Title: 13
Author: JOEG
Last saved by: Matthew C. Lawson
Company: Auth Co

© 2002 Joe Griffin	                                   ▼                        02-03-07.JSH-622 /

The Inscrutable Question: Joseph Dillow’s Analysis of Beza’s Doctrine of Limited Atonement; The Infralapsarian Order of the Elective Decrees
We could be putting our trust in One who did not die for us and therefore be damned.  Thus we can no more trust Christ’s death by a direct act of faith than we can infallibly project that we are among the number chosen from eternity: for the number of the elect and the number for whom Christ died are one and the same.  The ground of assurance, then, must be sought elsewhere than in Christ.  (Kendall, p. 32.)
Beza, knowing this, suggests that we should look within ourselves for the evidence that Christ died for us.  We cannot comprehend God’s eternal decrees, but we can see if He is at work in our lives.  “Beza directs us not to Christ but to ourselves; we do not begin with Him but with the effects … of election.  While Calvin thinks looking to ourselves leads to anxiety … Beza thinks otherwise.  Sanctification, or good works, is the infallible proof of saving faith.”  (Kendall, p. 33.)
Beza’s doctrine requires the use of the practical syllogism in order for one to be persuaded he is one of those for whom Christ died.  Conversion includes two works of grace: faith and then sanctification.  The first, however, is invalid if not ratified by the second.
Beza says that the unregenerate may receive an ineffectual calling.  The reprobate may have the appearance of virtue, called moral virtue, but such are different from the works of the children of God governed by the Spirit of regeneration.  According to Kendall, Beza does not state what these differences are.  We might justly fear that our good works are simply the moral virtues of the unregenerate.  Thus, contradictory to his statement that sanctification yields assurance, our sanctification can yield little comfort.  Even the reprobate can have the evidences of life.
So what is the solution?  Ultimately, Beza says the only true evidence that Christ died for you is if you persevere in holiness.  He … argues that assurance of election is based on a good conscience.  We make our election sure by good works.  These works, he says, are a testimony to our conscience that Christ lives in us, and thus we cannot perish, being elected to salvation.
	8-	Nothing about supralapsarianism demonstrates the undiminished, unfailing, and unconditional love of God.  Only the infralapsarian order of the elective decrees does that.
	9-	The infralapsarian order of the elective decrees is as follows:
1)	The decree to create mankind.
			PRINCIPLE:	You cannot elect what does not exist.  For God to elect anyone, they must first of all be created.
		2)	The decree to permit the Fall.
			PRINCIPLE:	Condemnation must precede salvation.  If man is in need of salvation then he is obviously in a fallen condition.
		3)	The decree to provide salvation for all mankind.
			PRINCIPLE:	The doctrine of unlimited atonement, the principle that Christ died as a substitute for the sins of all mankind, not just a predetermined few.
4)	The decree to elect those who believe in Christ and to leave in just condemnation all who do not believe.
PRINCIPLE:	God provides all men free will to accept or reject His grace offer of salvation through faith alone in Christ alone.
5)	The decree to apply salvation to those who believe in Christ.
PRINCIPLE:	Each individual must first choose God’s plan of salvation, after which, God saves that person’s soul and imputes eternal life to his human spirit.
	10-	Divine omniscience knew of each person’s decision in eternity past and based on that knowledge God chose to elect the ones who believed in Christ.

Grace Doctrine Church Media Ministries:	     www.gracedoctrinechurch.com      www.joegriffin.org       www.gdcmedia.org