For a class I’m taking at Western Seminary I had to write out my doctrine of salvation. So here it is.
Salvation and its effects
I believe that election is the act of God by which He chose unconditionally, before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-5), those who would believe in Him and be saved (Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:28-30). God made this choice not on account of any foreseen merit or foreknowledge of a person’s faith, but only because in His sovereignty and graciousness He willed some to be saved (Titus 3:4-7; 2 Thess. 2:13). Those whom God did not choose are those whom God allows to continue in their sin and rebellion against Him (1 Pet. 2:8; Jn. 3:18). God in His justice will punish them for their sin and rebellion, which will result in their eternal death (Phil. 3:19; 2 Thess. 1:8, 9).
I believe God, not wanting any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9) calls all people to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and receive salvation (Jn. 3:16). This general, Gospel call is made irresistible and effective in the lives of the elect by the work of the Holy Spirit in which He summons (Rom. 1:6-7) us into a relationship with Christ (Rom. 8:28-30), which results in our salvation (Jn. 6:44; Mt. 11:28).
I believe those who are summoned into a relationship with God through Christ are then regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:3, 5-8), which is totally a work of God, where He imparts to us a new spiritual life (2 Cor. 5:17), and He enables us to respond to God in faith (Acts 16:14; 1 Cor. 2:14). Conversion then takes place when a person responds to the message of Christ with both repentance and genuine faith. So it’s a turning from sin in repentance and at the same time turning to Christ in faith and personally trusting Him as your Savior (Acts 20:21). Those who repent and believe in Christ as Savior are justified, meaning all their sins are imputed to Christ, and the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the Believer (Rom. 4:1-5:21; 2 Cor. 5:21). Justification is not earned or merited, but rather is a gift from God (Rom. 3:24, 28) where He frees us from the penalty of sin (Rom. 8:1), unites us with Christ (Rom. 6:1-5) and adopts us into the family of God with full privileges (Gal. 4:1-7)!
I believe that those who are drawn into salvation are also being sanctified, namely, growing into Christ-likeness through the work of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18) as we cooperate with Him (Rom. 6:12-13, 19) by not yielding to sin, but by pursuing holiness (Phil 3:13-14). Although we will never be sin-free in this age (1 Jn. 1:8), we should be progressively growing in Christ like love and character (Heb. 12:14) until the day we stand complete before Christ in glory (Heb. 12:23; Rev. 21:27).
I believe those who trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ are eternally secure (Jn. 6:37) because in Christ there is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1), and nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38-39). Those whom God has saved will also be glorified, meaning we will be conformed to the image of Christ (1 Jn. 3:2), given new bodies (1 Cor. 15:49-53), and share in the relational intimacy of the Trinity (Jn. 17:20-23).
AMEN! I am learning more and more about pre-destination and this certainly sounds like God “pre-destins” the “elected” ones into salvation. I am all for that. But one question…what about the “Great Commission” in Matthew? Aren’t we supposed to go out into the world and preach the gospel? If we are “pre-elected” , why the commission?
Hi Linda,
Hope you’re doing well! We certainly are called to go into all the nations and preach the Gospel, and election is actually an encouragement to do so, because we are assured that some will respond to the Gospel! It’s actually wonderful news. God promises to use us to accomplish His purposes. Of course, we don’t know who’s predestined or not, so therefore we spread the Word as far and wide as we can and trust God with who will respond to His invitation.
Please tell your husband “hi’ for me, and hope you guys have a wonderful Christmas