RADIO MESSAGE
Yes, it is true, we believe in UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION. And that is not all - We even preach it! Do you know why we believe in and preach the doctrine of election. It is because the Bible plainly teaches it. Listen to the Word of God - God said, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated ... that the purpose of God according to ELECTION might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth" (Rom. 9:13,11). Paul tells us that God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ, and that those blessings are freely bestowed upon us, "According as he hath CHOSEN us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Eph. 1:4). After he saw evidence of their faith and love in Christ, Paul told the Thessalonian believers that he was convinced of their election in Christ - "Knowing, brethren beloved, your ELECTION of God" (I Thess. 1:4). In the early, New Testament, churches election was a blessed truth of God, commonly preached and rejoiced in. It was the cause of much praise and thanksgiving to God. The Apostle of the Gentiles wrote, "We are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning CHOSEN you to Salvation" (II Thess. 2:13). And one of our Savior's last words of comfort to his disciples before his crucifixion was word about election. He said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have CHOSEN you and ordained you" (John 15:16). Do you believe the Bible? Does your church believe the Bible? Does your pastor believe the Bible? Why then do you not believe in election? Why is the Bible doctrine of election not preached in your church? There.can be no question about it, the Bible teaches election. It was taught, believed, preached, and delighted in among God's people in the New Testament. I know that some say, "Election is taught in the Bible, but it is not a prominent doctrine, so we do not make it an issue." To such people I reply - Is the new birth believed and preached in your church? Why then do you-not preach election? "Ye must be born again" is found in only one chapter in the Bible, John 3. Election is mentioned no less than forty times in the New Testament alone! Do you make an issue over the doctrine of the Trinity? I surely hope you do! Yet, the doctrine of the Trinity is plainly stated in only one verse in the Bible, I John 5:7. Election is taught in every single Book of the Bible. I think such facts require us to make an issue over the doctrine of election. Don't you?
This fact is beyond all dispute - THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES THE DOCTRINE OF UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION. If you do not believe it, you simply do not-believe the Bible. If your church does not believe it, your church does not believe the Bible. If your pastor does not believe it and preach it, your pastor does not believe and preach the Bible. If you are interested in worshipping God and obeying the scriptures, it is your responsibility to find a church where election is taught and join up with those people. It is your responsibility to find a pastor who believes and preaches the gospel doctrine of Divine election and submit to his ministry.
Yes, this pastor and the people of Grace Baptist Church believe the doctrine of unconditional election And we preach it with delight. Are you one of God's children? Are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? if so, your faith, your redemption, your adoption, and all the other blessings bestowed upon you in Christ were secured for you by God's eternal, electing love! Think of it; if you have never heard it before, hear it now - Before the world was, God loved you and chose you, not because of anything in you or anything which he saw you would do, but simply because he would! What a thrilling, soul-comforting truth this is! The eternal God has chosen to save worthless wretches such as we are! I am bound to give thanks and praise to him forever - "Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began!" (II Tim. 1:9). Children of God, meditate today upon God's eternal, electing love in Christ, and praise him for it. Amen.
Don Fortner, Pastor
Grace Baptist Church
Danville, Ky.