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 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 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: 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: 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: 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.