GOD’S ELECT
If there is ever a question as to which Bible doctrine cause the most confusion and division in Christendom, surely it would be the Doctrine of Election. History, heresy, misconceptions and the misuse of terms have all contributed to the confusion. It is hard to believe that if a person was isolated on an island and studied by himself that he would come up with any of the usual elaborate systems. The following view is not presented for polemical purposes, but as an effort to make a contribution towards understanding this difficult doctrine and especially its relation to position and service in the kingdom.
Let us first examine the meaning of the word “election” and then trace the biblical usage as it develops, to compare the usage in the Old and New Testaments, as well as some historical interpretations that have influenced our thinking.
The word “election” and its cognates, elect, chose and chosen, all mean practically the same thing and often times are translations of the same word. Choosing, whether referring to God or man, is directly related to an act of the will. No one would question the fact that God is not limited in His choices by anything outside of Himself; in contrast, man sometimes limited by knowledge, power, ability, or some other restrictions. Creation is a good example of the many choices that God made. There are all kinds of created beings: men, angels, animals, fish etc. God could have chosen to create all creatures the same, but He didn’t.
OLD TESTAMENT USES
The Old Testament abounds in examples of God election or selecting for outward privileges. This electing can be divided into two classes: individual and corporate.
INDIVIDUAL ELECTION
One of the most important recorded choices is God’s selection of Abraham as the father of a new nation. Moses was chosen as the leader to deliver Israel (Exo. 3:10; Ps. 106:23); Aaron was chosen as God’s high priest (Ps. 105:26); and David was chosen as king (1 Sam. 16:12; 20:30). Christ is also prophetically referred to as God’s elect in Isaiah 42:1. All of these refer to ministry or outward privileges and not to salvation.
CORPORATE ELECTION
The nation of Israel is an example of corporate election:
Isa 45:4
4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
KJV
It was to this elect nation that the kingdom was offered, and the people were to be a kingdom of priests (Exo. 19:5, 6). God also choose Judah as the ruling tribe of Israel (1 Chron. 28:4).
The Old Testament Jew’s general understanding of election is: God choosing them to establish a kingdom that would be an everlasting kingdom (eternity).
1.They understood that they had been chosen (elected) as a special people, a
nation of priests.
2. The Word of God has been committed to them (Rom. 3:2).
3. The Messiah (represented by the star), was to be born of the Jews.
4. When the Messiah came, the dead would be raised and the kingdom
established.
NEW TESTAMENT USES OF ELECTION
Some Jews were trusting that their family relationship or membership in an elect nation would automatically give them a place in the kingdom without repentance. But John the Baptist warned them:
Matt 3:9
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
KJV
This verse clearly illustrates “election” in the New Testament, following the same pattern used in the Old Testament. There are both individual and corporate elections, and being a member of a chosen (elect) nation does not guarantee individual election. Examples of individual election to ministry include apostles (Luke 6:13-16), the seventy witnesses (Luke 10:1), and missionaries (Acts 13:1, 2). Some, such as the apostles, had eternal significance in the kingdom (Matt. 19:28). An example of a corporate use is given in 1 Thess. 1:4, where the Church is called “elect”. At this point it must be noted that election is used in ways other than to eternal life.
Because of the rejection and crucifixion of their Saviour-King, elect Israel was temporarily set aside as a nation while God instituted a new program of election. He now is selecting from Jews and Gentiles a new assembly that He calls the Church. When this is completed, He will come to the earth a second time, raise the righteous dead, and establish His kingdom. The elect of both Old and New Testaments will have an important place in this great kingdom.
If there is ever a question as to which Bible doctrine cause the most confusion and division in Christendom, surely it would be the Doctrine of Election. History, heresy, misconceptions and the misuse of terms have all contributed to the confusion. It is hard to believe that if a person was isolated on an island and studied by himself that he would come up with any of the usual elaborate systems. The following view is not presented for polemical purposes, but as an effort to make a contribution towards understanding this difficult doctrine and especially its relation to position and service in the kingdom.
Let us first examine the meaning of the word “election” and then trace the biblical usage as it develops, to compare the usage in the Old and New Testaments, as well as some historical interpretations that have influenced our thinking.
The word “election” and its cognates, elect, chose and chosen, all mean practically the same thing and often times are translations of the same word. Choosing, whether referring to God or man, is directly related to an act of the will. No one would question the fact that God is not limited in His choices by anything outside of Himself; in contrast, man sometimes limited by knowledge, power, ability, or some other restrictions. Creation is a good example of the many choices that God made. There are all kinds of created beings: men, angels, animals, fish etc. God could have chosen to create all creatures the same, but He didn’t.
OLD TESTAMENT USES
The Old Testament abounds in examples of God election or selecting for outward privileges. This electing can be divided into two classes: individual and corporate.
INDIVIDUAL ELECTION
One of the most important recorded choices is God’s selection of Abraham as the father of a new nation. Moses was chosen as the leader to deliver Israel (Exo. 3:10; Ps. 106:23); Aaron was chosen as God’s high priest (Ps. 105:26); and David was chosen as king (1 Sam. 16:12; 20:30). Christ is also prophetically referred to as God’s elect in Isaiah 42:1. All of these refer to ministry or outward privileges and not to salvation.
CORPORATE ELECTION
The nation of Israel is an example of corporate election:
Isa 45:4
4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
KJV
It was to this elect nation that the kingdom was offered, and the people were to be a kingdom of priests (Exo. 19:5, 6). God also choose Judah as the ruling tribe of Israel (1 Chron. 28:4).
The Old Testament Jew’s general understanding of election is: God choosing them to establish a kingdom that would be an everlasting kingdom (eternity).
1.They understood that they had been chosen (elected) as a special people, a
nation of priests.
2. The Word of God has been committed to them (Rom. 3:2).
3. The Messiah (represented by the star), was to be born of the Jews.
4. When the Messiah came, the dead would be raised and the kingdom
established.
NEW TESTAMENT USES OF ELECTION
Some Jews were trusting that their family relationship or membership in an elect nation would automatically give them a place in the kingdom without repentance. But John the Baptist warned them:
Matt 3:9
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
KJV
This verse clearly illustrates “election” in the New Testament, following the same pattern used in the Old Testament. There are both individual and corporate elections, and being a member of a chosen (elect) nation does not guarantee individual election. Examples of individual election to ministry include apostles (Luke 6:13-16), the seventy witnesses (Luke 10:1), and missionaries (Acts 13:1, 2). Some, such as the apostles, had eternal significance in the kingdom (Matt. 19:28). An example of a corporate use is given in 1 Thess. 1:4, where the Church is called “elect”. At this point it must be noted that election is used in ways other than to eternal life.
Because of the rejection and crucifixion of their Saviour-King, elect Israel was temporarily set aside as a nation while God instituted a new program of election. He now is selecting from Jews and Gentiles a new assembly that He calls the Church. When this is completed, He will come to the earth a second time, raise the righteous dead, and establish His kingdom. The elect of both Old and New Testaments will have an important place in this great kingdom.
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