Some Definitions
Here are some terms I
constantly use in preaching the gospel to you. They are terms by which the
works of God’s grace are presented to us in Holy Scripture, either verbally or
by unmistakable examples and illustrations.
Election - Election is God’s sovereign, eternal choice and
determination to save some, a great multitude of Adam’s fallen race. It is a
free, unconditional, irreversible act of God’s sovereign grace, by which the
everlasting salvation of all the chosen was secured from eternity (Psa. 65:4;
John 15:16; Eph. 1:3-6; 2 Thess. 2:13-14).
Predestination - Predestination is God’s sovereign, eternal
arrangement of all the affairs of the universe to secure the object of his
electing love, to secure the everlasting salvation of his adopted sons and
daughters . It is God’s plan, the blueprint by which he created the universe
and rules it in providence. This great, blessed work of God’s grace includes
all things and can never be altered. This, too, is a matter of such
unmistakable, clear revelation that ignorance of it is inexcusable (Acts 13:48;
Eph. 1:4, 5, 11; Rom. 8:29).
Redemption - Redemption is the ransom of chosen sinners out from
under the curse of God’s broken law and offended justice by the sacrificial,
substitutionary, sin-atoning death of our Lord Jesus. Redemption is the
satisfaction of justice by the blood of Christ and the deliverance of God’s
elect from all possibility of condemnation (Eph. 1:7; Gal. 3:13; Col. 1:14; 1
Pet. 1:18-20). The redemption of our souls by Christ’s shed blood also includes
and guaranteed the redemption (deliverance) of our souls from the bondage and
dominion of sin (Isa. 53:10-11), and the redemption of our bodies from the
grave at the resurrection (1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:14; 4:30). All who were redeemed
by the blood of Christ must and shall be saved by God’s grace in him.
Regeneration - Regeneration
is the new birth, the actual deliverance of chosen, redeemed sinners
from spiritual death into spiritual life by the effectual power and
irresistible grace of God the Holy Spirit (John 3:8; Eph.. 2:1-4; Col.
2:10-13). It is a resurrection from spiritual death to spiritual, eternal life
in Christ by the Spirit of God.
Providence - Providence is the glorious, though mysterious,
sovereign rule of the universe by God for the salvation of his people and the
praise, honor, and glory of his own great name (Rom. 8:28; 11:36; Eph. 1:11).
Providence is God working out in time what he purposed in eternity. Nothing is
more comforting, nothing inspires boldness, and nothing gives peace like a good
understanding of and a confident faith in God’s election, predestination,
redemption, regeneration, and providence.
Radio Sermon #573
Grace Baptist Church of Danville
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net