Because Christ Says So (part 5)

Today, we wrap up our brief series in the doctrines of grace.

So far, we've seen Christ teach...

Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistable Grace

The last point we want to see from Christ, is also one that brings controversy.

P - Perseverance of the Saints

This doctrine states that all those who have received salvation, will not lose it, but will be kept secure by the power of God.

Again, i'm not endeavoring to give a proper refutation of those who disagree with this position.

The goal here is to simply provide evidence that Christ taught this doctrine.

1. John 6:37-40 (ESV)  All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

- Here we see one of the strongest quotes for this position.

Jesus teaches that the will of the Father is that He will not lose anyone whom the Father gives Him.

Not only that, but this is actually what Jesus came down from heaven to do. To secure those whom He was given.

2. John 6:48-51 (ESV)  I am the bread of life.

Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

- Jesus tells that there is a finality to eating His bread. Those who eat it will not die.

3. John 6:53-58 (ESV)  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.

This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

- Here, we see Christ reiterating His previous point.

4. John 10:27-30 (ESV)  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me,is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
I and the Father are one.”

- Jesus teaches that He only gives eternal life to His sheep, whom He knows, and they know Him.

They will never perish.

Not only is no one able to take His sheep out of His hands, but they aren't able to take them out of the Father's hands either.

They both share the work of keeping the sheep secure.

5. John 15:16 (ESV)  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

- Here we see Christ teaching that we don't choose Him, but the other way around.

Not only does He choose but He appoints us to bear fruit.

He says this on the back of saying that all those in Him who don't bear fruit will be, naturally, thrown in the fire.

Yet He appoints those whom He chooses to bear fruit and abide in Him.

It's His authority that keeps them abiding in Him.

6. Matthew 13:25, 37-41 (ESV)  but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.

He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

- Here, we see the explanation of the parable about the wheat and tares (weeds).

The one who places the wheat there is God. The number of wheat doesn't increase or decrease, as God knows what He sowed.

On judgement day, the tares (weeds) are gathered together and cast in the fire. Leaving the wheat.

7. John 14:1-4 (ESV)  Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

And you know the way to where I am going.”

- Here, we see Christ making a promise to His disciples, and by extension, all of us that belong to Him.

In the Father's house, there are many rooms (mansions in some translations).

Christ goes to prepare a place for us. And all those whom He prepares a place for, He will come back and to receive them, and take them to that place He's prepared.

Clearly, Jesus believes their salvation is secure.

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We've now looked at a few passages for each point of the doctrines of grace.

Jesus clearly teaches these things outright, and even when not speaking about them directly, you can clearly see these theological presuppositions present.

For example, He clearly believes the salvation of the thief on the cross is secure for Him to be able to promise that he will be in paradise that day.

Even though Christ will die before the thief does.

Every now and then, Christ pulls back the veil to give us the spiritual understanding of what we're seeing in the natural.

It's that spiritual explanation from Christ that clearly teaches these doctrines.

And since its Christ teaching these things, they must be true.

So we ought to believe them and seek to understand them to the best of our ability.

We ought to teach them to others as well. As the Holy Spirit saw fit to include these things that Christ spoke, in the scriptures so that we would be taught, reproved, corrected, and trained in righteousness, so that we may be equipped for every good work.

Amen

Because Christ Says So (part 4)

Yesterday, we saw what Christ taught in regards to the doctrine known as limited atonement.

Today, we'll be taking a look at what is commonly known as irresistable grace.

I - Irresistable Grace

This doctrine often gets flack, as the scriptures does seem to show people resisting God's grace.

So since that's the case, how can God's grace be called irresistable?

The doctrine is stated in this way - all those whom God has elected to salvation, will be saved.

Although this doctrine is mainly in the realm of soteriology, it is undergirded by a number of important doctrines that have to do with the very nature of God.

Let's see what Christ taught in regards to this doctrine.

1. John 6:37 (ESV)  All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

- Here, we see Jesus making a statement concerning the hidden things of God.

Although what's said here also touches on limited atonement, we should also note its application to irresistable grace.

All those that the Father gives to Christ, will come to Him.

For Jesus to make this statement, there can't be any case when a person given to Him, will not come to Him.

If that was the case, then this statement is false - and Jesus becomes a false teacher by default.

2. John 10:1-5 (ESV)  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

- Here, we see Christ actually teaching that the calling of His sheep - or in other words, the drawing of the Father to Christ, is effectual.

Why? Because these are His people. His sheep.

Although His sheep is intermingled with others, when the owner of the sheep calls them, the recognise His voice and come.

3. John 10:16 (ESV)  And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

- Jesus repeats the sentiment, but applies it to a group of other sheep that He has.

He's going to bring both flocks together.

How does He think this will happen? His theology is that they will listen to His voice.

So His call is effectual.

4. John 6:43-45 (ESV)  Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’

Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—"

- Here, we see Jesus teaching the effectiveness of the call.

Everyone who is drawn by the Father, will come to Christ without fail.

Jesus' theology even causes Him to interpret old testament scripture to reflect this truth.

While it is true that the scriptures does show the resisting of God's grace, Christ clearly identifies two different aspects of the gospel call.

This is summed up in the last statement made by Christ at the end of the parable of the wedding feast...

Matthew 22:14 (ESV)  For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This is the doctrine of the effectual call of salvation, also known as, irresistable grace... according to Christ

Because Christ Says So (part 3)

Last time , we looked at what Jesus taught in regards to the doctrine known as unconditional election.

He clearly teaches us that salvation is a decision made by God, not man.

And this decision isn't based upon anything that is within man or anything that man has done.

No. This decision is based on what is within God. Namely, love.

The next point of doctrine is a bit controversial.

L - Limited Atonement

Every orthodox christian, believes that the atonement is limited.

If they did not, they would fall into the heretical camp known as universalism.

There are two major views pertaining to this doctrine.

The first, which is an error, and can be considered to be heresy, is that the power of the atonement is limited.

The view is stated in this way - the sacrifice of Christ atoned for the sins of everybody in the entire world. But, this only makes salvation possible.

The person must now accept the atoning work that Christ did on the cross, or else the atonement will not be applied to them.

This is the view that many christians hold to, but it is not what is taught by Christ.

Jesus' view is stated in this way - the sacrifice that He made on the cross, actually atoned for the sins of all of those who are elected to salvation.

All those who are not saved, are so, because God has chosen not to save then.

So the atonement is limited based on the will of God, not man.

A lot if people take issue with that, however, we will not be getting into that discussion today.

Right now, we want to have a look at what Jesus taught in regards to the limiting of the atonement.

1. John 6:35-37 (ESV)  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

- Here, we see Jesus tell the people who He is speaking to that the ones who will come to Him, are those who have been given to Him by the Father.

He gives this as an explanation as to why these people see Him, but don't believe.

This is a clear indication that the reason all people aren't saved, is because the Father has not given all people to Christ.

If He had, then they would all come.

2. John 10:24-27 (ESV)  So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense?

If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe.

The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

- Here, we see Jesus once again explaining why these people do not believe.

It's not because they don't have enough proof, or have a lack of understanding.

No. The reason they don't believe, is because they are not Christ's sheep.

Notice, Christ isn't teaching that one becomes His sheep at the point that they believe.

No. One believes because they are His sheep.

3. John 10:11-18 (ESV)  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

- Here, Christ teaches that He lays down His life for the sheep.

The sheep He lays His life down for are not strays... or strangers to Him.

He knows who these sheep are. He owns them. They belong to Him. As such, they listen to and obey His voice when He calls.

A point has to be emphasised though. If He lays His life down for the sheep, and He has identified people as not being His sheep, has He laid down His life for those people as well?

4. Matthew 25:31-33 (ESV)  When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

- Here, we see Jesus answering our previous question. Those who are not His sheep, are goats. At the last day, He will separate the goats from the sheep.

5. Matthew 25:10-12 (ESV)  And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’

But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

- This is the ending to the parable of the ten virgins.

At the end of this parable, the bridegroom arrives while the 5 foolish virgins are away and collects the 5 wise virgins.

The 5 foolish virgins go to where the bridegroom lives, and request to be let in, only to be told that he doesn't know them.

The question should be asked then.

If he doesn't know them, was he actually coming to get them?

Of course not. Even if they had been there at his arrival, they are strangers to him. He wouldn't have collected them anyway.

But, one thing that needs to be pointed out is that bridegroom does not seek to have a relationship at that point.

Notice what is going on. They are pursuing the bridegroom, and he chooses not to enter into an engagement.

Doesn't the bridegroom have the authority to decide if he wants them or not?

Of course he does. However, he has the liberty to decide that he doesn't want them.

6. Matthew 12:31-32 (ESV)  Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

- Here, we see the famous teaching on the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Irregardless of what a person believes this blasphemy is, or whether or not it can be committed today, we must not miss an important aspect of what Jesus teaches here.

God chooses not to forgive someone who commits this sin.

Forgiveness is an active choice that is made. It's not passive.

God actively limits His forgiveness. He doesn't extend His saving mercy and grace to those who commit this sin.

7. John 17:6-9 (ESV)  I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.

For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

- These verses are part of what is known as the high priestly prayer.

Jesus prays to the Father, and states these things.

Not only does He state that the ones who believed, were given to Him by the Father, but that He is not praying for the world, but only those whom the Father has given Him out of the world.

This is the teaching of Christ.

The atonement provided by Christ, is indeed limited. Not by the actions of individuals, but from the actions of the Father in the first instance.

The Father gives people to Christ. Those are the people whose sins Christ atoned for on the cross.

Christ isn't even praying for the world, but only for those that the Father had given to Him out of the world.

That is the doctrine of limited atonement... according to Christ.

Because Christ Says So (part 2)

In the last post, we had a look at what Christ said about the doctrine of total depravity.

Today, we'll look at what Christ said about unconditional election.

U - Unconditional Election

This doctrine states, that because we are totally depraved before God, there is nothing within us that recommends us to God.

So salvation is by grace alone.

That is to say, that salvation isnt dependent on man, but on God to choose (or elect) those whom He wills.

So the condition necessary for salvation, lies with God, not man.

Here is what Christ has to say about this.

1. John 5:19-23 (ESV)  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

- Here we see Jesus equating His giving life to people to the Father raising the dead.

Just as the Father give life to those who are physically dead, meaning that it is not dependent on them...

In the same fashion, Christ gives spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead.

Meaning, its not dependent on them either.

Notice, those whom the Father decides to raise from the dead... are raised.

His desire to raise the dead cant be prevented.

Jesus says that, in like fashion, those whom He wills to give life, will have life.

He too, cant be prevented. His will, will, come to pass, just like the Father's will, will, come to pass.

2.  Matthew 22:11-14 (ESV)  But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.

And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.

Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

For many are called, but few are chosen.”

- This is the end portion of the parable of the wedding feast.

In the parable, the king sends messengers to His previously invited guests to the wedding feast.

The invited guests, reject the call, and even kill some of the messengers.

The king punishes those, and commands his messengers to gather people from the roads to come.

People come, yet, there is one person who doesnt have a wedding garment.

The king notices this person, and instead of giving the person a wedding garment, casts him out.

Christ then tells us what it is He wants us to grasp from the parable.

Being called is not enough. One must also be chosen.

This is why the man was cast out instead of simply given a wedding garment, even though the king has the ability to give him a wedding garment.

The decision is down to the king.

3. John 15:12-17 (ESV)  This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

No longer do I call you servants, for the servantdoes not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

- Here, we see some well known verses.

Christ makes it clear that He is the one the chooses. We do not choose Him.

From the outside, it may seem that we choose Him, but in reality, its the other way around.

The decision has always been with God.

4. Matthew 11:27 (ESV)  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

- Here we see that its by the decision of God that anyone comes to know the Father and the Son.

Its not because someone is simply taught, or comes to some realisation through reason.

No. Knowing the Son and the Father is a decision made by God before hand.

Before the person has even considered anything, God has made a decision to reveal Himself.

5. John 6:65 (ESV)  And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

- Here, we see Christ dialoguing with people regarding who He is and what He has come to do.

We know that before God, all are sinners.

We know that Christ has only come to call those who are sinners, not those who are righteous.

We also know that even though the call is to all, people have to be chosen as well.

And that choice is based on the decision of God before-hand.

Here, Christ tells us that no one can even come to Him, unless the Father draws them.

So, anytime we read of someone coming to God, or see someone coming to God, we must always remember that Christ said that its not possible unless God drew, called, and chose them first.

6. John 3:16-21 (ESV)  For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

- Although many people quote John 3:16, its often ripped out of its context. So many people are not aware of the things that Jesus clearly teaches.

What is the reason that God saves people?

Is it because people love God? Because they humble themselves? Because they repent?

No. Those things are a result of God's work after He has already made the decision to draw them.

What is the necessary condition that we are told that causes God to grant people salvation?

The condition is that God loves.

The reason that God saves people us because He loves them.

Just like the scripture says...

Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus tells us that this isnt an unrequited love.

Those whom God loves, will love Him back because He will cause them to love Him.

Why would God have to cause people to love Him?

Well, pay attention to what Christ says after He declares God's reason behind salvation.

Those who dont believe are already condemned.

Those who are already condemned do not love God. They dont love the light.

They actually hate the light. They love darkness.

Jesus says that those who do wickedness, hate the light.

But remember, Jesus also said that we all do wickedness.

Mark 7:20-23 (ESV)  And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Its these things that makes us sinners... defiled before the Holy God.

So everybody hates the light. Everybody loves darkness according to Jesus.

So what must take place within us in order to begin to love the light?

7. John 3:3-8 (ESV)  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

- The answer to the question of how can someone who loves darkness and hates the light, start to love the light and hate darkness... is that they must be born again (born from above).

Notice what Jesus says. One cant even see the kingdom of God unless they've been born of the Spirit.

And how does one become born again?

It happens by the will of the Holy Spirit.

Just like the wind comes and goes as it pleases and we only see the affects, so it is with the Holy Spirit.

He, the Holy Spirit, is the one who changes a person from hating the light, to loving the light.

We actually see an example of this during the crucifixion.

Matthew 27:44 (ESV)  And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Here, we see that the two thieves that were crucified with Christ were both mocking Him.

But then, we are told, for some reason, one of them changes his tune.

Luke 23:39-43 (ESV)  One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

What happened to this man to all of a sudden believe the Jesus was the Christ and was innocent, and to humble himself before Jesus?

Jesus already told us.

To come to Christ, one must be chosen by God, drawn by God, and born again.

All of these happen without any decision on our part.

These are decisions that God makes behind the scenes.

If Jesus didnt say these things, we would not be aware of them.

When Jesus is going around performing miracles, rebuking the pharisees, and preaching the gospel - He is fully aware that only those whom the Father draws and the Spirit causes to be born again will recognise and come to Him.

And we know, that salvation is dependent on anything we do or dont do, but solely rests in the decision of the God who loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to be a propitiation of our sins.

So our being chosen by God to salvation, is not because we merited it in some way by providing some good work that God could be please in - repentance, humbling oneself.

No. In us, was found nothing but the love of darkness and the hatred of light.

Its only because of the love of God, that He extends His grace and mercy to those wretched individuals whom He choses to save for His glory.

Because Christ Says So (part 1)

Recently, I was in a group discussion in the Reformed Pub.

The discussion was about the doctrines known as the acronym, TULIP.

I spoke briefly with a person who disagreed with one of the doctrines (at least one).

I made the claim that if someone denies any one of these doctrines, and they are correct, that christianity becomes worthless to them.

The person seemed quite taken aback that I would make such a statement.

How can i say that people who gave their life for Christ have a worthless faith.

So I further clarified myself.

There is a difference between a material and formal heretic.

A person could be theologically inconsistent, or be completely wrong in points in their theology, and still be saved.

So, im not saying that someone is not saved if they dont believe those doctrines.

What im doing is using the same line of reasoning that paul used when speaking to the corinthian church (1 Cor 15:12-19).

Paul pointed out that those who claim that there wasnt any ressurection, if they were correct, then Christ Himself couldnt have been raised from the dead.

And if Christ hasnt been raised, then both our preaching and our faith is in vain.

It doesnt matter how well a person lived for God, or whether or not they died for Christ. If Christ hasnt been raised, their faith is worthless.

So it is with this issue.

Why would that be the case?

Its because my position is that these doctrines are taught by Christ Himself, so for someone to actually say any of these points are wrong - they inadvertently make christianity worthless.

If Christ taught these doctrines, they must be correct, because He is God, and therefore can never be wrong.

If any of these points are wrong, Christ can not be God, because He was wrong in a point of doctrine.

It can no longer be said of Him, that He's the truth.

Now, as sound as that reasoning is, the response i received was that Christ never taught these doctrines.

So i wanted to present some verses where Christ taught them.

T - Total Depravity

This doctrine states that man has been corrupted by sin. Man is affected by it in all points. So much so that man can not produce any good work before God, or even wants God (Romans 3:9-18)

Lets see where Christ teaches this docrrine.

1. Matthew 5:20 (ESV)  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

- The pharisees were teachers of the law. As far as the people of israel were concerned, there were nobody as righteous as they were.

Yet Christ tells people that they can't enter the kingdom of heaven unless they are more righteous than the most righteous people around.

2. Matthew 9:11-13 (ESV)  And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
(parallel Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31-32)

But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

- In response to a question about hanging around sinners, Christ says that He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

So the only people Jesus calls are sinners.

3. Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV)  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.

So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

- Rebuking the scribes and pharisees, Jesus lumps them into the sinners camp as well. This is obvious from the first point, but just in case a direct quote is needed.

4. Matthew 7:11 (ESV)  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
(parallel Luke 11:13)

- Here is a well known verse where we see Christ calling everybody evil.

Some may say that He's not talking to everybody, but we arent finished, as he lumps every one in the category of evil elsewhere.

5. Matthew 12:33-35 (ESV)  Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
(parallel Luke 6:43-45)

6. Matthew 15:18-20 (ESV)  But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
(parallel Mark 7:20-23)

7. John 5:28-29 (ESV)  Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Jesus has labelled everyone as being sinners. Unless something is done, all will be judged.

That is total depraviy from the mouth of Christ