Bible Declaration

--I believe the Bible is the true and infallible Word of God.

--I believe what it says

--and where my life differs from what It says

--with the help of God, I will change.

Salvation

Offered Freely to All

John 3:16

John 3:16 NASB

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

TULIP - Calvinist

T = Total Depravity

Man is sinful - every aspect of man’s being is affected by sin, including his will.

Some even say that God decreed for humans to become sinners.

U = Unconditional Election

This states that some people or chosen are elected by God for salvation and some are condemned to damnation.

In 2 Peter 3:9 it tells us that the Lord wants all.

2 Peter 3:9 NASB

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Calvinist also respond that that people being chosen before birth to go to Heaven or hell is part of God’s “secret will,” not His “revealed will.” but the source of their knowledge of this “secret will” is unclear

L = Limited Atonement

Those who take this view state that Christ’s death on the cross was only for those who where predestined from eternity past.

but scripture states 1 John 2:1-2

1 John 2:1–2 NASB

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

The Bible teaches that Christ’s blood shed on the cross for our forgiveness of sins was for everyone not just “the elect”

I = Irresistible Grace

“The Calvinists of Dort say that God’s grace is ultimately irresistible, that divine election works unfailingly, and that the depraved and fallen human will is not exercised in conversion.” http://www.sbclife.net/Articles/2006/04/sla8

In Acts 7:51 the Stephen said that some Jews had resisted the Holy Spirit.

Acts 7:51 NASB

“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.

Scripture teaches that salvation is through the conviction of the Holy Spirit and a change of heart through repentance and faith.

P = Perseverance of the Saints

In John 10:28 we read where it talks about believers remaining in God’s hands

John 10:28 NASB

and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.

Substitutionary Atonement

Jesus Christ

The word subsitutionary is not used in the scripture but its implications are.

Christ took our place on the cross

we all deserved death, separation from God because of our sin

In the Old Testament sacrifice, blood shed, had to be made for sin.

beginning from Adam and Eve

to Levitical Law - the sacrifices

In the New Testament we see Christ being crucified, being sacrificed, blood shed for us.

What is Salvation?

Regeneration

the new birth

we become new creatures

2 Corinthians 5:17

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

This includes Repentance and faith

Repentance is a turn from sin to God

Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ

Savior = Saves us from the grips of hell and separation from God

Lord = Ruler of life

Justification = the action of declaring or making one right in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

This happens at the time of salvation

Sanctification

This happens through our entire life process

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 NASB

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Glorification

Happens when we reach our eternal home in Heaven

“Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.” Baptist-Faith and Message

In light of all this let’s look at what Salvation is.

In the Lost Person - Will McRaney, Jr. “The Art of Personal Evangelism”

The Holy Spirit Draws - John 6:44

John 6:44 NASB

44 “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

The Holy Spirit Reveals Truth - Romans 1:18-20

Romans 1:18–20 NASB

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

The Holy Spirit Convinces / Convicts of Truth - John 16:8-11

John 16:8–11 NASB

8 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

Holy Spirit in Conversion

Brings from Death to Life - Titus 3:5

Titus 3:5 NASB

5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Seals the Believer - Ephesians 4:30

Ephesians 4:30 NASB

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Gifts the Believer - 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 NASB

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Holy Spirit After conversion

Confirms We Are Children of God - Romans 8:16

Romans 8:16 NASB

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Loves in the Children of God - 1 Corinthians 6:19

1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

Understanding it ourselves

In today's time people want to what is different about our message than the others out there.

We have a God that loves and gives

Our God provides Hope and feels the void.

Jesus is the only way. John 14:6

John 14:6 NASB

6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.