Salvation

Acceptance or Application?

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
We have discovered in part 1 that according to the Scriptures, an unsaved person is totally incapable of making a decision for Christ because of their dead spiritual condition. Now because of this situation, God has a salvation plan whereby He has and continues to save people every day. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world for the purpose of dying for His people.
(Mat 1:21 KJV) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21 gives the specific reason that Christ came into the world and that is to save His people. He did not come into the world to pay for the sins of every human being or else everyone in the world, past and present, would be saved. He came for a specific group of people and that was the Christians. Let us now look at God’s biblical salvation plan and not an imagined one.
Named Before the Foundation of the World
The Bible teaches us that before the foundation of the world, God had named those He planned on saving. Why He chose to save some and not others is a mystery and I will not even delve into any speculation on this subject. The fact is that God had named those He planned on saving.
(Rev 13:8 KJV) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
(Rev 17:8 KJV) The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Twice in the book of Revelation we read that names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and these will not worship the beast because they have been saved out of the Kingdom of Satan and worship God. Now about 65 years before Revelation was written, Jesus had spoken these words to His disciples.
(Luke 10:20 KJV) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Jesus gave them authority over the powers of evil but He told them not to rejoice in that fact, but to rejoice in the fact that their names were written in Heaven. This means that they were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Now here is an interesting fact. Judas was one of the twelve and walked with Jesus for the three and a half years. Judas was the only one of the disciples who was unsaved. He was with Jesus day and night and even saw the miracles which He did, yet Jesus did not save him. Why didn’t Jesus save him? The answer is that his name was not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, so Judas could not have become saved. Now since we know that those whom God planned to save are named, this would mean that those who are not named cannot become saved because the book was completed before the foundation of the world, that is, before one person was created.
Now as we continue on in searching out God’s biblical salvation plan, we are going to look at a number of words which deal directly with the salvation plan. The words are Predestinate, Called, Elect, Foreknowledge, and Chosen. These five words form the initial part of God’s salvation plan. What we want to do is look at these words and see how they reveal aspects of God’s salvation plan.
Foreknowledge
I started out with foreknowledge because the foreknowledge of God is related to the fact that He wrote many names in the Lamb’s Book of Life. So this would constitute foreknowledge as to those He is going to save.

(Rom 8:29 KJV) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
The word “foreknow” is from the Greek word “proginosko” which means “to know beforehand.” Salvation is not a random thing. God already knew the names of those He was going to save. This means that it is not left up to man who is going to accept Christ or not. As we saw in part 1, there is no way a spiritually dead person can accept Christ.
Predestinate
The next word we are going to look at is “predestinate.” That word is a forbidden word in the majority of churches. The word behind predestinate in the Greek is the word “proorizô ” which means “appoint or determine beforehand.”
(Rom 8:29-30 KJV) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Those whom God foreknew before the foundation of the world have been predestinated unto salvation. Now let us look at Romans 8:29. I have heard many free will preachers try to explain away the word “predestinate” by stating that we are predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son. What they refuse to teach is the fact that before one can be conformed to the image of the Son, they must be saved first and then conformity takes place. There is such a fear among Christians over the biblical fact of predestination that it has become a reprehensible teaching to the majority.
(Eph 1:5 KJV) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
In Ephesians 1:5, we read that the believer has been predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ. Adoption is being taken from one place and put in another. This is exactly what happened to the believer. We were in the kingdom of Satan but God, through salvation, transplanted us into His Kingdom.
(Rom 8:15 KJV) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(Gal 4:4-5 KJV) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, {5} To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:5 confirm this transplant. Romans 8:15 states that we have received the Spirit of adoption. When we became saved, we were indwelled by the Holy Spirit and that indwelling took us from being spiritually dead, to being spiritually alive in the Kingdom of God. Galatians 4:4-5 speaks about Christ coming to this world, and remember he came to save His people, who redeemed us who were under the law and as a result of His salvation, we were adopted into the Kingdom of God. So in Ephesians 1:5, we are being told that we have been predestinated unto adoption, that is, when we became saved we were no longer citizens of Satan’s kingdom but were transplanted into the Kingdom of God.
(Eph 1:10-11 KJV) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: {11} In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Ephesians 1:10-11 teaches us that the believer was predestinated according to the will of God. It does not say according to the will of man but according to the will of God. This is further attested to in John 1:12-13.
(John 1:12-13 KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
So the believer is predestined according to the will of God that they will be adopted into the Kingdom of God and then as the Holy Spirit indwells us, we will then be conformed to the image of His Son.
Called
The word “called” has two different Greek words behind it.
Kaleo - Which means to “call, summon, name, or invite
Kletos - Which means to “invited, called out, chosen, or appointed
The first word is “kaleo” and we read that it means to invite, call, summon, or name. In the majority of usage, it is referring to believers and their call from God. The word in this form is a verb denoting an action.
(Rom 8:30 KJV) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
(1 Pet 5:10 KJV) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
(Heb 5:4 KJV) And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
The second word is “kletos” which means “invited, called out, chosen, or appointed.” This word is an adjective which modifies a noun. In the following four verses, it is definitely used as describing the believer as being the called of Jesus Christ. The word is used 12 times in the New Testament and ten times it refers to believers and the other two times, it is used as a call.
(Rom 1:6 KJV) Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
(Rom 8:28 KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
(1 Cor 1:2 KJV) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
(Rev 17:14 KJV) These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
The only times “kletos” is used in the form of an invitation is in two verses in the entire New Testament. It must be noted that within the general call described by these two verses, the Elect of God are also being called because out of the groups in view, few will be chosen and those are the Elect.
(Mat 20:16 KJV) So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
(Mat 22:14 KJV) For many are called, but few are chosen.
These two verses are the key to understanding evangelism in the light of Election and being named by God. Since we do not know who the Elect of God are, we must send out the Gospel to as many as possible and those Elect who receive the Word of God will then be qualified by God to hear the Gospel and will then be saved. Many are called to church services, evangelistic services, and such but not everyone who attends will become saved because many are called but only a few are chosen. The word for “few” in both verse is the Greek word “oligos” which means “little, small, short, or few.” This means that out of the billions who have lived on this earth, it will only be a small amount who are going to be saved yet that number will be pretty big but in comparison to billions, it will be small. Matthew 20:16 and 22:14 also reveal a great principle. Since those who are being called at any particular time will have the Elect of God among them, this would also mean that there will be no need for Gospel preaching where there is no Elect. If no one in a particular group is Elect of God, then there is no reason to bring the Gospel to those people since no one among them will become saved. This does not negate the command to send forth the Gospel. We send out the Gospel and leave the areas of reach to the Lord.
Chosen (Choose, Elect, Election)
The fifth word is “chosen” and shares the Greek words behind them with “choose, elect, and election.”
Eklegomai (verb) - Which means “Choose, select, or elect”
Eklektos (adjective) - Which means “Chosen, select, or elect”
Ekloge (noun) - Which means “Selection, choice, or chosen”
The first word we are going to look at will be “eklegomai” which is a verb that shows action.
(John 15:16 KJV) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
(Acts 1:2 KJV) Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
(Eph 1:4 KJV) According 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:
Here is the verb showing action that the believers had been chosen by Christ Himself. John 15:16 speaks of the chosen disciples to go and bring fruit which will remain. The fruit which will remain is the Gospel they preach and those who become saved will remain forever. Then Acts 1:2 confirms that the Apostles had been chosen by Christ Himself. Then in Ephesians 1:4, the meaning widens in that not only were the Apostles chosen by Christ but here we are told that every believer has been chosen by God and because of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, we were placed in Him, even before the foundation of the world.
The next word is “eklektos” which is an adjective which modifies a noun.
(Mat 20:16 KJV) So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
(Mat 22:14 KJV) For many are called, but few are chosen.
(Mat 24:31 KJV) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
(Rom 8:33 KJV) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
(1 Tim 5:21 KJV) I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
In Matthew 20:16 & 22:14, we saw previously that when the Gospel call goes out, that there will be the Elect of God within the hearing of that call. The word “chosen” in both verses bear this out that there will be Elect who will be saved within that call. Now when the Gospel call goes out and no one becomes saved at that time, does mean that the Gospel call went out to all non-elect? The answer is no because the principle of planting and watering takes effect. (1 Cor 3:6 KJV) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. A person who is elect can hear the Gospel today and not get saved for a year. One plants the seed and another waters it and when their time has come, then God will save them.
Matthew 24:31 speaks about the last day when the elect will be gathered and brought to Heaven. Romans 8:33 speaks of God’s elect being justified by God Himself. Since in salvation God has removed all our sins from us, how then can anyone make an accusation that can stick if in Christ we are totally sinless? Both Matthew 24:31 and Romans 8:33 speak of the elect or those that are saved. Now an interesting verse in 1 Timothy 5:21. It speaks about the elect angels. Many angels went along with Satan’s rebellion in Heaven and therefore were cast out of Heaven. This verse speaks about certain angels who were elect and did not fall with Satan. So not only are the believers elect but also the angels which are now in Heaven are elect.
Now the last word is “ekloge” which is a noun and it means “selection, choice, or chosen.”
(Acts 9:15 KJV) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
(Rom 9:11 KJV) (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
(1 Th 1:4 KJV) Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
In Acts 9:15, we are being told that the Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel unto the Lord Jesus Christ. On the road to Damascus, did the Lord Jesus from Heaven say to Paul, “Do you want to accept me as savior? If you do I am going to show you how much you are going to suffer for me?” Knowing this, why would the Apostle Paul accept Christ and then be the persecuted one instead of the persecutor? Paul did not accept Christ on the Road to Damascus. In Romans 9:11 we are told that Jacob was elect of God and Esau was not and that is why God chose Jacob over Esau. This verse also states that it is not of works but by Him that calls. In 1 Thessalonians 1:4, the Apostle Paul says to the Thessalonians that they were elect or chosen of God. It doesn’t say that He knew they accepted Christ but that they were chosen, just like every believer down through history.
Second Summary
We have looked at five words which speak about the salvation of the believer. Nowhere did we find even one allusion to a person having the ability to accept Christ as Savior. All believers as recorded in Scripture came by election, even Jacob 1800 years before Calvary came by election. Now we are going to look at the process which God uses to bring the elect of God unto salvation. Now this does not mean that salvation is a process because salvation is instant and a one time event. It means that even the Elect are in a state of unbelief and must be brought to salvation.

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