Soteriology
“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” II Corinthians 9:15
The Purpose of Salvation
- Adam’s sin passed on death and eternal separation from God.
(Romans 5:12; I Corinthians 15:22a)
- Man is completely depraved and not able to save himself.
(Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18, 23)
- Man is not able to regain favor with God on his own merits.
(Proverbs 20:9; Isaiah 64:6-7; Romans 3:20; 4:4; Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Plan of Salvation
- God’s promise of a Saviour (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:10; Luke 19:10)
- The Saviour, Jesus Christ died on the cross was buried and rose again. (I Corinthians 15:1-8)
- God divinely planned salvation before man was created. (Ephesians 1:4, 7; I Peter 1:18-21)
- The blood of Jesus Christ atoned for man’s sin. Romans 3:25; 5:9-11)
- Salvation only comes by “faith alone” in “Christ alone”, revealed through “God’s word alone”. (Romans 3:27-31; 10:9; Galatians 3:6-9; I John 5:1)
The Process of Salvation
- God’s Side
- Work of the Father through Election, Adoption and Predestination. (Ephesians 1:4; Acts 4:28; Romans 8:15, 29-30)
- Work of the Son through His substitutionary atonement for sin by His death on the cross. (Romans 5:8)
- Work of the Son giving sanctification positionally, experientially and ultimately to the believer. (Philippians 3:10; I Corinthians 15:22)
- Work of the Spirit involves convicting ministry of the unbeliever, regenerating (giving spiritual life), indwelling the believer, sealing the believer. (John 16:8-14)
- Man’s side
- Believe in the gospel (John 1:12; 3:16,18,36; 5:24; 11:25-26; 12:44)
- Saving faith involves three elements (Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Knowledge – Certain basic truths must be believed about salvation
- Conviction – Inner conviction of the truths of the gospel
- Trust – Moving of the will to “believe in your heart” Christ saves.
