Is Tulip Biblical?

Total Depravity

All of man is spiritually corrupt, dead, and affected by sin. An unsaved man can do nothing good nor anything to aid his salvation. 

Adam’s sin results in sin and spiritual death (and physical death) for us all.

• Genesis 2:16, 17
• Romans 5:12
• Colossians 2:13
• Psalm 58:3

Every part of us is affected by the fall.

• Genesis 6:5
• Genesis 8:21
• Jeremiah 17:9
• Mark 7:21-23
• John 3:19
• Romans 8:7-8
• Ephesians 4:17-19
• Titus 1:15

The unregenerate are slaves to sin.

• 2 Timothy 2:25-26
• Titus 3:3
• Psalm 143:2
• Ecclesiastes 7:20
• Romans 3:9-12

Sinful man cannot do good.

• Jeremiah 13:23
• Matthew 7:16-18
• John 6:44

Unconditional Election

Before creation, God chose a group of people who would be saved, not based on anything they would do but based on his good pleasure to save them.

God has an elect people.

• Deuteronomy 10:14,15
• Matthew 11:27
• Romans 8:28-30

God chose before creation, not based on what people would do.

• Ephesians 1:4
• Revelation 13:8
• Romans 9:16
• John 15:16
• 2 Peter 1:5-11

God’s will determines election.

• Exodus 33:19
• Romans 9:10-24

God is sovereign.

• Psalm 115:3
• Isaiah 14:24, 27
• Matthew 19:26

Limited Atonement

Also called Particular atonement or redemption. This means that Christ’s death only paid for the sins of his elect and thus only they will be saved.

Christ does the saving.

• Matthew 1:21
• 1 Peter 3:18

Christ is the basis of salvation (reconciliation, justification, sanctification).

• Colossians 1:21-22
• 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
• Romans 3:24-25
• Galatians 3:13
• Titus 2:14

Only some will be saved.

• John 10:24-29
• John 17:1-3, 6-9
• John 17:24

But what about John 3:16? We believe it! And we read it in light of John 1:10-12, John 3:17, and John 3:26.

Irresistible Grace

The Holy Spirit inwardly calls the elect (regeneration) so that they can exercise the gift of faith. He makes us alive so we can respond to the call of God.

The Holy Spirit has a hand in salvation along with the Father and Son.

• 1 Peter 1:1-2

The Spirit’s work in salvation is to regenerate.

• John 3:3-6
• Titus 3:5
• Ezekiel 36: 26-27
• Colossians 2:13
• John 16: 12-13

The Call of the Spirit is effective.

• Romans 8:30
• Acts 13:48
• Romans 8:38-39

Perseverance of the Saints

The elect are kept securely in the faith by the power of God and are assured of heaven.

• Isaiah 43:1-3
• Isaiah 54:10
• Matthew 18:12-14
• John 10:27-30
• Romans 8:1
• Romans 8:35-3