DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

Session Four

The Why of Salvation – DEPRAVITY

Webster’s dictionary defines depravity as being morally bad or corrupt.

(Ephesians 2:2-3) “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

(Psalm 51:5) “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Because human thinking defines that which is morally wrong based upon the majority thinking of society, most people consider themselves good people possibly worthy of Heaven but certainly not deserving of Hell.

We must define what sin is for the lost person by helping them see sin from God’s point of view.

God’s definition of sinners: (Romans 1:18-3:20)

Never neglect the use of the Law in showing someone they are a sinner.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor thy father and thy mother.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet.

“Total depravity means that corruption extends to every facet of man’s nature and faculties; and that there is nothing in anyone that can commend him to a righteous God. Total depravity must always be measured against God’s holiness. Relative goodness exists in people. They can do good works, which are appreciated by others. But nothing that anyone can do will gain salvation merit or favor in the sight of a holy God.” – (Charles C Ryrie Basic Theology, pg. 253)

The How of Salvation – REDEMPTION

Redemption may be summarized around three basic ideas. (1) People are redeemed from something; namely, from the marketplace or slavery of sin. (2) People are redeemed by something; namely, by the payment of a price, the blood of Christ. (3) People are redeemed to something; namely, to a state of freedom; and then they are called to renounce that freedom for slavery to the Lord who redeemed them. – (Charles C Ryrie Basic Theology, pg. 336)

(Ephesians 1:7) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”

(Hebrews 9:12) “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

(Galatians 3:13) “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

(1Peter 1:18-19) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

The cross of Christ is the place of redemption.

The Response to Salvation – REPENTANCE

Repentance is changing your mind about your sin and the person and work of Jesus Christ into agreement with the message of the gospel and then trusting with your heart in that message for the salvation of your soul.

(Acts 2:38) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

(Acts 17:30) “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”

(Acts 20:21) “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(2Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

There can be no salvation without repentance taking place. Repentance is a result of conviction not just a feeling of guilt. Holy Spirit conviction leads to repentance and there is no amount of human manipulation than can bring about repentance that signifies salvation.

The Results of Salvation – JUSTIFICATION

“If God, the Judge, is without injustice and completely righteous in all His decisions, then how can He announce a sinner righteous? And sinners we all are. There are only three options open to God as sinners stand in His courtroom. He must condemn them, compromise His own righteousness to receive them as they are, or change them into righteous people. If He can exercise the third option, then He can announce them righteous, which is justification. But any righteousness the sinner has must be actual, not fictitious; real, not imagined; accomplished, then, and only then, can He justify.” – (Charles C Ryrie Basic Theology, pg. 344)

God puts into effect that third option: He changes sinners into righteous people.

How? By making us the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Five Steps of Justification as outlined by Romans 3:21-26

1. Apart from the Law the plan centers around the Lord Jesus Christ (3:21)

2. Righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ (3:22)

3. The price was the blood of Christ (3:24-25)

4. When the individual receives Christ, he is placed in Christ – this is what makes him righteous.

5. Now having Christ’s righteousness through salvation God must declare the believer righteous (3:26)

The Solution: The first Adam vs. The last Adam (Romans 5:12-21)