1689 3.5

1689 London Baptist Confession

3.5. Of God's Decree

Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret Councel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his meer free grace and love; without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.

Proof texts

Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11 — [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Romans 8:30 — [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
2 Timothy 1:9 — [9] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
1 Thessalonians 5:9 — [9] For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 9:13, 16 — [13] As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” [16] So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Ephesians 2:5, 12 — [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — [12] remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q7 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q8 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q7 · WSC Q8 · WLC Q12 · WLC Q13 · WLC Q14 · WCF 3.1 · BC 5.1 · CD 1.1 · SD 3.1