The Reformation: Its Causes and Its Theology:
Lesson
11: Summary
I. The Reformation (Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Soli Deo Gloria)
II.
God is Perfect in all of His Being:
A. Omniscient: God knows all things at once--His knowledge never changes or grows. His knowledge is based on His decree. He knows all things because He has ordained all things.
B. Omnipotence: “God’s omnipotence means that God is able to do all His holy will.”
Can mans will overcome the power of God’s will? Reformed = no; non-Reformed = yes
C.
Sovereignty: No autonomous atoms. God does as He pleases to whom He pleases.
To understand any Biblical doctrine, we must first understand Divine sovereignty. The Bible:
1
Chr 29:11; Is 14:27, 46:9-10;
Jr 32:17; Lm 3:37-38; Dn 4:35; Ac
2:23;15:18;1Ti 6:15-16
III.
Total Depravity
A. Man is spiritually dead and blind, and unable to obey, believe, or repent.
B. Man cannot, in his fallen condition, choose Christ; God must take the initiative.
C. Quote: “Sin is sovereign till sovereign grace dethrones it.” – Spurgeon…The Bible:
Gn 8:21;Jr 13:23;Jr17:9;Jn 6:44,6:63,65,8:34,43-44;Rom 3:10-12,8:7-8;1 Cor. 2:14;Ep 2:1-2
IV.
Unconditional Election
A. God chose sinners on the basis of free grace alone, not anything good in them.
B. Why do you trust Christ, and your neighbor doesn’t? Are you smarter, wiser, etc.?
C. Quote: “Those who reject…election are also doing away with humility, for it takes real humility to see that we could not even start to turn ourselves to God.” – Calvin. The Bible:
Ps 65:4; Jn 5:21,6:37,10:26-29;Ac13:48;Ro 8: 28-33, 9:6-16,11:5-7; Ep1:4-5;2 Ti 1:9
V.
Limited Atonement (Definite Atonement)
A. Christ’s died and paid for the sins of His people (the elect) to guarantee their salvation.
B. God accomplishes His holy will. Every person for whom Christ died will be saved.
C. Neither the Architect of the plan of salvation nor the Savior experience frustration.
D. The Substitute: A uniquely Reformed concept. The Bible:
Mt
1:21;Mk 10:45;Jn 6:37,10:11,14-15,24-29;Ac
20:28;Rm 8:32-33;Ep 5:25; Rv 5:9;Is 53:4-12
VI.
Irresistible Grace (Efficacious Grace)
A. The Spirit applies to the elect the
benefits of Christ’s atonement by changing their hearts and renewing their
wills, enabling them to freely choose Christ. God
raises dead sinners to life.
B. Grace overcomes our resistance. Regeneration precedes saving faith. Faith is a gift.
C. It is by grace through faith that we are saved…it is through grace that we believe.
D.
Quotes: “Divine
birth can have only one origin: God.”
- Dr. James White. The Bible:
Dt
30:6; Ps 65:4;Ez 36:26;Jn 6:37,44,65; Ac 18:27; Rm
8:28-30; Eph 2:4-6; Phil 1:29; 2 Tm 1:9
VII.
Perseverance of the Saints
A. Those
whom God has chosen, and for whom Christ has died, and whom the Spirit has made
alive, will endure to the end.
God preserves and keeps His people since we can’t.
B. The mark of true disciples – Abiding indeed. (John 8:31)
C. The Finisher of Our Faith (Heb 12:2). The Bible:
Ps 121:7;Jn 6:35-40,47,10:27-30;Rm 8:30–31,35-39;Ep 1:5,13,14;Phil 1:6,1 Ths 5:23-24,Jd 1,24