Predestination

by Hoyt Smith

One of the most misunderstood Bible doctrines is the concept of predestination. Many who follow the teachings of Calvin, which is much of the denominational world, believe the Lord has predetermined those whom He will save and those He will condemn, and there is nothing one can do to change his eternal state. Let's look at what the Bible teaches.
First, we know that God is "no respecter of persons" ( Acts 10:34, 35), and His will is that "none should perish" ( 2 Peter 3:9). In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul reveals God's plan to save man, even before He created him: "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will" ( Ephesians 1:4-5).
How do we become his "adopted sons"? By obedience to His plan of salvation: "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned" ( Mark 16:16).
In God's plan, anyone who wishes to be saved can be through obedience to the gospel.
Does God know ultimately who will be saved? Yes, because He is omniscient. However, as we've seen clearly in the scriptures above, God does not select those who will be saved and lost. Man has free will and chooses whether he will obey the gospel or not. There are many who believe they are God's "chosen" and are saved no matter what they do. Then there are those who believe if God intends for them to be lost, there is nothing they can do about it. How sad! These mistaken beliefs are not from God, but from the devil, the Great Deceiver. Thanks be to God that He loved us so much that He sent His Son to save us ( John 3:16).

March 14, 2010



Predestination by Hoyt Smith One of the most misunderstood Bible doctrines is the concept of predestination. Many who follow the teachings of Calvin, which is much of the denominational world, believe the Lord has predetermined those whom He will save and those He will condemn, and there is nothing one can do to change his eternal state. Let's look at what the Bible teaches. First, we know that God is "no respecter of persons" ( Acts 10:34, 35), and His will is that "none should perish" ( 2 Peter 3:9). In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul reveals God's plan to save man, even before He created him: "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will" ( Ephesians 1:4-5). How do we become his "adopted sons"? By obedience to His plan of salvation: "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned" ( Mark 16:16). In God's plan, anyone who wishes to be saved can be through obedience to the gospel. Does God know ultimately who will be saved? Yes, because He is omniscient. However, as we've seen clearly in the scriptures above, God does not select those who will be saved and lost. Man has free will and chooses whether he will obey the gospel or not. There are many who believe they are God's "chosen" and are saved no matter what they do. Then there are those who believe if God intends for them to be lost, there is nothing they can do about it. How sad! These mistaken beliefs are not from God, but from the devil, the Great Deceiver. Thanks be to God that He loved us so much that He sent His Son to save us ( John 3:16). March 14, 2010	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM