“The apostle Paul exhorted the Ephesian gospel believers to put on the helmet of salvation as a part of their armor against Satan (Eph. 6:17). This helmet seems to represent an essential knowledge of salvation and its delivering power in daily life. Because of our familiarity with the gospel, it is easy for us who are saved to treat this doctrine lightly. However, it is urgent that we learn all that God has revealed about it for our personal blessing and for the benefit of others. Having been given the ministry of reconciliation to a lost world, it behooves us as the Lord’s ambassadors to learn all we can about God’s work of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18 – 20). A fuller understanding of salvation’s need, benefits, provision, application, and components will help us to be more efficient witnesses to unsaved people (Acts 1:8) and will give us a greater appreciation of all that God has so graciously done for us (Ps 68:19).” – Floyd H. Barackman, Practical Christian Theology; pg. 329. Kregel publications.
Our statement of faith on Salvation divides the subject into seven topics. This lesson will deal with the first two sections; election and atonement. There are many theological opinions about the area of election. It is important to hold to what the Bible declares. So join us as we “study to shew thyself approved unto God.”
Article III: DECLARATION OF FAITH
Section E. Salvation:
1. Election. We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners, this being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man (Acts 13:48; II Thess. 2:13, 14; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14). It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness; being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable (Eph. 1:11; Ex. 33:18, 19; Rom. 9:23; 11:28, 29, 32 – 36; Jer. 31:3; James 1:17; II Tim. 1:9). It utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy (1 Thess. 2:12, 13; 1 Cor. 1:26 – 31; 4:7; 15:10; Rom. 3:27; 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 2:9; 5:10; Luke 18:7). It may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel (1 Thess. 1:4 – 10).
1. What indicators are there in the following Scriptures that God had an eternal purpose of plan to save sinners?
· Acts 13:48
· II Thessalonians 2:13, 14
· John 10:16
· Matthew 20:16
· Acts 15:14
2. When was God’s plan of salvation established? On what is salvation based? Does it have anything to do with our merits? See 2 Timothy 1:9.
3. All are dead in trespasses and sins ( Rom 3:23; Eph. 2:1). Yet what do we know about the grace of God that brings salvation? See Titus 2:11.
4. What do we know about God’s desire for people to be saved? See 2 Peter 3:9.
5. Since mankind is hopelessly dead in trespasses and sins and can do nothing to obtain salvation, God graciously restores to all men sufficient ability to make a choice in the matter of submission to Him. This is the salvation-bringing grace of God that has appeared to all men. God who knows the end from the beginning, had knowledge before hand of those who would respond to His grace. Read Romans 8:29, 20. How does this truth explain the place that predestination plays in the plan of salvation?
6. What was God’s plan for the “vessels of mercy”? See Romans 9:23; 11:25 – 36.
7. According to the following passages, what response should we have toward God’s saving work?
· 1 Corinthians 1:26 – 31
· Romans 3:26 – 28
· 1 Peter 2:9
8. What are some of the effects on those who truly believe the Gospel and are saved by grace? See 1 Thessalonians 1:4 -10.
2. The Atonement. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the imputed merits and the mediatorial work of the Son of God. That as a vicarious sacrifice on Calvary’s tree, shedding His precious blood for our redemption (Isa. 53; II Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 1:18 – 21), He was buried, our sins being put away with Him in His burial (Psa. 103:12), and was raised again to assure our justification. He has ascended into a high priestly ministry on our behalf. He is in every way qualified to be an All Sufficient Saviour, and nothing can be added to His finished work (Heb. 10:11 – 14; Col. 1:10 – 22; 2:10).
9. What does the fact that Christ’s merits were imputed mean? See Romans 4:11, 22 – 25.
10. In what way was Jesus Christ our mediator? See Isaiah 53:4 – 6; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
11. Redemption refers to the fact that we were bought. What was the price? See 1 Peter 1:18 – 21.
12. Is Christ’s work of the Cross sufficient for all of our spiritual needs? Consider the following verses:
· Hebrews 10:11 – 14
· Colossians 1:19 – 22
· Colossians 2:10
In Conclusion: God has provided for your salvation. Your part is to believe and receive Jesus Christ as your only Saviour. If you are saved you should be taking the Gospel to others!
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