Elect and Salvation in Early Christianity

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

Hear this, you of the laity also, the elect Church of God. For the people were formerly called the people of God, Exodus 19:5-6, and a holy nation, Hebrews 12:23. You, therefore, are the holy and sacred Church of God, enrolled in heaven, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, a bride adorned for the Lord God, a great Church, a faithful Church. Listen carefully now to what was said before: oblations and tithes belong to Christ our High Priest, and to those who minister to Him. Tenths of salvation are the first letter of the name of Jesus. Hear, O Holy Catholic Church, you who have escaped the ten plagues, and have received the ten commandments, and have learned the law, and have kept the faith, and have believed in Jesus, and have known the decad, and have believed in the iota, which is the first letter of the name of Jesus, and are named after His name, and are established, and shine in the completion of His glory. Those things that were sacrifices then are now prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings. Those things that were first-fruits, tithes, offerings, and gifts then are now oblations, which are presented by holy bishops to the Lord God through Jesus Christ, wh

2 Thessalonians 2:13 Direct teaching

But 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 through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

1 Peter 1:2 Direct teaching

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 Supporting witness

Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

2 Timothy 2:10 Direct teaching

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Polycarp, The Martyrdom of Polycarp Direct teaching

with whom be glory to God the Father and the Holy Spirit, for the salvation of His holy elect, after whose example the blessed Polycarp suffered, following in whose steps may we too be found in the kingdom of Jesus Christ!

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Direct teaching

...k them with joking insults? Unless, then, my opponent says, I become a Christian, I cannot hope for salvation. It is exactly as you yourself say. For Christ alone has been given the task and trust by God the Father to bring salvation and give to souls what should be bestowed and must be added, the deeper and more hidden causes having been arranged in this way. For just as, among you, certain gods have fixed duties, privileges, and powers, and you do not ask from any of them what is not in his power or allowed to him, so also Christ alone has the right to give salvation to souls and assign them everlasting life. For if you believe that father Bacchus can give a good grape harvest, but cannot give relief from sickness; if you believe that Ceres can give good crops, Aesculapius health, Neptune one thing, Juno another, and that Fortune, Mercury, and Vulcan are each the giver of one fixed and particular thing, then you must also accept this from us: souls can receive life and salvation from no one except Him to whom the Supreme Ruler gave this charge and duty. The Almighty Master of the world has decided that this is the way of salvation, this, so to speak, the door of life. Through

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Direct teaching

... the name of Jesus, invoked upon any man in baptism, might give no small advantage toward obtaining salvation for the one being baptized, as Peter says in the Acts of the Apostles: "For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved," Acts 4:12. The Apostle Paul also explains this, showing that God has exalted our Lord Jesus and given Him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, in the glory of God the Father. And if, when a man was baptized, invocation was made in the name of Jesus over him, then even if he received baptism while in some error, he still would not be prevented from at some time coming to know the truth, correcting his error, coming to the Church and to the bishop, and sincerely confessing our Jesus before men. So then, when hands were laid on him by the bishop, he might also receive the Holy Spirit, and he would not lose that earlier invocation of the name of Jesus. None of us may disallow this, although that invocation, if it stood bare and by itself, could not be enough to give salvation. O

Ignatius, Epistle to the Philadelphians (Long Version) Supporting witness

and they obtained through Him salvation, being holy ones, worthy of love and admiration, having testimony borne to them by Jesus Christ, in the Gospel of our common hope.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...le, and the whole Church was in danger, we twelve gathered together in Jerusalem. Matthias had been chosen as an apostle in place of the betrayer and had taken the lot of Judas, as it is said, "Let another take his bishopric." We discussed, together with James the Lord's brother, what should be done. And it seemed good to him and to the elders to speak words of teaching to the people. For some men had also come down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers there, saying, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, and live according to the other customs he appointed, you cannot be saved." Acts 15:1 Therefore, when there had been no small dispute and debate, the brothers at Antioch, after learning that we were all gathered together about this question, sent to us men who were faithful and understood the Scriptures, to learn about this matter. When they came to Jerusalem, they told us what questions had arisen in the church of Antioch. Some were saying that men ought to be circumcised and keep the other purifications. And while some said one thing and some another, I, Peter, stood up and said to them, "Men and brothers, you know that from ancient days

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

How far these things were from deserving immortality we have both shown in the former books, and we will now show, that it may be evident that it is righteousness alone which procures for man eternal life, and that it is God alone who bestows the reward of eternal life.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

Believe Him who willgive to all that believe the reward of eternal life.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Direct teaching

...you made me thus? Does not the potter have power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?" For it will be said: If the potter of the same lump makes some vessels unto honor and others unto dishonor, and God thus forms some men for salvation and others for ruin, then salvation or ruin does not depend on us, nor do we have free will. Now we must ask him who deals with these passages in this way whether it is possible to think of the apostle as contradicting himself. I presume, however, that no one would dare to say so. If, then, the apostle does not utter contradictions, how can he, according to him who so understands him, reasonably find fault, censuring the man at Corinth who had committed fornication, or those who had fallen away and had not repented of the licentiousness and impurity of which they had been guilty? And how can he bless those whom he praises as having done well, as he does the house of Onesiphorus in these words: "The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain. But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant to hi

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

who those are to whom certain opportunities of salvation are afforded, so that sometimes, their faith being proved by an answer alone, they have unquestionably obtained salvation;

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

And if he was elect, their hypothesis is done away with, inasmuch as even previous to the coming of the Lord an election was found, and that saved: For it was reckoned to him for righteousness.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

How, then, does such a person still need courage, when he is no longer in the middle of dangers? He is not merely present here, but is already wholly with the one he loves. And why would he need self-control, when he has no need for it? For having desires that need self-control to keep them in check belongs to someone who is not yet pure, but is still ruled by passion. Now, courage is taken up because of fear and cowardice. For it would no longer be fitting for the friend of God, whom God foreordained before the foundation of the world, in Ephesians 1:4-5, to be enrolled in the highest adoption, to fall into pleasures or fears and to be busy restraining passions. For I dare to say that, just as he is predestined through what he will do and what he will receive, so he has also predestined himself because of what he knew and whom he loved. He does not see the future in a vague way, as the crowd does, guessing about it. Instead, by gnostic faith, he has grasped what is hidden from others. And through love, the future is already present for him. For through prophecy and the coming of Christ, he has believed in God, who does not lie. And what he believes, he possesses, and he holds firm

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

For I venture to assert, that as he is predestinated through what he shall do, and what he shall obtain, so also has he predestinated himself by reason of what he knew and whom he loved;

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Acts 13:48 Supporting witness

And those that were of a stony heart have become the children of Abraham, the friend of God; and in his seed all those have been blessed who were ordained to eternal life in Christ.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Long Version) Supporting witness

and in his seed all those have been blessed who were ordained to eternal life in Christ.

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to Acts 13:48 Supporting witness

who were ordained to eternal life

Romans 8:30 Direct teaching

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Ephesians 1:5 Direct teaching

he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Romans 8:29 Direct teaching

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Direct teaching

...ts shall arise, and shall show great signs and wonders, so that, if it were possible, even the very elect shall be deceived.” Matthew 24:23-24. And without doubt they shall then do these miracles under the name of Christ. In that name, even now, some appear to do certain miracles and to prophesy falsely. But it is certain that, because they themselves are not of Christ, they therefore do not belong to Christ. In the same way, if someone should depart from Christ, abiding only in His name, he would not be greatly advantaged. No; rather, he is even burdened by that name, although he may previously have been very faithful, or very righteous, or honored with some clerical office, or endowed with the dignity of confession. For all such people, by denying the true Christ, and by introducing or following another—although there is no other at all—leave themselves no hope of salvation. It is no different from those who have denied Christ before men, who must be denied by Christ. No account is taken of their former conduct, feeling, or dignity. Just as they themselves have dared to do away with Christ, that is, their own salvation, they are condemned by this short sentence, because the Lo

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

... and lying prophets will arise, and they will do signs and wonders in order to lead astray even the elect, if they are able. But as for you, beware, for I have told you everything beforehand. If they say to you, “He is in the desert,” do not go out, lest you be taken. And if they say, “He is in the chamber,” do not believe it. For as lightning appears from the east and is seen to the west, so will the coming of the Son of man be. But first he must suffer much and be rejected by this generation. Pray therefore that your flight may not be in winter, nor on a Sabbath. For there will then be great tribulation, the like of which has not been from the beginning of the world until now, nor will be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would have lived. But because of the elect, whom he elected, he shortened those days. And there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. And upon the earth there will be affliction of the nations, and wringing of hands because of the confusion caused by the noise of the sea and an earthquake. The souls of men will go out from fear of what is coming upon the earth. And in those days, immediately after the distress of those day

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...ow, nor ever will arise. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is Christ,’ or, ‘Look, there,’ do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, to lead into error, if possible, even the elect. But take heed. Behold, I have foretold you all things. If, therefore, they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the desert,’ do not go out. ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning flashes from the east and appears even to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of man be. Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. But immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with great power and glory. And He will send His angels with a great trumpet, and they will gather

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...ople of the undefiled Church. Seek what is lost. That is, do not allow the one who has despaired of salvation because of the great number of offenses to perish completely. Search for the one who has grown sleepy, drowsy, and sluggish, and who is careless about his own life because of the depth of his sleep, and who is far from his own flock, so that he is in danger of falling among the wolves and being devoured by them. Bring him back by admonition. Urge him to be watchful, and plant hope in him. Do not allow him to say what some have said: “Our impieties are upon us, and we pine away in them; how then shall we live?” Therefore, as much as possible, let the bishop make the offense his own, and say to the sinner, “Only return, and I will undertake to suffer death for you, as our Lord suffered death for me and for all men.” For the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. But the hired servant, who is not the shepherd and whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, that is, the devil, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf seizes them. John 10:11-12 We must know, therefore, that God is very merciful to those who have offended, and has promised repentance with a

Mark 13:20 Direct teaching

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

1 Peter 1:5 Direct teaching

who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

yet [there are] some exceptions, to whom, according to the grace of His long-suffering, as Isaiah said, He has left a seed of salvation, lest your race be utterly destroyed, like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness

Unless, then, my opponent says, I shall be a Christian, I cannot hope for salvation.

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

Day and night ye were anxious for the whole brotherhood, that the number of God’s elect might be saved with mercy and a good conscience.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

For the contest is respecting life and salvation, which, unless it is carefully and diligently kept in view, will be lost and extinguished.

Romans 11:7 Direct teaching

What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Romans 11:28 Direct teaching

As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 Direct teaching

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 11:5 Supporting witness

So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.