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Doctrine of God 0003 - Lesson 5
Attached Audio:
- THE WORKS OF GOD (Continued)
- Conception (Continued)
- The eternal plan of God (Continued)
- A biblical understanding of the eternal plan of God requires an understanding of several biblical words. Many have developed unscriptural systems of doctrine in this area because they have developed intellectual systems instead of allowing God to speak fully for Himself. (Continued)
- Purpose
- The purpose of creation, of redemption, of all the things that God accomplishes by His work comes from His purpose in Himself (Ephesians 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
See All...). That is, He has His own purpose for all that He does and that purpose is found in His inner being. - Characteristics of the purpose of God
- It is an “eternal purpose” (Ephesians 3:11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
See All...). It was a part of the essence of God from the beginning. - It is an unchangeable purpose (Isaiah 14:24The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:
See All..., 27; Jeremiah 4:28For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black; because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.
See All...). - It is an absolute purpose (Jeremiah 51:29And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.
See All...). Every purpose of God will be fulfilled. - It is a completed purpose (Isaiah 46:11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
See All...). What God purposes, God performs. Contrast this with the failed purposes of man (Job 17:11My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
See All...; Romans 1:13Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
See All...). - Christ is the center of God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:9-11 [9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
[10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
[11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
See All...). - Our calling is according to God’s eternal purpose
- Our conformity to Christ (Romans 8:28-29 [28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
See All...) - God’s choice for place of service (Romans 9:10-13 [10] And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
[11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
[12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
[13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
See All...; Genesis 25:22-23 [22] And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. [23] And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
See All...) - The holy calling to the work of the ministry (2 Timothy 1:9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
See All...) - Pleasure
- God’s pleasure is founded on His purpose in Himself (Ephesians 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
See All...). - God’s pleasure is an expression of His character
- His goodness (Psalm 51:18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
See All...; 2 Thessalonians 1:11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
See All...) - His righteousness (Isaiah 42:21The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
See All...) - God’s works are an expression of His pleasure (Psalm 115:3But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
See All...; Psalm 135:6Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
See All...; Jonah 1:14Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.
See All...); he “hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” - To give each grain a body as He sees fit (1 Corinthians 15:37-38 [37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
[38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
See All...) - To accomplish His work by His word (Isaiah 55:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
See All...) - To make the children of Israel His people (1 Samuel 12:22For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
See All...) - To have His fullness dwell in the Son (Colossians 1:9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
See All...) - To redeem by the suffering of His Son (Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
See All...) - To save by the foolishness of preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
See All...) - To set members in the body as He sees fit (1 Corinthians 12:18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
See All...) - The purpose of all creation is the pleasure of God
- Created for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
See All...) - Created for His glory (Isaiah 43:7Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
See All...) - Made for Himself (Proverbs 16:4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
See All...) - Will
- God’s will is His decision to do something
- God’s will is founded on His pleasure (Isaiah 46:10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
See All...; Ephesians 1:5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
See All...) - It is important to note in scripture the distinction between God’s purposed will and God’s preferred will.
- God’s purposed will could also be called God’s predetermined will. This refers to God’s absolute determination that a particular thing will or will noot happen. “I have purposed it, I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
See All...). God’s purposed will will not change or alter. When Jesus says, “I will come again” (John 14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
See All...), God’s purpose will surely come to pass. - God’s preferred will is God’s desire for His creatures (angels and men) that He does not force on them. He would have gathered Jerusalem unto Himself, but they would not (Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
See All...). That is, He was willing but they did not obey. God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
See All...), but many will perish because they reject God’s offer of salvation. God’s preferred will allows for disobedience and rebellion. It does not destroy the free will of man. - Counsel
- God’s counsel is His wisdom in determining how to accomplish His will (Ephesians 1:11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
See All...). - God’s counsel is wonderful (Isaiah 28:29This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
See All...) and great (Jeremiah 32:19Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
See All...). - God’s counsel will stand forever (Psalm 33:11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
See All...; Hebrews 6:17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
See All...). - God’s counsel cannot be overturned (Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
See All...). - Decree
- A decree is an official order
- Most decrees in the Bible are made by men (Ezra 5:13But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
See All...; Esther 9:1Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
See All...; Luke 2:1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
See All...). - Several scriptural decrees are made by God
- The decree of the rain (Job 28:26When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
See All...) - The decree of the boundaries of the seas (Job 38:8-11 [8] Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
[9] When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
[10] And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
[11] And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
See All...; Proverbs 8:29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
See All...; Jeremiah 5:22Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
See All...) - The decree on the waters above the heavens (Psalm 148:4-6 [4] Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
[5] Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
[6] He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
See All...) - The decree of judgment on Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:24-25 [24] This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
[25] That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
See All...) - The decree of the begotten Son (Psalm 2:7I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
See All...) - The divine decrees that are named as such in the Bible are mostly made in time. The decree of the rain is probably a part of the creation act. The two decrees about the seas and the waters were made after the time of Noah’s flood. The decree of judgment on Nebuchadnezzar was definitely made in time. The decree of the begotten Son may have been made in eternity past but it is not certain from the text. The point is that it is important to distinguish between the way decrees are spoken of in scripture and how they are used in theology. The theological teaching concerning decrees will be dealt with below.
- The doctrine of decrees
- The doctrine of decrees, also known as the divine decrees, is a theological teaching that goes beyond the basic teaching of scripture on decrees.
- Theologically, decree is a word used to refer to God’s comprehensive plan for history as determined before the foundation of the world.
- The idea of divine decrees is supported by various scriptures which speak of events in time being determined by God in eternity past (Ephesians 1:4According 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:
See All...; Ephesians 3:11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
See All...; 2 Timothy 1:9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
See All...; 1 Peter 1:19-20 [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
See All...; Revelation 13:9If any man have an ear, let him hear.
See All...). - The danger in the doctrine of divine decrees is that most of its proponents teach it from the Calvinistic viewpoint and teach that everything that occurs in history is in fulfillment to the eternal decree of God.
- These teachers cannot see how God could predetermine certain major events (like the crucifixion and the adoption of believers) without predetermining all things.
- They also believe that any lessening of what God predetermines is a lessening of His power and sovereignty.
- Conclusion: although God has definitely decreed in eternity past that certain things will happen in time, this is no reason to believe that all things are predetermined.
- God has the power to predetermine certain key events without predetermining every action.
- While God only predetermines certain things to happen, He foreknows all things that will happen. Because of His foreknowledge, He can bring about His perfect will without absolutely forcing His will in every action.
- Illustration: the complexity of the causes of the crucifixion. Who was the cause of the crucifixion of Christ? The Bible gives several answers.
- The crucifixion predetermined (Luke 22:22And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
See All...; Acts 2:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
See All...; Acts 4:27-28 [27] For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, [28] For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
See All...) - The Son laid down His life (John 10:17-18 [17] Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
[18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
See All...) - The Father delivered the Son (Acts 2:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
See All...) - The responsibility of the Jews (Acts 2:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
See All...) - The responsibility of the Gentiles (Acts 4:27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
See All...) - What is the answer? Evidently, God’s providential working in the affairs of history bring together the various free acts of man to bring about His predetermined will. God’s ability to do this is part of the mystery of His being.