Baptist Theology - Doctrine of Salvation

INTRODUCTION

One of the most critical aspects of Christianity is the work of the Holy Spirit leading to salvation in the life of a believer. Having a firm understanding of the doctrine of salvation, and the processes leading up to conversion gives a Christian little room to doubt whether they are saved. From the work of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus, and the works of the Holy Spirit, an eternal plan was put into place to restore the relationship between mankind and God and release them from the deserved punishment of sin. Keathley suggests there are several aspects to salvation, including justification, sanctification, and adoption however all these descriptions can be summarized as “union with Christ”. This is confirmed through scripture such as John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Galatians 2:20 which further defines salvation as uniting in Christ with the believer and the believer in Christ.

John 15:5 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The author’s interest is to determine why salvation is necessary and to whom salvation comes through or by. While one may have an understanding of the depravity of mankind through the fall, and even have an understanding of the eternal separation of mankind and God, and further understand the need for restoration, it is still hard to comprehend the process of salvation without the full understanding of the work of Jesus through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension and how this gives an offering of salvation by grace.

A WORK OF GOD

Salvation is a work of God within the life of a professing believer. This work was completed through His Son, Jesus, and one is made aware of their depraved state through the works of the Holy Spirit. Without the work of any of the three, God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, would the opportunity of salvation exist? This author suggests the completeness of salvation can only be achieved by the works of the Trinity. However, it may be beneficial to first address what led to the need for salvation, sin. Grudem defines sin as “any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.” In the beginning, God created man and woman with a free will; the ability to make decisions independent of God. This free will led to the deception by the serpent, and ultimately the failure of mankind to conform to the moral law of God leading to an eternal spiritual separation of mankind from their Creator through willful and deliberate disobedience. But thanks be to God, He had already set into motion a way for sinful mankind to be reunited spiritually with Him by faith, through grace, as a result of repentance. Grace has been defined in the Dictionary of Bible Themes as “The unmerited favor of God, made known through Jesus Christ, and expressed supremely in the redemption and full forgiveness of sinners through faith in Jesus Christ.”

REDEMPTION

Salvation, then, has been provided through the act of Jesus and offers the opportunity of redemption. The death of Jesus was the price necessary to pay off the debts of all sinners so that one could be redeemed through belief in Him. Mankind has been bought back, redeemed, through the sacrifice of Jesus. Keathley points out the persons relationship with Jesus is similar to the relationship that exists within the Godhead, that all are one. If we (Christians) are one with God, then something had to change with the pre-conversion/pre-salvation sinful mankind and the born-again Christians relationship with our Heavenly Father. The relationship desired by the Father is restored through the sacrifice of the Son upon the profession of faith from the believer resulting in redemption. No longer are our sins counted against us, but instead are seen as blameless, sinless, and restored.

JUSTIFICATION

If one were a criminal, standing before the court and judge, accused of the most heinous crimes ever committed, would people not cry out for justice? There would be a demand for the wrong to be punished and made right in the eyes of the general public. There would be the expectation that the criminal, if convicted, be separated from the public and would be appropriately punished for the crimes committed. This is what most might deem justice. The Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion defines justice as giving people what is due to them. Given this definition and the analogy previous, would it not be more important for a righteous and just God to hold mankind responsible for their crimes (sins) against Him?

Scripture describes each human as being sinful as described in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

No one can claim to be sinless, blameless, or righteous on their own merits or deeds, as all have fallen short. All have sinned, separating mankind from the relationship God intended to have with His creation. Because of this failure, the separation is permanent, and one is sentenced to eternal separation from God and punishment in hell. Would this not, then, be considered justice for fallen mankind? Instead, Romans 3:24-28 describes what God did instead of holding us accountable for our sins.

Romans 3:24–28 ESV

and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

God loved us so much, He sent His Son to die in the place of sinful mankind that, through grace by faith, one may receive the justification provided and no longer face eternal separation from our Savior and be redeemed. After acceptance of Jesus as our Savior, then the goal should be to continually walk in His light and to become more like Him through the process of Sanctification.

SANCTIFICATION

When one has been justified through our profession of faith, there is the continual growth leading each believer to sanctification, a conforming to the example set by Christ. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, we see the process of sanctification described for believers

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

These verses describe spiritual transformation as being refined throughout the believer’s life as one exercises their faith gradually changing the believer more into the likeness and image of Christ. Keathley evaluates the Hebrew and Greek words for “sanctify” and concludes the essence of this definition is to “separate us from sin, ad set us apart to himself”.

Conversely, sanctification is not immediate perfection which allows a believer to enjoy a state of sinless living. One continues to live in a sinful body, in a sinful world, and with free will. While one may be correct in saying we are justified through Christ, we will not be able to reach a level of perfection while occupying this mortal body. Therefore, sanctification is not immediate, but a gradual and progressive change in Christian maturity with the final objective of glorification.

GLORIFICATION

Glorification can be defined as the time when redemption, justification, and sanctification are made complete in the life of the believer. It is when one reaches the final goal of heaven and is with our Lord and Savior for eternity.

CHURCH BELIEFS REGARDING SALVATION

There is no dispute in the church that redemption is a free gift from God made possible through Jesus Christ. The debates have been over how one receives salvation. From the first centuries after the apostolic period, controversies with the divine nature of Christ were prevalent. It could be argued if Christ were not divine, then he only set an example to us of how to obey God and salvation is by works.

NATURE OF SALVATION

Fifth century believers and councils were unclear on the nature of salvation as being through faith by grace alone, arguing the Greek words for “to justify” might shift understanding from grace to works based merit. This placed salvation, then, as a spiritual balance beam of sins weighed against works. Others argued the meaning of ordinance versus sacrament, stating one receives salvation through baptism and observance of the Lord’s Supper leading to the practice of infant baptism, and the misunderstanding that the Lords Supper led to the receiving of atonement. This misapplication, then, gave the church the false understanding “it” possessed the power of salvation for the lost.

The misunderstanding of the theology of salvation was further exacerbated through the false teachings of Pelagius. His argument was 1) if God expects moral perfection, it must be attainable, 2) humans possess the natural ability to choose and live righteously, and 3) Adam’s fall was only used as a bad example for mankind to learn from. Augustine refuted these points by illuminating the fall of mankind, starting with Adam, led to the nature of sin being inherently passed to each person ever born and salvation cannot be found, gained, or worked out among any one person alone. He further argued because of this total depravity, there was only one way to salvation provided through grace offered from God alone. One question that could be asked is, if salvation is a gift given from God, why was it not equally distributed to all? Augustine’s response was only known by God Himself.

Some of Augustine’s views and arguments were later rejected as his understanding and explanation removed the act of salvation as by grace alone, teaching instead salvation through the sacraments. This led to the fundamental basis for Catholicism, and the belief the church holds the key to salvation through the sacraments. Medieval churches then practiced the praying and petitioning of saints on behalf of the dead. Instead of viewing sanctification as being complete upon death and glorification being the reward, there were thoughts if one had not quite “made it” upon death that the living could intercede with saints, particularly Mary, on their behalf. These views led to the further adoption of Pelagianism, taking away the act of free will, grace, and faith alone as the key components of salvation.

Martin Luther through his studies of scripture would then rediscover and ultimately teach the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone during the time called The Reformation. This led to a protest against Catholic teaching of salvation through sacraments and supplication. Luther pointed out un-biblical practices and doctrinal errors in Catholic teachings, accusing them of placing barriers to heaven instead of bringing people to God. Building on Luther’s understanding and teaching, John Calvin added to the understanding of salvation by grace through faith by separating justification from sanctification. Calvin’s argument was one can be justified, or declared righteous, while simultaneously being made righteous through the journey of sanctification.

While Luther and Calvin were known for their stance on predestination, it was not until Theodore Beza that justification shifted to predestination. His extreme views argued that God had chosen some for eternal life, and others He had chosen for Hell. This view was countered by James Arminius and his followers who taught conditional election, Christ died for the whole world, no one can turn to God on their own without grace, God’s grace can be rejected, and it is possible to lose salvation. All five of these points were soon rejected and the Synod of Dort affirmed total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. Ultimately this led to further division among the church and believers.

IMPACT OF ENLIGHTENMENT

The “Age of Enlightenment” led to further separations into denominations but did lead to the refinement of the understanding of the nature of salvation. Both liberal and conservative views led to the acceptance of salvation originating from God, provided through Jesus as Savior, and redemption through mankind’s acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice by faith. It further clarified salvation as being available to all, but ultimately a free will choice by each person to turn away from sin and trust in Jesus.

While mankind was created sinless, it was the free will choice to sin that separated God’s creation from Him. Keathley argues Lucifer freely rebelled, just as we freely rebelled, and God allowed it. As our Creator, though, God chose a plan to save His creation from the consequences of the fall. It is through God’s plan of redemption that we enjoy salvation.

ELECTION VS. FREE WILL

Debate continues over the definition and understanding of election and free will. This author views election in this manner, in God’s plan of creation all mankind was elected to eternal life in God’s perfect creation of Eden. We were created to commune with God eternally, however God created mankind with the ability to make independent choices for themselves. This free will is what ultimately allowed for the fall of Lucifer, his followers, and ultimately mankind. Now, this free will is what gives all creation the ability to decide for themselves, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, to either accept or reject salvation. While God is the originator of salvation, it is still up to each individual to make the free will choice.

This is contrasted by unconditional election which states God has the authority and right to choose who will or who will not accept salvation. It may further be argued that God chooses who He will ultimately offer salvation too, and who He will withhold it from. This places God front and center in a moral controversy. It could then open the argument for error within scripture when evaluating verses such as Romans 10:13

Romans 10:13 ESV

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

In this scripture, the word used for “everyone” can also be define as all, each, and every. For all, for each, for every person who calls upon the name of the Lord will (shall) be saved. This does not give a clear interpretation that salvation is for only those “chosen” by God, the elect. Yet, because God is a righteous God, those who willfully reject salvation must be separated from Him and willfully choose this separation and punishment.

This view of free will salvation challenges the stanch believers of election who believe God provided salvation only to the elect and the gospel is not given to all but is exclusively for them. This view also refuted Calvinistic views that Christ died for a predetermined and chosen group but instead should be logically viewed that Christ died for all. Romand 5:6-8 supports this as the “ungodly” are who Christ died for, and that while we were all still “sinners”, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6–8 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

PIECING IT ALL TOGETHER

Ultimately, all the pieces can be put together and described as a concurrent election or congruism. Keathley describes congruism as God’s unconditional offer of salvation through Jesus to each individual that they, personally, much freely decide to accept or reject. It is understood that in God’s infinite wisdom, He knows who will and who will not accept the Gospel. It should also be understood that without free will, salvation would be unnecessary as only the elect would enter heaven and if grace is removed there is no means for salvation to occur. It takes God’s conviction of sin through the Holy Spirit, and a person’s free will choice to accept the Gospel concurrently for salvation. Conviction and acceptance cannot be separated, one cannot take place without the other, and both must occur for one to be saved.

CONCLUSION

The churches and the individual Christians understanding of salvation is paramount. It cannot be overstated how important it is to have a solid, functional understanding of salvation and how one receives this free gift from God. Without a firm understanding of the process of salvation and the ongoing work of redemption, justification, and sanctification, one may question their salvation and unduly suffer in their faith as a result.

We must accept salvation as a work of God alone. If it were not for the love of God towards His fallen creation, the process of redemption and restoration could not take place. Through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, one is made aware of the gift of salvation paid for through the blood of Jesus, that each person must make the free will choice to accept, or reject, this offer. It is upon acceptance of Jesus as our Savior that one is then redeemed – the price for our sin is paid in full and our relationship restored with our Creator. While we are still guilty of our sins, we are justified in the eyes of God – the penalty has already been paid. It is then that we live a life for Christ and become more like Him through the process of sanctification that culminates in our glorification upon death.

While there still exists differences of opinions in “how” one is saved, it ultimately is an act of God that is contingent upon the free will acceptance or rejection of each person. All are sinners in the eyes of God, and no one is righteous in their own rights or abilities. All are offered the free gift salvation, by the grace of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus, upon a profession of faith. All, however, possess a free will to either accept or reject salvation.

God did not mandate His creation obey Him but instead created us with the choice to follow. Original sin disrupted God’s original plan, but He had already prepared a way for restoration of our relationship IF we so choose.