Soteriology -- The Study Salvation
Introduction
As a result of willful rebellion, all humans since Adam have become separated from God and spiritually stillborn. The Scriptures unfold a most glorious story of redemption and God’s human renovation plan. The truths conceding this glorious restoration come under a category called Soteriology. This comes from the Greek word “soter” meaning salvation or to save and “ology” (study of). Today I will present a basic outline for organizing the truths concerning man’s salvation. The term salvation can be used in the broad sense of the term to refer to all the aspects of the restoring and renewing process from beginning to end. Salvation is both an event and a process. There are some aspects that happen instantaneously at the moment of genuine faith and there are others that take place over time culminating in our glorified state at the return of Jesus. Today we will stick with the monumental event that happens at the moment of faith.
Let us again start with the official C&MA doctrinal statement regarding salvation.
Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all men; and those who repent and believe in Him are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life,
and become the children of God. Many people who would claim to be “saved” have very limited understanding of what it is. Paul tells us to protect ourselves from Satan’s attack by taking up the “helmet of salvation.”
Since he was addressing those who were already saved it is clear he was not admonishing them to get saved but get a firm grip on the wonder of the salvation that God had provided them. Satan attacks by causing doubt about what Christ did for us by His death and resurrection. He does not want us to realize just what God has done in us as well as for us and through us. If we did, we would most certainly live differently than we do. I am here to encourage you to wear your helmet; the helmet of Salvation. The war between God and Satan grows more intense everyday and you will need it.
I like to organize my thoughts in this category around six main headings.
1. The necessity of Salvation
2. The Promise of Salvation
3. The Pictures of Salvation
4. The Provision of salvation
5. The Possession of salvation
6. The Product (result) of salvation
I. THE NECESSITY OF SALVATION
A. The Character of God
The holy and righteous perfection of God demands that sin be judged. God’s absolutely holy character cannot simply overlook sin without exacting a penalty. God must remain separate from sin. Isaiah made clear that it is man's sin that produces a gulf between man and God.
Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2
This separation is due to the incompatibility of holy character of God and the sinful bent of man. Therefore if man is to survive, let alone have fellowship with God, God's righteous character must somehow be appeased without compromising that character through failure to righteously deal with the offense.
B. The Corruption of Man
1. Imputed Sin
Scripture is clear as to the fact that corruptness in man is due to a sinful nature inherited from Adam. Man sins because he is born a sinner. Man is not a sinner because he sins.
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. Rom 5:19
2. Inherited sin
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 1Pe 1:18
3. Intentional sin
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 6:23
The results of the fall were total. Man's whole being was marred by sin. Adam passed on a nature that was totally selfish and committed to finding life apart from dependence on God.
Jeremiah recorded the essence of sin:
This is what the Lord says: "What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves. Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror," declares the Lord. "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Jer 2:13
We will never appreciate the wonder of our salvation until we understand the wickedness of our soul without His divine intervention.
II. THE PROMISE OF SALVATION
From the very moment of God’s initial temporal judgment for sin, He promised a Savior.
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Gen 3:15
From that moment God has been unfolding the drama of redemption. He made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David. God affirmed His promise of salvation and restoration all through the Old Testament period leading to the specific promise of a Savior who would save His people from their sins.
III. THE PICTURE OF SALVATION
Not only were covenants made, but God provided living illustrations all through the Old Testament to foreshadow and illustrate the Salvation that would one day culminate in the coming of the Savior. These graphic illustrations show up in Noah and the flood, the Exodus, the offering of Isaac, by Abraham, the Passover, the entire Hebrew Sacrificial system (Lev 1-5) including the “red heifer” (Num 19) and the Day of Atonement (Lev 16), the feasts and Sabbaths.
Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Colossians 2:16-17
God intended all these ceremonial traditions to point to the person and work of Christ.
IV. THE PROVISION OF SALVATION
There are a number of important Biblical terms employed to communicate the details of our salvation.
A. Salvation
This is the translation of the Greek verb “sozo” meaning to save, deliver, rescue, heal, make whole. “soter” is the Greek noun meaning savior or deliverer, or salvation. The word group is used nearly 200 times in the New Testament. It is used as a general term to describe our rescue from imminent danger. It is used in a past, present and future sense. It can refer to ultimate salvation or a specific aspect of salvation. It can refer both to the immaterial (soul and spirit) and material (body) aspect of our restoration. We were saved. We are being saved.
We will ultimately be saved. It is very similar in scope to the concept of redemption.
B. Atonement
This term is another all encompassing term used to describe the necessary action for the restoration of sinful man to a holy God. The base meaning is the “satisfactory reparation for an offense or injury.” What is most glorious about this truth is that God arranged for His own appeasement because man was both unwilling and unable to do so. The Atonement was planned in eternity past, accomplished in history by the work of Christ, and will be the focus of celebration through eternity future.
The English word atonement is derived from the two words “at onement” and denotes a state of togetherness and agreement between two people. Atonement presupposes two parties that are estranged, with the act of atonement being the reconciliation of them into a state of harmony. The theological meaning is the reconciliation between God and his fallen creation, especially between God and sinful human beings. Atonement is thus a solution to the main problem of the human race-its estrangement from God stemming from the fall of Adam and Eve. A range of biblical images portrays this central event of the religious faith of the Bible.
Atonement makes reconciliation possible. The actual word does not occur in the New Testament except in the KJV Rom 5:11. The concept however is found all through the Bible.
The Old Testament referred to the Day of Atonement when sufficient sacrifice was offered to “atone” for sins making positive relationship with God possible.
Atonement and reconciliation are very similar concepts. One looking to the result and the other to the means by which we were reconciled.
C. Redemption
This grand doctrine runs much deeper than any of us fully realize. It has at least two basic aspects indicated by the Greek terms translated redeem or redemption which relate to his great need.
1. The Need for Redemption
The need for redemption lies in the fact that man sold himself into slavery to sin and Satan. He is in need of rescue from the kingdom of darkness and deliverance from sins hold on the body and soul.
2. The Nature of Redemption
a. The Idea of Purchase for possession
b. The idea of release from bondage
There are three stages of the redemption process. We have been saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the power of sin and we will be saved from the very presence of sin. We have been purchased for possession and set free from slavery by the payment of a price. We have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. We have been set free from the bondage of sin.
Here are just a few passages that highlight the three phases of redemption.
being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Romans 3:24
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:11-12
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight Ephesians 1:7-8
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:22-23
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
"Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:27-28
3. The Cost of Redemption
The payment for our release from bondage was costly. It cost the life blood of God's spotless lamb.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1Pe 1:19
4. The Results of Redemption
Because of the price paid, God is now free to generously and righteously pour out His blessing on those who come to Him by faith.
D. Propitiation
This doctrine relates to the satisfaction of the righteous character of God so that man need not come under the condemning judgment for sin. Christ became the satisfaction for sin on man's behalf so that the righteous character of God was freed to relate to man out of love rather than condemnation. This act was not the appeasement of a reluctant vengeful God but the complete satisfaction of a just and holy God who is perfect in all his dealings. While demanding complete satisfaction of His righteousness, it is the same God, who because of His love for the lost, sent His own Son to be that propitiation. Christ's substitutionary payment for our sin set God free to forgive sins, confer righteousness, grant all grace.
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17
being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:24-26
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
E. Forgiveness
Forgiveness is the cancellation of debt. Our forgiveness is based on His mercy and grace not our merit and goodness. Our forgiveness was made possible through the payment of our impossible debt by Jesus. Forgiveness paves the way for reconciliation. Through the work of Jesus, God removed all obstacles to restoring relationship with us.
F. Reconciliation
The concept of reconciliation relates to the need for a change in relationship. This work affects both sides of the relationship. Man was estranged from God, in need of reconciliation, because of the offense. On a human plane there is usually some sort of mutual compromise involved in the reconciliation process. In relation to God, there can be no compromise of character and thus He had to do a work in and for fallen mankind to bring him up to His level.
Because of the price paid, union with an estranged God can be restored and man may enter into all of the blessing of that new restored union.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:9-11
And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— Colossians 1:21-22
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Co 5:18-20
These are all of the things provided by God on the basis of His good pleasure and love so that man might be restored to relationship with Him and live to the praise of His glory. Even though this provision has been made for all men, it is up to man to receive, possess and appropriate by faith what has been so graciously provided.
V. THE POSSESSION OF SALVATION BY MEN
A. Calling
1. General Call
There are only two references to a general call to everyone.
"For many are invited, but few are chosen." Mat 22:14
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Joh 7:37
2. Effective Call
There is a call heard by the elect to which they respond and find new life in Christ.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Rom 8:30
B. Repentance
Although it is clear that one is saved by faith alone, repentance is a part of the believing process. The word itself indicates a change of direction or change of thinking. In coming to God, there is also a turning from that which is not God. This is a change of heart and thinking that continues even after initial conversion and results in a change of living.
The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia - your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead - Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1Th 1:10
C. Faith
Faith is the positive heart response to the Gospel which embraces the truth and acts upon it. Faith or belief involves more than a mere mental assent to a teaching or creed. Saving faith involves an action that engages every aspect of my being.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder. Jam 2:19
Faith encompasses the intellect, emotions and will.
It could also be seen as knowledge, assent and appropriation.
Faith is a gift from God and is based upon the word of God.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:9
"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Rom 10:10-13
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. Joh 1:12-13
VI. THE PRODUCT (RESULT) OF SALVATION
A. Justification
1. The Need for Justification
Again, the need for justification arises from both the character of God and the corruption of man. To have man's sins removed is not enough to establish proper union with a holy God.
In addition, there needs to be a positive righteousness, and imputed righteousness instead of the imputed sin with which every man was born. The work of the cross provided the necessary foundation that enabled God to declare man righteous with the very righteousness of Jesus Christ.
2. The Nature of Justification
Justification deals with a remission of punishment as well as a restoration to favor. It is a legal declaration of innocence. It is a legal verdict, "Not guilty!" Romans 5 clearly outlines the difference of one living with sin imputed through our relationship in Adam and righteous imputed through relationship in Christ. He became sin for us that we might become righteous.
Our “rap sheet” was removed from our data file and put in His. His “righteousness sheet” was put in our file in place of ours.
3. The Means of Justification
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Justification takes place on the basis of faith in Christ which brings effective identification with His death and resurrection. This work is based on the redemption of Christ and the atonement. The work of the cross enabled God to maintain his own just character and still declare righteous the sinner.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Co 5:21
4. The Results of Justification
The results of Justification are well summarized in Romans 5.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Rom 5:1-5
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! Rom 5:9
Justification enables God to look at us through His Son. This is not really a change in essential identify but legality. This is an outward work, not an inward change. We need something more. As wonderful as this truth regarding our salvation is, it is still not enough.
It is like having a relationship with someone based on someone else’s identify. They do not really desire to be with you. They are attracted to person whose identify you have assumed.
You can never really be yourself. The reality is that you are still not qualified to enter heaven because you still have the same core you had before. Well, I guess that happens when we die.
I guess we go through the eternal car wash at the pearly gates. There is not really much to indicate such a change at death. The only thing that happens at death is that we leave our bodies which await transformation. We are the same. So we are not qualified to enter God’s kingdom. If we enter without a core change we will only pollute it.
This is illustrated by some of the sayings associate with being a Christians.
“Christians aren’t perfect just forgiven.”
“One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”
“I’m just a sinner saved by grace.”
The problem is, these statements really do not accurately or fully reflect how the New Testament describes true followers of Jesus; saints, royal priesthood, rich, partakers of the divine nature, God’s masterpiece.
A common concept of the work of Christ goes something like this.
A orphan boy grew up as a thief. He stole all the time. It is all he knew. It permeated the core of his being. He actually liked the chase, the adrenalin rush, the challenge. It was his identity. He was good at it. It defined who he was.
One day he gets caught and faces a huge impossible fine and a prison sentence.
As he stands before the judge he is helpless and the verdict of guilty is rightly pronounced.
The judge then comes down from his judicial bench and stands beside the boy.
“He is surely guilty, but I will pay the fine. I will take you into my home as my own son. I will you view you as my own son who died. I will assign a tutor to be with you and teach you all the things you need to know to live in my household and represent this family.”
Out of gratitude the teen accepts the offer of justification and reconciliation and forgiveness and redemption and propitiation and legal adoption. He feels clean. He feels free. He feels relieved, he feels deeply loved and accepted.
Out of gratitude he tries to live differently but he is not the man’s son. He does not have the character of the judge’s son. He is not really the judge’s son. In reality he is still the same on the inside as he was before that day. Those old longings still rise up.
He hopes that someday things will be different and he tries to suppress his true identity but it seems an impossible task to go against all he has ever known.
There is not really a core change; only change in family and citizenship as wonderful as that is
Isn’t this how we often view salvation? We are still hopeless sinners that the only way God can stand to be around us is by looking through the Jesus filter. He doesn’t really want to be around us. He doesn’t really want to relate to us as His beloved children. But that isn’t the Biblical picture of salvation. There is one more aspect to our salvation that makes Christianity different than any other belief system in the world.
Is there a hope to change our identity? Does God promise an actual change rather than a positional change?
B. Regeneration
The result of effective faith in Christ is regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Tit 3:7
This concept was the subject of discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus in John three.
In this passage, Jesus clearly spelled out the necessity of a rebirth if one would enter the kingdom of God. In reply Jesus declared,
"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. " Joh 3:3
Unless God does a radical work at the core of our being there can be no satisfying relationship.
1. The Necessity of Regeneration
Every person born since Adam was born dead due to transgression and sin. There can be no spiritual life apart from the new life generated in the individual by the Holy Spirit. Without this renewal by the Spirit, there is no life! That which is born of flesh has only life from the flesh.
God must do a supernatural renewing work at the very core of our identity. Only a new birth by the Spirit can give life to our shriveled spirit.
2. The Nature of Regeneration
Regeneration is the spiritual quickening (making alive) of a dead spirit toward God.
It is the establishment of a new creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, he has become new! 2 Co 5:17
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10
9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 3:9
Regeneration is not a reformation. Man does not need reformation; he needs total renewal and regeneration. God promises a core change. We become partakers of the divine nature.
We are His workmanship. We are His children born by His will.
3. The Means of Regeneration
a. The Divine side
Regeneration is a work brought about by the will of God through the life giving ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. Joh 1:13
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Jam 1:18
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1Pe 1:23
b. The Human side
The means of regeneration is genuine, full faith in the work of Christ.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - Joh 1:12
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal 3:26-27
It is unfortunate that high pressure evangelistic methods have produced a group of people that truly believe they are Christians because they followed some formula, but have never really experienced actual regeneration. There has never been a core change. There has been no new birth.
A Christian is not one who simply agrees to some set of rules or prayed some prayer. A Christian is one who has been born of Christ. Although this work cannot be earned, it is initiated in connection to a genuine trust and full embrace of Christ and His work on our behalf.
His work in us is to both will and to do His good pleasure.
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
Regeneration brings about an attitude change.
We want to do His will.
We have a new set of desires and longing.
We long for relationship with the God who we once despised and rejected or denied.
We want to learn what is pleasing to Him.
We want Him to be Lord of our life.
We want to serve Him.
Regeneration also brings about an aptitude change.
Whereas before we did not have the ability to live differently God enables to walk in newness of life through faith in Him and surrender the enabling power of His Holy Spirit. The specifics of this come under the sanctification section of the salvation category.
Not only does the work of Christ on our behalf result in justification and regeneration but also adoption.
C. Adoption
Because of the work of the cross, God was free to adopt us as His very own children.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Rom 8:15-17
So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Gal 4:3-7
In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Eph 1:5-6
Adoption is the act of God which places the believer in his family and frees him from all other relationships. All of the legal rights of a natural son became a reality at the time of adoption.
D. Eternal Salvation
This aspect of salvation requires a much more extensive discussion I will save to a later time.
The bottom line is that I believe there are numerous clear and compelling passages that outweigh the few cloudy and confusing ones. I would say that those who have truly been born again are eternally saved and protected till the day of the full realization of our redemption.
John 6 Rom 8 Phil 1:6 1 Peter 1
When we think about the wonder of salvation, never forget to see it in its fullness.
Jesus did a wonderful work for us.
Jesus did a supernatural work in us.
Jesus want to continually do a work through us that goes beyond all we could as or think.
HALLELUJAH
Let us celebrate such a great salvation by observing the Lord’s Supper.
