Biblical

TULIPs are not mentioned in the Bible. You will find lilies, a rose of Sharon, though little more.

“Total” and “Depravity” are not found together in any verse in the Bible. “Depravity” is in ESV three times, translated as “wickedness” in the KJV.

“Unconditional Election” is a phrase not used in the Bible, nor does “unconditional” appear at all.

“Atonement” is only found once, and “Limited” is not included in that same verse.

“Irresistible” is not found in the Bible, though “Grace” shows up 122 times.

“Perseverance” shows up once in Ephesians 6:18

When asked Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30 KJV)

Did Paul explain the tulip petals? Did he ask if the questioner understood how depraved he was? Did he explain that unless the questioner was ‘unconditionally elected’, that salvation was not possible? Did he offer false hope that the jailer might be saved, if God wills?

Nope. He offered what Christ offers to us today:

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 KJV)

I have seen such households. I have seen a family member accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and savior, becoming a new person, active in their church. I have seen other members of their family become curious and seek out the reason, joining them in accepting Christ as their savior.

When the thief on the cross asked Christ:

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (Luke 23:42 KJV)

Did Jesus mention tulips? Or did he simply answer: Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43 KJV)

It is upon the verses found in God’s word that I accept doctrine. And I firmly believe, as Peter stated, that some of them are hard:

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16 KJV)

Yet I just as firmly believe salvation is available to all:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (Titus 2:11 KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

Why depend on the Bible instead of mankind’s logic or explanation? Paul explains:

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV)

This is the gospel I spread. And, as Paul, I do so rejoicing!!!

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. (2 Corinthians 1:12 KJV)