THE STUDY OF SALVATION

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO BE SAVED?

Soteriology is the doctrine of salvation, which refers to when, how, where, why, and how many are saved

HOW ARE WE SAVED?

1) Grace

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

NOTE: Grace is resistible or irresistible

2) Conviction

John 16:8 ESV

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

NOTE: Conviction is our first response to salvation

3) Confession

Romans 10:9 NLT

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

NOTE: Confession means to “say the same thing”

4) Repentance

Acts 3:19 NIV

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

NOTE: Repentance is a change of the mind and will

5) Faith

Acts 16:30–31 ESV

Then he brought them out and said, “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.”

NOTE: Saving faith means hearing, believing, and trusting in the Gospel

6) Baptism

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.

Acts 2:

NOTE: Baptism is an outward confirmation of an inward miracle

WHO WILL BE SAVED?

Ephesians 1:4–5 ESV

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

NOTE: It’s not whether God elects us or not, but how He elects us

1) Unconditional Election

God chooses who will be saved regardless of our choices

John 15:16 ESV

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

NOTE: God chooses who will be saved regardless of our choices

2) Conditional Election

Romans 8:29–30 ESV

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

NOTE: God chooses who will be saved in response to our choices

3) Simultaneous Election

Acts 16:14 NLT

One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.

NOTE: God chooses who will be saved during our choices

HOW MANY WILL BE SAVED?

Did Jesus die for all or for many?

1) Limited Atonement

Ephesians 5:25 NIV

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

NOTE: Jesus died only for the elect because he knew everyone else would not believe

2) Unlimited Atonement

1 Timothy 4:10 ESV

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

NOTE: Jesus died for everyone but salvation is only applied to those who believe

HOW LONG CAN SOMEONE BE SAVED?

Can a true follower of Christ lose their salvation?

1) Some can be lost

Hebrews 10:26–27 ESV

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

NOTE: This could refer to several types of people

2) No one can be lost

John 10:28–30 ESV

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

NOTE: God does not make mistakes

3) Some were always lost

Matthew 7:22–23 NIV

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

NOTE: God knows your heart

God knows your heart...