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God's Purpose in Predestinating His People in Scripture

God's purpose in predestinating His people is a complex theological concept rooted in the biblical understanding of divine sovereignty and human salvation. The term "predestinate" (Greek: proorizo) appears in six New Testament passages, consistently referring to God's plan or purpose for salvation [1]. This doctrine suggests that God's eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree governs all events, though it is acknowledged as one of the "secret things" of God [1].

Predestination is closely linked with the concept of election, which the Scripture presents in several forms:

The purpose behind this predestination is multifaceted. One primary purpose is to bring about the salvation of His chosen people. Luke 1:77 speaks of giving God's people "the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins" [4]. This salvation is not merely an escape from punishment but includes a transformation into holiness. Ephesians 1:4 states that God chose His people "before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love" [5]. Similarly, Romans 8:29 indicates that those God foreknew, He also predestined "to be conformed to the image of His Son" [5]. This conformity to Christ's character is a central aspect of God's purpose for His elect [5].

The concept of "foreknowledge" in relation to predestination is a point of theological discussion. Some interpretations, such as those associated with Pelagianism, suggest that God foreknew who would repent and believe [9]. However, other interpretations, like that found in the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary, argue against this, stating that God's knowledge of His people cannot be limited to a mere foresight of future events or acquaintance with their actions [9]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, clarifies that God's foreknowledge in Romans 8:29 does not refer to His general prescience of all things, as that would imply all humanity is predestined, called, justified, and glorified, which is not the case [8]. Instead, it refers to a specific, intimate knowledge of those He has chosen [8]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, also notes that the election described in 1 Peter 1:2 is "according to the foreknowledge of God," aligning with God's original purpose for both Jews and Gentiles to be called [12].

God's purpose also extends to demonstrating His power and faithfulness. Hebrews 6:17 emphasizes God's desire to make it "specially clear to those who by his word were to have the heritage, that his purpose was fixed" [3]. This fixed purpose is further secured by an oath, providing assurance [3]. The Scripture itself is a testament to God's purpose, as it was given by inspiration to perpetuate His revealed will [6].

Furthermore, God's predestination serves to establish a people who are distinct and holy. The Tyndale House commentary on Micah 5:7 notes that God's purpose was not to create a nation like others, but to have a people who would "walk in his ways and be holy as he is holy" [10]. This echoes the covenant God made with Abraham and later with Israel, where He declared, "I will take you to me for a people" [11]. This election is not based on human merit but on God's good pleasure [2].

The overarching purpose of God's predestination is ultimately for His glory and the establishment of His kingdom. The kings of David's dynasty were chosen to establish God's kingdom throughout the earth, a role ultimately fulfilled by Jesus, the "appointed and anointed Son of God" [13]. God's providence, which includes His predestination, extends to all aspects of creation and human affairs, demonstrating His sovereign control [7].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
  3. Hebrews “Hebrews 6:17 (BBE) — So that when it was God's desire to make it specially clear to those who by his word were to have the heritage, that his purpose was fixed, he made it more certain with an oath;”
  4. Luke “Luke 1:77 (NASB) — To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Scripture — Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; John 20:9; Gal. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The "Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed "Scripture," consisting of the Old and New Testa”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
  8. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 8:29: For whom he did foreknow,.... The foreknowledge of God here, does not intend his prescience of all things future; by which he foreknows and foretells things to come, and which distinguishes him from all other gods; and is so called, not with respect to himself, with whom all things are present, but with respect to us, and which is eternal, universal, certain, and infallible; for in this sense he foreknows all men, and if this was the meaning here, then all men would be predestinated, conformed to the image of Christ, called by grace, justified and glorified; whereas t”
  9. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 8:29: For--as touching this "calling according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28). whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate--foreordain. In what sense are we to take the word "foreknow" here? "Those who He foreknew would repent and believe," say Pelagians of every age and every hue. But this is to thrust into the text what is contrary to the whole spirit, and even letter, of the apostle's teaching (see Rom 9:11; Ti2 1:9). In Rom 11:2, and Psa 1:6, God's "knowledge" of His people cannot be restricted to a mere foresight of future events, or acquaintance with w”
  10. Micah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Micah 5:7: 5:7-15 God’s purpose was not to create another nation like all the other nations (Exod 19:4-6; Num 23:9; Jer 7:23), but to have his own people who would walk in his ways and be holy as he is holy (Lev 11:45). In that day (Mic 5:10), God will rule a redeemed and purified people, healed of violence and the ravages of war. 5:7 The remnant are those whom God’s grace preserved to be the foundation of his new people (Ezra 9:8-15; Neh 1:2). • Dew and rain are gifts from the Lord; no person can prevent his sending them.”
  11. Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 6:7: I will take you to me for a people, etc. - This was precisely the covenant that he had made with Abraham. See Gen 17:7, and see Clarke's note on Gen 17:7. And ye shall know that I am the Lord your God - By thus fulfilling my promises ye shall know what is implied in my name. See Clarke's note on Exo 6:3. But why should God take such a most stupid, refractory, and totally worthless people for his people? 1. Because he had promised to do so to their noble ancestors Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Judah, etc., men worthy of all praise, because in general friends of God, ”
  12. 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 1:2: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God - If the apostle had directed his letter to persons elected to eternal life, no one, as Drs. Lardner and Macknight properly argue, could have received such a letter, because no one could have been sure of his election in this way till he had arrived in heaven. But the persons to whom the apostle wrote were all, with propriety, said to be elect according to the foreknowledge of God; because, agreeably to the original purpose of God, discovered in the prophetical writings, Jews and Gentiles, indiscriminately, were called to ”
  13. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 2:2: 2:2 The kings hate the Lord’s established order in the world, so they desire to be independent of him (see 36:4). They scheme about dominating the Lord’s people (31:13; see 83:1-4). Their goal is to subvert the Lord’s rule in the world by overthrowing his anointed one (or his messiah); the Lord chose the kings of David’s dynasty to establish his kingdom throughout the earth. The New Testament confirms that Jesus, the appointed and anointed Son of God (Acts 4:26; 13:33; Heb 1:5; 5:5), fulfills the role in which these earlier kings failed.”
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