Key Concepts of Salvation: A Theological Examination

Posted on Feb 7, 2025 in Religion

  1. The Primacy of Obedience in Atonement

    Why is obedience the central aspect of the atonement? Because it unifies the entire concept of Christ’s obedience.

  2. Sin and Humanity Without God

    Explain why humanity without God is guilty of sin in two ways:
    • Humanity is born into sin.
    • Humanity chooses to sin.

  3. Humanity’s Predicament: Separation from God

    Humanity’s sin results in separation from God and others. Due to the sinful nature resulting from the fall, humanity is inherently flawed, affecting intellect, emotions, and will, making it difficult to understand spiritual matters.

  4. Repentance: Turning Away from Sin

    Repentance is recognizing, confessing sins to God, and completely turning away from them.

  5. The Importance of Salvation

    Salvation is important because it:
    • Creates joy in the heart of the sinner.
    • Causes rejoicing in heaven among the angels.
    • Opens the door to faith and forgiveness of sins.

  6. Aspects of Repentance

    • Intellectual
    • Emotional
    • Act of the Will

  7. The Process of Salvation

    Salvation is produced by the ministry of the Word and a fresh vision from God, encompassing repentance, faith, conversion, regeneration, justification, and adoption.

  8. Elements of Faith

    • Knowledge: Faith grows through knowledge of scripture concerning humanity’s sinful nature, salvation in Christ, and blessings promised to God’s children.
    • Assent: Faith is the heart’s agreement to the truth of what we know.
    • Trust: It’s the act of the will, committing ourselves fully to Christ and His guiding principles.

  9. Conversion: Turning to Christ

    Conversion is turning from sin to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness.

  10. Biblical Evidence of Election

    • Who is elected: All those God foreknew would accept His offer of salvation.
    • In whom they are elected: In Christ Jesus.
    • What they are elected to: To continue in faith in God.

  11. Regeneration: Spiritual Rebirth

    Regeneration is God’s act of imparting spiritual life to the repentant sinner upon receiving the Lord Jesus Christ.

  12. Descriptions of Regeneration

    Becoming a new self, a new creation, created in Christ Jesus, crossing over from death to life.

  13. The Nature of Regeneration

    • The nature of humanity (sinners).
    • The nature of God (holiness).

  14. Justification: Righteousness of God

    God’s righteousness is maintained in justification because our sins are transferred to Christ, and His righteousness is transferred to us.

  15. Adoption: Becoming Children of God

    Adoption is God’s act of grace by which He places those who receive Jesus Christ as children in His family.

  16. Sanctification: God and Humanity

    The two parties in sanctification are God, who sanctifies us, and humanity, who must accept Christ and the gift of salvation.

  17. Glorification: The Basis

    The basis of glorification rests upon the death, resurrection, and intercession of Christ.

  18. Assurance of Glorification

    Assurance of glorification rests upon promises, first fruits, earnest and deposit, seal, and inheritance arising from the work of Christ as it applies to us as believers.

  19. Justification of Atonement

    Atonement was a means of reconciling a Holy God with sinful humanity, accomplishing perfect justice, setting people free from the power and guilt of sin, and restoring fellowship with God.

  20. Justification for Experiencing Salvation

    A Christian’s life is fruitless if we do not exercise our faith.

  21. Justification of Conversion’s Effects

    Conversion means that what a person does is a result of what they are wholly.

  22. Justification of Election

    Election shows us the gracious provision God has made for those who accept His offer of salvation.

  23. Justification of Salvation by Faith Alone

    We are not saved by faith and works, rather we are saved by faith that works.