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This of course is not meant to be an exhaustive study. It is just a few notes, in the spirit of Nehemiah 8, that scratch the surface of the topics of election and predestination.
1 Samuel 23 Here we see where God foreknows things which do not happen. Foreknowledge does not necessitate predestination. God allows and desires our participation. And so we pray. Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 26:39 was not a sin.
Ephesians 1:3-5
Chosen “in Him”, meaning Christians.
The Christians are chosen to be holy and blameless.
As Christians we adopt the purpose of His will.
God makes this happen for those who have chosen Him, because in creating the world, that is what He decided He would do.
Ephesians 2:9
Those with the faith are saved.
We cannot take credit for the offer of a gift for us, though we do not have a gift we do not receive.
John 15:16
It is Christians who are chosen & ordained to gather fruit. This happens as a result of our choosing to stay with (or in) Him, as it says in verses 1-15.
John 6
It’s always important to remember the Bible was written to the people it was written to. We need to recognize the who, and that it wasn’t you. It was written for us, not to us (in John 15:16 Jesus was speaking to his disciples). Here, the Jewish leaders saw the disciples doing miracles, such as making endless breadsticks & fish, and they wanted to be something special too, like they thought of Moses. In asking Jesus to give them this ability also, they likely were being sarcastic, because they already thought they were actually special and were just trying to trip Jesus up. The contrast is between the disciples whom God specifically and specially ordained, and the Jewish leaders who had no plan to also be “in Christ”.
I find it interesting to note Andrew acted and spoke up while not realizing it would lead to a miracle, nevertheless his faithful action as insignificant as it may seem was the catalyst. Jesus could have given him this specific directive but left it to Andrew.
Verse 37 describes two different kinds of people, all those that the Father gives to Jesus and then all those that desire to be with Jesus, whom he will continue to work with. The first group are further described in verse 39 and are the Disciples (John 17:12). The second group are described in verse 40, those who choose to recognize (“see” v. 30) Jesus as the Son, a phrase you might imagine would infuriate who he is standing there speaking to. They were expecting to see a sign and that sign was right there in front of them, yet they decided not to see Him as Who He is.
Verse 44 becomes critical to understand in that not all who are drawn to Christ do actually end up coming to Christ. The word “can” is there for a reason. Christ died even for those who deny Him (2 Peter 2:1). Believers are saved by further trust in the resurrection.
Acts 13:48
Is often misunderstood because it was translated to sound correct in english despite that changing the meaning. More literally it reads “all who believed so appointed themselves/ordained each other to eternal life”.
Paul and Barnabas are preaching the gospel. The Pharisees are freaking out, and while they are paralleling the Habakuk 1:5 warning of “judging THEMSELVES unworthy (v. 41, 46) at that monumental moment (Leviticus 26:27-39), the gentiles on the other hand are very interested and beg to hear it again the next sabbath (v. 42). So, when they do hear it again, nearly the whole city accepts Christ, appointing each other then to discipling even more throughout the area (v. 49) as per Titus 1:5.
Despite “the chosen” high & mighty plotting against Paul & Barnabas, the bountiful fruit from preaching the gospel brought much rejoicing amongst the disciples.
Luke 18:10-14
“God be merciful to me the sinner!” Salvation belongs to God and sin & repentance belongs to the person. As James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up”. And in Isaiah 6:22 we read, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and tremble at my word”. See also: 2 Kings 22:19, 2 Chronicles 12:7 & 12, Psalm 18:27, 25:9, 147:6.
In fact, as Matthew 23:12 tells us, if a person is waiting for God to humble them, it will be too late! Humility (toward our need for the cross) is our responsibility (Luke 14:11).
It is not a work to humble our works in light of our need for the cross.
Romans 8:29, 30
The plan of God is that the destination of a believer (those who ARE saved) will be their transformation to redemption & glorification (1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 John 3:2, Romans 8:15-18).
Ephesians 1:5 & 11
The plan of God is that Christians are guaranteed adoption TO the inheritance.
2 Thessalonians 2:14 & 2 Corinthians 5:20
We are called by the gospel of Christ given to us through the writings of the Apostles.
Ephesians 4:1 & 2 Timothy 1:9
And we, the saved are called to our great commission of God’s grace.
Genesis 12:1-3
The Jews, Israelites, Hebrews were chosen to be the elect for a certain service, not automatically for salvation. Ultimately it was to bring in the Savior through their genealogical line.
God particularly called Abraham for a service. He was saved by his faith.
1 Timothy 2:3-6
God WANTS ALL to be saved. All.
Romans 10:21 (Isaiah 65:1,2)
God says his offer of salvation has been longstanding, which implies the ability and necessity of reception, in otherwords choice...
Matthew 23:37
God says he longed for relationship with the Jews, yet they were not willing to choose the relationship. Rev. pied Piper can say all day long that God wanted them to not want Him, yet that’s just not what it says. There is no paradox. God wanted them and they refused.
Romans 9
What happened in regards to God’s discretion relating to Jacob, Esau or Pharaoh or anyone else in the Old Testament really has nothing to do with our post cross & resurrection salvation.
As we see in verses 27-33 the context is a contrast between Israel’s rejection and the gentiles acceptance of Christ, that offensive Rock of stumbling for the worshippers of law. What? Cornelius can be saved too? No way! Yes way. In Romans Paul teaches that righteousness is unattainable through works (3:10-11), yet is attainable by anyone by grace through faith (3:21-24), which is why ALL are without excuse.
The Jews being faced with the facts of works vs faith become hardened (as is often what happens when we hold tight to a preferred belief system) and so are at this point facing the consequences, which go hand in hand with conditions as laid out in Leviticus. Isaiah 6:9-13 is repeated in each gospel (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8, John 12, Act 28) as a warning, or prophecy of what will be happening to rebellious Israel (Ezekiel 12:2, Psalm 69:22-28), the hardening (unless they repent - Romans 11:20, 23) and then he subsequent offer of the Messiah to the gentiles.
Mercy is associated with unbelief and belief is associated with salvation. God will have mercy on whomever He wills (Romans 9:18 whether Jew or gentile), and hallelujah! as the broader context here in Romans 11:32 goes on to say, His offer of mercy is for all!
1 Corinthians 1:21, Titus 3:5,
Ephesians 1:13 & Acts 17:11, 12
God offers lasting life for all who’ve heard and believe the Word & choose to put their trust in Him.