The Selection Event refers to the biblical account of God choosing individuals or groups for specific purposes, roles, or missions. This concept is woven throughout the narrative of Scripture, highlighting God's sovereign will and divine plan for humanity. The Selection Event underscores the themes of divine election, calling, and purpose, as seen in both the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament Examples

1. Abraham: The patriarch Abraham is a prime example of divine selection. God chose Abraham to be the father of a great nation, Israel, through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3 records God's call to Abraham: "Go forth from your country, your kindred, and your father's house to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."

2. Israel: The nation of Israel itself was selected by God to be His chosen people, a holy nation set apart for His purposes. Deuteronomy 7:6 states, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth."

3. David: King David was selected by God to lead Israel and establish a royal lineage that would ultimately culminate in the Messiah. In 1 Samuel 16:12-13 , God instructs Samuel to anoint David: "So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, 'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.' So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward."

New Testament Examples

1. The Apostles: Jesus selected twelve disciples to be His apostles, entrusting them with the mission of spreading the Gospel and establishing the early Church. Mark 3:13-14 describes this selection: "Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach."

2. Paul: The Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul, was chosen by God to be a key figure in the spread of Christianity to the Gentiles. Acts 9:15 records God's words to Ananias regarding Paul: "Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."

3. The Church: The New Testament also speaks of the Church as a chosen people, called out from the world to be the body of Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 affirms this selection: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Theological Implications

The Selection Event emphasizes God's initiative in the process of salvation and His authority in appointing individuals for His divine purposes. It reflects the biblical doctrine of election, where God, in His wisdom and sovereignty, chooses people not based on their merit but according to His grace and purpose. This selection is often accompanied by a call to obedience, faithfulness, and service, as those chosen are expected to fulfill the roles and missions assigned to them by God.

Throughout Scripture, the Selection Event serves as a reminder of God's active involvement in human history and His desire to work through individuals and communities to accomplish His redemptive plan.