Unconditional Election

“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world” Acts 15:18

“God existed before man, and His eternal purpose long antedated His works in time (Pink, 9).”

Adam’s disobedience to God in the garden has left the whole of the human race lost the book of Romans declares that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Sin entered the race through one man and from that one man through the whole race judgment has fallen on human kind. God would have been entirely within His nature to leave it that way. He is under no obligation to save anyone. God is absolutely Holy, Pure and just, for this reason nothing impure can come into his presence. “We are sinful, perverse and corrupt (Steele, 30)”. So much so that God in His grace and mercy held a counsel before the foundation of the world to declare His eternal purpose. Man was never a part of this counsel and is not now a part of God’s eternal purposes. Man’s only purpose is to glorify his Creator.

It was declared that God “chose certain individuals from among the fallen members of Adam’s race to be the objects of His undeserved favor (Steele, 30)”. He only chose to save those and none other did he purpose to save. God could if had wanted to chose to forgive and save all of mankind. He could have chosen a different path one that would not have included the Garden of Eden. He could have also forsaken the whole race and chose to save no one. God did not choose either of these extremes, but He determined to save some and reject others. We have no right to question God’s purpose in election. God is the potter and humankind is merely the clay He had power to do as he choose to do. He has done this before all time and the Bible says He did to bestow the riches of His mercy on the vessels of honor solely because it pleased Him to do so.

Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

He did this because it so pleased Him. God did this because it was his sovereign will to do so. (Steele, 30) Further His will in this mater was not conditioned on anything that sinful man could or would do. It was solely up to God’s predetermined purpose.

God passed by some vessels and “left to their own evil devices and choices (Steele, 31).” He chose certain vessels not based on anything other then His divine will and Sovereign Grace. The creature does not have the right to ask our Creator why He did this or did that only to accept that God has done right (Steele, 31). If God had not done this then all would have been lost.

Finally, unconditional election only concerns the saving purpose and mercy of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It concerns God’s covenant to save certain vessels and condemn the rest only based on His Sovereign will. Unconditional election can not and should not be considered outside of, “human guilt, redemption, and regeneration or else it will be distorted and misrepresented (Steele, 31)”. This is its logical position between Total Depravity and Limited Atonement.

“In other words, if it is to be kept in its proper Biblical balance and correctly understood, the Father’s act of election must be related to the redeeming work of the Son who gave Himself to save the elect and to the renewing work of the Spirit who brings the elect to faith in Christ (Steele, 31)”!

Pink, Arthur W., The doctrines of election and Justification., Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1974

Steele, David N. and Thomas, Curtis C., The Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended and documented., Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., Philadelphia, Pa., 1969.

 

This Scriptural Support is taken from (Steele, 31-38 ):

“A. General statements showing that God has an elect people, that He pre­destined them to salvation, and thus to eternal life.

Deuteronomy 10:14,15: Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it; yet the Lord set his heart in love upon your fathers and chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as at this day.

Psalm 33:12: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

I Peter 1:1,2: To the exiles of the dispersion . . . chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood . . .

I Peter 2:8,9: . . . for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may de­clare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of dark­ness into his marvelous light.

Revelation 17:14: “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

B. Before the foundation of the world, God chose particular individuals unto salvation. His selection was not based upon any foreseen re­sponse or act performed by those chosen. Faith and good works are the result, not the cause of God’s choice.

1. God did the choosing.

Mark 13:20: And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.

See also I Thessalonians 1:4 and II Thessalonians 2:13 quoted below.

2. God’s choice was made before the foundation of the world.

Ephesians 1:4: Even as he chose us in him before the founda­tion of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him:

See II Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 1:9; Revelation 13:8

and Revelation 17:8 quoted below.

3. God chose particular individuals unto salvation—their names were written in the book of life before the foundation of the world.

Revelation 13:8: And all who dwell on earth will worship it, every one whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain.

Revelation 17:8: “. . . and the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the founda­tion of the world, will marvel to behold the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.”

4. God’s choice was not based upon any forseen merit residing in those whom He chose, nor was it based on any foreseen good works performed by them.

Romans 9:11-13: Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call, she was told, “The elder will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Romans 9:16: So it depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s mercy.

Romans 10:20: “… I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”

I Corinthians 1:27-29: God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

II Timothy 1:9: . . . who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own works but in virtue of his own pur-pose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago.

5. Good works are the result, not the ground, of predestination.

Ephesians 1:12: We who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good, works, which God prepared before­hand, that we should walk in them.

John 15:16: You did not choose me, but / chose you and ap­pointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

6. God’s choice was not based upon foreseen faith. Faith is the result and therefore the evidence of God’s election, not the cause or ground of His choice.

Acts 13:48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were or­dained to eternal life believed.

Acts 18:27: … he greatly helped those who through grace had believed.

Philippians 1:29: For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.

Philippians 2:12,13 : Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

I Thessalonians 1:4,5: For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

II Thessalonians 2:13,14: … God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James 2:5: . . . Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?

See the Appendix on The Meaning of “Foreknew” in Romans 8:29. See also those verses quoted below under Point IV on Efficacious Grace, which teach that faith and repentance are the gifts of God and are wrought in the soul by the re­generating power of the Holy Spirit.

7. It is by faith and good works that one confirms his calling and election.

II Peter 1:5-ll: For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowl­edge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and god­liness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

C. Election is not salvation but is unto salvation. Just as the president ­elect does not become the president of the United States until he is inaugurated, those chosen unto salvation are not saved until they are regenerated by the Spirit and justified by faith in Christ.

Romans 11:7: What then? Israel failed to obtain what it sought. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened.

II Timothy 2:10: Therefore I endure everything for the sake of

the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which in Christ Jesus goes with eternal glory.

See Acts 13:48; I Thessalonians 1:4 and II Thessalonians 2:13, 14 quoted above. Compare Ephesians 1:4 with Romans 16:7. In Ephesians 1:4 Paul shows that men were chosen “in Christ” before the world began. From Romans 16:7 it is clear that men are not actually “in Christ” until their conversion.

D. Election was based on the sovereign, distinguishing mercy of Al­mighty God. It was not man’s will but God’s will that determined which sinners would be shown mercy and saved.

Exodus 33:19: “… I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”

Deuteronomy 7:6,7: “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love upon you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples.”

Matthew 20:15: ” ‘Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?’ . . .”

Romans 9:10-24: And not only so, but also when Rebecca had con­ceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not be­cause of works but because of his call, she was told, “the elder will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So it depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But, who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me thus?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for the vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

Romans 11:4-6: But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer ,be grace. Compare I Kings 19:10, 18.

Romans 11:33-36: 0 the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowl­edge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid ?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen.

Ephesians 1:5: He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.

E. The doctrine of election is but a part of the much broader Biblical doctrine of God’s absolute sovereignty. The Scriptures not only teach that God predestined certain individuals unto eternal life, but that all events, both small and great, come about as the result of God’s eternal decree. The Lord God rules over heaven and earth with absolute control; nothing comes to pass apart from His eternal pur­pose.

I Chronicles 29:10-12: Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly; and David said: “Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, 0 Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from thee, and thou rulest over all. In thy hand are power and might; and in thy hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.”

Job 42:1,2: Then Job answered the Lord: “I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of thine can be thwarted.”

Psalm 115:3: Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.

Psalm 135:6: Whatever the Lord pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.

Isaiah 14 :24,27: The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand …. For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”

Isaiah 46:9-11: “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.’ “

Isaiah 55 :11: “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the things for which I sent it.”

Jeremiah 32:17: “‘Ah Lord God! It is thou who hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and by thy out­stretched arm! Nothing is too hard for thee.’ “

Daniel 4:35: All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as noth­ing; and he does according to his will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What doest thou?”

Matthew 19:26: “. . . with God all things are possible.” ‘(Steele 31-38)”