Predestination is a theological concept that speaks to God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge in determining the ultimate destiny of individuals and nations. Join us as we explore verses that address the complex topic of predestination, inviting us to ponder the mysteries of God’s will and ways, and to trust in His wisdom, justice, and love as we seek to understand His purposes and plans for our lives and the world.
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Bible Verses About Predestination
Ephesians 1:5
“He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
This verse speaks of God’s predestination of believers to be adopted as His children through the work of Jesus Christ. It highlights God’s purpose and pleasure in choosing and calling His people.
Romans 8:29-30
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
These verses discuss God’s sovereign plan from eternity past to conform believers to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of God’s foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification.
Acts 4:27-28
“Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.”
This passage reveals that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was part of God’s predetermined plan. It demonstrates that even the acts of wicked individuals are ultimately subject to God’s sovereign will.
1 Peter 2:8
“They stumble because they disobey the message–which is also what they were destined for.”
Here, it is mentioned that those who disobey the message of the gospel stumble, indicating that their disobedience was part of their destined outcome. It emphasizes the contrast between those who are chosen and believe in Christ and those who reject Him.
Romans 9:22-23
“What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath–prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory?”
These verses reveal God’s sovereignty in choosing both vessels of mercy and vessels of wrath. It portrays God’s patience in enduring with sinful individuals, ultimately displaying His glory through both mercy and judgment.
Romans 9:17
“For Scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'”
This verse references God’s purpose in raising up Pharaoh as the ruler of Egypt during Moses’ time. It illustrates how God can use even the hardened hearts of individuals for His purposes and to display His power and sovereignty.
Proverbs 16:9
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
This passage highlights the truth that while humans may make plans and decisions, it is ultimately God who determines and directs their paths. It underscores God’s sovereignty and control over the lives of individuals.
2 Timothy 1:9
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”
Here, it is emphasized that our salvation and calling to live a holy life is not based on our own merit or actions, but solely on God’s purpose and grace. It reveals that God’s plan of salvation was established before the beginning of time.
1 Corinthians 2:7
“No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.”
This verse refers to the divine wisdom of God, which was hidden but now revealed to believers. It emphasizes that this wisdom was destined for their glory from before the beginning of time, showing God’s eternal plan for His people.
Romans 11:5
“So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.”
This verse speaks of a remnant of people who are chosen by God’s grace in the present time. It highlights the concept of God’s selective choosing of individuals to be recipients of His grace and salvation.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
This verse describes God’s intimate knowledge and purpose for Jeremiah even before he was conceived. It illustrates God’s choosing and ordaining of individuals for specific purposes and assignments.
John 15:16
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
Here, Jesus tells His disciples that it was He who chose and appointed them for the purpose of bearing lasting fruit. It affirms God’s sovereign choice in selecting His followers for specific tasks and purposes.
2 Thessalonians 2:13
“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”
This verse expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers whom God chose to be saved through the work of the Holy Spirit and their faith in the truth. It highlights the role of God’s election and the work of the Spirit in the salvation of believers.
John 10:26
“But you do not believe because you are not my sheep.”
Jesus makes it clear here that those who do not believe in Him are not His sheep, suggesting that their unbelief is a result of not being chosen by Him. It underscores the concept of God’s selective election and its impact on belief.
John 6:44
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
This verse establishes that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them. It indicates God’s initiating and drawing people to Himself, underscoring His predestinarian role in the salvation process.
Romans 8:33
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.”
This verse affirms that those whom God has chosen, He also justifies. It expresses the assurance and security of believers in the face of any accusation, knowing that God has pronounced them righteous.
John 6:37
“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”
Jesus declares that all those whom the Father gives to Him will come to Him. He assures that He will never reject or drive away those who come to Him, affirming God’s work of selection and drawing in salvation.
2 Timothy 2:19
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.'”
This verse emphasizes God’s firm foundation and His knowledge of those who belong to Him. It also stresses the necessity of true believers turning away from wickedness, further highlighting the connection between God’s choosing and the response of believers.
John 17:12
“While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”
Jesus refers to Judas Iscariot, whom He identifies as the one who was “doomed to destruction.” This suggests that Judas’ betrayal and subsequent destruction were part of God’s divine plan and fulfillment of Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 1:4
“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you.”
This verse acknowledges that the Thessalonian believers were loved and chosen by God. It provides assurance to believers that they have been specifically selected by God for His purposes and according to His love.
Matthew 22:14
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Jesus speaks these words in the context of the parable of the wedding banquet, highlighting that while many are invited to the kingdom of God, only a few are chosen. It underscores the selectivity of God’s election.
Titus 1:1
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness”
In this verse, Paul identifies himself as an apostle with the purpose of strengthening the faith of God’s elect and helping them grow in their knowledge of the truth. It emphasizes God’s choosing of individuals and the role of believers in nurturing fellow believers.
Romans 8:28-30
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
These verses highlight the comprehensive plan of God in the lives of believers. From foreknowledge to predestination, calling, justification, and ultimately glorification, it reveals the unbreakable chain of God’s redemptive work in the lives of His chosen ones.
1 Peter 1:1-2
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
In this greeting, Peter addresses God’s elect, emphasizing their chosenness by the foreknowledge of God the Father and the sanctifying work of the Spirit. It reminds believers of their holy calling and encourages them with the abundance of grace and peace.
Romans 9:11
“Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad–in order that God’s purpose in election might stand.”
This verse refers to Jacob and Esau, twin brothers from the Old Testament, and highlights God’s purpose in election even before they were born or had done anything good or bad. It underscores the fact that God’s choice is based on His sovereign will and not on human merit.
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This verse asserts that believers are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing good works. It emphasizes that these good works were prepared beforehand by God, further highlighting His sovereign plan for His chosen ones.
Romans 9:16
“It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”
These words stress that salvation is not dependent on human desire or effort, but solely on God’s mercy. It emphasizes God’s sovereign role in bestowing His mercy upon those whom He chooses.
2 Peter 1:10
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.”
Here, believers are urged to make every effort to confirm their calling and election, revealing the idea that an individual’s perseverance and faithfulness are evidences of their chosen status. It demonstrates the importance of personal responsibility in responding to God’s election.
Acts 13:48
“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”
These words describe the response of the Gentiles upon hearing the message of the Lord. It states that all who were appointed for eternal life believed, pointing to the divine appointment and selection of individuals for salvation.
Matthew 24:22
“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”
Jesus is speaking here about the tribulation period, emphasizing that for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. It implies God’s special care and protection for His chosen people.
Ephesians 1:11
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
This verse proclaims that believers have been chosen and predestined according to God’s plan. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty in working out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.
1 Peter 5:13
“She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.”
These words mention those who are chosen together with the addressees of Peter’s letter in Babylon. It implies the shared election and selection of God’s people, emphasizing their common identity as the chosen ones.
What Does The Bible Say About Predestination?
The question of predestination is one that has stirred theological discussions and debates throughout history. We, as believers, look to the Bible to guide us in understanding God’s plans and purposes. While the concept of predestination is mentioned in the Bible, it is important to approach this topic with humility and seek a balanced understanding.
In Ephesians 1:4-5, the apostle Paul writes, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” This passage speaks of God’s choosing and predestining believers for adoption as His children. It highlights God’s sovereignty and His loving plan to bring us into a relationship with Him through Christ.
We also find references to predestination in Romans 8:29-30, where Paul states, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Here, Paul connects predestination with God’s foreknowledge and the process of being conformed to the image of Christ.
However, it is important to note that the Bible also affirms human responsibility and free will. In 2 Peter 3:9, it says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This verse indicates that God desires all people to come to repentance, emphasizing that our choices and responses to God’s grace are significant.
Therefore, rather than getting caught up in theological arguments, we should focus on the balance between God’s sovereign control and our human responsibility. We must remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9) and that His plans and purposes are beyond our full comprehension.
In conclusion, the Bible mentions the concept of predestination, but it is important to approach this topic with humility and seek a balanced understanding. While God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge are evident, we should also consider the role of human responsibility and free will. Ultimately, we trust in God’s goodness, love, and wisdom, knowing that His plans are perfect and His ways surpass our understanding.