God foreordains whatsoever comes to past in the past,
present and future of what happens in the universe of all things. Predestination is a reference to God’s
decision on our eternal destinies. It is
in regards to whether we spend eternity in hell or heaven. The New Testament refers to predestination of
elect sinners. God chooses whether we
end up in hell or in heaven. He chooses
in advance of our lives or before our lives.
God’s foreordination of things includes election and reprobation. Some think God chooses on the basis of
whether we accept or reject Christ. This
would be an Arminian doctrine. But the
Bible says its not because of any works of righteousness that we have done but
because of Him who calls or by His mercy He saved us. The London Baptist Confession of 1689 says,
Chapter 3: Of God's Decree
1._____ God hath decreed in
himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will,
freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as
thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein;
nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or
contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established; in which
appears his wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in
accomplishing his decree.
( Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 9:15, 18; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5; Acts 4:27, 28; John 19:11; Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 1:3-5 )
( Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 9:15, 18; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5; Acts 4:27, 28; John 19:11; Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 1:3-5 )
2._____ Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can
come to pass, upon all supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything,
because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such
conditions.
( Acts 15:18; Romans 9:11, 13, 16, 18 )
( Acts 15:18; Romans 9:11, 13, 16, 18 )
3._____ By the decree of God, for the manifestation
of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal
life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others being
left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his
glorious justice.
( 1 Timothy 5:21; Matthew 25:34; Ephesians 1:5, 6; Romans 9:22, 23; Jude 4 )
( 1 Timothy 5:21; Matthew 25:34; Ephesians 1:5, 6; Romans 9:22, 23; Jude 4 )
4.______These angels and men thus predestinated and
foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so
certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.
( 2 Timothy 2:19; John 13:18 )
( 2 Timothy 2:19; John 13:18 )
5._____ Those of mankind that are predestinated to
life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his
eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his
will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace
and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause
moving him thereunto.
( Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11; Romans 8:30; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 9:13, 16; Ephesians 2:5, 12 )
( Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11; Romans 8:30; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 9:13, 16; Ephesians 2:5, 12 )
6._____ As God hath appointed the elect unto glory,
so he hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all
the means thereunto; wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are
redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit
working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his
power through faith unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ,
or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect
only.
( 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10; Romans 8:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:5; John 10:26; John 17:9; John 6:64 )
( 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10; Romans 8:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:5; John 10:26; John 17:9; John 6:64 )
7._____ The doctrine of the high mystery of
predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men
attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience
thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of
their eternal election; so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise,
reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant
consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.
( 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5; 2 Peter 1:10; Ephesians 1:6; Romans 11:33; Romans 11:5, 6, 20; Luke 10:20 )
( 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5; 2 Peter 1:10; Ephesians 1:6; Romans 11:33; Romans 11:5, 6, 20; Luke 10:20 )