1. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 1  Election in Christ must be understood as the election of God’s people, thus corporate in nature.  This view harmonizes the loving nature of God with His justice. God is sovereign but also Loving and fair -  God has chosen and predestined the sphere and the means by which men, by their own free will, may receive every spiritual blessing which is in Christ.

2. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 2 He chose Greek Word: ἐ κλ έ γω # 1586 Transliteration: eklegō English Words used in KJV: choose 19 choose out 1 make choice 1 [Total Count: 21] to select :- make choice, choose (out), chosen. —Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary Ephes. 1:4,5 (NKJV) [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, [5] having predestined us to adoption

3. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 3 He chose Greek Word: ἐ κλ έ γω # 1586 Transliteration: eklegō Luke 6:13 (NKJV) 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Luke 10:42 (NKJV) 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part,..." Luke 14:7 (NKJV) 7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: Ephes. 1:4,5 (NKJV) [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, [5] having predestined us to adoption

4. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 4 Predestined - προορίζω - proorizo ̄ Strong’s - to limit in advance, that is, (figuratively) predetermine: - determine before, ordain, predestinate. Thayer Definition: G4309 – 1) to predetermine, decide beforehand 2) in the NT of God decreeing from eternity 3) to foreordain, appoint beforehand Ephes. 1:4,5 (NKJV) [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, [5] having predestined us to adoption

5. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 5 Predestined - πρωρίζω pro ̄ rizo ̄ Means properly “to set bounds before;” and then to “pre-determine.” It is originally a geographical term, but applied also to any thing concluded, or determined, or demonstrated. Here the word is used to point out God’s fixed purpose or predetermination to bestow upon those who believe the gospel the blessing of the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ, (Eph. 1:5,13) Ephes. 1:4,5 (NKJV) [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, [5] having predestined us to adoption

6. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 6 Who is the “US?” Those who were IN CHRIST! Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV) 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

7. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 7 Isaiah 42:1 (NKJV) 1 "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

8. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 8 God’s election is – “the body of Christ, i.e. church”  The type of person - Mat 5:3- 12  The obedient - becoming members of the chosen family – Galatians 3:26,27; Hebrews 5:8,9,  Those who make their “Calling and Election sure” – 2 Pet 1:5- 10

9. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 9 God’s election is – “the body of Christ, i.e. church” "... election is a corporate category and not oriented to the choice of individuals for salvation.... [Election has reference to] a class of people rather than specific individuals." (Clark Pinnock, The Grace of God and the Will of Man: A Case for Arminianism, 1990, p. 20)

10. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 10 God’s election is – “the body of Christ, i.e. church” "The point is that the election of the church is a corporate rather than individual thing. It is not that individuals are in the church because they are elect, it is rather that they are elect because they are in the church which is the body of the elect One." (R.T. Forster and V.P. Marston, God's Strategy in Human History, 1973, p. 136)

11. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 11 Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV) 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

12. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 12 What had God purposed? Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV) 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 13 Inheritance gained as a result of entering Christ! Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV) 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

14. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 14 Who made the choice to TRUST?? Ephesians 1:1-14 (NKJV) 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

15. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 15 Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. They were chosen because they trusted – They did not trust because they were chosen!

16. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 16 Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (esphragisth ē te).... to set a seal on one as a mark or stamp, sometimes the marks of ownership or of worship... Marked and authenticated as God's heritage. Cf. Ephes. 4:30. See 2 Cor. 1:22 - — Word Pictures in the New Testament

17. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 17 God has put His "stamp of approval" (seal) on us as His children -  A seal conveys the concept of approval, authentication and security.  A covenant relationship requires both parties to fulfill prescribed conditions. (Deut 30:11-15; Heb 2:1,2)  God will fulfill His promises – (Heb 6:13-18)  Will we “show … diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end?” (Heb 6:11,12)

18. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 18 Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. God will NOT break His end of the deal!! But, we can break ours!

19. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 19 Ephesians 1:14 – “Earnest” – ( i.e. - Down payment to assure future payment in full ) We may break the contract or the relationship that existed when the earnest was given.  We can - grieve the Spirit (Eph. 4:30)  We can - quench the Spirit (1 Thes. 5:19),  We can do despite to the Spirit (Heb. 10:29), Our assurance is conditioned on an obedient faith 1 John 5:11-13.

20. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 20  Chose that all the saved would be In Christ before the foundation of the world - 4  Predetermined according to His good pleasure... 5  To the praise of His grace – 6  The blood of Jesus – riches of His grace – 7  Abundance of knowledge & wisdom through revelation – 8,9  According to His purpose & will - 11

21. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 21 Chosen - 4 Adopted - 5 Accepted - 6 Redemption - 7 Forgiveness - 7 Heirs - 11 Saved - 13 Sealed - 13

22. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 22 To save those in Christ before the foundation of the world... 4 The "chosen" would be holy and without blame in Christ - Ep 1:4 The "elect" would be adopted as sons – Ep 1:5; Gal 3:26,27 – (i.e. the means & conditions) This plan is according to God's good pleasure – Ep 1:5,10-13

23. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 23 The faithful in Christ – (1,4,5,13) Those In Christ’s body, i.e. church, (1-13; 2:16) By grace through faith – (2,7,13; 2:8-10) Baptized Into The Family of God – (5,7,13; cf. Acts 2:38,41; Gal 3:26,27) Forgiveness - Grace and peace – Inheritance, Adoption, eternal life (3)

24. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 24 “ELECT – or “CHOSEN” – Yes!! – Unconditionally? – NO!!!Unconditionally? – NO!!! Pre-chosen Individually? – NO!Pre-chosen Individually? – NO! Violate Free Will? – NO!!!Violate Free Will? – NO!!! “Predestined” – Yes Unconditionally? – NO!!!Unconditionally? – NO!!! Individually? – NO!!!Individually? – NO!!! Violate Free Will? – NO!!!Violate Free Will? – NO!!!

25. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 25 "'Unconditional election' refers to the claim that God's selection of those whom he would save was not based upon (or, not 'conditioned on') some fact or feature of those individuals' lives, in particular. That is, God's election of those who would be saved was not conditioned on something they would do, some choice they would make, how good or bad they might be, or anything else specifically true about them in contrast to others also enslaved to sin and deserving God's just condemnation. Rather God elected some to be saved...without respect for their individual qualities, characters, actions or choices" (Perspectives on Election).

26. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 26 Calvinism Men Have NO Choice Limited Atonement Double Predestination God is Partial Universalism Men Have NO Choice Universal Atonement Universal Predestination God is Unjust TRUTH Men Have A Choice Atonement Available to All Biblical Predestination God is Impartial

27. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 27 The large majority of men are born “foreordained” to eternal destruction – 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

28. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 28 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. The large majority of men are born “foreordained” to eternal destruction –

29. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 29 Ezekiel 18:23,32 (NKJV) 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord God, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord God. "Therefore turn and live! The large majority of men are born “foreordained” to eternal destruction –

30. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 30 Acts 10:34-35 (NKJV) 34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Chooses one sinner and condemns many others arbitrarily and capriciously -

31. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 31 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV) 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Condemns men for what He predetermined that they do, without them having libertarian freewill to do otherwise -

32. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 32 James 1:13 (NKJV) 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 1 John 1:5 (NKJV) 5...God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. EVEN EVERY SIN! “The first cause of EVIL is God Himself!”

33. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 33  God Does NOT Redemptively Love All Men - The large majority of men are born “foreordained” to eternal destruction – 2 Pet 3:9; 1 Tim 2:4  God Is A Respecter Of Persons – chooses one sinner and condemns many others arbitrarily and capriciously - Acts 10:34  God Is Unjust – Condemns men for what He predetermined that they do, without them having libertarian freewill to do otherwise - 2 Cor. 5:10  Everything Is Unchangeably Foreordained – EVEN EVERY SIN! “God is the first cause of ALL EVIL!”

34. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 34 Acts 17:26-27 (NKJV) And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, [27] so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

35. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 35 Rev. 22:17 (NKJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

36. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 36 Jos 24:15 (NKJV) “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” - Cf. Rom. 6:16-18

37. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 37 Acts 22:16 (NKJV) And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

38. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 38 1 Peter 3:21 (NASB) And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

39. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 39 “If I did nothing to get my salvation, then I can do nothing to keep it” Ron Mitchell, April 26, 2007 “If I did nothing to get my salvation, then I can do nothing to keep it” Ron Mitchell, April 26, 2007

40. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 40  Election in Christ must be understood as the election of God’s people, thus corporate in nature.  This view harmonizes the loving nature of God with His justice. God is sovereign but also Loving and fair -  God has chosen and predestined the sphere and the means by which men, by their own free will, may receive every spiritual blessing which is in Christ.

41. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 41

42. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 42 Westminster Confession of Faith [6.014] - 1. God from all eternity did by the most and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin; nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.

43. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 43 Westminster Confession of Faith [6.016] 3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death. [6.017] 4. These angels and men, thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished.

44. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 44 Westminster Confession of Faith [6.018] - 5. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of his free grace and love alone, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace.

45. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 45 Westminster Confession of Faith [6.020] - 7. The rest of mankind, God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.

46. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ / April 29, 2007 46 Predestination Foreordination