Topical Bible: The Church: Elect

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The concept of the "elect" within the Christian Church is a profound and significant theme that runs throughout the Bible. The term "elect" refers to those individuals whom God has chosen for salvation and eternal life. This doctrine emphasizes God's sovereignty and grace in the process of salvation, underscoring that it is not by human effort or merit but by divine selection.

Biblical Foundation

The notion of election is rooted in the Old Testament, where God chose Israel as His special people. Deuteronomy 7:6 states, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth." This election was not based on Israel's righteousness or size but on God's love and faithfulness to His promises.

In the New Testament, the concept of election is expanded to include all who are in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the idea of the elect in his epistles. In Ephesians 1:4-5 , Paul writes, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will."

Characteristics of the Elect

1. Chosen by God: The elect are those whom God has chosen according to His purpose and grace. This choice is not based on foreseen faith or works but solely on God's sovereign will. Romans 8:29-30 states, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son... And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified."

2. Called to Holiness: The elect are called to live lives that reflect their status as God's chosen people. 1 Peter 2:9 declares, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

3. Assured of Salvation: The doctrine of election provides assurance of salvation to believers, as it is rooted in God's unchanging purpose. Jesus affirms this in John 10:27-28 , "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand."

The Role of the Elect in the Church

The elect form the body of Christ, the Church, and are called to fulfill God's mission on earth. They are to be witnesses of the Gospel, living testimonies of God's grace, and active participants in the life of the Church. The Apostle Paul exhorts the elect in Colossians 3:12 , "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

Theological Implications

The doctrine of election highlights the mystery of God's will and the depth of His grace. It calls believers to humility, recognizing that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human effort. It also encourages a life of gratitude and service, as the elect are chosen not only for salvation but also for good works, as stated in Ephesians 2:10 , "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."

Conclusion

While the doctrine of election can be a source of theological debate, it remains a central tenet of the Christian faith, emphasizing God's sovereignty, grace, and the assurance of salvation for those who are in Christ. The elect are called to live out their faith with confidence, knowing they are secure in God's eternal plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 5:13
The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, salutes you; and so does Marcus my son.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Indiscriminate Increase of the Church, Wherein Many ...
... Book XVIII. Chapter 49."Of the Indiscriminate Increase of the Church, Wherein
Many Reprobate are in This World Mixed with the Elect. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 49 of the indiscriminate increase.htm

The Confession of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. AD 1829 ...
... See The Confession of Faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, revised and adopted
by ... Therefore God, as a sovereign, may, if he pleases, elect a nation, as ...
/.../the confession of the cumberland.htm

The Church Spiritual.
... we shall come under the Scripture which saith, "My house became a den of robbers."
[4394] So, then, let us elect to belong to the church of life, [4395] that ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xiv the church spiritual.htm

The Church in Babylon
... controversy about secondary matters; and ages of profound realisation by the Church
of the ... Hence they can say of and to each other, 'Elect together with you.'. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the church in babylon.htm

The Confessional Statement of the United Presbyterian Church of ...
... Such expressions as elect persons, elect infants, foreordained, imputed, decree
of election ... The United Presbyterian Church of North America declares afresh its ...
/.../the confessional statement of the.htm

The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church
... Now, cast your eyes forward to the front of the great army of God's elect, and you
see this great truth coming up with great ... Did that not go before the church? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the vanguard and rereward of.htm

Its Course.
... Hence, in the elect, the work of providence and that of grace often flow together,
being one and the same. Our Church has tried to express this, in her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xx its course.htm

The Westminster Standards in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
... The Cumberland Church has since spread rapidly, and extends now from Western
Pennsylvania ... X.3: 'Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by ...
/.../ 99 the westminster standards.htm

Massillon -- the Small Number of the Elect
... In Isaiah you would see the elect as rare as the grapes which are found after ... In
those happy days when the whole Church was still but an assembly of saints, it ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/massillon the small number.htm

What is the Invisible Church?
... Answer: The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been,
are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head. ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 64 0 0 what is the.htm