Getting a Handle on Election, Foreknowledge, and Predestination

The second message in the verse-by-verse series through the book of Ephesians.

In Ephesians 1:4-5, God is not talking about being saved, He is speaking to those who are already saved. The people who are chosen (they are already saved) are chosen for His benefits, not for salvation.

We believe that the Bible teaches that election is based on foreknowledge. In contrast, the doctrine of Calvinism, foreknowledge is based on election. Foreknowledge is knowing something beforehand. God is the only One Who has complete and perfect foreknowledge. While foreknowledge is knowing something before it happens, foreknowledge does not cause it to happen. God has given us the ability to choose. And, when we choose to put our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ for salvation, we are adopted into God’s family and we are eternally secure.