Canons of Dordt Outline

 

A Brief Outline of the Canons of Dordt (1618-19),

the Original Five Points of Calvinism

Rev. Angus Stewart

Head I: Of Divine Predestination (Unconditional Election)

A. HISTORY

ALL HAVE SINNED AND DESERVE ETERNAL DEATH

• God sent His Son

• God sends preachers
• Not all believe

B. EXPLANATION

• The source of faith and unbelief
• Faith is according to God’s decree

C. MEANING

• Definition of election
• One election
• Unconditional election
• Sovereign election
• Unchangeable election

D. ELABORATION

• The assurance of election
• Election and piety
• Election must be preached
• Reprobation commends election

E. DIFFERENCE CLASSES OF PEOPLE

• Those alarmed at reprobation
• Children of believers dying in infancy

Head II: Of the Death of Christ and the Redemption of Men Thereby (Limited Atonement)

A. THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST'S REDEMPTION

• God’s justice demands satisfaction
• Christ makes satisfaction
• Christ’s satisfaction is of infinite value
• Why Christ’s satisfaction is of infinite value

B. TTHE PREACHING OF CHRIST'S REDEMPTION

• The promise of the gospel
• The guilt of unbelief
• The gift of faith

C. THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF CHRIST'S REDEMPTION

• Particular redemption
• Effectual redemption

Heads III and IV: Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God and the Manner Thereof (Total Depravity and Irresistible Grace)

A. MAN'S CORRUPTION

• The fall
• Original sin
• Total depravity

B. THE WAY OF SALVATION

• The light of nature (No)
• The law (No)
• The Holy Spirit applying the gospel (Yes)

C. THE PREACHING

• Its extent in OT and NT days (see I:3)
• Its serious call (see II:5)

D. THE TWO RESPONSES

• Why some refuse to come (see II:6)
• Why others are converted (see II:7)

E. REGENERATION

• The nature of regeneration
• The wonder of regeneration
• The incomprehensibility of regeneration

F. FAITH

• Faith is the gift of God
• Faith is unmerited

G. MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY

• We are not stocks and blocks
• We must use the means of grace

Head V: Of the Perseverance of the Saints (Perseverance of the Saints)

A. TTHE SAINT'S DEPRAVITY

• Our remaining sin
• Our sins and spots
• Our inability to persevere of ourselves

B. THE SAINT'S SINS

• Our falling into sins
• The results of our sins
• Yet we cannot fall away

C. WHY THE SAINTS CANNOT FALL AWAY

• Our regeneration and renewal
• The works of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit

D. THE ASSURANCE OF PRESERVATION AND PERSEVERANCE

• It is obtained by us
• How it is obtained by us
• It does not exclude our having carnal lusts

E. THE FRUIT OF THE SAIN'TS ASSURANCE OF PRESERVATION AND PERSEVERANCE

• Not pride or carnal security but godliness
• Not licentiousness or a disregard to piety but carefulness

F. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE PERSERANCE OF THE SAINTS

• God uses the means of grace to preserve the saints
• The views of the ungodly and of the church on the perseverance of the saints

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