1Pe_5:13. - Elected Because They Had Received Christ
4. 1 Peter 5:13. - Elected Because They Had Received Christ “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. - 1 Peter 5:13.
Mr. Nettleton uses this portion of Scriptures in support of his position of election to salvation and quotes this portion of Scripture on page 34 of his book. I would like to call your attention to the fact that the church at Babylon, when Scripture states “was elected together with you,” was elected as far as being a group of believers in Babylon.
They were elected because they had first received Christ as their Savior. A similar situation occurs when many boys “go out” for a basketball team. Only those that make the team are elected to play the game. We find out that in God's army, only those who choose to put their faith in Christ are elected to be soldiers. At times Christians are referred to, collectively, as the universal church; or, at times, they are referred to as a church within a local city made up of all believers in that city. At other times they are referred to as an individual Chris-tian. They are referred to as “the elected” only on the basis of their faith in Christ. This is backed up in the same chapter. Notice in 1 Peter 5:8 :
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” In 1 Peter 5:9, Peter warns:
“Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” Not by election, but by Christ Jesus. And we find out that, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6 b).” “…If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me (John 12:32).” That is through the cross. “…after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, established, settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10 b)
Notice again in 1 Peter 5:9, “Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” That is the responsibility of the believer. No, we are not elected in the sense of God taking away our free will to serve Him. We are told to resist! How do we do this? By choosing to obey the Word of God. Now if we were elected and not going to backslide and have no free will, then why put this warning in the Word of God? One can see that election over-riding man's free will holds no Scriptural foundation whatsoever, because it is built upon man's philosophy and not upon the Word of God. When 1 Peter 5:10 says that God “…hath called us unto his eternal glory,” He tells us how He calls us--“…by Christ Jesus.” We have a choice, then, to believe or not believe when He calls us by the gospel. In Romans 10:17 we are told:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The Word of God testifies of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We have the opportunity to accept it or reject it according to our own free will.
I would like to quote Mr. Nettleton's statements from page 133 of his book. Here we have a classic example of the reverse psychology that he used. Let me quote what he says:
“It is always helpful to know what others believe. Good and holy people have studied and have stated their findings, their doctrines. Inasmuch as the doctrine of election is a Biblical truth, we profit from studying what good men have stated regarding it. Let me emphasize that these creeds and confessions are not quoted as proof of Bible doctrine, but as proof that good men have held these truths in high esteem.”
I hasten to point out--even though men are “good” and “holy” as Mr. Nettleton states, if they hold views contrary to Scripture they are still wrong! And it would seem that if Mr. Nettleton was not going to quote these men as far as proof of Bible doctrine, then why go ahead and quote them at all? This is just a little bit of twisting and reverse psychology that appears to have been used. The statement made by Mr. Nettleton that these confessions and creeds are “proof that good men have held these truths in high esteem” would be of no value unless they were supportive of his position. Then why give them, if it is not to add “clout” to his position? May I point out a case for consideration. In Nettleton's book in support of his position of election to salvation, the following appears:
Pages 51 to 79 contain two sermons by two preachers who support his position.
Pages 87 to 102--eight men are quoted who adhere to his same position.
Pages 105 to 130--under the chapter heading of “Theolo-gian's Statements”, six men are quoted.
Pages 133 to 140--under the chapter heading “Confessions of Faith,” there are many quotes.
Pages 147 to 157--“A Case In Point, The G.A.R.B.C.”
Mr. Nettleton has devoted approximately 88 pages of his book to quoting men and institutions in agreement with his doctrine. It is true, as he says, “Good men do not prove the Bible true.” By word Nettleton would justify himself, but by deed he would draw on 88 pages to convince me by other men's words that his position is correct. I would have been more interested in 88 pages of his personal exposition of this doctrine instead of the 88 pages he devoted to it in a book of 180 pages. As I attempted to feed on a statement of truth, I found I was digesting a little reverse psychology. The act did not correspond with the words.
There would be no problem filling this book with numerous pages containing theologians, Bible colleges, and etc. that support the position of this author, but it is not my purpose to see who can get the most noted authorities on their side. That is why I have stayed with the Word of God as we examine verses in their context, along with other Scripture. Then what you choose to believe is based upon God's Word and not that of men, no matter how well known they are.
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” - Psalms 118:8