Foreknowledge:

"Knowing or foretelling beforehand" also "to know with affection." 

Election:

"Select" or "choose" 

Predestine:

"Decide beforehand; marking off in advance"

It is always used of God decreeing from eternity.

I. Truths all should agree on

1. Salvation is from beginning to end the work of God.

2. Salvation is by grace through faith alone.

3. God's purpose is that we would be conformed to the image of His Son.

4. God takes the initiative in our salvation.

II. Conflict of "limited atonement" with other passages of Scripture

"'As I live,' declares the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live...'"

--Ezekiel 33:11

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

--John 3:16

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

--II Peter 2:2

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

--I John 2:2

III. The two main dangers of predestination as "limited atonement"

1. If you accept predestination as God choosing some to be saved, then you have to accept double predestination that God chooses others to damnation.

2. It reduces the urgency and need for personal evangelism and missions.

IV. Bottom line: The sovereignty of God and human responsibility is an antimony.

"An antimony exists when a pair of principles stand side by side, seemingly irreconcilable, yet both undeniable. There are cogent reasons for believing each of them; each rests on clear and solid evidence; but it is a mystery to you how they can be squared with each other. You see that each must be true on its own, but you do not see how they can both be true together."

--J.I. Packer