We hold that comprehending and rejoicing in the sovereignty of God in all matters—ranging from the minutest molecule to the grand tapestry of history, and encompassing the salvation of every man, woman, and child—plays a pivotal role in our worship and joy. This understanding doth empower us to live with complete assurance that God the Almighty reigns and will fulfill all His glorious purposes.
TOTAL DEPRAVITY
The depravity of man, consequent to the Fall, is total. All individuals are born into this world spiritually dead, blind, and deaf to divine matters; the heart of the sinner is profoundly corrupt. His will is not free; it is ensnared by his malevolent nature. Consequently, he hath forfeited his capacity to choose good over evil in the spiritual domain. It requireth more than mere assistance from the Spirit to lead the sinner to Christ—it necessitates regeneration, whereby the Spirit imparts life to the sinner and bestows upon him a new nature. Faith is not a contribution from man towards salvation but is, in fact, an integral part of God's gift of salvation—it is God's offering to the sinner, rather than the sinner's offering to God.
Psalm 51:5, 58:3; Isaiah 53:6, 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:3, 8:44; Romans 3:10-12, 5:12; Ephesians 2:2-3; I Corinthians 2:14
UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION
God's selection of certain individuals for salvation, prior to the foundation of the world, resteth solely in His sovereign will. His choice of specific sinners was not predicated upon any foreseen response or obedience on their part, such as faith or repentance. Rather, God bestoweth faith and repentance upon each individual whom He hath chosen. These acts are the consequence, not the cause, of God's selection. Election, therefore, is not determined by or contingent upon any virtuous quality or action anticipated in man. Those whom God hath sovereignly elected are brought, through the power of the Spirit, to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus, it is God's choice of the sinner, rather than the sinner's choice of Christ, that constitutes the ultimate cause of salvation.
Deuteronomy 7:6-7; Isaiah 55:11; John 6:44, 15:16; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:28; 9:11-13; II Timothy 1:9
LIMITED ATONEMENT
The death of Christ was a substitutionary endurance of the penalty for sin on behalf of certain designated sinners. Christ's redemptive work was intended solely to save the elect (those whom the Father had entrusted to Him) and effectively secured salvation for them. Christ's redemption encompassed all that was necessary for the salvation of the elect, including the faith that unites them to Him. The elect are the exclusive recipients of God's saving grace.
Matthew 1:21, 20:28; John 10:14-18, 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 5:8-9; Titus 2:14; Revelation 5:9
IRRESISTIBLE GRACE
In addition to the outward general call to salvation extended to all who hear the gospel, the Holy Spirit imparts to the elect a special inward call that inevitably leadeth them to salvation. The external call (made indiscriminately) can be, and often is, rejected; whereas the internal call (made solely to the elect) cannot be resisted; it invariably resulteth in conversion. Through this special call, the Spirit irresistibly draweth sinners to Christ. He is not constrained by human will nor reliant upon human cooperation for success. The Spirit graciously enableth the elect sinners to cooperate, to believe, to repent, and to approach Christ freely and willingly. Therefore, God's grace is invincible; it unfailingly culminates in the salvation of those to whom it is extended.
Ezekiel 11:19-20; John 6:37; Romans 8:30; Colossians 2:13; James 1:18; Titus 3:5
PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS
All who have been chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and endowed with faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. They are sustained in faith by the power of Almighty God and, thus, persevere until the end. Consequently, salvation is entirely contingent upon the God who hath resolved to save those whom He hath entrusted to His beloved Son. Their salvation is irrevocable.
Isaiah 43:1-3; Jeremiah 32:40; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 1:13-14; I Thessalonians 5:23-24; Jude 24-25
CONCLUSION
Salvation is accomplished by the omnipotent power of the Triune God. The Father hath chosen a people, the Son hath died for them, and the Holy Spirit rendereth Christ's death effective by leading the elect to faith and repentance, thereby enabling them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process of election, redemption, and regeneration is the work of God and is solely by His grace. Thus, it is God, not man, who determineth who shall be the recipients of the gift of salvation.
John 1:12-13; John 15:16; Romans 9:14-16; Ephesians 1:2-14
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엘리야 The Wretched