Acts 13:48 Beyond Calvinism's Predestination

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

Acts 13:48 has long been a cornerstone for the Calvinistic doctrine of Unconditional Election. This short article endeavors to present a quick summary of the alternative interpretation, scrutinizing the original Greek text, its historical context, and broader theological implications.

The term “tetagmenoi,” commonly rendered as “ordained” or “appointed” in Acts 13:48, warrants a closer look. In the Greek, especially in its middle voice, it could convey a sense of self-appointment or self-preparation. This interpretation suggests the Gentiles in Acts 13:48 were actively predisposing themselves towards the gospel; rather than being the passive recipients of predestined election, they were not magnetized as if they were mentally zombies.

You see, Calvinistic theology believes human beings are mentally and morally like zombies because they cannot choose for themselves as everything was already predestined to happen (or else, to them, God isn’t Sovereign). However, at the same time, somehow you can choose, but can only choose evil. These ideas, by the way, are strongly reflected in some of your modern English translations.

Understanding the historical context of Acts is crucial as well. This passage occurs during a pivotal shift from Jewish to Gentile audiences in Christian history. The Gentiles’ eagerness to receive the gospel contrasts with the Jewish rejection in the same chapter, highlighting a theme of openness and receptivity rather than predestination.

Prof. Lumby from “The Cambridge Bible” explains,

In the controversies on predestination and election this sentence has constantly been brought forward. But it is manifestly unfair to take a sentence out of its context, and interpret it as if it stood alone. In Acts 13:46 we are told that the Jews had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, and all that is meant by the words in this verse is the opposite of that expression. The Jews were acting so as to proclaim themselves unworthy; the Gentiles were making manifest their desire to be deemed worthy.
Lumby in “The Acts of the Apostles” in The Cambridge Bible, p. 168.

Considering the “Jews vs. Gentiles” context, it can be said that the Gentiles as a group, though not every individual, were predisposed to accept the Gospel. It was their turn to hear of the God of Israel now that Israel had rejected Christ. In this sense, they were ordained to hear and receive.

This interpretation aligns with the broader narrative of the New Testament, which emphasizes human agency and the universal offer of salvation. It challenges the Calvinistic view by underscoring the dynamic interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. This view also resonates with various other scriptural passages that advocate for an inclusive understanding of the salvation plan of a God “who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4)

Logically, the Calvinistic concept of God raises a dilemma: He is either malevolent, if He indeed willed and predestined 99% of humanity to hell, or He is powerless, as evidenced by His apparent inability to present a convincing case to humanity, thus dramatically losing the battle of influence to the devil.

The Calvinistic reading of Acts 13:48 often overlooks the active role of faith and human response. By re-examining the original Greek and its context, it’s possible to argue that the passage does not necessarily support unconditional pre-election but rather indicates the opposite – a more inclusive and responsive understanding of salvation.

In summary, an extensive analysis¹ of Acts 13:48 suggests that the passage, when interpreted with consideration of its linguistic nuances, historical background, and theological context, does not unambiguously endorse the Calvinistic doctrine of Unconditional Election. Instead, it portrays a picture of the gospel’s universal reach and the significant role of human response in the journey of faith.

To learn an interpretation that encourages a more holistic and inclusive understanding of divine grace and human choice within the Christian faith, please consider my short book, “Free Will and Christianity: You or God—Who’s Really Buying This Book?“