Predestination is a debated issue both in and outside of the church. It deals with God and his salvation. Those people who support the idea of predestination believe that God predestines or chooses those who will be saved and those who will not be saved. Most fundamental Baptists oppose predestination and argue that instead God in his foreknowledge knows who will and will not be saved. The Bible is not very clear on this issue and there are verses that support and oppose predestination. Some verses seem to aid those who are for it, but could just be evidence of some form of election. Predestination has been debated for centuries and is still not a settled issue.
Those who believe in predestination can be connected with such views as Cynicism or Gnosticism, which teaches that man is not held responsible for his sins because he is naturally flawed. They teach that righteousness results in rewards in Heaven. Predestination though, is most commonly associated with Calvinism. Calvinist believe in double predestination. They use several bible verses to support their idea. Such verses as Romans 9:15-16 which says; For He sayeth to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. They use these verses in the aspect that God chooses certain people to save from Hell. Verse sixteen seems to imply that it is not up to the person, he has no choice or will (So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth.) Another verse used is Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? This verse is taken as God being the potter and he has power over everyone making them good or making them bad.
Fundamental Christians will argue the idea predestination very strongly. They believe that God gives every man a free will, a choice whether to do wrong or to follow after him. God is all knowing, and therefore he knows who will and will not choose him, He does not decide for them.
Deuteronomy 30:19 states; I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: Therefore choose, that both thou and thy seed may live. This verse is clearly stating a choice between good and evil. God is asking people to choose life, he is not forcing them into it, neither is he forcing death upon them. God even brings witnesses, heaven and earth, to prove that he is giving man free will. In Joshua 24:15 it says,“choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” Showing again man’s choice in his destiny. The familiar verse John 3:16 tells us that God loves the world. If God truly loves the world why would he destine some of it to a torturous hell for eternity? God provided a heaven for those who will choose him. Mark 16:16 states, He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Throughout God’s word are many examples and proofs that man is the one in charge of his own eternity.
God is not a dictator, he would not send a person directly to hell without redemption. Men who argue in favor of predestination only want to make excuses for their sins. If man could prove that he had no choice and that it was already determined for him whether he would go to heaven or hell, than he would have no reason not to sin. If God determined before hand that someone was not going be saved then why should that man follow God? He is going to hell anyway, why not live life the way he wants to live it? That is exactly why men seek to prove that they have no choice in the matter. All history is filled with men such as Charles Darwin, John Calvin and others who have tried to excuse sin by making up beliefs and “scientific facts”, trying to show that they are not responsible for their eternity. In the bible these men are called scorners and mockers. Paul called them fools for their unbelief. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved”, that is the truth. Whosoever means anyone can choose to call on the Lord. Therefore predestination is a wrong philosophy with no biblical standings. The verses used to support predestination are taken out of context. God loves all people and he desires that all men will repent of their sins and be saved. He does not predestine any man’s future, and it is a sin to believe that he does and to blame God for man’s sins.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
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