With reference to my post #42, I would simply point you to Ephesians 1:3-14.
But the idea that God chose Cornelius apart from Christ is bizarre. Jesus is God; the thing is impossible. But in salvation, the three Persons of the Trinity perform differing functions. Surely that is clear to you? The Father does not, for example, die on the cross. The Son does not give people to the Father to redeem (c.f. John 6:39).
So let's sort the question of salvation out from Ephesians.
First of all, we (Christians) were once dead in trespasses and sins; we once conducted ourselves in just the same way as non-Christians, and were by nature children of wrath just as they still are (Ephesians 2:1-3). Secondly, Gentile Christians were at one time 'without Christ' (Ephesians 2:12), outside of the covenants of promise, without God and without hope. It is 'now' -- that is, now that we have trusted in Christ -- the we have been brought near by His blood (Ephesians 2:14).
But none of this denies that the Triune God chose sinners for redemption before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). That He did so 'in Christ' is absolutely true, but it is implied in any case, what with Christ being God and all.
Now because God decrees something in eternity (e.g. Titus 1:2), that does not mean that it happens in eternity. Those who are chosen 'in Him before the foundation of the world' are still 'dead in trespasses and sins' and 'having no hope and without God in the world' until they believe. Until someone is found, he is still lost; surely you can understand that? Until someone is 'made alive,' he is still dead. Mrs Marprelate and I are going on holiday in June. We have marked the dates in our diaries, paid the cost in full, made arrangements for someone to look after Fido. As far as anything is certain in this poor fallen world, our holiday is certain. But we haven't been yet. I can't send you a postcard or tell you what a great time we had, because what was planned in the past is still in the future.
'This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me [Perfect Tense: one-off, completed event in the past] I should lose nothing, but raise it up at the last day' (John 6:39). The elect are absolutely sure; Christ will not lose one of them. 'And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day' (John 6:40). How are God's elect distinguished? They are the ones who believe in Christ. What shall we say about someone who thinks he's elect but hasn't believed in Christ? Until such time as he repents and trusts in Christ for salvation, he's fooling himself and whistling in the dark.
So the elect are they who believe in Christ for salvation. But when they believe, it is because God has loved them with an everlasting love, given them to Christ to redeem, and drawn them to Him by the power of the Spirit.
Sorry you are trying to explain away by shoving your philosophy into the scriptures. "
until they believe." Is not in there. You are not reading this from scripture. You are required by Calvinist Tradition to fill it in.
I simply echo the scripture for what it says, you were "excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." <-- You were not elect, Only Jesus is Elect.
If you were already elect prior to being in Christ then you certainly had the epitome of hope, you certainly had covenants and promise.
Grace is the Gift given by God.
Ephesians 2
8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God;
9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 3
7of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
Ephesians 4
7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Romans 5
1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
Is it by faith into this grace or grace into this faith? There is problem here because more then likely you subscribe to regeneration preceding faith.
Keep in mind Cornelius has no idea who Christ is, not till after hearing the gospel. Yet he feared God and responded to God
Also as Romans 11 indicates, You are wild shoot:
Romans 11
.
19You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
20Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;
The deal got offered to you because someone else didn't believe. As a WILD SHOOT you were never part of the original.
You got someone else's spot.
Romans 11
30For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
Romans 11
23And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
24For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural
branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
Here is something a bit contrary. How does a Calvinist answer Paul here? You of a contrary nature were grafted in.
So how much more will those of same natural nature be grafted?
The proper Calvinist answer would be NOT MUCH MORE AT ALL. Either or is just as easy. Because they got this false idea of a transcendent election.
