Election
From Encyclopedia Reformata
God’s unconditional and sovereign choice of certain ‘ persons in Christ unto final salvation.
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Biblical Use of the Term
The Bible speaks of election in more than one sense:
- (1) the election of Israel as the Old Testament people of God for special service and also for special privileges, Deut. 4:37; 7:6–8; 10:15; Hos. 13:5; Rom. 9:4.
- (2) the election of individuals to some office, honor, or special service, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. Deut. 18:5; I Sam. 10:24; Ps. 78:70; Jer. 1:5; John 6:70; Acts 9:15;
- (3) the election of individuals unto salvation and eternal life to be children of God and heirs of eternal glory, Matt. 22:14; John 13:18; Rom. 11:5; I Cor. 1: 27, 28; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2.
The last is the election that comes into consideration here as a part of predestination.
The Election of Grace
It may be defined as God’s eternal purpose to save some of the human race in and by Jesus Christ.
Rom. 11:5. “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
Ground or Source of Election
The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15:16, 19). God claims the right so to do (Rom. 9:16, 21). It is not conditioned on faith or repentance, but is of sovereign grace (Rom. 11:4-6; Eph. 1:3-6).
Purpose of Election
All that pertain to salvation, the means (Eph. 2:8; 2 Thess. 2:13) as well as the end, are of God (Acts 5:31; 2 Tim. 2:25; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 2:5, 10). Faith and repentance and all other graces are the exercises of a regenerated soul; and regeneration is God’s work, a “new creature.” Men are elected “to salvation,” “to the adoption of sons,” “to be holy and without blame before him in love” (2 Thess. 2:13; Gal. 4:4, 5; Eph. 1:4). The ultimate end of election is the praise of God’s grace (Eph. 1:6, 12).
See also: Predestination
Source: Based on Easton's Dictionary, Louis Berkhof’s Summary and Manual of Christian Doctrine.
