David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

“The Foreknowledge of God” This message is not an attack on Calvinism or an embracing of Calvinism. There have long been a battle between the Calvinist and the Arminians, the Particular Baptists and the General Baptists. First, let me warn us all that we are constantly battling the human element that demands we be put into a theological camp. There is no human system of theology that is total and complete. The inspiration of the Word of God is divine with no err. The interpretation of the Word is human and all can err. Baptist Faith and Message, Article 5: God’s Purpose of Grace: Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.” John Leland, in 1791, was a leader in the Separate Baptist movement said this, “I conclude that the eternal purposes of God and the freedom of the human will are both truths, and it is a matter of fact that the preaching that has been most blessed of God and most profitable to men is the doctrine of sovereign grace in the salvation of souls, mixed with a little of what is called Arminianism.”

David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

This view became the one mainly expressed in the New Hampshire Confession in 1833 that is the pre-runner of the Baptist Faith and Message. New Hampshire Confession says, “we believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth except his own inherent depravity and voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, which refusal will subject him to an aggravated condemnation.” Now to the issue of election - foreknowledge: John MacAuthur calls these two verses “is perhaps the clearest and most explicit presentation of that truth (that we can never be in danger of losing our salvation) in all of God’s Word.” I call these the links of salvation, but these are links of salvation from God’s standpoint, not man’s. No where in these verses are faith and repentance mentioned which are essential to the whole subject of salvation - but not from God’s side. He has nothing of which to repent. Salvation always begins with God. “Salvation is of the Lord.” And these five links are unbreakable. Note the connecting phrase “He also.” The unity of linking each element to the previous one is this phrase. No one whom God foreknows

David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

will fail to be predestined, called, justified, and glorified by Him. The second one can not survive without the first, and the third without the first and second, and so on. All five of these words are verbs and they reflect what God is doing, not man. In the book, “The Baptist Faith and Message” - the three seminary presidents said, “Election affirms that God took the initiative in our salvation.” God has always been doing good for us starting before creation and continuing now and right into the future. Remember,  God  does  not  work  on  our  calendar.    He  lives   in  an  “eternal  now”  perspective.     In verse 28 we see God has a purpose and now we see more about that purpose. First of all, he chooses us. That’s what that word, “foreknew” means. He chooses us to be a part of his family. Now that word “foreknew” is a word in Greek that is “prognostikos”. I put that for you because we have an English word “prognosis” “prognosticator,” it’s what happens every week when you turn on the Weather Channel and they are trying to prognosticate what is going to happen toward the end of the week and they hardly ever get it right! We already know that. But when God makes a forecast, it always happens. But his foreknowledge is not speaking of events, but people. “For whom....” not what.

David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

The verb "to foreknow" occurs five times in the NT (Acts 26:5; Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Peter 1:20; 2 Peter 3:17). The noun "foreknowledge" occurs in two texts (Acts 2:23; 1 Peter 1:2). Kenneth Wuest translates it “foreordination” and says “it means more than a previous knowledge...it speaks of the sovereign act of God foreordaining certain from among mankind to be saved.” Romans 11:2 - “God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.” I Peter 1:2 “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father...” I Peter 1:20 “He (speaking of Jesus) indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you...” Ephesians 1:4-5 it says it elsewhere. “For he that is God chose us in him” meaning in Jesus “before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight In love he predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will.” To “know” is often used in a real sense as a synonym with “love” - to set regard upon, to know with particular interest, delight, affection, and action. Genesis 18:19 “For I have known him...” speaking of Abraham. ESV, NAS says “chosen”

David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

Exodus 2:25 “God saw the people of Israel - and God knew.” ESV Holman says “chose” Psalm 139:1 “Lord, thou hast searched me and known me.” Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you:...” ESV, NAS “knew” Holman says “chose” Jeremiah 31:3 “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Amos 3:2 “I have known only you out of all the clans of the earth.” Thus, to foreknow is to forelove. That God foreknew us is but another way of saying that He set his gracious and merciful regard upon us, that He knew us from eternity past with a sovereign and distinguishing delight. God's foreknowledge is an active, creative work of divine love. It is not bare pre-vision which merely recognizes a difference between men who believe and men who do not believe. God's foreknowledge creates that difference! Or again, "speaking about God's foreknowledge may be a way of expressing his eternal commitment to individuals as part of his determination to bring them to faith and to all the glories and benefits of Christ's work" (Baugh, 196). This forelove is covenantal affection for His people. Let me emphasize what we have seen: this foreknowledge is not just a head knowledge that He knew something about us, but instead a heart knowledge that He knew us and loved us acting in our greatest good providing a means of salvation for His greatest glory.

David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

This “foreknowledge” is absolutely the beginning of salvation and essential. See, for example, Matthew 7:23 where Jesus reveals his future response to false disciples at the last judgment: "I never knew you, depart from Me." As Baugh has pointed out, "Clearly, mere intellectual cognition is ruled out as the meaning of 'know' here, since it is precisely Jesus' knowledge of their real motives and covenantal status and commitments that leads to their condemnation. Rather, he says that these people never had covenantal relations with him; the Good Shepherd did not know them as his sheep, and they did not know him (John 10:14)" ("The Meaning of Foreknowledge," p. 194). Cf. Gal. 4:8-9 But does this foreknowledge resolve us of any responsibility? Acts 2:23 “...this Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God....you crucified and killed.” The foreknowledge of God did not absolve them of their responsibility. We believe that this matter of grace “is consistent with the free agency of man.” Herschel Hobbs commented, “Two truths, therefore, must be recognized in regard to election: God’s sovereignty and man’s free will. Both are abundantly taught in the Bible.” Herschel Hobbs: “Election does not mean that God acts out of his own will to the neglect of man’s will. Nor does it refer to the salvation of a few or the election of individuals.

David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

It is no excuse for fatalism. Election is not mechanical. It involves a God who is love and a man who is morally responsible. It never appears in the Bible as a violation of human will.” (What Baptists Believe, page 106) Charles Spurgeon said, “I am not sure that in heaven we shall be able to know where the free agency of man and the sovereignty of God meet, but both are great truths.” John Phillips - “Reduced to its simplest terms the problem can be stated thus: Did God choose me because I chose Him, or did I choose Him because He chose me? To say that God chose me because with His ability to foreknow the future He saw me chose Christ robs God of His sovereignty. If you mean He has no alternative but to choose those who choose Christ -His choice is governed by ours. It throws the initiative on man. On the other hand, to say that I chose Christ because He chose me robs me of my free will and makes me a mere puppet. Human free will then becomes a myth. Some can’t handle this because they think God has chosen some and not others. Let me say these things: 1. The Bible never says that God has destined some to lostness without any hope of being saved. In fact the Bible clearly says, “..not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 2. Their main objection to election is that they think God is unfair. The “fairness” doctrine falls apart all over the place if you try to use it in regard to salvation. It is not fair for anyone to be saved - for no man to be saved.

David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

God is just in sending all to hell and eternal damnation without any hope. We don’t want God to be fair. 3. Those who are saved would never come to Christ on their own. No one ever has. No one has trusted Christ without the aid of the Holy Spirit. God has never foreseen anyone being saved against the individual’s will. Stagg “Election is God’s choice of man as prior to man’s choice of God. Salvation is a possibility opened up for man because of God’s calling and election.” 4. All who come to Christ are received. John 6:37 “..and the one who comes to Me I will be no means cast out.” But lest we think we can come without the Father, verse 44 “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” 5. Romans 9:14 is still true. “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!” 6. Does this hurt evangelism and witnessing? Not if you understand the Bible. Romans 10:14-15 What does it mean for the believer? Oh, what a salvation. And what assurance it bring us. No wonder Paul can conclude this chapter with “If God is for us, who is against us? Nothing can separate us from the love of God.” What about the unbeliever?

David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

Spurgeon said, “Never give up on a sinner. Never think a man is beyond salvation. Bring every man you meet with before God in prayer, plead with every man, preach Christ to every man, tell every man that Christ can save, tell that sinner that whatever there may not be in him, Christ’s power is still the same, that His arm is not shortened neither is his ear heavy; and spread ye the glad news that it is not of the will of man, nor blood, nor birth, but by the power of His mighty works this morning through Jesus Christ Our Lord.” Again Spurgeon: “But there are some who say, ‘It is hard for God to choose some and leave others.’ Now, I will ask you one question. Is there anyone of you here this morning who wishes to be holy, who wishes to be regenerate, to leave off sin and walk in holiness? ‘Yes, there is,’ says some one, ‘I do.’ Then God has elected you. But another says, ‘No: I don’t want to be holy; I don’t want to give up my lusts and my vices.’ Why should you grumble, then, that God has not elected you to it? For if you were elected you would not like it, according to your own confession. If God, this morning, had chosen you to holiness, you say you would not care for it......If you do not desire it, what right have you to say that God ought to have given you what you do not wish for?” “The  full  truth  about  God’s  omniscience  cannot  be   comprehended  even  by  believers.    No  matter  how  much   we  may  love  God  and  study  His  Word,  we  cannot  fathom   such  mysteries.    We  can  only  believe  what  the  Bible   clearly  says  -­‐  that  God  does  indeed  foresee  the  faith  of   every  person  who  is  saved.    We  also  believe  God’s   revelation  that,  although  men  cannot  be  saved  from  the  

David O. Cofield CrossRoads Baptist Church May 30, 2010 10:15 a.m.

Romans 8:29-30 Romans Series #70 Links of Salvation #1

faithful  action  of  their  wills,  saving  faith,  just  as  every   other  part  of  salvation,  originates  with  and  is   empowered  by  God  alone.”