Irresistible Grace is the Calvinist doctrine which states that God's Spirit pulls on the hearts of God's chosen people to such an extent that they cannot deny Him, resulting in the salvation of those whom God 'elects.' That God's Spirit cannot be resisted is the reason these 'chosen' people are saved.
Notice I said, 'chosen' people are saved which according to Calvinists, the Holy Spirit convicts ONLY the hearts of those whom God wants in heaven with Him. Those whom God rejects for whatever reason are never contacted by God's Spirit. There would be no reason for them to be quickened of their sin because they have no hope of heaven.
Here again, we get into false doctrine. Does the Holy Spirit convict people of their sin and lead them to repentance? Absolutely! Conviction of sins is probably the biggest role the Holy Spirit plays with regards to Salvation. His work as the One who convicts us of sin is so important that should anyone reject Him to the point of speaking against Him by calling Him a liar, which is what happens when you refuse to listen to His conviction of sin, one blasphemes Him and is forever lost to salvation (Matthew 12:32). Salvation cannot be retrieved because forgiveness is required for salvation. When one blasphemes the Holy Spirit, they reject the One who leads a person to Jesus for forgiveness. You can't be forgiven if you refuse forgiveness.
The false part of the Calvinist doctrine is the aspect that God's Spirit only convicts those who are chosen by God for salvation. In the refutation on Limited Atonement, I discuss the false doctrine that Jesus came to save ONLY those chosen by God by showing in scripture that Jesus came to save anyone who wants salvation, anyone/everyone who will trust Jesus to save them. On that page, I have listed over 59 different scriptures which clearly demonstrate that God does NOT choose certain people for salvation. So, it stands to reason if Jesus came to save anyone who wants salvation, then the Holy Spirit will convict anyone open to salvation and draw them to Jesus for forgiveness.
There are only a few verses in scripture which speak to this work of God's Spirit: John 16:8; 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; John 3:8 tells us the Spirit goes where He wants to provide new birth, John 6:44-45 where Jesus states that the Spirit draws men to Him, and Ephesians 2:4-6 which describes the work of God's Spirit to make one alive in Christ. Isn't it interesting that Calvinists cling dearly to these five verses, but completely dismiss the 59 which speak of Jesus dying for anyone who wants salvation? I find that sadly remarkable.
So, no, the Holy Spirit is not sent to ONLY those chosen by God for salvation. God sent His Spirit into the world to convict ANYONE, EVERYONE of sin. Anyone who accepts Jesus as Savior is someone God gives to Jesus because it was God's plan to redeem mankind before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5). Since it is God's plan the redeemed are His to give, but the redeemed decided for themselves who they are. They are NOT chosen by God. God's plan for salvation is for all men, the 'chosen' ones are those who choose Christ.
Part of this Calvinistic doctrine is rooted in the understanding that man is WITHOUT freewill. From their perspective, man must be without the ability to decide for himself if God is absolutely sovereign and decides who winds up in heaven and who goes to hell. Of course, this means that God is 100% responsible for a person's salvation with zero participation or cooperation from the person themselves.
Now, we know from the Garden of Eden, that God left two trees, one representing life, the other representing death, where Adam and Eve could reach them. God left Adam and Eve alone so they could choose for themselves from which tree to eat. To say they chose poorly is an understatement of epic proportions, but the story demonstrates freewill on the part of Adam and Eve. I can't prove it Biblically, but I wonder if the possession of free will isn't one of the ways in which man is made in God's image? (Genesis 1:26; 3:22). After all, God exhibited His free will when He placed creation in the vastness of space, and when He decided, before creating anything, that He would provide a means through which His favored creation (James 1:18), man, could be redeemed.
I do want to note here, that God did NOT choose the tree from which Adam and Eve ate. The choice was ALL theirs. God did NOT mandate that they be saved. He did NOT mandate that EITHER of them be saved. Nor did God mandate either or both of them to hell. Freewill can't be more obviously demonstrated than this: Adam and Eve chose for themselves.
In the New Testament, Jesus tells us in John 10:18 that He gave His life as the sin payment for man of His own free will. He makes it very clear that He was not forced to die for man. His voluntary surrender to that cross makes His sacrifice so much more remarkable because it shows how much He loves us. When someone is forced into something, there is no love involved. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus GAVE His life because of the joy He knew would await Him when He sat down at the right hand of God. Jesus knew at some point He will be given the church as His bride. That Jesus voluntarily died for us is the ultimate proof of freewill.
Yes, there are instances in the Bible, several of them, in fact, in which God chooses people for service in a variety of ways. Choosing someone to lead a captive people from out of slavery is NOT the same thing as deciding where that person spends eternity. Choice for service does NOT equate choice for salvation. In order for God to advance His objective on earth, He must use people. Of course, being God He is fully aware who will choose Him before being chosen for the role He has for them. The story of Pharaoh in Romans 9, found on a different page on this site, gives remarkable insight to God's ability to choose someone for service and still give them the freedom to choose their own eternal residence.
Anyone, everyone, who wants salvation needs to:
First, listen to the Holy Spirit when He convicts you of your sin, drawing you to Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins.
Second, confess Jesus as Savior and believe that God raised Him from the dead. Romans 10:9-10.
Third, because of your faith in Jesus you are saved. Acts 16:30; Ephesians 2:8-9.
Fourth, be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:28; John 3:5 +others.
Fifth, take the newness of life you've been given and use it to love Jesus and keep His commandments. John 14:15.
Thanks, Gerard Altman, for the stunning pic!