Ordo Salutis – Order of Salvation

Theology – Salvation Series – Order of Salvation

Overview – Order of Salvation

The ‘order of salvation’ or Ordo Salutis is the Biblical order of concepts that occurs during the course of a persons salvation. It is the preceding events and steps that occur as a person continues experience salvation throughout their life.

• Salvation Series – Soteriology

Scriptures that Describe the Order of Salvation Events

The Golden Chain of Salvation

Referred to, by most Calvinist’s, is the golden chain of redemption. This is the chain of events set up by God before the creation of the world, the chain of events that is a person’s salvation, or referred to as their salvation process.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did:

• [Foreknew – from previous verse]
• Predestinate, them he also
• Called: and whom he called, them he also
• Justified: and whom he justified, them he also
• Glorified.

– Romans 8.29-30 (KJV)

Therefore we find that the chain of events that God does is as follow:

God foreknew -> God predestined -> God called -> God Justified -> God will glorify.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5. he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

– Ephesians 1.4-5

We find other verses that reveal chains of events that lead to salvation in other part of scripture, all corresponding to one another.

Order of belief or evangelism, or the order in which someone will be brought to belief.

How, then, can they :

• Call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they
• Believe in the one of whom they have not
• Heard? And how can they hear without someone
• Preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are
• Sent?

– Romans 10.14-15

From this order of events we find the following chain of events:

One is sent -> they preach -> unbelievers hear -> they believe -> they call upon the Lord

Order of Salvation Scheme Chart – by Different Theological Viewpoint

Description of Terms

• Foreknowledge – God knowing (foreknowledge) by some means, those who would be saved. (Rom 8.29)
• Predestination – God predestined those He foreknew to be saved. (Rom 8.29)
• Election – God elected or chose those whom He predestined to be part of his people. (Rom 9.11, Eph 1.4, 1 Pet 1.2)
• Calling – Those whom God has predestined, He will call (Rom 8.30, Rom 9.11, Matt 22.14)
• Faith – Faith occurs when a person believes in God and puts their trust in Him. (Eph 2.8)
• Repentance – The act of a believer turning towards God away from sin. (Acts 26.20)
• Justification – The acts of Christ taking on the cost and penalty for our sin. (Rom 3.23)
• Regeneration – Regeneration occurs when a believer is brought to life spiritually through a renewed relationship with God (2 Corin 5.17, Titus 3.5)
• Adoption – God adopted al those who are His into the family of God through Christ. (Rom 8.15)
• Sanctification – The children of God will be made holy throughout the process of becoming more like Christ, and separate from sin. (1 Pet 1.2)
• Perseverance – Perseverance is the continuation in the faith towards Christ, God causes His children to desire to continue in perseverance in the faith. (Rom 5.3-5)
• Glorification – The final result of our salvation, the death or rapture of a believer to be with Christ and to exist in likeness to Him. (1 John 3.2, )

References

Got Questions – The Order of Salvation

The Gospel Coalition – Essays – the Election and Foreknowledge of God

Ligonier Ministries – Bible Studies Devotionals at Ligonierorg – the Order of Salvation