Note the Uniqueness of the relationship of the Father to the Son, and the Son to the Holy Spirit in the Plan of Salvation. Stephen D. Swihart’s outline in Willmington p.728:
A. The Fathers Work.
He designed the Plan in Eternity past.
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| We are a part of the ultimate reality of God's eternal plan that is working without interruption or hesitation. Daily Grace. |
1. The Foreknowledge of God the Father.
Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
Rom 8:30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Foreknew:G4267
προγινώσκω proginōskō
Thayer Definition:1) to have knowledge before hand 2) to foreknow 2a) of those whom God elected to salvation 3) to predestinate
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| C.H. Spurgeon "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."—John 6:37. |
Rom 11:2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.
The word “foreknew” is expressive not merely of foreseeing a thing, but implies in this place a previous purpose or plan; see the note at Rom_8:29. The meaning of the passage is simply, God has not cast off those whom he had before purposed or designed to be his people. It is the declaration of a great principle of divine government that God is not changeable: and that he would not reject those whom he had purposed should be his people. Though the mass of the nation, therefore, should be cast off, yet it would not follow that God had violated any promise or compact; or that he had rejected any whom he had foreknown as his true people. God makes no covenant of salvation with those who are in their sins; and if the unbelieving and the wicked, however many external privileges they may have enjoyed, are rejected, it does not follow that he has been unfaithful to one whom he had foreknown or designated as an heir of salvation. It follows from this, also, that it is one principle of the divine government that God will not reject those who are foreknown or designated as his friends. It is a part of the plan, therefore, that those who are truly renewed shall persevere, and obtain eternal life.Barnes
1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1Pe 1:2 Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
That is, “chosen.” The meaning here is, that they were in fact chosen. The word does not refer to the purpose to choose, but to the fact that they were chosen or selected by God as His people. It is a word commonly applied to the people of God as being chosen out of the world, and called to be His.This word has reference to the act of selecting them, without throwing any light on the question why it was done. See Mat_24:22, Mat_24:24, Mat_24:31; Mar_13:20; Luk_18:7; Rom_8:33; Col_3:12. Barnes
According to the foreknowledge of God the Father - The Father is regarded, in the Scriptures, as the Author of the plan of salvation, and as having chosen His people to life, and given them to His Son to redeem and save, Joh_6:37, Joh_6:65; Joh_17:2, Joh_17:6,Joh_17:11. It is affirmed here that the fact that they were elect was in some sense in accordance with the “foreknowledge of God.” On the meaning of the phrase, see the notes at Rom_8:29. The passage does not affirm that the thing which God “foreknew,” and which was the reason of their being chosen, was, that they would of themselves be disposed to embrace the offer of salvation. The foreknowledge referred to might have been of many other things as constituting the reason which operated in the case; and it is not proper to assume that it could have been of this alone. Barnes.
2. To predestinate:
Act 4:28 to do all that Thy power and Thy will had predetermined should be done.
Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
1Co 2:7 But in dealing with truths hitherto kept secret we speak of God's wisdom--that hidden wisdom which, before the world began, God pre-destined, so that it should result in glory to us;
ISBE says “Its Fundamental Importance:
It must first be asserted, however, in view of much loose modern thinking, that predestination is a category of religious thought of fundamental importance. No category of religious thought could go deeper, for it reaches down to the Infinite Will in relation to the universe of finite wills, and lays stress on will as the core of reality. The philosophy of our time may be said to have received, from the time of Schopenhauer, an impact toward will-emphasis, alike in respect of will in the universe and in man. But the relation of the Absolute Will to the universe, and to mankind, is precisely that with which we are concerned in predestination.”
Predestinate: G4309 προορίζω proorizō Thayer Definition:
1) to predetermine, decide beforehand
2) in the NT of God decreeing from eternity
3) to foreordain, appoint beforehand
Barnes In these places [Acts 4:28 and Romans 1:4; 1 Cor 2:7] the word evidently means to determine, purpose, or decree beforehand; and it must have this meaning here. No other idea could be consistent with the proper meaning of the word, or be intelligible. It is clear also that it does not refer to external privileges, but to real conversion and piety; since that to which they were predestinated was not the external privilege of the gospel, but conformity to his Son, and salvation; see Rom_8:30. No passage could possibly teach in stronger language that it was God’s purpose to save those who will be saved. Eph_1:5, “having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself.” Eph_1:11, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”
Eph 1:5 For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through Jesus Christ--such being His gracious will and pleasure--
Eph 1:11 In Him we have been made heirs, having been chosen beforehand in accordance with the intention of Him whose might carries out in everything the design of His own will,
3. The Father’s Work of Choosing or Electing.
Mat 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
But for the elect’s sake - The “elect” here doubtless means “Christians.” See 1Pe_1:2; Rom_1:7; Eph_1:4; 1Th_1:4. The word “elect” means “to choose.” It is given to Christians because they are “chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,”. Barnes
Election and Foreknowledge
Election is the sovereign act of God; He was under no obligation to elect anyone, since all had lost their standing before God. Even after Christ died, God was not obligated to apply that Salvation, except as He owed it to Christ to keep His agreement with Him as to man’s Salvation. …. It is an act of God’s Grace, in that He chose those who were utterly unworthy of Salvation. We deserved the exact opposite but He chose us on the merits of another. Furthermore He chose those who He knew would Accept Christ. Theissen p. 344
1Pe_1:2 The Elect. ISBE
The word is absent from the Old Testament, where the related Hebrew verb (בּחר, bāḥar) is frequent. In the New Testament it occurs 6 times (Rom_9:11; Rom_11:5, Rom_11:7, Rom_11:28; 1Th_1:4; 2Pe_1:10). In all these places it appears to denote an act of Divine selection taking effect upon human objects so as to bring them into special and saving relations with God: a selection such as to be at once a mysterious thing, transcending human analysis of its motives (so eminently in Rom_9:11), and such as to be knowable by its objects, who are (2 Pet) exhorted to “make it sure,” certain, a fact to consciousness. It is always (with one exception, Rom_9:11; see below) related to a community, and Thus has close affinity with the Old Testament teachings upon the privileged position of Israel as the chosen, selected race (see under ELECT).
Eph 1:4 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:
Col 3:12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
2Th 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Barnes Notes on 2 Thess 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you; - see the notes on 2Th_1:3. “Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.” The following important things are affirmed or implied here:
(1) That God had chosen or elected them (εἵλετο heileto) to salvation. The doctrine of election, therefore, is true.
(2) that this was from “the beginning” ἀπ ̓ ἀρχῆς ap' archēs; that is, from eternity; see the Joh_1:1 note; Eph_1:4; 3:9-11 notes. The doctrine of eternal election is, therefore, true.
(3) that this was the choice of the persons to whom Paul referred. The doctrine of personal election is, therefore, true.
(4) that this is a reason for thanksgiving. Why should it not be? Can there be any higher ground of praise or gratitude than that God has chosen us to be eternally holy and happy, and that he has from eternity designed that we should be so? Whatever, therefore, may be the feelings with which those who are not chosen to salvation, regard this doctrine, it is clear that those who have evidence that they are chosen should make it a subject of grateful praise. They can have no more exalted source of gratitude than that they are chosen to eternal life.
Through sanctification of the Spirit - Being made holy by the Divine Spirit. It is not without respect to character, but it is a choice to holiness and then to salvation. No one can have evidence that he is chosen to salvation except as he has evidence that he is sanctified by the Spirit; see the notes on Eph_1:4.
And belief of the truth - In connection with believing the truth. No one who is not a believer in the truth can have evidence that God has chosen him.
4. God’s Call.
Rom 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Them he also called - Called by his Spirit to become Christians. He called, not merely by an external invitation, but in such a way as that they in fact were justified. This cannot refer simply to an external call of the gospel, since those who are here said to be called are said also to be justified and glorified. The meaning is, that there is a certain connection between the predestination and the call, which will be manifested in due time. The connection is so certain that the one infallibly secures the other. Barnes
Theissen : The Definition of God’s Call.
It is defined as that act of God’s grace by which He invites all men to accept by faith the Salvation provided by Christ.
Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen."
Act 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."
Rom 1:6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
Rom 1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Called through the Word of God
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Called by His Spirit.
Joh 16:8 And when he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
Joh 16:9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
Joh 16:10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;
Joh 16:11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Heb 3:7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice,
Heb 3:8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,
Heb 3:9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.
Heb 3:10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.'
Called through His Servants
Jer 25:4 You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although the LORD persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets,
Mat 22:2 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,
Mat 22:3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
Mat 22:4 Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast."'
Rom 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Rom 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
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