Post by Jesse Morrell on Dec 17, 2007 10:28:20 GMT -5
THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION
“Behold, now is the day of salvation” 2Corinthians 6:2
This session will cover:
- What Salvation is
- The necessity of salvation
- The conditions of salvation
- The nature of salvation
- The marks of salvation
- What salvation is not
- How salvation is brought about
- When salvation occurs
- What keeps men back from salvation
WHAT IS SALVATION?
Salvation is the reconciliation of sinful men with a holy God; saving man from wrath, sin, and this present world; bringing man into a right relationship with God.
Charles Finney defined salvation this way:
Salvation: to be saved from the power and penalty of sin by being in a present right relationship with God and our fellowmen. To be in a state of salvation is to be reconciled to God, to have a personal intimate relationship with Him; to love Him supremely and our fellowmen equally.
Reconcile: to restore to friendship, compatibility, or harmony, to adjust or settle differences; to restore to favor.
- Salvation is an intelligent choice to be reconciled unto God. (Ezekiel 18:28, Matthew 7:24, Matthew 25:2, Luke 15:17)
- Salvation is a voluntary choice to be reconciled unto God. (2Corinthians 5:20, Romans 6:17), requiring a decision of the will to deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus (Matt 16:24, Mark 8:32, Luke 9:23), a radical decision to forsake all and follow him. (Luke 14:26, Luke 14:27, Luke 14:33)
The necessity of salvation:
• God has given good Laws to His Universe to keep His Universe safe from what is harmful, and to promote what is beneficial. (Deut 6:3, Deut 6:24, Deut 10:12-13, Jer 7:23, Jer 32:39, Luke 6:9)
• Each man, by his own voluntary choice, has chosen to rebel against God by sinning (Jeremiah 5:23, Luke 19:14, 1Peter 2:25), thereby they have “corrupted themselves” (Exo 32:7, Deut 9:12, Deut 32:5, Judges 2:19, Hosea 9:9)
• This rebellion against the Laws of God creates enmity against God and man, making man the enemy of God. (Luke 19:27, Romans 5:10, Hebrews 10:27)
• God holds each individual responsible for their personal transgressions of His Law. (Ezekiel 18:3-4, Ezekiel 18:19-28, 2Corinthians 5:10)
• Man justly deserves the wrath and anger of God, who is righteous and holy and must condemn all sin whenever, and in whomever, it is found. There is no partiality to the justice of God. Justice by nature must be impartial. (Romans 1:18, Romans 8:13, Hebrews 10:26-31)
• God’s justice would be entirely satisfied if He let all men go to hell, but His love for men compels Him to find a way of reconciliation. (Ezekiel 18:32, Ezekiel 33:11, John 3:16, 2Peter 3:9)
• God has a gracious disposition towards men and is ready to forgive and restore them whenever it is save for Him to do so. (Ps 86:5, 2Peter 3:9)
Salvation is conditional:
Salvation occurs when God forgives men their sins (Acts 5:31, Acts 13:38, Acts 26:18, Eph 1:7, Col 1:14) and pardons their debts (Matt 6:12, Matt 18:27, Luke 7:42). But God will only pardon man’s rebellion upon specific terms which render the forgiveness of sins a safe and wise act for His universe. Since sin is rebellion against the Government of God, there are governmental obstacles which need to be overcome in order for God to pardon our debt.
1. There must be a blood atonement: God will only set aside our punishment and forgive our sin if there is an atonement to substitute the place of our punishment. (Exodus 12:13, Hebrews 9:22)
2. There must repentance from sin: Since sin is the root of the problem which causes the enmity between God and man, the barrier of sin must be removed for reconciliation to occur. (Matthew 9:13, Luke 13:3, Luke 24:47, Acts 17:30-31, 2Peter 3:9, 2Corinthians 7:10)
3. There must be faith in Jesus Christ: a sinner must believe in the grace of God made possible through the atonement and must trust Jesus Christ in order to follow Jesus Christ. (John 3:18, John 6:29, Luke 8:12, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:43, Acts 15:11, Acts 16:31, Romans 9:10)
When these three conditions are met, reconciliation occurs between God and man, and they enter into a happy loving relationship with peace and harmony.
Salvation is threefold:
1. Saved from the wrath of God - justification. (Romans 5:9)
Salvation saves a man from the wrath of God, bringing him under the grace of God.
2. Saved from sin – regeneration. (Matthew 1:21, Romans 6:18, Romans 6:22, Romans 8:2)
Salvation saves man from the power of sin, bringing him under the power of God.
3. Saved from this generation/world – sanctification. (Acts 2:40, 1Corinthians 6:11, Ephesians 2:1-2, Galatians 1:4)
Salvation saves a man from the course of this world, from serving the devil, so that he starts living for the world to come, serving God and seeking to please Him supremely. The born again experience includes justification, regeneration, and sanctification.
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God [regeneration], that they may receive the forgiveness of sins [justification], and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me [sanctification].” Acts 26:18
The Marks of Salvation:
What salvation is not:
1. Salvation is not unconditional, but conditional. (Exodus 12:13, Hebrews 9:22, Matthew 9:13, Luke 13:3, Luke 24:47, 2Peter 3:9, 2Corinthians 7:10, John 3:18, John 6:29, Luke 8:12, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:43, Acts 15:11, Acts 16:31, Romans 9:10)
Likewise, condemnation is not unconditional, but conditional. (Ezekiel 18:4, 18:20, John 3:18, Romans 6:23)
2. Salvation is not a license to sin (Romans 6:1-2, Jude 1:4), but freedom from sin. (John 8:36, Romans 6:18, Romans 6:22, Romans 8:2)
3. Salvation is not fire insurance, but it is a love relationship. (John 17:3, Romans 2:4, 1John 4:19)
How salvation is brought about:
The Agency of God:
- Salvation is brought about by the drawing of the Father. (Isaiah 65:2, John 6:37, John 6:44)
- The Spirit uses the instrument of truth to convert souls (John 8:32, 1Tim 2:4, 2Peter 1:2, Titus 2:11-12)
- The Spirit reasons and persuades men to surrender unto God. (Isaiah 1:18, John 16:8)
The Agency of Christians:
- God uses men in the salvation of sinners (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 15:12, Acts 16:17, 1Corinthians 3:6, 1Corinthians 3:9, 2Corinthians 5:18-20, James 5:20)
- Men are to preach the truth for salvation of sinners. (Romans 10:13-15)
- Men are to reason and persuade men to surrender unto God. (Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4, Acts 18:19, Acts 24:25, Romans 12:1)
- God uses Holy Spirit filled men to reconcile sinners unto God. (Luke 24:47-49)
When salvation occurs:
- When men voluntarily respond to the call of the gospel (2Chron 7:14, Romans 10:13, 2Thess 1:8) by repenting of his sins (Matthew 9:13, Luke 13:3, Luke 24:47, Acts 17:30-31, 2Peter 3:9, 2Corinthians 7:10) and trusting in Jesus Christ (John 3:18, John 6:29, Luke 8:12, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:43, Acts 15:11, Acts 16:31, Romans 9:10).
- The call of the gospel is to forsake everything and follow Christ (Matt 16:24, Mark 8:32, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:26, Luke 14:27, Luke 14:33
- The moment a sinner surrenders everything to God is the moment that God forgives him of all His past sins. (Luke 17:3-4, Romans 3:25, Acts 2:37-38,)
What keeps men back from salvation:
- God is ready to forgive all men their sin. (Ps 86:5, 2Peter 3:9)
- The atonement has been made for the whole world. (John 3:16, 1John 2:2)
- The only thing that keeps men from salvation, once they hear the gospel, is:
• Their own unwillingness to repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ (Matt 11:21, Matt 23:37, Mark 6:6, Luke 7:30, Luke 13:34, Luke 14:17-18, Luke 19:14, Luke 19:27, John 5:40, Revelations 2:21).
• Men voluntarily resist and grieve the Holy Spirit. (Matt 12:31, Acts 7:51, Ephesians 4:30)
• Men voluntary choose to disobey the gospel. (Romans 10:13, 2Thess 1:8)
“Behold, now is the day of salvation” 2Corinthians 6:2
This session will cover:
- What Salvation is
- The necessity of salvation
- The conditions of salvation
- The nature of salvation
- The marks of salvation
- What salvation is not
- How salvation is brought about
- When salvation occurs
- What keeps men back from salvation
WHAT IS SALVATION?
Salvation is the reconciliation of sinful men with a holy God; saving man from wrath, sin, and this present world; bringing man into a right relationship with God.
Charles Finney defined salvation this way:
Salvation: to be saved from the power and penalty of sin by being in a present right relationship with God and our fellowmen. To be in a state of salvation is to be reconciled to God, to have a personal intimate relationship with Him; to love Him supremely and our fellowmen equally.
Reconcile: to restore to friendship, compatibility, or harmony, to adjust or settle differences; to restore to favor.
- Salvation is an intelligent choice to be reconciled unto God. (Ezekiel 18:28, Matthew 7:24, Matthew 25:2, Luke 15:17)
- Salvation is a voluntary choice to be reconciled unto God. (2Corinthians 5:20, Romans 6:17), requiring a decision of the will to deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus (Matt 16:24, Mark 8:32, Luke 9:23), a radical decision to forsake all and follow him. (Luke 14:26, Luke 14:27, Luke 14:33)
The necessity of salvation:
• God has given good Laws to His Universe to keep His Universe safe from what is harmful, and to promote what is beneficial. (Deut 6:3, Deut 6:24, Deut 10:12-13, Jer 7:23, Jer 32:39, Luke 6:9)
• Each man, by his own voluntary choice, has chosen to rebel against God by sinning (Jeremiah 5:23, Luke 19:14, 1Peter 2:25), thereby they have “corrupted themselves” (Exo 32:7, Deut 9:12, Deut 32:5, Judges 2:19, Hosea 9:9)
• This rebellion against the Laws of God creates enmity against God and man, making man the enemy of God. (Luke 19:27, Romans 5:10, Hebrews 10:27)
• God holds each individual responsible for their personal transgressions of His Law. (Ezekiel 18:3-4, Ezekiel 18:19-28, 2Corinthians 5:10)
• Man justly deserves the wrath and anger of God, who is righteous and holy and must condemn all sin whenever, and in whomever, it is found. There is no partiality to the justice of God. Justice by nature must be impartial. (Romans 1:18, Romans 8:13, Hebrews 10:26-31)
• God’s justice would be entirely satisfied if He let all men go to hell, but His love for men compels Him to find a way of reconciliation. (Ezekiel 18:32, Ezekiel 33:11, John 3:16, 2Peter 3:9)
• God has a gracious disposition towards men and is ready to forgive and restore them whenever it is save for Him to do so. (Ps 86:5, 2Peter 3:9)
Salvation is conditional:
Salvation occurs when God forgives men their sins (Acts 5:31, Acts 13:38, Acts 26:18, Eph 1:7, Col 1:14) and pardons their debts (Matt 6:12, Matt 18:27, Luke 7:42). But God will only pardon man’s rebellion upon specific terms which render the forgiveness of sins a safe and wise act for His universe. Since sin is rebellion against the Government of God, there are governmental obstacles which need to be overcome in order for God to pardon our debt.
1. There must be a blood atonement: God will only set aside our punishment and forgive our sin if there is an atonement to substitute the place of our punishment. (Exodus 12:13, Hebrews 9:22)
2. There must repentance from sin: Since sin is the root of the problem which causes the enmity between God and man, the barrier of sin must be removed for reconciliation to occur. (Matthew 9:13, Luke 13:3, Luke 24:47, Acts 17:30-31, 2Peter 3:9, 2Corinthians 7:10)
3. There must be faith in Jesus Christ: a sinner must believe in the grace of God made possible through the atonement and must trust Jesus Christ in order to follow Jesus Christ. (John 3:18, John 6:29, Luke 8:12, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:43, Acts 15:11, Acts 16:31, Romans 9:10)
When these three conditions are met, reconciliation occurs between God and man, and they enter into a happy loving relationship with peace and harmony.
Salvation is threefold:
1. Saved from the wrath of God - justification. (Romans 5:9)
Salvation saves a man from the wrath of God, bringing him under the grace of God.
2. Saved from sin – regeneration. (Matthew 1:21, Romans 6:18, Romans 6:22, Romans 8:2)
Salvation saves man from the power of sin, bringing him under the power of God.
3. Saved from this generation/world – sanctification. (Acts 2:40, 1Corinthians 6:11, Ephesians 2:1-2, Galatians 1:4)
Salvation saves a man from the course of this world, from serving the devil, so that he starts living for the world to come, serving God and seeking to please Him supremely. The born again experience includes justification, regeneration, and sanctification.
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God [regeneration], that they may receive the forgiveness of sins [justification], and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me [sanctification].” Acts 26:18
The Marks of Salvation:
What salvation is not:
1. Salvation is not unconditional, but conditional. (Exodus 12:13, Hebrews 9:22, Matthew 9:13, Luke 13:3, Luke 24:47, 2Peter 3:9, 2Corinthians 7:10, John 3:18, John 6:29, Luke 8:12, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:43, Acts 15:11, Acts 16:31, Romans 9:10)
Likewise, condemnation is not unconditional, but conditional. (Ezekiel 18:4, 18:20, John 3:18, Romans 6:23)
2. Salvation is not a license to sin (Romans 6:1-2, Jude 1:4), but freedom from sin. (John 8:36, Romans 6:18, Romans 6:22, Romans 8:2)
3. Salvation is not fire insurance, but it is a love relationship. (John 17:3, Romans 2:4, 1John 4:19)
How salvation is brought about:
The Agency of God:
- Salvation is brought about by the drawing of the Father. (Isaiah 65:2, John 6:37, John 6:44)
- The Spirit uses the instrument of truth to convert souls (John 8:32, 1Tim 2:4, 2Peter 1:2, Titus 2:11-12)
- The Spirit reasons and persuades men to surrender unto God. (Isaiah 1:18, John 16:8)
The Agency of Christians:
- God uses men in the salvation of sinners (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 15:12, Acts 16:17, 1Corinthians 3:6, 1Corinthians 3:9, 2Corinthians 5:18-20, James 5:20)
- Men are to preach the truth for salvation of sinners. (Romans 10:13-15)
- Men are to reason and persuade men to surrender unto God. (Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4, Acts 18:19, Acts 24:25, Romans 12:1)
- God uses Holy Spirit filled men to reconcile sinners unto God. (Luke 24:47-49)
When salvation occurs:
- When men voluntarily respond to the call of the gospel (2Chron 7:14, Romans 10:13, 2Thess 1:8) by repenting of his sins (Matthew 9:13, Luke 13:3, Luke 24:47, Acts 17:30-31, 2Peter 3:9, 2Corinthians 7:10) and trusting in Jesus Christ (John 3:18, John 6:29, Luke 8:12, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:43, Acts 15:11, Acts 16:31, Romans 9:10).
- The call of the gospel is to forsake everything and follow Christ (Matt 16:24, Mark 8:32, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:26, Luke 14:27, Luke 14:33
- The moment a sinner surrenders everything to God is the moment that God forgives him of all His past sins. (Luke 17:3-4, Romans 3:25, Acts 2:37-38,)
What keeps men back from salvation:
- God is ready to forgive all men their sin. (Ps 86:5, 2Peter 3:9)
- The atonement has been made for the whole world. (John 3:16, 1John 2:2)
- The only thing that keeps men from salvation, once they hear the gospel, is:
• Their own unwillingness to repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ (Matt 11:21, Matt 23:37, Mark 6:6, Luke 7:30, Luke 13:34, Luke 14:17-18, Luke 19:14, Luke 19:27, John 5:40, Revelations 2:21).
• Men voluntarily resist and grieve the Holy Spirit. (Matt 12:31, Acts 7:51, Ephesians 4:30)
• Men voluntary choose to disobey the gospel. (Romans 10:13, 2Thess 1:8)