50 – Decree of Redemption

DECREE OF REDEMPTION

 § 50. The decree of redemption is an eternal act of God,¹ whereby He graciously and with divine wisdom purposed to work, in the fulness of time, through the Son made manifest in the flesh, a redemption of mankind,² and to prepare a way of salvation for the whole human race,³ whose fall He had forseen, but not decreed.⁴

1. The decree of redemption is an eternal act of God,

I Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.

Ephesians 1:7–10 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ.

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.

Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done.

2. whereby He graciously and with divine wisdom purposed to work, in the fulness of time, through the Son made manifest in the flesh, a redemption of mankind,

Luke 2:30–32 For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.

Galatians 4:4–5 But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law.

3. and to prepare a way of salvation for the whole human race,

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

4. whose fall He had forseen, but not decreed.

Hosea 13:9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in Me is thine help.