God as Savation's Source

Study Two

If God is the source of salvation, then it is safe to say that

Salvation is accomplished when God chooses to accomplish it.

That is the doctrine of election or what the Bible means when it refers to God’s people as His elect. D. L. Moody was known to say,

“The elect are the whosoever wills, the non-elect are the whosoever won'ts.”

“The OT Hebrew word for election is bhr, meaning to “examine, choose.” In the OT the Hebrew term is used to speak of People who chose individuals and groups of people like Potiphar choosing the individual Joseph to run his affairs (Gen. 39:4-5), the “sons of God” took wives of “the daughters of men” (Gen. 6:2), and Joshua was to choose men to fight Amalek (Ex 17:9). It is also used in its various forms for God’s choosing of individuals and groups of people like Moses over Korah to lead Israel (Nu 16:5), of Aaron (Nu 17:5), and the people of Israel not because of their greatness but

“Solely based on His choosing to love them (Deut. 7:6-7).”

“The NT Greek term for election is eklegomai, “to choose for oneself.” Like the OT, the NT also has examples of the Greek term being used for people choosing individuals, groups of people, but also of elements or methods. Some examples are the disciples not choosing Jesus (Jn 15:16), the choosing of Stephen by the congregation (Acts 6:5), the Apostles, elders, and the whole church sending their chosenmen to communicate the decision of the Jerusalem council to the church of Antioch (Acts 15:22, 25), the parable where the invited guests were choosing (“picking”) places of honor (Lk 14:7), and Mary choosing “the good part” (Lk 10:42).

The majority of occurrences of this Greek term in the NT refers to God’s or Jesus’ choosing.

God chose the group of elect people (Mk 13:20) and speaks of Jesus as His chosen (Lk 9:35). He chose Matthias as Judas’ replacement (Ac 1:24), Peter to preach to the Gentiles (Ac 15:7), the fathers of Israel to make out of them a nation (Ac 13:17), “the poor of this world to be rich in faith” (Jas 2:5), and believers (Eph. 1:4). Jesus chose the 12 disciples (Lk 6:13; Jn 6:70; Ac 1:2) and those to be chosen out from among the world (Jn 15:16). It is also used as God’s choosing of elements or methods of accomplishing His purpose (1 Co 1:27-28).”[1]

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1. Do you think some struggle with the idea of God’s choosing people to be children of God?

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2. Logically, what blessing do you think can be found in the idea that God chooses His children?

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3. Read Deut. 7:6-9. What do you think is inferred by saying Israelites were a “holy” people?

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4. What do you think is the relationship, if any, between the terms “holy, chosen, possession, choose, brought, and redeemed?”

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5. Is God’s choosing of Israel fair to the other nations of the world?

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6. Read John 15:16; Acts 6:5; Acts 15:22,25; Luke 10:42; 14:7. In these verses, are there any occurrences where the one chosen is credited with their choosing?

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7. Read James 2:5 and Eph. 1:4. What can we learn about election, or God’s choosing from these verses?

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8. Does “loving Him” in James 2:5 seem the cause or result of God’s choosing? What makes you think that?

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9. Read 1 Co 1:27-28. Of all listed here as chosen by God, does any of it seem to be chosen based on the merit of that which is chosen?

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10. What seems to be the basis or purpose of God’s choosing (v. 28)?

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11. Read John 15:16. How does this verse help our understanding of God’s choosing His people?

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12. For what purpose does this verse state is the purpose of God’s choosing His people?

Key Verse

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.”

John 15:16 (NASB)

Conclusion:

“Based on the definition and usage of the OT and NT terms, the general understanding of election is the choosing of individuals, groups of people, elements, or methods for accomplishing a specific role or task. Election is also used specifically and foundationally as a method or element of God’s salvation.”

“Election, as it relates to salvation, is the act of God before the foundation of the world, choosing to love specific people for salvation. Since the Bible teaches that man is unable or unwilling to turn to or please the holy God of creation, [2]salvation would then be sourced in someone or something outside of himself. That “someone” or “something” is God." [3]

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[1] Lex DeLong, TH601 Soteriology, Baptist Bible Seminary of Clarks Summit University, Jan. 2017, 1. [2] See I. The Need for Salvation Paragraph 2, p. 1. [3] Lex DeLong, TH601 Soteriology, Baptist Bible Seminary of Clarks Summit University, Jan. 2017, 2.