Scripture defines it for us;
2 Timothy 1:9: "who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
Ephesians 1:4-5: "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,"
2Elect 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.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
29For 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.
30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
EWF, these are a good sample of the verses,Do you have a follow up question or concern with this teaching.? If you notice in context when this doctrine is spoken of,it is always in the context of great joy and thankfulness on behalf of the believer to God. It is not meant to be divisive,but a comfort.
In this thread I am glad that salvation is of the Lord 100%.
He is able to save and has purposed to save all given to Him by the Father.
In Jn 17 The Lord Jesus Christ declares he has kept those whom the Father has given to Him. I trust Him to do what he has promised to do.
Can I be of anymore help to you? If you have a concern about the doctrines of grace bring it out and i will attempt to offer scriptures for your consideration.:thumbs:
EWF, here is an extended definition from A Baptist Catechism with Commentary, by W.R.Downing of SGBCSV.ORG [used by permission]
Quest. 68: What is Divine election?
Ans: Divine election is the free, sovereign and gracious work of God
whereby some have been eternally chosen to obtain salvation.
Eph. 1:3–4. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ: 4according 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.
Rom. 8:33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is
God that justifieth.
Rom. 11:5–6. 5Even so then at this present time also there is a
remnant according to the election of grace. 6And 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.
1 Thess. 1:4–5. 4Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power,
and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance…
2 Thess. 2:13. 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.
See also: Deut. 4:37; 7:6–7; 10:14–15; Psa. 33:12; Matt. 22:14;
24:22–31; Lk. 18:7; Acts 13:48; Rom. 9:11–13, 16; 11:4–7, 28; 1 Cor.
1:27–31; Eph. 1:11; Col. 3:12–14; 1 Thess. 5:9; 2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1;
1 Pet. 1:1–2; 2:8–9; 2 Pet. 1:4–11; Rev. 17:8, 14.
COMMENTARY
There are several types of the election of persons revealed in Scripture:
national, messianic, ministerial and salvific: first, there is the Divine choice of
Israel to be the chosen people of God in a national sense, although only a
small remnant of that nation was truly the spiritual people of God (Cf. Deut.
4:37; 7:6–7; 10:14–15; Psa. 135:4; Isa. 41:8–9; 44:1; 45:4; Rom. 4:11–17;
9:6–9, 23–24; 11:1–6). Israel in its national election was typical of God’s elect
spiritually chosen under the New or Gospel Covenant.
Second, there is the election of the Lord Jesus Christ as the “Elect” of God
and true “Seed of Abraham.” In the choice of Abraham, God chose a nation,
and in that nation, he chose an individual—the Messiah—and in that
individual, he chose a true covenant people—believers (Isa. 42:1–7; Jer.
31:31–34; Luke 23:35; Gal. 3:15–16; Eph. 1:4–5; Heb. 8:8–13; 1 Pet. 2:4–9).
124
Third, there is also an election unto service, as revealed in the choice of
Moses, the Levites, various kings, etc. (Deut. 21:5; 2 Sam. 6:21; 1 Chron.
28:5; Psa. 78:67–68; 105:26; 106:23). This principle is retained in the New
Testament with the Divine call to the gospel ministry (Acts 9:10–16; 13:2–4).
Finally, there is an eternal, personal election unto holiness, which includes
the totality of salvation and derives from the eternal Covenant of Redemption
and Grace, or the believer’s eternal union with Christ (Rom. 8:29–31; 11:5–6;
Acts 13:48; Eph. 1:4–5, 11; 1 Pet. 1:1–2; 2 Pet. 1:10). See Questions 66 and
Finally, there is an eternal, personal election unto holiness, which includes
the totality of salvation and derives from the eternal Covenant of Redemption
and Grace, or the believer’s eternal union with Christ (Rom. 8:29–31; 11:5–6;
Acts 13:48; Eph. 1:4–5, 11; 1 Pet. 1:1–2; 2 Pet. 1:10). See Questions 66 and