I couldnt resist. Theres this crazy idea in America called Calvinism It teaches that God sent JESUS to die and save only the elect - a select closed exclusive group And the rest fry in hell Show this to your Calvinist friends and duck for cover Many American christians believe in a system of doctrine called Calvinism 1. It teaches that JESUS did not die to save every single human 2. No! JESUS died to save the elect only 3. So they hold to a limited atonement. JESUS died on the cross to atone only for the sins of a select elect - a special chosen exclusive closed restricted group Q. Are the elect a special limited number and therefore closed group? No!!!!!!!! In Romans 9-11 Paul defines what the bible means by the elect. Consider this Romans 9:10-11 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad-in order that Gods purpose of ELECTION might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls- 1. Note that 2 groups are mentioned. One group are called the ELECT. 2. The elect and non elect are both kids of Isaac. Grandkids of Abraham. God chooses one arbitrarily and not the other. To emphasise Gods initiative and sovereignty of grace. Q. Are the elect a closed limited group as Calvinism teaches? Look how the borders of the elect are flexible and grow. Romans 9:24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 1. The called are the elect the chosen ones. 2. Now we can see that the elect includes some kids of Abraham and Isaac and Gentiles as well. But theres more! Paul continues to discuss the identity and borders of the elect in chapter 11 He returns and discusses the elect and non elect within Israel Romans 11:1,2,5-8 1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The ELECT obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day. 1. Paul here returns to the elect within Israel 2. Again he speaks about two groups within Israel 3. He speaks of the elect within Israel and the rest of Israel who were hardened - the non elect 4. And again he emphasises the point that God chooses by his sovereign grace who the elect are. Salvation is in the control of God. So far Calvinists would say amen But now Paul goes in the face of Calvinism He will now tell us that The non elect eventually become part of the elect as well. So far Paul has mentioned 2 groups 1. The non elect who are only from the nation of Israel - there is no mention that any non Israelite (gentile) is part of the non elect! 2. The other group is the elect and as we have seen it is made of up some Israelites and Gentiles But now look what happens to the borders of the elect Romans 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off (the non elect in Israel) and you Gentiles although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others (became part of the elect) and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 1. Its clear. Paul still speaks about elect Israelites and non elect broken off Israelites and Gentiles that had become part of the elect But what he says is startling Romans 11:23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. What?!!! The non elect - those broken off can become part of the elect?!!!!! This is not a closed group The borders of the elect are open and flexible Whats the condition? If the non elect do not continue in UNBELIEF! So we have a tension between divine and human wills. God chooses but so do we! Its not either or but both/and Q. Well do the non elect eventually join in with the elect? Romans 11:7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The ELECT obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 1. We have 2 groups. The elect within Israel and the non elect called the rest who are hardened. Now look at this! Talking directly to the Gentile elect Paul says ... Romans 11:25-26 25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob; The hardened non elect that were cut off end up coming into the elect Israelites Together with the fullness of the Gentiles who are also part of the elect And in this way all Israel - the elect and the non elect who are now part of the elect ... Are all saved! Calvinism has totally missed the election boat!!! The elect are not a closed exclusive restrictive group Its borders remain open. God seems to be extending the borders of the elect through these chapters until The elect includes all the non elect Israelites and the fullness of the Gentiles!! Q. How many are in the fullness of the Gentiles that are all part of the elect? Paul leaves us with no doubt! He continues on and says in the rest of the chapter that the whole human race Eventually becomes part of the elect Yes God has sovereignly chosen by grace who JESUS would die for and so guarantee salvation for the elect And the elect ends up being the whole human race! Election by grace is about universal salvation.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 11:31:44 +0000
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