What does Ephesians 1 say about election and predestination? Looking at the clear and simple text with emphasis of particular points but without interpretation.
Eph 1: 3-14 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
And just in case you missed the point, election and predestination are IN CHRIST and THROUGH CHRIST – and we are included IN CHRIST when we hear “the word of truth, the gospel of [our] salvation. And it is Having believed, [we are] marked IN HIM with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…”
9 comments:
Simple, yet PROFOUND! Love it :)
Thanks for your comment William,
It's amazing how simple the truth can be when we accept what scripture says instead of trying to make it fit a preconceived theology.
Onesimus;
Excellent post!
I think that you forgot to mention that it is by His doing that you are IN CHRIST and not by your doing. (1 Cor. 1:29+30)
If it would be by your doing, then you really would have something to boast about.
Onesimus; there is no dispute whether election and predestination is in Christ or not.
But the question is, whether is it is by your doing or His doing.
Arminians cannot see predestination because they put themselves in front to cover the truth.
Regards
Paul
Paul, God does not force us to believe in Him. Whether we put our trust in Him or not is our decision, made through the ability of our God given free will. We can choose to put our trust in Him or we can choose to remain confident that we don’t need Him, and face the consequences of rejecting our creator.
Do you really think anyone could boast in the fact that Jesus had to die a terrible death to make it possible for them to be brought into relationship with God?
If anyone other than Jesus died as a perfect sacrifice for their own sins then they might have something to boast about – but knowing that our sin made it necessary for Jesus’ suffering and death? Where is there any room for boasting?
We can not DO what we have not been given the ability to DO. We can not put our faith in Christ if we have not been given the ability to put our faith in Christ. But God has not restricted that ability to a limited few. Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for ALL so that WHOEVER believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life.
If you think God is so desperate for a family that He has to program a select few to believe in Him then I do not recognise your god, he is a strange god with nothing in common with the God who does not want any to perish but wants all to come to repentance.
And again I am faced with the lie that “Arminians cannot see predestination” – as if Calvinists (and those who follow Calvinist doctrine despite their denials) have a monopoly on belief in “predestination”.
I have a strong belief in predestination but I stick with what SCRIPTURE says about it. I suggest you have a close look for yourself to see what SCRIPTURE says. Find out WHO is predestined and for what PURPOSE they are predestined.
The scriptural definition is far different to the Calvinist understanding that a select few are predestined for salvation.
It’s not a hard thing to check for yourself – the references to predestination are very few, and two of them specifically refer to Jesus’ death being predestined.
Yes Onesimus; most people don't like my God the Lord Jesus, because He is a sovereign God, a despot who would like no one to perish, but to save them all, and certainly all will be saved and not one will be lost.
The Arminian god would like to save them all but he cannot override their free will because they chose to go to hell.
If we would have a free will, Satan and all of us would tear the Lord Jesus from His Throne and set ourselves on it.
Your free will is not as free as you think it is, because it is bound to the one who owns you either Satan or Jesus.
Whether you think your will is free or not, makes no difference, there is only one who has a free will, and that is Jesus Christ our Lord.
If Jesus really wanted to save Tom, Dick and Harry and he lost them in hell, it would be impossible for you to trust Jesus, because you know that He could not save them; what makes you think that He can save you?
Why can't you accept the plain Word of God, 'by His doing you are IN HIM'.
If it is by His doing, then it is not by your doing anything.
The Arminians boast, because they think that by their decision or choice they are in Christ.
I believe that the children of God are IN HIM before the foundation of this world, and they cannot do anything to be in Him.
Just like you; you were in your natural father before you came into this world or were born into it.
Well brother, it is so simple; I wonder why you can't see it.
Paul
Paul,
under normal circumstances I would not continually allow comments that promote false teaching - but in your case with your last comment I make an exception. Anyone with a genuine desire for the truth will recognise how far from the truth your beliefs are.
May the Lord open your eyes and lead YOU to the truth.
Paul G,
Why can't you accept the plain Word of God
It continually amazes me how many people use this statement in defense of tradition false teaching. When in fact they haven't ever open the scriptures themselves and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth.
You started off with a truth when you said,
"it is by His doing that you are IN CHRIST and not by your doing. (1 Cor. 1:29+30)
If it would be by your doing, then you really would have something to boast about."
You are so correct. However, G-d awaits for who to make the first step? He waits for you.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:20
If you got into the Word, and studied it with the Holy Spirit as you teacher, you would arrive at the truth instead of perpetuating false tradition teachings that is in the church today.
Yeshua said this in John 16:14.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.
Predestination is a false teaching that has been perpetuated for a long time. It comes from not understanding the original text. The sad thing is that we have the tools to explore and understand the scriptures at its core.
A simple investigation into the scriptures will show you that the Greek word "proorizō" means and implies "FOREKNOWLEDGE" not "determined to be" as you believe.
Look it up YOURSELF and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth not your local minister or teacher. Man is fallible. G-ds Holy Spirit is not. Please. I beg of you not to continue in the ways of the rebellious man who deliberatly continues his sinful ways.
The rebellious (sinful) man:
...cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14).
...is full of evil (Mark 7:21-23).
...does not truly seek for God (Rom. 3:11).
...is lawless, rebellious, unholy, and profane (1 Tim. 1:9).
Come on. What harm is there to get into the word yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into the truth? Again....I beg of you to try it once. You will not be dissappointed. As a matter of fact, it will be a avenue for you to grow closer unto the G-d who died for you.
Shalom
Onesimus,
Once again, I agree with you. What kind of Love would it be if we didn't have the choice to refuse the gift of salvation? After salvation, free will is the greatest gift G-d has given us. Without free will, it wouldn't be a gift, it would be a mandate.
Shalom
No Doubt,
It would be no kind of love.
I thank God that He has given us the reponsibility and privilege of free will.
His willingness to do that shows that He is secure in His own sovereignty and knows that nothing man can do can threaten it.
What kind of "god" needs to create preprogrammed followers to ensure that he has someone to worship him?
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