Presbyterian theology is built on the conviction that Romans 9:18-21 clearly teaches God's absolute sovereignty in salvation. The passage presents the imagery of the potter and clay: 'So then he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth' (Romans 9:18, KJV). The Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter III) makes predestination the first doctrine after the statement of Scripture's authority, emphasizing its foundational place in Presbyterian theology. God's eternal decree of election is not conditioned on foreseen faith or works in the creature; rather, it flows from God's eternal counsel and free grace.

The Westminster Standards teach that God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, including the salvation of the elect and the damnation of the reprobate, yet without being the author of sin or violating human responsibility. This double predestination — as it is sometimes called — is grounded in Romans 9-11 and other texts that teach God's absolute sovereignty. Paul's rhetorical question, 'Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?' (Romans 9:20) is understood to establish that human objections to God's decrees are silenced before the infinite wisdom and righteousness of God.