There is a revival of interest today around the age-disputed doctrine of predestination. This is due to present postwar efforts to federate and unify the churches. As pressures in this direction develop in Protestantism, confusing voices will be heard. Larger church groups such as the Presbyterians, Baptists, and Lutherans, are modifying and shifting their former positions, some from a stand of absolutism to liberal compromise. The Catholic Church, though still declaring her age-worn axiom of never changing, also finds herself for the sake of political gain, facing the problem of modifying her teachings. Bible teachers should thoroughly understand such issues in church history as the Manichaean heresy, the Pelagian and Arminian controversies. Names such as Manes, Augustine, Pelagius, Luther, Calvin, Arminius, and others should center on specific problems the teacher can deal with in her instruction.
The subject of predestination is now bound to become the discussion of sincere, Bible-centered Christians. They will want to know Bible truth. Some, who are treating the subject with more or less unconcern, may by this approach also become interested in other phases of our message. We may well capitalize on this world-wide Bible consciousness of the times. Our program of home Bible teachings fits into present need.
The following Bible study on Bible predestination supplies more Scriptural evidence than advisable for one study. The Bible instructor must exercise her judgment in the selection of texts. In dealing with intelligent church members of various denominations, she will need to know their background.
TEXT: Romans 9 :1 1. Purpose of God according to election.
I. INTRODUCTION.
Subject of predestination has been long and widely discussed by theologians of all religious bodies. Because of a failure to understand God's purpose in creation, various confusions have grown around Biblical terms such as grace, free will, election, foreordination, and others. The Bible student must understand:
1. God's original plan and purpose.
2. God's divine foreknowledge.
3. The human will in experience of salvation.
II. GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE.
1. God's purpose in creation. Isa. 45 :18 ; 46:1o.
2. Man given dominion over earth. Gen. I :26.
3. God's original plan marred by sin. Rom. 8 :19-22 ; 6:23.
4. Man's lost dominion restored through Christ. Micah 4:8; Eph. I :9-I1.
5. A new creature and a new creation. 2 COr. 5:17; Rev. 21:1, 5.
III. GOD'S DIVINE FOREKNOWLEDGE.
1. Infinite wisdom foreknows all things. Isa. 40 :28 ; I COr. 2:7.
2. Jesus and Holy Spirit also have foreknowledge. John 2:24, 25; 1 Cor. 2 :14,
3. God foresaw man and all his human problems. Ps. 139:13-24; Rom. 4:17.
4. Despite man's inherent weakness God planned to save him. Rom. 5:20; Heb. 7:25.
5. Whole redeemed family to witness to this fact. Rev.
6. Man's election by God's foreknowledge. I Peter 1:2 ; i Thess. 1:4. (The Bible instructor may here meet a query on Judas' case. John 6:64, 65, 70, 71. Suggest that you will explain this point at the close of the study.)
IV. THE HUMAN WILL IN ELECTION.
I. Man's fall gave him two masters. i John 3:8.
2. He must will to obey God. John 9 :31; 7:17.
3. Man must accept God's plan of salvation. Eph. :10, it; John :12.
4. Importance of the human will in salvation. Rev. 22:17. (The Bible instructor should be familiar with Romans 9. Examples such as Jacob and Esau and Pharaoh are dealt with in the light of God's mercy to save, and not as absolutism. 2 Tim. 2:4, 6; Eze. 18:23-32.)
V. MANY CALLED, BUT FEW CHOSEN.
I. Not all who are called are chosen. Matt, 22:14.
2. God's call and foreordination. 2 Tim. :9; Titus I :2.
3. Jesus' parable teaches man's calling and election. Matt. 22:1-14.
4. Elect to feast wore wedding garment. Rev. 19:7-9.
5. Peter admonishes, make calling and election sure. 2 Peter I :10.
VI. ELECT ARE CALLED, CHOSEN, FAITHFUL. Rev. 17:14.
1. Examples:
a. Paul. Gal. I :15, 16; Acts 9:15; 2 Tim. 4:6-8.
b. Judas. Luke 6:13-16; John 6:70, 71; Acts 1 :25.
2. Characterized by sanctified obedience. Peter 1:2; Rev. 14:12.
3. Faithful unto death. Col. I :22, 23; Rev. 2:10.
4. Jesus, author and finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2.
VII. CONCLUSION.
1. Jesus, Lamb slain from foundation of earth. Rev. 13:8.
2. He called, predestinated, justified, and glorified the elect in His divine foreknowledge. Rom. 8:28-30, 33.
3. God predestinated all who will obtain an - eternal inheritance. Eph. I :4-6, II.
L. C. K.
