TBC Doctrinal Class - Doctrine of Salvation (Part 12)

TBC DOCTRINAL STATEMENT 13 Salvation by Grace through Faith STATEMENT 13 We believe That salvation is by grace (unmerited favour) through faith, a free gift of God wholly apart from the deeds of the flesh, involving repentance and personal faith in Jesus Christ on the part of the sinner (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 4:5; 2 Timothy 1:9). 5 KEY TRUTHS 1. God saves us on the basis of His grace. 2. Grace = undeserved, unearned kindness/favour from God. 3. Faith = the instrument or channel of salvation, not the cause of our salvation. 4. Human works contribute nothing to our justification. 5. Though salvation is free, it is not granted until sinners repent of their sins and believe in the Saviour. 1. A sinner must repent of their sins to be saved. True. Saving faith includes both “repentance toward God” and “faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Acts 2:21 (ESV) And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Acts 2:38 (ESV) And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 2. A sinner must be born again (or regenerated) to be saved. True. Jesus said, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. . .” See John 3:3-7, Ephesians 2:1-9. 3. A sinner is born again (or regenerated) as a result of their faith. False. Believing is a result of being born of God. The apostle John wrote, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God . . .” (1 John 5:1). 4. In justification, God makes sinners righteous. False. The people God justifies are ungodly (Romans 4:5), so we know justify doesn’t mean “to make righteous.” See also Romans 3:19-24. 5. In justification, God declares sinners righteous. True. “Justify” is a legal term which means to declare someone righteous rather than to make them righteous. 6. Justification includes the forgiveness of sin. True. In Romans 4:6-7, Paul quotes David, who speaks about the person who is justified (or “the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works”), and says their “lawless deeds are forgiven." 7. For God to justify sinners, his just wrath against them must be satisfied. True. Sinners are justified “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation [a sacrifice that satisfies God’s wrath] by his blood . . .” (Romans 3:24-25). 8. The legal basis for a sinner’s justification is the good works the Spirit produces within them. False. Justification is “apart from works” (Romans 4:6-7). See also Romans 3:20, Philippians 3:9. 9. The legal basis for a sinner’s justification is their faith. False. Faith is necessary for our justification, but it isn’t what merits it. Rather, faith is the instrument by which we receive our justification. It is “self-emptying and has no merit in itself" (Question 61, Heidelberg Catechism). 10. The legal basis for a sinner’s justification is Christ’s righteous life and obedient death counted as their own (or imputed to them). True. Sinners are justified “for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them” (Question 70 of the Westminster Larger Catechism). “Perfect obedience” refers to Christ’s righteous life, and “full satisfaction” to his death. 11. Sinners are justified when they believe. True. Sinners are justified through the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ, which is “received by faith” (Romans 3:24-25). STATEMENT 13 We believe That salvation is by grace (unmerited favour) through faith, a free gift of God wholly apart from the deeds of the flesh, involving repentance and personal faith in Jesus Christ on the part of the sinner (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 4:5; 2 Timothy 1:9). 5 KEY TRUTHS 1. God saves us on the basis of His grace. 2. Grace = undeserved, unearned kindness/favour from God. 3. Faith = the instrument or channel of salvation, not the cause of our salvation. 4. Human works contribute nothing to our justification. 5. Though salvation is free, it is not granted until sinners repent of their sins and believe in the Saviour. 1. God saves us on the basis of His grace. Ephesians 2:4–9 (ESV) But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace 6 you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us 7 with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is 9 the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 1. God saves us on the basis of His grace. 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV) who [God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 2. Grace = an undeserved, unearned expression of kindness/favour/gift. Romans 3:24 (ESV) and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 5:15 (ESV) But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and [even] the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 2. Because God’s grace is free and unearned, it is mutually exclusive to our works. Romans 11:5–6 (ESV) So too at the present time there is a 6 remnant, chosen by grace [charis]. But if it is by grace [charis], it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace [charis] would no longer be grace [charis]. Romans 4:4 (ESV) Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift [charis] but as his due. Show that you understand the Gospel of grace by solving this jumble. 1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2_ _ _ _, 3_ _ 4_ _ _ _. cdddeeeggiooooorv 1. What you do with a pass. 2. Virtuous 3. Call to action 4. Opposite of evil Show that you understand the Gospel of grace by solving this jumble. 1R e c e i v e 2_ _ _ _, 3_ _ 4_ _ _ _. cdddeeeggiooooorv 1. What you do with a pass. 2. Virtuous 3. Call to action 4. Opposite of evil Show that you understand the Gospel of grace by solving this jumble. 1R e c e i v e 2g o o d, 3_ _ 4_ _ _ _. cdddeeeggiooooorv 1. What you do with a pass. 2. Virtuous 3. Call to action 4. Opposite of evil Show that you understand the Gospel of grace by solving this jumble. 1R e c e i v e 2 g o o d, 3 d o 4_ _ _ _. cdddeeeggiooooorv 1. What you do with a pass. 2. Virtuous 3. Call to action 4. Opposite of evil Show that you understand the Gospel of grace by solving this jumble. 1R e c e i v e 2 g o o d, 3 d o 4 g o o d. cdddeeeggiooooorv 1. What you do with a pass. 2. Virtuous 3. Call to action 4. Opposite of evil Show that you understand the Gospel of grace by solving this jumble. Receive g o o d, d o g o o d. Show that you understand the Gospel of grace by solving this jumble. Receive good [from God], do good [for God]. What does human religion say? Do good [for God], receive good [from God]. What motivates God’s grace and kindness? Ephesians 2:4–9 (ESV) But God, being rich in mercy, because of 5 the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace 6 you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us 7 with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace 8 in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is 9 the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. What motivates God’s grace and kindness? Ephesians 2:4–9 (ESV) But God, being rich in mercy, 5 because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with 6 Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him 7 and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of 8 his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is 9 the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. What motivates God’s grace and kindness? Ephesians 2:4–9 (ESV) But God, being rich in mercy, 5 because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with 6 Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him 7 and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable 8 riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own 9 doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. If God wants to put on a show in eternity to highlight the immeasurable riches of His grace that springs out of His kindness, love and mercy, do you think He wants our faith or our repentance to take over or even to share in the spotlight? Ephesians 2:4–9 (ESV) But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. How many of you have ever been in a big production? (e.g. a play, drama, musical, etc.) What is the point of a dramatic production or concert? What is the point of a dramatic production or concert? • the building/venue • the sacrifices the audience made to attend • the stage crew • the set • the actors/musicians • the script or music • the genius of the playwright/composer What is the main point of the drama/concert of your salvation? • the greatness of your faith • the costliness of your repentance • your wisdom in choosing to follow Christ • your good works after your salvation • your zeal in evangelism • your spiritual giftedness • your powerful prayer life According to Ephesians 2:7, what is the point of the drama/concert of your salvation? Ephesians 2:7 (ESV) so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. What are 2 common errors regarding grace? 1. Abandoning grace for legalism 2. Redefining grace as licentiousness Abandoning grace for legalism Galatians 5:4 (ESV) You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. Summary: In this passage, legalism = seeking for God to declare me righteous [i.e., justification] because I attempt to keep His law. Are unrepentant legalists going to heaven? No!!! Galatians 5:4 (ESV) You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 2 common errors regarding grace 1. Abandoning grace for legalism 2. Redefining grace as licentiousness What does it mean to be licentious? licentious lacking legal or moral restraints especially : disregarding sexual restraints https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/licentious; accessed 1 August 2024 Redefining grace as licentiousness (a license to sin) Jude 3–4 (ESV) Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the 4 saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert [alter, change] the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. What is the logic of turning grace into a license to sin? 20 Romans 5:20–6:1 (ESV) Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. . . 1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? Does the Gospel allow for licentiousness? NO!!! Romans 6:2 (ESV) By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? The Gospel does not allow for licentiousness. Romans 6:15–16 (ESV)What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Summary: Twisting grace into a licence to sin will make us slaves of sin, and sin is the pathway to spiritual death. 3. Faith = the instrument or channel of salvation. (Our faith is not the cause of our salvation.) Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. 9 And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. What gives healing/deliverance? Acts 3:6–8 (ESV)But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:16 (ESV) And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. Was it faith or the object of faith that healed the crippled man? Acts 3:6–8 (ESV)But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, 8 and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:16 (ESV) And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. It is not the quantity of our faith but the object of our faith that ultimately matters. Luke 17:5–6 (ESV) The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 4. Human works contribute nothing to our justification. Romans 4:4–5 (ESV) Now to the one who works, his wages 5 are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV) who [God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 4. Human works contribute nothing to our justification. Titus 3:5 (ESV) he [the Father] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal 6 of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly 7 through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 5. Though salvation is free, it is not granted until sinners repent of their sins and believe in the Saviour. Acts 16:30–31 (ESV) Then he brought them out and said, 31 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” What are 2 common errors related to this point? Though salvation is free, it is not granted until sinners repent of their sins and believe in the Saviour. 1. Assigning merit to repentance and/or faith 2. Hyper-Calvinism: Since A) Salvation is all of God, and since B) God guarantees the salvation of the elect, then C) there’s no need for the elect to express faith or repentance. 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith Everyone whom God effectually calls he also freely justifies. 1 God does not justify people by infusing them with righteousness, but rather by forgiving them and by counting and accepting them as righteous. 2 Justification is not based upon anything done within or by them, but is based upon Christ alone. 3 It does not impute faith, the act of believing, or any other gospel obedience to them as their righteousness. Rather, it imputes Christ's active obedience to the entire law and his passive obedience in his death for their entire and only righteousness by faith. 4 This faith does not originate from themselves: it is the gift of God.5 1. Romans 3:24, 8:30 2. Romans 4:5-8, Ephesians 1:7 3. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, Romans 5:17-19 4. Philippians 3:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10 5. John 1:12, Romans 5:17