In studying the biblical subject of predestination it will be found that the word predestination does not appear in the scriptures. However, the related words predestinate and predestinated do appear in the scriptures. Although the word predestination is not used, the related words that are used and other scripture support predestination as being a biblical doctrine.

We are pronged to err if we take the worlds definition of words without examining the context of the scriptures on a given subject. The 1828 Edition of Websters Dictionary defines predestination as: "The act of decreeing or foreordaining events; the decree of God by which he hath, from eternity, unchangeably appointed or determined whatever comes to pass. It is used particularly in theology to denote the preordination of men to everlasting happiness or misery." Webster includes in his definition, all things or events, which he attributes to Gods decree. If a thing is foreordain or decreed before hand, I agree that it would have to be God who does it but do the scriptures support Websters definition to be the biblical definition of the doctrine of predestination? I dont believe they do! When Webster stated at the close of his definition that: "It is used particularly in theology to denote the preordination of men to everlasting happiness or misery" he gets closer to the biblical meaning of predestination. However he includes in his definition, some Calvinism, whose doctrine infers that God chose some men to go to hell. Primitive Baptists have never accepted that as biblical teaching. In determining the meaning of biblical words or teachings, we must not blindly accept Webster or any other source other than the Scriptures. We should always use the Bible as its own dictionary in solving difficulties. Not to say that the dictionary is not useful, it is, but care must be taken in using them. We take this stand simply because we believe the scriptures to be inspired but the general works of man are not.

The scriptures clearly teach that God has a chosen people but no where does it teach that God also chose anyone to go to hell. The reason a person goes to hell is not because God chooses them to go to hell but because that person is left where he is; thus they are condemned by their own works and their relationship to Adams fall. By God simply leaving them in their condemned condition does not make God an unjust God. "For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." (Roman 9:15) On the other hand, a person goes to heaven because of the choice of God and the work of Jesus Christ and not because of any choice or work of the dead sinner. Due to the fall of Adam, the entire human race was condemned and all would be justly sent to hell. Christ accomplished the work he was sent to do when He said it is finished. It was a necessary work to accomplish the scripture "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." In Romans Chapter 8 being conformed to the image of his Son is the result of predestination which clearly refers to people and not things.

By examining the scriptures concerning the subject of biblical predestination we are led to believe that we can't apply Websters definition to include events and things because the context of the scriptures teaches otherwise. In the four places where the words predestinate or predestinated are used the context is talking of people and not things or events. Roman 8:29 reads "for whom he did foreknow He also did predestinate..." It didnt read for what he did foreknow he also did predestinate. Clearly Paul speaks the truth in teaching that people and not things or under consideration in this text. "Moreover whom he predestinate, them he also called..." Further illustrating he is talking of people when he uses the words whom and them and not things or events.

Another explanation of the word Predestination which I have heard others proclaim is using root words from the Greek (Proorizo) and Latin (Destino); this explanation divides the word into PRE- meaning determine beforehand (Proorizo) - DESTINATION (Destino) the final destination of a person. Whether this method of looking at the word predestination is sustainable or not, I do believe it accurately describes the biblical doctrine of predestination. In Roman 8:29-30 the context is clearly talking of persons and not things when the apostle penned these verses. It clearly states that a person who God predestinates is by His power going to be conformed to the images of His son. Therefore the use of the word predestination to talk of things or events that God determines will come to pass is a biblical misuse of the word. A more accurate word in talking about what God determines will come to pass would be the word predetermine or determinate (L. Determinatus) meaning limited; fixed; established; settled.

I recognize that the scriptures teach that there are some events that occur because God has beforehand determined them to come to pass. But I do not believe that God has beforehand determined all events that come to pass. To believe such a doctrine you would have God commanding you to obey his laws and at the same time have God predetermining you to break them. One scripture used to promote that doctrine is Acts 2:23-24 "Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death; because it was not possible that he should be Holden of it." This scripture does not say that the wicked acts of those mens hand were predetermined but it says by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God Christ was delivered. He was delivered for the purpose of suffering and dieing for the sins of his people. Isaiah chapter fifty three prophesizes of his sufferings which by the way was at the hands of the Romans, not the Jews. However the blood was on the hands of the Jews because they were complacent in that they falsely accused Christ and labored with Pilate to crucify him. Elder Claude McKee