"So", you may ask, "which theological position do you take? Do you accept the Calvinistic or the Arminianistic view of election?". Our reply: "We accept neither one as a whole, for both positions are full of flaws." This doesn't mean that we don't respect and admire both theologians - for we do - yet there are flaws in both theological positions that are not reconcilable to Scripture.

     For instance, we cannot believe Calvin's position on Limited Atonement is correct, nor can we accept Arminius' position that once a believer is saved, he is "not" eternally secure. We do not believe that God ever "looked down through the ages" to learn anything, for our God has no need of learning - He already knows all things.

     Furthermore, we believe that omniscience is still omniscience if God, in order to maintain His plan, selectively chooses "not to know" certain things. And, though God had certainly forced salvation on some members of humanity in order to maintain His plan, we see no evidence that this is the norm or natural means of salvation. Though we agree, with Calvin, that unsaved man is Totally Depraved, we do not believe that the Scripture supports the idea that a man so called by the Holy Spirit would be forced into accepting salvation. We do believe the Spirit "lifts the veil" of sin for every person so that they can make a free choice either for or against Christ, yet we believe the Scripture gives adequate proof that man freely makes the choice after the call.

     Basically what we are saying is this: "both Calvin and Arminius are two extremes, both at opposite ends of the scale. The truth lies somewhat in the middle of both of their theologies."

     A main key to understanding the Biblical doctrine of election is to understand the doctrine of Position in Christ. We are sinners saved by Grace, if we have accepted Christ as Savior. We are saved, not because of who we are, but of "who Christ is".

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized (BAPTIZO, Aorist Passive) into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink (POTIZO, Aorist Passive) into one Spirit."

     In order to understand position in Christ, we first need to understand the "Baptism of the Spirit". The Holy Spirit performs this Baptism ministry on every believer at the point of salvation. Charismatics teach that the Baptism of the Spirit is a "second blessing" sought after salvation, but our text doesn't support this. Look at the text.

     The Baptism isn't something that the believer can earn or do for himself. This is clear when we look at the Greek tenses and voices of BAPTIZO and POTIZO. Both are Aorist tense, which shows that the actions were accomplished sometime in the "past".

     Everyone that Paul was writing to had already received the Baptism, they were not seeking it. Both words are also Passive Voice, which means that "we" received the action of the verbs. If a believer could do something to earn his salvation then Paul would have used the Middle or Active Voices, not the Passive. This is something that is "done to us", not something we seek and receive. In other words, God the Holy Spirit baptized each believer and made each believer drink of Him, regardless as to whether we willed this action or not. "The Baptism of the Spirit is automatic for the believer at the point of salvation."

     Note that the purpose of the Baptism is to "bring the believer into union with Christ". You can see this clearly when you parallel "For by one Spirit are we all baptized" (BAPTIZO, Aorist Passive) into one body" with all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ". The Baptism of the Spirit unites us with Christ so that, in God's eyes, what is true of Christ is true for us as well.

     Prior to salvation we were viewed by the Father as sinners, totally unfit to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. But because of the Baptism of the Spirit everything that Christ did for us is now "identified to us" who believe, though we are not worthy of this identification. God looks at us, after salvation, as His sons because we are marked and identified with the Son's work because of that Spirit Baptism. The Baptism of the Spirit is also illustrated in Romans 6.1-10 (a verse often used in the Church to denote water Baptism, yet this is inaccurate):

Romans 6.1-10 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God."

     The Baptism of the Holy Spirit unites the believer with Christ, "as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death". We are buried with Him via the Spirit Baptism, and just as Jesus was resurrected we, too, will be resurrected from the dead. We who were once dead in sin are now dead to sin, and because of this "we should not serve sin". The Baptism of the Spirit unites us with Christ in such a way that God, when He looks at us, sees Christ's work in us, and reckons that we are under the Atonement.

John 14:19-20 "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."

     The Baptism of the Spirit unites us closely with Christ, making us "little Christs" in God's eyes. Because of Spirit Baptism we are "in Christ" insofar as righteousness is concerned:

2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

     Christians are still sinners, and can and do sin (1 John 1.8). But no sinner can enter Heaven, or even be considered fit to enter Heaven by the Father. Yet the Baptism of the Spirit puts us in Christ, unites us with Christ, and because of this we are "made the righteousness of God in him". When the Father looks at the believer He sees, not the believer with all his flaws, but the righteousness of Christ imputed to him. "He sees Jesus!" We neither earn nor deserve this, but this imputation of righteousness is purely an act of Grace, purely something we receive out of the bounty of God's blessing in Christ.

1 John 5:11-12 "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

     Because we are in Christ we also have eternal life. This rich blessing was imputed to us because of the work of the Spirit at the point of salvation. When you believed on Him, the Spirit marked you for eternal life, so that "He that hath the Son" has life. Position in Christ (via the Baptism of the Spirit) gives us eternal life. Non-position in Christ only gives the person eternal death.

1 Corinthians 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours"

     Because of the Baptism of the Spirit we are also "sanctified in Christ Jesus", set apart for God's use and in God's eyes. We are set apart, not because we're sinless on this earth (Roman Catholicism routinely names "saints" to the Church, but we are all saints in Christ Jesus), but because of what Christ did for us and because the Spirit marked us "in Christ Jesus". This is further explored in:

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

     Because the believer is "in Christ Jesus" he has righteousness (in God's eyes), he is sanctified (set apart for God's use), and redeemed (the price of sin has been paid). We did not earn nor deserve this, but it was granted because of our faith in Jesus. Since we are "in Christ Jesus", and since Christ is sanctified and righteous, these attributes are placed on our account.

Colossians 2:12 "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

     No believer ever actually suffered the crucifixion with Christ, nor were we resurrected with Him on the third day. But because the Baptism of the Spirit placed us "in union with Christ" we are identified with both His death and resurrection. Water Baptism won't do this for you: when you go in the water, you go in dry and come out wet. Water Baptism is only an outward sign or testimony of your new position in Christ. But the Baptism of the Spirit identifies you with Christ's death and resurrection, and therefore grants you entrance into Heaven on Christ's merits.

     What other Grace gifts are given to us because we are "in Christ" (Romans 3.24)? This list is so extensive I'll just give you the list:

     The list, as you see, is very comprehensive - we receive all these things because we are "In Christ". Our account is settled in Heaven insofar as God the Father is concerned: not because we're so good, or so righteous, but because we are in Christ. "You and I don't possess one, not one spiritual attribute because we're special, chosen, or meritorious before God. Everything we possess as believers we possess because we're in Christ Jesus."

     We are in Christ Jesus, Baptized by the Holy Spirit, and because of this hold all things spiritually in common with Him. So let's apply this to the doctrine of Election:

Isaiah 42:1 "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, (BACHIYR = chosen, elect, selected out) in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles."

1 Peter 2:3-6 "If so be ye have tasted that the Lord (Jesus Christ) is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, (EKLEKTOS = one chosen out, elected) precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded."

     Jesus Christ is the "elect" of God. What does this mean? Well, in eternity past God the Father knew than man would fall to Satan and sin. In His master plan He called a conference with the other members of the Godhead, and during this conference chose God the Son to be the One who would pay the penalty for Adam's arrogance. Jesus was "chosen" or elected by God to the role that He played in our salvation. He was elected to this position before the foundation of the world.

     At the appointed time Jesus went to earth, took on humanity through the Virgin Mary, ministered, taught, and was ultimately executed for the sins of the world. Christ was elected to this role in eternity past and was always predestined to go to the Cross. Jesus knew this from the start, and followed the path that the Father laid out for Him perfectly. Christ was "predestined " to go to the Cross, it was "foreordained" that He would suffer and die for our sins.

     We, as believers and because of the Baptism of the Spirit, are identified with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. We're identified in Christ's redemption, in His Church, in all things because of this Baptism. In fact, we are "identified with Christ in His election, foreordination, and predestination" because of that same Baptism. Our identification with Christ is so complete that we who believe are seen as "little Christs", perfectly in union with Him.

     Calvinism says that men are individually elected to salvation from before the foundation of the world. Arminianism says that God looked down through the ages to see who would be saved, then elected people to salvation based on this learned knowledge.

     But the only place where the Scripture clearly teaches individual election is in Christ Jesus. No believer, as a norm,  was ever individually elected in eternity past. People are only marked as "elect" after salvation, when the election of Christ is applied to their lives. If you are a believer, you are in union with Christ. If you are in union with Christ you share in all things true of Christ, even His election. Only believers are elect because of this union, something that is truth because of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1.3-12 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ."

     We are, as the Scripture says, adopted, chosen, elected because we are "in Him". We are in union with Christ and share all things with Him - even His election.

     Please remember that we started this study by telling you that we were seekers of truth, and we certainly don't have all the answers on election. We do not believe that it is "the norm" that believers are individually chosen to salvation, but instead we believe the Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit "lifts the veil" for all people so they can freely choose or accept Christ. Yet we do believe that there are certain people, throughout history, that God has elected to be saved and therefore perform a certain function in the Church and in His plan. He has every right to do this: it is His plan, and we are His creation, so who are we to fuss when He chooses some to salvation in order to fulfill that Plan.

     Both Calvin and Arminius tended to view election as either black or white, and to tie God's hands in following anything in between. I do not believe that God would provide an Unlimited Atonement then lock some people out of a chance of sharing in that Atonement. This is inconsistent with His Love policy. Yet on the other hand if He wanted to force some to choose for Christ so they could have the glory of taking part in His great Plan, then He has every right to do this as well.

     Paul the Apostle, certainly a key player in the Plan of God, was forced toward salvation. As an Apostle he has the job of establishing Churches, assigning pastors and deacons to Churches, and writing Holy Scripture as he was led by the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 2:10 "Therefore I endure (HUPOMENO = to abide under, remain under, endure) all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain (TUGCHANO, Aorist Subjunctive = attain or secure) the salvation (SOTERIA = deliverance, salvation) which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

     Paul endured the hardships of his calling in order that he might seek out the "elect" or chosen ones. Now, whether he uses "elect" to refer to those who are elect because of position in Christ, or elect because they are key players chosen by God is uncertain. Again, there are times when God does choose certain key players, as in the case of Paul, King David, Isaac, Elijah, and so on. But to read into this text that the norm of salvation is that all are elected from eternity past, pre-chosen to salvation and others are not chosen, is to perform an injustice on God. God can and will do as He wants with His creation.

Acts 13:48 "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."

     Calvinists point to this verse to support their "particular election" theory, yet misunderstand the verse as it is written. "Ordained" is the Greek TASSO, which may mean to "be predetermined to", but it also means "to be predisposed to". The text can be read either way. Again, is it referring to those who freely chose Christ once the veil was lifted, or to certain key players integral to the plan of God? It is best to remember this verse when we talk about election:

2 Timothy 1:9 "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began"

     We are all saved according to God's "own purpose and grace", not according to our merit or according to our agenda. If God wants to call out certain key players with an efficacious call He certainly has that right, and has exercised it numerous times throughout Scripture. If God wants to "lift the veil" for others and allow them to make a free choice for or against Christ He can certainly do that. He is, after all, God, and controls all that He wants to control. But is election and the purposes of God locked into Arminianism or Calvinism? "No. Our God is an awesome God, and can do as He will within that which is His."

     If you have not already done so, please trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. For more information on Salvation Click Here to view "How can I get to Heaven?"

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