I. The doctrine of Irresistible Grace stated:
In addition to the outward general call to salvation made to everyone who hears the gospel (and which can be, and often is, rejected), the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that cannot be rejected. By means of this special effectual call, the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ; He is not limited by man’s own will, nor is He dependent upon man’s cooperation for success.
II. The doctrine opened into its parts
A. The application of salvation is all of grace and is accomplished solely through the almighty power of God.
1. "But as many as received Him He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)
2. "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy." (Romans 9:16)
3. "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth." (James 1:18)
B. Sinners become the children of God through regeneration or the new birth. (As a child can do nothing to accomplish his own natural birth, but is entirely passive in the process, so men are not able to effect their own spiritual birth through their own efforts. Regeneration is the work of a God who is sovereign, He shows mercy on whom He pleases.)
1. "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the of God." (John 3:3)
2. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5)
C. Through the Spirit’s work, the sinner is given a new heart or nature and made to walk in God’s law. The sinner becomes a new creation in Christ.
1. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (II Corinthians 5:17)
2. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
D. The Spirit raises the sinner from his state of spiritual death and gives him life. (Sinners are not merely sick: they are DEAD in trespasses and sins. Can a person raise himself from the dead?)
1. "For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will." (John 5:21)
2. "You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1)
E. In addition to the outward general call to salvation made to everyone who hears the message, the Spirit extends to the elect a special call that cannot be rejected.
1. "Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Romans 8:30)
2. "All the Father gives Me will come to Me." (John 6:37)
F. God makes known to His elect only the secrets of the kingdom of God through the personal inward revelation given by the Spirit.
1. "Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and he whom the Son wills to reveal Him." (Matthew 11:27)
2. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." (John 6:44)
3. "No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." (John 6:65)
G. Faith and repentance are not acts that people can produce in themselves, but are divine gifts wrought in the soul through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
1. "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5:31)
2. "God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." (Acts 11:18)
3. "Now when Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." (Acts 13:48)
4. "The Lord opened her [Lydia’s] heart to heed the things spoken of by Paul." (Acts 16:14)
5. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
6. "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." (Philippians 1:29)
7. "If God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth." (II Timothy 2:25)