‘Whom He did predestinate, them He also called’

MEMORY VERSE: ‘For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.’ Ezekiel 18:32.     

STUDY HELP:  The Faith I Live By, page 157.

LESSON SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 2:3-6.

LESSON AIM: To study whether the Reformation teaching of predestination is Biblical.

Introduction

‘Wonderful possibilities are provided for every one who has faith in Christ. No walls are built to keep any living soul from salvation. The predestination, or election, of which God speaks, includes all who will accept Christ as a personal Saviour, who will return to their loyalty, to perfect obedience to all God’s commandments. This is the effectual salvation of a peculiar people, chosen by God from among men. All who are willing to be saved by Christ are the elect of God. It is the obedient who are predestinated from the foundation of the world.’ Gospel Herald, June 11, 1902. 

Compiler’s note: Many Evangelicals think that Luther’s Reformation returned the church to the doctrines of the early believers and that today’s Evangelicals are teaching the same things as Luther. Both these assumptions are incorrect. Luther taught that man is so totally depraved that he is unable even to have faith in God; the only people who have saving faith are those to whom God has chosen to give it. Luther taught that a man is saved only if he is one of those to whom God has chosen to show His grace. All others are eternally damned. In fact Luther asserted that a man cannot be saved if he did not believe in the doctrine of absolute predestination. ‘For if this is not known, there can be neither faith nor worship of God. Actually, not to know this is to be ignorant of God. And with this ignorance, salvation, it is well known, cannot exist.’  This doctrine of Predestination is the central element of ‘Reformed Theology’ or Calvinism.

‘Therefore choose life’

1.     What does the Bible teach about man’s ability to choose whether to follow God or not? Deuteronomy 30:19.

NOTE: ‘I saw that the great condescension for man has been made. Jesus condescended to the shameful death of the cross, and now man in his turn must condescend and bow. He must yield up his will and pleasure if he would follow in the only road to heaven. I saw that God would not compel any to be saved. Jesus has made the great sacrifice, and if man will freely, gladly accept it; if he will choose life, he can have it. But his life must be one of continual yielding.’ Spiritual Gifts, volume 2, page 278.

2.     How does the New Testament show that man has the ability to respond to God? Revelation 22:17.

NOTE: ‘Jesus prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced the world. It took in every sinner that had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered. “Whosoever will” may have peace with God, and inherit eternal life.’  A Call to Stand Apart, page 37.