Predestination
The
doctrine of predestination as proposed by the Calvinistic group simple stated
is "That before the fall, indeed before man's creation, God had already
determined what the eternal destiny of each person was to be." This view of unconditional predestination makes God "the author of sin."
Because if we were created in such a way that we could not choose to do right,
then we were created to choose to do only wrong, therefore we are not
responsible for our actions for indeed we are not moral agents, we have not the
ability to choose.
Now
the trouble with this interpretation of the scripture is simply this, we would
have to throw out many statements of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the apostles.
Let's look at a few;
2
Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live
for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
2
Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ
controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
Titus
2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
1
John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours
only, but also for those of the whole world.
Matthew
10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess
me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Acts
2:21 And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts
10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever
believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Matthew
12:50 For whosoever shall do the will
of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and
mother.
John
3:15 That whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have eternal life.
John
3:16 For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.
John
11:26 And whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John
12:46 I am come a light into the
world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
Revelation
3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and
will sup with him, and he with me.
Acts
13:26 Men and brethren, children of
the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word
of this salvation sent.
Romans
9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay
in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him
shall not be ashamed.
Romans
10:11 For the scripture saith,
Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans
10:13 For whosoever shall call upon
the name of the Lord shall be saved.
1
John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that
Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Now
friend this is just a very few of the Scriptures that we would have to throw
away, or at the very least, call the Lord and His apostles Liars. Any doctrine that fights with any Scripture
is a false doctrine. Remember, 1
Corinthians 13:9 For now we see through a glass, darkly;And 1 Corinthians
13:12 For we know in part, and we
prophesy in part.
I
don't completely understand predestination, and frankly I believe that no one
except God does! It amazes me how
argumentative people can be about things that God tells us we don't have
perfect understanding about. lets look at
1 Corinthians 8:2 "And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he
knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."
When
you arrive at an understanding about predestination, check to make sure that
your understanding is in line with all of the Scripture.