SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
Essential Doctrines of Christianity
Essential Doctrines of Christianity
The Bible God Works of God Angels Humans Sin Salvation Christ Holy Spirit Church End Times Afterlife
SALVATION:
common grace
COMMON GRACE - Undeserved blessings that God gives to all people in this world, whether believers or non-believers. Common grace alone does not save, but it can lead people to saving grace (Rom 1:20; 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9-10).
- The world God made, even in its fallen state, gives sunshine, food, and water (Acts 14:16-17; Matt 5:45). God created this world with a tremendous amount of beauty that all can enjoy, including sunsets, forests, beaches, oceans, and amazing animals (Gen 1; Job 38-40; Ps 95:4-5; 104:24-25). God blesses each person with a conscience (Rom 2:14-15), which helps even non-believers maintain certain morals (Luke 6:33). God blesses believers and non-believers alike with relationships, with children (Ps 127:3), with spouses (Prov 19:14). Even governments are gifts from God, which although often bad, are better than anarchy (Rom 13:1).
- The world God made, even in its fallen state, gives sunshine, food, and water (Acts 14:16-17; Matt 5:45). God created this world with a tremendous amount of beauty that all can enjoy, including sunsets, forests, beaches, oceans, and amazing animals (Gen 1; Job 38-40; Ps 95:4-5; 104:24-25). God blesses each person with a conscience (Rom 2:14-15), which helps even non-believers maintain certain morals (Luke 6:33). God blesses believers and non-believers alike with relationships, with children (Ps 127:3), with spouses (Prov 19:14). Even governments are gifts from God, which although often bad, are better than anarchy (Rom 13:1).
The atonement
THE ATONEMENT - Jesus took our sin upon him and paid the penalty for it on the cross.
- Jesus lived a perfect righteous life (John 8:46; Heb 4:15, 5:9), but chose to become sin (2 Cor 5:21) in order to pay our debt (Matt 20:28; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 6:20), bearing the wrath of God against sin as a substitutionary sacrifice (Is 53:6,10; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Gal 3:13; Rom 3:25; 4:25; 5:8; 8:32; Heb 2:17; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
- Not only did Jesus take our sinful life and pay the penalty for it, he also gave us his righteousness for which we are rewarded (Phil 3:8-9).
- Jesus lived a perfect righteous life (John 8:46; Heb 4:15, 5:9), but chose to become sin (2 Cor 5:21) in order to pay our debt (Matt 20:28; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 6:20), bearing the wrath of God against sin as a substitutionary sacrifice (Is 53:6,10; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Gal 3:13; Rom 3:25; 4:25; 5:8; 8:32; Heb 2:17; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
- Not only did Jesus take our sinful life and pay the penalty for it, he also gave us his righteousness for which we are rewarded (Phil 3:8-9).
WHY WAS THE ATONEMENT NECESSARY?
- The atonement was not absolutely necessary, in that God did not have to save us (see 2 Peter 2:4). It became necessary once it was promised through prophecy (Luke 24:25-26; Mark 14:21 cf. Is 53; Ps 22). The prayer made by Jesus the night before his death indicates that it was necessary if we were to be saved (Matt 26:39). The shedding of blood is necessary for forgiveness and cleansing (Heb 9:19-26; Rom 3:25), which God made clear throughout the Old Testament. God used animal skin to provide covering for Adam and Eve after the fall (Gen 3:21). God provided for himself an offering in place of Isaac (Gen 22:1-14). God gave the picture of the Passover lamb, which was to be sacrificed and whose blood was to be struck on the door top and sides (likely making a bloody cross on the door) in order to avoid judgment (Ex 12:1-28 cf. 1 Cor 5:7; John 1:29). And the temple sacrifices were a continual reminder of the need for a blood sacrifice to atone for sin (Lev 1:4; 16:15-22 cf. Heb 9:6-10, 18-22; 10:1-4, 11-14).
HOW DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO KILL AN INNOCENT MAN IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE GUILTY?
If God had taken an innocent man against his will and punishment him for the sins of the guilty, then that would indeed be unjust. But God himself became a man and willingly chose to accept sin upon himself and take the punishment. We readily understand this type of reasoning when it comes to money. Let’s consider if someone owed a million dollars, had no way to pay it, and was going to be put in debtor’s prison. We would consider it unjust if money was forcibly taken from someone else in order to pay off the debt. However, few would suggest that it would be unjust if a rich man willingly paid off the debt in order to keep the debtor out of jail.
WHY DIDN’T JESUS HAVE TO PAY AN ETERNAL PUNISHMENT FOR OUR SINS, SINCE THOSE WHO REJECT HIM PAY ETERNALLY FOR THEIR SINS?
It is clear that the atonement is complete (Heb 9:23-28; John 19:30; Luke 23:43), but why is that the case? Let’s consider an analogous case with a monetary debt in place of sin. Lets say that a man has a million dollars of debt and is to be put in debtors prison until he can pay it off. Now, let’s say that he cannot make money while he is in prison. In fact, he falls deeper in debt each day he is there. It is easy to see that even though the debt is not infinite at the start, his length of stay in prison will be eternal because he has no hope of earning the money necessary for his release. This situation might seem unfair but consider that Jesus gave his life in order to be able to offer to pay the initial ‘debt’ (sin) thereby keeping the ‘debtor’ (sinner) out of prison (hell) and allowing him to enter heaven where he will no longer rack up any more ‘debt.’ Those who reject Christ’s offer will not only face the punishment for their sins at the end of this life, but they will continue to rack up sins that require continued punishment and separation from God that will extend to eternity.
conversion
CONVERSION – Occurs the moment a person repents (Acts 20:21; Luke 24:46-47; 2 Peter 3:9) and puts their faith in Jesus for salvation (Acts 20:21; 16:31: Eph 2:8-9; Rom 3:30).
IF REPENTANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION THEN WHY IS IT NOT ALWAYS INCLUDED WHEN REFERRING TO CONVERSION (E.G. ACTS 16:31)?
First, repentance is not about feeling bad. Sorrow is not the emphasis of repentance in Scripture (2 Cor 7:8-10). Biblical repentance has the idea of turning: turning from sin, turning from self, and turning to God. And so repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. Repentance is turning from sin, and faith is turning toward God. It is not possible to turn to Jesus without turning from sin. This doesn’t mean that converts will no longer sin, but it does mean that the fundamental position of the heart is toward God and away from sin and self.
TO BE SAVED, DO WE NEED TO MAKE JESUS LORD, NOT JUST SAVIOR (I.E. LORDSHIP SALVATION)?
- It would seem that being saved does mean acknowledging Jesus as Lord (Rom 10:9), however if it were to mean that we need to make him the Lord of our life in all situations and areas of our life in order to be saved, then that would seem to mix up faith with works, and justification with sanctification. It is important to note, however, that sanctification is not an optional add-on to salvation and that a person that does not demonstrate any fruit may not have really made the choice to follow Jesus and be saved (1 John 2:4; Matt 7:15-23).
justification
JUSTIFICATION – At the moment of salvation, the believer’s standing before God, the Judge of all creation, is instantaneously and forever changed from guilty to innocent (Rom 5:1, 9; 8:30), having been given the righteousness of Christ (1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:7-9), such that the believer is no longer under condemnation (Rom 8:1, 33-34; John 5:24).
- No one can be justified by following the works of the law (Ps 130:3; Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16; 3:11), but only through faith in Christ (Rom 3:21-26; 4:2-5; Gal 2:15-16).
- No one can be justified by following the works of the law (Ps 130:3; Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16; 3:11), but only through faith in Christ (Rom 3:21-26; 4:2-5; Gal 2:15-16).
Regeneration
REGENERATION – At the moment of salvation, the believer goes from being spiritually dead (Eph 2:1-5) to being a new creation (2 Cor 5:17), spiritually reborn (John 1:12-13; 3:3-9), and given eternal spiritual life (John 3:16; 5:24; 1 John 5:13; Rom 6:23; Gal 6:8).
- The word of God is important to the process of regeneration (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23), which is a work of God the Father made possible by the work of Christ and his resurrection (1 Pet 1:3), which is then applied though the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
- The word of God is important to the process of regeneration (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23), which is a work of God the Father made possible by the work of Christ and his resurrection (1 Pet 1:3), which is then applied though the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
adoption
ADOPTION - At the moment of salvation, the believer goes from being a child of wrath (Eph 2:3 cf. John 8:42-44) to a child of God (John 1:12) adopted into his family (Rom 8:15).
- The Spirit in believers lets us know we are God’s children (Rom 8:14-17; Gal 4:4-7). It is an amazing privilege to be a child of God (1 John 3:1-2) with an inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5; Gal 4:7; Rom 8:17), the opportunity to pray to the Father (Matt 6:9, 32-33; Luke 11:13), and ultimately the redemption of our bodies (Rom 8:23). Believers are called to follow the example of the Father (Eph 5:1-2; Matt 5:16; Phil 2:15), and are disciplined when we don’t (Heb 12:5-11; Prov 3:11-12). Fellow Christians are our brothers and sisters (1 Tim 5:1-2), who we are called to love, which helps show that we are God’s children (1 John 3:10).
- The Spirit in believers lets us know we are God’s children (Rom 8:14-17; Gal 4:4-7). It is an amazing privilege to be a child of God (1 John 3:1-2) with an inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5; Gal 4:7; Rom 8:17), the opportunity to pray to the Father (Matt 6:9, 32-33; Luke 11:13), and ultimately the redemption of our bodies (Rom 8:23). Believers are called to follow the example of the Father (Eph 5:1-2; Matt 5:16; Phil 2:15), and are disciplined when we don’t (Heb 12:5-11; Prov 3:11-12). Fellow Christians are our brothers and sisters (1 Tim 5:1-2), who we are called to love, which helps show that we are God’s children (1 John 3:10).
reconciliation with god
RECONCILIATION WITH GOD - Fallen humans are enemies of God, but salvation brings restoration of fellowship between the believer and God (Rom 5:10-11; 2 Cor 5:17-20 cf. 1 John 1:3-4).
- Humans originally had (Gen 2:15-19), but then lost (Gen 3:8-10) fellowship with God. A picture that showed fallen mans inability to commune with God was the holy of holies in the temple. Only the high priest could enter past the curtain into the holy of holies, and only on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16). When Jesus died, the curtain was miraculously torn from top to bottom and humans could again have fellowship with God (Matt 27:51; Heb 6:19-20; 9:1-15; 10:19-23).
- Humans originally had (Gen 2:15-19), but then lost (Gen 3:8-10) fellowship with God. A picture that showed fallen mans inability to commune with God was the holy of holies in the temple. Only the high priest could enter past the curtain into the holy of holies, and only on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16). When Jesus died, the curtain was miraculously torn from top to bottom and humans could again have fellowship with God (Matt 27:51; Heb 6:19-20; 9:1-15; 10:19-23).
unification with Christ
UNIFICATION WITH CHRIST - Believers are united with Christ in his death and resurrection (Rom 6:3-4; Phil 3:7-11), and are called by Jesus to abide in him (John 15:1-17 cf. Col 2:6).
- Over a hundred times the NT refers to believers being “in Christ” or “in him” (referring to Jesus).
- Over a hundred times the NT refers to believers being “in Christ” or “in him” (referring to Jesus).
Reception of the Holy Spirit
RECEPTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - At the moment of salvation, the believer is permanently indwelled with the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:2).
- Believers are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). The Holy Spirit washes the believer clean of every sin (Titus 3:5). The believer is sealed with the Spirit (Eph 1:13; 4:30), who acts as a guarantee (2 Cor 5:5), and shows that the believer has been accepted by God (Acts 15:8). The Holy Spirit is a Counselor and Teacher (John 14:26; 16:13-15), and allows the believer to understand spiritual realities (1 Cor 2:9-16). He searches hearts and can help the believer to pray (Rom 8:26). The Spirit fills with power to be able to live a life for Jesus and to tell others how to be saved from their sins (Acts 1:8). The Spirit has also given each believer a particular gift to serve God in a special way (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12). It is possible to resist or grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30), but believers are called to try hard to keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25) in order to yield the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).
- Believers are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). The Holy Spirit washes the believer clean of every sin (Titus 3:5). The believer is sealed with the Spirit (Eph 1:13; 4:30), who acts as a guarantee (2 Cor 5:5), and shows that the believer has been accepted by God (Acts 15:8). The Holy Spirit is a Counselor and Teacher (John 14:26; 16:13-15), and allows the believer to understand spiritual realities (1 Cor 2:9-16). He searches hearts and can help the believer to pray (Rom 8:26). The Spirit fills with power to be able to live a life for Jesus and to tell others how to be saved from their sins (Acts 1:8). The Spirit has also given each believer a particular gift to serve God in a special way (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12). It is possible to resist or grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30), but believers are called to try hard to keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25) in order to yield the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).
sanctification
SANCTIFICATION – The believer is made holy and set apart for holy purposes (1 Cor 1:2).
- The term ‘sanctified’ means to consecrate, set apart for holy purposes. It was used to describe the temple (2 Chron 36:14) and items in the temple that were set apart for holy use (Ex 29:27 cf. Matt 23:17), the Sabbath that was set apart as a holy day (Gen 2:3), people that were set apart for special service to God (Jer 1:5; 1 Chron 23:13; Num 3:13; John 10:36), and Christ who believers are told to set aside as Lord in our hearts (1 Peter 3:14-15).
- The term ‘sanctified’ means to consecrate, set apart for holy purposes. It was used to describe the temple (2 Chron 36:14) and items in the temple that were set apart for holy use (Ex 29:27 cf. Matt 23:17), the Sabbath that was set apart as a holy day (Gen 2:3), people that were set apart for special service to God (Jer 1:5; 1 Chron 23:13; Num 3:13; John 10:36), and Christ who believers are told to set aside as Lord in our hearts (1 Peter 3:14-15).
Initial Sanctification
INITIAL SANCTIFICATION – At the moment of salvation, believers are made holy in Christ (1 Cor 1:2) through the cleansing blood of the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus (Heb 9:11-14; 10:8-14, 26-29; 13:11-14), and there is an initial and permanent break where believers are set free (John 8:36) from slavery to sin (Rom 6:11; 14, 18; 1 John 3:9; 1 Cor 6:11).
Progressive Sanctification
PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION – Believers are called to abstain from the evil and sin that we have been freed from (1 Cor 6:9-11; 1 Thess 4:1-8; 2 Tim 2:20-22), and instead be slaves to righteousness (Rom 6:19-23) as we move on toward maturity (1 Cor 3:1-2; Heb 5:12-14), and are being transformed more and more into the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18; Col 3:10).
Completed Sanctification
COMPLETED SANCTIFICATION (GLORIFICATION) – The believer will be made perfect in heaven (Heb 12:23; Rom 8:29-30).
- No one reaches perfection in this world (1 Kings 8:46; 1 John 1:8).
- The glorification of believers will be fully complete with the resurrection of our bodies (Phil 3:20-21; 1 Cor 15:23, 49; Rom 8:23).
- No one reaches perfection in this world (1 Kings 8:46; 1 John 1:8).
- The glorification of believers will be fully complete with the resurrection of our bodies (Phil 3:20-21; 1 Cor 15:23, 49; Rom 8:23).
IS SANCTIFICATION AUTOMATIC, OR DOES THE BELIEVER PLAY A ROLE?
- Initial sanctification is a work of God (1 Cor 1:26-31; Heb 2:10-11) that comes with faith in Jesus (Acts 26:17-18). He cleanses and makes blameless (Eph 5:25-27; 1 Thess 5:23). He sanctifies through the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:16; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Peter 1:1-2) and through the Word of God (John 17:15-19; Eph 5:25-27; 2 Thess 2:13). But believers also play a role in progressive sanctification, as we need to study the Word of God and walk with the Spirit who sanctifies. Believers can also influence others, and be influenced by others toward holiness (1 Cor 7:14).
Perseverance of Believers
PERSEVERANCE OF BELIEVERS - All true believers in Jesus Christ will not and cannot lose their salvation.
- Believers are born again and have an inheritance reserved in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-5). Believers will be disciplined as children, but never disowned (Heb 12:1-11). As heirs, believers have a hope that anchors the soul (Heb 6:17-20). We were once enemies, but now believers are reconciled and will be saved from God’s wrath (Rom 5:9-11). The Holy Spirit seals the believer and is a guarantee of salvation (Eph 1:13-14; 4:30-32). Believers are given eternal life, not temporary life (John 5:24; 10:27-29). Jesus is the one who perfects faith and guards the believer (Heb 12:2; Phil 1:6). Once saved, there is nothing and no one who can take the believer from God’s hand (John 10:27-29).
- If believers could lose our salvation, it would mean that God could take people to heaven while saved, but instead waits for them to fall from salvation before taking their lives and sending them to hell. This does not seem to fit with the fact that God is not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
- Some argue that if the choice is ours to accept Christ then we must be able to choose to change our choice and later reject him. However, once we are in heaven we cannot and would not change our mind and lose our place there, so why would it be the case that it must be possible to lose our salvation on earth? There are many choices that once made, cannot be undone.
- Those who don’t persevere were never true believers. Their falling away from the group demonstrates that they were never believers and never saved (1 John 2:19; Heb 3:14 cf. 3:12, 19). 1 John 2:4 states, “The one who says ‘I have come to know him’ but does not do what he commands is a liar” (1 John 2:4). What is he a liar about? Having come to know him in the first place. In the parable of the seeds, there is one seed that sprung up and then died, but it had no root and bore no fruit. A person may have some external signs of growth, but no root and no fruit (Matt 13:18-23). See also Hebrews 6:7-8, which again describes no fruit but only thorns and thistles. True believers will bear fruit and will not fall away. Testing causes some to fall away, not from salvation but from the appearance of being a part of the group. Testing shows the true nature of something, it doesn’t change the nature of a thing. Judas was an example of someone who was never saved even though he looked to be a part of the group (John 6:61-71; John 12:4-6).
- Believers are born again and have an inheritance reserved in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-5). Believers will be disciplined as children, but never disowned (Heb 12:1-11). As heirs, believers have a hope that anchors the soul (Heb 6:17-20). We were once enemies, but now believers are reconciled and will be saved from God’s wrath (Rom 5:9-11). The Holy Spirit seals the believer and is a guarantee of salvation (Eph 1:13-14; 4:30-32). Believers are given eternal life, not temporary life (John 5:24; 10:27-29). Jesus is the one who perfects faith and guards the believer (Heb 12:2; Phil 1:6). Once saved, there is nothing and no one who can take the believer from God’s hand (John 10:27-29).
- If believers could lose our salvation, it would mean that God could take people to heaven while saved, but instead waits for them to fall from salvation before taking their lives and sending them to hell. This does not seem to fit with the fact that God is not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
- Some argue that if the choice is ours to accept Christ then we must be able to choose to change our choice and later reject him. However, once we are in heaven we cannot and would not change our mind and lose our place there, so why would it be the case that it must be possible to lose our salvation on earth? There are many choices that once made, cannot be undone.
- Those who don’t persevere were never true believers. Their falling away from the group demonstrates that they were never believers and never saved (1 John 2:19; Heb 3:14 cf. 3:12, 19). 1 John 2:4 states, “The one who says ‘I have come to know him’ but does not do what he commands is a liar” (1 John 2:4). What is he a liar about? Having come to know him in the first place. In the parable of the seeds, there is one seed that sprung up and then died, but it had no root and bore no fruit. A person may have some external signs of growth, but no root and no fruit (Matt 13:18-23). See also Hebrews 6:7-8, which again describes no fruit but only thorns and thistles. True believers will bear fruit and will not fall away. Testing causes some to fall away, not from salvation but from the appearance of being a part of the group. Testing shows the true nature of something, it doesn’t change the nature of a thing. Judas was an example of someone who was never saved even though he looked to be a part of the group (John 6:61-71; John 12:4-6).
DO SOME PASSAGES CALL INTO QUESTION PERSEVERANCE OF BELIEVERS?
- Hebrews 6:4-6 At first look this passage seems to be speaking about believers, but there is good reason to believe that the people spoken of in this passage were never true Christians. The passage speaks of “tasting” the heavenly gift and the goodness of the word of God, but it does not say that they believed or accepted those things. The fact that they “shared” in the Holy Spirit does not necessarily mean that they were personally indwelt or sealed by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit was working in powerful and overt ways within the Christian communities at that time as the Gospel was first being spread and authenticated. It would be possible for people to join a Christian community and see, be surrounded by, and in some sense share in the amazing work of the Spirit. The argument that this passage is not speaking of true Christians is bolstered by Hebrews 6:9 which states, “But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.” This suggests that those who “tasted” did not experience salvation as believers. Hebrews 10:26-39 is a similar passage and also suggests that those who fall away only received “knowledge of the truth” (10:26), as opposed to those who had “faith and are saved” (10:39). To openly reject Jesus (Heb 4:6) after receiving knowledge of the truth would seem to be akin to blaspheming the Holy Spirit, which is the only unforgivable sin (Luke 12:10), and would explain why they could not be “brought back to repentance.” One other note is that those who argue for being able to lose salvation often hold that you can regain salvation by accepting Jesus again, but there is no biblical evidence that suggests that that is the case. For instance, if the Hebrews 6:4-6 passage were talking about salvation it says that it is impossible for the person to be brought back to repentance.
- 2 Peter 2:20 This seems to be another case of a warning about receiving “knowledge of the Lord,” but then turning away without personally accepting and embracing him for salvation. It is very similar to the “tasted” concept.
- 1 Corinthians 15:2 The focus of the warning in verse 2 is related to what they were to hold to, and not how long they were to hold to it. They needed to hold fast to what Paul was preaching, making sure that the content would not change, because if the content were to change and become a false gospel then anyone who believed in that false gospel would do so in vain. In order to see this it is very important to look at the context of this passage, especially 15:12-14. In verse 14 the Greek term translated as “useless” is the same as the term translated as “vain” in verse 2. The point is that if some people were not believing the gospel that Paul preached but were believing in a false gospel that did not include resurrection (15:12), then the faith in that false gospel would be useless or vain and they would not be saved (15:14).
- Gal 5:4 Using this verse to say that believers can lose salvation seems to be mostly the case of taking the phrase “fallen away from grace” out of context. Paul was saying that if they were trying to be justified by the Law then they were moving away from the concept of grace, which is the only thing that could save them.
- Rev 3:5 This verse speaks of not blotting their names out. This does not necessarily imply that other names are blotted out. Even if it was the case that names are blotted out, that is most likely meant to show that God wants all to be saved, but some reject him and have their names blotted out. It is not that their names were written in the book upon salvation, and then erased.
- 2 Peter 2:20 This seems to be another case of a warning about receiving “knowledge of the Lord,” but then turning away without personally accepting and embracing him for salvation. It is very similar to the “tasted” concept.
- 1 Corinthians 15:2 The focus of the warning in verse 2 is related to what they were to hold to, and not how long they were to hold to it. They needed to hold fast to what Paul was preaching, making sure that the content would not change, because if the content were to change and become a false gospel then anyone who believed in that false gospel would do so in vain. In order to see this it is very important to look at the context of this passage, especially 15:12-14. In verse 14 the Greek term translated as “useless” is the same as the term translated as “vain” in verse 2. The point is that if some people were not believing the gospel that Paul preached but were believing in a false gospel that did not include resurrection (15:12), then the faith in that false gospel would be useless or vain and they would not be saved (15:14).
- Gal 5:4 Using this verse to say that believers can lose salvation seems to be mostly the case of taking the phrase “fallen away from grace” out of context. Paul was saying that if they were trying to be justified by the Law then they were moving away from the concept of grace, which is the only thing that could save them.
- Rev 3:5 This verse speaks of not blotting their names out. This does not necessarily imply that other names are blotted out. Even if it was the case that names are blotted out, that is most likely meant to show that God wants all to be saved, but some reject him and have their names blotted out. It is not that their names were written in the book upon salvation, and then erased.
Election
ELECTION - Before their repentance and faith, believers were first loved and chosen by God for the purpose of being conformed to the image of the Son of God. - Note that Calvinists have a different definition and understanding of election, such as Wayne Grudem who states, “Election is an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure” (Grudem, 670). Please also note that there are good solid Christians who agree that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but who have differing views on the issues of election, predestination, and Calvinism.
- My understanding of Election is to think vertically. Calvinists seem to view election in a horizontal sense, some are chosen out of a group and others are not, like apples selected from a tree. An alternative view is that election should be viewed vertically, emphasizing that believers were chosen by God to be his children. The term “elect” is important because it reminds us that God chose us first. We would never have chosen him if he didn’t choose us first (John 6:44). We love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). And even if we could have chosen him without him first choosing us, it would do us no good. We could choose to be with God all day long, but it would be to no avail unless he chose us and paid for us to be able to get there. And so even if every person who ever lived chose Christ and accepted his gift of salvation, it would still have been proper to call us all the “elect.” I think the meaning of “elect” is similar to the way that we use the term today in the political sense. If I wanted to be a congressman, I could not just choose to be a congressman. I must be elected. Once elected, I would become a “congressman elect.” If I was elected to be a congressman, but I rejected the idea and said that I would not serve. I am no longer “elect.” This is not because I wasn’t chosen but because I rejected the nomination. The difference in the analogy is that there are a limited number of congressmen. God may have originally chosen all people (possibly suggested by Ex 32:33; Ps 69:28; Rev 3:5; see however Rev 13:8; 17:8), but he knew who would reject him and who would accept Him. It is those who accept the nomination that are still the “elect.”
- Romans 9:11-13 This passage seems to be combating two errors that the Jews were falling into, which were the belief that they were saved because of their birth and through keeping the Law. The younger serving the older demonstrates that God’s choice is not based on birth (Rom 9:8). The part about not yet doing good or bad things, demonstrates that God’s choice is not based on how well someone keeps the law (Rom 10:1-4). This seems to be an issue of faith vs. works & heredity. It does not seem to rule out the possibility that there was to be a difference in the attitude of the heart that God foreknew about Jacob and Esau. The part about God having mercy on who he wants to have mercy on seems to be speaking about how God had mercy on the gentiles through their faith even though they were not born of Abraham nor did they keep the Law (Rom 9:30-32).
- Rom 9:16-18 This seems to be an issue of works (“human desire or effort”) vs. grace (“God’s mercy”). God tends to harden those who first harden themselves (Ex 8:32). He will take those who reject him and then use them. C.S. Lewis once stated that all will serve God, but it is up to us whether we will serve like Judas or like John.
- Rom 9:22-24 The prepared in “prepared for destruction” is a different word than the prepared in “prepared in advance for glory.” The former can have the idea of the subject making itself fit for destruction. In other words, God bore with great patience those who he knew would make themselves fit for destruction, and he did this to show his great power and love and mercy to those who he prepared for glory.
- My understanding of Election is to think vertically. Calvinists seem to view election in a horizontal sense, some are chosen out of a group and others are not, like apples selected from a tree. An alternative view is that election should be viewed vertically, emphasizing that believers were chosen by God to be his children. The term “elect” is important because it reminds us that God chose us first. We would never have chosen him if he didn’t choose us first (John 6:44). We love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). And even if we could have chosen him without him first choosing us, it would do us no good. We could choose to be with God all day long, but it would be to no avail unless he chose us and paid for us to be able to get there. And so even if every person who ever lived chose Christ and accepted his gift of salvation, it would still have been proper to call us all the “elect.” I think the meaning of “elect” is similar to the way that we use the term today in the political sense. If I wanted to be a congressman, I could not just choose to be a congressman. I must be elected. Once elected, I would become a “congressman elect.” If I was elected to be a congressman, but I rejected the idea and said that I would not serve. I am no longer “elect.” This is not because I wasn’t chosen but because I rejected the nomination. The difference in the analogy is that there are a limited number of congressmen. God may have originally chosen all people (possibly suggested by Ex 32:33; Ps 69:28; Rev 3:5; see however Rev 13:8; 17:8), but he knew who would reject him and who would accept Him. It is those who accept the nomination that are still the “elect.”
- Romans 9:11-13 This passage seems to be combating two errors that the Jews were falling into, which were the belief that they were saved because of their birth and through keeping the Law. The younger serving the older demonstrates that God’s choice is not based on birth (Rom 9:8). The part about not yet doing good or bad things, demonstrates that God’s choice is not based on how well someone keeps the law (Rom 10:1-4). This seems to be an issue of faith vs. works & heredity. It does not seem to rule out the possibility that there was to be a difference in the attitude of the heart that God foreknew about Jacob and Esau. The part about God having mercy on who he wants to have mercy on seems to be speaking about how God had mercy on the gentiles through their faith even though they were not born of Abraham nor did they keep the Law (Rom 9:30-32).
- Rom 9:16-18 This seems to be an issue of works (“human desire or effort”) vs. grace (“God’s mercy”). God tends to harden those who first harden themselves (Ex 8:32). He will take those who reject him and then use them. C.S. Lewis once stated that all will serve God, but it is up to us whether we will serve like Judas or like John.
- Rom 9:22-24 The prepared in “prepared for destruction” is a different word than the prepared in “prepared in advance for glory.” The former can have the idea of the subject making itself fit for destruction. In other words, God bore with great patience those who he knew would make themselves fit for destruction, and he did this to show his great power and love and mercy to those who he prepared for glory.
Predestination
PREDESTINATION – God has a sovereign plan and purpose, and all those who he foreknows will accept his salvation will certainly end up in the image of Jesus.
- Note that the Bible does not state that some are predestined for salvation and others are not. The emphasis is on what believers are destined to become.
- Romans 8:29-30 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Who are the ones that God foreknew? 1 Corinthians 8:3 states, “But if one loves God, one is known by Him.” The ones that God foreknew seem to be the ones who God knew would return his love and accept his grace and salvation. God has a plan for them that will certainly come to pass. They will be called, justified, glorified, and will end up in the image of God’s eternal Son. This is certain, and this is the purpose for which they were chosen. There is no one who will fall through the cracks. Every single person who would open his or her heart to God will be found, will be cleansed of sin, and will end up in the likeness of Jesus.
- Ephesians 1:4-6 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” The focus of this passage is not about choosing one person over another, but about what believers were chosen for.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits, to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” Calvinists tend to emphasize the “chose you as firstfruits, to be saved,” but the sentence does not end there and goes on to describe that God chose people to be saved through the work of the Spirit and through a person’s own belief.
- Note that the Bible does not state that some are predestined for salvation and others are not. The emphasis is on what believers are destined to become.
- Romans 8:29-30 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Who are the ones that God foreknew? 1 Corinthians 8:3 states, “But if one loves God, one is known by Him.” The ones that God foreknew seem to be the ones who God knew would return his love and accept his grace and salvation. God has a plan for them that will certainly come to pass. They will be called, justified, glorified, and will end up in the image of God’s eternal Son. This is certain, and this is the purpose for which they were chosen. There is no one who will fall through the cracks. Every single person who would open his or her heart to God will be found, will be cleansed of sin, and will end up in the likeness of Jesus.
- Ephesians 1:4-6 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” The focus of this passage is not about choosing one person over another, but about what believers were chosen for.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits, to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” Calvinists tend to emphasize the “chose you as firstfruits, to be saved,” but the sentence does not end there and goes on to describe that God chose people to be saved through the work of the Spirit and through a person’s own belief.
Calvinism's T.U.L.I.P. (and a response)
CALVINISM’S T.U.L.I.P. – Calvinist theology is laid out in five points. Each point will be explained and then a response given, since this Systematic Theology does not hold to Calvinism.
- Total Depravity Calvinist theology argues that since humans can do nothing good while still dead in sin, they certainly cannot do the good thing of humbling themselves and repenting and believing in the gospel. Therefore Calvinists argue that the doctrine of total depravity necessitates that God must regenerate the person prior to repentance and belief.
RESPONSE: The doctrine of common grace could account for the ‘dead’ person’s ability to repent and choose God. In other words, God loves each person and grants the grace necessary to the point that they can choose to accept or reject Christ.
- Unconditional Election Calvinist theology states that God’s choice is not based on anything within the person, and is not based on foreknowledge of a future choice the person would make.
RESPONSE: The identity of the elect is conditioned by God’s foreknowledge of the choices of man (Rom 8:29). Some might say, however, that if God indeed has foreknowledge, then from before your life ever began, your choice was certain. For some, the certainty of this choice means that ultimately the choice is not of your own free will. Certainty, however, does not negate free will or show its absence. God stands outside of time. He is transcendent. This means that he does not watch your life like a spectator at a parade, seeing one float at a time. He stands above and views all the floats at once. And so God can have knowledge of a choice that you will make next week without causing that particular choice, just as I could have knowledge of a choice you made last week without causing that particular choice. Scripture puts the responsibility on people for their disbelief, which wouldn’t seem to make sense unless they had a true opportunity to choose to accept the gospel (Matt 23:37; John 5:40; Rom 1:20).
- Limited Atonement Calvinist theology states that Jesus only paid for the sins of the elect.
RESPONSE: The biggest problem with this is when it is combined with unconditional election and irresistible grace. It doesn’t seem to fit with God’s universal offer of salvation (Matt 11:28; John 3:16; 2 Peter 2:1; 3:9). The bottom line is that the sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient to pay for all sins and for all time, but will only be efficient in saving those who accept Jesus.
- Irresistible Grace Calvinist theology states that, on only the elect, God applies irresistible grace, which is sure to accomplish its goal of bringing the elect person to repentance and belief.
RESPONSE: If God could apply this irresistible grace to any individual such that they would certainly repent and accept him, then why would he not do this for all people since 2 Peter 3:9 states that God desires all to come to repentance? It doesn’t seem to make sense to say that God wants all to come to repentance but chooses not to apply the grace that would make that happen. It seems more reasonable that God provides a common grace that some respond to, but others reject. It might be hard to imagine that someone could be faced with the same love and grace and work of the Holy Spirit that led to our conversion, and yet reject it. It is just as hard to imagine why Satan, who was created as an angel of light, and a third of the other angels with him, would choose to reject the perfection of God and heaven and rebel against Him, or why Adam would choose to abandon his perfect state by rebelling and eating of the fruit. Yet these free will rejections of God occurred within perfect environments.
- Perseverance of the Saints Calvinist theology states that true believers can’t lose their salvation, that the elect will surely persevere in their faith until the end. This is often linked to the idea that if it is God who chooses then the choice is certain, but if it is people who choose, then they might change their minds.
RESPONSE: There is nothing that necessitates this doctrine being tied with Calvinism. Just because people freely choose something does not mean they can reverse their choice. There are many decisions which, once made, cannot be made back. Pardon the crude analogies but if I chose suicide today, I could not make the opposite choice tomorrow. If I have a debt, and I choose to sell myself into slavery to pay for it, I cannot run free the next day. I now belong to my master. At the moment I chose Christ, He purchased me. I am his. He has paid the entirety of my sins. He has regenerated me and sealed me with the Holy Spirit. I am his son and that cannot change. I cannot and would not un-choose God in heaven, and the same is true on earth.
- Total Depravity Calvinist theology argues that since humans can do nothing good while still dead in sin, they certainly cannot do the good thing of humbling themselves and repenting and believing in the gospel. Therefore Calvinists argue that the doctrine of total depravity necessitates that God must regenerate the person prior to repentance and belief.
RESPONSE: The doctrine of common grace could account for the ‘dead’ person’s ability to repent and choose God. In other words, God loves each person and grants the grace necessary to the point that they can choose to accept or reject Christ.
- Unconditional Election Calvinist theology states that God’s choice is not based on anything within the person, and is not based on foreknowledge of a future choice the person would make.
RESPONSE: The identity of the elect is conditioned by God’s foreknowledge of the choices of man (Rom 8:29). Some might say, however, that if God indeed has foreknowledge, then from before your life ever began, your choice was certain. For some, the certainty of this choice means that ultimately the choice is not of your own free will. Certainty, however, does not negate free will or show its absence. God stands outside of time. He is transcendent. This means that he does not watch your life like a spectator at a parade, seeing one float at a time. He stands above and views all the floats at once. And so God can have knowledge of a choice that you will make next week without causing that particular choice, just as I could have knowledge of a choice you made last week without causing that particular choice. Scripture puts the responsibility on people for their disbelief, which wouldn’t seem to make sense unless they had a true opportunity to choose to accept the gospel (Matt 23:37; John 5:40; Rom 1:20).
- Limited Atonement Calvinist theology states that Jesus only paid for the sins of the elect.
RESPONSE: The biggest problem with this is when it is combined with unconditional election and irresistible grace. It doesn’t seem to fit with God’s universal offer of salvation (Matt 11:28; John 3:16; 2 Peter 2:1; 3:9). The bottom line is that the sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient to pay for all sins and for all time, but will only be efficient in saving those who accept Jesus.
- Irresistible Grace Calvinist theology states that, on only the elect, God applies irresistible grace, which is sure to accomplish its goal of bringing the elect person to repentance and belief.
RESPONSE: If God could apply this irresistible grace to any individual such that they would certainly repent and accept him, then why would he not do this for all people since 2 Peter 3:9 states that God desires all to come to repentance? It doesn’t seem to make sense to say that God wants all to come to repentance but chooses not to apply the grace that would make that happen. It seems more reasonable that God provides a common grace that some respond to, but others reject. It might be hard to imagine that someone could be faced with the same love and grace and work of the Holy Spirit that led to our conversion, and yet reject it. It is just as hard to imagine why Satan, who was created as an angel of light, and a third of the other angels with him, would choose to reject the perfection of God and heaven and rebel against Him, or why Adam would choose to abandon his perfect state by rebelling and eating of the fruit. Yet these free will rejections of God occurred within perfect environments.
- Perseverance of the Saints Calvinist theology states that true believers can’t lose their salvation, that the elect will surely persevere in their faith until the end. This is often linked to the idea that if it is God who chooses then the choice is certain, but if it is people who choose, then they might change their minds.
RESPONSE: There is nothing that necessitates this doctrine being tied with Calvinism. Just because people freely choose something does not mean they can reverse their choice. There are many decisions which, once made, cannot be made back. Pardon the crude analogies but if I chose suicide today, I could not make the opposite choice tomorrow. If I have a debt, and I choose to sell myself into slavery to pay for it, I cannot run free the next day. I now belong to my master. At the moment I chose Christ, He purchased me. I am his. He has paid the entirety of my sins. He has regenerated me and sealed me with the Holy Spirit. I am his son and that cannot change. I cannot and would not un-choose God in heaven, and the same is true on earth.
Exclusivity of Christ
EXCLUSIVITY OF CHRIST - The only way to eternal salvation is through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:18; 14:6; Acts 4:12).
- Note that the term “exclusivity” is a bit of a misnomer since Jesus died so that everyone would have the opportunity to be saved.
- Note that the term “exclusivity” is a bit of a misnomer since Jesus died so that everyone would have the opportunity to be saved.
IS JESUS REALLY THE ONLY WAY TO GOD?
- It is not as though Jesus came to remove all other ways to God, so that he alone was left standing. There was previously no way to God. There was an impassable chasm that separated sinful man from the holy and perfect God, and so Jesus came and lived a perfect righteous life and died an atoning substitutionary death to create a way where there was none before.
Jesus is the only way, not because he proclaimed so, or because he was arbitrarily declared so by the Father, but because he is the only one to have bridged the divide. He is the only one to have dealt with the sin that separated man from God. We should not be distressed that there is only one way to God; we should be fall-on-our-face amazed that there is a way into the glorious holy presence of God in heaven. "But I don't want that bridge of infinite worth paved by the ultimate sacrifice of the Son of God become man. I want another one. I want a bridge of my own making or choosing." Is what we seem to be saying when we ask, "Is Jesus really the only way?" Well, we are free to keep looking.
Jesus is the only way, not because he proclaimed so, or because he was arbitrarily declared so by the Father, but because he is the only one to have bridged the divide. He is the only one to have dealt with the sin that separated man from God. We should not be distressed that there is only one way to God; we should be fall-on-our-face amazed that there is a way into the glorious holy presence of God in heaven. "But I don't want that bridge of infinite worth paved by the ultimate sacrifice of the Son of God become man. I want another one. I want a bridge of my own making or choosing." Is what we seem to be saying when we ask, "Is Jesus really the only way?" Well, we are free to keep looking.
WHAT ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED BEFORE JESUS CAME?
- Salvation has always been through faith and on the basis of the substitutionary life and death of Jesus. Those who lived before Jesus were still saved through faith, and based on the future work of Christ. Their sins were left unpunished until the time that Jesus came and took them upon himself (Rom 3:25). Their faith was based on the information that had been revealed by the time they were living. This included prophecies of the Messiah, even though he had not yet come.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF JESUS OR THE GOSPEL?
- First, believers are called to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth so that this does not apply (Matt 28:20; Acts 1:8; Rom 10:14-15).
- Those yet to hear the Gospel have general revelation available to them, which demonstrates that God exists and that they are sinners who have fallen short of God’s perfection (Rom 1:18-20; 2:14-16; 3:23). This should lead them to search after more knowledge of God and salvation, which is a search God promises to reward (Luke 11:10). The Gospel is primarily shared through the Bible and the preaching of believers, however God may also use other means, even dreams or visions. There is no one who will fall through the cracks and end up in hell because they happened to be born in the wrong place at the wrong time. God is not far from anyone who would reach out to find him (Acts 17:27). He takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked (Ez 18:23), and does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). If there is anyone out there who would turn to him in repentance and faith, God will surely see to it that they will receive the necessary information to do so.
It is also important to note that the question does not apply to anyone who is asking it. They have heard of Jesus and the Gospel, and will certainly be without excuse when they stand before God.
- Those yet to hear the Gospel have general revelation available to them, which demonstrates that God exists and that they are sinners who have fallen short of God’s perfection (Rom 1:18-20; 2:14-16; 3:23). This should lead them to search after more knowledge of God and salvation, which is a search God promises to reward (Luke 11:10). The Gospel is primarily shared through the Bible and the preaching of believers, however God may also use other means, even dreams or visions. There is no one who will fall through the cracks and end up in hell because they happened to be born in the wrong place at the wrong time. God is not far from anyone who would reach out to find him (Acts 17:27). He takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked (Ez 18:23), and does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). If there is anyone out there who would turn to him in repentance and faith, God will surely see to it that they will receive the necessary information to do so.
It is also important to note that the question does not apply to anyone who is asking it. They have heard of Jesus and the Gospel, and will certainly be without excuse when they stand before God.
The Bible God Works of God Angels Humans Sin Salvation Christ Holy Spirit Church End Times Afterlife