FOREKNOWLEDGE, PREDESTINATION & ELECTION

ROMANS 8:29

Rick Jackson

There are so many theories today concerning F, P, and E that have confused the average Christian as well as turned off any lost person who chances upon them. Many don’t know what to believe. God is not the author of confusion so lets see what He has to say about F, P, & E.

I. FOREKNOWLEDGE

1. Definition-“to have knowledge of things to be”. God is omniscient, He knows everything- past, present, and future. Foreknowledge is His knowing the future. He knows who will be saved and who won’t.

2. Explanation-Foreknowledge is part of an attribute of God (omniscience). Election and predestination are acts of God (not attributes).

3. Application-Foreknowledge does not cause election and/or predestination. It is not a determining or causative factor, it is only knowledge of things beforehand.
-Our scientists have foreknowledge of solar/lunar eclipses
-TV guide
-God has perfect knowledge but it is not causative or God would be the author of sin (I Jn. 1:5)
-God even knows alternate futures, He doesn’t make those happen either

II. PREDESTINATION

1. Definition-Predestination is the act of God whereby He makes anyone that
trusts Christ to eventually be like Christ.

2. Explanation-P. is never for the lost man. It is only for the saved man (like the
indwelling Holy Spirit). Salvation is a matter of “whosoever will”
God knows who will be saved and has predestined them to be like
Christ.
3. Exposition-Rm. 8:29a “to be conformed to the image of His Son” Things that
happen to you are going to be used by God to make Christians more like Jesus (Rm. 8:28) a process which will be completed at the rapture (I Jn. 3)
-Eph. 1:25 “unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ” blessings for the saved man, not salvation, is in view here. Our adoption means to make a child “a son”, the Jews “adopt” their own children (bar/bat mitzvahs). Adoption means to declare as a son (Gal. 4). It is the time appointed by the father when his boy ceases to be considered a child and is recognized as a son. We are God’s children by faith in Jesus Christ and will one day be made “sons” before the whole universe (Rm. 8:23) just like Jesus was by His resurrection (Rm. 1:3-4).
-Eph. 1:11-12 “Predestinated according to the purpose of Him” note its for those who are saved “that we should be to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 5:25-27)

III. ELECTION Eph. 1:4

1. Definition-New Testament words “chosen, choose and election” are the same.
Old Testament word is simply “chosen”.

2. Explanation-Many feel God chooses some to be saved and some to be lost. E
has to do with service not salvation. Though God intends for all
His children to serve Him. Angels serve Him too (I Tm. 5:21)!

3. Exposition-Rm. 9:9-13 Election has to do with service, not salvation. “The
elder will SERVE the younger” Vs. 13 quotes Mal. 1:2-3 written
centuries after they lived regarding their descendants faith or lack
thereof (like “if any man come unto me and hate not his father and
mother)
-Jn. 15:16 Jesus elected (chose) the disciples for service (for 11 of
them their salvation was already settled, Judas was given chances
for salvation while he was serving but never was)
-Is. 41:8 Israel was God’s chosen people, are they all saved? No!
Israel was chosen for service, to give us the Bible and the Saviour!
-Is. 42:1 says Jesus is the chosen servant of God. Chosen for
salvation? No, for service (I Pt. 2:6, Phil. 2:8)
-Eph. 1:4 then means, knowing we would trust Christ He has
chosen us for service and sanctification (2:8-10). Salvation has
been, is now, and always will be “Whosoever will” (Rev. 22:17).