The Doctrines of Grace are summaries of five biblical soteriological doctrines which declare salvation to be all of God's grace. They are often, for the sake of convenience, presented in the acronym TULIP:

 

 

Total Depravity (also called Radical Corruption)

As a result of the sin of Adam, the entire human race was shipwrecked into sin; thus all of Adam’s descendants are born spiritually dead and by nature rebels against God and His holy law. This does not mean, however, that man is as bad as he could be (utter depravity), or that man is unable to do anything morally good, but rather his best good is tainted by sin and is as filthy rags because it is not done by faith and to the glory of God.

 

Unconditional Election (also called Sovereign Election)

God from eternity past has chosen those whom He will save from their sin and those whom He will leave in their sin. Election (God’s decree of salvation) is one side of the coin of predestination, with reprobation (God’s decree of judgement) being on the other. Election is unconditional in that it is not contingent on man’s free-will and response to God’s grace. Because of man’s spiritually dead condition he would never choose God; therefore, God must act first if man is to be saved; and that first move is seen in God’s gracious choice of mercy and salvation towards His elect.

 

Limited Atonement (also called Definite Atonement or Particular Redemption)

The purpose of Christ’s atoning death on the cross was not to make sinners “savable,” but to actually save them! The purpose of the atonement was to save everyone for whom it was intended: those whom the Father predestined to salvation from before the foundations of the world. The word “limited” has often times been confusing, as it can convey the idea that Christ’s saving power is limited; but that is not what the doctrine teaches; rather, that which is “limited” concerns the elect, for whom Christ shed his blood. This is why Definite Atonement or Particular Redemption is often preferred over Limited Atonement. The atonement was “definite” in that it saved all that it intended to save, and it was “particular” in that it saves a particular people (the elect) whom the Father has given to the Son. Not one drop of Christ's blood was shed in vain.

 

Irresistible Grace (also called Effectual Calling)

All whom the Father has given to the Son will freely come to the Son. This does not mean sinners are dragged into heaven kicking and screaming, but rather they are regenerated (born again) by the Holy Spirit, and, having their eyes opened, they freely come to Christ. This is not to deny that the Holy Spirit can be resisted, for the Spirit is resisted by men everywhere, everyday; but rather, if it is God’s will to save, that man’s spiritually dead nature and corrupt will is certain to be overcome by the Holy Spirit in God’s perfect timing. Just as God said “Let there be light” at the creation of the world, so He also says “Let there be light” in the hearts of His elect. While the call to believe for many is external, the call for God’s elect is internal and effectual.

 

The Perseverance of the Saints (also called the Preservation of the Saints)

All whom are predestined and effectually called by God will persevere in the faith and never be lost. This doctrine does not deny that they may “backslide” into seasons of unrepentance and grieve the Holy Spirit, but all-the-more affirms that they will always return to their Father in true faith and repentance, as He will preserve them forever, and they will never be plucked from His hand. Christians will ultimately continue in life-long obedience, though imperfect in many ways, with many ups and downs. Those predestined (chosen by God for salvation) are called (effectually drawn by the Spirit), justified (declared righteous), and ultimately glorified (the final removal of sin, either at death, or at the Second Coming). All that God decreed for His elect in eternity past, He will bring to perfection for them into eternity future.