Does.......

[ellisb2]

Does "the elect" also mean christian? If you say your one of the elect your just saying your a christan because that's what it means? Is it just the proper term for christian?

 

[GrinningDwarf]

Pretty much.

 

[GodsElect]

Because you are elected, you believe, and you have been predestined to believe from the foundation of the world. Our human wills did nothing to deserve this adoption but only from God's Grace. Yes, the elect ARE Christians and only the elect are true Christians.

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

 

[heymikey80]

Does "the elect" also mean christian? If you say your one of the elect your just saying your a christan because that's what it means? Is it just the proper term for christian?

Yes, all Christians are elect. But that includes future Christians. They've been elected from the foundation of the world. All who will be Christians have been elected (chosen) by God.

 

[Ryft]

Does "the elect" also mean christian? If you say your one of the elect your just saying your a christan because that's what it means? Is it just the proper term for christian?

No, it is not a synonym for Christian. Surprised?

Although a true Christian is one of God's elect, God's elect are not necessarily Christians. "The elect" is a term to describe those "chosen by God" before the foundation of the world; therefore, it describes those who are true Christians but it also describes all kinds of other people (e.g. Atheists), and even those who do not even exist yet. Let's look at an example. Jones, although having died a Christian, spent a significant portion of his life as an Atheist; even during those years as an Atheist, he was always one of God's elect. For a more Scriptural example, consider Saul of Tarsus. He was not a Christian while on his campaign to destroy the church, killing and imprisoning followers of Christ, yet we know that he was one of God's elect, chosen before the foundation of the world. He was always one of God's elect, but he was not a Christian until later in his life.

I have an Atheist friend who is viciously opposed to Christianity. I like to tease her sometimes, "What if you are actually one of God's elect who has not yet encountered the day of your salvation?" She does not find that amusing, of course, but the sentiment makes the point fairly clear. And it may caution us to exercise care with unbelievers, for they just might be one of God's own but have not yet been regenerated.

 

[UMP]

No, it is not a synonym for Christian. Surprised?

Although a true Christian is one of God's elect, God's elect are not necessarily Christians. "The elect" is a term to describe those "chosen by God" before the foundation of the world; therefore, it describes those who are true Christians but it also describes all kinds of other people (e.g. Atheists), and even those who do not even exist yet. Let's look at an example. Jones, although having died a Christian, spent a significant portion of his life as an Atheist; even during those years as an Atheist, he was always one of God's elect. For a more Scriptural example, consider Saul of Tarsus. He was not a Christian while on his campaign to destroy the church, killing and imprisoning followers of Christ, yet we know that he was one of God's elect, chosen before the foundation of the world. He was always one of God's elect, but he was not a Christian until later in his life.

I have an Atheist friend who is viciously opposed to Christianity. I like to tease her sometimes, "What if you are actually one of God's elect who has not yet encountered the day of your salvation?" She does not find that amusing, of course, but the sentiment makes the point fairly clear. And it may caution us to exercise care with unbelievers, for they just might be one of God's own but have not yet been regenerated.

Good point !

 

[Hackett]

This is an excellent point. Another affirmation about the importance of praying for those around us who seem to be unconcerned about their spiritual condition or those who take it lightly.... I will worry about that tomorrow... attitude.