Who are the Elect?

[ozso]

Are the elect all those chosen by God to receive salvation?

Or are the elect only those chosen by God to serve a certain purpose, mission, ministry?

 

[LoveGodsWord]

Good question. What does the scriptures say. Let's find out...

WHO ARE GOD'S SAINTS (ELECT/CHOSEN) ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES?

REVELATION 12:17, [17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ

REVELATION 14:12, HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS: HERE ARE THEY THAT KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND THE FAITH OF JESUS.

REVELATION 22:14, BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, THAT THEY MAY HAVE RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, AND MAY ENTER IN THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY.

ACTS 5:32, And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN TO THEM WHO OBEY HIM.

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Note: According to the scriptures, Gods' saints / Elect / Chosen / or Gods' true people or Church "keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus". We should then compare what John says as a test to know if someone is from God or not from God in John where it says...

1 JOHN 2:3-4 [3], And HEREBY WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. [4], HE THAT SAYS I KNOW HIM AND DOES NOT KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS IS A LIAR AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM.

and again....

1 JOHN 5:2-3 [2], BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE LOVE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, WHEN WE LOVE GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS [3], FOR THE IS THE LOVE OF GOD, THAT WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: and his commandments are not grievous.

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So according to the scriptures those who have been born again through the Spirit *1 John 3:4-10 by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) to keep all of God's commandments from a new heart to love, including God's 4th commandment "seventh day Sabbath" are identified as God's saints / elect / chosen and the ones telling the truth (see 1 John 2:3-4) because they keep all the commandments of God and the true faith of Jesus.

The above is all scripture and God's Word but who will hear it? God's Sheep hear His Voice (the Word) and follow him. Those who do not hear will not follow according to John 10:26-27.

Take Care.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Are the elect all those chosen by God to receive salvation?

Or are the elect only those chosen by God to serve a certain purpose, mission, ministry?

God chooses who He chooses.

Perhaps it relates to those who are formed, and trust God to become what He is forming them into. Some people want to go off in another direction, and remain unformed. God sees this so picks another person who will patiently let God form them like a potter does the clay.

If the elect are the saved, then trying doesn't matter, because it will come to you automatically or it will not. Since many (those who attend church) are called but few (???) are chosen.

 

[Norbert L]

Or are the elect only those chosen by God to serve a certain purpose, mission, ministry?

How does a Christian determine their value and purpose in the body of Christ?

I had a conversation one time where the person frequently used the phrase, the gift of money. Talking about Christian millionaires and the issues they face day to day compared to those who aren't in that income bracket.

It's about what you have and how you use it. A ministry can pretty much look like anything. Luke 2:37

I'd say a Christian should find out what their talents are and funnel them diligently into serving Christ.

 

[ozso]

How does a Christian determine their value and purpose in the body of Christ?

I had a conversation one time where the person frequently used the phrase, the gift of money. Talking about Christian millionaires and the issues they face day to day compared to those who aren't in that income bracket.

It's about what you have and how you use it. A ministry can pretty much look like anything. Luke 2:37

I'd say a Christian should find out what their talents are and funnel them diligently into serving Christ.

When I say ministry, I mean as in the Apostles and others mentioned like Apollos and Timothy etc. God choosing Paul was the most dramatic example.

In the Old Testament it would be Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samuel etc.

 

[d taylor]

Israel

 

[Norbert L]

When I say ministry, I mean as in the Apostles and others mentioned like Apollos and Timothy etc. God choosing Paul was the most dramatic example.

In the Old Testament it would be Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samuel etc.

I'm thinking more along the lines of 1 Corinthians 12:15

Every Christian has a ministry but not all ministries are the same.

 

[HTacianas]

Are the elect all those chosen by God to receive salvation?

Or are the elect only those chosen by God to serve a certain purpose, mission, ministry?

It is difficult to say. To determine who "the elect" are we have to examine a lot of the language of both the old and new testaments. It is safe to say that the elect are those who will eventually receive salvation on the day of judgement but it is impossible to tell who they are at the present time. If someone were to ask me if I am one of the elect I would have to answer "I don't know".

 

[ozso]

I'm thinking more along the lines of 1 Corinthians 12:15

Every Christian has a ministry but not all ministries are the same.

I'm thinking ministry with a really big M. In the Catholic and Orthodox churches it would pertain to their Saints. I'm sure most Catholics and Orthodox have some sort of ministry, but only a few to are elected to sainthood.

 

[Hammster]

Are the elect all those chosen by God to receive salvation?

Or are the elect only those chosen by God to serve a certain purpose, mission, ministry?

They are those God chose to save.

 

[ozso]

It is difficult to say. To determine who "the elect" are we have to examine a lot of the language of both the old and new testaments. It is safe to say that the elect are those who will eventually receive salvation on the day of judgement but it is impossible to tell who they are at the present time. If someone were to ask me if I am one of the elect I would have to answer "I don't know".

So do you think it's 50/50 as to whether or not you'd go to hell if you died right now?

 

[ozso]

They are those God chose to save.

Wow a succinct straightforward answer. Don't see those too often on forums.

 

[HTacianas]

So do you think it's 50/50 as to whether or not you'd go to hell if you died right now?

I don't know.

 

[Hammster]

Wow a succinct straightforward answer. Don't see those too often on forums.

It’s the prima facia reading from scripture. One has to get creative to come up with something else. And that usually consists of taking verses out of context.

 

[Norbert L]

But only a few to are elected to sainthood.

Sainthood is a designation given through a consensus within this world. Whether that evaluation is correct or not remains to be seen.

 

[The Righterzpen]

How does a Christian determine their value and purpose in the body of Christ?

I had a conversation one time where the person frequently used the phrase, the gift of money. Talking about Christian millionaires and the issues they face day to day compared to those who aren't in that income bracket.

It's about what you have and how you use it. A ministry can pretty much look like anything. Luke 2:37

I'd say a Christian should find out what their talents are and funnel them diligently into serving Christ.

The "value" of any believer is in the cost Christ paid.

As far as "finding one's purpose". Well, that can be a little more of a complicated process. We all have different interests, aptitudes, skill sets, life circumstances. I could say I want to go be a missionary in India; but I have a developmentally disabled adult son whom it's my responsibility to look after. So obviously "life circumstances".

Also, what our "purpose" may be at one point in life doesn't necessarily mean that will remain consistent through life. Circumstances change and so do people's interests. As well as sometimes their circumstances and even abilities.

I agree with you though; and the Scripture passage that says "train up a child in the way that he should go...." would agree with you too. That verse could certainly have application to moral training; but that isn't what that passage is actually about. "The way that one should go" in that passage actually means their interests, intents, and things they are most likely good at, because they like to do them.

In the most elemental way though; "your purpose" is simply "the next task in front of you". Which could range from giving a theological dissertation at a conference to washing the dishes. In a certain sense; it's all in the details.

 

[The Righterzpen]

Sainthood is a designation given through a consensus within this world. Whether that evaluation is correct or not remains to be seen.

Saints as far as Scripture is concerned are all who are believers.

 

[ozso]

Sainthood is a designation given through a consensus within this world. Whether that evaluation is correct or not remains to be seen.

It was a bad analogy on my part. I should have stuck with those whom God specially handpicked in the Bible, like Samuel and Paul etc.

 

[eleos1954]

Israel

who is Israel?

Galatians 3:9, 27-29: "For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed." "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise."

Those who have Abraham's faith receive the blessings promised to him. Jews and non-Jews who have received Christ as Savior and Lord are counted as "Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise."

All who are in Christ is Israel.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Are the elect all those chosen by God to receive salvation?

Or are the elect only those chosen by God to serve a certain purpose, mission, ministry?

The "elect " are those who choose Jesus Christ of Nazareth, God in the Flesh, in turn they are chosen to receive His Holy Spirit for eternity and enter The Kingdom of God.
Blessings.