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Editor:
For those not familiar with the term Arminianism,
here is a link to the Wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arminianism
The term is generally used by
Primitive Baptists to label the doctrine of means salvation
promoted by Jacobus Armininius, specifically, that man must
participate in his eternal salvation.
We often say "the Arminian
position, or the Arminians believe” or similar language. We
aren’t suggesting there is a group or ethnicity called
Arminians. We use the name as a wholesale term to identify
those opposed to the doctrines of grace defined in the
covenant of redemption. While there is a country called
Armenia, use of this term (with a slightly different
spelling) points only to those who have ascribed to the
beliefs of Jacobus Arminius.
The
Christ of Arminianism
The Bible warns us that in the last days in
which we live there will be many false Christs-those who
claim to be Christ but who are imposters. Jesus said, "Take
heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my
name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matt.
24:4-5). We who profess to be Christians must take heed.
We must be very careful that we are not deceived. Our
calling is to trust, love, and follow the true Christ and
Him only. We may have nothing to do with the false Christs
who are so numerous in our day.
We know about the Christ of the cults and other
religions. He is a good man, a prophet, the first creation
of God, a great spirit, a divine idea, or even a god
himself. But he is not true and eternal God. He receives his
existence from another who is greater than he. He is not the
Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this Christ. He
is a false Christ.
We know about the Christ of Roman Catholicism. They
profess that He is true God. He suffered and died for the
forgiveness of sin. He arose again, ascended into heaven,
and is coming again. But he is not a complete Savior. The
Christ of the Roman Catholics can not save sinners without
their own good works and the intercession of priests. He is
not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this
Christ. He is a false Christ.
There is, however, another false Christ who is much more
dangerous than the Christ of the cults and the Christ of
Roman Catholicism. He has deceived people for many years and
he continues to deceive millions. This Christ is so
dangerous that, if it were not impossible, he would deceive
the very elect (Matt.
24:24). He is the Christ of Arminianism.
This false Christ is extremely dangerous because in many
ways he appears to be the True Christ. They say that he is
true God, equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They
say that he died on the cross to save sinners. They even say
that he saves by his grace alone, without the work of man.
This Christ will have nothing to do with the Christ of the
cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism.
But watch out! Be warned! The Christ of Arminianism is
not the Christ of the Bible. Do not be fooled!
1. The Christ of Arminianism - loves every
individual person in the world and sincerely desires their
salvation.
The Christ of the Bible - earnestly loves and
desires the salvation of only those whom God has
unconditionally chosen to salvation. (Ps.
5:5, Ps. 7:11,
Ps. 11:5,
Matt. 11:27,
John 17:9-10,
Acts 2:47, Acts 13:48,
Rom. 9:10-13, Rom. 9:21-24,
Eph. 1:3-4)
2. The Christ of Arminianism - offers salvation to
every sinner and does all in his power to bring them to
salvation. His offer and work are often frustrated, for many
refuse to come.
The Christ of the Bible - effectually calls to
Himself only the elect and sovereignly brings them to
salvation. Not one of them will be lost. (Isa.
55:11,
John 5:21,
John 6:37-40, John 10:25-30,
John 17:2, Phil. 2:13)
3. The Christ of Arminianism - can not regenerate
and save a sinner who does not first choose Christ with his
own "free will." All men have a "free will" by which they
can either accept or reject Christ. That "free will" may not
be violated by Christ.
The Christ of the Bible - sovereignly regenerates
the elect sinner apart from his choice, for without
regeneration the spiritually dead sinner can not choose
Christ. Faith is not man's contribution to salvation but the
gift of Christ which He sovereignly imparts in regeneration.
(John
3:3,
John 6:44 & 65,John
15:16,
Acts 11:18,
Rom. 9:16,
Eph. 2:1,Eph.
2:8-10, Phil. 1:29,Hebr.
12:2)
4. The Christ of Arminianism - died on the cross
for every individual person and thereby made it possible for
every person to be saved. His death, apart from the choice
of man, was not able to actually save anyone for many for
whom he died are lost.
The Christ of the Bible - died for only God's
elect people and thereby actually obtained salvation for all
those for whom He died. His death was a substitutionary
satisfaction which actually took away the guilt of His
chosen people. (Luke
19:10,
John 10:14-15 & 26,
Acts 20:28,
Rom. 5:10,
Eph. 5:25,
Hebr. 9:12,
I Peter 3:18)
5. The Christ of Arminianism - loses many whom he
has "saved" because they do not continue in faith. Even if
he does give them "eternal security," as some say, that
security is not based upon his will or work but the choice
which the sinner made when he accepted Christ.
The Christ of the Bible - preserves His chosen
people so that they can not lose their salvation but
persevere in the faith to the very end. He preserves them by
the sovereign electing will of God, the power of His death,
and the mighty working of His Spirit. (John
5:24, John 10:26-29,
Rom. 8:29-30,
Rom. 8:35-39,
I Peter 1:2-5,
Jude 24-25)
As you can see, although the Christ of Arminianism and
the Christ of the Bible may at first seem to be the same,
they are very different. One is a false Christ. The other is
the true Christ. One is weak and helpless. He bows before
the sovereign "free will" of man. The other is the reigning
Lord Who wills what He pleases and sovereignly accomplishes
all that He wills.
If you believe and serve the Christ of Arminianism, you
must recognize the fact that you do not serve the Christ of
the Bible. You have been deceived! Study the Scriptures and
learn of the True Christ. Pray for grace to repent and trust
Christ as your sovereign.
Steven Houck
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