PRESENTER'S NOTES

Predestination has been a hot topic in theology for a very long time, often seen as an end all and be all for defining those being saved. The church of God has properly corrected this misunderstanding for the benefit of those being saved, so it’s NOT my purpose, today, to take specific issue with the false doctrine.

Instead, I want to show how predestination is explained in scripture by the context in which it is found, and that it is not the entire focus for our encouragement.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Foreknew - 4267 proginosko prog-in-oce'-ko from 4253 and 1097; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee:--foreknow (ordain), know (before). see GREEK for 4253 see GREEK for 1097

Predestinated - 4309 proorizo pro-or-id'-zo from 4253 and 3724; to limit in advance, i.e. (figuratively) predetermine:--determine before, ordain, predestinate. see GREEK for 4253 see GREEK for 3724

*** Conformed - 4832 summorphos soom-mor-fos' from 4862 and 3444; jointly formed, i.e. (figuratively) similar:--conformed to, fashioned like unto. see GREEK for 4862 see GREEK for 3444

Called - 2564 kaleo kal-eh'-o akin to the base of 2753; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)). see GREEK for 2753

Justified - 1344 dikaioo dik-ah-yo'-o from 1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:--free, justify(-ier), be righteous. see GREEK for 1342

Glorified - 1392 doxazo dox-ad'-zo from 1391; to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application):--(make) glorify(-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify. see GREEK for 1391

Ephesians 2: 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Prepared beforehand - 4282 proetoimazo pro-et-oy-mad'-zo from 4253 and 2090; to fit up in advance (literally or figuratively):--ordain before, prepare afore. see GREEK for 4253 see GREEK for 2090

Christ was for-ordained to be our Redeemer. Why? Because He was already qualified to be our Redeemer.

A deacon or deaconess is ordained because he or she already practices (is conformed to) the qualities of a deacon(ess).

An elder is ordained an elder because he already practices (is conformed to) the qualities of an elder.

A Christian is ordained a follower of Jesus Christ, because they have ALREADY been known by God, determined by God to be offered salvation (predestinated), then called by God to that salvation, (and very significantly and crucially) RESPONDED to God with a repentant heart determined to turn away from sin and walk in the ways of God, and then CHOSEN in the process of baptism; justified and glorified - ordained with the laying on of hands and receipt of God’s Spirit.

Let’s turn again to Ephesians to expound on Romans 8…

Ephesians 1: 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world (REFERENCE: 1 Peter 1:17-21), that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

Brethren, God foreknew you, deciding you were a candidate to participate in your destiny NOW (predestination), to be called to repentance, to be chosen, meaning to be ordained after baptism by the laying on of hands and receiving God’s Spirit, as a justified and glorified member of His family at this time. This ordination comes with the expectation that you will remain faithful HAVING BEEN equipped with every weapon and defense against sin and every tool to grow in grace and knowledge as members of that family.