Soteriology the Study of Salvation

THEOLOGY – SIN AND SALVATION

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Origin of Salvation
• Salvation Comes From God
• Salvation Comes from God’s Desire
• God predestined all Believers Before the World Began
• How Does Salvation Work
• God’s Saving Actions
• How Is Salvation Accomplished
• Ultimate Sacrifice
• Not all Desire to be Saved
• Must Believe, in Faith
• References

Overview

Soteriology is the Study of Salvation

What is Salvation? – Salvation specifically means to be saved. It is the mechanism by which something is able to be rescued from something else.

The biblical term for salvation is defined as a large encompassing word in scripture. Salvation is both an event and a process. It is an event that took place on the cross, it took place when we first believed, it takes place throughout the course of the life of the believer and will take place in the future. The bible tells us:

• “You have been saved” – Eph 2.8
• “To us who are being saved” – 1 Corin 1.18
• “Your salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” – Rom 13.11

What are we as humans specifically saved from?- We are saved from sin and from evil and all the effects of it by God.

Salvation exists as a method of being able to return to God from a state (existence) of depravity and sinfulness, restoring our relationship with Him. In Hebrew the word for Salvation is Yeshua, literally meaning something saved, delivered, brought to health (life). In the Greek the word is Soteria, literally meaning rescue or safety, health (life) or deliverance.

Salvation is the healing from the sickness that is in our spirit, it is the regeneration of the lost part of our existence, it is the rebirth of our dead soul, dead because it was separated from the source of life- God is life:

Jesus said to him, I am the true and living way: no one comes to the Father but by me.  – John 14.6

(Concerning Jesus) But it was for our sins he was wounded, and for our evil doings he was crushed: he took the punishment by which we have peace, and by his wounds we are made well (or healed).  – Isaiah 53.5

ORIGIN OF SALVATION

Where does salvation come from?

Sin comes as a result of men whom by their own free will, choose what is opposite of God (evil) in their actions & heart; but salvation comes from God alone. God created a way for people who are sinners to be able to return to Him, if by their free-will, they so choose.

Salvation is of The LORD

Jonah 2.9

Why did God make a way for salvation?

God wanted to demonstrate His great love towards us

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

John 3.16

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5.8

Salvation is Not of Man

Salvation does not come from any desire of man (will of man), nor from heritage (of blood), but rather, it comes from God alone! Man cannot save himself.

But as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  – John 1.12-13

Salvation Comes From God Alone

Only God is able to save us. Salvation comes from Gods desire to create a way for us to be saved.

Parable: Salvation can be though of as the story of the 3 children that where tricked into selling themselves into slavery for a cheap and unworthy price to an evil warlord. The warlord put the children to burdensome tasks whom promised one day to torture them to a gruesome death. One day a good king came in passing who saw the 3 hard burdened children and asked the warlord what the price would be to set them free. The warlord, unwilling to give them up said it would cost the good king everything he owned, and to suffer the horrible punishment he promised to the children. The king agreed, and afterwards he was actually ridiculed and spit upon by the children themselves, they were unwilling to be set free from the warlords clutches as this was the only life they knew. Eventually 2 of the children came to trust the good king and what he had done, and remove themselves from the warlords camp to live in the freedom that was bought for them. Unfortunately the third child grew and died in the horrible manner the warlord originally promised, never trusting in the good kings sacrifice or accepting the freedom that was already bought for him.

• Children                      =         Mankind
• Warlord                     =          The Devil
• King                            =          Jesus
• Burden & grief           =          Sin
• Price                            =        Jesus death on the cross

There is no way the children would have been able to redeem themselves, only another could have bought them their salvation. Jesus not only paid our price, but also put our burdens upon Himself to set us free.

Salvation comes by God’s Kindness & Love

It is God’s will and desire alone that made salvation available to mankind. God made salvation a part of His plan for all whom would become believers because of His kindness (good pleasure) that He did freely (not under compulsion, but because He wanted to); as we see revealed in the Bible:

Having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved 

Ephesians 1. 5-6

but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us

Ephesians 2.4

Salvation is freely offered to all people, it is simply a matter of choice for an individual to come to God, and to trust in Him. It has nothing to do with anything that a person can or will do, but is based completely upon God’s free gift to us. Salvation is freely offered and already given to all those who put their trust in Him.

For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.  – John 3.16

So then, as the effect of one act of wrongdoing was that punishment came on all men, even so the effect of one act of righteousness was righteousness of life for all men.  – Rom 5.18

For the grace of God has come, giving salvation to all men,  – Tit 2.11

But God has made clear his love to us, in that, when we were still sinners, Christ gave his life for us.  – Rom 5.8

But when the mercy of God our Saviour, and his love to man was seen, Not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but in the measure of his mercy, he gave us salvation, through the washing of the new birth and the giving of new life in the Holy Spirit,  – Titus 3.4-5

Salvation Comes from God’s Desire

God Desires All Men to Come to Salvation

This is good and pleasing in the eyes of God our Saviour; Whose desire is that all men may have salvation and come to the knowledge of what is true.  – 1 Tim 2.3-4

The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways.  – 2 Peter 3.9

Salvation comes by God’s Grace and Unmerited Favor

Salvation come from God’s grace and unmerited favor. Salvation cannot be earned, it is a free gift of God. There is nothing that a person can do to get salvation in any way, God has already done everything, it is simply up to the individual to accept it by faith.

For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  – Rom 6.23

for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God  – Ephesians 2.8

Salvation comes in According to God’s Ordination

Salvation was something that God planned on doing from the beginning, even before He formed mankind. In His omniscience and also due to the fact that He exists outside of time and is able to see all events from the beginning to the end (Isaiah 41), He already has seen all men whom are going to and have already believed.

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:  – Eph 1.4

And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.  – Rev 13.8

God predestined all Believers Before the World Began

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.  – 1 peter 1.2

having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  – Eph 1.5

For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.  – 1 Tim 4.10

Theological Viewpoints on Predestined Salvation:

There are a few different schools of thought when it come to the doctrine of predestination. Depending on interpretation of all the combined scriptures concerning predestination, there are about 4 primary categories of beliefs.

Þ     see Bible Study – Predestination

HOW DOES SALVATION WORK

God’s Side:

Salvation ultimately works by coming from the grace and election of God;

1. By the decree of the Father,
2. Through the work and sacrifice of the Son,
3. Bringing & keeping sinners in faith through the Holy spirit.

Man’s Side:

As believers experience salvation in 3 processes;

1. Beginning: in being justified by believing
2. Proceeding: by Living in sanctification
3. Completing: in meeting Christ in glorification

God’s Saving Actions

He Is the Supplier – God Gives Effectual Grace

Gods grace is infinitely sufficient for all our needs and to cover all our sins and short-comings. Grace is God’s gift to men whom believe in Him even though they do not deserve it. Salvation comes as God’s gift from the riches of His grace. God does not need anything from humans nor is He served by people as though He needed anything, but rather He is the ultimate supplier of all of our needs, and of those that come to Him.

neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;  – Acts 17.25

For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.  – Rom 11.36

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.  – 1 Chron 29.14

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 

Romans 2.4

But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many.  – Rom 5.15

For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  – Rom 6.23

God Seals us in His Spirit

God seals those whom believe to keep them with a promise. God’s seal and is the Holy Spirit coming to live inside of you (Eph 1.13-14). The term in this verse used for the seal of the Holy Spirit is the same as an engagement ring that a groom gives to his bride.

in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, – in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, unto the praise of his glory.  – Eph 1.13-14

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.  – Eph 4.30

But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  – Rom 8.9

How Is Salvation Accomplished

The perfect relationship mankind first had with God (according to Gen 1-3) was lost through Adam because of his sin, and turning away from God’s command. In time, this relationship was restored through Jesus Christ for all those who believe in Him.

We lost all through one mans sin:

So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.  – Rom 5.18-19

The Holy Spirit convicts us of Sin:

And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.  – Gen 6.3

And he (the Holy Spirit), when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  – John 16.8

Blood Sacrifices – Ancient Method of Salvation

Atonement always involves a blood sacrifice, as only blood can appease the due justice for all sins. In ancient Israel, before the Messiah Jesus came, God allowed the Hebrews to come to God and symbolically put their sins on one of their animals as they had to watch it die for their own sins. The innocent blood of the animal would be shed for the sins of the person, this was the atonement in the Old Testament. This procedure was just a shadow of things to come. It was meant not only for the people to see the seriousness of sin, and the cost of it, but animal sacrifice was a symbol to the Israelites of what the Messiah was going to go through (Jesus’ sacrifice).

God forgives sins because atonement has been made for all mankind. Jesus’ innocent blood atoned all sins forever and we receive the forgiveness of sin because of it. Similar to a pardon from a court of law, it is not expunged but rather the doing of the wrong is erased from all history.

When the sin which they have done comes to light, then let all the people give an ox for a sin-offering, and take it before the Tent of meeting. And let the chiefs of the people put their hands on its head before the Lord, and put the ox to death before the Lord. And the priest is to take some of its blood to the Tent of meeting; And put his finger in the blood, shaking drops of the blood seven times before the Lord in front of the veil. And he is to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before the Lord in the Tent of meeting  – Lev 4.14-18

For the life of the flesh is in its blood; and I have given it to you on the altar to take away your sin: for it is the blood which makes free from sin because of the life in it.  – Lev 17.11

And I will have mercy on their evil-doing, and I will not keep their sins in mind.  – Heb 8.12

Because it is not possible for the blood of oxen and goats to take away sins. And every priest takes his place at the altar day by day, doing what is necessary, and making again and again the same offerings which are never able to take away sins. But when Jesus had made one offering for sins for ever, he took his place at the right hand of God; And has been waiting there from that time, till all who are against him are made a foot-rest for his feet. Because by one offering he has made complete for ever those who are made holy  – Heb 10.4, 11-14

But it was for our sins he was wounded, and for our evil doings he was crushed: he took the punishment by which we have peace, and by his wounds we are made well. All went wandering like sheep; going every one of us after his desire; and the Lord put on him the punishment of us all.  – Isa 53.5-6

In whom we have salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, through the wealth of his grace,  – Eph 1.7

Who has made us free from the power of evil and given us a place in the kingdom of the Son of his love; In whom we have our salvation, the forgiveness of sins:  – Col 1.13-14

Ultimate Sacrifice

Jesus died on the cross and paid the price for our sins

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.  – 2 Corin 5.14-15

being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  – Rom 3.24

Conditions to Receive Salvation

Jesus Christ Death

We must understand Who God is and what He did for us. He took our place and punishment for our own sins upon Himself. The Bible is clear, that the condition for a person to be saved is belief and putting their trust in God and His Word. We must believe that Jesus died on the cross, and paid our price for our sins, taking our place of punishment, in order to receive His salvation, and that God raised Him from the dead. This is the type of belief that puts trust into God in such a way that a person gives their life and everything they own to Him, trusting Him with all their heart. For the believing heart leads to righteousness, as Christ continues to dwell in it, and the confessing mouth leads to salvation, as you confess to God your reliance/dependence on Him. In Greek the word for believe is pisteuo, meaning literally to have faith in, to credit, entrust or put trust into.

Believe in God & He Is a Rewarder

For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.  – Hebrew 11.6

Believe in Jesus

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved  – Acts 16.31

Confess Jesus is Lord, Believe in Your Heart

if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. – Romans 10.9-10

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  – Eph 3.17

Have Faith, (Trust) in God

for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  – Ephesians 2.8

We must trust that God freely gives salvation according to our faith as we come to Him, and believe in what He has done for us, namely, dying on the cross to take the place for our sins.

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;  – Rom 3.22

There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  – Rom 8.1-4

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  – 1 John 4.10

Humble Yourself

You must come to a place in your heart that you recognize the evil and wickedness inside of yourself, and recognize that you cannot accomplish anything good apart from God. You must humble yourself before God and repent (turn away) of your sins.

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite  – Isaiah 57.15

Repentance

In the Greek the word is Metanoeo – meaning to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider, morally to feel compunction. Reverse ones decision. Repent. Occurs 34 times in the KJV.

As sinner we must repent of all our sins. Repentance means to turn back or turn away from sin and a way of sinful living and turn towards Christ. God calls us to live a life of repentance (Luke 3.8) from the world, continually turning to Him and His ways. Repentance, and turning away from a sinful life, is to live a life doing the things God wants you to do.

Jesus Said unless you repent you will perish – Luke 13.3

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?  – Romans 2.4

Forgiveness Past, Present & Future

Jesus death was so powerful that it saved and forgave the sins of not only those who believed on Him during His time on earth and for every age to come, but also for all those who came before Him and looked to His coming as well:

And the free giving has not the same effect as the sin of one: for the effect of one man’s sin was punishment by the decision of God, but the free giving had power to give righteousness to wrongdoers in great number.  – Rom 5.16

Not Every Person is Willing to be Saved

God is patient for people to come to repentance but not everyone is willing to turn from their sinful lifestyle to God.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways.  – 2 Peter 3.9

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, putting to death the prophets, and stoning those who are sent to her! Again and again would I have taken your children to myself as a bird takes her young ones under her wings, and you would not!  – Matt 23.37

Must Believe in Faith

Belief means to trust in God, not just a one time acts, but rather a continual act for the rest of your life. You must believe and trust the one true God who created you for the rest of your life whom will lead and guide you. If you truly believed and trusted in God, your soul is regenerated and for the rest of your life you will be alive spiritually to God.

and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.  – Heb 11.6

because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:  – Rom 10.9

for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.  – Phil 2.13

(God), when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved  – Eph 2.5

REFERENCES

Systematic Theology – Norman L. Geisler

Streetwitnessing.org – Sanctification

Desiring God Ministries – Salvation Topic Resources