WCF 3.3
Westminster Confession of Faith
3.3. Of God’s Eternal Decree
By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death.
Proof texts
- 1 Tim. 5:21 — [21] In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
- Matt. 25:41 — [41] “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- Rom. 9:22, 23 — [22] What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, [23] in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory —
- Eph. 1:5, 6 — [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
- Prov. 16:4 — [4] The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 Tim. 5:21 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 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?
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Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): these Sections proceed to affirm, by way of specification, the following propositions : ]st. The decree of God determines that, out of the mass of fallen humanity, certain individuals shall attain to eternal salvation, and that the rest shall be left to be dealt with justly for their sins. 2d. That this determination is unchangeable. 3d. That it is not conditioned upon foreseen faith or good works or perseverance, but that in each case it rests upon sovereign grace and personal love according to the secret counsel of his will. 4th. That the ultimate end or motive in his election is the manifestation of his own glory, the praise of his glorious grace. 1st. The decree of God determines that…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): The decree of God, with respect to the everlasting state of angels and men, is known by the name of predestination ; and this consists of two branches, generally distinguished by the names of election and reprobation. That part of the angels were elected is inferred from that passage of Scripture in which the elect angels are mentioned. 1 Tim. V. 21. Of the fallen angels two apostles make express mention. 2 Pet ii. 4; Jude 6. Thus the election of a part of the angels is explicitly taught in Scripture, and the non-election of others is necessarily implied ; for election is a relative term, and necessarily involves the idea of rejection. Of the decree of election, as it…