In Scripture, Strong’s Greek 4309 (proorizō), translated predestine, means “to set bounds beforehand.” The Bible unmistakably teaches predestination, but it also carefully defines what God has predestined. God sovereignly predestined the plan of salvation itself, not as a reaction to human sin, but as His eternal and settled purpose in Christ. Before the foundation of the world, God decreed the gospel that would save sinners, a redemptive plan grounded in His wisdom, holiness, and sovereign authority (Ephesians 1:4-5, 11; 2 Timothy 1:9). Central to this decree is the biblical gospel proclaimed in John 3:14-21; Romans 10:9-13; and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, a gospel God ordained to be the means by which sinners are reconciled to Himself.
God Predestined the Plan of Salvation
Predestination, therefore, refers primarily to God’s sovereign determination of the way of salvation and the destiny of those who are in Christ. The New Testament teaches that believers are predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son and ultimately glorified (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-5). God predestined both the end and the means: the end being a redeemed people, justified, sanctified, and glorified; the means being the incarnation, atoning death, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 3:21-26), the convicting and regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11; Titus 3:5-6), and the universal proclamation of the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
God Predestined the Gospel of Salvation
This predestined plan includes universal atonement and a universal call. Christ’s sacrificial death sufficiently and effectively paid the penalty for sin for all humanity (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2). The gospel is genuinely offered to all people without distinction, and all are sincerely invited to repent and believe (Romans 10:9-13; Acts 17:30). Salvation is by grace alone through free-will faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, entirely apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26).
God Predestined the Result of Salvation
At the moment of salvation, the believer is born again by a spiritual baptism performed by the Holy Spirit. This regeneration washes away sin, accomplishes a spiritual circumcision of the heart, creates a new creature holy and acceptable to God, and places the believer into the family of God (1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3-4; Titus 3:5-6; Ezekiel 36:25-27).
Importantly, this doctrine preserves the unity of salvation across the ages. Salvation has always been by grace through faith in God’s provision, never by works. Old Testament saints trusted God’s promises (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4), while New Testament believers trust the finished work of Christ (Hebrews 11).
Thus, God’s sovereign predestination secures the certainty of salvation without nullifying human responsibility. God has predestined the plan of salvation in Christ, and that plan will unfailingly accomplish His redemptive purpose for all who believe.
- What is predestined? (God’s plan or people’s actions) – This Bible study describes the differences between what is predestined and who has free will in Romans and Ephesians.
- What is predestination? (Is it foreknowledge?) – Predestination means to set bounds beforehand. Foreknowledge means prior knowledge. What has been predestined versus what is foreknown?
- Free Will in the Old Testament –The universal call of “whosoever will” includes everyone and anyone. No one has ever been excluded. You must choose to accept or reject the call.
- The potter and the clay – The sovereign potter tries to make one kind of vessel but the stubborn willful clay ruins it by resisting him so he makes another kind of vessel