(Part of the Election, Sovereign Grace, Will, Salvation bible study group.)
A limiting objection to Election is sometimes put forth,
"Election only applies to being chosen to an office or position, such as apostle, minister, elder, prophet, teacher, etc., not to salvation."
It is true that apostles, ministers, prophets, etc. are chosen, "elected", by God. The Bible, however, clearly teaches that "election"
is not limited to position, or office. Consider the following verses of Holy Scripture:
- - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved."
(Ephesians 1:3-6)
(The above is a general salutation to all
the believers at Ephesus.)
- - "But
we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,"
(2 Thessalonians 2:13)
(The above is a message to all the believers at Thessalonica.)
- - "And
we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
(Romans 8:28-30)
(The entire chapter of Romans 8 is directed at all those being addressed.)
It is clear that the Bible does not limit Election, to an Office etc.; but, applies it also to salvation. Therefore this objection has no effect on the validity of the belief in salvation by God's Sovereign Grace & Will, also called the Doctrine of Election.
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Election limited to Office or Position
page updated 03/16/2011.