Does the Bible teach the doctrine of election?

Romans 9:11-23

 

Does the Word of God teach the doctrine of election? If the Bible teaches it, believers bow to it, believe it, and rejoice in it. We do not have and do not want to have the option of believing what we want to believe. We believe God. If the Word of God teaches this doctrine, it matters not who opposes it, all believers bow to it. If God does not teach this doctrine in his Word, then we must reject it and denounce it, no matter who believes it, no matter who teaches it.

 

I ask only that you read the Word of God. Let God speak for himself. Let God be true, and every man a liar. This is the question: -- Does the Bible teach election? I will not attempt to show you this doctrine in the Old Testament, though it is written upon every page of it. Adam had two sons. God chose one and passed by the other. There were untold millions in the earth in Noah’s day; but Noah alone found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Abraham had two sons. God chose one and passed by the other. God chose the nation of Israel to be his peculiar people, and passed by all the other nations of the world. God gave his law to Israel alone, sent his prophets (with rare exception) to Israel alone, and established his worship in Israel alone. But it will suffice for us to begin in the Book of Matthew and simply read some of what the New Testament says about election. I have selected only those passages of Scripture where the very words elect, elected, election, chosen, and ordained are used. I deliberately left out those numerous texts where the doctrine of election is only, by necessity, implied. In these texts it is plainly stated by Divine inspiration! Read them for yourself (Matthew 24:24, 31; Mark 13:20; John 13:18; 15:16; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:33; 11:5, 7; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:10; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2; 2:9; 5:13).

 

The Word of God makes no attempt to explain how God can be righteous and just in showing mercy to whom he will, while passing by whom he will. In fact, rather than answering such carping objections from unbelieving men, the Apostle Paul simply says, God does things this way because God has determined to do things this way (Romans 9:11-23).

 

Without question, the Book of God teaches the glorious, gospel doctrine of election. No honest person can even question that fact. Anyone who denies that the Bible teaches this doctrine is either totally ignorant of the Word of God, or a liar. In either case, such a person has no business attempting to teach others.

 

Since it is obvious, unmistakably obvious that the Scriptures teach this doctrine, a second question must be answered. — What does the Bible teach about election? Election is God’s sovereign, eternal choice and purpose of grace toward his people in Christ, by which their salvation was secured and guaranteed before the world began. Election is “in Christ.” It is “unto salvation,” an act of absolute sovereignty that took place in eternity. The source and cause of election is God’s eternal love for his people. Election is God’s personal choice of specific sinners to eternal life in Christ. It is unconditional, irreversible, effectual, distinguishing (Isaiah 43:1-4), and blessed. Election is the cause of all blessedness (Psalm 65:4; Ephesians 1:3-6; 1 Corinthians 4:7).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

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