Predestination is misunderstood...

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,130
3,689
113
Right. But you initially said election concerned service. This is certainly true of Jesus who was a suffering servant. But it doesn't describe Abraham, Isaac, and particularly not Jacob. Election isn't about service. It's about God sovereignly choosing people to fulfill His purposes. That's why He specifically said He chose Jacob...that the purpose of God through election might stand...
They were servants of God bringing forty the seed. They were serving God’s purpose of Genesis 3:15.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,218
6,610
113
62
God did not direct his wrath towards His Son.

He directed His wrath towards our depraved state, and the Son volunteered to jump in to take the bullet so we could live.
It was towards our depravity. Not the Son.
Romans 8:32...delivered Him up for us all...
1 Peter 2:24...who His own self bore our sins in His body...
 

Genez

Junior Member
Oct 12, 2017
2,935
419
83
Why? His blood was shed for all sins, no matter the sin, no matter the person.
No unbeliever will have his sins mentioned at the final judgment.

The means for judgment will be their works. Human deeds that could never equal the righteousness that God seeks.
A righteousness that we are given when we believe in Christ.

It shows here that no one will have his sins mentioned when the unbeliever faces his final judgment.

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,
and books were opened. And another book was opened,
which is the Book of Life.
And the dead were judged according to their works,
by the things which were written in the books."
Rev 12:12​

Jesus paid for all sins!
No one's sins will be used against them in the final judgment!


grace and peace .................
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,218
6,610
113
62
They were servants of God bringing forty the seed. They were serving God’s purpose of Genesis 3:15.
Everything serves God's purposes. And now we are back to my original question. How do you separate election from salvation as you clearly link the two?
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,175
29,476
113
Romans 8:32...delivered Him up for us all...
1 Peter 2:24...who His own self bore our sins in His body...
2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,
so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.


:)
 

Genez

Junior Member
Oct 12, 2017
2,935
419
83
Romans 8:32...delivered Him up for us all...
1 Peter 2:24...who His own self bore our sins in His body...
Yup! He took the bullet for us.

God aimed, and the Son stepped between and grabbed our sins for himself...

God's wrath was not for Jesus. It was for our sins that Jesus wrapped Himself in.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,218
6,610
113
62
Yup! He took the bullet for us.

God aimed, and the Son stepped between and grabbed our sins for himself...

God's wrath was not for Jesus. It was for our sins that Jesus wrapped Himself in.
Right. But God's wrath had to be satisfied.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
3,474
455
83
προορίζω
proorízō; fut. proorísō, from pró (G4253), before, and horízō (G3724), to determine. To determine or decree beforehand (Act_4:28; Rom_8:29-30; 1Co_2:7; Eph_1:5, Eph_1:11). The peace of the Christian Church has been disrupted due to the misunderstanding which surrounds this word. It behooves the Church to consider the divinely intended meaning of this word by carefully examining the critical passages where it is used.

In 1Co_2:7 it has a thing as its obj., namely, the wisdom of God. The purpose was our glory, i.e., our benefits of salvation.

In Act_4:28 the verb is followed by the aor. inf. genésthai (gínomai [G1096], to be, become), to be done.

The action of Herod and Pontius Pilate in crucifying Jesus Christ is said to have been predetermined or foreordained by the hand and will of God. This indicates that Christ's mission, especially His death and resurrection, was not ultimately the result of human will but originated in the eternal counsel of God which decreed the event determining all its primary and secondary causes, instruments, agents, and contingencies.

In Rom_8:29-30, predestination is used of God's actions in eternally decreeing both the objects and goal of His plan of salvation. Proorízō has a personal obj., the pl. relative pron. hoús, whom. This relative pron. refers to those previously mentioned as those whom God foreknew (proégnō [G4267]). The translation is, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate." The objects of predestination are those whom He foreknew.

Predestination does not involve a predetermined plan only but also includes the individuals for whom the plan is devised. The goal of predestination is expressed in the phrase, "to be conformed to the image of his Son."

In Eph_1:5, Eph_1:11 this same purpose of foreordination is termed adoption. Adoption (huiothesía [G5206]) is the placing into sonship or legal heirship of those who are born of God. According to Eph_1:5 the basis of this prior decree is "the good pleasure of His will." The word rendered "good pleasure" is eudokía (G2107) and means pleasure or satisfaction, that which seems good.

Paul is careful to add that it is the good pleasure of God's will, it is what seems good to God-not man. Similarly, in Eph_1:11 foreordination is based upon "the purpose (próthesis [G4286]) of the One who is working all things ([neut. acc. pl.] tá pánta [G3844], an idiom for the entire metaphysical and physical universe) according to the decision of His will" (a.t.). This same thinking is reflected in Rom_8:30 where foreordination is joined successively to foreknowledge.

Here it is presented not as a capricious, arbitrary or whimsical exercise of raw will or unreasoned impulse, but as the expression of a deliberate and wise plan which purposes to redeem those undeserving sinners whom God freely favors as the objects of His mercy.
Because it is neither possible nor permissible for us to pry into God's secret counsel, it is not proper to be fixated with determining who the predestined are. Instead, we should contemplate the glories of what they are predestined to, i.e., salvation, adoption, or glory.
Syn.: protássō (G4384), to appoint before; procheirízō (G4400), to appoint beforehand; proetoimázō (G4282), to prepare before.

being predestinated. See on Eph_1:5, Luk_22:29, +*+Rom_8:29; +*+Rom_8:30, 1Th_2:12.
according to. *Eph_3:11, +*Deu_2:30, +*Psa_115:3, +*Pro_21:1, +Isa_14:27; Isa_46:10-11, *+Rom_8:28; +*Rom_9:18, *2Ti_1:9, Rev_4:11.
the purpose. Gr. prothesis [S# G4286: Rendered (1) purpose: Act_11:23; Act_27:13, Rom_8:28; Rom_9:11, Eph_1:11; Eph_3:11, 2Ti_1:9, 2Ti_3:10, (2) shewbread: Mat_12:4, Mar_2:26, Luk_6:4, Heb_9:2]. See on Eph_1:9, Eph_3:11, 1Sa_12:22, 2Ch_25:16, Job_9:12, Isa_23:9, Jer_4:28; Jer_25:28, Luk_12:32, Rom_8:28; Rom_9:11, +*2Ti_1:9.
who worketh. Gr. energeō (S# G1754, Mat_14:2). Eph_1:20 g. Eph_2:2, Ecc_9:11, *Isa_43:13, *Lam_3:37, +Mat_14:2, Rom_7:5, 1Co_12:6.
all things. T260. +Deu_2:30 (T267). +1Sa_2:7 (T3). +2Sa_7:14 (T265). *1Ch_29:12, +2Ch_18:31 (T264). Job_33:29; Job_42:2, *Psa_135:6; *Psa_135:7; Psa_147:8-9; Psa_147:15-18, *Pro_16:33, Isa_26:12; +*Isa_45:7, Jer_10:13, +Dan_1:9 (T266). +*Amo_3:6, *Mat_10:29; *Mat_10:30, Act_15:18, +*Rom_8:28; Rom_11:36, 1Co_12:6, *Php_2:13, *Heb_13:20; *Heb_13:21.
the counsel. Gr. boulē (S# G1012, Luk_7:30). See on Eph_1:8, Job_12:13; Job_36:23, *Psa_33:11, Pro_8:14; Pro_19:21, Isa_5:19; Isa_9:6; Isa_25:1; Isa_28:29; Isa_40:13-14; **Isa_46:10-13, Jer_23:18; Jer_32:19; Jer_49:20; Jer_50:45, Dan_4:35, Zec_6:13, Mat_1:19 g. *Luk_7:30; Luk_10:21, Act_2:23; Act_4:28; *+Act_20:27, *Rom_11:34, Col_2:3, Heb_6:17, 1Jn_2:1, Rev_3:18.
his own will. God the Father is sovereign. Psa_24:1; Psa_115:3, Ecc_7:13, Isa_45:9, Dan_4:25; Dan_4:35; Dan_11:3, Jon_1:14, Mat_11:26; Mat_20:15; +*Mat_28:19 note. Luk_4:25, +Joh_19:11, +*Rom_9:18 (T234). 1Co_12:11, Gal_1:4, +*Php_2:13 note. Rev_4:11.

Glory to God
J.
I would suggest that the translation of prohorizO as predetermined in the sense of ordained is somewhat misleading. The etymology of the word begins with the root horion, a limit or boundary. horizein, hor- with the infix -iz-, to cause to be [limited], to set a limit. add the prefix pro-, before, to set a limit before., to pre-limit. So, its essential root meaning etymologically is to set limits beforehand, to limit the range of possibilities, not to predetermine a particular outcome. Although one can logically limit possibilities to one specific outcome. The word does not convey the one doing prohorizO making something happen, but the one doing prohorizo imposing constrains to stop certain undesired events happening.

So God did not make the Jews and Romans want to kill Jesus, or to kill Jesus against their will, but he stopped them killing Him by any means other than crucifixion. They wanted to kill Jesus and tried to stone Him. They tried to throw Him off a cliff. But God's angelic bodyguards stopped them. God limited the way they could vent their murderous intent on Jesus to crucifixion in order to fulfil His predictions and prove His omnipotent ability to keep His word.

“ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers were gathered together,

against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your counsel had limited beforehand to happen.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,218
6,610
113
62
God's "Justice" had to be satisfied in regards to His wrath.

He was "Propitiated." Yes!
How is God's wrath satisfied unless it has been poured out onto someone?
 

Genez

Junior Member
Oct 12, 2017
2,935
419
83
How is God's wrath satisfied unless it has been poured out onto someone?
What was satisfied by God was that our sins had to be dealt with completely by His Justice.

All of mankind's sins sins had to be placed onto a perfect substitute container (Jesus sinless body).

Jesus' body was the only body that it was safe to be made the target for the placement and judgment of our sins.
But? If Jesus ever sinned Himself while bearing our sins?
He would have dematerialized! And, all creation with Him would ceased existing.

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17​


No fallen man could have done the work that Jesus did.
For if it were a regular man? When the first sin was imputed?
That man would have instantly died and sent to Hell.
Our sins could not have been paid for by anyone (and be able to live) but the Sinless Man Jesus Christ!
 
Mar 14, 2020
61
11
8



"For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world
to be holy and blameless in His presence."


Ephesians 1:4​

It does not say that we were simply chosen by Him.
But, specifically, that we were "chosen in Him."

What does "chosen in Him" mean?

Understanding that phrase is the key to understanding predestination.

grace and peace ..............
For me it means because God already knows the ending - he already knows who will choose him _ the fate of all who chose him has already been determined. The writer chose to use the word predestined
https://godrules.net/library/strongs2b/gre4309.htm

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah 46:10&version=KJV

When Jesus said "you did not choose me I chose you" in John 15:16 I believe that is strictly speaking to the disciples. And over 2,000 years later their work is still working.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,776
113
All of mankind's sins sins had to be placed onto a perfect substitute container (Jesus sinless body).
That's correct. I'm not sure if "container" is the right term. However, we have a few here (and everywhere) who hate the idea that Christ died for the sins of the whole world.

Interestingly enough, when you read John Calvin's commentaries on specific Bible passages regarding this, He hews to Scripture and says that Christ died for the human race (see Bible Hub). But then he turned around at some point and began promoting limited atonement in his theology. Spurgeon also promoted this idea. But limited atonement contradicts many passages as well the as the Gospel itself.

Also, it was not only the body of Christ which was made an offering for sin. It was also His holy soul, and His shed blood.
 

Genez

Junior Member
Oct 12, 2017
2,935
419
83
That's correct. I'm not sure if "container" is the right term. However, we have a few here (and everywhere) who hate the idea that Christ died for the sins of the whole world.

Interestingly enough, when you read John Calvin's commentaries on specific Bible passages regarding this, He hews to Scripture and says that Christ died for the human race (see Bible Hub). But then he turned around at some point and began promoting limited atonement in his theology. Spurgeon also promoted this idea. But limited atonement contradicts many passages as well the as the Gospel itself.

Also, it was not only the body of Christ which was made an offering for sin. It was also His holy soul, and His shed blood.
I do not have much interest in reading John Calvin because of what I have seen from die in the wool Calvinists.
I have no affinity for that way of thinking which to me is a form of forced, induced irrationality ....
To me TULIP is a fruit that leaves a foul aroma in my nostrils. I am not attracted to it.

At one point I learned from a scholarly pastor that much of the blame being thrown at John Calvin for TULIP had originated after his death by his disciples, namely Theodore Beza who was at the helm.

So, I say to myself... Why study him? The only thing I agree with is the depravity of man... But even that was handled in an unbalanced way. TULIP makes the soul and the body equally and hopelessly useless, which makes no sense since God saves souls and throws away bodies into a divine dumpster.

Yet I see believers who are sold out to the teachings of Calvinism... He was good for the Reformation in that he offered an alternative to the tyranny of the RCC and got people interested in breaking away and actually reading the Bible for themselves..

There have to be Biblically rational answers to the questions that TULIP raises and motivates seeking answers for..
In that sense, I see TULIP as a positive force in getting believers to seek better understanding the Word of God.

grace and peace ...................
 

Genez

Junior Member
Oct 12, 2017
2,935
419
83
When Jesus said "you did not choose me I chose you" in John 15:16 I believe that is strictly speaking to the disciples. And over 2,000 years later their work is still working.
He chose us?
A Groom always chooses his bride.
The bride does not choose him first.

And, we are the Bride of Christ.

Contrary to Calvinism.. we have not been chosen to believe.
But, chosen out from all that God knows would believe for taking a special position in His Eternal kingdom.

grace and peace .......................
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,130
3,689
113
No unbeliever will have his sins mentioned at the final judgment.

The means for judgment will be their works. Human deeds that could never equal the righteousness that God seeks.
A righteousness that we are given when we believe in Christ.

It shows here that no one will have his sins mentioned when the unbeliever faces his final judgment.

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,
and books were opened. And another book was opened,
which is the Book of Life.
And the dead were judged according to their works,
by the things which were written in the books."
Rev 12:12​

Jesus paid for all sins!
No one's sins will be used against them in the final judgment!


grace and peace .................
No argument here…
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,130
3,689
113
Is it just of God to punish someone for sins that are paid for?
They were paid for by Christ, but was not applied because of unbelief.

1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
 
Dec 18, 2023
6,402
406
83



"For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world
to be holy and blameless in His presence."


Ephesians 1:4​

It does not say that we were simply chosen by Him.
But, specifically, that we were "chosen in Him."

What does "chosen in Him" mean?

Understanding that phrase is the key to understanding predestination.

grace and peace ..............
Its basically a letter to the Ephesus saints who had already believed in Christ.

Paul is simply saying to the Ephesus saints , you are in Christ because you believed . But now you must be blameless and without spots.

Obviously there must have been heresy going on.