Here is Charles Spurgeon’s sermon regarding predestination. He clearly does not accept the notion that God preselects those to be saved and those to be damned to hell.
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1516.htm
One of the most highly regarded Calvinists of the 20th century, Edwin Palmer (a wonderful man of God, who led the effort that resulted in the NIV Bible) wrote a book titled “The Five Points of Calvinism” stated very clearly that if even one of the points of TULIP were wrong, all of them must be wrong. Edwin Palmer also believed that God does predestined individuals to either heaven or hell and that no man can make a decision as to his destiny.
Spurgeon’s got it right, and Palme rwas clearly in error. Read the Spurgeon’s sermon linked above and decide for yourself.
“Here is Charles Spurgeon’s sermon regarding predestination. He clearly does not accept the notion that God preselects those to be saved and those to be damned to hell.”
Spurgeon on Calvinism:
“The late lamented Mr. Denham has put, at the foot of his portrait, a most admirable text, “Salvation is of the Lord.” That is just an epitome of Calvinism; it is the sum and substance of it. If anyone should ask me what I mean by a Calvinist, I should reply, “He is one who says, Salvation is of the Lord.” I cannot find in Scripture any other doctrine than this. It is the essence of the Bible. “He only is my rock and my salvation.” Tell me anything contrary to this truth, and it will be a heresy; tell me a heresy, and I shall find its essence here, that it has departed from this great, this fundamental, this rock-truth, “God is my rock and my salvation.” What is the heresy of Rome, but the addition of something to the perfect merits of Jesus Christ—the bringing in of the works of the flesh, to assist in our justification? And what is the heresy of Arminianism but the addition of something to the work of the Redeemer? Every heresy, if brought to the touchstone, will discover itself here. I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor.”
http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm
Most opponents to the doctrines of grace do so due to their misconceptions about it. That’s probably why you thought Spurgeon agreed with your theology in that sermon. The truth is, you were agreeing with him, without realizing that the image you have of the doctrine of grace simply doesn’t exist.