Doctrine of Salvation (Systematic Theology 2)

“Salvation” can be defined in many different ways by different groups.

Can be a breakdown between evangelicals and non-evangelical Christians

Ex. – JW’s and Mormons hold to different definitions than Baptists do

Salvation in 3 tenses

Past – we were saved from the penalty of sin

Present – we are being saved from the power of sin

Future – we will be saved from the presence of sin

Not everyone holds to all three of these. Discussing salvation brings about issues with…

Term to know: Universalism – everyone will eventually be saved

The best answer to universalism is the cross. In universalism, there is no human choice. Term to know: Inclusivism

Inclusivism – if people will follow the “light” (which is their “Jesus”) they have, then they’ll be saved

Pluralism – there are many ways to heaven; all religions have “light” (If everyone’s right, then no one can be right).

Discussing salvation requires us to look at…

The lostness of humanity (Romans 5:12)

The wrath of God

The paradox of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility

Daniel 4:33–35 NKJV

33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

God’s absolute control asserted

The Bible teaches both… Romans 9

God has absolute Lordship. He directs every process to fulfill His plan. God does exactly as He chooses.

Human experience also makes it obvious that we make free choices.

There must be a balance in our view. A person is not saved unless that person willingly accepts Christ.

o Acts 2:23 – the 2 are brought together

Acts 2:23 NKJV

23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

• Paradox – an apparent contradiction

• Antinomy – a complete contradiction with no resolution for us

• God is eternal, absolute, and perfect

o Therefore, His will and knowledge are eternal, absolute, and perfect

• Man is temporary, contingent, and imperfect (including morally)

o Therefore, his will always reflects that nature.

Acts 4:27–28 NKJV

27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

Predestination

Term to know:

• Biblical Passages Acts 2:23; 4:27-28; 13:48

Ephesians 1:1–11 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Romans 8:29-30 9:23

Romans 8:29–30 NKJV

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 9:23 NKJV

23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,

Basic Characteristics

Absolute and unconditional – not conditioned upon anything else (only based on God’s own purpose)

Particular – pertains to individuals, and not groups of people; it is that which sets the destiny of people

Double application – deals with election and reprobation

Term to know: Election – act of God by which He chooses a certain number of people to be recipients of special grace which leads to salvation.

Basic Characteristics

Expression of God’s own sovereign will

Unchangeable

Eternal

Unconditional – something else doesn’t have to happen

Irresistible – Phil. 2:13

Not unjust

Term to know: Reprobation – defined two different ways…1) God’s choice to damn (He created in order to condemn; active reprobation), or 2) God leaves those who are not elect as reprobate (more of a non-decree than a negative degree; passive reprobation)

God’s choice of election/reprobation came after the fall

Creation – Fall – Election/Reprobation

Major issues…

Freedom of will – being created in the “image of God” includes the ability to choose between options

The basic characteristics of what it is to be human is to make choices of reason, will, affection, and morality.

Our nature as a human being includes the above, in addition to a soul/spirit and body.

The issue with spiritually lost people is that they are dead. The nature is not changed, but is made inoperative toward God.

Therefore, the term “free will” is limited by the fallen nature.

Those who are spiritually alive have a changed nature.

The struggle is between the flesh and the spirit

What is the meaning of “free?”

There are certain things you cannot choose to do because of physical, mental, and moral limitations.

• God is the only one who is completely free (not being under bondage and under control)

God is the most uncontrolled and uncontrollable being, but He is also the most restricted being because of His own nature.

• Free therefore means we are free to be servants and under His control

Basic views of Freedom of Human Will and Sovereignty of God

• Necessity – blind fate; absolute determinism; part of what is called pantheism (extreme view)

• Contingency – power to decide for or against without any motives involved (extreme view)

• Certainty – man’s volitions are truly and properly his own (determined by nothing outside of himself) but proceed on the basis of his own feelings and views; God never intrudes into who you are; He never makes choices for you, but guarantees your decisions. (middle view)

Views on predestination

Calvinism

TULIP – came from a challenge from Arminius

T – total depravity (corruption and inability to change my spiritual state)

U – unconditional election (God must choose; we do not)

L – limited atonement (God sent Jesus for those He chose)

I – irresistible grace (Guarantees the conversion)

P – perseverance of the saints

Arminianism

Things to consider

The grace of God – which position best reflects on the grace of God

Calvinism emphasizes the grace of God

Arminianism emphasizes the pulling back of the grace of God

The issue of works – If I do something that results in my salvation, then it is works-based salvation.

The issue of the nature of salvation and the nature of man

The Gospel Call

Term to Know: Gospel call - The offer of salvation to all people.

• Offer of salvation in Christ to people along with an invitation to accept Christ in order that they may receive the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. (God’s universal call of the Gospel).

• The Great Commission commands that we get the Gospel call out to every human being on the planet.

Elements of the Call

The Proclamation of the Facts of the Gospel

 How are they going to believe who have never heard?

o Invitation to Come to Christ in repentance and faith

A Promise of Forgiveness

• Is the Gospel Call sincere if God already knows if they are going to be saved?

o Yes, because the only way that the elect are going to hear the Gospel is that if the Gospel is proclaimed to all men.

o Ezekiel 18 – the blood is on OUR hands if we don’t warn them (not on God’s hands).

The Effectual Calling

• The gospel call that is effective in the hearts of people. It guarantees salvation.

• It is an empowering call.

• There is always repentance and faith.

• Internal calling

Holy Spirit’s addressing to the heart

Awakens within the individual the desire to repent and trust Christ.

Term to Know: Effectual Calling - Internal, irresistible working of the Holy Spirit in which He convinces the sinner of his sinful condition and then confirming to his heart God’s desire to save him.

Romans 8:28–30 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

There is a separation between calling and justification, which is faith.

Called – justified – glorified

Holy Spirit’s Arsenal

The People of God:

Romans 10.15-17

Romans 10:13–16 NKJV

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”

The Word of God

Romans 10:17 NKJV

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Conviction of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment

John 16:7-9 “7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;”

Effectual calling