The doctrine of soteriology is the doctrine of salvation. It involves the means by which God has intervened in the affairs of man to save him from the just punishment for our sins.
The Doctrine of Election
Election is the “that eternal act of God whereby He, in His sovereign good pleasure, and on account of no foreseen merit in them, chooses a certain number of men to be the recipients of special grace and of eternal salvation.”[1]
Essential truths embraced or contained in election:[2]
1. God has by Election chosen some to salvation, but not all (Rom.16:13; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1Pet. 1:2; Rom. 9:23).
2. Election was accomplished in eternity past (Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Acts 15:18; 2 Thess. 2:13-14).
3. Election does not rest merely on foreknowledge, it is also based on foreordination (Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 11:5-6; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; Rom. 9:10-13).
4. Divine election is immutable (2 Tim. 2:18-19; Rom 8:30).
5. Election is a part of and is related to Christ’s mediation (Jn. 3:16; Rev. 13:8; Rom. 11:34).
The Extent of the Atonement
There is disagreement among Christians on the extent of the atonement. There are scripture passages that point to a limited atonement (Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9-10; John 17:9). Yet the passages on the unlimited nature of the atonement (not salvation) are definitive (Heb. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:6-10; 4:10; Tit. 2:11; 1 John 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:9).
Justification
“Justification may be defined as that judicial act of God by which, on account of Christ, to whom the sinner is united by faith, He declares that sinner to be no longer exposed to the penalty of the law but restored to divine favor.”[3]
Elements and grounds of Justification:
1. The remission of punishment (Mic. 7:18, Ps. 130:4).
2. The restoration to favor (2 Cor. 5:18; John 1:12; Rom 8:15; Gal. 4-5; Eph. 1:5; 1 Jn. 3:2).
3. It is not by works (Acts 13:19; Rom. 3:20-25; 5:1-9; Gal. 2:16; 3:13 1 Pet. 2:24).
The Place of Grace, Faith, and Works
1. Man is saved by grace alone (Rom. 4:4; Eph 2:8-9; 2 Thess. 2:16; Tit 2:11; 3:7; 1 Pet. 5:10)
2. Faith is the means by which man responds to the call of God and is saved (Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Pet. 1:9).
3. Works have no place preceding salvation. Works are a sign of a vibrant faith and lack of works cannot be said to be evidence of a spurious faith (Eph. 2-10James 2:14-26; Heb. 10:24; Tit. 2:14; 3:8-14)
Security of the Believer
Reasons why believers are forever secure in Christ:
1. There is security is because it is based on the promises of God (Rom. 8:31-39).
2. God’s presence assumes that we are secure, since He is Holy (John 10:27-30).
3. Because of God’s power and role in the believer’s salvation is secure (1 Peter 1:3-5).
4. A grammatical understanding of the aorist tense point to security (Acts 16:31; Rom 4:3).
[1] Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1941), Pg. 114.
[2] Chafer, Lewis Sperry Systematic Theology (Dallas TX: Dallas Seminary Press) Vol. III Pg. 172-175
[3] Pardington, George P. Outline Studies in Christian Doctrine (Harrisburg: Christian Publications 1926) Pg 316-317
“Justification may be defined as that judicial act of God by which, on account of Christ, to whom the sinner is united by faith, He declares that sinner to be no longer exposed to the penalty of the law but restored to divine favor.”[3]
Elements and grounds of Justification:
1. The remission of punishment (Mic. 7:18, Ps. 130:4).
2. The restoration to favor (2 Cor. 5:18; John 1:12; Rom 8:15; Gal. 4-5; Eph. 1:5; 1 Jn. 3:2).
3. It is not by works (Acts 13:19; Rom. 3:20-25; 5:1-9; Gal. 2:16; 3:13 1 Pet. 2:24).
The Place of Grace, Faith, and Works
1. Man is saved by grace alone (Rom. 4:4; Eph 2:8-9; 2 Thess. 2:16; Tit 2:11; 3:7; 1 Pet. 5:10)
2. Faith is the means by which man responds to the call of God and is saved (Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Pet. 1:9).
3. Works have no place preceding salvation. Works are a sign of a vibrant faith and lack of works cannot be said to be evidence of a spurious faith (Eph. 2-10James 2:14-26; Heb. 10:24; Tit. 2:14; 3:8-14)
Security of the Believer
Reasons why believers are forever secure in Christ:
1. There is security is because it is based on the promises of God (Rom. 8:31-39).
2. God’s presence assumes that we are secure, since He is Holy (John 10:27-30).
3. Because of God’s power and role in the believer’s salvation is secure (1 Peter 1:3-5).
4. A grammatical understanding of the aorist tense point to security (Acts 16:31; Rom 4:3).
[1] Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1941), Pg. 114.
[2] Chafer, Lewis Sperry Systematic Theology (Dallas TX: Dallas Seminary Press) Vol. III Pg. 172-175
[3] Pardington, George P. Outline Studies in Christian Doctrine (Harrisburg: Christian Publications 1926) Pg 316-317
No comments:
Post a Comment