Three Pairs of Poles:Three Pairs of Poles: God’s Sovereignty – Free Will God’s Sovereignty – Free Will

God’s act of grace Human response God’s act of grace Human response

Faith / Confession – Deeds / Faith / Confession – Deeds / BehaviorBehavior “saved by faith” “saved by faith” “faith “faith without workswithout works is dead” is dead”

Justification – HolinessJustification – Holiness“once saved always saved” “lead us not into “once saved always saved” “lead us not into temptation” temptation”

John CalvinJohn Calvin1616thth Century Century

Founder of the Founder of the Reformed Reformed TraditionTradition

Calvin’s Tulip:Calvin’s Tulip:

TTotal Depravityotal DepravityUUnconditional Electionnconditional ElectionLLimited Atonementimited AtonementIIrresistible Gracerresistible GracePPerseverance of the erseverance of the SaintsSaints

Jacob Jacob ArminiusArminius1717thth Century Century

Founder of Founder of the Holiness the Holiness MovementMovement

Living between the PolesLiving between the Poles

ConclusionConclusion1.1. God is sovereign and salvation God is sovereign and salvation

always originates with God.always originates with God.2.2. But God also created human beings But God also created human beings

with a choice-making ability.with a choice-making ability.3.3. Predestination refers NOT to Predestination refers NOT to

individuals, but to a group - those individuals, but to a group - those "in Christ“ which in includes "in Christ“ which in includes whosoever believes.”whosoever believes.”

Salvation ProcessSalvation Process►Hearing of the good news (Rom. Hearing of the good news (Rom.

10:17)10:17)►Belief in Jesus (Heb. 11:6)Belief in Jesus (Heb. 11:6)►Repentance (Acts 2:38)Repentance (Acts 2:38)►Confession to God (Rom. 10:9)Confession to God (Rom. 10:9)►Baptism (1 Pet. 3:21)Baptism (1 Pet. 3:21)►Endurance in one’s faith to the Endurance in one’s faith to the

end (Matt. 24:12-13) end (Matt. 24:12-13)