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What is "Predestination"?
The Christian world of today has attempted to explain the "will of God" in several ways. Some ministers believe and will teach that all of God’s children were "predestined" to either be saved or to be lost. This pamphlet will show that this is a false belief, and will attempt to explain that this word "predestinate" was used in scripture to show that God is a loving all-knowing God; and that his divine will for his children will eventually come to pass. God’s divine will is simply to restore and "save" his children, however God’s children must demonstrate the desire, and also have the will to be saved; as we shall see. This word "predestinate(ed)" is found only four times in the Bible. Carefully read Rom. 8:29-30 and Eph. 1:5, 11.
Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (KJV)
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. (KJV)
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (KJV)The word "predestinate" is no. 4309 in Strong's Lexicon. This meaning shows that God has predetermined, foreordained, and appointed beforehand certain things to eventually become a fulfilled reality.
4309 proorizo {pro-or-id'-zo} from 4253 and 3724; TDNT - 5:456,728; v AV - predestinate 4, determine before 1, ordain 1; 6 1) to predetermine, decide beforehand 2) in the NT of God decreeing from eternity 3) to foreordain, appoint beforehand
The premise of "predestination" that is taught by some ministers of today is that God had from the beginning determined who of his people are to be "saved", and who are to be "lost". This false teaching means that man has no free will or choice in the matter of salvation! Spiritual logic tells us that this flawed belief means that sincere Christians will be spiritually "disarmed" in obeying the commanded instructions of Christ and the apostles in repentance, overcoming, faith and prayer. This false doctrine of "predestination" also means that there would be no correct basis for the judgments of God. Please read my booklet "The Judgments of God" to understand that all sin and rebellion must demand a payment and a penalty, and will therefore eventually be accounted for.
Why would God deliberately take man out of the equation in choosing the "way of truth" and the "way of life", which Jesus Christ and the apostles repeatedly talked about? Indeed, the theme of warnings of the entire Bible (especially the New Testament) is that man must choose a belief system, and must choose a way of life; and that man will be held accountable of these choices! To any sincere Bible student this biblical fact cannot be ignored! By again analyzing Rom. 8:29-30, Eph. 1:5, and 11 it is obvious that God foreknew his children, and "predetermined" that his children fulfill what he already had planned for them. In reviewing these scriptures again; Christ was to be the firstborn among many brethren, therefore God "decided beforehand" that his children be conformed to the image of Christ. God then called (or invited) his children to obtain an inheritance that he already had planned for them. My booklet "What Is the Church?" explains what is meant by being "called of God". God had also "predestined" that his children be justified and glorified, because this was the only way that his children could obtain this glorious inheritance. God also "foreordained" by the "adoption" method to bring his children unto himself by Jesus Christ. The biblical meaning of the word "adoption" is explained in my booklet "Lost Israel and the Gentiles".
The Greek word "proorizo" (no. 4309), which is used to explain "predestinate" is also found in two other scriptures in the New Testament. God knew "beforehand" that the kings of the earth and rulers would be gathered together against Christ. The people of Israel located in Judea, including the "lost" Israelites scattered to the nations (Gentiles); were also gathered together against Christ. Therefore Herod and Pontius Pilate were allowed to crucify Christ, which God had already by his own counsel "determined before" (no. 4309). Read and understand Acts 4:26-28.Acts 4:26-28 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to do be done. (KJV)
See also 1 Cor. 2:7, and notice that God had "ordained" (no. 4309) before the world the hidden wisdom of God to be spoken by the apostles in a mystery, to the glory of believers.
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (KJV)
There are other examples in the Bible that also show that God had decided beforehand certain things to come to pass. It was by the "determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God" that Christ was taken and crucified by wicked hands, as it shows in Acts 2:23.
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: (KJV)
God's elect (Israelites), by the "foreknowledge" of God the Father, were to be sanctified by the Spirit. Notice in 1 Pet. 1:2 that this sanctification was dependent on Israelites being in obedience, and by believing what the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ accomplished.
1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (KJV)
It could also be said that "predestinate" simply means the "will of God". Notice that 2 Pet. 3:9 explains that the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, and is also "not willing that any should perish".
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV)
Please notice that it is also "God’s will" that all should come to repentance. The biblical meaning of the word "perish" is explained in my booklet "Life and Death". 1 Tim. 2:4 explains that God "will have all men to be saved". The words "will have" are very important to understand, and will be explained soon.
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (KJV)
Again, please understand that it is also "God’s will" that all men come to the knowledge of the truth. How can 2 Pet. 3:9 and 1 Tim. 2:4 be explained, because Christ plainly stated in Matt. 7:21 that not every one of God's children will enter into the kingdom of heaven?
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (KJV)
According to the words of Jesus Christ, the "Father's will" overrules and takes priority over "man's will" for someone to qualify in entering into the kingdom of heaven. This truth is very important to understand! The two words "will have" in 1 Tim. 2:4 is explained by the many meanings given for no. 2309 in Strong's Lexicon.
2309 thelo {thel'-o} or ethelo {eth-el'-o} in certain tenses theleo {thel-eh'-o} and etheleo {eth-el-eh'-o} which are otherwise obsolete apparently strengthened from the alternate form of 138; TDNT - 3:44,318; v AV - will/would 159, will/would have 16, desire 13, desirous 3, list 3, to will 2, misc 4; 210 1) to will, have in mind, intend 1a) to be resolved or determined, to purpose 1b) to desire, to wish 1c) to love 1c1) to like to do a thing, be fond of doing 1d) to take delight in, have pleasure
Please notice that "will have" is translated 159 times as "would", which simply means that it is conditional for all men to be saved. Nevertheless God "would" love to, has in mind, desires, and is determined to save all of his children. Of course, God no doubt "would have" this type of desire and pleasure! However just because the Father truly desires the salvation of all his children does not mean his children also have that same desire to be saved. The "Father’s will" must overrule the will of his children, which will prove and test his children if they truly also have the "will" and desire to be saved! It is therefore very needful that the Father’s children have a profound desire and determination to do the "will" of the Father spoken of in Matt. 7:21. The "Father’s will" is expressed and explained in many scriptures in keeping the ten commandments, believing in the power of Christ’s shed blood, and following a certain "way of truth".
The Father will never compel or force his "will" on his children, because this method will not capture the hearts and minds of his children. The Father’s children must respond to the Father’s "calling", and make the proper spiritual choices in this life of doctrine, and manner of behavior and lifestyle. It is a simple matter of believing what the Father has "preordained" for his children, and then responding accordingly. What is "predestined" for the Father’s children in obtaining a glorious inheritance, will therefore be realized and fulfilled!Questions or comments?... Email: wickey777@verizon.net