Doctrine of Salvation (Knowing God's Truth Jon Nielson)

Opening Questions

When in come to thinking about heaven and hell, why do many people today simply assume they’re headed for heaven (if they think about it at all)?

Why is it so important for us to understand how God intends for human beings to be saved?

Why might the question of how we are saved be the most important question for human beings to answer?

What questions do you have about God salvation of sinners?

What is confusing to you about the work of Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection?

Salvation and the Old Testament

The Old Testament pointed God's people forward to a full picture of His salvation, which would be fully revealed in His son, Jesus Christ.

From the very moment of the fall of Adam and Eve, God promised ultimate victory over sin, Satan, and death through the offspring of the woman (Jesus).

The Ark of Noah pointed to the fact that salvation from judgment was needed.

The law of Moses pointed to the fact that a final sacrifice for sin was needed.

Isaiah pointed God's people toward a suffering servant who would bear their sin.

Can you think of other Old Testament stories that gave a glimpse or a hint of what God’s coming salvation through Jesus would look like?

Election

7:44

God chose to save some people before the foundation of the world, according to the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1.

The doctrine of election in no way cancels out human responsibility anywhere in the Bible.

Salvation starts with God, who had a sovereign plan for salvation even before He created the world.

Why might Election be a difficult doctrine for many?

How does the doctrine of Election remind us of God’s primary role in our salvation?

Regeneration

12:02

Because of total depravity, human beings are unable to choose God by their own strength, power, or goodness.

Regeneration refers to God miraculously making humans “come alive” so that they are able to repent of sin and put their faith in Jesus.

Regeneration is God's action by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Why does the doctrine of regeneration (and the need for regeneration) follow naturally from the doctrine of total depravity?

Justification

14:32

Justification is an act of God, who freely declares sinners to be just on the basis of the work of Jesus on the cross.

Justification is a legal term, indicating that sinners can actually be declared righteous and just before the Holy God.

Why is the doctrine of justification such good news for sinners who can never make themselves righteous before God through their own good works?

How does justification demonstrate that God is just, fair, and righteous?

Sanctification

17:58

Sanctification refers to the process of becoming more holy, more like Jesus, and more set apart for God's work.

Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, but human beings also work hard at their sanctification as they follow Jesus.

Sanctification will not be fully completed in this life.

How are we active in our sanctification in a way that we are not active in our justification?

Why is it important for us to remember that our sanctification will never be fully completed in this life?

Glorification

21:13

Glorification is the final step in salvation; it refers to the resurrected and perfected state of the believer in Jesus Christ.

Glorification will mark the completion of sanctification.

Glorification reminds us that our salvation is now and not yet.

What are some differences you will experience between life in your earthly body and life in your heavenly, glorified body?

Atonement Theories

24:11

The Christus Victor theory of the atonement sees Jesus as primarily triumphing over Satan at the cross.

The moral exemplar theory of the atonement sees Jesus' work on the cross as mainly a great example

The substitution theory of the atonement sees Jesus as the real substitute for sinners on the cross

Why must we be careful never to lose the central idea of penal substitution when we think about the cross of Jesus Christ? What is lost when we forget this?

The Cross

27:41

There are different ways in which the Bible describes what Jesus did on the cross, including reconciliation, redemption, sacrifice, propitiation, and justification.

Through these descriptions of Jesus' death and the salvation that God brings through it, we should have a very full and big picture of all that God accomplished through His Son.