An Interactive Exploration of Chapter III of the Westminster Confession of Faith
This chapter addresses one of the most profound topics in theology: God's sovereign plan for all things. To make these deep concepts more accessible, select a theme below to begin your exploration.
The Confession begins by establishing the absolute sovereignty of God over all of creation and history. His decree is not a reaction to events, but the eternal and unchangeable cause of them, yet in a way that establishes rather than destroys the freedom and reality of the created world.
"God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established."
EPH 1:11, ROM 11:33, HEB 6:17, JAM 1:13, ACT 2:23
The Confession makes a crucial distinction between God as the Primary Cause and the actions of creatures as Secondary Causes. God's decree works through, not against, the free choices of people and the laws of nature. Hover over the elements below to learn more.
"Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions; yet has He not decreed anything because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions."
This means God's plan is not a reaction. He doesn't look into the future, see what we will do, and then make His plan. Instead, things are future because He has planned them. His decree is the cause of the future, not the other way around.
ROM 9:11-18, ACT 15:18
From the general decree, the Confession moves to its most specific application: the eternal destinies of angels and men. This is the doctrine of predestination, which is presented as having two aspects, both designed for a single ultimate purpose.
"By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death."
1TI 5:21, ROM 9:22-23, PRO 16:4
The ultimate reason for this twofold decree is singular: "the manifestation of His glory." This glory is revealed in two distinct ways. Click the central box below.
In saving the elect.
In condemning the reprobate for their sin.
"These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished."
2TI 2:19, JOH 13:18
This section focuses on the positive side of predestination: God's gracious choice to save some. It details the unconditional basis of this choice and the sequence of actions God takes to bring His chosen people to glory.
"Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God... has chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto; and all to the praise of His glorious grace."
Hover over the chart to see the basis of election.
God doesn't just ordain the end (salvation), but also the means to get there. Click on each link in the chain to see the description and scriptural proofs.
"Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only." JOH 17:9, ROM 8:28
The Confession concludes by explaining how this "high mystery" should be handled and the practical, spiritual benefits it should produce in the life of a believer. It is not meant for idle speculation, but for pastoral nourishment.
"The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men, attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election."
In other words, assurance of election doesn't come from trying to peek into God's secret decree, but from seeing the fruit of His revealed will (the Gospel) in your life through faith and obedience.
ROM 9:20, DEU 29:29, 2PE 1:10
When rightly understood, this doctrine should produce the following in all who sincerely obey the Gospel. Click each card to expand.
The Confession treats the decree concerning the non-elect ("the rest of mankind") with careful asymmetry. God was pleased to:
The cause of election is God's grace alone. The cause of condemnation is the person's own sin, for which they are justly judged. This is to the praise of His "glorious justice."
MAT 11:25-26, ROM 9:17-22, 1PE 2:8