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NASB | Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:5 He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will-- |
Subject: Theological Term: Predestination |
Bible Note: Continuing to work down the ordo salutis, we come to the scriptural term predestination. This much discussed doctrine is very involved. Therefore, I am presenting it in its most basic form. "Predestination is that aspect of foreordination whereby the salvation of the believer is taken to be effected in accordance with the will of God, Who has called and elected him, in Christ, unto life eternal." --International Standard Bible Encyclopedia See Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:5 and 11. "V. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, has chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto; and all to the praise of His glorious grace. "VI. As God has appointed the elect unto glory, so has He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto.Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power, through faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only." --Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter III) "Just why God saves some and leaves others to perish is a mystery. It is not unjust, for God owes no man anything. Reprobation is an act of God's justice just as predestination is an act of His grace. In both God manifests His virtues." --St. Augustine "I question whether we have preached the whole counsel of God, unless predestination with all its solemnity and sureness be continually declared." --Charles Hadon Spurgeon "Predestination in no way hinders the zeal of the evangelist; rather the contrary. For as we know that God foreknows His own (though we have no idea who they might be) we can be sure that those (and only those) will finally believe and turn to Christ. For their sake the church is willing to preach the gospel far and wide. 'For many are called but few are chosen.' The call goes out to all and sundry, but the fact that many continue in unbelief is to be traced to their corruption and sinfulness. 'For men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light...' (Those who) present Christ to a fallen world do not do so believing that people have power within themselves to turn to Christ. They do so because they believe in the power of the Spirit to resurrect dead bones and make them live. Their faith is in the power of God, not in the goodness of men ... Men are unable to believe: 'How can you believe who receive honor from one another and not the honor that comes from the only God?' (free translation). 'Therefore I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father' (John 6:65). 'A man can receive nothing, except it be given unto him from heaven' (John 3:27; cf. 1 Corinthians 4:7) ... Because of original sin and all it entails, men are unable and unwilling to believe; but God can make them willing to believe. For what is impossible for men is possible with God!" --Paul Mizzi In Him, Doc |