Appointed for the Defense of the Gospel (Part 6)
Calvinism’s Impossibility of Apostasy
We have another lesson on the Doctrine of Calvinism. In this article we will discuss Calvinism’s doctrine of the “Impossibility of Apostasy” which is widely accepted, yet by those who cannot defend it. Many years before my becoming a Christian, I was a Presbyterian. I read much of the Presbyterian Confession of Faith which one part stated: “They whom God hath accepted in his beloved, effectually called and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.” In other words, a child of God cannot sin so as to fall from the grace of God and be lost in eternity. Most often you’ll hear, “once in grace, always in grace” or “once saved, always saved,” which is this doctrine formulated as a result of Calvinism’s “Predestination.” If God elected certain individuals to be saved, His will cannot be overturned or upset by any man (not even the elected); hence, these people must be saved and can do nothing to change the situation. But is this true? Not at all, for God never elected an individual to be saved, He predestined the church.
Errors of the Doctrine: “Impossibility of Apostasy” is a Biblically destructive doctrine because it: Denies Plain Bible Statements to the Contrary: Paul said, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12) Read verses 1-11, see how Paul used the history of apostatizing Israel to warn the Christians not to do likewise. This Corinthian letter was addressed, “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Cor. 1:2) The same apostle Paul said, “Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons”(1 Tim. 4: 1) Truth mandates that you can’t leave (salvation) unless you’re there. Paul also wrote, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). Truth mandates that you can’t fall (from grace) unless you have received grace. So, Calvin denies saints could fall—God through Paul warns they can and have. You choose to believe whomever you wish Calvin or God.
Need more? Consider the inspired words of Hebrews 6:4-6 Christians, are described as those who: (a) “were once enlightened”, (b) “have tasted of the heavenly gift”, (c) “were made Partakers of the Holy Spirit” (d) “have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come.” The Calvinist who denies this is speaking of Christians must answer two questions: (1) Which of the above is not a description of a Christian? (2) What must be added to the above to qualify it as a description of a child of God? Certainly, these are Christians and are told: “(v.1) For it is impossible”…”(v.6) if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”
Peter casts light on Calvinism’s claim: 2 Peter 2:20-21: “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” Again, Calvinists argue a person who has escaped “the pollutions of the world” and has “known the way of righteousness” cannot fall from the grace of God. Peter speaks of such a person being “again entangled” (v.20) and “turn from the holy commandment” (v.21), stating “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (v.20). So, Calvin denies this, and—God through Peter clearly warns they can. You choose to believe whomever you wish Calvin or God.
Calvinism Denies Clear Bible Illustrations of Apostasy: How, by denying that the apostate was ever really saved. But, no amount of circumventing and being fussy by Calvinists can destroy the effect of these Bible illustrations of apostasy. For example: Parable of the vine and branches. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He [a]takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (Jn. 15:1-2) Argue all you want, that branch is a saved condition! “every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit”. The Christian must be attached to Christ to possesses salvation, to be pruned: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). The branches that bare no fruit God, “takes away” and they are gathered, “and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (Jn. 15:6) Now seriously, Calvin denies this can happen, and—Jesus said it will happen. You choose to believe whomever you wish Calvin or Jesus. Read Acts 8:9-24 concerning Simon the sorcerer’s sin. Again, Calvinists often deny that this man was saved. But notice Acts 8:13 “Then Simon himself also believed”, that is to say, Simon’s obedience was being compared to the obedience of the Samaritans in v.12 so, whatever the Samaritans did, Simon did. If Simon was never saved, neither were the Samaritans. If the Samaritans were saved, so was Simon. Simon, however, fell from the grace of God through envying the miraculous gifts of inspired men. Peter said to him: “your money perish with you” (v. 20), “You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God” (v. 21), “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (v. 22), “…you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity” (v. 23). Then in verse 24 Simon asks Peter “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me”. Surely, Calvinism cannot cloud the clarity of these scriptures.
Calvinism’s Doctrine Denies a Name cane be Blotted out of the Book of Life: John said, “if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God[a] shall take away his part from the [b]Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:19; Rev. 3:5). Wait! There is a book of life with the names of the saved. But will Calvinism have us believe that God would blot the name of an “eternally saved person” from the book of life? This has to be true if Calvinism is true. The simple truth is that God puts the names of the saved in the book of life, and when they sin so as to fall from His grace, their names are then blotted from that book. There is a book, is your name in it? You have to decide if you’re going to believe Calvin, or God.
In the next article we’ll continue with how this teaching denies possibility of a sinning Christian, denies necessity for godly life, Denies necessity for godly life, discourages the need to study God’s word, the need if restoration, to repent and confess sins, and more.
In Love
Dave Scarpino
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, [a]not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Hebrews 4:2)