“As Many as were Ordained to Eternal Life Believed”

© 2017 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

 One day, while preaching in Antioch, the Apostle Paul announced that Christ’s gospel was open to both Jews and Gentiles.  This resulted in great rejoicing among the Gentiles present.

“And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48)

 The word “ordained” comes from the Greek word “tasso” meaning “chosen, or “appointed.”  It is a perfect passive participle.  This means the action was fully completed, in the past, by someone other than the one chosen.  Those who “believed” had been previously chosen to this end by God Himself.

God could have chosen not to save anyone.  He never saved fallen angels (Jude 1:6).  Without God’s initiative of choice, no one would be saved.  Fallen man is spiritually dead with no ability to choose that which is pleasing to God, including faith.

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:7-8)

God will certainly burden all His chosen ones to despise their sin.  When they cry to Him for mercy He will save them.  Then He will keep them, forever, because He never changes His mind.  God is immutable!

Jesus said,

 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

He makes the following promise.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.  I and my Father are one.” (John 10:27-30) 

The Apostle Paul confidently declares that when Jesus initiates life in a person’s heart, He will always bring it to a successful eternal conclusion.

 “…Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:…” (Philippians 1:6)

Do you have a faith in the crucified and risen Savior, which marks you as one “ordained to eternal life?”

.

You may leave comments for Tom & Kathy (website administrators) below.