These doctrines teach that salvation is not by human merit or free will; instead, salvation is freely given by God to undeserving sinners whom He has chosen to save. Christ died for the sins of these chosen people, and the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts to bring them to trust in Christ alone for salvation.  

These doctrines are stated in many texts of Scripture. A few examples are given below:

“For [God] saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9:15-16)

Jesus said, “I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:15)

Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44)

These doctrines are contained in: the 39 Articles of the Church of England; the Westminster Confession of Faith; the Savoy Declaration; the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith; and the Calvinistic Methodist Confession of Faith of 1823. ©