It’s here that Erskine provides wise and helpful guidelines for pastors to follow in counseling such anxious souls. Although some who, by faith, subscribe the extract copy, are kept in the dark about their names being in the original, yet none shall “see” their names. The original is in heaven and contains all the names of all the elect that ever were, are, or shall be (Eph. The Works of Ralph Erskine, Vol. 1:4). Yet even these believers are not completely assured at all times. What are some signs of authentic, saving faith. In summary: Erskine does a great job here of balancing God’s sovereignty with human responsibility, and also of illustrating a difficult concept with a memorable image. Just come to Jesus! That can happen to anyone, if they see Christ and not themselves. See especially pages 189-191. After some words on the covenant in general, Erskine shows how Christ is the covenant of the people, and then asks: “For whose benefit is He a covenant?”, Erskine is at pains to emphasize that “whosoever of all the people will subscribe to this covenant, and go into it by faith, shall have the everlasting benefit of it.” Then, as was commonly done in his day, he imagines a hearer asking, “But if I am not among the elect whose names are in that covenant, then surely my subscribing of it will be in vain.”. If you can substitute “s” for “f” you’ll enjoy reading the sermon online here. Listen to hear how the election is not about God putting a limit on the number of people He will take to Heaven, but about God putting a limit on the number of ways they can get there. © Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Inc. All rights reserved, About the Alliance Calvinists teach that God, in eternity past, looked down through the ages of time and, seeing every person that He would ever create, sovereignly chose to save some of those people, and to condemn the rest. Those without Christ are blind to their need for salvation ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 ). How many men fold their arms and say, "If I am one of the elect I will be saved, and if I ain't I won't. Listen to hear how the election is not about God putting a limit on the number of people He will take to Heaven, but about God putting a limit on the number of ways they can get there. Some opponents of Reformed theology argue that the doctrine of election produces unfeeling and fatalistic preachers: “If God has already chosen who will believe, what’s the point in preaching passionate and persuasive evangelistic sermons?” However, although that’s (usually) an unfair caricature of Reformed truth, there’s no question that Reformed pastors sometimes have to counsel people who will say something like, “But if I’m not in the elect, there’s no point in believing in Christ. I don't know as I am one of the elect." FAQ Then, as was commonly done in his day, he imagines a hearer asking, “But if I am not among the elect whose names are in that covenant, then surely my subscribing of it will be in vain.” It’s here that Erskine provides wise and helpful guidelines for … I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am persuaded, open any lock in Doubting Castle. Those people, who were fortunate enough to be chosen for salvation [so they say,] are called the elect; and, according to them, only these elect people can be saved. You cannot possibly “see” your name in the original, till you have signed your consent to the copy which has been let down to earth. The idea of a person wanting to be saved but being unable to, due to not being one of the elect, is absolutely foreign to the Bible. The elect do not focus on their election, but rather on their Savior. May his counsel make us better counselors. If my name’s not written in the Book of Life, then all my believing is in vain.” Some of those will be simply using election to excuse their inaction. The Alliance is a coalition of pastors, scholars, and churchmen who hold the historic creeds and confessions of the Reformed faith and who proclaim biblical doctrine in order to foster a Reformed awakening in today's Church. The answer is making perpetual use of the means that God has appointed for working His grace in you—the Word, the sacraments, and prayer. Calendar, Canadian Donors: To be saved is the evidence that you are one of the elect. Instead, the emphasis is to believe. So, if you want to be one of the elect, then come on! What a fool... am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! How can a believer have assurance of salvation? Rather, help them turn their eyes to Christ and to seeing him. The extract is in the Bible, which God has revealed and put in your hands. 2 Thess. 5:9–10; cf. Try to get them away from introspection—"Am I elect? 1, (Glasgow: Free Presbyterian Publications, 1991), 128-197. North Bay, ON, P1B 0C7, Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, Blue Ridge Institute for Theological Education, Quakertown Conference on Reformed Theology, International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, October 9-10: Livestream event with Mark T. There are two copies of this covenant, two writs of this charter: the original and an extract. If you sign the extract, then you may lay claim to the original, and “see” your name there (by “seeing” Erskine is referring to assurance of faith). If you have questions orneed advice, please email us. NOTE: If you do not have a reply to your email in your inbox within 3 days, please check your spam or junk mail folders. But this is not what the word of God tells us; and the propagation of this "Calvinist" doctrine has caused much unnecessary anguish for far too many people, for far too long. Privacy Policy Your questions matter to us. Your contribution will be used to maintain this website and help spread its message. PO Box 24087, RPO Josephine So, if you want to be one of the elect, then come on! This original is locked up in the cabinet of God’s secret purpose and is marked “For God’s eyes only” (Deut. That is not the reason why I won't accept Christ. Reprobation may bring this out in their minds and hearts. However, others are genuinely concerned and confused. “This copy of the covenant is, In order to gather in the elect and to leave all others inexcusable, this faithful extract is “. Christian Truth. the election is not about God putting a limit on the number of people He will take to Heaven, but about God putting a limit on the number of ways they can get there.

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