Biblical Privileges Received From God
The biblical concept of privileges received from God is rooted in various scriptural passages that highlight the blessings and benefits bestowed upon believers. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, some of these privileges include abiding in Christ (John 15:4-5), partaking of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), and having access to God through Christ (Ephesians 3:12) [1].
The idea of election is closely tied to the concept of privileges received from God. Easton's Bible Dictionary explains that the Scripture speaks of the election of individuals to office or honor, as well as the election of nations to special privileges, such as the Hebrews (Deuteronomy 7:6; Romans 9:4). Furthermore, there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2) [2].
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were considered a chosen people, with God dignifying them with various privileges. Matthew Henry notes that God had chosen them as a peculiar people, with three distinguishing privileges: election, redemption, and sanctification (Deuteronomy 14:1-2) [7]. These privileges were not only a reflection of God's favor but also a foreshadowing of the spiritual blessings that would be bestowed upon believers in Christ.
The New Testament expands on the concept of privileges received from God, highlighting the benefits of being in Christ. According to the Westminster Confession of Faith, all those who are justified are made partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God (CHAPTER 12) [6]. This includes having access to the throne of grace with boldness, being enabled to cry "Abba, Father," and being pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by God as a father.
John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion also explores the concept of election and its relation to the privileges received from God. Calvin argues that the distinction between individuals is not founded on any ground of works but on the mere calling of God (section 77) [3]. This understanding is echoed in Adam Clarke's commentary on Ephesians 1:11, which notes that believers have obtained an inheritance in Christ, signified by the privileges under the Mosaic dispensation and the possession of the promised land [4].
The patristic tradition also emphasizes the privileges received from God. The Ante-Nicene Fathers, for example, highlight the blessings that flow from faith, including the knowledge of the Father, the gift of reason and understanding, and the privilege of looking upwards to God (ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, CHAP. X) [5].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Privileges of Saints — Abiding in Christ -- Joh 15:4,5. Partaking of the divine nature -- 2Pe 1:4. Access to God by Christ -- Eph 3:12. Being of the household of God -- Eph 2:19. Membership with the Church of the first-born -- Heb 12:23. Having Christ for their Shepherd. -- Isa 40:11; Joh 10:14,16. Christ for their intercessor. -- Ro 8:34; Heb 7:25; 1Jo 2:1. The promises of God. -- 2Co 7:1; 2Pe 1:4. The possession of all things -- 1Co 3:21,22. All things working together for their good -- Ro 8:28; 2Co 4:15-17. Their names written in the book life -- Re 13:8; 20:15. H”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 77: to the secret counsel of God, are excluded by the use of the terms purpose and election . 5. Why should men attempt to darken these statements by assigning some place in election to past or future works? This is altogether to evade what the Apostle contends for—viz. that the distinction between the brothers is not founded on any ground of works, but on 2217 the mere calling of God, inasmuch as it was fixed before the children were born. Had there been any solidity in this subtlety, it would not have escaped the notice of the Apostl”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 1:11: In whom - Christ Jesus; also we - believing Jews have obtained an inheritance - what was promised to Abraham and his spiritual seed, viz. the adoption of sons, and the kingdom of heaven, signified by the privileges under the Mosaic dispensation, and the possession of the promised land, but all these privileges being forfeited by the rebellion and unbelief of the Jews, they are now about to be finally cut off, and the believing part to be re-elected, and put in possession of the blessings promised to Abraham and his spiritual seed, by faith; for without a re-elect”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. X.--THE BLESSINGS THAT WILL FLOW FROM FAITH. (part 1): If you also desire [to possess] this faith, you likewise shall receive first of all the knowledge of the Father.[1] For God has loved mankind, on whose account He made the world, to whom He rendered subject all the things that are in it,[2] to whom He gave reason and understanding, to whom alone He imparted the privilege of looking upwards to Himself, whom He formed after His own image, to whom He sent His only-begotten Son, to whom He has promised a ”
- Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 12: CHAPTER 12 Of Adoption 1. All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have his name put upon them, receive the Spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry, Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by him, as by a father: yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption; an”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 14:1: Moses here tells the people of Israel, I. How God had dignified them, as a peculiar people, with three distinguishing privileges, which were their honour, and figures of those spiritual blessings in heavenly things with which God has in Christ blessed us. 1. Here is election: The Lord hath chosen thee, v: 2. Not for their own merit, nor for any good works foreseen, but because he would magnify the riches of his power and grace among them. He did not choose them because they were by their own dedication and subjection a peculiar people to him above other natio”