person, He graciously frees the will from the bondage of sin and grants a willing acceptance of Christ. Far from coercion, Irresistible Grace means that God overcomes resistance by creating a genuine desire for Christ within the individual.
Where does one start with such thinking? You know if I say "today it's cold," does that mean tomorrow it's not, or that it will be also. You can assume one or the other, but the statement just meant today it's cold. Likewise, it seems Calvinism takes these verses and twists them into other meanings through presumptions, that may or may not have ever been intended in the first place. What's really sad is the premise Calvinism's predestination doctrine teaches, that only certain people are going to be saved according to God's will. That God had beforehand picked and choose who could receive His salvation and who could not. Brethren, God foreknew who of their own free-will would willingly choose His salvation, it was not limited to a select few. What does a statement like that tell the sinner? Why should one even care about repenting or seeking GOD when after all GOD may not have "chosen" you for salvation. This doctrine is damnable and anybody who teaches it will suffer the wrath of God for eternity if they do not repent. People like John MacArthur and others that have taught such erroneous lies. This tells me these preachers must have never understood the love of GOD in the first place. Who would want to serve a God that may have already rejected you from the very beginning, before you even had a chance to hear the gospel or before you were even born for that matter. What an evil thing to preach to people.
Keep in mind the old analogy brethren, how Satan's lies are like rat poison; 98% good food, but it's the 2% poison that gets you. So as you have just read, most anything in the Bible can be twisted out of its originally intended interpretation. Adding to and or subtracting from the proper interpretation of GOD'S Word is an abomination to the LORD (Rev 22:18-19). Many teachers and preachers are going to pay a heavy price in eternity for participating in this deceitful practice. They would rather keep the traditions of man, versus seeking God's face for true revelation that only comes from sitting before the Father.
"My brethren, be not many masters [G1321: teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." James 3:1