1. He Chose Us in Him
Election in Christ must be understood as the election of God’s people, thus corporate in nature.
This view harmonizes God’s loving nature with His justice. God is sovereign but also loving and fair.
God has chosen and predestined the sphere and the means by which men, of their own free will, may receive all spiritual blessings, which are in Christ.
Title Slide: He Chose Us in Him!

2. He Chose Us in Him He chose
Greek word: ἐκλέγω #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
Ephesians 1:4,5
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
having predestined us to adoption.”
Word defined—Greek Passage Eph.1:4,5

3. He Chose Us in Him He chose Ephesians 1:4,5
Greek Word: ἐκλέγω #1586
Transliteration: eklegō
Luke 6:13 “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 “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, ."
Luke 14:7 “So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them.”
Ephesians 1:4,5
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
having predestined us to adoption.”
(Luke 6:13) And2532 when3753 it was1096 day,2250 he called4377 unto him his848 disciples:3101 and2532 of575 them846 he chose1586 twelve,1427 whom3739 also2532 he named3687 apostles;652
(Luke 10:42) But1161 one thing1520 is2076 needful:5532 and1161 Mary3137 hath chosen1586 that good18 part,3310 which3748 shall not3756 be taken away851 from575 her.846
(Luk 14:7) And1161 he put forth3004 a parable3850 to4314 those which were bidden,2564 when he marked1907 how4459 they chose out1586 the3588 chief rooms;4411 saying3004 unto4314 them,846

4. He Chose Us in Him Predestined - προορίζω - proorizō
Strong’s - to limit in advance, that
is, (figuratively) predetermine: -
determine before, ordain,
predestinate.
Thayer Definition: G4309 –
To predetermine, decide beforehand
In the NT, of God decreeing from eternity
To foreordain, appoint beforehand
Ephesians 1:4,5
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
having predestined us to adoption.”
Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before <4309> to be done.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he <4309> also did predestinate <4309> to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate <4309>, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained <4309> before the world unto our glory:
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated <4309> us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated <4309> according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

5. He Chose Us in Him Predestined - προορίζω - proorizō Ephesians 1:4,5
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
having predestined us to adoption.”
Predestined - προορίζω - proorizō
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, (Ephesians 1:5,13)
Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before <4309> to be done.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he <4309> also did predestinate <4309> to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate <4309>, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained <4309> before the world unto our glory:
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated <4309> us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated <4309> according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

6. Those who were IN CHRIST!
Ephesians 1:1-4 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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, 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.”
Who is the “US?”
Those who were IN CHRIST!

7. Jesus Is the Elect One; Those in Christ Are Chosen Through Him
Isaiah 42:1 “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.”
Election is corporate, not individual
Jesus Is the Elect One, Those in
Christ Are Chosen Through Him
"The point is that the election of the church is a corporate, rather than an 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)
"... 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)

8. Jesus Is the Elect One; Those in Christ Are Chosen Through Him
The type of person Matthew 5:3-12
The obedient - becoming members of the chosen family Hebrews 5:8,9
Those who make their “calling and election sure” 2 Peter 1:5-10
God’s election is – “the body of Christ, i.e., the church”
Election is corporate, not individual
Jesus Is the Elect One, Those in
Christ Are Chosen Through Him .
The type of person (Matt.5:31-12)
The obedient—becoming members of the chosen family (Heb.5:8,9; Gal.2:26,27)
Those who make their “calling and election sure.” (2 Pet.1:5-10)

9. Jesus Is the Elect One; Those in Christ Are Chosen Through Him
"... 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)
God’s election is – “the body of Christ, i.e., the church”
Election is Corporate, Not Individual
Jesus Is The Elect One, Those In
Christ Are Chosen Through Him .
"... 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. Jesus Is the Elect One; Those in Christ Are Chosen Through Him
“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)
God’s election is “the body of Christ, i.e., the church”
Election is corporate, not individual
Jesus Is The Elect One, Those In
Christ Are Chosen Through Him .
"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. Ephesians 1:5-9 “Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.”
Text: Eph.1:5-9..explain highlighted parts…

12. Ephesians 1:10-12 “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.
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, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”
Text: Eph.1: explain highlighted parts…

13. Ephesians 1:10-12 “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.
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, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”
Text: Eph.1: explain highlighted parts…
Inheritance gained as a result of entering Christ!

14. Who made the choice to TRUST?
Ephesians 1:10-12 “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.
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, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”
Text: Eph.1: explain highlighted parts…
Who made the choice to TRUST?

15. Ephesians 1:13,14 “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, 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!
Text: Eph.1:13,14..explain highlighted parts…

16. Ephesians 1:13,14 “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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
(esphragisthēte) 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. Eph.4:30. See 2 Cor.1: —Word Pictures in the New Testament
Text: Eph.1:13,14..explain highlighted

17. Conditional Assurance
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. (Deuteronomy 30:11-15; Hebrews 2:1,2)
God will fulfill His promises. (Hebrews 6:13-18)
Will we “show … diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end?” (Hebrews 6:11,12)
Conditional Assurance.
God has put His “stamp of approval” {SEAL} on us as his children. Discuss each point listed…

18. God will NOT break His end of the deal!!!
Ephesians 1:13,14 “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, 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!!!
Be we can break ours!
Text: Eph.1:13,14..explain highlighted

19. Conditional Assurance
Ephesians 1:14 – “Earnest” (i.e., down payment to assure future payment in full)
We can break the contract or the relationship that existed when the earnest was given.
We can grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)
We can quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
We can do despite to the Spirit (Hebrews 10:29)
Our assurance is conditioned on an obedient faith (1 John 5:11-13).
Conditional Assurance.
Define “Earnest.”
We can 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 Thess.5:19)
We can do despite to the Spirit (Heb.10:29)
Our assurance is conditioned on an obedient faith—1 Jno.5:11-13

20. According to His Good Pleasure
Before the foundation of the world, He determined that all the saved would be in Christ – 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 and wisdom through revelation – 8,9
According to His purpose and will – 11
All Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Eph.1:4-11) Explain each point…

21. According to His Good Pleasure
Chosen – 4
Adopted – 5
Accepted – 6
Redemption – 7
Forgiveness – 7
Heirs – 11
Saved – 13
Sealed – 13
All
Spiritual
Blessings
in Christ
All Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Eph.1:4-11) Explain each point…

22. According to His Good Pleasure
When?
To save those in Christ before the foundation of the world (1:4)
The "chosen" would be holy and without blame in Christ – (1:4)
The "elect" would be adopted as sons – (1:5) Galatians 3:26, (i.e., the means and conditions)
This plan is according to God's good pleasure – (1:5,10-13)
What?
How?
According to His Good Pleasure…WHEN—WHAT—HOW—MOTIVE…
Motive?

23. According to His Good Pleasure
Who?
The faithful in Christ (1:1,4,5)
Those in Christ’s body—the church (1-13; 2:16)
By grace through faith (2,7,13; 2:8-10)
Baptized into God’s family (1:5,7,13; Acts 2:38-41)
Forgiveness, grace and peace, inheritance, adoption, eternal life (Chapter 3)
Where?
How?
When?
According to His Good Pleasure…WHO—WHERE—HOW—WHEN--WHAT…
What?

24. He Chose Us in Him “Elect” – or “Chosen?” Yes!! Unconditionally? NO!!!
Pre-chosen individually? NO!
Violation of free will? NO!!!
“Predestined?” Yes!!
Individually? NO!!!
He Chose Us in Him—”ELECT” or “CHOSEN?” Yes!
Unconditionally? NO!
Pre-chosen individually? NO!
Violation of free will? NO!
PREDESTINED? Yes!
Individually? NO!
Violation of free will? NO!!!

25. Unconditional Election
"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).
[By the way Bruce A. Ware, a Calvinist, makes the point that if regeneration precedes faith then one must believe in unconditional election].
Dr. Bruce Ware Dr. Ware is a highly esteemed theologian and author in the evangelical world. He came to Southern Seminary from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he served as Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Biblical and Systematic Theology. Prior to this, he taught at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary and at Bethel Theological Seminary. Dr. Ware has written numerous journal articles, book chapters, and book reviews and, along with Thomas Schreiner, has co-edited The Grace of God and the Bondage of the Will and Still Sovereign. He also has authored God's Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism and Their God Is Too Small.

26. Either Unconditional or Conditional
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
Either Unconditional or Conditional
Three Choices: Calvinism—Universalism—Truth

27. God does NOT redemptively love all men
Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination
God does NOT redemptively love all men
2 Peter 3:9
“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.”
The large majority of men are born foreordained to eternal destruction.
“Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination” (2 Pet.3:9)
God DOES NOT redemptively love all men! Does not compute with God’s character!

28. God does NOT redemptively love all men
Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination
God does NOT redemptively love all men
1 Timothy 2:3,4
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 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.
“Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination” (1 Tim.2:3,4)
God DOES NOT redemptively love all men! Does not compute with God’s character!

29. God does NOT redemptively love all men
Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination
Ezekiel 18:23, 32
“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?.. For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord GOD. Therefore turn and live!”
God does NOT redemptively love all men
The large majority of men are born foreordained to eternal destruction.
“Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination” (Ezek.18:23,32)
God DOES NOT redemptively love all men! Does not compute with God’s character!

30. Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination
God is a respecter
of persons
Acts 10:34,35
“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”
He chooses one sinner and condemns many others arbitrarily and capriciously.
“Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination” (Acts 10:34,35)
God is a respecter of persons! Does not compute with God’s character!

31. Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination
2 Corinthians 5:10
“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.”
God is unjust
He condemns men for what He predetermined they would do, without their having libertarian freewill to do otherwise–
“Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination” (2 Cor.5:10)
God is unjust! He condemns men for what He predetermined they would do, without their having libertarian freewill to do otherwise! Does not compute with God’s character!

32. Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination
James 1:13
“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.”
Everything is unchangeably foreordained
EVEN EVERY SIN!
The first cause of EVIL is God Himself!
“Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination” (Jam.1:13/ 1 Jno.1:5)
Everything is unchangeably foreordained
EVEN EVERY SIN!
The first cause of EVIL is God Himself!
Does not compute with God’s character!
1 John 1:5
“… God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

33. Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination
God does not redemptively love all men. The large majority of men are born foreordained to eternal destruction – 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4
God is a respecter of persons. He chooses one sinner and condemns many others arbitrarily and capriciously - Acts 10:34,45
God is unjust. He condemns men for what He predetermined they would do, without their having libertarian freewill to do otherwise - 2 Corinthians 5:10
Everything is unchangeably foreordained. EVEN EVERY SIN! “God is the first cause of ALL EVIL!”
Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination…Review…

34. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him
Acts 17:26,27
“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, 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.”
God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Acts 17:26,27) Men must make a CHOICE!

35. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him
Revelation 22:17
“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.”
God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Rev.22:17) Men must make a CHOICE!

36. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him
Joshua 24:15
“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.”
God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him. God has created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Josh.24:15) Men must make a CHOICE!

37. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him
Romans 6:16
“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”
God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Rom.6:16) Men must make a CHOICE!

38. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him
Acts 22:16
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (Acts 22:16) Men must make a CHOICE!

39. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him
1 Peter 3:21
“There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith!
He Chose Us in Him. God created EVERY man with the ability to choose faith! (1 Peter 3:21) Men must make a CHOICE!

40. Consequences of Unconditional Election and the Calvinistic View of Predestination
MONERGISM
“If I did nothing to get my salvation, then I can do nothing to keep it.”
Ron Mitchell,
April 26, 2007
One can
choose to
become a
child of God
Monergism --noun Theology. The doctrine that the Holy Ghost acts independently of the human will in the work of regeneration.
One Can
Choose To
Become A
Child of God
All of God—none of me!

41. He Chose Us in Him
Election in Christ must be understood as the election of God’s people, thus corporate in nature.
This view harmonizes God’s loving nature with His justice. God is sovereign but also loving and fair.
God has chosen and predestined the sphere and the means by which men, of their own free will, may receive all spiritual blessings, which are in Christ.
Review Slide: He Chose Us in Him!

42. Unconditional Election 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.
Unconditional Election? Quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians and basis of some of the Baptist creeds.)

43. Unconditional Election 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.
Unconditional Election? Quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians and basis of some of the Baptist creeds.)

44. Unconditional Election 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.
Unconditional Election? Quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians and basis of some of the Baptist creeds.)

45. Unconditional Election 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.
Unconditional Election? Quote from the Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians and basis of some of the Baptist creeds.)

46. Unconditional Election
U E
The
doctrine of
“unconditional
election” is
based on:
Man’s
inability to choose
salvation
A false view
of man’s nature
Conclusion—Invitation…
A false view
of God’s sovereignty
Foreordination
Predestination