The NRBC School of Theology: Systematic Theology Course 2

22. OF GOD'S DECREE 3:4,5:
The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

This course is based on the text, 'The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith,' with notes by Kevin Matthews. Please feel free to print these notes to allow you to study the text online/offline. This lesson may be used in other study situations if you like (eg. Groups, Bible Studies, etc).

4. These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increase, or diminished (a).

a. 2 Tim 2:19; Jn 13:18.

5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love (a), without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto (b).

a. Eph 1:4,9,11; Rom 8:30; 2 Tim 1:9; 1 Thess 5:9.
b. Rom 9:13,16; Eph 1:6,12.

Election though often thought of in the realm of sinful man, is also a truth taught concerning the angels (Mk 8:38; Lk 9:26; 1 Tim 5:21; 2 Pet 2:24). This predestination of angels is different to that of men, for the fallen angels (2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6) are predestined to Hell, with no hope of mercy. The elect angels are they who were predetermined to never fall, and to continue in their original state.

22.1 Election is Immutable

In our studies concerning the nature and attributes of God we considered the Immutability (Unchangeable) of God. This truth is foundational to the doctrine of election. Because election is rooted in the nature of God, it follows that election is both eternal (Acts 2:23; Rom 11:33-36; Eph 1:4; 3:11; 2 Tim 1:9; 1 Pet 1:20,21) and immutable (Ps 33:11; Is 14:24; 56:9,10), and is therefore not subject to change.

22.2 Election is Limited

With the Immutability of God’s Decree, it follows that those who will be finally saved and enter in glory are the elect alone, for they alone are granted what is necessary for salvation, being the only recipients of divine mercy (without which all would perish). No others will be admitted, and none of the elect will be lost.

It is only the elect, who will ever want to be saved, all others are happy to continue in their unbelief and ungodliness, refusing to be saved (Jn 3:18-20).

Though election unto salvation is limited to those who have been actually chosen by God, the number is no small amount. The exact number of the elect is unknown to us, but Scripture does indicate that it is a large multitude (Rev 7:9,10).

22.3 Covenant of Grace

That there has been an election is an unchallengeable fact of Scripture (Jn 15:16). But when was the act of election executed by God? The very terms used in the Bible indicate very clearly that this was done before the actual salvation of the elect (Rom 8:29; 9-11; 1 Pet 1:2), being that time in the past that we call eternity (Eph 1:4).

Though election is an act of the Triune God, the Scriptures more particularly assigns this part of salvation to God the Father (Jn 6:37,65; 17:6,9; Rom 8:29; Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:2).

God’s plan of salvation in election is not merely to save a selection of people, but it also determines how these people are to be saved. Elect sinners are to be saved ‘in Christ (Eph 1:4; cf Mt 1:21; Jn 10:11; 17:2; Eph 5:25).’ The doctrine of election teaches us that God decrees that elect sinners are to be saved through the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb 9:15,22).

22.4 Unconditional Election

Why is it that some have been chosen or selected by God unto salvation and others passed by? Is there something in man or in individuals that determines whom God chooses? Or is there something in God that determines whom He chooses?

The Scriptures make it abundantly clear that man does not deserve salvation, in fact man deserves God’s righteous penalty for sin (Rom 3:10,11,23; 6:23; Eph 2:1-3). Because of this God would be perfectly right to punish all men for sin and save none. Therefore no man has a right to complain if God does not save him, for he is justly punished for his sin.

Election is not based on the decision or merit of mans in any way whatsoever. God did not look forward into the future and see who would chose Him, and then elect them to salvation. Scripture makes plain that the primary choice belongs to God, and that man’s choice of God is secondary (1 Kings 19:18; Ps 65:4; Jn 15:16; Acts 13:48; Eph 1:4).

The various passages dealing with the foreknowledge of God as regards salvation (Rom 8:29; 1 Pet 1:2), are not dealing with acts of faith but with people who have been known beforehand. These passages are speaking of people being marked out, and of a commitment being made to them on the basis of this selection. In short, to foreknow with God is to be appointed beforehand as the objects of His special love, and to solve every problem that is associated with that determination. Besides, if foreknowledge were based on God’s look into the future to choose men who chose Him, then it would not be according to God’s own pleasure, but would be dependent upon man.

In fact election has nothing what so ever to do with man as regards the cause (Rom 9:11-16; 11:5,6,34; Eph 1:4-6,9; 2 Tim 1:9). Neither does He compare sinners to choose one over the other, but simply chooses anyone He so desires to show mercy to (Rom 9:11,16; 2 Tim 1:9).

The reason then that any are saved at all, and therefore for election unto life, is the sovereign choice of God alone, founded within His mercy and love. God is under no obligation to save outside of Himself. He saves simply because He wants to (Deut 7:7,8; Dan 4:35; Rom 9:18; Eph 1:4-6; 2 Tim 1:9). In fact it is only from the standpoint of predestination and election that one can truly say that salvation is fully of grace, and not dependent on man.

NOTE: If you wish to email me regarding your answers to this first lesson, please copy and paste them into an email (Attachments will not be opened). I will then get back to you as soon as I can (expect a delay due to various committments).

Links to Online Texts

• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith
• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

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