OceanSide church of Christ
![]() |
Return to Articles |
Next ![]() |
IRRESISTIBLE GRACE (2)
Victor M. Eskew
As we continue our study of Calvinism, we want to develop our discussion of the doctrine of irresistible grace in more detail. We often think that those who teach false doctrine just make these doctrines up in their minds and proclaim them. Sometime that is what happens, but there are false doctrines that are taught that are attempted to be proven from the Bible. Calvinism does this. When its teachings are proclaimed, Bible verses are often used in an attempt to prove the viability of the doctrines.
Calvinism teaches that those who have been predestined to salvation cannot resist the Holy Spirit when He deems that it is time for them to be called. The Holy Spirit has the power to remove every obstacle and every objection and bring that individual to salvation in Christ Jesus. Several verses are set forth as proof-texts for this doctrine. One of them is found in the conversion of a woman by the name of Lydia. Her conversion account is found in two verses in Acts 16. “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful unto the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us” (Acts 16:14-15).
The doctrine of irresistible grace hinges on the words, “whose heart the Lord opened,” found in Acts 16:14. The Calvinists claim that God opened her heart by the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit. Thus, when her heart was opened, then she could “attend unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” Prior to this operation on her heart, it was impossible for her to do this. On the surface, the argument seems to be solid and makes sense. However, it is the truth?
One of the rules of Bible study is to first consider the context of the verse before moving away from it. Thus, we ask: “Is there anything in the verse that reveals how Lydia’s heart may have been opened other than by the Holy Spirit which is not in the verse?” The answer is: “Yes.” The text tells us that Lydia heard the teaching of the apostle Paul. Lydia had never heard the truth of the gospel proclaimed. The Bible teaches that God’s Word is powerful. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). When the wordw of Paul entered her heart, her heart was opened. This enabled her to “attend unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” The word “attend” does not mean “to understand.” It means “to submit to, to obey.” Lydia heard the truth. The truth penetrated her heart. And, her honest and good heart obeyed the precious gospel of Christ. Verse 15 confirms this: “And when she was baptized…” (See Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
Another “convincing” passage used by the Calvinists is John 3:27. “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” The argument is simple. Spiritually, we are told, a man can receive nothing until God enables that person to do so. This verse, however, has nothing to do with the conversion of those who are lost. Let’s go back to John 3:25 and read through verse 27. “Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” The context reveals that John is talking about individuals who are the messengers of God. John’s disciples were concerned about John’s ministry. Jesus was beginning to be popular among the people. If Jesus’ ministry continued to increase, John’s ministry might come to an end. John was a humble servant of God. He understood that a person’s ministry for God came from God himself. “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” Both John and Jesus were commissioned by God to proclaim His message as prophets. Each, therefore, had to accept his responsibilities and his limitations. If Jesus increased, John accepted that as the will of God (See John 3:30).
Two verses in John 6 reveal that God must draw men to the Christ. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me…” (John 6:37). And again: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him…” (John 6:44). The argument is that God must draw men to the Christ. The assumption is that men are drawn through the irresistible grace of God. If the Calvinists would continue to read their Bibles, they would learn how God draws men to Jesus in John 6:45. Let’s put John 6:44 and John 6:45 together. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” Jesus proclaims that men are brought to Him through teaching. Those who hear and learn come to Him. Those who hear and reject the teachings will not come to Him. We see an example of the rejection of divine teaching in Acts 7:51-60. Stephen had proclaimed God’s Word to the Jews. Instead of accepting it, they resisted it and stoned Stephen outside the city of Jerusalem.
Here is a question for the Calvinists who believe that grace is irresistible for those predestined to eternal life. How can those who are lost convince even the saved that they are saved? If a person is not part of the elect, he will never be called by God to salvation. Too, his mind is not supposed to be opened to spiritual things. Yet, the Calvinist will admit that there is a visible church and an invisible church. The invisible church is composed of those who are truly called. The visible church, on the other hand, is composed of both the elect and those who can pose as the elect. They can manifest themselves in such a way that even the elect believes they are part of the elect nation. Again, how can such a thing be done? The lost are spiritually dead. They cannot attend unto the things of God. So, how can display themselves in such a way that the saved believe they are part of the elect?