Predestination

Revised: 4/26/03

Predestination is a concept that many men and women in the spiritual world use to justify their salvation. Individuals such as this believe that God has already chosen people who will make it to heaven. Along with this they feel that it is impossible for them to lose their salvation. Often times this attitude permeates from the person who is living or stuck in sin and is unconsciously seeking an excuse. As Christians, we can lose our salvation and God has not preprogrammed anyone to be cast into eternal hell fire hell.

Read 2 Peter 3:9-10

This text informs us that God does not want anyone in the world to perish and go to hell. He has made a way for all of humanity to be saved by the blood of Christ. This invitation is extended to the world and we need not worry about those in remote or far off places because God is in control.

The Confusion:

Many take the term predestinate literally, as they should, but they attach it to an individual and not the actual plan of God to save man/woman. Because God knows all before it even occurs, He predestinated Christ to spiritually redeem the World (Luke 22:22; Acts 2:23; Ephesians 3:1-11).

Read Romans 8:26-30

In this text we must keep in mind that Paul is talking to baptized believers. The focus is not on the individual being predestinated, it’s on what they are being predestinated to. In this case it is being conformed to the image of Christ.

Paul is letting the group/church of believers know that the plan of God, from the beginning, was to conform men/women to the image of Christ.

Read Romans 8:33

The elect of God are Christians, just as God’s elect in the Old Testament were the Israelites (Isaiah 45:4, 65:9 & 22).

Read Ephesians 1:1-12

This particular scripture, dealing with predestination, is clearer, from start to finish, as we keep in mind that Paul is addressing baptized believers (Saints).

Verse 4 points out that Christians were chosen as the people of God before the foundation of the world. This does not apply to a group of people in a pocket; it is a general statement that applies to all individuals who become saved. This was done to make a people holy and without blame before God. Cocky individuals would like to think that God had a special plan to save them because they are so special but the plan is for all who are willing to believe and obey.

Verse 5 informs us that Christian’s were/are predestinated to become the children of God through the workings of Christ. The remaining verses are very clear and, again, indicate that predestination is of the body of Christ and not particular individuals.

Salvation Can Be Lost!

Many believe in the false fable: “Once saved always saved.” This is the work of Satan and provides the Christian with a false since of security and confidence in God.

Upon conversion, the Christian has their name recorded in the “Book of Life” (Philippians 4:3). Just like our name was added to the book it can be blotted out as indicated by Christ when he addressed the Church at Sardis (Revelation 3:1-5). Some would like to say that the Christian who falls away was not truly converted to begin with, but this is not substantiated in scripture. There have been many dedicated Christians who after a period of time fell back into the ways of Satan, despite knowing the truth.

In Acts chapter 8 the Bible speaks of a man named Simon. He was living in Samaria and through sorcery caused the people to believe that he was some great one. When Philip arrived in Samaria the people were amazed at his God-given ability to perform miracles, signs, and wonders. The people in Samaria were baptized, including Simon the sorcerer, after Philip preached to them Christ and His Kingdom (Acts 8:12-13). After baptism, Simon was a Christian just as the other Samaritans and those baptized in Acts 2:41 and Acts 4:4. However, when Simon saw the apostles Peter and John impart Holy Spirit power to the Samaritans he digressed to his former sinful self, wanting to purchase (with money) the ability to lay hands on believers (Acts 8:18-19). Peter had to inform Simon that he needed to repent of his wickedness because his heart was not right in the sight of God (Acts 8:21). A baptized believer can start off with a good heart (Romans 6:17) and then turn evil or go apostate. If there was such a biblical concept as once saved always saved, Peter would have never instructed Simon (a Christian) to repent. Simon was in jeopardy of canceling his recently obtained salvation.

Satan is our enemy and the game is not over for him once we are baptized, it is just beginning. If we believe in mans understanding of predestination it could place us in a situation where we feel we no longer need to fight off Satan. FALSE!

Scripture references:

Romans 8:12-13

1 Timothy 4:1-2***

Galatians 4:7

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