“The chosen” in the New Testament, refers to people whom God has chosen for a relationship with Him and for salvation through faith in Christ.  Not only do we choose to receive Christ as Saviour by inviting Him to be our Saviour from sin, but the Bible declares that God has already chosen us to belong to Him. When? Before the world was even made.  How comforting to know that we were in the mind and purposes of God before the world began. How challenging for us to discover and hopefully fulfil His purposes for us in this world. You and I as tiny weenie believers were created by God to fulfil a purpose He has for the lives of each one of us. As the words of ancient chorus put it, “There’s a work for Jesus ready at your hand. “Tis a task the Master just for you has planned,”

Most simply, “the chosen” are those who belong to Jesus by receiving Him as their Saviour.

1. THE CHOSEN = BELIEVERS IN CHRIST

• Ephesians 1:4 — Eph 1:4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him
•  Colossians 3:12 — Col 3:12  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,\
• 1 Peter 2:9 — 1Pe 2:9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

So in everyday New Testament language:
The chosen = Christians (true believers in Christ).

2. CHOSEN “IN CHRIST”

People are chosen by their connection by faith with Jesus, not apart from Him.  They were chosen even before the world came into being. 

• Ephesians 1:4 — Eph 1:4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, 
• This means:
• Jesus is the “Chosen One” 
• Recognised as such by God Himself. Lk 9:35. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”
• His enemies entertained the possibility. • Luke 23:35 — “God’s Chosen One” Luk 23:35  And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”
• Peter described Him as such. 1 Peter 2:4 — “Chosen by God and precious”   1Pet 2:4  As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
• Matthew saw how Jesus fulfilled a prophecy in Isaiah.• Matthew 12:18 — “My chosen servant”  Mat 12:18  “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. This is a fulfilment of the prophecy in Isaiah 42:1  Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
• People become chosen by being united to Him through faith. 1Cor 6:17  But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

So the focus is not just “who is chosen,” but being in Christ.

3. CHOSEN FOR A PURPOSE

Being chosen is not only about salvation—it includes a calling:

• To be holy (Ephesians 1:4) Eph 1:4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
• To proclaim God’s truth (1 Peter 2:9) 1Pe 2:9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
• To bear fruit (John 15:16) Jhn 15:16  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

The chosen are saved and sent to bear fruit.

4. THE CHOSEN INCLUDE JEWS AND GENTILES

In the New Testament, God’s chosen people are no longer defined by ethnicity:

• Romans 9–11 explains how both Jews and Gentiles are included in the people of God as they call upon His name. 
• Faith in Christ is the key, not belonging to a certain race.
• Rom 10:12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13  For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

5. “MANY ARE CALLED, FEW ARE CHOSEN”

Jesus says in:

• Matthew 22:14. Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This highlights a distinction:

• Called = invited (the gospel goes out to many) and all people have the opportunity to respond to Him.
• Chosen = those who truly respond in faith. It is not as though God chooses some and rejects others. Rather God knows beforehand in His divine foreknowledge who is going to respond to His call. 1Pet 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are ELECT exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2  ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE FATHER, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

SIMPLE SUMMARY

The “chosen” in the New Testament are:

• Those who belong to Jesus Christ
• Chosen “in Him” before time began
• Saved by grace through faith
• Called to live holy lives and to serve God

Blog No.591 posted on Monday 23 March 2026