What is predestination?

Quick Answer: What is predestination? The idea of predestination (God pre-planning something) often causes debate among Christians. However, the Bible makes it clear that predestination is simply God’s secret plan (now revealed!) to unleash the Gospel on the Gentiles and not just the Jews. This becomes obvious as one examines the “we” (we Jews) and “you also” (you Gentiles also) in Ephesians. This is why predestination as a doctrine is only explained in letters written to Gentiles. The Jews already knew they were God’s “chosen people.” The big newsflash through the ministry of the Apostle Paul was that the Gentiles were being included in the Gospel invitation. This accurate view of predestination does away with the false notion of God pre-selecting some to believe and not enabling (or allowing) others to believe. It also affirms the pervasive New Testament truth that Jesus died for everyone (2 Corinthians 5:19; John 3:16) and God wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; John 12:32).

Diving Deeper: The term “predestination” is likely to invoke strong emotional responses among Christians. Does it mean God only chooses some to be saved? The biblical idea of predestination as seen in Ephesians is simple: God chose Israel in the Old Testament for salvation, and He has predestined the Gentiles (non-Jewish nations) to now be included in His plan through Jesus.

Ephesians offers us a clear presentation. Paul states there were two groups predestined by God: “we” and “you also” (Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 1:11-13).  The “we” group are those who were “the first to hope in Christ” (Ephesians 1:12). This refers to Israel, as the Gospel came to the Jews first. Then, Paul makes reference to the “you also” group – of course, referring to the recipients of his letter – Ephesians (Gentiles, not Jews).

The Ephesians are among the many Gentiles who were included in Christ when they heard “the word of truth” or the Gospel. Notice that Paul describes this new group as being without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). The Gentiles match this description, because they were without a covenant relationship with God (Ephesians 2:12).

So, the big picture in Ephesians is God has chosen both Israel and the Gentiles to receive salvation in Christ. In short, God has opened door to the whole world. As Jesus put it, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). This truly means that God is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

The term predestination is also mentioned in Romans 8:28-30. Here, Paul refers to those who are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. While many have interpreted this to speak of salvation, the passage is actually speaking of the guaranteed spiritual growth that will occur in every saint since growth is from God (Colossians 2:19). God looked down the timeline of history and promised that all of His children would be conformed to the image of Christ. This was an encouraging promise for the Romans, since they were experiencing persecution (Romans 8:18, 26, 31).

In conclusion, the term predestination in Ephesians relates to God’s secret plan (now revealed!) to unleash the Gospel on everyone in the whole world, so that anyone can call upon the name of the Lord and be saved (Romans 10:13). This means that Jesus really did die for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19), that God loves the whole world (John 3:16), and that He wants none to perish (2 Peter 3:9) but all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). And once they are in Christ, then God will complete the work He started in them (Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:29).

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. Have you ever heard the view that predestination in Ephesians is actually about God’s secret plan (now revealed!) for the Gentiles?
2. React to this statement: The true meaning of predestination means God loves the whole world and actually wants to save everyone.
3. Some push back by claiming, “If God wanted everyone saved, they would be!” What’s your response? (Consider Satan’s fall, Adam and Eve, worldwide disobedience, etc.)
4. Which view of God is greater – the God who controls our decisions or the God who is sovereign despite our decisions? Share your thoughts.