Equipping University

The question we seek to answer in this chapter is this: When Christ died on the cross, who did He intend to save? Did Jesus come to earth to die for every single person who ever has lived or ever will live? Or did Jesus die in order to save those chosen by the Father and given to the Son in eternity past? What was God's intent in Christ's work on the cross? The simplest way to ask the question is to ask, "For whom did Christ die?" The answer to this question lies in the discussion of the extent of Christ's atonement. The person who coined the term "limited atonement" might have been a theological genius, but he was a disaster when it comes to public relations. The very term "limited atonement" is often enough for some to close the discussion. However, suppose we alter the language just a bit and speak of "definite atonement." To disagree with a definite atonement is to put forth an "indefinite atonement." Some use the term "particular redemption." To disagree with this position, you must hold to an "unpartic

Election is a controversial topic yet the church cannot avoid discussing it. Election is a biblical term, a biblical concept, and the Bible discusses it frequently. Indeed, the topic appears multiple times in almost all of Paul's letters. He even begins his letter to the Ephesians, a group of recently converted pagans, with this very topic that most Christians today believe should never be discussed at all. Therefore, the question is not "Does the Bible teach election?" but "What exactly does the Bible teach about election?" Unconditional election to salvation may be defined as God's gracious choice, made in eternity past, of those whom He would save by faith through the atoning death of His Son. This choice was based not upon anything that those so chose would do, or any choice they would make, or on how good or bad they might be, or on anything else specifically true about them in contrast to others. Instead, this choice is based solely on God's own good pleasure and will. In light of this understanding,

A survey of the BIble reveals that God is a choosing God. God has pleasure in the doctrine of election and election brings glory to God. If that is so, why do we not focus on this vital doctrine more often? From the beginning, God had a plan to redeem mankind. This plan was made certain "before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4). From the beginning, God set apart a people for Himself and His infinite glory - a people we now see includes both Jews and Gentiles. It is this setting of His divine love and choice on a certain people that we know as "election." In election, God saves men and women in accordance with a plan formulated in eternity past. The events we see unfolding in time are not chaotic but the divinely ordained means that God uses to bring His plan to fruition. In fact, "this world and all that is in it exist primarily as the means to the fulfillment of a divine purpose, 'to unite [or, consummate] all things in him [Christ]'" (Eph 1:9-10).

A survey of the BIble reveals that God is a choosing God. God has pleasure in the doctrine of election and election brings glory to God. If that is so, why do we not focus on this vital doctrine more often? From the beginning, God had a plan to redeem mankind. This plan was made certain "before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4). From the beginning, God set apart a people for Himself and His infinite glory - a people we now see includes both Jews and Gentiles. It is this setting of His divine love and choice on a certain people that we know as "election." In election, God saves men and women in accordance with a plan formulated in eternity past. The events we see unfolding in time are not chaotic but the divinely ordained means that God uses to bring His plan to fruition. In fact, "this world and all that is in it exist primarily as the means to the fulfillment of a divine purpose, 'to unite [or, consummate] all things in him [Christ]'" (Eph 1:9-10).

A survey of the BIble reveals that God is a choosing God. God has pleasure in the doctrine of election and election brings glory to God. If that is so, why do we not focus on this vital doctrine more often? From the beginning, God had a plan to redeem mankind. This plan was made certain "before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4). From the beginning, God set apart a people for Himself and His infinite glory - a people we now see includes both Jews and Gentiles. It is this setting of His divine love and choice on a certain people that we know as "election." In election, God saves men and women in accordance with a plan formulated in eternity past. The events we see unfolding in time are not chaotic but the divinely ordained means that God uses to bring His plan to fruition. In fact, "this world and all that is in it exist primarily as the means to the fulfillment of a divine purpose, 'to unite [or, consummate] all things in him [Christ]'" (Eph 1:9-10).