Derde en Vierde Hoofstuk: Van die Verdorwenheid van die Mens, sy Bekering tot God en die Wyse Waarop Dit Geskied
Paragraaf 1
Die mens is van nature so verdorwe dat hy nie uit eie krag tot geloof of bekering kan kom nie¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 3:10-12; Efesiërs 2:1-3
Paragraaf 2
Alle mense is in Adam geval en is kinders van die toorn¹. Hulle is dood in sonde en nie in staat om hulleself te red nie².
Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 5:12; Efesiërs 2:3 ² Johannes 6:44; Romeine 8:7-8
Paragraaf 3
Die mens se verdorwenheid is totaal, sodat hy in alle dele van sy wese deur sonde geraak is¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Genesis 6:5; Jeremia 17:9
Paragraaf 4
Alhoewel die mens se natuur verdorwe is, bly hy verantwoordelik om God te gehoorsaam¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 1:20; Handelinge 17:27
Paragraaf 5
Die wet van God openbaar die mens se sonde en sy onvermoë om homself te red¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 3:20; Galasiërs 3:24
Paragraaf 6
Wat die mens nie uit homself kan doen nie, doen God uit sy genade deur die krag van die Heilige Gees¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Johannes 3:5; Titus 3:5
Paragraaf 7
God se genade werk onweerstaanbaar in die harte van die uitverkorenes, sodat hulle tot geloof en bekering gebring word¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Handelinge 16:14; Filippense 2:13
Paragraaf 8
God se oproep tot bekering is opreg en word aan alle mense gerig, maar slegs die uitverkorenes reageer deur die krag van die Gees¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Matteus 22:14; Johannes 6:37
Paragraaf 9
Die rede waarom sommige nie glo nie, is hul eie ongeloof, en nie ‘n gebrek in God se genade nie¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Johannes 12:39-40; Hebreërs 4:12
Paragraaf 10
Die wedergeboorte is uitsluitlik die werk van God, wat die mens se wil vernuwe en hom lewend maak¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Esegiël 36:26-27; Johannes 3:3-5
Paragraaf 11
Hierdie wedergeboorte gebeur nie deur dwang nie, maar deur die kragtige en liefdevolle werking van die Heilige Gees¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Filippense 2:13; 2 Korintiërs 4:6
Paragraaf 12
Die wedergeborenes toon die vrugte van geloof, soos liefde, blydskap en heiligheid¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Galasiërs 5:22-23; 1 Johannes 3:14
Paragraaf 13
Die wedergeboorte is ‘n voortgaande proses, waardeur die gelowige al meer na die beeld van Christus vernuwe word¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ 2 Korintiërs 3:18; Kolossense 3:10
Paragraaf 14
Geloof is ‘n gawe van God, wat Hy aan sy uitverkorenes gee¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Efesiërs 2:8; Filippense 1:29
Paragraaf 15
God se genade is onweerstaanbaar in die sin dat dit sy doel bereik in die uitverkorenes¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Johannes 6:37; Romeine 8:30
Paragraaf 16
Hierdie genade dwing nie die mens se wil nie, maar vernuwe dit sodat hy vrywillig glo¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Esegiël 36:26; Johannes 10:27-28
Paragraaf 17
God gebruik middele, soos die prediking van die Woord en die sakramente, om sy genade te bewerk¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 10:14-17; 1 Korintiërs 1:21
Verwerping van Foute
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Fout: Dat die mens se wil vry is om God se genade te aanvaar of te verwerp. Weerlegging: Die Skrif leer dat die mens se wil deur sonde geknel is¹, en dat God alleen hom kan bevry². Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 8:7-8; Johannes 8:34 ² Johannes 6:44; Filippense 2:13
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Fout: Dat die mens uit eie krag kan glo of homself kan bekeer. Weerlegging: Die Skrif leer dat geloof en bekering gawes van God is¹. Skrifverwysings ¹ Efesiërs 2:8; Handelinge 11:18
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Fout: Dat God se genade slegs ‘n aanbod is wat die mens kan weier. Weerlegging: Die Skrif leer dat God se genade doeltreffend is in die uitverkorenes¹. Skrifverwysings ¹ Johannes 6:37; Romeine 8:30
Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine: Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof
Article 1
Man is by nature so corrupt that he cannot of his own strength come to faith or conversion¹.
Scripture References ¹ Romans 3:10-12; Ephesians 2:1-3
Article 2
All men have fallen in Adam and are children of wrath¹. They are dead in sin and unable to save themselves².
Scripture References ¹ Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:3 ² John 6:44; Romans 8:7-8
Article 3
Man’s corruption is total, so that he is affected by sin in every part of his being¹.
Scripture References ¹ Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9
Article 4
Although man’s nature is corrupt, he remains responsible to obey God¹.
Scripture References ¹ Romans 1:20; Acts 17:27
Article 5
The law of God reveals man’s sin and his inability to save himself¹.
Scripture References ¹ Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24
Article 6
What man cannot do of himself, God does out of His grace through the power of the Holy Spirit¹.
Scripture References ¹ John 3:5; Titus 3:5
Article 7
God’s grace works irresistibly in the hearts of the elect, so that they are brought to faith and conversion¹.
Scripture References ¹ Acts 16:14; Philippians 2:13
Article 8
God’s call to conversion is sincere and is addressed to all people, but only the elect respond through the power of the Spirit¹.
Scripture References ¹ Matthew 22:14; John 6:37
Article 9
The reason why some do not believe is their own unbelief, and not a deficiency in God’s grace¹.
Scripture References ¹ John 12:39-40; Hebrews 4:12
Article 10
Regeneration is exclusively the work of God, who renews the will of man and makes him alive¹.
Scripture References ¹ Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:3-5
Article 11
This regeneration does not take place by compulsion, but by the powerful and loving working of the Holy Spirit¹.
Scripture References ¹ Philippians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 4:6
Article 12
The regenerate show the fruits of faith, such as love, joy, and holiness¹.
Scripture References ¹ Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 3:14
Article 13
Regeneration is an ongoing process, by which the believer is increasingly renewed after the image of Christ¹.
Scripture References ¹ 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:10
Article 14
Faith is a gift of God, which He gives to His elect¹.
Scripture References ¹ Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 1:29
Article 15
God’s grace is irresistible in the sense that it achieves its purpose in the elect¹.
Scripture References ¹ John 6:37; Romans 8:30
Article 16
This grace does not compel the will of man, but renews it so that he believes willingly¹.
Scripture References ¹ Ezekiel 36:26; John 10:27-28
Article 17
God uses means, such as the preaching of the Word and the sacraments, to effect His grace¹.
Scripture References ¹ Romans 10:14-17; 1 Corinthians 1:21
Rejection of Errors
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Error: That man’s will is free to accept or reject God’s grace. Refutation: Scripture teaches that man’s will is bound by sin¹, and that God alone can set him free². Scripture References ¹ Romans 8:7-8; John 8:34 ² John 6:44; Philippians 2:13
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Error: That man can believe or convert himself by his own power. Refutation: Scripture teaches that faith and conversion are gifts of God¹. Scripture References ¹ Ephesians 2:8; Acts 11:18
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Error: That God’s grace is merely an offer which man can refuse. Refutation: Scripture teaches that God’s grace is effectual in the elect¹. Scripture References ¹ John 6:37; Romans 8:30