Election in Christ must be understood as the election of Gods people, thus corporate in nature. This view harmonizes Gods loving nature with His justice. God is sovereign but also loving and fair.God has chosen and predestined the sphere and the means by which men, of their own free will, may receive all spiritual blessings, which are in Christ. He Chose Us in Him

He chose Greek word: #1586Transliteration: eklegEnglish words used in KJV:choose 19 choose out 1 make choice 1 [Total count: 21]

to select: make choice, choose (out), chosen.Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew DictionaryEphesians 1:4,5Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, having predestined us to adoption.He Chose Us in Him

He chose Greek Word: #1586Transliteration: eklegLuke 6:13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles. Luke 10:42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, ." Luke 14:7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them.Ephesians 1:4,5Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, having predestined us to adoption.He Chose Us in Him

Predestined - - proorizoStrongs - to limit in advance, thatis, (figuratively) predetermine: - determine before, ordain,predestinate. Thayer Definition: G4309 To predetermine, decide beforehandIn the NT, of God decreeing from eternityTo foreordain, appoint beforehandEphesians 1:4,5Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, having predestined us to adoption.He Chose Us in Him

Predestined - - proorizoMeans properly to set bounds before; and then to pre-determine. It is originally a geographical term, but applied also to any thing concluded, or determined, or demonstrated. Here the word is used to point out Gods fixed purpose or predetermination to bestow upon those who believe the gospel the blessing of the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 1:5,13)

Ephesians 1:4,5Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, having predestined us to adoption.He Chose Us in Him

Who is the US?Those who were IN CHRIST!Ephesians 1:1-4 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

Isaiah 42:1 Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.Jesus Is the Elect One; Those in Christ Are Chosen Through Him

Gods election is the body of Christ, i.e., the churchThe type of person Matthew 5:3-12The obedient - becoming members of the chosen family Hebrews 5:8,9Those who make their calling and election sure 2 Peter 1:5-10Jesus Is the Elect One; Those in Christ Are Chosen Through Him

"... election is a corporate category and not oriented to the choice of individuals for salvation. . . . [Election has reference to] a class of people rather than specific individuals." (Clark Pinnock, The Grace of God and the Will of Man: A Case for Arminianism, 1990, p. 20) Jesus Is the Elect One; Those in Christ Are Chosen Through HimGods election is the body of Christ, i.e., the church

The point is that the election of the church is a corporate rather than individual thing. It is not that individuals are in the church because they are elect, it is rather that they are elect because they are in the church which is the body of the elect One." (R.T. Forster and V.P. Marston, God's Strategy in Human History, 1973, p. 136) Jesus Is the Elect One; Those in Christ Are Chosen Through HimGods election is the body of Christ, i.e., the church

Ephesians 1:5-9 Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.

Ephesians 1:10-12 That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:10-12 That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Inheritance gained as a result of entering Christ!

Ephesians 1:10-12 That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Who made the choice to TRUST?

Ephesians 1:13,14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. They were chosen because they trustedThey did not trust because they were chosen!

Ephesians 1:13,14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (esphragisthte). . . . to set a seal on one as a mark or stamp, sometimes the marks of ownership or of worship . . . Marked and authenticated as God's heritage. Cf. Eph.4:30. See 2 Cor.1:22 - Word Pictures in the New Testament

God has put His stamp of approval (seal) on us as His children.A seal conveys the concept of approval, authentication, and security.A covenant relationship requires both parties to fulfill prescribed conditions. (Deuteronomy 30:11-15; Hebrews 2:1,2)God will fulfill His promises. (Hebrews 6:13-18)Will we show diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end? (Hebrews 6:11,12)Conditional Assurance

Ephesians 1:13,14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. God will NOT break His end of the deal!!!Be we can break ours!

Ephesians 1:14 Earnest (i.e., down payment to assure future payment in full)We can break the contract or the relationship that existed when the earnest was given.We can grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)We can quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) We can do despite to the Spirit (Hebrews 10:29) Our assurance is conditioned on an obedient faith (1 John 5:11-13).Conditional Assurance

Before the foundation of the world, He determined that all the saved would be in Christ 4Predetermined according to His good pleasure 5To the praise of His grace 6The blood of Jesus riches of His grace 7Abundance of knowledge and wisdom through revelation 8,9According to His purpose and will 11According to His Good Pleasure

Chosen 4Adopted 5Accepted 6Redemption 7Forgiveness 7Heirs 11Saved 13Sealed 13 AllSpiritualBlessingsin ChristAccording to His Good Pleasure

To save those in Christ before the foundation of the world . . . (1:4)The "chosen" would be holy and without blame in Christ (1:4)The "elect" would be adopted as sons (1:5) Galatians 3:26,27 (i.e., the means and conditions) This plan is according to God's good pleasure (1:5,10-13)According to His Good Pleasure

The faithful in Christ . . . (1:1,4,5)Those in Christs bodythe church (1-13; 2:16)By grace through faith (2,7,13; 2:8-10)Baptized into Gods family (1:5,7,13; Acts 2:38-41)Forgiveness, grace and peace, inheritance, adoption, eternal life (Chapter 3)According to His Good Pleasure

Elect or Chosen? Yes!! Unconditionally? NO!!!Pre-chosen individually? NO!Violation of free will? NO!!!Predestined? Yes!!Unconditionally? NO!!!Individually? NO!!!Violation of free will? NO!!!He Chose Us in Him

"Unconditional election refers to the claim that God's selection of those whom he would save was not based upon (or, not conditioned on) some fact or feature of those individuals' lives, in particular. That is, God's election of those who would be saved was not conditioned on something they would do, some choice they would make, how good or bad they might be, or anything else specifically true about them in contrast to others also enslaved to sin and deserving God's just condemnation. Rather God elected some to be saved...without respect for their individual qualities, characters, actions or choices" (Perspectives on Election).Unconditional Election

CalvinismMen have no choiceLimited atonementDouble predestination God is partialUniversalismMen have no choiceUniversal atonementUniversal predestinationGod is unjustTruthMen have a choiceAtonement available to allBiblical predestinationGod is impartialEither Unconditional or Conditional

The large majority of men are born foreordained to eternal destruction. 2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of PredestinationGod does NOT redemptively love all men

1 Timothy 2:3,4For 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.Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of PredestinationThe large majority of men are born foreordained to eternal destruction. God does NOT redemptively love all men

Ezekiel 18:23, 32Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? says the Lord GOD, and not that he should turn from his ways and live?.. For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord GOD. Therefore turn and live!Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of PredestinationThe large majority of men are born foreordained to eternal destruction. God does NOT redemptively love all men

He chooses one sinner and condemns many others arbitrarily and capriciously. Acts 10:34,35Then Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.God is a respecterof personsConsequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination

He condemns men for what He predetermined they would do, without their having libertarian freewill to do otherwise

2 Corinthians 5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.God is unjustConsequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination

EVEN EVERY SIN!The first cause of EVIL is God Himself!James 1:13Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.Everything is unchangeably foreordained1 John 1:5 God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination

God does not redemptively love all men. The large majority of men are born foreordained to eternal destruction 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4God is a respecter of persons. He chooses one sinner and condemns many others arbitrarily and capriciously - Acts 10:34,45God is unjust. He condemns men for what He predetermined they would do, without their having libertarian freewill to do otherwise - 2 Corinthians 5:10Everything is unchangeably foreordained. EVEN EVERY SIN! God is the first cause of ALL EVIL!Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination

God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!Acts 17:26,27And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.He Chose Us in Him

Revelation 22:17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.He Chose Us in HimGod created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!

Joshua 24:15And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.He Chose Us in HimGod created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!

Romans 6:16Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?He Chose Us in HimGod created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!

Acts 22:16And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.He Chose Us in HimGod created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!

1 Peter 3:21There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.He Chose Us in HimGod created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!

If I did nothing to get my salvation, then I can do nothing to keep it. Ron Mitchell, April 26, 2007MONERGISMConsequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination

Election in Christ must be understood as the election of Gods people, thus corporate in nature. This view harmonizes Gods loving nature with His justice. God is sovereign but also loving and fair.God has chosen and predestined the sphere and the means by which men, of their own free will, may receive all spiritual blessings, which are in Christ. He Chose Us in Him

Westminster Confession of Faith

[6.014] - 1.God from all eternity did by the most and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin; nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.Unconditional Election

Westminster Confession of Faith

[6.016] 3.By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death.[6.017] 4.These angels and men, thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished.Unconditional Election

Westminster Confession of Faith[6.018] - 5.Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of his free grace and love alone, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace.Unconditional Election

Westminster Confession of Faith[6.020] - 7.The rest of mankind, God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.Unconditional Election

PredestinationForeordinationThe doctrine ofunconditionalelection isbased on:Mansinability to choosesalvationA false view of mans natureA false viewof Gods sovereigntyUnconditional Election

*Title Slide: He Chose Us in Him!*Word definedGreek Passage Eph.1:4,5*(Luke 6:13) And2532 when3753 it was1096 day,2250 he called4377 unto him his848 disciples:3101 and2532 of575 them846 he chose1586 twelve,1427 whom3739 also2532 he named3687 apostles;652

(Luke 10:42) But1161 one thing1520 is2076 needful:5532 and1161 Mary3137 hath chosen1586 that good18 part,3310 which3748 shall not3756 be taken away851 from575 her.846

(Luk 14:7) And1161 he put forth3004 a parable3850 to4314 those which were bidden,2564 when he marked1907 how4459 they chose out1586 the3588 chief rooms;4411 saying3004 unto4314 them,846

*Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate , them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

*Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate , them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

**Election is corporate, not individualJesus Is the Elect One, Those in Christ Are Chosen Through Him"The point is that the election of the church is a corporate, rather than an individual, thing. It is not that individuals are in the church because they are elect; it is rather that they are elect because they are in the church, which is the body of the elect One." (R.T. Forster and V.P. Marston, God's Strategy in Human History, 1973, p. 136) "... election is a corporate category and not oriented to the choice of individuals for salvation. . . . [Election has reference to] a class of people, rather than specific individuals." (Clark Pinnock, The Grace of God and the Will of Man: A Case for Arminianism, 1990, p. 20) *Election is corporate, not individualJesus Is the Elect One, Those in Christ Are Chosen Through Him .The type of person (Matt.5:31-12)The obedientbecoming members of the chosen family (Heb.5:8,9; Gal.2:26,27)Those who make their calling and election sure. (2 Pet.1:5-10)*Election is Corporate, Not IndividualJesus Is The Elect One, Those In Christ Are Chosen Through Him ."... election is a corporate category and not oriented to the choice of individuals for salvation. . . . [Election has reference to] a class of people rather than specific individuals." (Clark Pinnock, The Grace of God and the Will of Man: A Case for Arminianism, 1990, p. 20) *Election is corporate, not individualJesus Is The Elect One, Those In Christ Are Chosen Through Him ."The point is that the election of the church is a corporate rather than individual thing. It is not that individuals are in the church because they are elect, it is rather that they are elect because they are in the church which is the body of the elect One." (R.T. Forster and V.P. Marston, God's Strategy in Human History, 1973, p. 136) *Text: Eph.1:5-9..explain highlighted parts*Text: Eph.1:10-12..explain highlighted parts*Text: Eph.1:10-12..explain highlighted parts*Text: Eph.1:10-12..explain highlighted parts*Text: Eph.1:13,14..explain highlighted parts*Text: Eph.1:13,14..explain highlighted*Conditional Assurance. God has put His stamp of approval {SEAL} on us as his children. Discuss each point listed*Text: Eph.1:13,14..explain highlighted*Conditional Assurance. Define Earnest. We can BREAK the contract or the relationship that existed when the earnest was given: We can grieve the Spirit (Eph.4:30) We can quench the Spirit (1 Thess.5:19) We can do despite to the Spirit (Heb.10:29) Our assurance is conditioned on an obedient faith1 Jno.5:11-13*All Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Eph.1:4-11) Explain each point*All Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Eph.1:4-11) Explain each point*According to His Good PleasureWHENWHATHOWMOTIVE*According to His Good PleasureWHOWHEREHOWWHEN--WHAT*He Chose Us in HimELECT or CHOSEN? Yes! Unconditionally? NO! Pre-chosen individually? NO! Violation of free will? NO! PREDESTINED? Yes! Unconditionally? NO! Individually? NO! Violation of free will? NO!!!*[By the way Bruce A. Ware, a Calvinist, makes the point that if regeneration precedes faith then one must believe in unconditional election].Dr. Bruce Ware Dr. Ware is a highly esteemed theologian and author in the evangelical world. He came to Southern Seminary from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he served as Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biblical and Systematic Theology. Prior to this, he taught at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary and at Bethel Theological Seminary. Dr. Ware has written numerous journal articles, book chapters, and book reviews and, along with Thomas Schreiner, has co-edited The Grace of God and the Bondage of the Will and Still Sovereign. He also has authored God's Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism and Their God Is Too Small.

*Either Unconditional or Conditional

Three Choices: CalvinismUniversalismTruth *Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination (2 Pet.3:9) God DOES NOT redemptively love all men! Does not compute with Gods character!*Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination (1 Tim.2:3,4) God DOES NOT redemptively love all men! Does not compute with Gods character!*Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination (Ezek.18:23,32) God DOES NOT redemptively love all men! Does not compute with Gods character!*Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination (Acts 10:34,35) God is a respecter of persons! Does not compute with Gods character!*Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination (2 Cor.5:10) God is unjust! He condemns men for what He predetermined they would do, without their having libertarian freewill to do otherwise! Does not compute with Gods character!*Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination (Jam.1:13/ 1 Jno.1:5) Everything is unchangeably foreordainedEVEN EVERY SIN!The first cause of EVIL is God Himself!Does not compute with Gods character! *Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of PredestinationReview*He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Acts 17:26,27) Men must make a CHOICE!*He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Rev.22:17) Men must make a CHOICE!*He Chose Us in Him. God has created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Josh.24:15) Men must make a CHOICE!*He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Rom.6:16) Men must make a CHOICE!*He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Acts 22:16) Men must make a CHOICE!*He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (1 Peter 3:21) Men must make a CHOICE!*Monergism --noun Theology. The doctrine that the Holy Ghost acts independently of the human will in the work of regeneration.

One Can Choose To Become A Child of GodAll of Godnone of me!*Review Slide: He Chose Us in Him!*Unconditional Election? Quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians and basis of some of the Baptist creeds.)*Unconditional Election? Quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians and basis of some of the Baptist creeds.)*Unconditional Election? Quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians and basis of some of the Baptist creeds.)*Unconditional Election? Quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians and basis of some of the Baptist creeds.)*ConclusionInvitation