The difficult subject of predestination

A Look at Ephesians 1:4-5

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” NASV

Some key words to pick out from this passage and ideas

Vs.4- “He chose” eklegomai is the transliterated word meaning to pick out, choose, to pick or to choose out for one’s self.   He did this it says before the foundation of the world.  IN other words, before we could say or do anything to earn it.  He did this for the purpose of our being holy and blameless before Him.

Vs.5- The word predestined is mentioned.  It is used six times in scripture and his the word proorizo.  Most often translated predestined but also determine before and ordain.  Used in Acts 4:28, Romans 8:29.30, 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:5,11.  In verse 5 it says that those who were chosen were chosen before the foundation of the world.  They didn't earn it and they did not receive it based on their goodness.  They received it so that they could be blameless and holy before God.

Vs.5 He predestined  us to adoption as sons- this word adoption as sons is used 5x in Romans 8:15,23, Romans 9:4, Gal 4:5 and Ephesians 1:5.  Adoption gives the one who is adopted all legal rights as a heir.  The Bible speaks often of the believer being a heir. Romans 8:17, Gal 4:7, James 2:5.

Vs.5 a key word is “through”.  He did this through Jesus Christ.  The word through is dia which means the ground or reason by which something is or is not done.  He is the reason and the grounds upon which those who are predestined could be chosen.

Vs.5 the kind intention- eudokia most often translated “good pleasure”, will or choice.

So, if God chose us before the foundations of the world then the whole basis on which a person is saved has nothing to do with what we do?  Or does it?  If God alone predestined a person and we have nothing to do with it then how can a person be sure they were one of the ones who are predestined?  What does this imply about evangelistic efforts?

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

   It is important for the believer to understand that God has given us His Holy Spirit in order to help us and guide us in our daily walk with Him.  Below is a list of verses and a brief explanation of what the role of the Spirit is in our lives and His ministry to us.

John 3:3,5- Jesus said that a person has to be born of water (natural birth) and the Spirit to see the kingdom of God.  One of the role of the Spirit is regeneration.

Romans 8:11- The Spirit indwells the believer.  The word dwells is oikeo which means to dwell in. It is the indwelling power of the Spirit that ultimately will raise up the believer at the resurrection. 

1 John 2:20, 27- He anoints- His anointing teaches us all things.  The Spirit bears witness of Jesus and reminds the believer of Jesus’ words.  He “takes of Mine, and will disclose it to you.” Verse 15 of John 16.

John 16:13- He guides- the word guide is hodegeo which means to be a guide, lead on one’s way, to guide, to be a guide or a teacher.  The Spirit will guide into all truth and will speak what he hears.

2 Thess 2:13- Through sanctification of the Spirit and faith in the truth God chose them from the beginning for salvation.

Romans 8:16, Hebrews 10:15.  The Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God.

John 14:16-26- Comforts- the Father sent us the Holy Spirit who is our helper

Romans 14:17- The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:10-16- God reveals all truth through the Spirit that searches all things, even the depths of God.

Galatians 5:22,23- The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ,gentleness and self control

1 Corinthians 12:3-11- gives good gifts- to each believer a manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  Verse 11 indicates he works all these things, distributing gifts to each individual just as He wills.

Romans 8:26- the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.