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Assurance of Election in 1 Peter 1:1-2

In another discussion, 1 Pe 1:1-2 was mentioned. It says, "Peter, ... to [the] sojourners ..., elect according to [the] foreknowledge of God [the] Father, ..."

Peter addresses this letter to the elect. One would be completely unable to know whether they were one of the addressees unless it were possible to know that one is one of the elect. Therefore, Peter, by using this in his salutation makes the implicit assumption that one is able to know for sure that he is one of the elect of God. So, we have, in one simple verse, proof that the "assurance of salvation" is possible.

Tags: assurance, election, peter, salvation, soteriology

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Permalink Reply by Jack on June 17, 2008 at 7:51pm: 1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of The Son of God, that you man KNOW that you have eternal life..."
Yes, we can know that we have eternal life, and God want us to be assured of it. It is not Presumption. Its faith!
I couldn't possibly know if I was one of the ELECT, unless I know, with a certainty, that I have eternal life.

I'm not suggesting that assurance of salvation proves the doctrine of election.

Remember, however, that God elected (chose, before the foundation of the world). God elected those sinners that He would save. The sinners didn't elect God!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Leslie Jebaraj on June 20, 2008 at 5:17am: If God would lose even one of his kids, he wasn't sovereign in the first place!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rey Reynoso on June 20, 2008 at 8:46am: In 2 Peter 1:10 (if one accepts Petrine authorship of course) Peter goes on to say one is to go about making their election sure. So although there is a component (as you say) that a believer can know they are part of the elect body there is another component which says that although we're not saved by works, we better be proving the point that the election is to being conformed in the image of the Son.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennifer on June 21, 2008 at 11:24am: Good Point Rey; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barrett Young on June 21, 2008 at 11:44am: Very good point, Rey. I've known too many "Calvinists" that think they were elected to attend their church. Period.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SweetSomber on June 21, 2008 at 4:58pm: That's very interesting. I believe in the assurance of salvation, but I'd never heard that particular argument before. :) Thank you for sharing.; ▶ Reply to This