Romans 8:28-30
Ephesians 1:4-6, 9-11
What is it?
Common errors about it
Proper understanding of it
Let's understand the teaching
John Calvin developed an entire system of
theology – we call it Calvinism
One part of his teaching was Predestination
While few denominations believe all of the
doctrine of Calvinism, many pay lip service to
his teaching – claiming to teach
“5 Point Calvinism”
TULIP – 5 POINT CALVINISM
T – OTAL DEPRAVITY – We are born lost
and not able to be saved on our own
U – NCONDITIONAL ELECTION –
Predestination (our study today)
L – IMITED ATONEMENT – Christ died ONLY
for the elect, not for all men
I – RRESISTABLE GRACE – Direct operation
of the Holy Spirit on the heart of a sinner
P – RESERVATION OF THE SAINTS – Once
saved, always saved
Westminster Confession - 1646
Some men and angels are predestinated unto
everlasting life, and others foreordained to
everlasting death. Ch. 3, Section 3
These are unchangeably designed; and their
number is so certain and definite that it can
not be either increased or diminished. Ch. 3,
Section 5
Westminster Confession - 1646
Those of mankind that are predestinated unto
life, God, before the foundation of the world …
hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory,
out of his free grace and love, without any
foresight of faith or good works, or
perseverance in either of them. Neither are
any other redeemed by Christ, effectually
called, justified, adopted, sanctified and
saved, but the elect only. Ch. 3, Sec. 6
Biblical Terms
FOREKNOWLEDGE – To know in advance
PURPOSE – According to God's will, plan,
and promise
ELECTION – To choose, select
PREDESTIONATION – To determine before,
to predetermine the outcome
Misunderstandings
Who believes this teaching?
Not many – Some Presbyterians (not all or
even most); Some Baptists (very few small
groups)
BUT – Many “claim” to accept 5-point
Calvinism
Few small groups are hard core 5-point
Calvinists
Do YOU believe it?
Doris Day – “Whatever will be, will be”
“God took him.”
“It was his time to go.”
“When your number's up, your number's up.”
“God took her to be in His heavenly choir.”
What about “Fickle Finger of Fate” - “Lady
Luck”
Do you believe your life and death are set?
Ephesians 1:4-6
4 just as He chose us in Him before the
foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before Him in love,
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons
by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the
good pleasure of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by
which He has made us accepted in the
Beloved.
Ephesians 1:9-10
9 having made known to us the mystery of His
will, according to His good pleasure which He
purposed in Himself,
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of
the times He might gather together in one all
things in Christ, both which are in heaven and
which are on earth--in Him.
Ephesians 1:11-13
11 In Him also we have obtained an
inheritance, being predestined according to
the purpose of Him who works all things
according to the counsel of His will,
12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be
to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in
whom also, having believed, you were sealed
with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Romans 8:28-30
28 And we know that all things work together
for good to those who love God, to those who
are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also
predestined to be conformed to the image of
His Son, that He might be the firstborn among
many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He
also called; whom He called, these He also
justified; and whom He justified, these He also
glorified.
Proper Understanding
NOT as Calvin taught that all passages
dealing with election, purpose, and
predestination should be applied to the
individual.
THUS: Calvin taught –
INDIVIDUAL PREDESTINATION
Proper Understanding
These passages are written to a group or
class of people. The decision of God was to
save all that believe in and obey His Son.
This is
GROUP PREDESTINATION
God set the criteria for salvation:
Before there was sin
Before there was a world
Before there were any sinners
Proper Understanding
God has NOT pre-set your life.
He has not decided if you will be saved, who
you will marry, when and how you die.
God has not written the script for your life and
you have no control over what happens to you
God's predestination is that “all who believe
and obey the Son of God, Jesus Christ, will be
saved.”
Proper Understanding
God's Plan was to save those “in Christ”
Read Ephesians 1 & 2 – Watch for a phrase
like “in Christ”, “in Him”, “in Whom” - etc.
Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also trusted,
after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation; in whom also, having believed,
you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of
promise, who is the guarantee of our
inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession, to the praise of His
glory.
God's Plan for Salvation
Ephesians 1:13-14 – Salvation is for those
who:
Trusted in Christ
Heard the word of truth, the gospel
Believed
Were sealed with the Holy Spirit
Have the “earnest” of our inheritance
Conclusion
God has not pre-set all events in your life –
including your salvation
You have the freedom to choose – believe or
reject; obey or refuse; follow or go your own
way; live as the Bible teaches or as you desire
ALL options are your choice
At every invitation of Christ – you must make a
choice.
Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say,
"Come!" And let him who hears
say, "Come!" And let him who
thirsts come. Whoever desires,
let him take the water of life
freely.