THE BLOOD OF JESUS CLEANSES YOU FROM ALL SIN AND GUILT (1 JOHN 1:7).
JESUS IS THE DELIVERER!!
Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities (Psa. 130:7-8).
At the heart of the Bible is Salvation (Redemption). It is the central issue of the Bible, and without it there would be no forgiveness of sin, no salvation, no gospel, and no hope for mankind. The topic of redemption is cause for rejoicing, because Jesus has purchased deliverance for His people.
THE EXTENT OF SALVATION (REDEMPTION)
The extent of salvation (redemption) of man is seen in the Bible to be the complete restoration of right relationship with God just as if man had never sinned.
Views of Salvation
1. The legal view says that man can be saved by good works and by living a clean moral life.
2. The semi-legal view says man must be saved by faith in Christ plus good works.
3. Socrates and many of the philosophers held an intellectual view, which purports that a man is good if he is a wise man, and that only the wise are in favor with the gods.
4. The Jews believed the biological view, erroneously supposing that they would inherit salvation by birth; that they were automatically in the Kingdom of God because they were Israelites.
5. The denominational view of salvation is held by certain church members who believe that a person has to be in their particular denomination or church.
6. The spiritual or biblical view says that salvation is received by faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9).
ATONEMENT
God said the blood would cover man's sin for the purpose of appeasing (propitiating) His wrath against sin; it would restore the Israelite to a right relationship with God. Admittedly, it is difficult to express the full idea of Christ's sacrifice on man's behalf with one word, atonement, but these three aspects aptly describe His work on the Cross: reconciliation, covering, and propitiation.
The Necessity For The Atonement
1. The atonement was necessary because of the biblical charge that all men are sinners.
2. The atonement is necessary because the divine sentence of death is upon all men, for all men are sinners.
3. The atonement is necessary because of the holiness of God.
4. The necessity of the atonement is seen in the fact that God is a just God, and His justice requires that every sin be judged.
Views Of The Atonement
The biblical view is that the punishment which was due the sinner was placed on Christ. As man's substitute, Christ suffered for all of mankind who are sinners from birth.
GRACE
There are several characteristics of grace which should be examined:
1. Grace is sovereign. Christianity is not a religion of discovery, but of revelation.
2. Grace is the very opposite of good works.
3. Grace is also an attribute of God (Ex. 34:6; 22:27; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).
4. Grace has provided a full redemption for man.
5. Christians are called by grace (Gal. 1:15); saved by grace (Eph. 2:8); forgiven by grace (Eph. 1:7); justified by grace (Titus 3:7); and granted eternal consolation by grace (II Thess. 2:16).
The Difference Between Law And Grace
The difference between the Old Testament law and the New Testament grace is not that grace was absent in the Old Testament, but that the Old Testament emphasis was upon obedience to the law.
Unscriptural Attitudes Toward Law And Grace
Another misconception concerning grace is that sin under the law resulted in punishment or death unless atoned for by a sacrifice; but under grace the once-for-all atoning blood of Jesus automatically cleanses the believer from sin. While it is valid that the Christian under grace can obtain forgiveness without making an animal sacrifice, he is not automatically forgiven.
Sins Against God's Grace
There are four kinds of sin against God's grace:
1. There are sins which reveal a careless attitude toward grace: indifference, lukewarmness, and sons of the flesh, such as anger, gossip, overeating, lust, and disobedience.
2. There is the sin of legalism.
3. There is the sin of the perversion of grace.
4. There is the sin of apostasy.
PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION
It should be noted that predestination and election are related to redemption. Paul spoke of election (choice) in Eph. 1:4-5. According as he hath chosen us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world. Paul set forth the more comprehensive concept of predestination (the plan of God), Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Christ Jesus.
THE CALLING
The Bible speaks of a calling that God gives to sinners through the preaching of the gospel to believe, repent, and be saved. The general call is an outward call to all men through the gospel, to which they may or may not respond.
FAITH
In reference to the nature of faith, its general usage in the New Testament refers to the whole body of Christian truth:
1. In personal application, faith is an attitude of the heart (John 3:16).
2. Faith is also an act.
3. Faith is also a confession (Matt. 8:7-8; 9:21-22; Mark 9:23-24; 11:23-24; Rom. 10:10).
4. Faith is trust in God.
Definition Of Faith
It is the substance of whatever a Christian is believing or hoping for, and it is the very evidence of things yet invisible. Faith is not seeing or feeling, but is evidence of the invisible. In Gal. 5:22 faith is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit, and it is one of the gifts of the Spirit according to I Cor. 12.
Saving Faith Versus Intellectual Assent
It is very important to see that genuine saving faith is to be distinguished from intellectual assent. They have faith about Jesus, and they think that is faith in Jesus.
Saving Faith Versus Believism
This is not biblical; it is simply believism.
REPENTANCE
Faith and repentance are always found together when a person becomes a Christian. John the Baptist said to the religious leaders who came to his baptism, Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance (Matt. 3:8). In other words, Prove that you have repented by your good works.
CONVERSION (REGENERATION)
According to God's Word, man is in desperate state; he is dead spiritually and in need of being regenerated (converted). Paul said, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, and were by nature the children of wrath (Eph. 2:1-3). All men are sinners, alienated from God spiritually, and are totally unable to change their spiritual condition.
Evidences Of Conversion (Regeneration)
There are certain evidences which would indicate that a person has truly been born of God. Belief in Christ is an internal evidence of regeneration (I John 5:1). There are certain external evidences of regeneration.
JUSTIFICATION
Justification is a vitally important aspect of redemption. The Bible does not teach that a man is righteous because he believes in Christ, but he is counted as righteous.
The Moral Basis For Justification
The moral basis for justification could not be through the observance of religious rites or through man's obedience to God's commandants (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:10, 21).
IMPUTATION
The term for imputation in the Hebrew means to think, to account, to reckon, to impute. Moral, spiritual righteousness is ascribed to God as one of His attributes, but it must be imputed to man.
Aspects Of Imputation
There are three major aspects of imputation:
1. The imputation of Adam's guilt to the entire human race (I Cor. 15:22; Rom. 5:12-21).
2. The imputation of the guilt and punishment of man's sins to Christ (Isa. 53:5-6; II Cor. 5:21; I Peter 2:24).
3. The imputation of the righteousness of God to believers (Gen. 15:6; Psa. 106:31; Rom. 3:22; 4:22; 8:32-33; Phil. 3:8-9).
SANCTIFICATION
The term sanctify in English, Hebrew, and Greek literally means to be set apart, consecrated, dedicated, and separated for some special function or use. The biblical view of sanctification is based on the literal meaning of the term. Man does not merely possess a sinful nature before salvation; he is sinful.
UNION WITH CHRIST
Regeneration places the believer in union with Christ, or as expressed in the New Testament, in Christ. By man's human nature he is in Adam, but in Christ he partakes of His divine nature. God is the Creator of all men, but He is the Father of only those who are redeemed.
CRUCIFIXION WITH CHRIST
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Rom. 6:6).
ADOPTION
Redemption makes a man a child of God; adoption makes him a son of God and gives him the rights of sonship. From God's side, it is preservation; from man's side it is perseverance. There is a distinction between a mere believer, one who has simply embraced Christianity as his religion, and an elect believer. But there are some who profess the Christian faith who will not endure to the end.SALVATION (REDEMPTION)
Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities (Psa. 130:7-8).
At the heart of the Bible is Salvation (Redemption). It is the central issue of the Bible, and without it there would be no forgiveness of sin, no salvation, no gospel, and no hope for mankind. The topic of redemption is cause for rejoicing, because Jesus has purchased deliverance for His people.
THE EXTENT OF SALVATION (REDEMPTION)
The extent of salvation (redemption) of man is seen in the Bible to be the complete restoration of right relationship with God just as if man had never sinned.
Views of Salvation
1. The legal view says that man can be saved by good works and by living a clean moral life.
2. The semi-legal view says man must be saved by faith in Christ plus good works.
3. Socrates and many of the philosophers held an intellectual view, which purports that a man is good if he is a wise man, and that only the wise are in favor with the gods.
4. The Jews believed the biological view, erroneously supposing that they would inherit salvation by birth; that they were automatically in the Kingdom of God because they were Israelites.
5. The denominational view of salvation is held by certain church members who believe that a person has to be in their particular denomination or church.
6. The spiritual or biblical view says that salvation is received by faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9).
ATONEMENT
God said the blood would cover man's sin for the purpose of appeasing (propitiating) His wrath against sin; it would restore the Israelite to a right relationship with God. Admittedly, it is difficult to express the full idea of Christ's sacrifice on man's behalf with one word, atonement, but these three aspects aptly describe His work on the Cross: reconciliation, covering, and propitiation.
The Necessity For The Atonement
1. The atonement was necessary because of the biblical charge that all men are sinners.
2. The atonement is necessary because the divine sentence of death is upon all men, for all men are sinners.
3. The atonement is necessary because of the holiness of God.
4. The necessity of the atonement is seen in the fact that God is a just God, and His justice requires that every sin be judged.
Views Of The Atonement
The biblical view is that the punishment which was due the sinner was placed on Christ. As man's substitute, Christ suffered for all of mankind who are sinners from birth.
GRACE
There are several characteristics of grace which should be examined:
1. Grace is sovereign. Christianity is not a religion of discovery, but of revelation.
2. Grace is the very opposite of good works.
3. Grace is also an attribute of God (Ex. 34:6; 22:27; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).
4. Grace has provided a full redemption for man.
5. Christians are called by grace (Gal. 1:15); saved by grace (Eph. 2:8); forgiven by grace (Eph. 1:7); justified by grace (Titus 3:7); and granted eternal consolation by grace (II Thess. 2:16).
The Difference Between Law And Grace
The difference between the Old Testament law and the New Testament grace is not that grace was absent in the Old Testament, but that the Old Testament emphasis was upon obedience to the law.
Unscriptural Attitudes Toward Law And Grace
Another misconception concerning grace is that sin under the law resulted in punishment or death unless atoned for by a sacrifice; but under grace the once-for-all atoning blood of Jesus automatically cleanses the believer from sin. While it is valid that the Christian under grace can obtain forgiveness without making an animal sacrifice, he is not automatically forgiven.
Sins Against God's Grace
There are four kinds of sin against God's grace:
1. There are sins which reveal a careless attitude toward grace: indifference, lukewarmness, and sons of the flesh, such as anger, gossip, overeating, lust, and disobedience.
2. There is the sin of legalism.
3. There is the sin of the perversion of grace.
4. There is the sin of apostasy.
PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION
It should be noted that predestination and election are related to redemption. Paul spoke of election (choice) in Eph. 1:4-5. According as he hath chosen us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world. Paul set forth the more comprehensive concept of predestination (the plan of God), Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Christ Jesus.
THE CALLING
The Bible speaks of a calling that God gives to sinners through the preaching of the gospel to believe, repent, and be saved. The general call is an outward call to all men through the gospel, to which they may or may not respond.
FAITH
In reference to the nature of faith, its general usage in the New Testament refers to the whole body of Christian truth:
1. In personal application, faith is an attitude of the heart (John 3:16).
2. Faith is also an act.
3. Faith is also a confession (Matt. 8:7-8; 9:21-22; Mark 9:23-24; 11:23-24; Rom. 10:10).
4. Faith is trust in God.
Definition Of Faith
It is the substance of whatever a Christian is believing or hoping for, and it is the very evidence of things yet invisible. Faith is not seeing or feeling, but is evidence of the invisible. In Gal. 5:22 faith is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit, and it is one of the gifts of the Spirit according to I Cor. 12.
Saving Faith Versus Intellectual Assent
It is very important to see that genuine saving faith is to be distinguished from intellectual assent. They have faith about Jesus, and they think that is faith in Jesus.
Saving Faith Versus Believism
This is not biblical; it is simply believism.
REPENTANCE
Faith and repentance are always found together when a person becomes a Christian. John the Baptist said to the religious leaders who came to his baptism, Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance (Matt. 3:8). In other words, Prove that you have repented by your good works.
CONVERSION (REGENERATION)
According to God's Word, man is in desperate state; he is dead spiritually and in need of being regenerated (converted). Paul said, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, and were by nature the children of wrath (Eph. 2:1-3). All men are sinners, alienated from God spiritually, and are totally unable to change their spiritual condition.
Evidences Of Conversion (Regeneration)
There are certain evidences which would indicate that a person has truly been born of God. Belief in Christ is an internal evidence of regeneration (I John 5:1). There are certain external evidences of regeneration.
JUSTIFICATION
Justification is a vitally important aspect of redemption. The Bible does not teach that a man is righteous because he believes in Christ, but he is counted as righteous.
The Moral Basis For Justification
The moral basis for justification could not be through the observance of religious rites or through man's obedience to God's commandants (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:10, 21).
IMPUTATION
The term for imputation in the Hebrew means to think, to account, to reckon, to impute. Moral, spiritual righteousness is ascribed to God as one of His attributes, but it must be imputed to man.
Aspects Of Imputation
There are three major aspects of imputation:
1. The imputation of Adam's guilt to the entire human race (I Cor. 15:22; Rom. 5:12-21).
2. The imputation of the guilt and punishment of man's sins to Christ (Isa. 53:5-6; II Cor. 5:21; I Peter 2:24).
3. The imputation of the righteousness of God to believers (Gen. 15:6; Psa. 106:31; Rom. 3:22; 4:22; 8:32-33; Phil. 3:8-9).
SANCTIFICATION
The term sanctify in English, Hebrew, and Greek literally means to be set apart, consecrated, dedicated, and separated for some special function or use. The biblical view of sanctification is based on the literal meaning of the term. Man does not merely possess a sinful nature before salvation; he is sinful.
UNION WITH CHRIST
Regeneration places the believer in union with Christ, or as expressed in the New Testament, in Christ. By man's human nature he is in Adam, but in Christ he partakes of His divine nature. God is the Creator of all men, but He is the Father of only those who are redeemed.
CRUCIFIXION WITH CHRIST
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Rom. 6:6).
ADOPTION
Redemption makes a man a child of God; adoption makes him a son of God and gives him the rights of sonship. From God's side, it is preservation; from man's side it is perseverance. There is a distinction between a mere believer, one who has simply embraced Christianity as his religion, and an elect believer. But there are some who profess the Christian faith who will not endure to the end.