Covenant Reformed News – April 2008 • Volume XI, Issue 24
This article from Covenant Reformed News examines the doctrine of unconditional election as taught throughout the New Testament, focusing on passages from Ephesians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and 1 Peter. The author argues that apostolic Christianity centrally affirmed the church's election in Christ and that this doctrine serves as a crucial protection against apostasy and false teaching. The piece provides exegetical support for the Reformed understanding that God's eternal election is the foundation and source of the church's salvation and perseverance.
Election, the Source of the Church (2) Ephesians 1:3-5 is far from the only passage in God’s Word in which the Holy Spirit teaches the churches about the church’s election in Jesus Christ. The congregation at Thessalonica was probably only a few months old, yet Paul wanted them to be sure of their eternal election, speaking of it at the beginning of his letter: “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God” (I Thess. 1:4). There are congregations today, hoary with age, which do not have...