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What does the Bible say about predestination?

Answered in 234 sources

The Bible teaches that predestination is part of God's sovereign plan, where He foreknows and predestines certain individuals to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

The doctrine of predestination as described in the Scriptures asserts that God, in His sovereignty, has chosen specific individuals to be His children before the foundation of the world. This is articulated in Romans 8:28-30, where Paul emphasizes that those whom God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. This concept is not merely about who is saved or lost but includes the transformative process that leads believers to reflect Christ in their character and actions. This theology aligns with Ephesians 1:4-5, which proclaims that believers are chosen and predestined for adoption as children of God according to His purpose and pleasure.

Predestination can often be misunderstood and misrepresented; however, the core of this doctrine highlights the initiative of God in salvation. It is not based on any foreseen merit or action from those predestined, but solely rests on God's grace and purpose. Furthermore, being predestined does not exclude the necessity of hearing and responding to the Gospel, as faith is a gift from God and essential for salvation, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 and Ephesians 2:8-9.
Scripture References: Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Romans 8:29-30, Romans 8:29, Isaiah 46:10, Acts 4:28, Ephesians 1:5-6, Romans 9:20-21, Ephesians 1:11, Proverbs 16:9, Ephesians 1:4, Romans 9:11, 2 Timothy 1:9, John 6:37-40, John 10:14-16, Ephesians 1:5, Romans 3:10-12, Acts 4:24-28, Ephesians 1:5-11, Romans 9:11-16, Romans 9:18-24, 1 Peter 2:8, Acts 2:23, Acts 13:48, Romans 8:30, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11-12, John 15:16, Ephesians 1:3-6, Jonah 1:17, Isaiah 46:9-10, Romans 9:10-11, Romans 9:13-16, Romans 9:6-24, Acts 4:27-28, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 1:5-7, Romans 9:11-13, Romans 9:18, Matthew 25:34, Ephesians 1:3-5, Acts 18:9-10, Romans 9:16, Psalm 37:23, Romans 9:22, John 10:27-29, Romans 9:10-24, John 6:37-39, Romans 8:14, Romans 9:13-18, Ephesians 1:3-11, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Romans 9:15-18, 2 Timothy 1:9-10, Ephesians 1, Romans 8, Romans 9

Sermons (191)

Predestination
Darvin Pruitt · Feb 19, 2012
By Jesus Christ
Todd Nibert · May 13, 2018
All God's Children
Trey Mason · Nov 27, 2022
Predestination
Todd Nibert · Mar 11, 2018
Predestination
Todd Nibert · Jun 27, 2021
Predestination
Joe Terrell · Sep 25, 2011
Predestination
Darvin Pruitt · Apr 10, 2011
Predestination
Tim James · Jan 9, 2012
Predestination
Tim James · Apr 12, 2019
Glorious Grace!
Adam Tyson · Nov 30, 2014
Romans 8:29-30
Mikal Smith · Dec 7, 2025
God's Salvation
Carroll Poole · Oct 29, 2017
Predestinated
Wayne Boyd · Mar 8, 2026
La Gracia eficaz
Joel Coyoc · Aug 3, 2025
Everything
Tim James · Oct 5, 2025
We Have Heard
Norm Wells · Sep 1, 2024
Abundant Grace
William Watts · Aug 8, 2021
Ephesians 1:4
Trey Mason · Oct 30, 2022
Paul's Prayer
Dan Culver · Aug 29, 2010
In Whom, In Him
Joe Galuszek · May 24, 2015
For This Cause
Darvin Pruitt · Mar 18, 2018
Ephesians 1:15
Trey Mason · Jan 29, 2023
Predestination
Kent Clark · Sep 15, 2019
HE and them
Bruce Crabtree · Dec 14, 2014
Everything
Tim James · Oct 5, 2025
Ephesians 1:11-14
Trey Mason · Jan 15, 2023
Predestination
Don Fortner · Jul 17, 2016
Five Golden Links
Kent Clark · Sep 4, 2016
The 'New' Gospel
Kent Clark · Mar 8, 2020
Great Love
Marvin Stalnaker · Jul 1, 2015
Mirad, pues...
Cody Groover · May 6, 2012
In Christ
Patrick Holland · Jun 19, 2022
Much More
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Articles (43)

Jacob and Esau
Don Fortner · Nov 6, 2010
Controversial
Tim James · Sep 9, 2021
Acts 13:48
Octavius Winslow · Nov 28, 2016
Sovereign Grace
Brandan Kraft · Dec 30, 2022
Dead Sea Scrolls
Bob Higby · Jan 4, 2019
Arminianism
Augustus Toplady · Jul 12, 2004
Dr. Edwin Lee Vrell
Bob Higby · Dec 27, 2018
Verse 4
Thomas Manton · Oct 28, 2021
Predestination
Don Fortner · May 26, 2009
Joshua

Joshua

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