Unconditional election (predestination) Bible predestination is where G-d pre-determined, not the identity of the saved, but the character of the saved We are not opposed to predestination, for the Bible teaches it. However, Calvin's view of predestination is entirely unbiblical and therefore false doctrine. What is foreknown by G-d in these Bible Verses? Text Personal Identity? haracter, purpose & plan? Eph 1:3-4 1 Cor 2:7 Rom 8:29-30 G-d is not a respecter of persons: Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11-12; 1 Pe 1:17 G-d does not will that any perish but all be saved: Tit 2:11; 1 Ti 2:3-4; 2 Pe 3:9 Makes the Devil no enemy for the saved to worry about, if predestined 1 Pe 5:8 Why beware? Our eternal destiny (heaven or hell) is based entirely upon personal choices we make based upon our own freewill. If we end up in hell, we can only blame we can only blame ourselves! Acts 4:28 What was "determined before?" The death of Jesus! This death had been prophesied as a part of God's plan (Lk. 22:21-22; Acts 2:22-23). The Jews did not realize that they were fulfilling God's plan and He did not force them to kill His Son; they were accountable for their own actions. 1 Corinthians 2:7 The context shows clearly that it is G-d's plan of redemption that was foreordained. In verse 5, the power of G-d is in the gospel (Rom. 1:16). In times past, it had been a mystery, not fully revealed. Even the prophets did not understand completely about Messiah. But now this plan is revealed as the wisdom of G-d (Eph. 3:3-5; 1 Pet. 1:10-12). This sacrifice was "for our glory" or salvation. It was a part of G-d's eternal purpose (Eph. 3:8-11). 3. Romans 8:28-30 Who is under consideration here? "those who love G-d" - not a few whom G-d loves "the called according to His purpose" - we are not called by a still, mysterious voice or by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit or by G-d Himself, but by the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14). Those who hear, believe and respond in obedience are referred to as "the called" (Gal. 1:6; 1 Pet. 2:9). In Romans 8:29-30, we can see the unfolding of G-d's plan. G-d determined to send mankind a Savior to die for all men. He foreordained all of the events before they actually took place. In that sense, G-d predestinated our salvation. It wax not that He selected us individually to be saved or lost, but that those who accepted the gospel call would be saved. Those who answer that call are justified and glorified. Ephesians 1:4-5,11 G-d has had an eternal plan in mind - a scheme of redemption for those who will accept it. Those who are chosen are those who are "in Him" (Messiah) vs. 3-4 We become G-d's children by our faith in and obedience to Messiah's gospel (v. 5). G-d adopts us into His family upon our obedience (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:4-6). The counsel of G-d's will (v. 11) refers to His decision to send Yeshua to redeem the obedient. The Bible does teach predestination, but not the kind that Calvinists teach. The Bible does not teach that G-d has decided ahead of time who will be saved and who will be lost. We are free, moral agents with the capacity to accept or reject G-d's commandments. Predestination or fore ordination is what G-d did before the world began, as He determined to save man from sin through the sacrifice of His own Son. Those who answer His call through the gospel experience the blessings of that plan now in Messiah Yeshua. (Rom. 2:3-11)