A Brief Outline of the Canons of Dordt (1618-19), the Original Five Points of Calvinism

Rev. Angus Stewart

Head I: Of Divine Predestination (Unconditional Election)

A. History

1. 1. All have sinned and deserve eternal death
   2. God sent His Son
   3. God sends preachers
   4. Not all believe

B. Explanation

5. 5. The source of faith and unbelief
   6. Faith is according to God’s decree

C. Meaning

7. 7. Definition of election
   8. One election
   9. Unconditional election
   10. Sovereign election
   11. Unchangeable election

D. Elaboration

12. 12. Election and assurance
    13. Election and piety
    14. Election must be preached
    15. Election commended by reprobation

E. Different classes of people

16. 16. Those alarmed at reprobation
    17. Children of believers dying in infancy
    18. Murmurers

Head II: Of the Death of Christ and the Redemption of Men Thereby (Limited Atonement)

A. The necessity of Christ’s redemption

1. 1. God’s justice demands satisfaction
   2. Christ makes satisfaction
   3. Christ’s satisfaction is of infinite value
   4. Why Christ’s satisfaction is of infinite value

B. The preaching of Christ’s redemption

5. 5. The promise of the gospel
   6. The guilt of unbelief
   7. The gift of faith

C. The accomplishment of Christ’s redemption

8. 8. Particular redemption
   9. Effectual redemption

Heads III and IV: Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God and the Manner Thereof (Total Depravity and Irresistible Grace)

A. Man’s corruption (see I:1)

1. 1. The fall
   2. Original sin
   3. Total depravity

B. The way of salvation

4. 4. The light of nature (No)
   5. The law (No)
   6. The Holy Spirit applying the gospel (Yes)

C. The preaching

7. 7. Its extent in OT and NT days (see I:3)
   8. Its serious call (see II:5)

D. The two responses

9. 9. Why some refuse to come (see II:6)
   10. Why others are converted (see II:7)

E. Regeneration

11. 11. The nature of regeneration
    12. The wonder of regeneration
    13. The incomprehensibility of regeneration

F. Faith

14. 14. Faith is the gift of God
    15. Faith is unmerited

G. Man’s responsibility

16. 16. We are not stocks and blocks
    17. We must use the means of grace

Head V: Of the Perseverance of the Saints (Perseverance of the Saints)

A. The saint’s depravity

1. 1. Our remaining sin
   2. Our sins and spots
   3. Our inability to persevere of ourselves

B. The saint’s sins

4. 4. Our falling into sins
   5. The results of our sins
   6. Yet we cannot fall away

C. Why the saints cannot fall away

7. 7. Our regeneration and renewal
   8. The works of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit

D. The assurance of preservation and perseverance

9. 9. It is obtained by us
   10. How it is obtained by us
   11. It does not exclude our having carnal lusts

E. The fruit of the saint’s assurance of preservation and perseverance

12. 12. Not pride or carnal security but godliness
    13. Not licentiousness or a disregard to piety but carefulness

F. Different perspectives on the perseverance of the saints

14. 14. God uses the means of grace to preserve the saints
    15. The views of the ungodly and the church on the perseverance of the saints

Click here to read a special edition of the Standard Bearer on the Synod of Dordt.