Ordained to Believe

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Acts 13:48b
Psalters: 404, 396, 241, 172
  1. The fact of election.
    1. These persons were appointed, i.e., set in order, to appoint, arrange, assign a place.
      1. This appointment by God is what lies behind the activity of faith.
      2. This appointment is by another, and the ones appointed are passive. They were acted upon.
      3. Who has the right to ordain men to eternal life?
    2. Four certain outstanding features of election.
      1. God’s election is an eternal choice (Eph. 1:4; II Tim.1:9).
      2. Election is personal.
      3. God’s election is gracious and sovereignly free.
      4. God’s election (in eternity past) is unto “eternal life” (in eternity to come).
  2. The near goal of election is faith, believing in Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, crucified and risen.
    1. Our text makes a clear relationship between election and faith/believing, viz., faith depends on election.
    2. The faith of the elect is certain and it is necessary.
  3. Implications.
    1. Some received faith and others did not, blaspheming (45) proceeds from God’s eternal counsel.
    2. Our election in Christ is the ground for our great joy.
    3. “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).