EIGHT REASONS WHY CALVINISTS BELIEVE IN EVANGELISM

Colin Maxwell, itinerant evangelist in the Free Presbyterian Church, created this web site when he pastored the F.P.C. in Cork, Northern Ireland. It contains some of the best articles on evangelism and Calvinism I have read on the internet. Here, I have reposted his article on Calvinism and Evangelism. I encourage those who love the Reformed Faith and have an interest in reaching the lost with the Gospel to read this article and explore the links to other features on the site. When I first discovered it two years ago, I spent about 3 hours  reading, and went back for more the following day.__Craig

Eight Reasons Why Calvinists Believe in Evangelism  (By Colin Maxwell)
  
1) Because God has commanded it. The gospel is to preached to every creature (Mark 16:15) This is why Calvinists have been to the forefront of missionary endeavour. The man acknowledged as "the Father of Modern Missions" was William Carey… and William Carey was a Calvinist. If a missionary (strictly speaking) is someone who leaves his homeland to preach the gospel elsewhere, then John Calvin qualifies as a missionary. Spurgeon said of him: "John Calvin…is looked upon now, of course, a theologian only, but he was really one of the greatest of gospel preachers. When Calvin opened the Book and took a text, you might be sure that he was about to preach "Through grace are ye saved, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (MTP 14:216) Even if we had no other reason, we would still evangelise…because it is a clear command from God.

 2) Because we believe that God has ordained the means of bringing many sons to glory as well as the end. Hyper Calvinists believe He has ordained the end but not the means, non Calvinists/Arminians believe that He has ordained the means but not the end… Calvinists alone consistently take the balanced view that He has ordained both. If we don't evangelise…someone else rightly will. Calvinists believe as much in man's responsibility as they do in God's sovereignty. 

3) Because God has done something wonderful for the whole world and wants every one to know about it. He is not willing that any should perish and that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11) He would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4) He invites the 'Whosoever will' to come and drink of the water of life (Revelation 22:17) How can we not evangelise? Surely when we bear these things in mind, we must (if applicable) reproach ourselves and say: We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household. (2 Kings 7:9)

4) Evangelism gives Calvinists the glorious opportunity to praise the God whom they believe unconditionally elected them to salvation. We love to preach the gospel in all its fullness. Just to recount the old, old story of Jesus and His love thrills our soul and leads us to praise His name. We glorify God when we proclaim the gospel. 

5) Evangelism gives us the opportunity to unburden our souls for the lost. We cannot be silent while souls around us are bound for hell. We believe the gospel ourselves and therefore we speak (2 Corinthians 4:13) Many of us were brought savingly to Christ because someone else was burdened for us and prayed for us and witnessed to us. Any man who names the name of Christ, Calvinist or not, should have the burden to win others. It is an evidence of grace when we want others to experience it for themselves. If there is no burden for the lost, we are left to wonder does the professing Christian (of whatever school) believe there is a Day of Judgement…an immortal soul and an eternal hell? 

6) Evangelism gives us an opportunity to serve God. The fields are white unto harvest and yet the labourers are few. There is a great reward awaiting for soul winners (Daniel 12:3) …but even if there wasn't, we would still labour just for the sheer joy of being in God's work and spreading His word. 

7) Evangelism gives us an opportunity to bear reproach for the name of Christ. Paul witnessed to the gospel with much contention (1 Thessalonians 2:2) and whilst such is irksome to the flesh, yet the spiritual man rejoices every whit. Such were the Apostles (Acts 5:41) Obviously we do not set out to annoy, but we recognise that the natural heart is going to kick hard against the message of Christ. If we have to bear reproach in our evangelism…then amen! "So be it" 

8) Far down our list, but there nevertheless, we evangelise because it nails the lie often uttered against us that Calvinism kills evangelistic endeavour. Why should it? The doctrine of predestination is the only grounds of evangelism. If God did not predestine folk out of their sins to be saved, then no one would be saved. The non Calvinist says that if there were no faith, then there would be no predestination because the latter (which is God's work) is totally and absolutely dependent on the former which is due ultimately to man's decision. The Calvinist says that if there were no predestination, then there would be no faith because the latter (which is man's responsibility) flows from the former. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17) and the word of God comes to sinners through gospel preachers (Romans 10:13-16)
 
With the exception of the last point, every Christian (Calvinist or not) has a reason for evangelism. Evangelism is the common lot of every child of God, no matter what his understanding of the outworking of the decree of God may be. Both Whitefield (Calvinist) and Wesley (Arminian) preached together and rejoiced in each others great work. This is the way it ever should be.

Click here to go to Colin Maxwell's web site and find other articles.

Reformed Theology As Explained By Jesus

“I have my own private opinion, that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what is nowadays called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen which Christ wrought upon the Cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called.” – C. H. Spurgeon

Total Inability: Left to ourselves as fallen sinners, we are entirely unable and unwilling to choose God: “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.”” –John 6:43-44

Unconditional Election: God chose those whom He would save by His sovereign will and out of mercy, not according to any work of merit or faith foreseen in them: “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, and that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.” –John 15:16

Faith is the gift and work of God, not of ourselves: “Then they said to Him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”” –John 6:28-29

Effectual Calling: All those whom God calls to faith in Christ, He saves, without exception: “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.” –John 10:2-4

Irresistible Grace: All people whom God chooses to save are utterly unable to resist His work in them or thwart His purpose for their salvation: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out.” –John 6:37

Eternal Security: It is impossible for those whom God gives saving faith in Christ to ever lose their salvation: “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.” –John 10:27-29

Definite Atonement: Christ came to die for a specific set of people out of the world: the elect, His own 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.” –John 10:14-15

“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.” –John 17:9

God’s Foreknowledge and Eternal Purpose: Before He created the world, God knew whom He would save, and who would reject the gospel and not believe: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are the spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.) And He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father.” –John 6:63-65

Predestination: Christ did not only accomplish redemption for those who believed in Him before and during the time He lived on Earth, but for all those who would believe in Him in the future: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” –John 17:20-21

Soli Deo Gloria- To God Alone Be the Glory! Amen.

This is a re-posting from Joseph Boyd's Facebook page. (Re-Posted here by permission.)
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See also: Jesus' Commentary on John 3:16
And: Jesus' Comments on the "Five Points" of Calvinism

Why is the Son of God called "Jesus," that is, Savior

LORD'S DAY 11

Q.29. Why is the Son of God called "Jesus," that is, Savior?

A. Because He saves us from all our sins, and because salvation is not to be sought or found in any other.

Mt 1:21; Heb 7:25; Isa 43:11; Lk 2:10-11; Jn 15:4-5; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Tim 2:5


Q.30. Do those also believe in the only Savior Jesus, who seek their salvation and welfare from "saints," themselves, or anywhere else?

A. No; although they make their boast of Him, yet in their deeds they deny the only Savior Jesus; for either Jesus is not a complete Savior, or they who by true faith receive this Savior, must have in Him all that is necessary to their salvation.

1 Cor 1:12-13, 30-31; Gal 5:4; Isa 9:7; Mt. 23:28; Jn 1:16; Col 1:19-20, 2:10; 1 Jn 1:7

__Heidelberg Catechism

Affirming Divine Sovereignty

R.C. Sproul's post at Ligonier today ties right in to the theme I have been posting about lately, so I've linked it here. Has R.C. been reading my blog; or should I chalk it up to Providence? : )

The Theologian

Calvin brought to the study of theology a passion for biblical truth and a coherent understanding of the Word of God

In contrast to modern day Fundamentalism, John Calvin insisted that the Bible's teachings can not be properly understood unless seen within the framework of Scripture's overarching themes. Interpretation of individual doctrines and passages of scripture must not be taught in isolation from the coherent substance of the whole Bible. Calvin did not invent a system of theology to which he forced the scriptures to conform, as his detractors suggest, but attempted to recognize the paradigm provided by the Bible, itself.

Continuing in our celebration of Calvin's 500th birthday, here is an article by R.C. Sproul from this month's Tabletalk magazine, titled, "The Theologian."

John Calvin

On July 10th we will be celebrating the 500th birthday of the man who has been called, "The Theologian of the Reformation." Here are five short articles from Ligonier Ministries about the man who God used to shape the theology of the Protestant Reformation, and bring the church back to the Biblical doctrine of salvation By Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, because of Christ Alone, for the Glory of God Alone. (click the link below)

Celebrating 500 Years of John Calvin