“The pattern of Paul’s conversion is right in front of us, and should be allowed to instruct us in our understanding. Whenever such clear insight is given to us, it should not be relegated to the realm of least importance, but be given the highest place of consideration when studying these doctrines. Examples in the Bible always serve as a reliable guide for all the doctrines of the Bible where it may apply, such as it does with the doctrine of election.”
The doctrine of election is confusing. There’s just so many competing Scriptures that it’s difficult to find harmony between them. This creates division between Christians in the form of two primary groups: Calvinists and non-Calvinists—known as Arminians or provisionists. We may not like titles, but they serve as representative of what groups believe. While these differences exist between us, God gave us a real life example in the Apostle Paul to aid us in our understanding:
(1 Timothy 1:15-16 – BSB) – [15] This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. [16] But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
The way the Lord Jesus dealt with Paul in his election and salvation – as “the worst of sinners” – is our example of how election works in God’s redemptive plan for the rest of us—for all humanity. It’s sad that there are still differences in how we all interpret the doctrine of election. Because I believe Paul’s example is meant to put us all on the same page. It’s ironic that we have still failed with such a clear guide!
If Paul’s election and salvation serve as an example for everyone else, then it must be in line with how he came to faith in Christ:
Paul was chosen for salvation before he was born, and called according to that election.
(Paul’s conversion experience: Acts 8:3; Acts 9:1-19; Acts 22:6-16; Acts 26:9-20)
(Galatians 1:15-16 – ESV) – [15] But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, [16] was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;
Paul talked more about the grace of God in election and salvation than anyone else in the Bible. Does it not make sense that God would call Paul in such a manner that it would give him insight into what grace really looks like, what it really means to receive the grace of God? Furthermore, since understanding the doctrine of election can be so confusing, does it not make sense that God gave us Paul’s vivid experience to show us how to understand it? I encourage you to read the three passages in Acts about Paul’s conversion and you’ll see how God allowed Paul to experience God’s grace in such a dramatic way that he would be able to write about it with direct and miraculous insight. Surely he had his own experience in mind when he was writing about God’s grace, election and salvation. To suggest that it didn’t serve as a firsthand guide for him, would be unreasonable.
Paul’s conversion and how he was called, should not be viewed as an exception—as non-Calvinists insist is the case. It should be viewed as the norm for everyone who comes to faith in Christ. In other words, Paul’s outward and personal visitation by Christ serves as the pattern of Christ’s visitation within the hearts of everyone else. Paul’s experience allows us to understand what the doctrine of election is and how it works in the lives of those who come to faith in Christ. We shouldn’t have to wonder and try to go beyond such a clear example. Consider this passage:
(1 Corinthians 10:11 – NET) — These things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
I believe such is the case with Paul and his election and call to Christ. We’re to see how his election and his call to Christ worked in Paul’s life, and learn from it. We should allow it to inform our understanding of both the doctrines of election and the atonement of Christ. To ignore it or minimize the importance of this example, I think is very unwise. It’s like the man who is stranded in a flood and prays for help. Help comes along and throws him a life ring. But he says to his rescuers, “I’m waiting for God to save me. This is not what I had in mind.” I think trying to figure out the doctrine of election with an example right in front of us, provided by God Himself, and then responding the same way as the man stranded in the flood, is just as senseless.
The pattern of Paul’s conversion is right in front of us, and should be allowed to instruct us in our understanding. Whenever such clear insight is given to us, it should not be relegated to the realm of least importance, but be given the highest place of consideration when studying these doctrines. Examples in the Bible always serve as a reliable guide for all the doctrines of the Bible where it may apply, such as it does with the doctrine of election.”
Paul’s conversion experience defines God’s grace for us. He shows us in real life form what it looks like in the election and salvation of sinners. His outward call is our example of the inward call for everyone else. Just as Jesus revealed Himself to Paul via a vision, so does Jesus reveal Himself to the rest of us within our hearts. In Paul’s case, Jesus had to intervene in his life. He had to reveal Himself in a very personal and visible way, because at the time of Paul’s call, he was still ravaging the Church. He was so filled with hatred and rage that he was not open to the Christian faith whatsoever. He was intent on throwing as many in prison as possible. That’s where he was in life when Jesus came to him on the road to Damascus. He wasn’t going to listen any other way.
Such is the case with the rest of us. We’re not going to listen any other way except via a personal visitation by Christ, which we all experience within our hearts when we’re called via the gospel message. Paul serves as a pattern of how the doctrine of election and salvation works in the lives of those whom the Lord Jesus calls. We’re all called the same way, and that’s totally by God’s grace.
Many Christians don’t understand the full extent and reality of God’s grace when it comes to salvation. God’s grace is totally outside of ourselves (Eph 2:8-9). It’s God first electing us for salvation “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4). Then it’s God arranging our lives to make sure we hear the gospel of Christ. Then it’s God opening our spiritual eyes and ears to the truth about His Son. Finally, it’s God drawing us to Himself, while enabling the faith we need to receive Christ as Savior. God’s grace means that everyone elected and called and enabled, will turn to Christ in faith—which is a gift from God itself. This is not something that is forced. It’s as natural as sheep hearing the voice of their shepherd and then following. The elect sheep hear the voice of their Shepherd, and follow.
Note: People are called in the general sense via the gospel message itself, but the real call to salvation comes via Christ Himself to those whom He has ordained for it. That’s why Jesus said, “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14).
God’s choosing and call of Paul for both salvation and for a specific ministry, ensured that Paul would respond in faith. Likewise, when all other sinners respond in faith, it’s because they were chosen for it even before the foundation of the world. God’s choosing of us ensures our salvation.
Just as with Paul, people go their own way unless God intervenes in their lives by revealing Himself to them. The idea that a person gets saved haphazardly, or just by chance that they hear the gospel message, doesn’t make sense. That’s hardly the providence of God. It requires a Divine appointment.
If we don’t understand the grace of God in salvation like this, then I believe we fail to understand it correctly. We can’t just ignore this and claim to understand the doctrine of election. One’s salvation is totally by God’s grace, which involves choosing certain individuals to receive this grace before He even created us. It involves God setting us apart for salvation before we’re born, just as it was with Paul. It’s God’s grace from start to finish. It’s not one part God’s grace, and one part our own doing. The faith people have when they turn to Christ as Savior, is granted by God Himself. We don’t elect ourselves. We don’t call ourselves. We don’t believe in our own power. And we don’t save ourselves. It’s all God. That’s what God’s grace is: 100 percent God, zero percent sinners.
When Jesus revealed Himself to Paul, His light shined brightly (Acts 9:3; 22:9-11; 26:13). The same is true of us. When Christ reveals Himself to a sinner, He shines His light so brightly that it can’t be missed or refused—just as it was with Paul. Consider what Paul says in this passage:
(2 Corinthians 4:6 – NET) — For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.
When someone comes to faith in Christ, it’s because God has shined His light into the darkness of their hearts, enabling them to see the light and truth about His Son. Everyone who is granted the grace to see the light of Christ, believes unto salvation. God’s grace never fails.
On the other hand, those who believe that the deciding vote for salvation goes to the sinner his or herself, God’s grace does fail, and often. Because in such a belief system, people may believe or may not believe. It’s all doubtful, and God is seen as waiting to see what they’re going to do—in a manner of speaking. Does that really sound right to you? The truth is, God’s grace never fails to accomplish its purpose. The blood of Christ never fails to save those for whom He shed it for. God’s grace is not haphazard, and neither is the atonement of Christ.
There’s nothing haphazard about anything God does. Consider the universe and how everything operates in perfect order, especially in regard to planet earth. Consider God’s creation of the human race. God had and still has a perfect plan for humanity, and it will continue to unfold until the return of Christ. Everyone who comes into this world does so by the providence of God. No one is here by accident (Acts 17:24-29). Likewise, no one in the new creation is an accident, or simply by chance. The redeemed, as new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), will fill the Eternal Kingdom of the new heaven and new earth (2 Pe 1:11; 2 Pe 3:13; Rev 21:1) as a new race of people, chosen out of the human race that currently fills this earth. All of this is by Design, and that includes who becomes a part of this new creation. God does all things perfectly, and in perfect order.
One has to go way out of their way to explain away this perfect example of Paul’s election and salvation in a manner that contradicts it. Such a theology should not be trusted. The nature of God’s grace is clear to see for anyone who is open to it. The Apostle Paul exemplifies it for us in a way that should remove all doubt.
