The Old Line Messenger
An Old Line Primitive Baptist Website
Arguments against Election Answered
Part 1
by Elder Brian Moore
The Primitive Baptist have long embraced the fundamental biblical teaching of the doctrine of election. In fact there are few today that hold it as dear and are as firm in their position as the Primitive Baptist. The doctrine of election, as the bible teaches it, is considered unfair and unjust by popular religion. It is usually explained away by false teachers and is often described as something pertaining to the apostles, the jews, a system of plans, etc. In this short series I hope to address some of the popular arguments against election and see if they can stand the scrutiny of the Holy Bible.
One of the more popular arguments presented in regards to the doctrine of election is that election only pertains to the apostles. I have heard this argument made many times by many pastors who do not want to delve into the topic. When asked they will simply tell their parishioners that the Old Baptist are confused and that election is only talking about the original apostles, they will then quote John 15:16. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen, and ordained you, that you 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.” In regards to this particular verse they are correct, the Lord did choose or elect the apostles, however election goes beyond the apostles. For example in I Peter 1:1-2 the apostle Peter addresses the “……strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” Therefore, considering that Peter was very well acquainted with the other apostles, it is rather obvious that this letter is not written to them. How do we know this? Peter refers to the brethren that are scattered throughout as “strangers.” It is also important to note that Peter refers to these “strangers” as the “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.” The fact that Peter refers to these brethren as the “Elect” would eliminate the possibility that the doctrine of election refers only to the apostles. This is just another example of how the bible is perfectly capable of defending itself against the false notions and doctrines of popular religion. In part 2 I will examine the popular argument that election included the Jews only.
