What is predestination?
What is predestination? Predestination is the doctrine that God has foreordained certain events, particularly the salvation of believers, according to His sovereign will and purpose.
Key verse: Romans 8:29-30 (KJV)
Predestination is the doctrine that God has foreordained certain events, particularly the salvation of believers, according to His sovereign will and purpose.
Predestination is the doctrine that God has foreordained certain events, particularly the salvation of believers, according to His sovereign will and purpose.
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son... Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified." — Romans 8:29-30 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Predestination is one of the most debated doctrines in Christianity. Calvinists believe God unconditionally elects individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world. Arminians hold that predestination is based on God's foreknowledge of who would freely choose to believe. Both sides appeal to Scripture: Romans 8:29 speaks of those God 'foreknew' being predestined, while Ephesians 1:4-5 says believers were chosen 'before the foundation of the world.' Most agree that predestination affirms God's sovereignty in salvation while the tension with human free will remains a mystery that finite minds cannot fully resolve.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About The Church?
What the Bible teaches about the church, its purpose, and why believers should gather together.
Key Scripture References
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son... Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified."
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is Grace in the Bible?
Grace is God's unmerited favor — His free gift of salvation and blessing that we cannot earn through our own efforts.
What Does the Bible Say About Predestination?
The Bible teaches that God chose believers 'before the foundation of the world' — a doctrine that has been debated for centuries regarding the relationship between divine sovereignty and human choice.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the doctrine that God exists as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in one divine being.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
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Bible Verses About Predestination
10 curated KJV verses
Predestination (προορίζω (Proorizō))
God's sovereign determination of events and destinies before they occur
Bible Verses About God's Sovereignty
10 curated KJV verses
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Romans. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Romans on day 334 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What is predestination?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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