What is the Baptist Understanding Of "Conditional Election/salvation?"

[JesusFan]

Know that those tending to election believe in eternal security for those in Christ..

What is the doctrine of conditional security/election?

is it same as saying a true Christian commiting Aposty, or something else?

What would one have to do to "fall from grace?"

 

[Tom Butler]

Conditional election and conditional salvation aren't the same thing.

Most Baptists don't hold to conditional salvation (or salvation by works).

Most Baptist will argue over conditional election. Calvinists are agin it, Non-Cals are for it.

 

[Skandelon]

Conditional election and conditional salvation aren't the same thing.

Most Baptists don't hold to conditional salvation (or salvation by works).

Most Baptist will argue over conditional election. Calvinists are agin it, Non-Cals are for it.

however, even non-cals believe God, in a national sense, unconditional chose to invite the Jews and then the Gentiles into covenant with Him... In other word, GOd is no respecter of persons and thus desires to see people of all tribes and nations come to repentance and be saved... He didnt pick Israel based on their size, goodness or anything, and in that sense it was 'unconditional'

 

[Tom Butler]

however, even non-cals believe God, in a national sense, unconditional chose to invite the Jews and then the Gentiles into covenant with Him... In other word, GOd is no respecter of persons and thus desires to see people of all tribes and nations come to repentance and be saved... He didnt pick Israel based on their size, goodness or anything, and in that sense it was 'unconditional'

I assumed that the question involved individuals, not people groups.

I'm in general agreement with your description of God's unconditional choice of Israel.

I think we have a semantic disagreement. You say God chose to invite the Jews (then the Gentiles) into a covenant agreement. I think it's more accurate to say that God chose the Jews and entered into the covenant.

The unconditional choice was not to invite them; it was to choose them.

 

[Van]

I think the doctrine of conditional security/election is Arminian. They believe we choose to trust in Christ, and because God foresaw our choice He elected us in Him before the foundation of the world. But because we chose to trust in Christ, we can decide not to trust and walk out of our salvation. So we must, by our own works, sustain our faith and endure to the end by the strength of our character, in order to be saved which actually occurs eternally only we we physically die (or Christ returns). In my view it is false teaching.

A true Christian, i.e one whose faith has been credited by God as righteousness, and has been spiritually put "in Christ" and sealed with the Holy Spirit is saved forever according to those who believe in the doctrine of eternal security. Since God put us in, and converted us, and keeps us for our inheritance, we cannot walk out of our salvation. Nothing can cause us to escape the grip of His hand.

So apostasy, turning away from Christ would not be in the cards for a true Christian, but turning away from Christ's ministry is altogether a part of salvation. As we undergo progressive sanctification, we struggle with sin and sometimes we quench our indwelt Spirit, but, I believe we always feel shame and regret and struggle to become more Christ-like. If, in a person's heart of hearts, they do not feel convicted of sin, a red flag should go up, you are failing the test, your heart convicts you of not being "of the faith."

 

[webdog]

Believe and you will be saved sounds like a condition to me.

Election can be unconditional (Pharaoh, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judas, etc.) and conditional (in Christ) depending on the purpose.

 

[Skandelon]

I assumed that the question involved individuals, not people groups.

Calvinists typically do make that presumption when speaking about election.

I'm in general agreement with your description of God's unconditional choice of Israel.

I think we have a semantic disagreement. You say God chose to invite the Jews (then the Gentiles) into a covenant agreement. I think it's more accurate to say that God chose the Jews and entered into the covenant.

The unconditional choice was not to invite them; it was to choose them.

Even the old covenant required a human response in order to enter Covenant (like circumcision); so in that since the covenant was presented as an appeal with requirements...or an "invitation" to that nation if you will and it was incumbent upon the individuals of that nation to meet those requirements in order to enter the covenant.