Steve Swartz

Does the Bible teach us to believe in predestination/election? Deuteronomy 7:7–8, “It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you…” Psalm 105:43, “So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.” Isaiah 43:10, “‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.’” Matthew 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 24:22, “And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” Luke 18:7, “Will not God bring about justice for His elect?” John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me.” John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” John 6:65, “no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” John 13:18, “I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen.” John 15:16, “You did not choose Me but I chose you.” John 15:19, “I chose you out of the world.” Acts 2:23, “this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.” Acts 4:28, “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.” Acts 13:48, “as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” Romans 8:29, “those whom He foreknew, He also predestined.” Romans 8:30, “these whom He predestined, He also called.” Romans 8:33, “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?” Romans 9:11, “though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls” Romans 9:18, “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” Romans 9:21, “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” Romans 11:7, “Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “For consider your calling, brothers… God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world...” 1 Corinthians 2:7, “We speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory.” Ephesians 1:4-5, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” Ephesians 1:11, “We have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4, “Knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you…” 1 Thessalonians 5:9, “God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” 2 Timothy 1:10, “I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.” Titus 1:1, “Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God…” 1 Peter 1:1-2, “To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit…” 2 Peter 1:10, “be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you.” Revelation 17:14, “those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”