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Calvinism testifies of an Almighty God and a needy sinner. Arminianism refers to an almighty sinner and a needy God. How are these statements true? |
1. The Holy Spirit applies salvation to the elect by His regenerating and converting work (not "that He only tries to influence them").
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Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. -John 3:3, 5-6 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. -I Peter 1:2 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are |
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. -II Corinthians 3:17-18 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. -Titus 3:5 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them. -Ezekiel 36:26-27 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. -I Corinthians 12:3 |
2. The Holy Spirit works repentance and faith as God-given gifts in the souls of the elect (not "the person himself').
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For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. -Acts 13:48 Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. -Acts 5:1 |
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. -Acts 11:18 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake. -Philippians 1:29 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. -Romans 15:13 |
3. The Holy Spirit works His inward, irresistible call in the hearts of the elect (not "only His outward call" to them).
