| Question | What are the decrees of God? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. 1 |
The Baptist Catechism Set to Music
Benjamin Beddome’s Exposition
Hath God pre-determined all future events?
Yes.
He worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will,
Ephesians 1:11
Doth nothing then come by chance?
No.
The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposal thereof is of the Lord,
Proverbs 16:33
Do God’s decrees extend to the conduct of good men?
Yes.
They are created unto good works, which God hath before ordained that they should walk in them,
Ephesians 2:19
And to their salvation?
Yes.
They are vessels of mercy, which he hath afore prepared to glory,
Romans 9:23
Do God’s decrees extend to the conduct of wicked men?
Yes.
Him being delivered by the determinate counsel of God, ye by wicked hands have crucified and slain,
Acts 2:23
And to their destruction?
Yes.
Who were of old ordained to this condemnation,
Jude 4
Is it lawful for men to cavil at God’s decrees?
No.
Who art thou that repliest against God? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump, to make one vessel to honour, and another unto dishonour?
Romans 9:20
Are God’s decrees sovereign and free?
Yes.
They are according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:5
Are they eternal?
Yes.
For we are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world,
Ephesians 1:4
Are they infinitely wise?
Yes.
We read of the manifold wisdom of God according to his eternal purpose,
Ephesians 3:10–11
Are they most holy?
Yes.
Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth,
Isaiah 25:1
Are they impenetrable and unsearchable?
Yes.
Who hath known the mind of the Lord?
Romans 11:34
Are they absolute and unchangeable?
Yes.
He is in one mind, and who can turn him?
Job 23:13
Are they all calculated for his own glory?
Yes.
He hath made all things for himself,
Proverbs 16:4
Are all God’s decrees accomplished?
No.
He declares from ancient times the things that are not yet done,
Isaiah 46:10
But will they be all accomplished?
Yes.
Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass,
Isaiah 14:24
And will any thing come to pass that God hath not decreed?
No.
For who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
Lamentations 3:37
Should we be curious to know the divine decrees?
No.
For secret things belong to God,
Deuteronomy 29:29
Are God’s precepts then, and not his decrees, the rule of our conduct?
Yes.
Things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children,
Deuteronomy 29:29
The Westminster Larger Catechism
| Question | What are the decrees of God? |
|---|---|
| Answer | God's decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will, 1 whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, 2 especially concerning angels and men. |
| Question | What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men? |
|---|---|
| Answer | God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; 1 and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof: 2 and also, according to his sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will (whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favor as he pleases), hath passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice. 3 |