Doctrines of Grace

The doctrines of grace, also known as the five points of Calvinism, summarize key aspects of Reformed theology regarding salvation. They include Total Depravity (humans are utterly sinful and incapable of saving themselves), Unconditional Election (God chooses whom to save based on His will alone), Limited Atonement (Christ's death specifically secured salvation for the elect), Irresistible Grace (God's grace effectively brings the elect to salvation), and Perseverance of the Saints (those truly saved will persist in faith until the end). Together, these doctrines emphasize God's sovereignty and grace in the salvation process.

"If anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). If anyone affirms that we can form any right opinion or make any right choice which relates to the salvation of eternal life, or that we can be saved by assent to the preaching of the gospel through our natural powers without the effectual work of the Holy Spirit, who makes all whom He calls gladly and willingly assent to and believe in the truth, he is led astray from the plain teaching of Scripture by exalting the natural ability of man, and does not understand the voice of God who says in the Gospel, "For apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5), and the word of the Apostle, "Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God" (2 Cor. 3:5)"
Adapted from The Council of Orange (529 AD)