Are you a Three Point or a Five Point Calvinist?

In the Baptist church I grew up in, we considered ourselves Three Point Calvinists. I would venture to say that the majority of Baptists then and now consider themselves to be "Three Pointers". The doctrinal positions of the Three Point Calvinists have also been named Arminianism.

What are the Five Points of Calvinism? They are listed below:

1. Totoal Depravity
2. Unconditional Election
3. Limited Atonement
4. Irresistible Grace
5. Perseverance of the Saints

Three Point Calvinists, and therefore most Baptists, believe in Points 1, 2, and 5.

Three Point Calvinists strongly disagree with Points 3 and 4. They believe that Christ did not just die for the elect, but that he died for all. They also believe that man has a free will and can therefore resist God's grace.

Martin Luther and the Lutheran Church are in full agreement with the Three Point Calvinists in denouncing the Calvinist doctrine of Limited Atonement. Scripture clearly states that Christ died for all men. John 3:16, I Timothy 2:4-6

However, Lutherans strongly disagree with "Three Pointers" on the idea of a free will. The Arminian doctrine of Free Will has no basis in Scripture. It is a logical conclusion of human beings.

Here is how an Arminian (Free-will Baptist) Christian thinks:  "If God says that we are saved when we believe, then logically that means that we had to make a free will decision to believe, right?"

Very logical, but very wrong!

The Bible says that the sinner is spiritually dead (Ephesians chapter 2 and Colossians chapter 2). Dead men don't make decisions. Dead men CANNOT make a free will decision for Christ.

The concept that the sinner has a free will is not found in the Bible!

The sinner believes because God quickens him (makes him spiritually alive). God quickens a sinner, because before the world existed, God had predestined that sinner to be his child.

For a further discussion on "Predestination" and "Free Will" go to my previous postings on these topics.