Q. Paul did not actually have his sins washed away, as you have contended in Acts 22:16; his sins were merely covered. The reason for this is because he was "elect" from before his birth (Jeremiah 1:4-5; Romans 8:28-30).
A: If your statement above is true, was it reasonable for Jesus to send Ananias (Acts 9:6) with the instruction for Saul to:
Jesus, according to this instruction, thought that Paul was in need of salvation. He also thought that Paul was in need of having his sins washed away. This is exactly what Ananias told Saul to do after he arrived in the city to where Saul was. Here are the scriptures:
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Acts 9:6
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16
Let's look at what is actually involved in becoming one of "the elect".
This is very important, because it reveals the prerequisites of becoming one of "the elect". The following must be met to satisfy God's requirement of the election of grace.
The message of Romans 8:28-30 can be misconstrued if not carefully read.
Does Paul mean to say that he was "elected before birth", or does he mean to say that "it was God's will that he be part of the elect", even before he was born? Would not all of mankind fall into the latter category, according to Peter (2Peter 3:9)?
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29. 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.
30. 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.
The word "Predestinate", found in this passage has led many to believe that Paul was elected, prior to his birth. The words "called" and "justified", however, shed light on whether or not Paul was elected pre-birth, or post-birth (physical).
Paul said that whoever was predestinated was also called.
The question which must then be answered is:
How are we called?
Jesus answered this question. In John 12:32, He said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all (this would include Saul of Tarsus) men unto me. Jesus, of course, was speaking of the sacrifice He would make for our sins when he was crucified.
This is known as the gospel of Christ, which includes His self-sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, his burial, and His resurrection on the third day. These three elements compose the gospel of Christ.
We (as Paul) are called by the "gospel of Christ".
Paul, in Romans 1:16, described this gospel as the "power to save".
The first gospel sermon was preached, by Peter, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). In this gospel message, all three of the necessary elements of the gospel were proclaimed (Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection).
Acts 2:41-47 reveals that 3000 souls were "drawn to Christ" that day through the preaching of the gospel. When Peter proclaimed Christ, being lifted up on the cross of Calvary, precious souls were drawn, or called to Christ through the gospel.
"Being Called", just as "being elected", requires that one hear the word of God. This can only be done by those who are physically living.
Romans 8:28-30 states that those who have been predestinated, and called, have also been justified.
Romans 5:1 reveals that those who have been justified have done so through faith. "Therefore being justified by faith..."
Once again, faith is required to successfully access the throne of grace. Those who are justified by faith, must first hear the words of God (Romans 10:17).
Through reason of the scriptures, it is evident that "justification", like "election", and "being called", requires residence in a physical body.
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