WCF Chapter 3: God's Eternal Decree

Westminster Confession of Faith
Adult Sunday School class
Chapter 3

1. Theology of the Westminster Confession Adult Sunday School 2017

2. God’s Eternal Decree The Decrees of God WCF 3

3. An eternal , wise and holy plan God ordained, or ordered, “whatever comes to pass” S ettled from all eternity – before time and the rest of creation began He did this by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will Most wise and holy – reflecting God’s character (see Chapter 2!) “Counsel” – He did this out a deep consideration of all things, knowing how to set things up so that all will achieve the end He designed WCF 3.1-2 The Decrees of God

4. An eternal , wise and holy plan This should put to rest any idea that God, who orders all things, would act in a capricious or unjust manner. Two conditions that God “imposes on Himself” He is not the author of sin – He does not cause anyone to sin; He does not tempt anyone to sin. He does not do violence to the will of the creature – He does not make anyone (man or angel) do something against their will Instead, He changes the heart, so that the will in now informed and drawn to Christ WCF 3.1-2 The Decrees of God

5. An eternal , wise and holy plan God is the “first cause” of all events – that is, He initiates. He knows the beginning of the thing, and He knows the end The chain of dominoes example But the middle is still important! This means that God ordains the ends, and He ordains the means to those ends Here we introduce “second causes”—those events of consequence from the “first cause” God ordains that second causes will exist to carry out His plan The e xample of prayer WCF 3.1-2 The Decrees of God

6. An eternal , wise and holy plan God ordains out of His freedom , and His sovereignty He did NOT decree anything BECAUSE He saw in the future that someone or something would happen, and He “rubber stamped” the event with his “decree” Rather, He freely, sovereignly chose to ordain something, because it fits HIS plan This establishes His plan so that it is unchangeable, and that all things WILL work out the way He has planned them WCF 3.1-2 The Decrees of God

7. Destinies of life and death By the decree of God For the manifestation of His glory Some men and angels are predestined to eternal life Other men and angels are foreordained (means the same thing) to eternal death They are particularly and unchangeably designed God knows our names The number of each are certain and fixed Because why would God need to change His mind, His plan, if it is perfect? WCF 3.3-5 The Decrees of God

8. Destinies of life and death God chose those predestined to eternal life Before the foundations of the world was laid (that is, before creation began) According to His eternal and immutable purpose And the secret council and good pleasure of His will He did this out of His free grace and love NOT because He saw any possibility of faith, or of good works, or perseverance , or of any other condition within the creature, as conditions that would cause Him to chose us Example of Jacob and Esau WCF 3.3-5 The Decrees of God

9. Key verses 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ … 8 in all wisdom and insight, 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time... 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory . Ephesians 1:3 – 5, 8-12 WCF 3.3-5 The Decrees of God

10. Three things to keep in mind as we ponder why God would chose some and not others: We know we’re all sinners against a holy and righteous God; we know there is no health in us. We know we deserve judgment and not accolades. The amazing thing is that God deigns to give grace to any, and it seems that this is actually a large number. Remember, He is sovereign – He is God. He is the potter, and we but clay. WCF 3.3-5 Destinies of life and death The Decrees of God

11. Appointed for glory Just as God has appointed an elect for glory, He has also decided the means to that end That means is Christ! It is through Christ that the elect are: Effectually called to faith in Christ By His Spirit working in us, at just the right time Become justified Become adopted as sons Are being sanctified Kept by His power through faith for all of salvation WCF 3.6 The Decrees of God

12. A high mystery As a great mystery, even those whom God has ordained to be destined to eternal judgment, is done according to the unsearchable counsel of His will This, too, glorifies God, for it shows His justice This doctrine of predestination is to be handled with special care. It is not easy to understand, or even to teach. It can and does help the elect to understand their eternal calling. It is for reverence and admiration of God; and calls for humility, diligence and consolation to all who sincerely believe the Gospel. WCF 3.7-8 The Decrees of God

13. Summary of key points God ordains all that comes to pass He has done this according to the secret counsel of His will Some men and angels God ordained for eternal life with Him in heaven Others are destined for eternal judgment All on the basis of God’s plan and selection, without any regard to any ability on the part of the creatures The doctrine of predestination is a high mystery, and not to be taken lightly WCF 3 The Decrees of God

14. Going deeper Books Sproul, R.C. Chosen By God . (Beginner) Calvin, John. Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God . (Intermediate) Boettner , Loraine. The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination . (Advanced) Articles Lloyd-Jones, Martyn. The Eternal Decrees of God . Articles on the Decree of God at Monergism.com. WCF 3 The Decrees of God