In biblical theology, election describes God’s sovereign choice of people before the world was created. It emphasizes God’s supreme authority in redemption along with Scripture’s insistence on human responsibility through faith. This choice is all a result of divine grace and purpose. Assuring believers of God’s fidelity and spurring gospel proclamation, the doctrine is based on the Bible.
It highlights the unmerited nature of God’s love and His initiative in salvation. This doctrine also underscores the believer’s assurance of eternal security, grounded in God’s unchanging purpose. At the same time, it calls individuals to respond in faith, affirming their active role in the divine plan.
The Eternal Nature of Divine Election
“Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before him,” Ephesians 1:4-5 says. The purpose of his will was to predestine us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ.”
There’s a lot of emphasis here on adoption and a lasting inheritance. This is echoed in 2 Timothy 1:9, where God gives salvation to us “not through our works but through his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” Election is therefore unconditional, rooted in God’s timeless decree.
The Sequential Process of Salvation
Romans 8:28-30 outlines the “golden chain of salvation,” connecting foreknowledge to glorification:
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Foreknowledge: The divine determination of the elect.
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Predestination: Shaping into Christ’s likeness.
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Calling: The Spirit’s invitation.
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Justification: Faith imputes righteousness.
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Glorification: Eternal Consumption.
This progression guarantees the elect’s endurance. John 6:37, 44 says, “I’ll have everything you give me… No one can get to me unless the Father draws him to me.” Acts 13:48 says: “Those who were ordained to eternal life believed.” Hence, faith is a result of prior divine ordainment.
Sovereign Mercy and Human Responsibility
Jacob and Esau in Romans 9 counter selectivity queries: “(For the kids weren’t even born, neither had they done anything good or evil…) (so that God’s purpose would stand by election, not by works, but by him who calls;)… Therefore, mercy doesn’t come from anyone who wills, nor from anyone who runs, but from God” (Romans 9:11-12, 16).
In Scripture, God’s freedom is emphasized by the potter-clay analogy (Romans 9:21). Pharaoh’s hardening illustrates this (Romans 9:17-18; Exodus 9:16). “For you have been saved by grace through faith,” says Ephesians 2:8-10. No one can boast because it’s not their doing; it’s God’s gift, not theirs.”
Application in the Apostolic Writings
To the Thessalonians, Paul asserts: “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you” (1 Thessalonians 1:4). 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 describes Trinitarian agency: “God chose you to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel…”
In 1 Peter 1:1-2, Peter hails “elect exiles… in obedience to Jesus Christ, according to God’s foreknowledge, sanctified by the Spirit.” It says: “No one can charge God’s elect. It’s God who justifies.” Grace elects a remnant in Israel (Romans 11:5-7). Peter says: “Confirm your calling and election more diligently” (2 Peter 1:10).
Old Testament Foundations
The Hebrew Bible has its roots in election. Deuteronomy 7:6-8 calls Israel a “treasured possession,” chosen for love, not prowess. Psalm 78:70 describes David’s call: “He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds.” Psalm 65:4 exults: “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!” Christ says in John 15:16: “You didn’t choose me, but I chose you!”
Theological Implications
As per John 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:9, election aligns with God’s call for universal repentance. Recalcitrance explains rejection, contrasting the elect’s response. Paul works “for the sake of the elect” (Acts 18:9-10), barring self-exaltation (1 Corinthians 1:29) and bolstering missions.
A closer look at Romans 8-9 reveals grace’s depth, granting stability against human weakness.
All Scripture from the English Standard Version.
