Election

Jesus Christ is the one who was elected from eternity past: Isaiah 42:1, “Behold ‘my servant [Jesus Christ],’ whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.” 1 Peter 2:6, Christ is described as “a chief corner stone, elect, precious...” This election took place in the eternal decrees, Ephesians 1:4 “… chosen us in Him.” Also 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:2.

Election is a present, as well as future possession of all believers, Colossians 3:12, our position “IN Christ.” Every believer SHARES Christ’s election, Romans 8:28. Election takes place at the moment one believes, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 23, 24, 26-28; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 “… chosen you to salvation through belief.”

Election is the foundation of the Church, 1 Thessalonians 1:3,4; it is based on grace, Galatians 1:6; it is the basis of facing suffering with blessing, Romans 8:28.

Predestination is the other side of the coin. Christ is predestinated; we are IN Christ; we SHARE His destiny.

So: Christ is elected ["chosen"]; we choose Christ from our free will which is non-meritorious faith. Because we are THEN in union with Christ, we are CHOSEN [elected] IN Him.

In eternity past, Ephesians 3:11, God the Father PURPOSED A PURPOSE “IN Christ Jesus.” This was the plan of God, Ephesians 2:8,9. This plan includes the believer’s position IN CHRIST: Jesus Christ indwells the believer, John 14:20; the believer is IN the BODY of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:13, the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

By being in UNION WITH CHRIST the believer shares what Christ has and is:

a) His life - 1 John 5:11,12

b) His righteousness - 2 Corinthians 5:21

c) His sonship - Galatians 3:26; John 1:12

d) His priesthood - 1 Peter 2:5,9

e) His rulership - Colossians 1:13; 2 Peter 1:11.

f) His heirship - Romans 8:16,17

g) His sanctification - 1 Corinthians 1:2.

h) His election - 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 1:4

i) His destiny - Ephesians 1:5, 11.

Christ is THE elected one: Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 2:6. The believer shares His election by choice.

From eternity past the believer is “chosen IN Christ.” “Chosen in Christ” is the plan.

a) 2 Thess. 2:13, “chosen you … through… belief.”

b) 2 Timothy 1:9, “according to His own purpose (plan) and grace, which was given us IN CHRIST JESUS before the world began.”

c) 1 Peter 1:2, “Elect .. through the sanctification of the Spirit [set apart by union with Christ] … blood of Jesus Christ.”

d) Ephesians 1:2-14 speaks of the plan, the purpose of God in eternity past.

CHRIST IS THE ELECTED ONE, the predestined one. The believer shares this election, this destiny by choosing for Christ, by faith. Faith is the principle set up in the Word of God. Faith is non-meritorious because the merit is always in the object of faith. In salvation faith the object is Jesus Christ.

The principle of grace and of the free will of man is set forth in scripture after scripture. The character of God (His fairness, His righteousness, His perfection, His justice) is set forth in scripture after scripture. Psalm 145:17; Psalm 18:30; Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Psalm 89:14; Romans 3:26.

The theory that anyone is predestined to hell or heaven, without right of choice is incompatible with the principle of grace, incompatible with the character of God, it makes a farce out of the plan of God (Grace), and it impugns the character of God (His perfect righteousness and justice).

2 Peter 3:9 - “God is not willing that any should perish ...” But He predestinated some to go to hell?? NEVER!

Romans 10:13, “Whosoever shall CALL upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

John 3:16, BUT still He doesn’t give the whole world a choice, but just certain individuals??? NEVER!

a) John 6:44 - “No man can come to me except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him.”

b) John 12:32, “And if I be lifted up from the earth, will DRAW ALL MEN unto me.”

c) Isaiah 53:6, “God the Father laid on Jesus Christ the iniquities of us all.”

But all are not free to avail themselves of Jesus Christ being judged for their sins??? NEVER!

Never be caught in the debater’s trap of making one verse to try and prove a theory that is in opposition to the principles set forth in scripture after scripture, scripture is the Word of God, or that is not compatible with the character of God.

“Prove all things, hold fast that which is good” - 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

The doctrine of election

1. Election is that doctrine which relates the believer to the plan of God as revealed in the divine decrees. Christ was elected in eternity past — Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 2:6. Hence, election for the believer is peculiar to the Church Age whereby baptism of the Holy Spirit causes the believer to share both the election and the destiny of Christ. All members of the human race have been potentially elected into the plan of God by the doctrine of unlimited atonement — 2 Timothy 2:10, but only those who believe are entered into the plan of God by election and by destiny.

2. The specific election of Jesus Christ. The election of Christ, mentioned in Isaiah 42:1 and 1 Peter 2:4,6, occurs as a part of the doctrine of divine decrees — John 15:16; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2.

3. The election of the royal family believer. Since election is sharing the destiny of Christ, and since Christ was elected in eternity past, and since every believer is in union with Christ through the baptism of the Spirit, every believer is said to be called or elected — 1 Corinthians 1:2,30; Romans 8:28-32; Ephesians 1:4. This election occurred at the moment of faith in Christ — 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:9. Election, then, is the present as well as the future possession of every believer — John 15:16; Colossians 3:12.

4. There is also an election of Jewish believers in the previous dispensation. When a Jew in the Age of Israel believed in Christ he had an election on the plan of God. But it is not a royal election, he is not in union with Christ; this is for the Church Age only. He is in the Age of Israel but instead he is entered into the Abrahamic, Palestinian, Davidic, and New covenants to Israel. So his election is related to the unconditional covenants of the dispensation of Israel. This is summarised as a doctrine in Romans 11:1-7.

5. Election is the basis of Church Age royalty. At the moment of salvation God the Holy Spirit enters every believer into union with Christ — 1 Corinthians 12:13. The baptism of the Spirit is the sole basis for entrance to the royal status — 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Therefore, the importance of understanding the doctrine of election is stressed in 1 Thessalonians 1:4.

6. Election has a purpose of encouragement: to encourage the believer to reach the tactical victory compatible with his royal status — the supergrace life. Ephesians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:9 cf. 13,14; Titus 1:1.