"To elect is to designate or select."—Webster.
There are three kinds of election spoken of in the Scriptures:
(1.) That of individuals to perform some special service, or to fill some particular office.
As Cyrus to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem.
Ezra I, 1. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2. Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
Or Paul to be an Apostle.
Rom. I, 1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God.
Acts XIII, 2. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.