--- title: "Chapter 3: Of God’s Eternal Decree | Westminster Confession of Faith" description: "Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 3: Of God’s Eternal Decree 1. God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever c" canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=24" --- # Chapter 3: Of God’s Eternal Decree | Westminster Confession of Faith 1. God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. Scripture proofs: Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11:33; Heb. 6:17; Rom. 9:15, 18; Jas. 1:13, 17; 1 John 1:5; Acts 2:23; Matt. 17:12; Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11; Prov. 16:33. 2. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, yet hath He not decreed anything because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions. Scripture proofs: Acts 15:18; 1 Sam. 23:11-12; Matt. 11: 21, 23; Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18. 3. 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. Scripture proofs: 1 Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25:41; Rom. 9:22-23; Eph. 1:5-6; Prov. 16:4. 4. These angels and men, thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number is so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished. Scripture proofs: 2 Tim. 2:19; John 13:18. 5. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto: and all to the praise of His glorious grace. Scripture proofs: Eph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:9; Rom. 9:11, 13, 16; Eph. 1:4, 9; Eph. 1:6, 12. 6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power through faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only. Scripture proofs: 1 Pet. 1:2; Eph. 1:4-5; Eph. 2:10; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Thess. 5:9-10; Titus 2:14; Rom. 8:30; Eph. 1:5; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:5; John 17:9; Rom. 8:28-39; John 6:64-65; John 10:26; John 8:47; 1 John 2:19. 7. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extendeth or withholdeth mercy, as He pleaseth, for the glory of His sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath, for their sin, to the praise of His glorious justice. Scripture proofs: Matt. 11:25-26; Rom. 9:17-18, 21-22; 2 Tim. 2:19-20; Jude 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:8. 8. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel. Scripture proofs: Rom. 9:20; Rom. 11:33; Deut. 29:29; 2 Pet. 1:10; Eph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33; Rom. 11:5-6, 20; 2 Pet. 1:10; Rom. 8:33; Luke 10:20. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowDecreeGod’s wise, settled plan for what happens.ElectionGod’s gracious choice of people to save in Christ.PredestinationGod’s appointing a person’s final destiny beforehand. ### WCF 3.1 · God’s plan includes everything Before anything existed, God wisely and freely planned all that happens. His plan never changes. This does not make him the source of sin, force people against their wills, or remove real causes and choices. People act willingly and remain responsible. God’s rule and our real decisions belong together, even when we cannot fully explain how. Explore the ScripturesEphesians 1:11; Romans 11:33; Hebrews 6:17. Talk about itDoes God’s plan remove our responsibility for our choices? [Read original paragraph 1 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/#paragraph-1) ### WCF 3.2 · More than looking into the future God knows everything that could happen. But he did not make his plan by looking ahead to see what people would do and then following their lead. What happens rests on his wise purpose. Explore the ScripturesActs 15:18; 1 Samuel 23:11-12; Matthew 11:21. Talk about itDoes God’s plan depend on our giving him information? [Read original paragraph 2 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/#paragraph-2) ### WCF 3.3 · God’s eternal purpose God’s plan includes the eternal destiny of people and angels. Some are appointed to everlasting life, while others are appointed to everlasting judgment. This displays both his grace and his justice. These are serious truths that we should learn with humility. Explore the Scriptures1 Timothy 5:21; Matthew 25:41; Romans 9:22-23. Talk about itWhat does salvation show about God, and what does judgment show? [Read original paragraph 3 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/#paragraph-3) ### WCF 3.4 · God knows his people God has chosen particular people and angels, rather than an uncertain group. His purpose is settled: the number he has appointed does not grow or shrink. He knows exactly who belongs to him. Explore the Scriptures2 Timothy 2:19; John 13:18. Talk about itWhy can God’s people trust that he knows them? [Read original paragraph 4 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/#paragraph-4) ### WCF 3.5 · Chosen by grace Before the world began, God chose his people in Christ because of his free love and grace. He did not choose them because he foresaw that they would believe, do good works, or remain faithful. Their salvation gives the praise to him. Explore the ScripturesEphesians 1:4; Romans 8:30; 2 Timothy 1:9. Talk about itWhy does being chosen by grace leave no room for boasting? [Read original paragraph 5 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/#paragraph-5) ### WCF 3.6 · God plans the way as well as the end God’s plan includes how his chosen people come to salvation. Christ redeems them; the Spirit brings them to faith; God forgives, adopts, and makes them holy. He keeps them until glory. These saving gifts belong to his chosen people. Election does not make faith or the gospel unnecessary: God uses them to carry out his plan. Explore the Scriptures1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 2:10. Talk about itIf God plans salvation, why still preach the gospel? [Read original paragraph 6 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/#paragraph-6) ### WCF 3.7 · God’s judgment is just God is free to give mercy according to his wise purpose. He passes over others and appoints them to judgment for their sins. No one is punished for being innocent. We cannot fully search out his decisions, but his judgment is righteous. Explore the ScripturesMatthew 11:25-26; Romans 9:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:19-20. Talk about itWhat is the reason sinners deserve judgment? [Read original paragraph 7 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/#paragraph-7) ### WCF 3.8 · Learn this with humility God’s choice of his people is a deep mystery, so we should teach it carefully. We should listen to Scripture, obey the gospel, and find assurance as God’s saving work becomes clear in our lives. This teaching should lead to praise, humility, careful obedience, and comfort, rather than pride or guessing about God’s hidden plans. Explore the ScripturesRomans 9:20; Romans 11:33; Deuteronomy 29:29. Talk about itWhat attitudes should this teaching produce in us? [Read original paragraph 8 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/#paragraph-8) ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - How does knowing that God has a wise purpose help us trust Him? - Why should we still pray and obey when God rules over everything? #### Scripture to remember Ephesians 1:11 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Ephesians%201%3A11) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Bring one uncertain situation to God in prayer. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=24) ## Related reading - [Assurance of salvation](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/assurance-of-salvation/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 7: What are the decrees of God?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-7-what-are-the-decrees-of-god/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 12: What are the decrees of God?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-12-what-are-the-decrees-of-god/) - [Read RP Testimony chapter 3](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/) - [Chapter 2](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-2-god-and-of-the-holy-trinity/) - [Chapter 4](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-4-creation/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-3-gods-eternal-decree/