SeniorSeeker
Active member
[size=large]The Election of Grace[/size]
Romans 11:1-7 (New International Version) The Remnant of Israel. "I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descen- dant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah - how he appealed to God against Israel: "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."
What common teaching does this passage clearly and irrevocably deny?
In the first part of his answer to the question, "Hath God cast away his people?" Paul points to a remnant, an election of grace, as proof that God has not cast away His people. Salvation is open for all who accept it, Jew and Gentile alike.
It should be remembered that the early converts to Christianity were all Jews - for example, the group that was converted on the Day of Pentecost. It took a special vision and miracle to convince Peter that the Gentiles had equal access to the grace of Christ in Acts 10 (compare Acts 15:7
Romans 11:1-7 (New International Version) The Remnant of Israel. "I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descen- dant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah - how he appealed to God against Israel: "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."
What common teaching does this passage clearly and irrevocably deny?
In the first part of his answer to the question, "Hath God cast away his people?" Paul points to a remnant, an election of grace, as proof that God has not cast away His people. Salvation is open for all who accept it, Jew and Gentile alike.
It should be remembered that the early converts to Christianity were all Jews - for example, the group that was converted on the Day of Pentecost. It took a special vision and miracle to convince Peter that the Gentiles had equal access to the grace of Christ in Acts 10 (compare Acts 15:7
Ma Betty