There's been a long-standing debate over the question of Christ's elect and the idea of Apostle Paul's predestination idea, and what Lord Jesus said about some being chosen, while others are called.
In the following example, Jesus shows about His "very elect" (Greek kai elektos).
Matt 24:23-26
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, "Lo, here is Christ, or there"; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, "Behold, He is in the desert"; go not forth: "behold, He is in the secret chambers"; believe it not.
KJV
Lord Jesus in the above is warning about the coming of a fake-Christ. And He shows that IF... it were possible, that false-Christ working those "great signs and wonders" would be so deceptive... that it would deceive even His very elect. He is actually pointing to the idea that it is impossible for His "very elect" to be deceived in that.
Many brethren when reading that think that "very elect" idea is about all... believers on Jesus Christ. It is not, for Jesus said many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 20:16). And that idea of being a chosen one applies to apostleship, like His leaders He appointed over us in Christ.
How is this difference between those called to believe vs. a chosen very elect shown in God's Word?
Jonah of The Old Testament is a prime example. God told Jonah to go preach to the city of Nineveh, but Jonah tried to get out of that duty. Jonah fled on a ship, and God brought up a storm at sea with those aboard fearing for their life. So Jonah simply jumped overboard trying to end his life to get out of his duty, and save those aboard. God caused a great fish to swallow Jonah, and that fish then spit Jonah upon the shore at... right at the city of Nineveh. Jonah then fulfilled his duty God gave him, and God saved the people of Nineveh. Jonah sat on a hill overlooking the city, under a tree, and fell asleep. God caused the leaves of that tree to grow out and give Jonah shade. Then in the morning when the sun came out, God withered that tree back to let the sun bead down on Jonah, because Jonah was angry. (And this shows our Heavenly Father does at times have a sense of humor.)
My point, is that Jonah was obviously a 'chosen one', very elect, and those in that position are not going to get out of their duty God has given them. The reason is, He already owns them.
Apostle Paul is another prime example as a 'chosen' one. Paul (then called Saul before being converted to Christ), was a Pharisee working for them to hunt down Christians and bring them bound to Jerusalem for trial by the Jews. Saul was even on the road to Damascus for that very purpose when Jesus spoke to him and caused Saul to be blind (Acts 9). Jesus directly intervened with Saul, removing all of Saul's doubt about Christ's existence. And Jesus said about Saul that he was His "chosen vessel" to take The Gospel to the Gentiles, and to kings, and to the children of Israel.
Can we all... claim the above examples in our own lives when we first believed on Jesus Christ? I don't think so. Most of us are 'called' only, and not 'chosen' like Jonah or Apostle Paul. And per what Lord Jesus showed in Matthew 24:24 about His "very elect", that shows those 'chosen' cannot be deceived. That's what that "if it were possible" phrase in that verse means. It is not possible that His "very elect" (chosen) can be deceived, particularly by that coming false-Messiah which Jesus was warning about there for the end of this world. So this idea of a 'chosen' "very elect" also applies still today for some brethren in Christ, so it is not only for the time of Christ's Apostles.
The mistake many brethren have made is with that we are all 'chosen', when most of us are 'called' only. That thinking is where many got the belief that all who have believed cannot be deceived. That's not true for those 'called', for most of us must be tested in the Faith, and not become apostates. This Truth is given especially by The New Testament warnings to the Church to remain faithful waiting on our Lord Jesus to come, and to not fall away. Those warnings would never have been given (especially by Apostle Paul), if it were not possible for all believers to be deceived.
Acts 20:27-31
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
KJV
See also 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Peter 2:18-22. Those Scriptures apply only to those who once believed on Jesus, but then fall away. It does not apply to those who are 'chosen' ones, who can never fall away from Christ.
Jesus covered this difference between those who are chosen vs. those who are called only, in His prayer of John 17 just before being delivered up to be crucified. I'll cover that next, so the post may be pretty long...
(Continued...)
