God's choice affirmed with emphasis on human obedience and faith
The International Church of Christ affirms God's sovereign choice in Romans 9 while emphasizing the human response of faith and obedience. The passage establishes God's ultimate purposes and divine right to choose, but this is understood in tension with genuine human responsibility to respond to the gospel call. The ICC teaches that God has chosen Christ as the means of salvation, and individuals are chosen through their faith in him.
Election is seen as corporate (the church as the elect body of Christ) and individual (those who respond in faith to Christ). The emphasis falls on God's initiative and humans' responsibility to believe and obey. This balances divine sovereignty with human agency in a way consistent with the ICC's understanding of baptism as a personal faith response.
Key Distinctions
- Divine sovereignty:
- Human freedom:
- Election type:
- corporate and individual
Scripture References
Sources
- International Church of Christ doctrinal teachings