The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Eph 1:4

Tom said:

As many are aware Arminian theologians present Ephesians 1:4 Accordingly 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. believe that the predestination in this verse is centered on the act of choice before the foundations of the world, rather than on individuals themselves. . . .

What would you say to say to refute this interpretation of the verse in question? . . .

The true doctrine concerning Election and Reprobation having been explained, the Synod rejects the errors of those:

I. Who teach: That the will of God to save those who would believe and would persevere in faith and in the obedience of faith, is the whole and entire decree of election unto salvation, and that nothing else concerning this decree has been revealed in God's Word.

For these deceive the simple and plainly contradict the Scriptures, which declare that God will not only save those who will believe, but that he has also from eternity chosen certain particular persons to whom above others he in time will grant both faith in Christ and perseverance; as it written: "I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world," John 17:6."And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed," Acts 13:48. And: <span style="background-color:#FFFF00">"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love," Ephesians 1:4.</span>

V. Who teach: That the incomplete and non-decisive election of particular persons to salvation occurred because of a foreseen faith, conversion, holiness, godliness, which either began or continued for some time; but that the complete and decisive election occurred because of foreseen perseverance unto the end in faith, conversion, holiness and godliness; and that this is the gracious and evangelical worthiness, for the sake of which he who is chosen, is more worthy than he who is not chosen; and that therefore faith, the obedience of faith, holiness, godliness and perseverance are not fruits of the unchangeable election unto glory, but are conditions, which, being required beforehand, were foreseen as being met by those who will be fully elected, and are causes without which the unchangeable election to glory does not occur.

This is repugnant to the entire Scripture, which constantly inculcates this and similar declarations: Election is not out of works, but of him that calleth. Romans 9:11. "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed," Acts 13:48 <span style="background-color:#FFFF00">"He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy," Ephesians 1:4. </span> "Ye did not choose me, but I chose you," John 15:16."But if it be of grace, it is no more of works," Romans 11:6 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son," 1 John 4:10.

What are your thoughts?