Articles | Limestone Church of Christ

July 28, 2013September 29, 2025

TULIP Doctrines: What is Irresistible Grace?

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

The fourth tenet of Calvinism is discussed by Steele & Thomas in The Points of Calvinism in the following way:

Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, the special inward call of the Spirit never fails to result in the conversion of those to whom it is made. This special call is not made to all sinners but is issued to the elect only. The Spirit is in no way dependant upon their help or cooperation for success … the grace which the Holy Spirit extends to the elect cannot be thwarted or refused, it never fails to bring them to true faith in Christ.

July 21, 2013September 29, 2025

TULIP Doctrines: Exposing Limited Atonement

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

The proponents of Calvin’s doctrine of Limited Atonement believe that the Bible supports the teaching. Herein we will look at some of the texts which are used as proof.

Matthew 20:28
“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Was Jesus limiting the scope of atonement in this text? Saying that many (not all) will be ransomed is not the same as saying the atonement is not available to all. As we noted last week, the grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all (Titus 2:11), but not all are willing to deny ungodliness and live righteously (v 12).

July 14, 2013September 29, 2025

TULIP Doctrines: What is Limited Atonement?

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

Merriam-Webster aptly defines the word atonement as:

…the reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. (m-w.com)

Eddie K. Garrett, a Primitive Baptist elder affirmed:

We believe that God has an elect people whom he has chosen unto eternal salvation. We believe that the atonement of Christ was for that chosen number and no one else. (The Christian Baptist, 1972)

July 7, 2013September 29, 2025

TULIP Doctrines: Exposing Unconditional Election

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

Every false doctrine has a series of Bible verses that are pulled together as support. Today we will examine the proof texts used to support the TULIP doctrine of Unconditional Election.

Ephesians 1:4, “…just as He choses us in Him before the foundation of the world…”

This and other texts speak of God choosing us from the foundation of the world or from the beginning (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Apart from their context, such verses might lend validity to the Calvinist position, but a text out of context is a pretext.

June 30, 2013September 29, 2025

TULIP Doctrines: What Is Unconditional Election?

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

This TULIP doctrine is perhaps better known as Predestination. It is introduced by the Westminster Confession in this way:

God from all eternity did by thhe most wise and holy counsel of his own will freely and unchangeably ordain what soever comes to pass…

June 23, 2013September 29, 2025

TULIP Doctrines: Exposing Total Hereditary Depravity

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

Supporters of Calvinism use a number of texts as support for the doctrine of Total Hereditary Depravity (THD). Space limits us from addressing every passage, but if there are questions about other texts, I am happy to have a private conversation on such.

June 16, 2013September 29, 2025

TULIP Doctrines: What Is Total Hereditary Depravity?

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

This first doctrine of Calvinism deals with man’s relationship to sin. The Bible tells us that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), but Calvin’s doctrine goes beyond this. Total Hereditary Depravity (THD) says that every person is born in sin; spiritually corrupt because of Adam’s sin. We read in the Westminster Confession of Faith that Adam and Eve:

…being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity. (Westminster, Chapter VI)

June 9, 2013September 29, 2025

What is the TULIP Doctrine? A Simple Introduction

– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –

Though John Calvin was not a gardener (at least to the best of my knowledge he wasn’t), he is credited with planting, grooming and sharing with the world what has become to many an extremely cherished tulip. However, you will not find this tulip planted in a botanical garden somewhere; it won’t be in your neighbour’s backyard—Calvin’s tulip is a doctrinal system which has taken root in the hearts of believers throughout the world. Unfortunately, it is not a beautiful flower, but a destructive weed which has led many away from the truth of God’s word.

August 8, 2010December 30, 2024

Two Versions Of The Ten Commandments? Answering The Atheist

Inquiry: Traditionally, the Ten Commandments are known as the commandments stated in Exodus 20:1-17. In Exodus 34:1-2, Moses is told to get another set of tablets to rewrite what was on the first tablets. In Exodus 34:10-26, Moses was told a number [ten] of things of what to and not to do. In Exodus 34:27-28, God tells Moses to write the words he told him on those very tablets and name them the Ten Commandments. These aren’t the same commandments in Exodus 20. Is there a contradiction?

August 8, 2010December 26, 2024

What Happened to the Epistle to the Laodiceans?

At the conclusion of the epistle to the Colossians, the apostle Paul wrote, “…when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16). Where is this epistle that Paul wrote to the church at Laodicea? Why is it not in the New Testament?