Eleição condicional x eleição incondicional | Pastor Rodrigo Mocellin

Election: Unconditional vs Conditional

Introduction to Election Concepts

• The sermon discusses the concepts of unconditional election versus conditional election, continuing a series on why the speaker does not align with Arminianism.

• Reference is made to Acts 13:48, highlighting that those destined for eternal life believed in Jesus Christ. This sets the stage for discussing different theological perspectives on election.

Conditional Election (Arminian Perspective)

• In Arminian theology, election is conditional upon God's foreknowledge of who will believe. Thus, one's choice to believe influences God's decision to elect them.

• The speaker contrasts this with Calvinism, which posits that God’s choice is based solely on His purpose and not influenced by human actions or decisions.

Unconditional Election (Calvinist Perspective)

• According to Calvinism, God chooses individuals based on His sovereign will, knowing they would not choose Him otherwise; thus, He enables their faith through His prior selection.

• The argument emphasizes that faith results from God's election rather than being a prerequisite for it—highlighting a fundamental difference between the two views.

Biblical Basis for Election

• The Bible commands belief ("Whoever believes will be saved"), but it also states that God empowers individuals to obey this command through His election. This suggests divine initiative precedes human response.

• Ezekiel 36 is cited as evidence of God’s active role in enabling obedience among the elect by placing His spirit within them. This reinforces the idea that only those chosen by God can truly respond in faith.

Evidence from Scripture

• Jesus’ statement about non-believers not being part of His flock illustrates that disbelief stems from not being chosen as part of God's people; thus, their lack of faith is explained by their non-election rather than personal failure to choose correctly.

• Romans 11 highlights that Israel's salvation was due to God's election rather than their own efforts or seeking after righteousness; this underscores the theme of grace over works in salvation discussions.

Conditions and Implications of Election

• Paul argues in Romans 9 regarding Jacob and Esau that neither had done good or evil before God's choice was made—indicating no conditions were set for their selection beyond divine sovereignty itself. This challenges any notion of merit-based selection among humans.

• The speaker critiques Arminian views suggesting preemptive grace available to all; instead asserting biblical descriptions depict humanity as spiritually blind without special grace granted only to the elect—illustrating a stark contrast between these theological frameworks.

Conclusion: Divine Sovereignty and Human Response

• Emphasizing divine mercy over human effort aligns with Paul's teachings about predestination—not based on foreseen choices but purely on God's will and love towards those He has chosen for salvation from eternity past.

This structured approach provides clarity around complex theological discussions while linking back directly to specific timestamps for further exploration if needed.

God's Choice: Understanding Divine Election

The Basis of God's Selection

• God did not choose Israel for their numbers or goodness; they were the smallest and most stubborn people, chosen solely because of His love.

• Despite witnessing miraculous events like the parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites consistently complained against Moses and God, showcasing their hard-heartedness.

• The narrative emphasizes that even after witnessing miracles, such as water from a rock and quail provided by God, the Israelites remained unfaithful due to their inherent disbelief.

Human Incredulity and Divine Intervention

• The biblical account illustrates that despite experiencing divine acts firsthand, human nature tends toward disbelief unless God intervenes to open hearts.

• An example is given of soldiers who witnessed Jesus' resurrection but chose to lie about it due to bribery, highlighting that seeing miracles does not guarantee faith.

The Nature of Salvation

• Salvation is based on God's grace rather than human merit; individuals are chosen according to God's eternal purpose and will.

• Just as a father has authority over his household decisions, God's choices stem from His perfect will—unlike human desires which can be flawed.

Predestination Explained

• The concept of predestination is discussed: God chooses individuals for salvation out of His free grace without regard for foreseen faith or good works.

• It is emphasized that humans do not initiate their own salvation; instead, it is God's action that leads them to believe in Him.

Biblical Examples of Grace

• A classic example cited is Saul (Paul), who was actively persecuting Christians when he encountered Jesus. This demonstrates that salvation comes through divine intervention rather than personal righteousness.

• Paul's transformation from a murderer to an apostle exemplifies how God's grace operates independently of human actions or intentions.

Conclusion on Election

• Without unconditional election, no one would be saved since all humanity leans towards sin.

The Nature of Salvation and Divine Justice

Misunderstanding Divine Intentions

• The question is not why God saves some, but rather why He does not eliminate all since all are depraved.

• Some interpret Calvinism as suggesting arbitrary selection by God, which misrepresents the scripture's message.

Human Rejection of Divine Help

• Despite God's efforts to save humanity (symbolized by sending various agents), people still reject Him in favor of worldly idols.

• The preference for Barabbas over Jesus illustrates humanity's inclination towards sin and rebellion against divine authority.

The Question of Justice

• If God were to condemn everyone to hell after their rejection, it would not be unjust; rather, it highlights His sovereignty and righteousness.

• The focus should be on God's mercy in saving some rather than questioning His justice in condemning others.

Understanding Human Condition

• Calvinism posits that humans are spiritually dead and incapable of choosing salvation without divine intervention, contrasting with Arminian views that suggest a degree of human agency even in a fallen state.

• Biblical references emphasize the total depravity of man, indicating that spiritual death affects intellect and willpower entirely.

Grace and Election

• Salvation is described as a gift from God; faith itself is granted by divine grace, emphasizing that no one can boast about their belief as it originates from God's choice.

• Those who feel unworthy or recognize their sinful nature may find assurance in being part of the elect chosen before creation. This reflects God's intentionality in salvation history.

Personal Testimony on Election