What does the Bible teach about election?

[yort]

Troy a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does the Bible teach about election?

John 6:44, Acts 13:48, Romans 9:16, Ephesians 2:1-3

Election is the act of God whereby in eternity past He chose those who will be saved. Election is unconditional, because it does not depend on anything outside of God, such as good works or foreseen faith (Romans 9:16). This doctrine is repeatedly taught in the Bible, and is also demanded by our knowledge of God. To begin with, let's look at the biblical evidence.


The Bible says prior to salvation, all people are dead in sin--spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3). In this state of death, the sinner is utterly unable to respond to any spiritual stimulus and therefore unable to love God, obey Him, or please Him in any way. Scripture says the mind of every unbeliever "is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:7-8, emphasis added). That describes a state of total hopelessness: spiritual death.

The effect of all this is that no sinner can ever make the first move in the salvation process. This is what Jesus meant in John 6:44, when He said, "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him."


This is also why the Bible repeatedly stresses that salvation is wholly God's work. Consider these passages:

• In Acts 13:48 we read, "And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."
• Acts 16:14 tells us that Lydia was saved when, "... the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul."
• Romans 8:29-30 states, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
• Ephesians 1:4-5,11 reads, "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will ... also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will."
• Ephesians 2:8 says even our faith is a gift from God.
• In 2 Thessalonians 2:13, the apostle Paul tells his readers, "God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation."
• Second Timothy 1:9 informs us that God "has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity."

Occasionally someone will suggest that God's election is based on His foreknowledge of certain events. This argument suggests that God simply looks into the future to see who will believe, and He chooses those whom He sees choosing Him. Notice that 1 Peter 1:2 says the elect are chosen "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," and Romans 8:29 says, "whom He foreknew, He also predestined." And if divine foreknowledge simply means God's knowledge of what will happen in advance, then these arguments may appear to have some weight behind them.

But that is not the biblical meaning of "foreknowledge." When the Bible speaks of God's foreknowledge, it refers to God's establishment of a love relationship with that person. The word know, in both the Old and New Testament, refers to much more than mere cognitive knowledge of a person. Such passages as Hosea 13:4-5; Amos 3:2 (KJV); and Romans 11:2 clearly indicate this. For example, 1 Peter 1:20 says Christ was "foreknown before the foundation of the world." Surely this means more than that God the Father looked into the future to behold Christ! It means He had an eternal, loving relationship with Him. The same is true of the elect, whom we are told God "foreknew" (Romans 8:29). That means He knew them--he loved them--before the foundation of the world.

If God's choice of the elect is unconditional, does this rule out human responsibility? Paul asks and answers that very question in Romans 9:19-20. He says God's choice of the elect is an act of mercy. Left to themselves, even the elect would persist in sin and be lost, because they are taken from the same fallen lump of clay as the rest of humanity. God alone is responsible for their salvation, but that does not eradicate the responsibility of those who persist in sin and are lost--because they do it willfully, and not under compulsion. They are responsible for their sin, not God.

The Bible affirms human responsibility right alongside the doctrine of divine sovereignty. Moreover, the offer of mercy in the gospel is extended to all alike. Isaiah 55:1 and Revelation 22:17 call "whosoever will" to be saved. Isaiah 45:22 and Acts 17:30 command all men to turn to God, repent and be saved. First Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 tell us that God is not willing that any should perish, but desires that all should be saved. Finally, the Lord Jesus said that, "the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" (John 6:37).

In summary, we can say that God has had a special love relationship with the elect from all eternity, and on the basis of that love relationship chosen them for salvation. The ultimate question of why God chose some for salvation and left others in their sinful state is one that we, with our finite knowledge, cannot answer. We do know that God's attributes always are in perfect harmony with each other, so that God's sovereignty will always operate in perfect harmony with His goodness, love, wisdom, and justice.

Amen

Troy

 

[stephen]

Good stuff indeed brother....I agree with much of what you say...but I would not preach it.

My message today to all who follow Jesus would be......

"You are saved, as long as you stay saved"

"Simply trusting every day....trusting through a stormy way...
Even when my faith is small...trusting Jesus...that is all

Brightly doth his Spirit shine....into this poor heart of mine..
While He leads I cannot fall......trusting Jesus...that is all

Singing if my way be clear.....praying if the path be drear..
If in danger to Him call....trusting Jesus....that is all

Trusting Him while life shall last....trusting Him till earth be past
Till within the jasper wall....trusting Jesus that is all


WE are saved as long as we stay saved......such folks are the very elect for whom Jesus died

In His Love

 

[rojoloco]

Troy, I agree with everything you just said in there.

Stephen, if you believe something to be the truth of Scripture, to not teach it would be a sin. Many fear the brutal truth of Scripture so they teach something that people want to hear while still getting the message across albeit, watered down. I preach the truth unashamed without fear of who will and will not listen or condemn me for it.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

In summary, we can say that God has had a special love relationship with the elect from all eternity, and on the basis of that love relationship chosen them for salvation. The ultimate question of why God chose some for salvation and left others in their sinful state is one that we, with our finite knowledge, cannot answer.

Who are the we you refer to in the first sentence of this paragraph? You are taking a dogmatic approach to espousing a theology that is by no means universally accepted; a theology that was developed by a finite mind such as you mention in the second sentence; a theology that is theory only, established fact.

SLE

 

[Mark of Faith]

Yort, Troy,

A wonderfully articulate exposition of perhaps one of the most difficult theological truths to handle well.
Like Stephen, I wouldn't preach it (at the moment), but not because I dispute its truth, but because I would feel inadequate to the task.

There was particular parts to your post that I found reassuring: the way God's Eternal Sovereignty interacts with our human free will.
Also, the admission that we cannot get our heads around the depths and infinities of God's wisdom. (SpiritLedEd: the we referred to refers to the human race.)

We cannot attain salvation by anything of ourselves. As you say yort, even our faith is a gift from God. And we needn't, as some suggest, live fearfully and anxiously that we might fall at some time in the distant future and somehow lose that free gift, for we are also kept by the power of God. - 1 Pet 1:5.

Even the Jews, who were cast off, have only been cast off temporarily and will be grafted on again, for "God's promises and election are irrevocable" - Romans.

Again, thank you yort.

 

[hisservant56]

We can not even repent of ourselves He makes it possible to convict us sin... It only through Him that anything happens at all............

A question I have to ask is how do you know you are staying saved?

If He abides in us we abide in Him... We have to show forth fruit worthy of repentence.

Blessings & Shalom,
debbi rennier

 

[gpruitt15]

"You are saved, as long as you stay saved"

I have to disagree with this. "WE" cannot "stay" saved. Once saved always saved. If you can "lose" your salvation then that means you committed a sin that Jesus did not die for. Now, i do agree that some people "claim" to be saved and go out and do terrible, ungodly things. But i have to believe that if you can do something like that, you were never saved in the first place! When the witness of God is on your heart, you won't do such things!

 

[Boanerges]

Election is the act of God whereby in eternity past He chose those who will be saved. Election is unconditional, because it does not depend on anything outside of God, such as good works or foreseen faith (Romans 9:16). This doctrine is repeatedly taught in the Bible, and is also demanded by our knowledge of God. To begin with, let's look at the biblical evidence.

All election is according to foreknowledge. That foreknowledge is of our choice.Would we have loves sacrifice or continue to be our own lords?
Choose you this day whom you would serve my friends.

 

[Boanerges]

Occasionally someone will suggest that God's election is based on His foreknowledge of certain events. This argument suggests that God simply looks into the future to see who will believe, and He chooses those whom He sees choosing Him. Notice that 1 Peter 1:2 says the elect are chosen "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," and Romans 8:29 says, "whom He foreknew, He also predestined." And if divine foreknowledge simply means God's knowledge of what will happen in advance, then these arguments may appear to have some weight behind them. But that is not the biblical meaning of "foreknowledge." When the Bible speaks of God's foreknowledge, it refers to God's establishment of a love relationship with that person. The word know, in both the Old and New Testament, refers to much more than mere cognitive knowledge of a person. Such passages as Hosea 13:4-5; Amos 3:2 (KJV); and Romans 11:2 clearly indicate this. For example, 1 Peter 1:20 says Christ was "foreknown before the foundation of the world." Surely this means more than that God the Father looked into the future to behold Christ! It means He had an eternal, loving relationship with Him. The same is true of the elect, whom we are told God "foreknew" (Romans 8:29). That means He knew them--he loved them--before the foundation of the world.

You are correct when you say that some suggest that, Paul the Apostle being chief amongst them.

The correct definition of foreknow (verb- Romans 8:29) is:
Foreknow, Foreknowledge
From the Vines Expository Dictionary of the New Testament
A. Verb.
proginosko (G4267), "to know before" (pro, "before," ginosko, "to know"), is used (a) of divine knowledge, concerning (1) Christ, 1Pe_1:20, RV, "foreknown" (KJV, "foreordained"); (2) Israel as God's earthly people, Rom_11:2; (3) believers, Rom_8:29; "the foreknowledge" of God is the basis of His foreordaining counsels; (b) of human knowledge, (1) of persons, Act_26:5; (2) of facts, 2Pe_3:17.

This definition plainly precludes your assumptions.

 

[Janette]

God isn't playing Solitaire

Be very afraid of any "doctrine" that serves to nullify the Blood of the Lamb.

 

[Mark of Faith]

Brother Troy, yort,

The doctrine that you teach in this thread is, indeed, one of the standard doctrines of the Church, preached down through the ages. The posts of others, who suggest error or danger, need to be acknowledged, yet I believe they are wrong.

It must be acknowledged, because what we find in this thread is a dispute over the predestination/free will "Armenian" doctrines. This dispute has raged amongst carnal Christians down through the ages, and even mature Christians disagree (yet find they can maintain unity in spite of this). We cannot hope, in an online discussion forum, to sort this out. So, we must both be sure of our own doctrinal emphasis whilst acknowledging that others may disagree.

I believe that I was chosen by God, that He called me, that He (through the Holy Spirit) enabled me to respond by subsequently choosing to follow Christ and trust in His Blood. Note, subsequently. God is the initiator, the sustainer, and the recipient of my faith.

I know I can trust God not to cast me off. Does that negate my free will? No. My free will is at work in many things, yet I cannot be saved, nay! neither stay saved by my own efforts. If I could, I would have much to boast about. But what does Paul say of boasting: "It is excluded!" Therefore if I were to take credit for my salvation, whether conversion or continued faith, I would be boasting and make God's grace of null effect.

With love to all,
Mark.

 

[yort]

Put Beautifully

Mark of Faith; Amen; Thank you my brother;Love ya

Troy

 

[rojoloco]

All election is according to foreknowledge. That foreknowledge is of our choice.Would we have loves sacrifice or continue to be our own lords?
Choose you this day whom you would serve my friends.

Here is a question I pose to you:

Do you believe salvation is by grace alone or by works alone?

It cannot be both for grace mixed with works is no longer grace. It becomes reward. A man "choosing" God would be considered a righteous work. You say election is based on God's foreknowledge of a choice we would make. If this is true, salvation is no longer solely through the grace of God. Yet, Ephesians 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace through faith and that it is NOT of works. Paul tells us salvation is pure grace and nothing else.

Moreover, how does one reconcile election and choice when the 2 are worlds apart? If you take the approach that salvation is by the grace of God alone, that grace would have to be applied before the choice could be made. However, if you believe the foreknowledge was only of a choice that man would make, it means man made the choice before grace was applied. The only way around this is to come to the truth that God applied grace to those whom He desired and that He knew who would choose Him because only those whom had received His blessing of grace would be the Elect. A choice could not come before grace and if it were by grace, it is not left up to choice.

 

[Boanerges]

Grace through faith. That has precious little to do with God foreknowing your choices and God has given every man a measure of faith.
The scriptures are filled with God reacting to man's heart attitude and choice.
So a more apt question would be do I believe man has the ability to choose.

 

[rojoloco]

Grace through faith. That has precious little to do with God foreknowing your choices and God has given every man a measure of faith.
The scriptures are filled with God reacting to man's heart attitude and choice.
So a more apt question would be do I believe man has the ability to choose.

Grace and faith has EVERYTHING to do with it. Outside of these, there is no salvation whatsoever. As for your statement of God giving every man a measure of faith, this goes about as far as our responsibility that even nature brings with it. There is no such thing as partial saving faith. Saving faith is either wholly complete or wholly lacking. It does not come in increments. Faith either comes by the grace of God apart from works or it comes from works apart from grace (as then it becomes reward as I stated).

Salvation can only be based on the foreknowledge of a choice within man if salvation is set apart from grace. If it is wholly grace, it does not depend on any choice of man. The only way to reconcile them is to realize that the choice of man is only made because of the grace of God which ALWAYS results in salvation.

As for your claim of "The scriptures are filled with God reacting to man's heart attitude and choice" I challenge you to post some references that say the root cause was of man's own free will. You will be hard pressed to find any.

 

[Boanerges]

Despite a plethora of words you cannot prove what you are pushing s anything more than your interpretation.

Grace and faith has EVERYTHING to do with it.
Yes it has everything to do with salvation but not as proof of your doctrine

Outside of these, there is no salvation whatsoever.
Agreed
As for your statement of God giving every man a measure of faith,
that is God's statement no mine

this goes about as far as our responsibility that even nature brings with it.
.....
There is no such thing as partial saving faith.
Agreed
Saving faith is either wholly complete or wholly lacking. It does not come in increments. Faith either comes by the grace of God apart from works or it comes from works apart from grace (as then it becomes reward as I stated).
That is your view
Salvation can only be based on the foreknowledge of a choice within man if salvation is set apart from grace.
That is entirely untrue and limits God. It is not a hard thing for Him to foreknow the heart of a man so again this is simply your doctrinal position and as such your speculation.

If it is wholly grace, it does not depend on any choice of man. The only way to reconcile them is to realize that the choice of man is only made because of the grace of God which ALWAYS results in salvation.
Again- that is your opinion but the Bible declares that He predestines according to foreknowledge. I also believe in predestination, the difference we have on this is that I believe God when He says Christ died for the sins of the whole world and you think it was only for a special group which is again of course just your opinion and not what the Word of God says.

As for your claim of "The scriptures are filled with God reacting to man's heart attitude and choice" I challenge you to post some references that say the root cause was of man's own free will. You will be hard pressed to find any.

Start in Genesis when God commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and work your way on up. If you do not eyes to see then you will not see. All through the scriptures there is one word that calls for choice- if. God's repeated call of if you will I will.

 

[Boanerges]

BTW Rojo, I wanted to thank you. I have really been enjoying or discussions and I think you have a real heart after Christ.
Many blessings,
brother Larry.

Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

 

[rojoloco]

Yes it has everything to do with salvation but not as proof of your doctrine

This is where we differ. I feel it does everything to prove the doctrine I present and squash the doctrine you present.

That is your view

That is the only logical view.

That is entirely untrue and limits God. It is not a hard thing for Him to foreknow the heart of a man so again this is simply your doctrinal position and as such your speculation.

It is not hard for Him to foreknow something but in your interpretation of foreknowing, you are putting the cart before the horse.

Again- that is your opinion but the Bible declares that He predestines according to foreknowledge. I also believe in predestination, the difference we have on this is that I believe God when He says Christ died for the sins of the whole world and you think it was only for a special group which is again of course just your opinion and not what the Word of God says.

Christ did die for the sins of the whole world. That is, the whole human race without distinction. Before Christ, the Jews were the chosen people of God. After Christ, the whole world without distinction was covered. This does not mean it is the whole world without exception otherwise all people would be saved. If not all people are saved yet it is without exception, the death of Christ was in vain countless times. I do not hold to this as it is borderline heresy IMHO.

Start in Genesis when God commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and work your way on up. If you do not eyes to see then you will not see. All through the scriptures there is one word that calls for choice- if. God's repeated call of if you will I will.

If you fly without an airplane, you will truly feel liberated from gravity. Does this mean you can fly without an airplane? Certainly not! An "if" statement does not necessarily present a possibility. In fact, the New Testament tells us the OT Law was not meant to lift one up but was actually meant to point out sin when people fell. It was impossible to keep. In much the same way, it is impossible for a totally depraved individual to choose Christ without God first calling him through regeneration.

 

[rojoloco]

Same to you. I really do enjoy it and I want to let you know I do not think ill of you despite our disagreements. Things can get heated in text but in heart, I am cool as a cucumber and thoroughly enjoying it. God bless!

 

[Boanerges]

This is where we differ. I feel it does everything to prove the doctrine I present and squash the doctrine you present.

Correct that is how you feel- lol. Sadly though that is never enough to prove a point.

That is the only logical view.
Man's logic rarely lines up with God's truth:shade: but His foolishness is wiser than man's combined logic.
It is not hard for Him to foreknow something but in your interpretation of foreknowing, you are putting the cart before the horse.
That is again, just how you feel but is not biblical.
He is the One that put foreknowledge before predestination in the Bible. That is why He declares election is according to foreknowledge and not vice-versa.


Christ did die for the sins of the whole world. That is, the whole human race without distinction. Before Christ, the Jews were the chosen people of God. After Christ, the whole world without distinction was covered. This does not mean it is the whole world without exception otherwise all people would be saved.
Interesting opinion but not biblically sound:
Not if they do not come. Many were called to the wedding feast but chose their own activites and personal interests over the invitation of the King.


If not all people are saved yet it is without exception, the death of Christ was in vain countless times. I do not hold to this as it is borderline heresy IMHO.
That is of course only your denominationally slanted opinion. Biblically however Christ died for all with no footnotes. He did this out of love and the invitation went out many times. Do you think Jesus would be surprised that some would refuse? Not my Jesus, He has foreknowledge.


If you fly without an airplane, you will truly feel liberated from gravity. Does this mean you can fly without an airplane? Certainly not! An "if" statement does not necessarily present a possibility.
Sadly for you and Bill Clinton (LOL) if means if.

In fact, the New Testament tells us the OT Law was not meant to lift one up but was actually meant to point out sin when people fell.
We agree on that but with this caveat - many Old Testament Saints were indeed justified as by faith in God they entered His rest. The Old Covenant Saints looked forward to God's provision (the cross) just as we looked back to it.
It was impossible to keep. In much the same way, it is impossible for a totally depraved individual to choose Christ without God first calling him through regeneration.
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Back to Adam. If he had but chose to resist the apple we would not be having this conversation.
So it was the choice to sin that got us here in the first place. That is freewill.