Resistible Grace is a theological doctrine associated with Arminianism, a branch of Protestant theology that stands in contrast to Calvinism. The doctrine asserts that while God’s grace is extended to all individuals, enabling them to respond to the gospel, this grace can be resisted by human free will. In other words, people can choose to accept or reject the grace offered by God. Resistible Grace is often discussed in opposition to the Calvinist doctrine of Irresistible Grace, which teaches that those whom God has elected for salvation cannot ultimately resist His saving grace.

Biblical Foundations of Resistible Grace

God’s Universal Call to Salvation

The doctrine of Resistible Grace is rooted in the belief that God’s grace is universally offered to all people, and that this grace enables them to respond to God’s call to salvation.

• Matthew 23:37: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Jesus laments over Jerusalem, indicating that God’s grace and desire for their salvation were resisted by their unwillingness.
• Acts 7:51: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” Stephen’s speech before the Sanhedrin emphasizes that people can resist the Holy Spirit’s work, which is interpreted as an example of resisting God’s grace.
• John 5:39-40: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” Jesus points out that people can refuse to come to Him for life, even when the truth is clearly presented to them, showing the possibility of resisting God’s invitation.

The Role of Free Will in Salvation

Resistible Grace emphasizes the role of human free will in responding to God’s grace. This doctrine teaches that while God’s grace initiates and enables the process of salvation, human beings must freely choose to accept or reject it.

• Deuteronomy 30:19: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” The call to choose life reflects the importance of free will in responding to God’s offer of grace.
• Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” This verse highlights the free offer of salvation and the necessity of an individual’s willing response.
• 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This passage reflects God’s desire for all to come to repentance, but it also implies that not everyone will respond positively, indicating the resistibility of God’s grace.

Warnings Against Apostasy

The New Testament contains numerous warnings against falling away from the faith, which are often cited as evidence that grace can be resisted or rejected even after initially accepting it.

• Hebrews 6:4-6: “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” This passage suggests that it is possible to fall away after receiving grace, indicating that grace can be resisted or rejected.
• Galatians 5:4: “You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” Paul warns the Galatians about the possibility of falling from grace, which supports the idea that grace is resistible.
• 1 Corinthians 10:12: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” Paul’s exhortation to vigilance reflects the belief that it is possible to fall from the state of grace, emphasizing the need for perseverance in the faith.

Theological Implications of Resistible Grace

Human Responsibility in Salvation

Resistible Grace emphasizes the responsibility of human beings to respond to God’s offer of salvation. While God’s grace is necessary and enabling, individuals must make the free choice to accept or reject it.

• Joshua 24:15: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” This call to choose whom to serve underscores the role of human responsibility in responding to God’s grace.
• Matthew 22:14: “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” This statement by Jesus implies that while many are called (invited by grace), not all respond in a way that results in being chosen, highlighting the role of personal response in salvation.

The Universality of God’s Grace

Resistible Grace is closely connected to the belief in God’s universal love and desire for all to be saved. It teaches that God’s grace is extended to all people, but not all will accept it.

• 1 Timothy 2:4: “[God] wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” This verse supports the idea that God’s grace is available to everyone, but it also implies that not all will respond positively.
• Titus 2:11: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” This passage highlights the universal offer of grace, aligning with the belief that God’s grace is resistible and that individuals must choose to accept it.

The Nature of God’s Sovereignty

Resistible Grace raises important questions about the nature of God’s sovereignty. This doctrine teaches that God, in His sovereignty, has chosen to allow human beings the freedom to accept or reject His grace.

• Romans 2:4: “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Paul suggests that God’s grace (His kindness and patience) is meant to lead to repentance, but it can be resisted, showing that God’s sovereignty allows for human freedom.

The Possibility of Apostasy

The doctrine of Resistible Grace acknowledges the possibility of apostasy—the falling away from faith. It teaches that even those who have experienced God’s grace can later reject it through their own choices.

• Hebrews 10:26-27: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” This warning reflects the belief that grace can be resisted, even after one has initially received the truth.
• 2 Peter 2:20-21: “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.” Peter’s warning suggests that it is possible to turn away from grace after having received it, indicating the resistibility of grace.

Historical Development of the Doctrine

Early Church and Patristic Thought

In the early church, the concept of free will and human responsibility was widely affirmed, though the specific doctrine of Resistible Grace was not fully developed until later.

• Justin Martyr (c. 100-165 AD): Justin emphasized the importance of free will in salvation, arguing that God’s grace enables but does not compel a person to choose salvation.
• Origen (c. 184-253 AD): Origen taught that while God’s grace is necessary for salvation, human beings must freely respond to it. He believed that grace could be resisted, reflecting an early form of the concept later articulated as Resistible Grace.

Medieval and Scholastic Theology

During the medieval period, theologians like Thomas Aquinas addressed the relationship between God’s grace and human free will, laying the groundwork for later discussions on Resistible Grace.

• Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274): Aquinas taught that grace is necessary for salvation and that it is offered to all, but he also believed that human beings must cooperate with grace. While he did not explicitly teach Resistible Grace as later articulated, his views on free will and cooperation with grace influenced later theological developments.

Reformation and Post-Reformation Development

The doctrine of Resistible Grace was fully articulated during the Reformation, particularly within Arminian theology, which opposed the Calvinist doctrine of Irresistible Grace.

• Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609): Arminius argued against the Calvinist doctrine of Irresistible Grace, teaching instead that God’s grace can be resisted by human free will. He emphasized that God’s grace is necessary for salvation but that individuals must freely choose to accept it.
• Remonstrance of 1610: The followers of Arminius, known as the Remonstrants, formally articulated the doctrine of Resistible Grace in the Remonstrance of 1610. This document set forth the Arminian position on grace, free will, and predestination, in contrast to Calvinism.

Modern Perspectives

In the modern era, Resistible Grace continues to be a central tenet of Arminian theology and is widely accepted in many Protestant denominations, particularly those influenced by Wesleyan and Methodist traditions.

• John Wesley (1703-1791): Wesley strongly affirmed the doctrine of Resistible Grace, teaching that God’s grace is universally offered and that human beings have the freedom to accept or reject it. Wesley’s emphasis on free will and the universality of grace has had a significant impact on Protestant thought, particularly in the Methodist tradition.
• Contemporary Evangelicalism: Many evangelical traditions embrace the doctrine of Resistible Grace, emphasizing the importance of human responsibility in responding to the gospel and the need for ongoing faith and perseverance.

Practical Applications of Resistible Grace in the Christian Life

Evangelism and Mission

Resistible Grace motivates evangelism and mission, as it teaches that God’s grace is available to all people and that everyone has the potential to respond to the gospel.

• Mark 16:15: “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” The universal call to evangelize reflects the belief that God’s grace is extended to all, and that individuals must choose to respond.

Personal Responsibility and Perseverance

Resistible Grace emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in the Christian life. Believers are called to continue in faith, remain vigilant, and persevere in their relationship with God.

• Philippians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Paul’s exhortation to work out one’s salvation reflects the balance between God’s grace and human responsibility.

Assurance and Vigilance

While Resistible Grace affirms that salvation is secure in Christ, it also calls believers to be vigilant in their faith, aware of the possibility of falling away.

• 2 Peter 1:10: “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” Peter’s encouragement to confirm one’s calling emphasizes the need for active participation in the life of faith.

Understanding Suffering and Trials

Resistible Grace provides a framework for understanding suffering and trials as opportunities to rely on God’s grace and remain steadfast in faith, even when facing difficulties.

• James 1:12: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” The call to persevere under trial reflects the need to remain faithful and reliant on God’s grace in the face of challenges.

Conclusion

From a Christian worldview, the doctrine of Resistible Grace emphasizes that God’s grace is extended to all people, enabling them to respond to the gospel. However, this grace can be resisted, as human beings have the freedom to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation. Rooted in Scripture and developed through the history of Christian thought, particularly within Arminian theology, this doctrine highlights the balance between God’s sovereignty and human free will. In practical terms, Resistible Grace encourages evangelism, personal responsibility, and perseverance in the Christian life. It also offers a framework for understanding the role of human choice in responding to God’s grace and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith. Ultimately, Resistible Grace reflects the belief that God’s grace is powerful and sufficient, but it also honors the dignity and responsibility of human freedom in the process of salvation.