Refuting Predestination

What is Predestination? Predestination is a major tenet of Calvinist denominations “God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatever comes to pass.” Presbyterian Confession of Faith, ch. 3, sec. 1 God is directly responsible for all things that happen

What is Predestination? Commonly applied to salvation Takes individual’s responsibilities out of salvation Grace + Faith  Salvation Grace + Salvation  Faith

Are All Things Caused by God? God hates some things in this world Proverbs 6:16-19 Sin is an abomination to God Everything God does is righteous Psalm 145:17 Sin and evil cannot originate with Him

Can God be Resisted? According to the Bible, yes! Romans 13:1-2 Stephen declared that the council had done so Acts 7:51-58 Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit here

Can God be Resisted? “Yet for many years You had patience with them, and testified against them by Your spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen.” Nehemiah 9:30 “But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; so He turned Himself against them as an enemy, and He fought against them.” Isaiah 63:10

Can God be Resisted? According to the Bible, yes! Romans 13:1-2 Stephen declared that the council had done so Acts 7:51-58 Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit here Temptation of evil comes, but not from God James 1:13-14

What Does God Say About Salvation? Salvation is, in part, up to us Ezekiel 18:20-32

Ezekiel 18: The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. 21 But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord G OD, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?

Ezekiel 18: Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? 30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord G OD. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord G OD. “Therefore turn and live!”

What Does God Say About Salvation? Salvation is, in part, up to us Ezekiel 18:20-32 God judges without partiality 1 Peter 1:17 Predestined plan, not predestined man

God’s Predestined Plan None should perish, all should repent 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4 We should be children of God Ephesians 1:5 Salvation made complete in Christ’s sacrifice Ephesians 1:6,7 Salvation would begin in baptism 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16