We may define election as follows: Election is an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure. Does the New Testament teach predestination? Several passages in the New Testament seem to affirm quite clearly that God ordained beforehand those who would be saved. 1. Acts 13:48 NIV When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 2. Romans 8:28-30 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 3. Romans 9:11-13 NIV Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad---in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: [12] not by works but by him who calls---she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” [13] Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 4. Romans 11:7 NIV What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 5. Ephesians 1:4-6 NIV For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 6. Ephesians 1:11-14 NIV In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, [12] in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. [13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession---to the praise of his glory. 7. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 NIV For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, [5] because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 8. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 9. 1 Timothy 5:21 NIV I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. 10. 2 Timothy 1:9 NIV He has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 11. 1 Peter 1:1-2 NIV Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, [2] who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 12. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 13. Revelation 13:7-8 NIV It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. [8] All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast---all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. 14. Revelation 17:8 NIV The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 18:32:23 +0000
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