Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6600 Aspects of salvation  »  6708 predestination

God's foreordination of all events and circumstances for the good of his people and the glory of his name.

Predestination depends on God's sovereignty

He is the Creator of all things

Jeremiah 32:17-19 See also Genesis 1:1; Job 38:1-4; Isaiah 44:24-28; Isaiah 45:12-13; Isaiah 48:12-14

He rules over nature and history

Proverbs 16:4 See also Genesis 18:10-14; Psalm 67:4; Proverbs 16:9,33; Proverbs 21:1; Matthew 8:23-27 pp Mark 4:35-41 pp Luke 8:22-25; Matthew 10:29-30; Acts 17:26

His will is perfect

Genesis 18:25 See also Exodus 33:19; Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 8:3; Psalm 119:137; Daniel 4:37

God's predestined purposes cannot be thwarted

Human beings cannot stand against his will

Romans 9:19-21 See also Psalm 2:1-4; Proverbs 19:21; Proverbs 21:30; Isaiah 14:24-27; Isaiah 46:10-12; Daniel 4:35

False gods are impotent before him

Psalm 115:3-8 See also Isaiah 44:8-20; Isaiah 45:20; Isaiah 48:14

He brings good out of evil

Genesis 50:20 See also Genesis 15:13-16; Genesis 45:4-8

Predestination undergirds biblical prophecy

It explains the prophets' confidence

1 Kings 22:17-28 See also 1 Peter 1:10-12

It is demonstrated in the fulfilment of prophecy

1 Kings 22:29-38 See also Matthew 1:22; Matthew 2:15,23; Matthew 4:14; Matthew 8:17; Matthew 12:17-19; Acts 2:17-25; Acts 3:22-25; Acts 13:27-30; Acts 15:15-18

The life and ministry of Jesus Christ was predestined

In that it was predicted by the prophets

Isaiah 9:6-7 See also Isaiah 11:1-10; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Acts 3:18; Galatians 4:4-5

In his sufferings and death

Acts 2:23 See also Matthew 16:21; Luke 18:31-32; Luke 22:22; Luke 24:25-27,44-45; John 13:1; Acts 4:27-30

In the outcome it achieved

Genesis 3:15

God's purpose in predestination is to bless his people

In the path their lives follow

Romans 8:28 See also Psalm 139:14-16; Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 10:29-31 pp Luke 12:6-7

In their salvation

Romans 8:29-30 See also Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 11:25-27; Mark 4:11; John 6:37-44; Acts 13:48; 1 Thessalonians 5:9

In their assurance of salvation

Romans 8:31-39 See also John 10:27-29; John 17:2; Ephesians 1:3-14 Predestination is basic to Christian certainty.

Regarding final perseverance

Philippians 1:6 See also Psalm 138:8; John 6:37-40; Philippians 2:12-13; James 5:11

Regarding God's call to righteousness

Ephesians 2:10 See also Jeremiah 1:4-5; Acts 22:10; Galatians 1:15-17

Regarding future inheritance

John 14:2-3 See also Matthew 25:34; Romans 8:30

God predestines judgment

Isaiah 65:11-12 See also Genesis 6:17 the flood; Exodus 7:13; Exodus 9:13-18; Joshua 11:20; 2 Kings 19:25-26; Isaiah 14:24-27 judgment on Assyria; Isaiah 19:12-14; Isaiah 23:9 judgment on Tyre; Jeremiah 49:20; Jeremiah 50:45 judgment on Babylon; 1 Peter 2:6-8; Isaiah 8:14-15

Predestination does not set aside human responsibility

Philippians 2:12-13 See also John 6:37,40; Acts 13:48

See also

1115  God, purpose of
1130  God, sovereignty
1175  God, will of
1412  foreknowledge
1427  prophecy
6638  election
7125  elect, the
8104  assurance