Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)

Chapter 3
GOD’S DECREE

3.1 God has decreed all things that occur,¹ and this he has done in himself, from all eternity, by the perfectly wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably.²

Yet he has done this in such a way that God is neither the author of sin, nor does he share with anyone in sinning,³ nor does this violate the will of the creature, nor is the free working or contingency of second causes taken away but rather established.⁴

In all this, God’s wisdom is displayed in directing all things, as is his power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree.⁵

(1) Dan 4:34-35; Rom 8:28; 11:36; Eph 1:11
(2) Pro 19:21; Isa 14:24-27; 46:10-11; Psa 115:3; 135:6; Rom 9:19
(3) Gen 18:25; Jas 1:13; 1Jo 1:5
(4) Gen 50:20; 2Sa 24:1; Isa 10:5-7; Mat 17:12; Joh 19:11; Act 2:23; 4:27-28
(5) Num 23:19; Eph 1:3-5

3.2 Although God knows everything which may or can come to pass under all imaginable conditions,¹ yet he has not decreed anything because he foresaw it in the future, or because it would come to pass [anyway] under certain conditions.²

(1) 1Sa 23:11-12; Mat 11:21,23; Act 15:18
(2) Isa 40:13-14; Rom 9:11-18; 11:34; 1Co 2:16

3.3 By God’s decree, and for the demonstration of his glory, certain human beings and angels are predestined (or foreordained) to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace.¹ Others are left to continue in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.²

(1) Mat 25:34; 1Ti 5:21
(2) Joh 12:37-40; Rom 9:6-24; 1Pe 2:8-10; Jude 1:4

3.4 Those angels and human beings who are predestined and foreordained to eternal life, are specifically and irreversibly designated, and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished.¹

(1) Mat 22:1-14; Joh 13:18; Rom 11:5-6; 1Co 7:20-22; 2Ti 2:19

3.5 God chose those human beings who are predestined to life before the foundation of the world, in accordance with his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will. God chose them in Christ for eternal glory, solely out of his free grace and love,¹ without anything in the creature as a condition or cause moving him to choose them.²

(1) Rom 8:30; Eph 1:4-6,9; 2Ti 1:9
(2) Rom 9:11-16; 11:5-6

3.6 As God has appointed the elect to glory, so he has by the eternal and completely free purpose of his will foreordained all the means.¹ Therefore those who are elected (being fallen in Adam) are redeemed by Christ,²effectually called to faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season, justified, adopted, sanctified,³ and kept by his power through faith to salvation.⁴ None but the elect are redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved.⁵

(1) Eph 1:4; 2:10; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2
(2) 1Th 5:9-10; Tit 2:14
(3) Rom 8:30; Eph 1:5; 2Th 2:13
(4) 1Pe 1:5
(5) Joh 6:64-65; 8:47; 10:26; 17:9; Rom 8:28; 1Jo 2:19

3.7 The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care,¹ so that those who are heeding the will of God revealed in his Word, and who are obeying it, may be assured of their eternal election from the certainty of their effectual calling.² So shall this doctrine promote the praise, reverence, and admiration of God,³ and encourage humility⁴ and diligence,⁵ and bring much comfort6 to all who sincerely obey the Gospel.

(1) Deu 29:29; Rom 9:20; 11:33
(2) 1Th 1:4-5; 2Pe 1:10
(3) Eph 1:6; Rom 11:33
(4) Rom 11:5,6,20; Col 3:12
(5) 2Pe 1:10
(6) Luk 10:20

Chapter 1: The Holy Scriptures
Chapter 2: God and the Holy Trinity
Chapter 3: God’s Decree
Chapter 4: Creation
Chapter 5: Divine Providence
Chapter 6: The Fall, Sin and its Punishment
Chapter 7: God’s Covenant
Chapter 8: Christ the Mediator
Chapter 9: Free Will
Chapter 10: Effectual Calling
Chapter 11: Justification
Chapter 12: Adoption
Chapter 13: Sanctification
Chapter 14: Saving Faith
Chapter 15: Repentance to Life and Salvation
Chapter 16: Good Works
Chapter 17: The Perseverance of Believers
Chapter 18: The Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 19: The Law of God
Chapter 20: The Gospel and its Gracious Extent
Chapter 21: Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
Chapter 22: Worship and the Lord’s Day
Chapter 23: Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter 24: Civil Government
Chapter 25: Marriage
Chapter 26: The Church
Chapter 27: The Fellowship of Believers
Chapter 28: The Ordinances
Chapter 29: Baptism
Chapter 30: The Lord’s Supper
Chapter 31: The State of People after Death and the Resurrection of the Dead
Chapter 32: The Last Judgment
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