232 – The Relationship of Election, Predestination and Calling

SEMESTER 2

232 – The Relationship of Election, Predestination and Calling

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE:  SOTERIOLOGY II LESSON # 32
THE RELATIONSHIP OF ELECTION, PREDESTINATION AND CALLING

INTRODUCTION:

1. This subject may be somewhat misplaced under the heading of election.
2. It might more properly have preceded the series on election.
3. However, misunderstanding of these terms and their relation­ship makes this lesson needful and I think belongs rightly to summation.
4. This misunderstanding is evidenced by the fact that these words are used interchangeably where the Bible does not so use them.

III: “I hear you believe in predestination” when they mean sovereign election.

I. DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. As shown in this series of lessons, election (soteriological) means the eternal, sovereign choice of particular individuals to sal­vation.
2. Predestination means the pre-(eternal) planning and ordaining of one’s destiny, by God, including all efforts, means and circumstanc­es required for and used in bringing that one to the predetermined destiny.
3. Calling is that particular work of God within and upon the elect, by which he is brought into the faith of Jesus Christ.

II. BIBLICAL EVIDENCES THAT THEY ARE RELATED

1. Some claim they are really not related at all.

i. The stock false definitions are an attempt to establish this, i.e.:

a) Election is only national, vocational, or according to foreseen faith and thus does not imply divine, eternal pre-purposing of destiny.
b) Predestination is only of the saved (after salvation) and thus only determines life style and security, not salvation.
c) Calling is a universal invitation equally to all and thus is not effectual in determining destiny.

2. Bible parallels prove the relationship.

i. Eph 1:3-11: The us chosen in verse 4 are precisely the same individuals as the us who have been predestinated unto adoption in verse 5, made accepted in the beloved in verse 6, who have redemption in the blood in verse 7, who are gathered together in Christ in verses 9 and 10, and who have obtained an inheri­tance in verse 11.

a) The context simply will not allow us to divorce any of these words from the other, or to disassociate any of them from the doctrine of salvation.
b) 1Co 24:28: The called of verses 24 and 26 are precisely the same as the chosen of verses 27 and 28. In fact, the called in verse 26 and the chosen in verse 27 refer to part of the same action.
c) Rom 9:18-24: The “vessels of mercy…afore prepared unto glory” (i.e. predestination) of verse 23 are precisely the same individuals as “us whom he hath called” in verse 24.
d) Rom 8:28: “The called according to God’s pur­pose” of verse 28 are precisely the same persons as the predesti­nat­ed and called in verse 31, for whom God gave His Son in verse 32, whom He freely gives all things in verse 32, “God’s elect” who cannot be charged in verse 34, and who cannot be separated from God’s love in verses 35-39.

All these passages and hundreds more forbid us to think of these three terms as separate from each other.

III. HOW ARE THEY THEN RELATED

1. Election originates in eternity and looks forward (through calling) to the salvation and glorification of the elect.
2. Calling is the work of the Spirit on the elect, which looks back to election and forward to eternal glorification.
3. Predestination originates in eternity to effect all the ultimate goals of election. It brings to pass by means that which is sovereignly purposed in election. It may include election, but most certainly includes atonement, and calling with all its facilitating elements. It also includes all circumstances operating in preservation, persever­ance, resurrection and all that leads to glorification.