Ordo salutis is Latin for the “order of salvation.” It refers to the logical order by which a person is saved.
According to our Reformed (Calvinist) brethren, God causes someone to be born again, then (and only then) do they repent and put their faith in Jesus. The traditional order is that someone hears the Gospel, is convicted both of their sin and need of Christ, repents, puts their faith in Christ, and is born again.
Calvinism: Regeneration > Repentance & Faith
Traditionalism: Repentance & Faith > Regeneration
Calvinism has maintained the necessity of regeneration before faith because of its insistence that salvation is all of grace. They maintain that faith is something people “do.” Since salvation is solely the work of God’s grace, they want to eliminate anything a man or woman may contribute. They make faith a work; something people do. So, it must, they say, come after someone is already born again.
But what sayeth Scripture?
1 Corinthians 1:21 – For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
If Calvinism was true, this verse would have to read, “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to cause belief in them that He saved.
Ephesians 1:13 – In whom you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with Holy Spirit.
If Calvinism was true, it would be, “. . . after you were sealed with the Holy Spirit, you believed.”
Romans 5:2 – By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
If Calvinism was true, it would be, “By whom also we have access by grace into this faith,”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace are you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
If Calvinism was true, it would be, “For by grace you are saved to faith,”
1 Timothy 1:16 – For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
If Calvinism was true, it would be, “. . . for a pattern to them which should hereafter get life everlasting to believe on him.”
2 Timothy 3:15 – And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
If Calvinism was true, it would be, “ … which are able to make thee wise unto faith through salvation which is in Christ Jesus.”
This is just a small sampling of the many passages which all convey the same ordo salutis.
While each of these is sufficient to upend the ordo salutis of Calvinism, collectively they nail its coffin shut. An individual verse can be explained away as an aberration. But on something as crucial to the message of the New Testament as this aspect of the Gospel, that is, HOW we are saved, so many verses would not all define the same scenario; that faith precedes regeneration and that being born again is contingent on faith in Christ.
I end with John’s words toward the end of his Gospel . . .
John 20:30–31 – And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
The Calvinist is correct; we are NOT saved by works. But as Scripture makes clear, faith precedes regeneration and is a condition of salvation. Therefore, faith isn’t a work that merits salvation. The Calvinist may label faith a work, but the Bible does not.
Lance is the founding and lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Oxnard where he has served since 1982. Lance & David Guzik co-pastored the church for six years before David planted a church in a nearby community.
Lance & his wife Lynn were married in 1980 and have three adult children and five grandchildren. Lance loves teaching the Bible, History, and Leadership. He holds Masters-of-Arts in Biblical Studies and Ministry.
Lance serves as a chaplain for both the Oxnard and Port Hueneme Police Departments and enjoys backpacking, wood-working, working out, gardening, home improvement projects, reading, and graphic design.
The popular Communio Sanctorum: History of the Christian Church podcast can be found in both audio and video at the Into His Image website along with a growing inventory of Lances teaching.
