The Biblical Order: Faith Brings Salvation

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1.12). Clearly we read here, God effects the new birth/regeneration only in those who believe on Christ. Have faith and believe not after new birth, but before! This is truly receiving Him.

Galatians 3.14 similarly declares that we "receive the promise of the Spirit through faith"; and verse 26 says, ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Likewise, Paul tells the Ephesian believers, "in whom ye also trusted, after that yet heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance..." (Eph. 1.13-14). It could not be stated more clearly that the permanent relationship with the Holy Spirit begins only after believing the gospel.

Consider Christ's own words, "that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life" (John 6.40). It is evident that seeing the Son and believing on Him precede receiving eternal life. Calvin turned this around to say that everyone who is elected and sovereignly given everlasting life by Irresistible Grace will then see the Son and believe on Him. Numerous verses disprove Calvin's reversal theory of Biblical order.

Jesus said, "he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life" (John 5.24). Again, hearing and believing precede eternal life, which comes through the new birth. Surely no one could be regenerated by the Holy Spirit without receiving simultaneously the gift of eternal life-so how could regeneration come before faith? Galatians 3.22 presents the same truth: "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." The promised new birth and eternal life are given "by faith...to them that believe." Clearly, faith precedes the new birth.

Indisputably, salvation comes by faith. How could anyone be sovereignly regenerated by God without being born again of the Spirit? Surely regeneration must be synonymous with new birth. But if Calvinism were true, there must be two new births-one that precedes faith and another that comes by believing the gospel unto the new birth (and salvation) that Jesus explained to Nicodemus.

The words "every man" tell us clearly that the unregenerated can be given the light of the gospel. John says of Jesus, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men...the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1.4,9).

Why do Calvinists think the brazen serpent was for all Israel, but not for all mankind by Christ on the cross?

Why do Calvinists think the manna and the rock was for all Israel, but not for all mankind by Christ on the cross?

Why do Calvinists think the sacrifices in the OT were for all Israel, but not for all mankind by Christ on the cross?

If you are still a Calvinist you should be very concerned about whether you are in fact saved or not!