The Old Line Messenger
An Old Line Primitive Baptist Website
Arguments against Election Answered
Part 2
by Elder Brian Moore
The doctrine of election, as it is taught in the bible is frowned upon by popular religion. It provides a major stumbling block for the erroneous doctrine of free-will and it often leaves many so called “preachers” tongue tied when they are asked to explain biblical election. One of the major responses often given in regards to election is that it only concerns the Jews. It is this argument that I would like to address in part two of this study.
The idea that election in the bible is only in reference to the Jews is easily thwarted with a few simple verses. In the book of Ephesians the apostle Paul addresses the saints, which are at Ephesus, see Eph. 1:1. It is important for the reader to understand that at the time of the writing the city of Ephesus was a declining commercial, political and religious center. It’s citizenry was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles. Historically, one of the more famous facts about the city of Ephesus, which was located on the western edge of what is now modern day Turkey, was the fact that so many of it’s citizens worshipped the goddess Diana, also known as Artemis. It is the citizens of this city that comprised the Church at Ephesus, both Jew and Gentile. Therefore, it is common knowledge that Paul was addressing both Gentiles and Jews when he writes “according 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: having predestinated us unto the adoption of the children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” Eph.1:4-5 (emphasis mine) Now, although the words elect or election are not used in these verses it is very obvious to any student of the bible that election is being taught and in this example it includes Gentiles as well as Jews. This example alone destroys the idea that election only was in reference to the Jews.
However, the bible does not remain silent regarding the surety of election and to whom it pertained. Another nail driven in a sure place would be Acts 13:48, “and when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Although this verse does not include the word elect, or election it clearly states that those that believed were ordained to eternal life. It is interesting to note that the belief of the Gentiles was because of the fact that they were ordained to eternal life, they did not believe in order to get eternal life. This is clear evidence that Gentiles were among those who were ordained to eternal life, which would qualify them as the elect. In part three of this study, I will address the popular notion that God elected a plan of salvation instead of a people.
