Dave G
Well-Known Member
I agree.
I wish you well, Charlie, and thank you for your time and for indulging my curiosity.
May God bless you sir.
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Romans 9
- Thread starter Charlie24
- Start date
I wish you well, Charlie, and thank you for your time and for indulging my curiosity.
May God bless you sir.
You're a nice guy Dave G, I don't want us to continue and become enemies.
God bless you!
Dave G
Well-Known Member
Replying from some posts that I saw earlier.
I was asking Charlie, EG.
That said, going back and reading through your posts ( which I did far too quickly the first time ), I see that I've made a serious mistake and classified them as "summaries"...
Which they are not.
I therefore ask your personal forgiveness and will endeavor to slow down and read more carefully in the future.
Even though I do not agree with your explanation of the passage, I do acknowledge that you have made an effort at thoroughly trying to make someone who may end up disagreeing with you, see how you've come to understand it for yourself.
May God bless you, as well.
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Out of respect for your previous request to continue in Rom. 9, I've decided to do so, only for you to understand my point of view. I think it very important, actually a necessity that we understand one another's view.
I wasn't joking about being lazy, or I should say fidgety as I'm older now. I've done this sort of thing for many years but now it mentally exhausts me to the point of a nerve type agitation, and to my shame I avoid it now. So I will finish but with a time allowance in my situation.
24 Now Paul brings the salvation of the Gentiles into focus. Those "whom He has called, not of the Jews only but also of the Gentiles."
God has always intended that the Gentiles would have the opportunity to be saved. But it was necessary for God to offer Salvation first to the Jews. He would give them the Law in preparation for their coming Christ. They were to accept their Christ and announce Him to the world, bringing salvation to the Gentile world. That was their calling of God, the reason and purpose they were chosen.
25 Paul is here referring to Hosea 1:23 where "I will call them my people which were not my people" referring to the Gentiles being offered salvation, even though it was first offered to Israel. I might also add that God offering salvation to the Gentiles was a great stumbblingblock for Israel.
26 Here again Paul is speaking of the "people that were not my people" the Gentiles, They were not chosen of God, it was Israel that was chosen for the specific purpose of bringing the Christ in the world and announcing Him to the world (the Gentiles).
Continue tomorrow.
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
All you have to do is say, "I don't believe the Bible."
It'd save a lot of writing for you.
That's not nice, Alan, that is the precise type attitude that brings on my fidgety condition that continuously afflicts me.
I've discussed it many times with my doctor and they give me medication, but to no avail.
I suppose I will eventually have to separate myself from the sources that bring on this effect.
Including participating on the forums. I know it's just a matter of time for me.
Dave G
Well-Known Member
OK, Charlie, I'll take a look at it and address things similar to what I did in my previous posts.
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
Participating in forums or reading my posts. Mine are not for everybody, that's why I quote from other men a lot. They have a fine feature on this forum, where if you click on my image to the left, you should be able to see a button called "Ignore". Click that, and may God restore you to fine health, more than can be expected.
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?"
Jeremiah 32:27.
I didn't say I wasn't praying for you.
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
"God is Sovereign:"
"Exo 15:18; The LORD shall Reign Forever and Ever."
"1Ch 29:11-12; Thine, O LORD, is the Greatness, and the Power, and the Glory, and the Victory, and the Majesty: for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth is thine; thine is the Kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art Exalted as Head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and thou Reignest over all; and in Thine Hand is Power and Might; and in Thine Hand it is to Make Great, and to Give Strength unto all."
"2Ch 20:6; And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not Thou God in Heaven? and Rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in Thine Hand is there not Power and Might, so that none is able to withstand thee?"
"Psa 22:28; For the Kingdom is the LORD'S: and He is the Governor among the nations."
"Psalm 103:19; The LORD hath Prepared His Throne in the Heavens; and His Kingdom Ruleth over all."
"Daniel 4:34-35; And at the End of the Days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto Heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured Him that Liveth orever, Whose Dominion is an Everlasting Dominion, and His Kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the Earth are reputed as nothing: and He Doeth According to His Will in the Army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the Earth: and none can stay His Hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?"
"Isaiah 46:9-10; Remember the former things of Old: for I Am God, and there is none else; I Am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the End from the Beginning, and from Ancient Times the Things that are not yet done, saying, My Counsel shall Stand, and I Will Do All My Pleasure."
"Romans 9:15-16; For He saith to Moses, I Will have Mercy on whom I Will have Mercy, and I Will have Compassion on whom I Will have Compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that Sheweth Mercy."
"Proverbs 16:9; A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD Directeth his steps."
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
God Elects [i.e. Chooses, Predestines, Foreordains] Individuals to salvation.
"Psa 65:4; Blessed is the man whom Thou Choosest, and Causest to Approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy Courts: we shall be satisfied with the Goodness of Thy House, even of Thy Holy Temple."
"Mat 24:24; For there shall arise false Christs, and false Prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very Elect."
"Joh 6:37; All that the Father Giveth Me shall Come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I Will in no wise Cast Out."
"Joh 15:16; Ye have not Chosen Me, but I have Chosen you, and Ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should Remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may Give it you."
"Act 13:48; And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord: and as many as were Ordained to Eternal Life believed."
"Rom 8:28-30; And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are The Called according to His Purpose. For whom He did Foreknow, He also did Predestinate to be Conformed to the Image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He did Predestinate, them He also Called: and whom He Called, them He also Justified: and whom He Justified, them He also Glorified."
"Rom 9:10-24; And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the Purpose of God according to Election might stand, not of works, but of Him that Calleth
It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I Loved, but Esau have I Hated. "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For He saith to Moses, I Will have Mercy on whom I Will have Mercy, and I Will have Compassion on whom I Will have Compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that Sheweth Mercy.
"For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same Purpose have I Raised thee up, that I Might Shew My Power in thee, and that My Name might be declared throughout all the earth.
"Therefore hath He Mercy on whom He Will have Mercy, and whom He Will He Hardeneth.
"Thou wilt say then unto Me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted His Will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that Formed it, Why hast Thou made me thus? Hath not the Potter Power over the clay, of the same lump to make one Vessel unto Honour, and another unto Dishonour?
"What if God, Willing to Shew His Wrath, and to Make His Power Known, Endured with much Longsuffering the Vessels of Wrath Fitted to Destruction: And that He might Make known the Riches of His Glory on the Vessels of Mercy, which He had afore Prepared unto Glory, Even us, whom He hath Called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?"
"Rom 11:5-7; Even so then at this Present Time also there is a remnant according to the Election of Grace. And if by Grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise Grace is no more Grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more Grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the Election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded."
"Eph 1:3-6; Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath Blessed us with all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places in Christ: According as He hath Chosen us in Him before the Foundation of the World, that we should be Holy and without blame before Him in love: Having Predestinated us unto the Adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the Good Pleasure of His Will, To the praise of the Glory of His Grace, wherein He hath Made us accepted in the beloved."
"Eph 1:11-12; "In whom also we have obtained an Inheritance, being Predestinated according to the Purpose of Him Who Worketh All Things after the Counsel of His Own Will: That we should be to the Praise of His Glory, who first trusted in Christ."
"1Th 1:4; Knowing, brethren beloved, your Election of God."
"1Th 5:9; For God hath not Appointed us to Wrath, but to Obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"
"2Th 2:13-14; But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the Beginning Chosen you to salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth: Whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the Obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Dave G
Well-Known Member
@Charlie24,
Going on with verse 24, I see that our main differences at this point in the passage are:
1) Me seeing God declaring His mercy and compassion on whomsoever He will and hardening whomsoever He will, independently of His creations' wills
2) and you seeing that God has conditions that must be met in order to gain His favor and compassion...with the person who seeks Him by faith as a vessel of mercy and the person who does not seek Him by faith as a vessel of wrath.; Not because He created them that way, but because He treats them that way based on His foreseen response to His overtures.
Please correct me if I'm in error.
Also, it seems that the terms "calling" / "called" to you, are a fair a bit different in meaning than they are to me.
Whereas I see "calling" in the context of Romans 8:29-30 as a personal, individual "call" initiated by God through the Holy Spirit due to Paul already addressing the believers at Rome as such, and me bringing in other parts of the Scriptures that use this phrase ( such as Romans 11:29, Ephesians 4:1, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 1:10 ) in order to describe it and those who have received it, it appears that you see this word in a more general and impersonal way pertaining to a group or groups;
Gentiles and Jews.
Again, please correct me if I am in error.
Finally, the fact that Paul is connecting "the vessels of mercy afore prepared unto glory" with "even us whom He has called, not of the Jews only but also of the Gentiles" seems not to have the same effect on you that it does me.
In verses 25 and 26, we both see the significance of the prophecy in Hosea, but apparently not the special reference to God's elect Gentiles being grafted into the "olive tree" of His elect Jews found later in Romans 11 ( and further defined in Galatians 4 ) that I do.
To me, the terms "called" and "calling", I understand as referring to those called out of ( "ekklesia", "the called out ones" ) this world by the Lord Himself for a special plan and purpose.
It is they who are first referenced by Paul as "them that love God" here:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose."(Romans 8:28).
Also, Paul has already addressed them as "called" saints, which we see in Romans 1:
" to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints...",
...and "the called", which we earlier saw in Romans 8:29-30 that are the same "called" that are foreknown, predestinated, justfied and glorified.
It is these "us whom He has called" from verse 24, that are said to be the children of the living God by the time we get to verse 26.
I look forward to seeing the rest, Charlie, and thank you for continuing.
Going on with verse 24, I see that our main differences at this point in the passage are:
1) Me seeing God declaring His mercy and compassion on whomsoever He will and hardening whomsoever He will, independently of His creations' wills
2) and you seeing that God has conditions that must be met in order to gain His favor and compassion...with the person who seeks Him by faith as a vessel of mercy and the person who does not seek Him by faith as a vessel of wrath.; Not because He created them that way, but because He treats them that way based on His foreseen response to His overtures.
Please correct me if I'm in error.
Also, it seems that the terms "calling" / "called" to you, are a fair a bit different in meaning than they are to me.
Whereas I see "calling" in the context of Romans 8:29-30 as a personal, individual "call" initiated by God through the Holy Spirit due to Paul already addressing the believers at Rome as such, and me bringing in other parts of the Scriptures that use this phrase ( such as Romans 11:29, Ephesians 4:1, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 1:10 ) in order to describe it and those who have received it, it appears that you see this word in a more general and impersonal way pertaining to a group or groups;
Gentiles and Jews.
Again, please correct me if I am in error.
Finally, the fact that Paul is connecting "the vessels of mercy afore prepared unto glory" with "even us whom He has called, not of the Jews only but also of the Gentiles" seems not to have the same effect on you that it does me.
In verses 25 and 26, we both see the significance of the prophecy in Hosea, but apparently not the special reference to God's elect Gentiles being grafted into the "olive tree" of His elect Jews found later in Romans 11 ( and further defined in Galatians 4 ) that I do.
To me, the terms "called" and "calling", I understand as referring to those called out of ( "ekklesia", "the called out ones" ) this world by the Lord Himself for a special plan and purpose.
It is they who are first referenced by Paul as "them that love God" here:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose."(Romans 8:28).
Also, Paul has already addressed them as "called" saints, which we see in Romans 1:
" to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints...",
...and "the called", which we earlier saw in Romans 8:29-30 that are the same "called" that are foreknown, predestinated, justfied and glorified.
It is these "us whom He has called" from verse 24, that are said to be the children of the living God by the time we get to verse 26.
I look forward to seeing the rest, Charlie, and thank you for continuing.
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Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
God Elects [i.e. Chooses, Predestines, Foreordains] Individuals to Condemnation.
"Exo 4:21; And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those Wonders before Pharaoh, which I have Put in thine hand: but I Will Harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go."
"Rom 9:13; As it is written, Jacob have I Loved, but Esau have I Hated."
"Rom 9:17-18; For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same Purpose have I Raised thee Up, that I Might Shew My Power in thee, and that My Name Might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath He Mercy on whom He Will have Mercy, and whom He Will He Hardeneth."
"Rom 9:21-22; Hath not the Potter Power over the clay, of the same lump to Make one Vessel unto Honour, and another unto Dishonour? What if God, Willing to Shew His Wrath, and to Make His Power known, Endured with much Longsuffering the Vessels of Wrath fitted to Destruction:"
1Pe 2:8 And a Stone of Stumbling, and a Rock of Offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were Appointed."
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
God's Motivation in Election is to Show His Foreknowledge:
Rom 8:29; For whom He did Foreknow, He also did Predestinate to be Conformed to the Image of His Son, that He Might be the Firstborn among many brethren."
"1Pe 1:2; Elect according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father, through Sanctification of the Spirit, unto Obedience and Sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and Peace, be multiplied."
Which means His Special Love;
"Jer 1:5; Before I Formed thee in the belly I Knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I Sanctified thee, and I Ordained thee a Prophet unto the nations."
"Amo 3:2; You only have I Known of all the families of the Earth: therefore I Will Punish you for all your iniquities."
"Mat 7:22-23; Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not Prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then Will I Profess unto them, I Never Knew you: Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.
"1Co 8:3; But if any man love God, the same is Known of Him."
"2Ti 2:19; Nevertheless the Foundation of God Standeth Sure, having this Seal, The Lord Knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity.
"1Pe 1:20; Who verily was Foreordained [Greek, "foreknown"] before the Foundation of the World, but was manifest in these Last Times for you..."
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
"Election is not a controversy with a man who is, in some respect, a serious Bible student, for he would just have to out and out deny the Bible if he denies the Bible Doctrine of Election."
"God hath .. Chosen you"
God Elects certain individuals. Some feel that when it is stated Chosen in the Lord, "it does not mean individual people". It is true that Christ was Chosen First being the Head, and that we, as individuals, were Chosen in Him to be His Kingdom on Earth. Charles Hodge said this of this expression:
"Much in the same sense, the Israelites are said to be Chosen in Abraham. Their relation to Abraham and God's Covenant with him, were the Ground and Reason of all the Peculiar Blessings they enjoyed.
"So our Covenant Union with Christ is the Ground of all the Benefits which we as the people of God possess or hope. We were chosen in Christ, as the Jews were Chosen in Abraham.
The Epistle to the Ephesians, P. 31."
"Peter wrote to the Elect, "according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father (1 Pet 1:2)."
"We must remember that God Foreknows on the basis of His Purpose for us.
"It is written "to them who are The Called according to His Purpose. For WHOM He did Foreknow, He also did Predestinate (Rom 8:28-29)".
"God Forknows His people, individuals, before the Foundation of the World
and it was then He Elected."
"How well did He know us?"
"Our Names were Written in the Lamb's Book of Life
before the Foundation of the World!"
"God Chose Jacob and not Esau. It is said this Choice was Made before they had ever done any good or evil. Why? "that the Purpose of God according to Election Might Stand (Rom 9:11)."
'God would have us to know this about Himself;
The Decision to Choose or Reject is His Prerogative."
"When Paul greeted the church in Romans, he said, "Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord" (Rom 16:13). It is not only things that God Elects, but people. He Chose the Nation Israel which was made up of individuals. The Nation Israel fulfilled only a temporal place in God's Purpose. There were, however, individuals out from Israel who were Chosen unto Eternal Life, also.
From:
Unconditional Election
by Doyle D. Dewberry
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE.
A CATEGORIZED SCRIPTURE LIST of THE DOCTRINES of GRACE WITH EXPLANATIONS.
Introduction:
"Recently, Providence afforded us the privilege of engaging in Theological Dialogues with fellow Christians who hold differing views on several key Doctrines, particularly The Doctrines of Grace.
"In the midst of these discussions, the imperative to anchor our understanding in the bedrock of Scripture became strikingly apparent. Given the sheer volume and persuasiveness of scriptural testimony on these matters, it seemed most prudent to compile a Categorized List of Scriptural References.
"The intent behind this approach is twofold:
Firstly, to highlight the undeniable fact that the Doctrines we discuss are not mere human conjectures but the very teachings of God as Revealed in His Word;
and Secondly, to organize these Divine Truths in such a manner that facilitates a Comprehensive and Systematic Examination of Scripture, thereby encouraging a Holistic grasp of Biblical Doctrine.
"While several resources online provided similar Compilations, none quite matched the specific sequence and depth I envisioned. Consequently, I was compelled to construct a Tailored Scripture List that would not only serve our immediate discussion but also act as a valuable resource for others who tread this path of Theological inquiry. The result of this endeavor is what you find before you—a Compilation predominantly composed of Scripture, interspersed with succinct Explanatory Notes to aid understanding.
"Below, you will encounter both a Condensed Version for a quick overview and a detailed version for in-depth study. It is my sincere hope that this resource serves to illuminate the rich tapestry of divine truth, guiding us to a more profound and reverent understanding of the boundless wisdom encapsulated in God's Word.
"In this Expanded Edition of the book, we are pleased to introduce an Appendix that provides a succinct yet insightful Commentary on each of The Five Doctrines of Grace. This addition aims to deepen the reader's understanding, offering Theological reflections and pastoral insights that underscore the profound implications of these Doctrines for our Faith and Life.
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
These quotes you apparently dreamed up, don't reference any scriptures.
There are scriptures, but how do you show us
where the Bible actually teaches anything like you say?
Show me scriptures which directly indicate in the same kind of words, without assumptions,
your statements, below;
There are scriptures, but how do you show us
where the Bible actually teaches anything like you say?
Show me scriptures which directly indicate in the same kind of words, without assumptions,
your statements, below;
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
An Elect Remnant, gathered from an Elect Nation,
is an Election of individual souls from within an Election of the Nation.
Therefore, this is an Election of individuals to Eternal Life,
from an Elect Nation of people whom God Elected, as His Privileged Nation.
"ELECTION TO ETERNAL SALVATION WAS PERSONAL,
INDIVIDUAL, PARTICULAR, AND DISCRIMINATORY."
"Being forced to admit that an Election of some kind took place in Eternity, some Arminians hold to one of the three following notions:
"1. THAT ELECTION IN THE BIBLE HAS REFERENCE, ONLY TO ISRAEL AS A NATION AND TO THE GENTILES AS A WHOLE, AND THAT IT IS ONLY AN ELECTION TO POSITION AND ADVANTAGE, NOT TO ETERNAL LIFE."
"It is said that God Chose Israel as a nation, then, in New Testament days, rejected her, and substituted the Gentiles as a whole. It is believed by those who hold this view that the classic discussion of Election in Rom. 9 and 11 refers not to individual Election to Eternal Life, but only to such 'corporate election' as set forth above.
"The fact that any man can hold such a position as this only shows to what lengths of folly prejudice will lead one."
"Our reply:
"(1) That in Romans 9 and 11 we have an individual Election of Jews to Eternal Life, as well as the National Election of Israel to position and advantage, is evident from-
"A. The declaration that God has Mercy
on whom He will and Hardens whom He Will. Rom. 9:18.
"Such a declaration is not applicable to 'national' or 'corporate election' and 'rejection'. It can be applied only to God's dealings with individuals. And that it does so apply becomes more evident as we pursue Paul's discussion further.
"B. The anticipated objection to this manner of dealing with men. Rom. 9:19.
"What is this Objection in plain words?
As stated by A. N. Arnold it is this: "If it is God's will to harden a man, since His will cannot be successfully resisted, how can He blame hardened sinners?"
"By Prof. David Brown the objection is stated as follows:
"This Doctrine is incompatible with Human Responsibility; if God Chooses and Rejects, Pardons and Punishes, whom He Pleases, why are those blamed who, if Rejected by Him, cannot help sinning and perishing?"
"And this same Commentator goes on to say that this Objection shows "the real nature of the Doctrine objected to-that it is Election and Non-Election to Eternal Salvation before any difference of personal character; this is the only Doctrine that could suggest the Objection here stated."
'C. The mention of "vessels of mercy" and "vessels of wrath," Rom. 9:21-23.
"This is not applicable to 'National' or 'Corporate Election' to position and advantage. In such an election, the non-elect nations and groups cannot justly be represented as "vessels of wrath," because such 'election' does not represent them wholly abandoned to wrath."
"During the days of God's special dealing with the Jews as an Elect Nation, other nations were not entirely shut out. Individuals of them could partake of the Theocratic Blessings of Israel by submitting to, and observing, the rites of Israel."
"D. The mention of a portion of Israel as "the Election"
and "a Remnant according to the Election of Grace." Rom. 11:5,7."
"In this Elect Remnant, gathered from an Elect Nation,
we have an Election within an Election,
an Election of individuals to Eternal Life,
who belonged to a people whom God Elected to the Privileges of Grace."
(An American Commentary on the New Testament)."
Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
(2) That the Gentiles were not Substituted for Jews is evident from-
A. The fact that Israel has not been Rejected in the sense that her Election has been Revoked.
Israel has been temporarily rejected from her National position in God's plan, but, "as touching Election," she is still beloved, and will yet be Restored to her Place (Rom. 11:25-31).
"The Calling of God, whether National, Corporate, or individual, is unchangeable (Rom. 11:29). Hence, all talk of the Gentiles having been substituted for the Jews is pure drivel.
B. Paul's argument in Rom. 9:6.
"Paul's argument is that the unbelief of the great body of the Jews did not make void God's Promise to Abraham on the ground that the Promise did not apply to all the seed of Abraham.
"But if the Jews had been Rejected as pertaining to Election and the Gentiles substituted in their stead, Paul's argument would have run something as follows: "The Choice of Abraham and his seed has not failed: because though Israel has been Rejected, the Gentiles have taken their place; and God has a Right to Choose what Nation He Will to the Privileges of His Visible Kingdom" (Commentary, Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).
"(3) That there is an individual Election of Gentiles as well as of Jews to Eternal Life is evident from-
"A. Rom. 9:24.
"In this verse, Paul follows his reference to "vessels of mercy . . .afore prepared unto glory" with the statement: "Even us, whom He hath Called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles." This shows us clearly that the "vessels of mercy," which are manifestly elect individuals, are made up of both Jews and Gentiles. Thus, we have an individual Election of Gentiles as well as of Jews.
"On this verse Prof. Brown remarks illuminatingly: "Here for the first time in this chapter the Calling of the Gentiles is introduced; all before having respect, not to the Substitution of the Called Gentiles for the Rejected Jews, but to the Choice of one Portion of the same Israel.
"Had Israel's Rejection been Total, God's Promise to Abraham would not have been fulfilled by the Substitution of the Gentiles in their Room;
"but Israel's Rejection being only partial, the preservation of a 'Remnant,' in which the Promise was Made Good, was but 'according to the Election of Grace.'
"And now, for the first time, the Apostle tells us that along with this Elect Remnant of Israel it is God's Purpose to 'take out of the Gentiles a people for His Name' (Acts 15:14)."
"B. References to Election in other New Testament Books.
"These references appear somewhere in this discussion. Hence, they need not be mentioned here. Let the reader turn the pages of this chapter and note these references, marking how certainly they refer to an individual Election to salvation.
"Note especially 2 Thess. 2:13 in contrast to the Theory that Election is only to position and advantage and not to salvation."
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