Four Predominate Attitudes Concerning;

The Doctrine of Predestination

The term Predestination simply means; TO DETERMINE BEFOREHAND. The Doctrine of Predestination has two basic meanings;

1. GOD CONTROLS EVERY THING and EVERY ONE in a Broad and General way.
2. GOD CONTROLS the SALVATION of those that are saved (His Elect) in a Limited or Restricted way.

But today there are at least four predominate attitudes concerning the doctrine of predestination

1. AVOID the doctrine entirely
2. ATTACK the doctrine as heresy
3. ADULTERATE the truth subtly
4. ACCEPT the doctrine objectively

AVOID THE DOCTRINE ENTIRELY

Pastors, Teachers, and most so called Christians will not touch this doctrine with a 10 foot pole…WHY?

• Because they don't understand the doctrine...
• Because they don’t believe it themselves…. and what they don’t believe they will not teach
• Others think it is not that important… so they never think or talk about it.
• Many pastors are afraid of loosing members if they preach the doctrines of predestination... that's a real concern...but not one that a pastor should succumb to.
• They are not settled in their own mind concerning their own way of thinking on this topic.

But no one can have a proper understand of God apart from knowing that he plans all things and brings all his plans to pass.

Do you ACCEPT or AVOID this doctrine?

ATTACK THE DOCTRINE AS HERESY

• Many do not believe that the doctrine exists.
• Or they say that it is an evil doctrine.
• Some are predisposed against this doctrine. (Just bring up the subject in a group and see the reaction.)
• It becomes impossible to talk about this doctrine because of the foolish and ignorant mind sets many have.

Do you ACCEPT or ATTACK this doctrine?

ADULTERATE THE TRUTH SUBTLY

• Most believe that God foreknows what man will do and therefore predestinates those things.
• They admit that predestination is a biblical word, but don’t believe in its true meaning.
• They also admit it is a biblical doctrine, but have a false understanding of it.
• But because of being predisposed, they inadvertently use their thoughts and understanding on the topic instead of letting the Bible speak for itself.
• They believe that all will come to pass; but their Error is that they believe that God looked down the corridors of time and saw all that man would do and then predetermined that man would do them...

If the above items are true then God becomes a REACTIONARY god instead of a SOVEREIGN GOD.

Do you ACCEPT or ADULTERATE this doctrine?

ACCEPT THE DOCTRINE OBJECTIVELY

• Beleivers understand that this true doctrine is shaped from the scriptures.
• Believers let the scriptures speak for themselves.
• Believers believe that GOD CONTROLS EVERY THING and EVERY ONE even the SALVATION of those that are saved (His People, His Sheep, His Elect).

OR - Do you ACCEPT this doctrine?

What do you find when reading the Bible concerning this topic?

The Doctrine of Predestination should give us all comfort in our difficult times…. God has predetermined those hard times…. A loving God that knows what is best for me predetermines those things. Even the wicketness in this world fulfills Gods purpose and plan…. Even the Wrath of man shall praise him…

Ps:76:10:

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

Eph.1:3-18

3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6: To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8: Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
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:
12: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14: Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
15: Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16: Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

So . . . . .
What do you believe about this Biblical Doctrine
? ? ? ? ?

Predestination Web Page Listing;

• Introduction to the Doctrine of Predestination.
• Four Predominate Attitudes Concerning the Doctrine of Predestination. (this page)
• Four Reasons the Doctrine of Predestination is Opposed.
• Biblical Support for the Doctrine of Predestination.
• Basic Elements of the Doctrine of Predestination.

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This web page is an outline taken from the Sermon Series;

"OUR COFESSION OF FAITH - Predestination I-IV"
by:
Pastor Thomas W. Smith
Sovereign Grace Bible Chapel
RR#6 Box 6659
Saylorsburg, PA 18353 (717) 992-2702

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