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The Westminster Confession of Faith and Larger Catechism
1. From all eternity and by the completely wise and holy purpose of his own will, God has freely and unchangeably ordained whatever happens.[1] This ordainment does not mean, however, that God is the author of sin (he is not), [2] that he represses the will of his created beings, or that he takes away the freedom or contingency of secondary causes. Rather, the will of created beings and the freedom and contingency of secondary causes are established by him.[3]
[1] Eph 1:11, Rom 11:33, Heb 6:17, Rom 9:15,18, Acts 4:27-28, Mt 10:29-30, Eph 2:10, Is 45:6-7.
[2] Jas 1:13-14, 17, 1 Jn 1:5, Eccl 7:29, Ps 5:4.
[3] Acts 2:23, Mt 17:12, Acts 4:27-28, Jn 19:11, Prv 16:33, Acts 27:23-24, 34, 44:
2. Although God knows whatever may or can happen under all possible circumstances, [4] he has not ordered anything because he foresaw it in the future as something which would happen under such circumstances.[5]
[4] Acts 15:18, 1 Sm 23:11-12, Mt 11:21,23, Ps 139:1-4, Prv 16:33.
[5] Rom 9:11,13, 15-16, 18, 2 Tm 1:9, Eph 1:4-5.
3. In order to manifest his glory God has ordered that some men and angels should be predestined to everlasting life[6] and that others should be foreordained to everlasting death.[7]
[6] 1 Tm 5:21, Mt 25:31,41, Acts 13:48, Rom 8:29-30, Jn 10:27-29, Mk 8:38, Jude 6:
[7] Rom 9:22-23, Eph 1:5-6, Prv 16:4, Mt 25:41, Jude 4:
4. This predestination and foreordination of angels and men are precise and unchangeable. The number and identity of angels and men in each group are certain, definite, and unalterable.[8]
[8] 2 Tm 2:19, Jn 13:18, 10:14-16,27-29, 6:37-39, Acts 13:48, Jn 17:2,6,9-12.
5. Before the creation of the world, [9] according to his eternal, unchangeable plan[10] and the hidden purpose and good pleasure of his will, [11] God has chosen in Christ[12] those of mankind who are predestined to life and to everlasting glory.[13] He has done this solely out of his own mercy and love and completely to the praise of his wonderful grace.[14] This choice was completely independent of his foreknowledge of how his created beings would be or act. Neither their faith nor good works nor perseverance had any part in influencing his selection.[15]
[13] Rom 8:30, 1 Thes 5:9, 1 Pt 5:10.
[15] Rom 9:11, 13, 15-16, Eph 1:4,6,9, 2 Tm 1:9, Eph 2:8-9.
6. Just as God has determined that the elect shall be glorified, so, too, in the eternal and completely free purpose of his will he has foreordained all the means by which that election is accomplished.[16] And so, those who are chosen, having fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ.[17] They are effectually called to faith in Christ by his Spirit working in them at the right time,[18] and they are justified,[19] adopted,[20] sanctified,[21] and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.[22] Only the elect, and no others, are redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved.[23]
[16] 1 Pt 1:2, Eph 1:4-5, 2:10, 2 Thes 2:13.
[17] 1 Thes 5:9-10, Ti 2:14, Rom 5:19.
[18] Rom 9:11, 2 Thes 2:13-14, 1 Cor 1:9.
[21] 2 Thes 2:13, Eph 1:4, 1 Thes 4:3.
[23] Jn 17:9, Rom 8:28-39, Jn 6:64-65, 8:47, 10:26, 1 Jn 2:19, Acts 13:48.
7. According to the hidden purpose of his own will, by which he offers or withholds mercy at his pleasure, and for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, it pleased God not to call the rest of mankind[24] and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin[25] to the praise of his glorious justice.[26]
[25] Rom 9:14-22, Jude 4, Rom 2:8-9, 2 Thes 2:10-12.
8. This important and mysterious doctrine of predestination must be treated with special discretion and care, so that, paying attention to and obeying the will of God revealed in his word, men may be assured that they have been eternally chosen from the certainty of their effectual calling. In this way the doctrine of predestination will elicit not only our praise, reverence, and admiration for God, but also a humble and diligent life, fully supporting everyone who sincerely obeys the gospel.[27]
[27] Rom 9:20, 11:33, Dt 29:29, 2 Pt 1:10, Eph 1:6, Rom 11:5-6, 20, 8:33, Lk 10:20, see General Note.
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