The Bible Doctrine of Predestination
Introduction:
Some believe that God must unconditionally elect individuals to be saved, all others are hopelessly and helplessly lost. Did God arbitrarily choose to save some and destroy others before the foundation of the world? Is it true that nothing can be done to change God’s sovereign decree?
I. Objections to this doctrine:
A. It makes God a respecter of persons.
1. God is impartial. See Rom. 2:11; Col. 3:25; Eph. 6:9; Acts 10:34
B. It makes God responsible for the damnation of the world.
1. This makes God responsible for leaving helpless man in a damned condition. What about Ezek. 33:11; 18:21-23; 26-30; 32
C. It nullifies the great commission.
1. Scriptures say to teach the gospel to the world. See Mk. 16:15-16; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Titus 2:11-14
2. If nothing can change anybody’s status before God, why preach the gospel? Why warn people to flee the wrath to come?
D. It refuses to accept that Christ died for all.
1. Christ died for every man – Heb. 2:9. See also 1 Tim. 2:6; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:14.
E. It rejects the free will choice of man.
1. The Scriptures teach man is responsible for his actions. See Rom. 6:16; 14:12; Josh. 24:15; Deut. 30:19; Isa. 7:15-16
F. It makes every call to repentance hypocritical.
1. God has commanded all men everywhere to repent – Acts 17:30.
II. What the Scriptures Teach About Predestination
A. Ephesians 1:3-14
B. God chose the plan of salvation to be in Christ.
1. Note the emphasis on Jesus in 1:3-13:
C. Note 1:12-13 – salvation is described as being conditioned upon having "heard" and "believed."
D. Read Romans 8:28-30
E. God is able to look out across a great vista and foresee things that shall be brought into being.
F. He is able to speak of things which do not exist as though they were already completed.
Concluding Thoughts
A. God is in sovereign control.
B. Man has the responsibility to either accept or reject God’s plan of salvation. What will your decision be?
C. I N V I T A T I O N
