1 / 46

Understanding God's Election in Christ: Corporate and Harmonious

This view of God's election emphasizes the corporate nature of election and harmonizes God's sovereignty, love, and justice. It explores the idea that God has chosen and predestined a corporate body of believers to receive spiritual blessings in Christ.

whitty
Download Presentation

Understanding God's Election in Christ: Corporate and Harmonious

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Election in Christ must be understood as the election of God’s people, thus corporate in nature. • This view harmonizes the loving nature of God with His justice. God is sovereign but also Loving and fair - • God has chosen and predestined the sphere and the means by which men, by their own free will, may receive every spiritual blessing which is in Christ. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  2. He chose • Greek Word: ἐκλέγω #1586 • Transliteration: eklegō • English 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 Dictionary Ephes. 1:4,5 (NKJV) [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, [5] having predestined us to adoption W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  3. He chose • Greek Word: ἐκλέγω #1586 • Transliteration: eklegō • Luke 6:13 (NKJV)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 (NKJV) 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, . . ." • Luke 14:7 (NKJV) 7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: Ephes. 1:4,5 (NKJV) [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, [5] having predestined us to adoption W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  4. Predestined - προορίζω - proorizō • Strong’s -to limitinadvance, that is, (figuratively) predetermine: - determine before, ordain, predestinate. • Thayer Definition:G4309 – • 1) to predetermine, decide beforehand • 2) in the NT of God decreeing from eternity • 3) to foreordain, appoint beforehand Ephes. 1:4,5 (NKJV) [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, [5] having predestined us to adoption W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  5. Predestined - πρωρίζω prōrizō Means 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 God’s fixed purpose or predetermination to bestow upon those who believe the gospel the blessing of the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ, (Eph. 1:5,13) Ephes. 1:4,5 (NKJV) [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, [5] having predestined us to adoption W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  6. Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV)1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 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, 4 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, Who is the “US?” Those who were IN CHRIST! W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  7. Isaiah 42:1 (NKJV)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. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  8. God’s election is – “the body of Christ, i.e. church” • The type of person - Mat 5:3-12 • The obedient - becoming members of the chosen family – Galatians 3:26,27; Hebrews 5:8,9, • Those who make their “Calling and Election sure” – 2 Pet 1:5-10 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  9. God’s election is – “the body of Christ, i.e. church” "... 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) W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  10. God’s election is – “the body of Christ, i.e. 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) W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  11. Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV)5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  12. What had God purposed? Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV)10 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. 11 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, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  13. Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV)10 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.11 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, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Inheritance gained as a result of entering Christ! W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  14. Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV)10 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. 11 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,12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Who made the choice to TRUST?? W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  15. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 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, 14 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 trusted – They did not trust because they were chosen! W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  16. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (esphragisthēte). . . . 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. Ephes. 4:30. See 2 Cor. 1:22 - —Word Pictures in the New Testament W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  17. 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. (Deut 30:11-15; Heb 2:1,2) • God will fulfill His promises – (Heb 6:13-18) • Will we “show … diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end?” (Heb 6:11,12) W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  18. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 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,14 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!! But, we can break ours! W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  19. Ephesians 1:14 – “Earnest” – (i.e. - Down payment to assure future payment in full) • We may 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 Thes. 5:19), • We can do despite to the Spirit (Heb. 10:29), • Our assurance is conditioned on an obedient faith 1 John 5:11-13. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  20. Chose that all the saved would be In Christ before the foundation of the world - 4 • Predetermined according to His good pleasure . . . 5 • To the praise of His grace – 6 • The blood of Jesus – riches of His grace – 7 • Abundance of knowledge & wisdom through revelation – 8,9 • According to His purpose & will - 11 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  21. Chosen - 4 Adopted - 5 Accepted - 6 Redemption - 7 Forgiveness - 7 Heirs - 11 Saved - 13 Sealed - 13 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  22. When? • To save those in Christ before the foundation of the world . . . 4 • The "chosen" would be holy and without blame in Christ - Ep 1:4 • The "elect" would be adopted as sons – Ep 1:5; Gal 3:26,27 – (i.e. the means & conditions) • This plan is according to God's good pleasure – Ep 1:5,10-13 What? How? Motive? W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  23. Who? • The faithful in Christ – (1,4,5,13) • Those In Christ’s body, i.e. church, (1-13; 2:16) • By grace through faith – (2,7,13; 2:8-10) • Baptized Into The Family of God – (5,7,13; cf. Acts 2:38,41; Gal 3:26,27) • Forgiveness - Grace and peace – Inheritance, Adoption, eternal life (3) Where? How? When? What? W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  24. “ELECT – or “CHOSEN” – Yes!! – • Unconditionally? – NO!!! • Pre-chosen Individually? – NO! • Violate Free Will? – NO!!! • “Predestined” – Yes • Unconditionally? – NO!!! • Individually? – NO!!! • Violate Free Will? – NO!!! W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  25. “Unconditional Election??” "'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). W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  26. Calvinism Men Have NO Choice Limited Atonement Double Predestination God is Partial Universalism Men Have NO Choice Universal Atonement Universal Predestination God is Unjust TRUTH Men Have A Choice Atonement Available to All Biblical Predestination God is Impartial W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  27. 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) 9 The 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. The large majority of men are born “foreordained” to eternal destruction – W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  28. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. The large majority of men are born “foreordained” to eternal destruction – W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  29. Ezekiel 18:23,32 (NKJV) 23 Do 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? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord God. "Therefore turn and live! The large majority of men are born “foreordained” to eternal destruction – W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  30. Acts 10:34-35 (NKJV) 34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Chooses one sinner and condemns many others arbitrarily and capriciously - W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  31. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV) 10 For 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. Condemns men for what He predetermined that they do, without them having libertarian freewill to do otherwise - W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  32. James 1:13 (NKJV) 13 Let 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. 1 John 1:5 (NKJV) 5. . .God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. EVEN EVERY SIN! “The first cause of EVIL is God Himself!” W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  33. God Does NOT Redemptively Love All Men - The large majority of men are born “foreordained” to eternal destruction – 2 Pet 3:9; 1 Tim 2:4 • God Is A Respecter Of Persons – chooses one sinner and condemns many others arbitrarily and capriciously - Acts 10:34 • God Is Unjust – Condemns men for what He predetermined that they do, without them having libertarian freewill to do otherwise - 2 Cor. 5:10 • Everything Is Unchangeably Foreordained – EVEN EVERY SIN! “God is the first cause of ALL EVIL!” W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  34. Acts 17:26-27 (NKJV) And 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, [27] 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; W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  35. Rev. 22:17 (NKJV) And 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. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  36. Jos 24:15 (NKJV) “And 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.” - Cf. Rom. 6:16-18 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  37. Acts 22:16 (NKJV) And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  38. 1 Peter 3:21 (NASB) And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  39. “If I did nothing to get my salvation, then I can do nothing to keep it” Ron Mitchell, April 26, 2007 W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  40. Election in Christ must be understood as the election of God’s people, thus corporate in nature. • This view harmonizes the loving nature of God with His justice. God is sovereign but also Loving and fair - • God has chosen and predestined the sphere and the means by which men, by their own free will, may receive every spiritual blessing which is in Christ. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  41. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  42. “Unconditional Election??” 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. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  43. “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. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  44. “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. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  45. “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. W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

  46. “Unconditional Election??” U.E. The Doctrine of “Unconditional Election” Is Based Upon: Man Can’t Choose Salvation A false view of man’s nature A False view of God’s sovereignty Foreordination Predestination W. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007

More Related