Ordained - Predestinated - Appointed

“Believe” in Acts: Part 10: What is it to be Ordained, Determined, Appointed, Addicted or Disposed to Believe?:

In Faith Study Vol 4, No 25we examined the 14th occasion of the word “believe” in Acts when the Apostle Paul pronouncing temporary blindness on the Jewish false prophet/ magician Barjesus, or Elymas, who was associated with Sergius Paulus, the Roman Governor of the Island of Crete. Sergius Paulus was a prudent man who called for Barnabas and Saul to tell him about the Word of God but Barjesus Elymas withstood Barnabas and Saul, trying to turn Sergious Paulus away from the faith. Never the less, Sergius Paulus believed the Gospel, Acts 13:6 - 126 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

. From this point on in Acts, Saul is referred to as Paul and he is prominent in the ministry. This incident typifies the blindness that fell on the Nation of Israel while the Gentiles turned to the Lord in the Gospel preached by the Apostle Paul. Paul, Barnabas and John Mark then sailed from Cyprus to Perga in Pamphilla where John Mark left and returned to Jerusalem, Acts 13:1313 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

. John Mark’s departure at this time became a bone of contention between Paul and Barnabas, Acts 15:36 - 3936 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

.

Paul and Barnabas traveled from Perga to Antioch in Pisidia (Antioch was the Capital of the Roman colony Pisidia) where they went to the Synagogue on the Sabbath. After the Old Testament (OT) Scriptures were read the rulers of the Synagogue asked them to speak. Paul addressed them as “ye men of Israel” and “ye that fear God,” the latter referring to Gentiles in attendance. Paul told how God had elevated or lifted-up Israel when He brought them out of Egypt; put up with them for 40 years in the wilderness; destroyed seven (7) Canaanite Nations; divided their land among Israel and ruled them by Judges for 450 years. Then when they wanted a King he gave them Saul for 40 years after which he removed him and raised up David as King, a man after His own heart, and promised that in David He would fulfill His Will. God fulfilled that promise with Israel’s Savior - Jesus, of the seed of David. Paul went on to describe John the Baptist’s ministry, who introduced Jesus to Israel with the baptism of repentance, Acts 13:14 - 2514 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

.

Paul said this Word of Salvation was now sent to the Jews and the others who feared God in the audience (Gentiles) because the Jews and their rulers in Jerusalem didn’t know Jesus and had fulfilled the prophesies of the OT when they condemned and desired Pilot kill Him. All this had been prophesied and written of Him. They buried Jesus Christ but God raised Him from the dead and many people witnessed He was alive. Paul said he was declaring the Gospel or good news that God had fulfilled the promise He made to Israel’s Fathers; that is, He raised up His Son and could say “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee” and The Lord Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, will live forever, as also was promised King David, Acts 13:26 - 3526 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

30 But God raised him from the dead:

31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

, Psalms 2:77 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

. Paul pointed out that although these promises were given to David; David had died but Jesus Christ was alive, thus forgiveness of sins came through Jesus Christ and that all who believe are justified, which the Law of Moses could not do, Acts 13:35 - 3935 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

. Thus, this 15th occurrence of the word “believe” teaches that all who believe are forgiven their sins and stand justified before God.

The 16th occurrence of “believe” is in the context of Paul’s warning to that same audience; to beware of what the OT prophets foretold: “Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.” Acts 13:40 & 4140 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

from Habakkuk 1:55 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

. After they left the Synagogue, many of the Jews and proselytes (Gentiles) followed Paul and Barnabas, who persuaded or urged them to continue in the Grace of God. The Gentiles asked Paul to come back and preach the next Sabbath, Acts 13:42 & 4342 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

and when he did, almost the entire population of the city came to hear him; “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” Acts 13:44 & 4544 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

. Paul and Barnabas told the Jews it was necessary for them to preach the Gospel to them but since they rejected it and judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, they were turning to the Gentiles, Acts 13:4646 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

. We note Paul continued throughout Acts to go to Synagogues and preach to Jews, but as a Nation, Israel continued to reject the Gospel. Acts 13:46 is the first of three times in Acts when Paul declared that since the Jews would not heed the Gospel, he was turning to the Gentiles; the next is Acts 18:66 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

and the third and final time is Acts 28:2828 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

. (Three in Scripture is the number for Divine perfection.) Noted also is that even though God sent Paul to the Gentiles, Acts 22:2121 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

; Romans 11:1313 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

, which had never occurred before, Paul continued to have a great burden for his fellow Jews, Romans 9:1 - 31 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

; 10:1 - 4.

The next Sabbath Paul told the audience: “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 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. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” Acts 13:47 - 4947 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

48 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.

49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

. Here in Acts 13:4848 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.

48 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.

is the 17th occasion of the word “believe.” The word “ordained,” describing the disposition of those who believed is instructive; i.e., “as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” “Ordained” is from the Greek word “tasso” (G4921) found only 8 times in the KJV New Testament (NT) where it is translated with 5 different English words; “appointed, set, ordained, determined and addicted.” I asked a friend in Greece what the word “tasso” meant and she responded “determine,” “set” or “define” but she thought that in the OT it means “promise” or “make a vow.” Since words in Scripture are defined by their use in Scripture, the passages in which the word “tasso” are found with the translation highlighted are listed as follows for your review:

•“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.” Matthew 28:1616 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

.

•“For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.” Luke 7:88 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

.

•“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.” Acts 15:1 & 21 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

.

•“And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.” Acts 22:1010 And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

.

•“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” Acts 28:2323 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

.

•“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13:11 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

.

•“I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)” 1 Corinthians 16:1515 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

.

With these references in mind, you are invited to consider the verse under study:

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

The use of Greek word “tasso” in this verse naturally makes us think of predestination, from the Greek word “prooridzo” (G4209) found 6 times in the NT. It is translated “determined before, predestinated and ordained.” My friend in Greece said “prooridzo” indeed means “predestinate” or “destine.” Each passage in which it is used are provided as follows for your consideration:

•“The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” Acts 4:26 - 2826 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

.

•“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8:29 & 3029 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

.

•“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:” 1 Corinthians 2:6 & 76 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

.

•“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” Ephesians 1:4 & 54 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

.

•“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” Ephesians 1:10 & 1110 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

.