We inherit the sinful nature from our forefathers, and we particularly inherit the guilt of Adam. Thus the infant is designed for eternal punishment except he is a recipient of God’s grace.
8.6. Predestination
Calvin defined predestination as God’s eternal decree by which He determined with Himself what He willed to become of each person. A person is not saved because he makes a choice. God has determined his eternal destiny before he is ever born.
Predestination is regarded …show more content…
Law and Gospel
Calvin constructed on Zwingli’s concept of the gospel as the continuation of the Law of Moses. He emphasized continuity between the two and the logical development from Old to New Testament.
He identified portions of the law as either ceremonial or moral. The ceremonial law, such as the animal sacrifices, is void. It has been fulfilled by Christ and abolished. There is no purpose in the ceremonial law today. The moral law of the Old Testament is still in effect. It was never abolished but is fully in force. The first purpose of the moral law is to show us our sinfulness. Second, it restrains the wicked, helping to keep order in society. A third purpose for the law is to reveal the will of God to those who believe.
Christ has abolished the curse of the law. He has abolished the ceremonial law, but not the moral law. The Old Testament contains the promise, while the New Testament contains the fulfilment. The moral law is continuous from the old covenant to the new.
A characteristic of Calvinism was to underscore the importance of morality, ethics, holiness of life, and strict discipline. Calvin said the fundamental rule for Christian living is self-denial. In our relationship to God, we should submit to the will of God, seeking to do His will. In relationship to others, we should not seek to please ourselves but to serve