Arminianism and Calvinism

A Brief Comparative Study of:
Arminianism and Calvinism

  

Arminianism	Calvinism
Free-Will or Human Ability Although human nature was seriously affected by the fall, man has not been left in a state of total spiritual helplessness. God graciously enables every sinner to repent and believe, but He does not interfere with man's freedom. Each sinner possesses a free will, and his eternal destiny depends on how he uses it. Man's freedom consists of his ability to choose good over evil in spiritual matters; his will is not enslaved to his sinful nature. The sinner has the power to either cooperate with God's Spirit and be regenerated or resist God's grace and perish. The lost sinner needs the Spirit's assistance, but he does not have to be regenerated by the Spirit before he can believe, for faith is man's act and precedes the new birth. Faith is the sinner's gift to God; it is man's contribution to salvation.	Total Inability or Total Depravity Because of the fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the gospel. The sinner is dead, blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is deceitful and desperately corrupt. His will is not free, it is in bondage to his evil nature, therefore, he will not - indeed he cannot - choose good over evil in the spiritual realm. Consequently, it takes much more than the Spirit's assistance to bring a sinner to Christ - it takes regeneration by which the Spirit makes the sinner alive and gives him a new nature. Faith is not something man contributes to salvation but is itself a part of God's gift of salvation - it is God's gift to the sinner, not the sinner's gift to God.
Conditional Election God's choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world was based upon His foreseeing that they would respond to His call. He selected only those whom He knew would of themselves freely believe the gospel. Election therefore was determined by or conditioned upon what man would do. The faith which God foresaw and upon which He based His choice was not given to the sinner by God (it was not created by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit) but resulted solely from man's will. It was left entirely up to man as to who would believe and therefore as to who would be elected unto salvation. God chose those whom He knew would, of their own free will, choose Christ. Thus the sinner's choice of Christ, not God's choice of the sinner, is the ultimate cause of salvation.	Unconditional Election God's choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will. His choice of particular sinners was not based on any foreseen response of obedience on their part, such as faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance to each individual whom He selected. These acts are the result, not the cause of God's choice. Election therefore was not determined by or conditioned upon any virtuous quality or act foreseen in man. Those whom God sovereignly elected He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus God's choice of the sinner, not the sinner's choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation.
Universal Redemption or General Atonement   Christ's redeeming work made it possible for everyone to be saved but did not actually secure the salvation of anyone. Although Christ died for all men and for every man, only those who believe on Him are saved. His death enabled God to pardon sinners on the condition that they believe, but it did not actually put away anyone's sins. Christ's redemption becomes effective only if man chooses to accept it.	Particular Redemption or Limited Atonement   Christ's redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them. His death was substitutionary endurance of the penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners. In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ's redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which unites them to Him. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, therefore guaranteeing their salvation.
The Holy Spirit Can Be Effectually Resisted  The Spirit calls inwardly all those who are called outwardly by the gospel invitation; He does all that He can to bring every sinner to salvation. But inasmuch as man is free, he can successfully resist the Spirit's call. The Spirit cannot regenerate the sinner until he believes; faith (which is man's contribution) precedes and makes possible the new birth. Thus, man's free will limits the Spirit in the application of Christ's saving work. The Holy Spirit can only draw to Christ those who allow Him to have His way with them. Until the sinner responds, the Spirit cannot give life. God's grace, therefore, is not invincible; it can be, and often is, resisted and thwarted by man.	The Efficacious Call of the Spirit or Irresistible Grace  In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion. By means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not limited in His work of applying salvation by man's will, nor is He dependent upon man's cooperation for success. The Spirit graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ. God's grace, therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended.
Falling from Grace  Those who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation by failing to keep up their faith, etc. All Arminians have not been agreed on this point; some have held that believers are eternally secure in Christ - that once a sinner is regenerated, he can never be lost.	Perseverance of the Saints  All who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end.

Key Apostolic Prayers and Prophetic Promises

This is a list of  Key Apostolic Prayers and Prophetic Promises use them as you pray.

Prayer for revelation of Jesus’ beauty that we might walk in our calling and destiny by God’s power.

17 That the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may KNOW (experience) what is the hope of His calling (assurance/clarity of God’s call for our life) what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (our destiny as Jesus’ inheritance), 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power... (Eph. 1:17-19)

Pray to receive the Spirit’s power that Jesus’ Presence be manifest in us so we experience God’s love

16 THAT He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 THAT Christ may dwell (manifest His presence) in your hearts through faith; THAT you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend (experience) with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; THAT you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:16-19)

Prayer for God’s love to abound in us by the knowledge of God resulting in righteousness in our life

9 That your love may abound still more and more in knowledge (of God) and all discernment, 10 that you may approve (rejoice in) the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere (no compromise) and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness... (Phil. 1:9-11)

Prayer to know God’s will, to be fruitful in ministry and strengthened by intimacy with God

9 That you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy... (Col. 1:9-11)

Prayer for unity in the church and to be filled with supernatural joy, peace and hope (confidence) 5 May the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another...6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the...Father...13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:5-6, 13)

To be enriched by all the gifts of the Spirit including powerful preaching and prophetic revelation

5 That you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance (anointed preaching/singing) and all knowledge (prophetic revelation), 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you (by miracles), 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of...Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1:5-8)

For the release of grace to bring the Church to maturity especially to abound in love and holiness

10 Praying exceedingly that... (God will release His Spirit and grace to) perfect what is lacking in your faith?...12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all... 13 that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father. (1 Thes. 3:10-13)

Pray to be worthy (prepared or made spiritually mature) to walk in the fulness of our destiny in God 11 We pray always for you that God would count you worthy of (prepare us for) this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness (plans for us) and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of...Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God. (2 Thes. 1:11-12)

The word would increase its influence (effectiveness) in the city as God releases His power on it.

That the word of the Lord may run swiftly  ( rapidly increase and grow in influence)and be glorified, (confirmed with apostolic signs and wonders) just as it is with you, ² and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. ⁵ Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience (perseverance or endurance) of Christ. ( 2 Thes. 3:1-5)

For impartation of boldness ( singing and speaking the Word) by releasing signs and wonders.

²⁹ Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
³¹ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. ( Acts 4:29-31)

Release Of God’s promise to be endued with power for all who tarry ( labor in Prayer) for breakthrough.

⁴⁹ Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” ⁸  (Luke 24:49)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

For the Lord to release His Zeal for His people and for His manifest presence to shake all that resist Him.

 ¹⁵ Look down from heaven,And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are (The manifestations of) Your zeal and Your strength,  The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? ¹⁶ … You, O LORD, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. (Isaiah 63:15-16) ¹ Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down (Manifest your power)! That the mountains (obstacles) might shake at Your presence ² As fire burns brushwood, As fire causes water to boil— To make Your name known to Your adversaries ( sin, sickness, satan,) That the nations may tremble at Your presence! ³ When You did awesome things for which we did not look (expect), You came down, The mountains shook at Your presence. ⁴ For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him. ⁵ You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways. You are indeed angry, for we have sinned— In these ways we continue; And we need to be saved.  (Isaiah 64:1-5)

For the release of God’s promise to pour out His Spirit and release dreams, visions and prophecy.

¹⁷ ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions,Your old men shall dream dreams. ¹⁸ And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.  ¹⁹ I will show wonders in heaven above  And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. ²⁰ The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. ²¹ And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’  (Acts 2:17-21)

Prayer for Israel to be saved and the release of the Anointing, prophecy, miracles, and righteousness.

 ¹ Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1)

²⁶ And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “ The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; ²⁷ For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26-27)

 ¹ For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace (be silent: release a prophetic spirit), And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest (or be inactive in releasing God’s power), Until her righteousness ( in all heart issues) goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. (Ministry to others) (Isaiah 62:1)

Actual Old Testament Prayers for Israel

Isa 63:15-64:12

Daniel 9:4-19

Mic 7:7-20

Hab 3:2-19

Ezra 9:5-15

Neh 1:4-11

Neh 9:5-38

Ps 44

Ps 45:3-5;65;67;79;80;83;85

Ps 90:13-17

Ps 102:12-22

Ps 122:6-7

Ps 132:11

Old Testament prophetic promises to pray over Israel (Also for the Church)

Deut 4:27-31; 30:1-10; 31:29;33:26-29

Isaiah 11:10-16; 29:14, 17-24; 30:18-33; 32:15-19; 33:2-6,17;35:1-10;42:10-17; 43:1-7; 44:1-5; 45:17;22-25; 51:3-11; 54:1-17; 56:6-8; 59:19-21; 60:1-62:12; 66:7-14

Jer 3:14-20; 16:14-21; 31:1-14; 32:16-23; 32:37-42; 33:6-26; 50:4-5; 50:19-20,34

Ezek. 11:17-20: 16:60-63; 20:33-44; 34:11-31; 37;1-28

Hos 2:14-23;3:5;5:15-6:3,11; 14:1-8

Joel 2:28-32; 3:17-20;

Zeph 3:8-20

Hag 2:6-9, 21-22

Zech 8:2-8; 12:10-13:6;

Mal 4:1-6