The second thing we can learn from this passage of scripture contradicts the very heart of Calvinist theory – the belief that God will force salvation upon anyone. Many of those who defend Calvinism point to this verse: And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength (Isaiah 49:5). Yes, God did call Isaiah to be His prophet, but at any time Isaiah could have refused. He could have chosen to reject the special calling God placed on him and have a more normal life of the era. However, had he done so, he would not have been blessed as he was, he would not have found the lasting peace and joy that only complete obedience to the Lord can bring. The Lord knew that Isaiah could either accept or reject the calling that was placed on his life; the Lord could also see the result out of either decision.
Calvinism refutes the simple invitation that Jesus extended to everyone through the conversation with Nicodemus. One of the side-notes to Calvinism is that if you are not one of the “predestined” ones to be saved, then there is no hope for you to ever receive salvation or gain eternal life through the Lord. In His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus said, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:14-18). There are a few key words that refute Calvinism just in this one passage: whosoever and world. If Calvinism was truly a Biblical doctrine, then Jesus would not have used either word, but would have said “That the select who believe on Him…,” or “the predestined, through Him will be saved…” Notice that nowhere in this passage is salvation restricted to anyone on any other criteria than their willingness to accept the salvation that Jesus offers so freely to all who will believe. The word “might” also clearly indicates a conditional action; those of us who have children know this quite well as we use it in the same context: “we might go to the park today…” which indicates some understood, but unmentioned condition placed on going to the park.
An explanation: why Paul used the terms elect and election
Again, for those unfamiliar with my history, I did not grow up in a Christian home nor have I attended formal Bible training or college. My Bible knowledge comes from simply reading the scriptures and applying common sense to them. I also have done a lot of personal study into the writings of those men regarded as either church fathers or theologians and compare their writings and theories with that of scripture. In fact, true biblical studies happen when we begin to weigh everything according to the Bible; Paul wrote, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) and I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9). Added to those two passages, the Holy Spirit led the apostle Peter to write, Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). In other words, we can rest assured knowing that if what someone is teaching us is easily verifiable and is not contradicted by scripture, their teachings are sound. If they attempt to teach a new doctrine or a new revelation that does not agree with scripture, then it is a false doctrine.
The apostles’ use of election and elect should not surprise us in the least nor is it a confirmation of predestination as taught by those who hold to Calvinistic teaching. It is an affirmation of the relationship of the child of God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, being accepted by the Father. This very idea was well established even in the Old Testament: For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me (Isaiah 45:4). God’s election is based on the condition of mankind’s obedience: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied (1 Peter 1:2). We become the elect of God when we choose to accept Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior and we willingly submit ourselves to His lordship.
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