Election

Doctrine Study - Election

Opening prayer.

Explanation of agenda:

6:30-7:00: The doctrine of election.

7:00-7:30: Interacting with Scriptures - , ,

7:30-7:40: Break

7:40-8:00: Prayer

8:00-8:30: More Scripture plus discussion/debate/disagreement

Election: An act of God before creation in which he chose some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure.

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Verses to read:

Rom 8:28

, , - God’s power, appointment, and grace behind the expansion of the church.

- chosen: in Christ, for holiness and adoption, according to God’s will, magnifying God’s grace.

- the evidence of being chosen is repentance and faith.

- chosen to be saved, the effect of the choice comes through the gospel call, the ‘sanctification’ of the Spirit, and our decision to believe.

- God’s purpose and God’s grace are behind election

Election presented as:

(a comforted)

, ; (for God’s glory)

, ; (a reason to thank God)

,

(an encouragement toward evangelism)

Is Election Mechanistic (robotic)? No. First, election is “brought about by a personal God in relationship with personal creatures,” and, “with personal love for those whom he chose.” (pg. 285)

Eph

Ephesians 1:4–5 ESV

even 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 for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Second, “Scripture continually views us... as genuine persons, personal creatures who make willing choices to accept or reject the gospel.” (pg. 285)

Revelation 22:17 ESV

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Matthew 23:37 ESV

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Election does not overcome a robotic evil ingrained in humanity. It overcomes willing hostility toward God!

Is Election Fatalistic? No. God accomplishes his purposes of election through real human action.

Romans 10:14 ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

,

Is election based on God’s foreknowledge of our faith?

Romans 8:29 ESV

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

1. God’s foreknowledge was of persons, not of facts. ,

2. “Scripture never speaks of our faith as the reason God chose us.” (pg. 286)

Ephesians 1:5–6 ESV

he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Eph.

3. Election based on our choice would mean that our salvation is ultimately based on something good we do.

4. The reasons for election given in scripture are, “love,” and, “the purpose of his will.”

Therefore, election is unconditional!

Interacting with Scripture

, ,

Prayer

Scripture, Discussion, and Debate

: is predestination and election plural or singular in this passage? Is it talking about individuals or groups?

Context:

8:16-17 - significance of heirs… spoken in context of individual salvation, but an idea which is very corporate.

8:33 - who will bring a charge against God’s elect (plural)? Again, context is individual salvation.

- not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel - means what? Not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring - means what?

- in Abraham’s case, that God sovereignly narrowed the line of promise (Isaac but not Ishmael, Jacob but not Esau)

- in Israel’s case, by implication, that God sovereignly hardened some of Israel (in order to bring in the Gentiles). Also by implication, in verse 11, this is not ultimately caused by prior Israelite unbelief.

- Vs. 13, Malachi quote: both corporate and individual.

- Why is God not unjust? According to corporate election view, God is not unjust because his choice to harden stemmed from the choice of certain Jews to disbelieve. But in Vs. 15, the defence of God’s justice is that he is not obligated to show mercy to anyone.

- In vs. 16, the “it” is most naturally read as salvation.

- Answer to hypothetical accusation in vs. 19 is that God has the right over us, the clay.

- The corporate/individual nature of 9:24-25

- 11:4-5, - God says, “I have kept for myself...” “chosen by grace.”

- 11:7-8, - even in Isaiah’s day, those who did not put faith in God’s promises, “were hardened”

- 11:28 - election must have a mostly corporate sense as well, though even in this sense it results in individual salvation.