Episode Four: Why Election?

Written By Crossroads Fellowship

As we reconstitute, we have been considering new Statements of Faith or Confessions. I (Pastor Taylor) have recommended both the 1853 New Hampshire Confession as well as the 1689 London Baptist Confession. In the Bible belt, the Doctrine of Election, despite its existence throughout the Church in history, can be particularly controversial. Therefore, I took a Sunday to explain why Crossroads should include Election among the doctrines we believe. You can listen and find an outline for the lesson below.

Why should we consider the doctrine of election?

  1. We should talk about what Scripture talks about (ie. Romans 8:28-30)

  2. Election plays a vital role in the Christian’s assurance (ie. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5)

New Hampshire Confession of Faith - Section 9

We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man. It comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence. (2 Peter 1:10)

We ask listeners and readers not to ask, “What do I feel is true” nor “What does my pastor say is true” but “What does the Scripture say?”

A primary prooftext:

Romans 8:28-30

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Three buzz words:

  • Election (ἐκλέγομαι, Eph. 1:4) - To be called - is this general or effectual?

    Predestination (προορίζω, Eph. 1:5, 11) - something decided beforehand - is this corporate or individual/specific?

    Foreknowledge (προγινώσκω, Romans 8:29) - to know beforehand - is this known because it is learned or known because it is planned?

Two interpretations:

  1. Those defending libertarian free will interpret these buzz words to be general, corporate, and known beforehand to uphold the freedom of man

  2. Those defending total depravity will interpret these buzz words to be effectual, individual, and planned knowledge to uphold the bondage of man

We must consider a different starting point: The nature of man’s will should not determine our understanding of election. The nature of election is not a question of the nature of man but of the nature of God.

8 WAYS THE DOCTRINE OF GOD LEADS US TO AFFIRM ELECTION AS INITIATED AND GOVERNED BY GOD

  1. God is free

    • Psalm 115:2-8

    • Daniel 4:34-35

  2. Election flows from God’s free purposes

    • 2 Timothy 1:8-9

    • Romans 9:11-16

  3. God’s providence over all

    • To plants 

      • Psalm 104:13-16

    • To animals

      • Psalm 104:27-30

      • Matthew 10:29

    • To humans

      • Acts 17:25

      • 1 Samuel 2:5-6, Deuteronomy 32:39

      • Genesis 18:10, Psalm 127:3

      • Psalm 90:3

    • To nations

      • Job 12:23

      • Acts 17:26

    • To chance

      • Exodus 21:12-13

      • Proverbs 16:33

    • To time

      • Daniel 2:21

      • Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

    • To evil

      • Proverbs 16:4

      • Acts 4:28

      • Amos 3:6

      • Lamentations 3:37-38

    • To human will

      • Genesis 39:21-22

      • Exodus 3:21-22, 12:35-36

      • Deuteronomy 2:25

      • Judges 7:22

      • 1 Chronicles 5:25-26

      • Proverbs 21:1

      • Ezekiel 36:26-27, 2 Corinthians 3:3

      • Philippians 2:12-13

    • Human saving knowledge of God

      • Matthew 11:27, John 6:44

      • 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 

    • To everything

      • Hebrews 1:3

  4. God’s Knowledge of All

    • Isaiah 41:21-29

  5. God Knows All Because He Plans All 

    • Isaiah 46:8-11

    • Psalm 135: 5-6

    • Isaiah 45: 5-7

    • Daniel 4: 34-35; Romans 8:37-39

    • Ephesians 1: 11

    • Isaiah 14:24, 27

  6. God’s Plan is Immutable

    • Ephesians 1:11, 3:8-11

    • Ecclesiastes 3:14

  7. God is Impassible

    • Psalm 102:25-27

    • Hebrews 13:8

    • 1 Samuel 15:29

  8. God’s Counsel Decrees All  

    • Psalm 33:10-11

    • Psalm 2

    • Ephesians 1:11

Some prooftexts on Election

  • OT Texts

  • Genesis 25:21-23, 37:5-7

  • Deuteronomy 7:1-8

  • NT Texts

    • Romans 8:28-30, 9:14-16

    • Ephesians 1:1-11

    • 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

    • 1 Peter 1:1

Summary of Election

  1. God’s Decree governs everything including election

  2. Man’s will is uncoerced, making true, consistent choices within his fallen nature

  3. Those who place their faith in Christ, we conclude, are God’s elect based on discerning their calling by their repentance

  4. Those who are damned are passed over, condemned because of their love of sin

  5. All of this to a point is a mystery (John 3:8)

Its Pastoral Application

  1. Holiness does not “fetch” our election, our election “fetches” our holiness (Ephesians 1:4)

  2. Believers can be assured God will keep them to the end (1 Thessalonians 1:2-5, 1 Peter 1:1-5)

  3. Evangelism will be effective (Romans 1:16, Acts 18:9-10)

Crossroads Fellowship
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Episode Three: What are we doing together?