How does the doctrine of the church align with the concept of election?
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The doctrine states that while all church members may be the elect, not all the elect are necessarily members of the church.
In sovereign grace theology, there is a distinction between being part of the elect and being a member of a local church. The church is composed of those who have been called out among the elect but does not encompass every individual whom God has elected for salvation. Christ's redemptive work, as noted in Acts 20:28, pertains to the church which He purchased with His own blood, reinforcing the connection between His sacrifice and the local assembly. This understanding clarifies that while the church consists of believers, not every believer is necessarily a member of a local congregation, thus emphasizing the local church's role in God's economy.
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