51 – Decree of Predestination
DECREE OF PREDESTINATION
§ 51. The decree of predestination is an eternal act of God,1 who for His goodness’ sake,2 and because of the merit of the foreordained Redeemer of all mankind,3 purposed to lead into everlasting life,4 by the way and means of salvation designated for all mankind,5 a certain number6 of certain persons,7 and to procure, work, and promote what would pertain to their final salvation.8
1. The decree of predestination is an eternal act of God,
Ephesians 1:4 According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose.
II Thessalonians 2:13 Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.
II Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us … according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
2. who for His goodness’ sake,
II Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
Romans 9:11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth.
Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
3. and because of the merit of the foreordained Redeemer of all mankind,
II Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
Ephesians 1:4 According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him.
Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4. purposed to lead into everlasting life,
Acts 13:48 And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
II Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
II Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Romans 8:28–29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose; for whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.
5. by the way and means of salvation designated for all mankind,
Ephesians 1:4–5 According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
Romans 8:29–30 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son… Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
I Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
6. a certain number
Acts 13:48 And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Matthew 20:16 Many be called, but few chosen.
Matthew 22:14 Many are called, but few are chosen.
7. of certain persons,
II Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His.
I Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God.
John 13:18 I know whom I have chosen.
8. and to procure, work, and promote what would pertain to their final salvation.
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.
Ephesians 3:10–11 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Mark 13:20, 22 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom He hath chosen, He hath shortened the days. (22) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.