A Note from our Pastor:
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” ~ Ephesians 1:5
Good Morning Dearly Beloved,
In verse five of the first chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle presents us with one of the most important doctrinal words in scripture.
PREDESTINATED
An understanding of this word, above almost any word, is vital to understanding the truth of our salvation. Once we understand this word, it makes so many of the other teachings about our path to heaven impossible to reconcile with scripture.
Predestinate — According to Merriam-Webster the earliest known appearance of this word was in 1528. In that usage as an adjective, the word means “destined; fated; or determined beforehand.” According to Merriam-Webster, the word can also be used as a transitive verb, and as such, means “to foreordain to an earthly or eternal lot or destiny by divine decree.”
Whether the word is used as an adjective or as a transitive verb, there are important similarities in the definition. The first being that it is foreordained or determined beforehand. In verse four, the Apostle tells us that we were chosen before the foundation of the world. Being chosen before we existed, before the world on which we reside existed, is most certainly a picture of being determined beforehand.
The second similarity, is that in both definitions the word predestinate is about a destiny or a location. What destiny is the Apostle referring to in verse five? The destiny or location is our eternal home in heaven secured by Jesus Christ.
All of this going to one central point, when the scriptures refer to us being predestinated, it means that a determination was made beforehand regarding our final destiny. In reality, the doctrine becomes quite simple if one can see it by faith. God beforehand chose us to dwell with him in Glory.
The word Predestinate is filled with grace, mercy, love, sacrifice, and hope.
Our Prayers are with you daily,
Brother Jeremiah
Amarillo PBC 
Leave a Reply