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Who first trusted in Christ

Ephesians 1:

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:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

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If you are bent on predestination and election, you would be quick to pick up the passage above. But mind you, the Apostle Paul's explanation about us being predestinated does not stop at verse 11 but continues through to the end of chapter 1.

So who are them that are predestinated? Verses 12 and 13 could not be any clearer that it is them who first trusted in Christ. And indeed predestination unto the adoption as sons of God cannot be had without first trusting in Christ. If it was so, then Christ' death would have been in vain. And so a person is predestinated unto the adoption of children:

1. Who first trusted in Christ;
2. After he had heard the word of truth which is the gospel, 
3. And after that he believed, is sealed with the Holy Spirit.
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