"We believe in the five great points commonly known as Calvinistic; but we do not regard these five points as being barbed shafts which we are to thrust between the ribs of our fellow Christians. We look upon them as being five great lamps which help to irradiate the cross; or, rather, five bright emanations springing from the glorious covenant of our Triune God, and illustrating the great doctrine of Jesus crucified." C. H. Spurgeon

These five points, formulated at the Synod of Dort, are often remembered by the word TULIP.

1. Total Depravity
Ever part of man is affected by the fall. Man is completely dead in trespasses and sin. Ephesians 2:1 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;" From birth man is affected by sin. Psalm 51:5 "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" and he continues to be affected by it all the days of his life. Genesis 6:5 "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually". Neither can we help ourselves out of this sinful situation. Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

2. Unconditional Election
If we believe we can do nothing to change our sinful nature, and we are dead in trespasses in sin does it not follow that we can do nothing to secure our salvation? This is unconditional election. God in His infinite wisdom has chosen His people not because of anything we may have done "it is a gift of God". Some ask why does he chose some and not others? We may not understand it but scripture answers Romans 9:18 "Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will hath mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth" Romans 9:11 sums up unconditional election when talking of Jacob and Esau "for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;"

3. Limited Atonement
I once thought that Christ died for all people and I'm sure there are many people who still believe this based on John 3:16 "For God so loved the world ...". However scripture tells us "Not every one who saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 7:21 therefore not all people are saved. Those that are not saved are punished for there sin. Christ Himself said "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins" If Christ died for the remission of all peoples sin then why are some still punished for there sins. Christ once again said "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..." God is a just God. If Christ suffered the punishment for all peoples sin then why would God call for that punishment to be paid again. The truth is Christ died only for those whom He prays for in John 17:9 "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me: for they are thine." Those which were "chosen in him before the foundation of the world.

4. Irresistible grace
If we believe man is lost in trespasses and sins and that every imagination of the thoughts of mans heart is only evil continually, then we might say as those with Arminian views say that we can refuse or turn away from God's inward call. That is why we believe in irresistible grace. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37. We can in no way turn away from the call of God, which we should be well pleased about for otherwise I fear no one would be saved because "everyman does that which is right in his own eyes"

5. Perseverance of the saints
Once we are saved and we are sprinkled with the blood of Christ and are pardoned from our sins we cannot once again fall into an unregenerate state. If this were the case it would be a very weak salvation. Paul Explains "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."