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The "election" is a rather difficult subject, eliciting sharply divided opinions. I certainly do not have all the answers about this or any other subject, but enough is known to reach some conclusions which are hopefully consistent with the Scriptures. The election is paradoxical in nature because God chooses but man is left free to choose also. How can this be? Yet failure to grasp these facts can only lead to a distorted view.

It has been observed that, "the history of the doctrine of election may be interpreted as a effort

to understand the meaning of these words," Ephesians 1: 4-5, 9 and its cognate

2 Timothy 1: 9.

"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. Ephesians 1: 4-5

"He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him." Ephesians 1: 9

"who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity." 2 Timothy 1: 9

Man is called unto fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, through the grace of God.

1Corinthians 1: 9; Romans 11: 5; 2 Thessalonians 2: 14

Jesus Christ is the basis of the "election". He is the elect One, chosen by God to mediate and redeem. Man is elect only in the Son, outside of Christ there is no "election". 1 Peter 2: 4; 1: 20; Isaiah 42: 1;

Ephesians 1: 4

God elects? God purposes in Christ according to His kind intention. God gives grace according to His will. And in accordance with this, we find that God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud. Ephesians 1: 4; James 4:6

In reference to the creation, God purposed to elect before the foundation of the world. The election, however, is not completed until one enters into a relationship with Christ. Ephesians 1: 4; James 4:6

The term, the elect, is used collectively in reference to the body of Christ, however it is the individual who is united with Christ and then added to the body or the church. I fail to find evidence that God has elected either a "plan" or a "class" of people as is sometimes alleged. Acts 2: 47; Romans 16: 13; 1 Peter 2: 6; Mark 13:27; Colossians 3:12; Ephesians 1: 4; 1 Thessalonians 1: 4; 2 Thessalonians 2: 13

Who are those who are spoken of as being given by the Father to the Son?

I believe, these are the very same people who are called the "elect." John 6: 37, 39; 10: 27-29;

17: 24,26; Romans 8: 28; Ephesians 1: 3; 2 Thessalonians 2: 1; Titus 1: 1-2; 1 Peter 1: 3

The simplest yet most comprehensive answer is, "all who will finally be saved."

The "election" potentially comprehends all men, for the grace of God has appeared to all men. Reality and the Scriptures tell us many are called but few are chosen. Only those who deny or humble themselves can receive the grace of God. Titus 2: 11; Matthew 20: 16; 16: 24; James 4: 6; 1 Timothy 2: 5,6

The "election" is according to the foreknowledge of God. God is omniscient; He knows the end of all things from the beginning. There are no surprises, God knows who will be saved and who will be lost. Some have suggested that God is extra-dimensional. God is not limited in regard to time or the three dimensions of space as we are, consequently the omniscience of God is incomprehensible to us. Nevertheless, the Scriptures plainly states, "who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God,"

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined." Clearly the election is according to the foreknowledge of God. This implies there is a quality, but not works, in man of which God takes account. God elects those, who by His foreknowledge will come to faith in Christ and ultimately remain in faith. Since the elect are the saved, it follows that the condition for salvation would be the same as the condition for election. "The just shall live by faith." 1 Peter 1: 1-2; Romans 8: 29-30; 1: 17

No! Perhaps the best-known passage showing man’s ability to choose between good and evil is from the mouth of Joshua. "Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the God of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." The election is based on foreknowledge not determinism.

Joshua 24: 15

God has ordained that those who do not obey shall be lost. The lost will be lost because they choose not to trust and obey God. The reason they cannot receive faith to obey is because they will not humble or deny themselves. Make no mistake; God’s will is that every one be saved. On the other hand, God has ordained that those who reject His grace shall be condemned. Jude 4: 1 Peter 4: 6; Titus 2: 11; 2 Peter 3: 9; Matthew 16: 24

God has graciously determined to save those who believe in Him and Jesus Christ, His Son. Titus 3:4-5;

2 Timothy 1: 9; John 3: 16; Ephesians 2: 8-9

Those who advocate an unconditional "election" look to Romans, chapters 9, 10 and 11 as support for their views. The statements about Jacob and Esau, the Pharoah and the potter and the clay are of special interest. Therefore we need to examine these statements carefully, never forgetting the over all theme of the book of Romans, "the just shall live by faith." The Scriptures clearly teach that salvation is not according to works of righteousness done by man, however this does exclude another factor, faithfulness. Romans 1: 17; 9: 15-16; 2 Timothy 1:9

First: Jacob and Esau represent nations and not individuals, as verse 13 is a quotation from the book of Malachi. Second: there is no indication in the Scriptures that Esau, the man, severed his brother during their lifetimes. Third: the point is made that God's choice was not made on the basis works, as it was made before they were born, when they had done nothing either good or bad. Fourth: the choice does not necessarily indicate that God was arbitrary but that the decision was His alone. Romans 9: 10-13

First: I believe that God is never unjust, nor is He a respecter of person, for this would be contrary to His nature and to the Scriptures. Second: did God harden the heart of Pharoah against his will? No, for we can read that Pharoah hardened his own heart. Third: God has every right to use Pharoah as He will, but there is no warrant to conclude that God was unfair. God used Pharoah to demonstrate His power and glory to the nations. At times God does give over those who would suppress the truth about God to their own lusts and degrading passions. Romans 9: 14-18; Acts 10: 34-35; Exodus 8: 32; Romans 1: 18-28

Do the statements about the children of Sarah and Abraham indicate an unconditional "election"? First we are not told why God selected Isaac and not the other children of Abraham except that Isaac was a child of promise. Second: we know that Sarah was pass childbearing years. Third we assume this was to show that Isaac’s conception was the work of God. Fourth: unless we are willing to assume the conception was miraculous, Abraham and Sarah cooperated in God’s plan. Romans 9: 7-10

Christ- Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 2:6

Angels- 1 Timothy 5: 21

Israel- Isaiah 65: 9, 22

Believers- Matthew 24:22, 24, 31; 1 Peter 1: 1; Ephesians 1: 1-11

Certainly not, if God is the One who determines the condition. Romans 9: 15-16

We do not have to guess or infer, God has plainly stated His sovereign will. "This is good and

acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the

knowledge of the truth". "The Lord is not slow about His promises, as some count slowness. But is

patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance". 2 Timothy 2:3-4;

2 Peter 3:9

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for sin by tasting death

for every one. God has graciously decided to impute righteousness for faith and to save those that come to faith. Romans 3:22; 4: 3, 9; 5: 1

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelations 3: 20

The atonement is the expiation (satisfaction) of sin made by the obedience, personal suffering and death of Christ.

The best way to answer this question is to go to certain passages. Please note the inclusiveness of these passages.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3: 16

"But we do see Him who has been made a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2: 9

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men." Titus 2: 11

"And He, when He comes will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgement; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; and concerning judgement, because the ruler of this world has been judged." John 16: 8-11

"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time." 1 Timothy 2: 5-6

In order to answer this question, we must first understand how God acts. The power of God unto salvation is the gospel of Christ, the good news that Jesus died, was buried and arose from the grave for each one of us. This good news becomes effective in our lives when it is believed and obeyed. No, God grace is not irresistible but it is powerful and active. Romans 1: 16; Hebrews 4: 12; 2 Thessalonians 1: 8

Is there not a body of individuals, the elect, known and chosen by God before the foundation of the world? Yes, there is. This explains Jesus statement in John 10: 25-29, and similar statements. His sheep, the elect, will believe because God has known from the beginning who will come to faith. No one can prevent this from happening. He gives life to these individuals and no one, not even Satan, can snatch them from His hand. We should not think that God has caused the elect to believe and excluded others. He has enabled all to come to faith, those who are excluded are excluded because they will not humble themselves and receive the grace which He pours out on all. Acts 13: 48; Titus 2: 11

No many are called but few are chosen. God has called all men through the gospel, but only a few, those who would come to faith, are chosen. Even though faith is both a gift of God and a response of man, we should not think that we come to faith as a result of some virtue on our part or by the positive exercise of our will. In fact just the opposite is true we can only come to faith when we debase ourselves and receive the grace which He gives to all men, but effectively gives only to the humble. 2 Thessalonians 2: 13-14;

Matthew 22: 14; James 4: 6

We understand that there are many conflicting ideas about the election, if we can help you sort through those ideas, please contact us.