The Selected Few

Full Episode Tratranscript

Brother Richie Juatco: If you search for the largest religion in the world, you’ll find the answer is Christianity. More than 2 billion people identify themselves as Christians, claiming to believe in and follow the Bible. But there are questions that deserve to be asked, because throughout the scriptures, God consistently sets apart a chosen few. This pattern is unmistakable—God’s true people have never been the majority. So how do we reconcile that with Christianity being the world’s largest religion? 

Christianity uses the Bible as its basis of faith. Today’s popular understanding of Christianity is just “believe and you’re among the chosen.” But the Bible repeatedly illustrates that not all who claim to be God’s people truly belong to Him. So according to the Bible, identifying someone as a believer is not the same as being chosen by God. That being said, an important question should be asked: If not everyone who calls themselves a Christian truly belongs to God, then who are God’s chosen people today? 

This is what we are going to study today, here on The Message. 

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Who Are the Chosen Few?

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The Message

Brother Richie: Hi. Thank you for joining us. I’m Brother Richie Juatco. 

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Brother Mark Vasquez

Minister of the Gospel

Brother Richie Juatco

Minister of the Gospel

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Who Are the Chosen Few?

Brother Mark Vasquez: And I’m Brother Mark Vazquez. 

Throughout the Bible, one pattern appears again and again: God does not choose the majority. He chooses a selected few. His people are never defined by numbers, popularity, or widespread acceptance, but by His calling or election. This pattern is not isolated to one period of history. It is woven throughout the entire biblical narrative.

Brother Richie, what is the evidence of this? 

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What proves that only a few are chosen to serve God?

Brother Richie: Let’s read from what’s recorded in 2 Samuel. We’ll read from chapter 7, verse 24. This is what it says,

You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

[II Samuel 7:24 New International Version]

Brother Richie: Here, King David states what God did concerning His choice of people for Himself in ancient times. What did he express to God? He said, “You have established your people.” So God’s people do not take it upon themselves to establish their relationship with God. Rather, God is the One who establishes them. 

Brother Mark: So who are the people that the Lord God chose back then, and what did He establish them as?Brother Richie: Well, we did read, “Israel as your very own forever.” So Israel was chosen to be God’s own people. 

Brother Mark: What does that mean that they were chosen to be God’s own people? 

Brother Richie: Well, we did read that “you, Lord, have become their God.” So at the time, only Israel had God in their lives.

Brother Mark: What does God say about who He chooses? Why did God choose Israel among all other nations in the world, Brother Richie? 

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What does God say about those He chooses?

Brother Richie: Let’s keep learning. We’ll read now from what’s written in the Book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy, chapter 7, we’ll read verses 6 to 8,

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

[Deuteronomy 7:6-8 New International Version]

Brother Richie: So here the Bible reiterates that Israel was God’s chosen people. We read, “The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” We also learned that God does not base His decision of choosing His people like the way that we might think, Brother Mark. 

Brother Mark: That’s true. As human beings, we might think that God’s choice of people, who would be His, to be the most powerful, largest, or even the most dominant. But what is the truth regarding Israel at that time, Brother Richie? 

Brother Richie: Well, we did read, “The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples.” In fact, what was their status? We read, “you were the fewest of all peoples.” Well, why then did God establish them as His people? We read that, “it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors.” 

Now, Brother Mark, just so that we all understand what’s being taught in the Bible, who are the ancestors being mentioned in this verse? 

Brother Mark: Well, the ancestors that were being referred to are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, since God’s oath was to Abraham and his descendants. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. So God’s choice is based on His love and oath He promised. God’s love cannot be questioned, and neither His choice of who His people are. It is completely His choice to make. 

Brother Mark: So what’s the benefit? What benefit is there in being chosen by the Lord God? 

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What is the benefit of being chosen by God?

Brother Richie: Let’s read that. The answer is recorded in the Book of Romans, chapter 3, verse 1 to 2. Here it says,

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

[Romans 3:1-2 New International Version]

Brother Richie: Here, Apostle Paul poses a question. What did he ask? He said, “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?” It should be understood that the Jews were those in the nation of Israel, and the men in Israel were physically distinguished by circumcision. So Apostle Paul is essentially asking, “What benefit is there in being in Israel or being chosen by God?” And then he actually answers his own question. 

Brother Mark: What did he say? How did he answer his own question? 

Brother Richie: He’s the one that said, “What advantage… is there…? Much in every way!” So there is every advantage and benefit of being among God’s chosen people. 

Brother Mark: What is one of the advantages or benefits of being among God’s people? 

Brother Richie: Well, he said, “First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.”

So, God’s chosen people are the only ones who actually know and have God’s words. 

Brother Mark: So what is it that they are to do with God’s words or commands, and what advantage would it bring to them if they have those words? 

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What’s the advantage of having God’s true words?

Brother Richie: Let’s continue to learn from what’s recorded. We’ll read here in Jeremiah. Let’s read from what’s written in the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 7, the verse is 23. Here it says, 

but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you.

[Jeremiah 7:23 New International Version]

Brother Richie: So here God gives a simple instruction or command. What is that? He said, “Obey me.” What does that mean? Well, He clarifies, “Walk in all the ways I command you.” So God’s people, who are entrusted with His words or commands, should obey them.

Brother Mark: And what would be the result if they obey the commands of the Lord God? 

Brother Richie: Our God said then, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” What would that mean for their lives? He said, “it may go well with you.” So as long as Israel obeyed God’s commands, then, He would be with them and they would remain His people.

Brother Mark: That’s a good blessing. However, did Israel, did they uphold their end of the covenant or that agreement? What did the people of Israel admit to God? 

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What happened to Israel’s relationship with God?

Brother Richie: Let’s find out what they themselves, they admitted what happened. God gave them a simple instruction. What is it that they did? We’ll read here in Daniel 9:11. It says, 

All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.

[Daniel 9:11 New International Version]

Brother Richie: Here, we learn what happened to Israel’s relationship with God. What did they admit? We read that, “because we have sinned against you… the curses and sworn judgments… have been poured out on us.” Who among Israel sinned against God? We read, “All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away.” How did they turn away from God? Well, they’re the ones that acknowledged, “refusing to obey you.” Let’s remember, obedience is God’s condition or requirement to remain His chosen people. 

Brother Mark: So they failed to meet that condition of the Lord God.

Brother Richie: That’s right. And this is the reason why the nation of Israel no longer continued to be God’s chosen people. You know, Brother Mark, in what we already learned, actually in the first verse that we learned, Israel would be God’s very own people forever. So how did God maintain that covenant or oath with them, while at the same time choosing or selecting another people, since all Israel turned away from Him? 

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Do God’s promises continue?

Brother Mark: That’s correct. The Lord God did keep His covenant. He did keep His promise.

Let’s read how He did that in the Book of Galatians. We’ll read 3 and the verse is 16, 

Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.

[Galatians 3:16 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: Here we are reminded of God’s covenant or promises. We read, “the promises made.” And who did God choose to give these promises or oath to? We read, “to Abraham and his Seed.” It was mentioned earlier that Abraham’s descendants are the nation of Israel, who eventually turned their backs on God. 

Brother Richie: So how are God’s promises or oath still intact and unbroken? 

Brother Mark: Well, the Bible clarifies, “He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one.” And who is the seed, the one seed of Abraham that continued to carry the oath or promise of God to be His chosen people? We read, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.” So the Lord Jesus Christ is the one who kept the covenant that God established in order to have His chosen people forever.

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, if the promise or oath to God is only to Abraham and to Christ, because Christ is Abraham’s seed, how is it that others can be included among God’s chosen people? 

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How can others be included among God’s people?

Brother Mark: Others can be included among God’s chosen people. And let’s read how that can happen, in the Book of Galatians, we’ll read 3, the verses 29,

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

[Galatians 3:29 New International Version]

Brother Mark: This is the only way to be included in God’s covenant in the Christian era. And how is that possible? We read, “If you belong to Christ.” What would then be the blessing if one belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ? We read, “then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, since God chose Christ as Abraham’s seed, to continue His covenant or promise that He made to Abraham, how does God choose people to belong to or be connected to Christ? 

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How are people able to belong or be connected to Christ?

Brother Mark: Well, let’s learn how the Lord God chooses. Here in the Book of 1 Corinthians, 1 and the verse is 9,

God is to be trusted, the God who called you to have fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

[1 Corinthians 1:9 Good News Translation]

Brother Mark: Here we learn how God chooses people to belong to or be connected to Christ.

We read, “to have fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.” And how is one able to have that fellowship or belonging with Christ? We read, “God… called you.” So, God is still the One who chooses, selects, or calls His people to be with His son, in order to be among the selected few in His covenant.

Brother Richie: So, since God is calling those that He’s choosing, where does He call His chosen people? 

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How can we become connected to Christ?

Brother Mark: Let’s read here together in the Book of Colossians. We’ll read Colossians, 3 and the verse is 15,

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

[Colossians 3:15 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: Here we read about those who were chosen or called by God. Where were they called? We read, “you were called in one body.” So, the people that God chooses to belong to His son, in order to be among His people, are called into the one body of His son.

Brother Richie: Now, it should be obvious that the body of Christ mentioned here is not His physical body. And because of that, some people interpret the one body of Christ as multiple churches, or various so-called believers, or anyone who just accepts Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. But to prevent making the mistake of simply using our personal interpretations as a basis of faith, Brother Mark, according to the Bible, what is the body of Christ? 

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What is the body of Christ?

Brother Mark: That’s true. We shouldn’t use our personal interpretation of the Bible. So, let’s read here in the Bible, what is the body of the Lord Jesus? In Colossians, 1 and the verse is 18, 

And He is the head of the body, the church,…

[Colossians 1:18 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: So, the one body of Christ, where God calls His chosen people, is “the church.” Notice that the one body is one Church. So, according to the Bible, true Christianity is not in multiple churches but only one Church. 

Brother Richie: Now, we’re able to see the discrepancy of the popular idea of Christianity being the world’s largest religion, consisting of various churches, and people identifying as believers, compared to the biblical teaching of only one Church that is connected to Christ as His body. 

Brother Mark: The selected few, or God’s chosen people, are in the biblical church—and it is essential to be part of that true Church. 

Brother Richie: And since there are multiple churches today that claim to be the biblical church, well, the next question is obvious: What is the church written in the Bible that is the body of Christ? 

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What is the Church which is the body of Christ?

Brother Mark: Well, we can read that here in the Holy Scriptures. Let’s read that together in the Book of Acts. We’ll read 20 and the verse is 28,

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood. 

[Acts 20:28 George M. Lamsa’s Translation]

Brother Mark: The Bible makes clear that the name of the Church that is Christ’s body is “the church of Christ.” 

Brother Richie: So now, Brother Mark, we can actually answer the question we posed at the top of the episode: Since not everyone who merely claims to be Christian, or belongs to the religion of Christianity, truly belong to God, then who are God’s chosen people today? 

Brother Mark: Based on the Bible, they are the members of the one body of Christ or the one Church Of Christ. 

Brother Richie: Now, although the name Church Of Christ is important to distinguish it from other churches, we know, Brother Mark, that that’s not the only trait or identifying mark of the true Church.

Brother Mark: That’s true, because there are multiple churches that claim the same name. So, which Church Of Christ? How can the true Church Of Christ, or the one body of Christ, be identified? 

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How can the true Church Of Christ be identified?

Brother Richie: Let’s get a biblical answer. It’s written here in the Book of Ephesians, chapter 4. We’ll read verses 4 to 6. Here it says, 

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

[Ephesians 4:4-6 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: So here, the fact that there is only one biblical church is reinforced. How? Well, since the Church Of Christ is Christ’s body, the verse states that, “There is one body.” 

Brother Mark: Brother Richie, what is present in the one body or Church? 

Brother Richie: Well, we did read, “one Spirit… one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.” So, there is a oneness or unity in the true Church Of Christ. Notice that the true Church only has one faith. So, the members all have the same faith, or belief, of the Bible’s teachings.

Brother Mark: So, what’s an example of this? What is one of the biblical teachings that those in the true Church have faith in? 

Brother Richie: Well, we read, “one God.” And who is the One God that called the selected few to be His people in the true Church Of Christ? We read the “Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” So, the Father alone is the one true God.

Brother Mark: You know, Brother Richie, this is very different than that widespread belief among so many people claiming to be Christians today. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. And the popular idea of Christianity being the world’s largest religion, we know it has different faiths. It has different forms of baptism, and it even has different beliefs about who is God. 

Brother Mark: So, since the ones inside the true Church Of Christ have the faith that is not shared with the world, or the majority of the people, Brother Richie, what does the Lord Jesus Christ teach those inside of His church? 

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What does Christ teach those inside His Church?

Brother Richie: Let’s read what he teaches here in the Book of John. We’ll read chapter 15, verses 18 to 19. He does say this,

If the world hates you, just remember that it has hated me first. If you belonged to the world, then the world would love you as its own. But I chose you from this world, and you do not belong to it; that is why the world hates you.

[John 15:18-19 Good News Translation]

Brother Richie: Here, the Lord Jesus Christ empathizes with those inside His Church. What is it that He pointed out? He said, “If the world hates you, just remember that it hated me first.” Jesus Christ is no stranger to being hated and opposed by the majority. When He was here on earth, only a few people—the selected few of God—believed in Him and followed Him. The rest hated His teachings and beliefs that were very different from what they heard before. 

Brother Mark: What did the Lord Jesus Christ point out if those inside of the Church Of Christ, if they would go on with and believe these popular false beliefs of the world? 

Brother Richie: Well, he’s the one that said, “If you belonged to the world, then the world would love you as its own.” So, going along with the false beliefs of the world might win us favor and acceptance with them, but would mean separating from the one faith in the body of Christ or the Church Of Christ.

Brother Mark: And we don’t want that. That’s nothing good to happen to any of us. 

Brother Richie: Of course not.

Brother Mark: So, what did the Lord Jesus Christ clarify to the members of His church? 

Brother Richie: Well, He’s the one that said, “you do not belong to it; that is why the world hates you.” Those in the true Church Of Christ do not adapt or go along with the world or the popular idea of today’s so-called Christianity, just to be accepted or included in what people believe is the largest religion in the world. True Christianity are the selected few who actually obey God’s commands inside the biblical Church Of Christ.

Brother Mark: This is very different from a very widespread belief which people who even call themselves Christian believe in. But we can see that the one true Church Of Christ has one faith. But Brother Ritchie, what about those who are not members of the Church Of Christ? What is it that they can do? Do they have hope? 

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What is the hope of those who are not yet members of the Church Of Christ?

Brother Richie: That’s a good question. We can read from what the Lord Jesus Christ Himself instructs anyone who wants to be included among God’s chosen people but are not yet part of His church. We’ll read in Matthew 7:13-14,

“Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it. But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.

[Matthew 7:13-14 Good News Translation]

Brother Richie: Here, Christ gives a very clear command. What is it that He said? He said, “Go in through the narrow gate.” Why is He instructing people to go through the narrow gate? He said that “the gate to life is narrow.” So the narrow gate leads to life—life everlasting—or salvation, which is God’s promise to His people. 

Brother Mark: Why is it described as narrow, and how many are actually able to follow His instruction? 

Brother Richie: Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.” So only a selected few actually find this true way or this true religion. This cannot be the so-called largest religion in the world today. 

Brother Mark: What did the Lord Jesus Christ teach about the majority? Where are the majority, where are they headed to? 

Brother Richie: Well, He’s the one that said, “the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it.” The easiest religion to have is the religion where people can believe in and live however they want. That type of religion will grow rapidly. But as Christ stated, it is the gate to hell. Why are we bringing this to your attention? Because we don’t want anyone who is listening to this message to go down that path. 

As members of the Church Of Christ, it is our duty to share with you the truth of God’s teachings written in the Bible. 

Brother Mark: For those not yet of the same faith, but keeping an open mind, we invite and encourage you to come visit a congregation near you. Or if you want, ask us a question now by clicking the link in the description and inquire how to listen to the basic teachings of the Bible. 

Brother Richie: And if you’re already going through those lessons, or wherever you are in your spiritual journey, make sure that your journey does not stop here. Keep watching and growing with us and stay constantly tuned in to The Message.

On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we’re very grateful for you joining us in this episode. But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer. 

Brother Richie: Our Heavenly Father, our God, we’re very grateful for the mercies that You showed to us, allowing us to hear Your truth, allowing us to understand who Your chosen people are, and giving the opportunity to all those listening to be able to answer Your call and to join the true Church Of Christ. We praise You. We truly do honor Your most holy name. 

We know that hearing Your words really is Your kindness and compassion. We ask, dear Father, that You move all those that are listening. Move their hearts. Allow every one of us to understand these are Your words, these are Your teachings, and to have a life with you, it shows that one needs to meet Your conditions of obeying Your laws and commandments. 

We are asking that You always strengthen our faith. Help us, dear God. There are many things that will try to hinder us. Help us to always find Your path. And if we are able to join and enter the true Church Of Christ, help us to remain, so that we can continue to receive Your blessings. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ, we also approach You. We thank You because it is only through You that we are able to be part of the promise and covenant of God. We ask You, dear Lord, help us that we can continue to follow Your example and continue to hold on to Your body, the true Church Of Christ. 

We thank You, dear God. We believe you hear our prayer. We believe that You will bless us and all those watching. 

We ask and pray for all these things through the name of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Amen. 

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