Are Calvinists born-again and Spirit-filled?

[WordofHisPower]

I have a few questions for Calvinists. The first being, are Calvinists born-again and Spirit-filled?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Hentenza]

Some are, some are not. There are wheats and tares in all denominations.

 

[WordofHisPower]

What does born-again and Spirit-filled mean to a Calvinist? Do Calvinists believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues?

If a Calvinist is predestined to be the chosen how do they find out they are the chosen?

Can they be chosen and not know it?

Could they think they are chosen and not really be?

 

[Eddie L]

What does born-again and Spirit-filled mean to a Calvinist? Do Calvinists believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues?

While some Reformed or Calvinist congregations may be more "charismatic" than others, I don't think any would adopt the doctrine of a separate baptism of the Holy Spirit like some Pentecostal or Assemblies of God churches do.

If a Calvinist is predestined to be the chosen how do they find out they are the chosen?

When people come to saving faith in Christ, they have experienced the result of their being chosen.

Can they be chosen and not know it?

Nobody knows that they are elect until they experience the rebirth of the Spirit that results in saving faith, and some people who think they are chosen may be mistaken if they have manufactured a false faith.

 

[WordofHisPower]

Are Calvinists basically Presbyterian or Baptist? Are their 5 points their distinguishing tenets?

How do the 3 groups differ?

 

[Eddie L]

Are Calvinists basically Presbyterian or Baptist? Are their 5 points their distinguishing tenets?

How do the 3 groups differ?

Theologically conservative Presbyterian and Reformed Baptist congregations will have a Calvinist theology regarding salvation. The five points are distinguishing characteristics of Calvinistic soteriology.

 

[Nova Scotian Boy]

There is no huge difference between the Calvinism of Presbyterians and Reformed Baptists. If you go beyond that there would be differences. The differences between Calvinists and Pentecostal as regarding the Holy Spirit is that charismatics see Baptism of the holy spirit as a separate event from regeneration. Most Calvinists would believe that Baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at the moment of regeneration (when Christ gives them faith and new life.). All Christians at the moment that believe are filled with he spirit.

 

[Eddie L]

There is no huge difference between the Calvinism of Presbyterians and Reformed Baptists. If you go beyond that there would be differences. The differences between Calvinists and Pentecostal as regarding the Holy Spirit is that charismatics see Baptism of the holy spirit as a separate event from regeneration. Most Calvinists would believe that Baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at the moment of regeneration (when Christ gives them faith and new life.). All Christians at the moment that believe are filled with he spirit.

I agree. Nice post.

 

[WordofHisPower]

You mentioned Reformed Baptists and conservative Presbyterians. Is there another kind?

Baptists and Presbyterians are Calvinists then?

 

[Nova Scotian Boy]

As far as Presbyterians go there are liberal denominations. PCUSA the largest Presbyterian denomination and largest has churches from semi conservative to those that are very wildly liberal. They are not the norm as far as historic Presbyterians go. And so you might find some that do not stress Calvinism at all. When i talk about conservative Presbyterians i generally mean PCA(me), OPC ARP ect. These are smaller Presbyterian denominations that are theologically very conservative and adhere strongly to the Westminster Confession, and more closely aligned to historic Presbyterianism.

Baptists for instance SBC will differ greatly from Church to church. You could have one that is very Arminian to one that is very Calvinist. One that stresses neither, you could have ones that lean more Pentecostal. I even grew up going to a Baptist church that leaned more catholic in theology. Not all Baptists are Calvinist, in fact its easier to find one that is not nowadays despite that historically Baptists were Calvinist.