Predestination is God's decree in which He has determined the eternal state of all rational creatures to sovereign glory of His mercy and righteousness. "Pre" means "before," and "destination" refers to the "conclusion" or "final place" of all moral creatures angels and human beings.
The destination of every rational creature, every angel and man, will be either heaven or hell. Predestination is God's decreeing, from eternity, the final place of each angel and human being. As moral creatures, predestination is a very important aspect of God's plan for all mankind.
- Predestination includes the following two parts:
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1. Election |
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. - Ephesians 1:4-5 |
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2. Reprobation |
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to show His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. - Romans 9:21-22 |
Election is God's sovereign decree to graciously save certain sinners. As totally depraved sinners, these chosen people are not better than others. Their election is entirely based on the sovereign good pleasure of God. God freely chose to graciously save certain sinners through the merits of Jesus Christ.
Reprobation is God's sovereign decree to justly pass by other sinners with His grace and to punish them for their sins. As totally depraved sinners they have fully deserved eternal punishment. Reprobation reveals God's sovereign will to reveal His justice in fully punishing certain sinners for their sins.
The chart on the next page provides examples of predestination as it is found in Scripture and in our doctrinal standards.
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Some people deny the doctrine of election, but if there were no divine, gracious election, why would no person ever be saved? |
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Why would God's reprobation of every sinner be perfectly just? How does His election reveal His great mercy? |
