Information contained in the following chart is largely the work of Christian author, Miles J. Stanford.  First published in 1974, much of the information below is available as part of the free 16 page paper, ARMINIUS, to CALVIN, to PAUL, Man-, Law-, or Christ-Centered?

But this is a theological "Pandora's Box".

In more recent years, many Calvinists advocate "Lordship" salvation.  This confusing scheme posits various preconditions, in addition to conviction of sin, in order to accept the Savior.

Hence his constant reliance upon new (same old) ecstatic experiences, and repeated trips to the altar for yet another salvation experience.

"...the erroneous exaltation of the human ability in the beginning becomes man's effectual undoing in the end." L.S. Chafer

CHARISMATIC BAPTISM -- This self-induced experience of fleshly feelings is sought by the Arminian for the following reasons: a) Instead of founding his salvation upon justification (God's work for us in Christ), he bases his all upon sanctification (God's work in us by the Holy Spirit).  The charismatic baptism in the Holy Ghost is the end, and Christ but the means to that end.  b) The true baptism by the Spirit being non-experiential, he considers it insufficient.  c) Hence he must have a sensual, sanctifying baptism in order to live the Christian life and be fitted for heaven; he requires a "second blessing," a false baptism of enablement.

With his Reformation-based, heavy emphasis on the "forensic" aspect of salvation, the Calvinist is unable to grasp the significance of verses like Colossians 2:11 and 12, where Paul states, In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with Him in [the Spirit's] baptism and raised with him through you faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Simultaneously, the Holy Spirit baptized the believer into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), thereby identifying him with Christ's crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension (Romans 6:3,4,5; Ephesians. 2:6).

He is satisfied with this one all-inclusive baptism by the Spirit, and needs no other.  "One Lord, one faith, one baptism"   (Ephesians 4:5).

Water baptism by immersion is but an illustration of, a testimony to, this one and only spiritual baptism.

"For many, the only body of interpretation which is orthodox is that which was recovered by the Reformers, or that contained in an ancient doctrinal statement.  There is, however, a great body of truth which the Reformers were unable to consider and which is lacking in ancient creeds.

"The Reformers did not restore all features of doctrine, and along with justification by faith retained the Romish notion that the Church is the Kingdom, fulfilling the Davidic covenant, and appointed to conquer the world by bringing it under the authority of the Church.

The central focus for his faith is the Church truths, given expressly by the Apostle Paul to establish him in the risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ. He clearly understands the difference between Israel and the Church, Law and Grace.  From that safe and sound position, he is then able to safely benefit from the remainder of the Word. 

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.   (2 Timothy 3:16).

For him, his "baptism in the Holy Ghost" promises to empower the believer for holy living.  However, this baptism soon proves to "lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."   (Colossians 2:23).

For many beleaguered ones, the rising tide of immorality, both inside and outside the church, signals a retreat to the Ten Commandments and the need for some "good old fashion" legalism to address the problem.  Consequently, they are dragged even lower -- into scandal upon scandal.

The goal of Calvinistic redemption is effective "law-keeping" and often earthly "dominion".   Further, they erroneously insist that "antinomianism" (immorality) is the inevitable result of lack of law in the Christian's life.  Listen to this Covenant commander: "Genuine sanctification will show itself in habitual respect for God's law [Ten Commandments], and habitual effort to live in obedience to it as a rule of life."  J.C. Ryle.

While this may "sound" righteous the ear,   the Holy Spirit via the Apostle Paul states:

Romans 5:20 -- The law was added so that the trespass might increase...

Romans 7:5 -- For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.

1 Corinthians 15:56 -- The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is law.

1. He honors the law the Holy Spirit applied as a means of convicting him of sin, which prepared him for receiving the Savior. "By the law is the knowledge of sin"   (Romans 3:20).

2. When converted he was positioned in the ascended Lord Jesus; he was not only identified with His risen life, but with His Calvary death unto sin as well (Romans 6:3).  In that death both the Lord Jesus and the believer died to the law. "The law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth."  "Ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ."   "Now we are delivered from the law, having died to that in which we were held" (Romans 7:1,4,6).  By co-crucifixion, co-burial, co-resurrection, and co-ascension, we were delivered from the dominion of the law.  Death signifies separation, not obliteration.

3. The law's just penalty -- "the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4) was fulfilled by the believer's death with Christ.  "For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I might live unto God"  (Galatians 2:19).  Thus God's holy law is upheld, honored, and its claims fully met.  It has no more jurisdiction over the dead and risen believer; he is now "married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead"  (Romans 7:4).

He has arrived!  He is at the center of Charismatic Christianity. Yes, he has arrived, while at best barely begun -- he has no real assurance of salvation, nor eternal security.

In spite of Israel sad history, effective law-keeping is their GOAL!

Typical of this approach, Dr. John R. Stott states, "We are set free from the law as a way of acceptance (justification).  It is as a ground of justification that the law no longer binds [it never did!].  But as a standard of conduct (sanctification) the law is still binding."

"Redemption forms a new obligation to law-keeping as well as puts us in a position for it." H. Bonar

As he learns to reckon himself to have died unto sin and the law (Romans 6:11), he begins to rely upon the Holy Spirit to apply that finished work of the Cross to the old Adamic life within. He is thereby progressively liberated from the power of sin and the law, and has ever-increasing freedom to grow in the life that is Christ (2 Corinthians 4:11).

As for the New Testament "law of Christ," and the commands and exhortations that apply to the believer, his reliance is upon the Holy Spirit for their fulfillment in his life. "All the law is fulfilled in one word: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." "The love of God is shed abroad in, our hearts by the Holy Spirit" (Galatians 5:14; Romans 5:5). The Word guides and instructs him as to his dependence upon, his walk in, the Spirit.  "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2).

The growing believer realizes that "the law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners" (1Timothy 1:9).  He learns to abide above in the Lord Jesus at the right hand of the Father, far above and beyond the law's dominion.   His life, the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, is manifest by the "fruit of the Spirit," not by the works of the law.  "The law is not of faith"; it was never meant to produce this fruit, which is Life! (Galatians 3:12).

However, his experience is but the result of an over-wrought nervous system, which is evidenced by the ecstatic feelings and out-of-control chattering of the vocal chords.  The climax is his all-important "gift of tongues."

But how can he forsake that which feels so good?

Over the past several decades, a growing number of Calvinist believers have been rejecting the doctrine of "cessationism" which historically provided a protective barrier against the charismatic plague.  But, due to his anti-dispensational perspective, the Covenant/Reformed believer is susceptible to the siren call of the charismatic.  Within the last twenty years or so, a number of charismatic X Reformed fellowships and churches have sprung up around the United States.

With Israel set aside (Romans 11:25), she now has neither priority nor privilege.  God's current sphere of election is the entire world, from which will come "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language" (Revelation 7:9).

Finally, in the matter of deliverance from the power of sin, the burden of God's Word does not center upon demons, but upon the Cross in its dealing with sin and the sin nature (Romans 6:6, 11).  When it come to growth and maturity the burden of the Word is not warfare with Satan, but rather the believer's living relationship to the risen Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:1-3).

So be on your guard! ... Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  Acts 20: 31,32.