
Pastor David Jang’s Insights on God’s Predestination and Election
In his exposition of Acts 27, Pastor David Jang underscores that human life unfolds within the sphere of God’s predestination as a precious journey. The “predestination” he speaks of does not imply that human destiny is mechanically determined in advance. Rather, it is a reminder that God has a good and gracious will for each person, calls them according to that will, and leads them forward. Pastor David Jang describes this process as follows: “God chooses human beings, and through that choice, He sets them apart and guides them on a purposeful path.” In his view, the way to salvation is not an accidental opportunity, but the result of God’s profound providence planned even before the creation of the world.
He often emphasizes that this doctrine of predestination does not negate human freedom or render people passive. Instead, human beings, created by God, are called into a personal relationship with Him. Each person then participates in God’s intended will, utilizing their unique talents and characteristics. Thus, drawing a parallel to the Apostle Paul, Pastor David Jang cautions that if we ignore the mission God entrusts to us due to human fear or ignorance, we will eventually encounter even greater tribulation. God undoubtedly chose Paul, decreeing that Paul should go all the way to Rome to preach the gospel. Along the way, Paul faces storms at sea and experiences shipwreck, but in the end, God’s plan of salvation does not fail; it is accomplished. In this manner, God’s predestination includes an absolute preservation and guidance that surpasses human mistakes and weaknesses.
The essence of the predestination and election that Pastor David Jang highlights is “purpose” and “love.” It is not a blind force that drags people along or forces them onto a certain path through divine omnipotence. Rather, it is undergirded by God’s love, by which He treasures each individual and endows every life with deep meaning. Just as Acts 27 specifically mentions the number 276, God miraculously preserves the storyline of salvation that He has ordained. While Paul may have been on that ship merely as a “prisoner,” he was in fact the key figure in fulfilling God’s incredible purpose. On that vessel were Julius the centurion, various soldiers, sailors, other prisoners, and a diverse crowd. In the midst of this large gathering, Paul hears God’s message and proclaims it, ultimately becoming the main actor who saves everyone on board.
Pastor David Jang uses this fact to illustrate that “God’s predestination and election is not solely for one individual but contains an intention for the salvation of the entire community.” When the ship Paul was on faced a storm and was on the brink of disaster, the divine promise Paul received was not solely for Paul’s own survival. Rather, it was the community-oriented promise that “I will save all those who are with you.” He points out that the same principle applies today in churches and mission fields: when God calls a specific individual, those around that person are likewise invited to share in the grace of salvation. In a church community, one person’s faith can influence others, opening up a wider arena of salvation. Acts 16, in which the Philippian jailer is saved through Paul and Silas, and his entire household also comes to believe in the Lord, vividly exemplifies this dynamic.
Through his exposition of Acts, Pastor David Jang repeatedly imprints upon believers the faithfulness of God’s sovereign rule. Even if our lives are shaken like a ship caught in a tempest or cast into danger and suffering, in the end we can find our way and hold on to hope through God’s election and predestination. Indeed, there may be times in life when doors seem to shut and roads appear cut off. But even in such moments, God will open another way to lead us. Therefore, we must not despair. Pastor David Jang expresses it as follows: “Despair is a word that has no place in the vocabulary of a person of faith.” God’s providence is always good, and He is the One who grants hope to reverse our circumstances, even in the midst of despair.
Hence, Pastor David Jang’s theology of “predestination and election” ultimately begins with the confidence that “God surely has a good plan to accomplish through me.” This belief provides great spiritual and mental strength. Wherever we find ourselves—in any place or situation—God’s purpose and revelation are hidden there. Just as the many adversities Paul encountered on his journey to Rome were by no means accidental, the challenges we face today can likewise become occasions of salvation when we deeply trust and look to God.
Pastor David Jang teaches that this understanding plays a vital role in individual piety, communal life, and mission work. In churches, schools, and diverse mission fields, from a human standpoint, we may head in directions we cannot fully understand or discover opportunities in unexpected places. Yet his message is that “if the people chosen by God gather together in prayer, keep records, and act as a community of God’s work, they will experience God’s providence of opening other doors even when certain doors are shut.” Situations that appear impossible may, in God’s timing and location, lead to remarkable prosperity and bear beautiful fruit. Thus, Pastor David Jang’s emphasis on predestination and election stems from the firm faith that we must accept life’s journey in faith alone and that, in whatever manner God chooses, His plan will be fulfilled.
The Journey of Life and Faith in the Tempest: Applying Acts 27
Another core message Pastor David Jang aims to convey through Acts 27 is about maintaining one’s position and practicing God’s will in the midst of life’s storms. The scene of Paul boarding a ship for Rome is too dramatic to be overlooked. Paul is a prisoner under the custody of the centurion Julius, sharing the ship with other prisoners who are being taken to Rome, along with soldiers, sailors, the captain, and merchants. This vessel was a grain ship dependent on the wind and weather for navigation and speed since it was a sailing ship. In the first-century Mediterranean, voyages relied heavily on seasonal winds and currents. Accordingly, Acts 27 is remarkably detailed, largely because the “physician Luke,” who was there in person, wrote down the precise details of the journey.
Pastor David Jang highly values the detail in this account, encouraging us to become “faithful recorders like Luke.” When doing ministry or mission work, even what appears trivial can be of great significance in God’s plan, and these details can become a spiritual legacy for the next generation. For example, specifics such as the total number of 276 people on board, which port they departed from and where they arrived, how many days the wind opposed them, and what kind of wind blew, all visually demonstrate the history of faith and God’s providence of salvation. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that “human-recorded history” can be the trace of God’s works and serve as a means to save others in the future. When missionaries document their journeys, record the process of planting churches, or note the small and great graces experienced in daily life, future readers can be spiritually challenged and experience growth in faith.
He highlights Acts 27 in particular because this voyage symbolizes our own lives. Sometimes we sail smoothly with a fair wind, but at other times we encounter fierce winds and violent waves that cause seasickness, sometimes even bringing our ship to the brink of shipwreck. Paul, more perceptive than the experienced captain or sailors, anticipates the danger and warns that this voyage could result in severe loss and endanger lives. In this sense, a person of faith doesn’t merely speak of supernatural prophecy; they are active and wise enough to understand the realities and environment of their situation. On the mission field, you must know the culture, the terrain, the language and customs of the people, and formulate a practical plan to meet real needs. Pastor David Jang interprets that “true mission work begins when you love and understand the land and the people deeply, as Paul did.” He adds that Paul did not accuse the captain of lacking knowledge; rather, he was alerting them to the danger he had come to recognize through both God-given insight and practical experience.
Nevertheless, people often trust only the experts—the captain, the ship’s owner, or others involved in operating the ship—and ignore the counsel of the person of faith. Ultimately, as Paul predicted, the ship is caught in a violent storm, and for over two weeks they endure extreme fear and confusion, barely able to eat anything. In this situation, Paul’s role stands out dramatically. He boldly tells them, “Now keep up your courage,” declaring, “An angel of God stood beside me last night and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’” With this, he reveals that all 276 people will be saved. Pastor David Jang interprets this scene as showing “how one person’s faith can save countless lives.” Paul’s words immediately lift the people’s hearts from dread, giving them the courage and hope to keep going. In practical terms, Paul persuades them to eat, assuring them that “not a single hair will be lost.” His faith profoundly influences everyone, so that even though the ship eventually runs aground, not a single life is lost.
From this, Pastor David Jang encourages us, “We too must speak words of faith when our life’s ship is rocked by storms.” This faith is not empty optimism or baseless conviction but is founded on “the word of God.” Since God told Paul, “You must testify in Rome,” he could proclaim, “Surely the ship may be destroyed, but we will not lose our lives.” Through this, the severe crisis depicted in Acts 27 ultimately becomes an instrument of God’s providence. After the shipwreck, when they land on Malta (Melita), Paul seizes yet another opportunity to display miracles and witness the gospel. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that “the crises we face in life do not signify the end or lead to utter despair, but can instead become new starting points for ministry and grace.”
As we continue the voyage of life, storms may unexpectedly strike and shatter our well-laid plans and material foundations. Pastor David Jang asserts, “That is precisely the moment when faith should shine forth.” No matter how severe the trial, as long as we have God’s promise, He will save us and reopen the path of ministry we must fulfill. Without this assurance, we would be overwhelmed by the waves with no hope; but with it, even a single word or a single prayer can plant a great hope in those around us.
Pastor David Jang likens these stormy ordeals to “the seasickness of life’s rites of passage.” Even when we feel so miserable that we want to give up everything, if we endure just a bit longer, we will indeed see the “shoreline,” and eventually we will arrive at a harbor. Anyone who has experienced seasickness can attest to the enormous relief and sense of liberation upon spotting the harbor lights. He claims that the same applies in the voyage of faith. Although we may suffer severe hardship, God’s timing for us to come ashore will not be late. Our responsibility is to keep praying and encouraging each other, remaining steadfast at our core. Just as Paul, on the verge of shipwreck, told the sailors and prisoners, “Take heart, let’s eat, for God will save us,” Pastor David Jang insists that today’s church must likewise instill the strength to survive in those who are in pain and despair. Indeed, in actual ministry, he encourages spending time with people in need—those in poverty, battling illness, or trapped by fear—and exhorts believers to take on a role similar to Paul in Acts 27.
Such faith during life’s storms ultimately revitalizes the church and mission community. Pastors and church members pray together in unity, trusting God’s promise that “we will surely arrive at our destination.” Pastor David Jang recounts various testimonies and ministry reports to convey the truth that “No matter how strong the winds and waves, God’s promise remains unshaken.” Indeed, endeavors such as church expansion, constructing mission centers, or establishing schools often encounter the storms of insufficient budgets, administrative hurdles, or cultural conflicts. Yet if it truly is a path opened by God, the way will eventually clear, and a fresh revival will follow. “The storm at sea before reaching Rome” may well symbolize the multitude of difficulties missionaries encounter abroad, as well as the financial, organizational, or spiritual challenges that families or churches face. Confronted with these crises, the voice of faith—spoken by believers—becomes indispensable and can decisively alter the outcome. Using the story of Acts 27, Pastor David Jang strongly asserts how important and valuable that voice of faith is.
Recording and Testifying: Pastor David Jang’s Proposal for the Transmission of the Holy Spirit’s Work
Pastor David Jang repeatedly emphasizes “record everything” in his sermons. The accurate, detailed style of recording displayed by Luke in Acts 27 has, for two millennia, provided enormous grace and insight to countless churches and believers. If Luke had not documented the details of this voyage, we would never know how Paul traveled to Rome or how God’s salvation unfolded in that journey. From a human perspective, it is astounding that Luke found a way to write down such detailed observations while caught in such dire conditions on a tossing ship. Pastor David Jang describes this commitment to record as “a way of dedicating ourselves to God’s unfolding history.”
He advises church workers, missionaries, and lay leaders alike: “Record today’s events. Write down where you went, who you met, what grace you received, and what difficulties you faced. Be specific. This will become not only your personal heritage but a spiritual asset to the entire community.” He believes that the most priceless treasure the church can pass down to the next generation is not a building or funding, but the record of “the living work of the Holy Spirit,” a testimony that God is alive. To this end, Pastor David Jang suggests actively using diaries, evangelism logs, mission reports, photos, and videos—leveraging various media. In our digital age, recording and sharing materials has become much simpler; however, with so much information scattered across different formats, there is a concern that the essence of our faith journey might grow indistinct. Therefore, he insists on a conscious, systematic habit of documentation.
Indeed, Scripture itself is the fruit of recording. Oral traditions transmitted by word of mouth are easily altered or forgotten, but once meticulously written, a record can endure through time. If Luke had not detailed the harrowing experiences of the ship voyage, we would not know how God spoke and intervened to bring salvation. Because he did so, innumerable believers have been encouraged and comforted by this account for two thousand years. Therefore, Pastor David Jang maintains that churches and mission fields today, by recording in a similar manner, can provide for future generations to read our own accounts of God’s works and be led to praise Him.
Having visited numerous ministry sites, Pastor David Jang often laments that in some places the “tradition of record-keeping” has been lost. As a result, the revival and grace once witnessed by earlier generations have not been adequately passed down. Well-documented archives or records would allow future pastors or workers to review them and exclaim, “Ah, God performed such amazing works here!”—and that revelation could spark renewed faith, ultimately leading the community into revival once more. Without such records, however, we cannot effectively rediscover the mistakes, blessings, or historical decisions of our predecessors, and so risk losing our spiritual heritage. Thus, he likens it to “becoming the Luke of Acts 27.” Despite terrible conditions, Luke preserved his motivation to record, leaving behind a powerful testimony for the church in subsequent eras.
He further points out that we should not limit our writing to only success stories or spectacular miracles. Sometimes, it is the failures, hardships, human conflicts, and financial struggles of ministry that future readers find most instructive. Paul’s maritime journey was not a straightforward victory. Dozens of people were simultaneously seasick, and they were forced to jettison their cargo and equipment into the sea. Yet Luke documented all of that detail, and as a result, today we can relate our crises to theirs, realizing that the same God who worked for Paul can work for us in our hopelessness. Pastor David Jang calls this style of documentation—encompassing both glory and shame, joy and sorrow, success and failure—“the Holy Spirit’s method of transmitting history.”
The same holds true in modern church or mission work. Sometimes circumstances force us to shut down a ministry site and temporarily withdraw. However, everything that happened there does not become meaningless. By carefully recording how many people heard the gospel, and what lessons we learned, we equip ourselves to resume ministry more effectively and in a healthier direction whenever God reopens the door. Moreover, as time passes and a previously closed door reopens wide, those who read our records will realize: “Truly, God faithfully advances His saving work,” and they will witness the miraculous turn of events.
Pastor David Jang encourages believers to apply this principle of documentation to their personal lives as well. Anyone can reflect on their day and write about God’s providence, the people they encountered, the sights they saw, the message God granted, the gratitude they felt, or the songs of praise that rose in their hearts. Such records become a crucial medium connecting us to God. Sometimes the Holy Spirit’s touch on our souls can be captured in a short sentence, other times in a lengthy journal entry. In either case, once recorded, the impression does not fade quickly but endures. And when we revisit these writings later, we can remember how we suffered and how God worked through our trials, how weak we were, and how we eventually recovered and grew. Consequently, we can lift up fresh thanksgiving and praise.
Furthermore, Pastor David Jang emphasizes the “missionary ripple effect” inherent in recording and witnessing. In this era, we do not just write with a pen and paper; we can also share our testimonies through videos, social media, and photo exhibitions. Just as Luke’s account of Acts 27 has been read, preached, and meditated upon all around the world for 2,000 years, the records we produce today may similarly serve to save countless souls in the future. Just as Paul, in the midst of the raging storm, confidently proclaimed, “Do not be afraid, for God has promised to save everyone with you,” our own personal records can deliver the gospel message to those consumed by anxiety and dread in our day.
Pastor David Jang cites various mission fields across the globe as examples. Some regions have such volatile political climates that workers are swiftly expelled. Others face severe financial hardships and cannot see beyond a month’s budget. Still, if the experiences of those few weeks or months are carefully recorded, whenever a new worker arrives in the same area, they can use that record to plan safer, more effective outreach. Crucially, reading about the tears, prayers, struggles, and grace of those who labored before them ignites renewed passion and commitment in these new workers.
Hence, the necessity of “recording and witnessing” Pastor David Jang champions is not merely about archiving information. It is, at its core, the primary means for “transmitting the work of the Holy Spirit.” Scripture, the outstanding revivals in church history, and the diaries and reports of missionaries—all are records of how people in each era encountered God, how they obeyed His word, and what miracles and blessings transpired. We read and learn from them, recognizing that the same God works among us today.
Ultimately, Pastor David Jang calls believers to “live like Paul and Luke.” Even if life’s voyage is far from smooth and threatens shipwreck through fierce winds and waves, we must hold firmly to God’s predestination and election, stand on His word, and proclaim our unshakable hope. Moreover, by diligently recording all our experiences, we enable our communities and future generations to find strength in reading them. Just as Paul’s single voice and actions saved 276 souls amid the storm, our own words can rescue countless people from despair in this era.
In that regard, Pastor David Jang’s emphasis on “God’s predestination and election” is a fresh reminder of how significant each human life is. No one’s life is insignificant or inferior to another’s; indeed, “the record and testimony of one person” can influence an entire community, even the global church, and shape future generations. And because “the voyage of life and faith in the storms” is a universal human experience, the story of Paul still resonates deeply with readers today. In a similar way, our immediate struggles and hardships, when documented, can someday offer a powerful narrative of hope for others.
Conclusion: Three Core Teachings from Acts 27 According to Pastor David Jang
In summary, using Acts 27 as his foundation, Pastor David Jang repeatedly emphasizes three main points:
Our lives are under God’s predestination and election, in which His love and purpose for mankind are unmistakably revealed.
The times when life’s journey collides with raging storms are precisely when faith is most desperately needed, compelling us to hold on to God’s promises and help save those around us, just as Paul did.
Through recording and testimony, the work of the Holy Spirit is transmitted to future generations. Following Luke’s example, we must never give up on meticulous documentation, no matter the circumstances.
These three teachings are the key lessons Pastor David Jang consistently conveys from Acts 27 to churches and believers. They are as relevant today as ever. Each of us can become a Paul, and each of us can become a Luke, perpetually bearing witness to “God’s ongoing work of salvation.” That, Pastor David Jang contends, is the essential mission of any faith community.
By linking the events in Acts to modern church challenges, Pastor David Jang stresses that the word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit are not confined to a specific era or location. The fierce storm at sea that Paul faced on his final leg to Rome was not the story of one man’s failure or misfortune. Instead, it became a mysterious occasion of salvation for everyone aboard and laid the groundwork for Paul’s gospel ministry in Rome. Thanks to Luke’s careful recording of every detail, even two thousand years later we can still read of those events and praise the same God who is alive today. Just as countless people around the world continue to witness doors reopening, hope arising in the midst of despair, and even storms turning into opportunities for the gospel—Pastor David Jang reiterates that these miracles persist wherever the God of Acts still reigns.
In the end, the most crucial elements are the faith that “God has already predestined and chosen,” the unchanging posture of trust “in any storm,” and the intentional “recording of every moment” to share with those who come after us. Pastor David Jang teaches that these three elements strengthen the genuine church community, broaden the horizon of mission, and deepen the faith of each believer. In every generation and every congregation, the living presence of God in Acts 27 is still at work today. As in Paul’s bold declaration—“Do not be afraid”—those words can be engraved on our hearts, enabling faith communities to walk their given paths steadfastly. Everyone who experiences God’s predestination, election, and faithful guidance can live with hope in a world of turmoil, ultimately sharing in the overwhelming joy of salvation together. And by leaving a written record of these testimonies, we join the grand story of the Holy Spirit’s work until the very end of the age—fulfilling the vision of a church that truly embodies the spirit of Acts that Pastor David Jang has long proclaimed and dreamed of.