WLC 12

Q12. What are the decrees of God?

God's decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will, whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained: Whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men.

Proof texts

• Eph. 1:11 — [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,
• Rom. 9:14-15,18 — [14] What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! [15] For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” [18] So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
• Rom. 11:33 — [33] Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
• Eph. 1:4,11 — [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 [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,
• 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 —
• Ps. 33:11 — [11] The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Eph. 1:11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q8 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. BC 5.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q8 · BC 5.1 · CD 1.1