SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Terry R Baughman, MAET
Christian Life College – Stockton CA
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY What does Salvation mean to you?
Does it occur at the beginning of the Christian Life?
Is it a process continuing throughout the Christian Life?
Is it a future event?
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Aspects of Salvation
Calling
Conversion
Regeneration
Repentance
Faith
Union with Christ
Justification
Sanctification
Adoption
Glorification
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Study of Salvation
“All have sinned”
Romans 3:23
“The wages of sin is death”
Romans 6:23
The second death
Revelation 2:11
Revelation 20:6, 14
Revelation 21:8
All mankind need salvation!
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Jesus is Savior!
Matthew 1:21 “… call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
Luke 19:10 “… the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
1 Timothy 1:15 “… Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, ….
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY We are hopelessly lost.
We cannot find our way to God.
God must intervene in order for man to be able to find God.
This activity of God is termed:
Special or Effectual calling (Calvinists)
Prevenient Grace (Arminians)
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY God offers a general calling to everyone:
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Isaiah 45:22 "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Calvinist view:
Salvation is only effectual for those who have been predestined by God
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Arminian response:
According to God’s foreordained plan to have a church He began calling (everyone) to submit to his plan
Only those who respond in faith are chosen
Only those who respond to God’s grace are actually called out of sin.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Conversion
The act of turning from one’s sin in repentance and to Christ in faith
Matthew 18:3 "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Acts 3:19
Psa 51:13
Acts 2:38
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Repentance
Godly sorrow for the evil we have done (2 Corinthians 7:9)
meta,noia (metanoia) – to think differently about something or to have a change of mind.
A prerequisite for salvation
“I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3, 5)
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Repentance
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Luke 24:46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 17:30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Faith
Lays hold on the promises of God
Repentance is the negative aspect of conversion
Faith is the positive aspect
pi,stij pistis - faith
pisteu,w (pisteuo) – to believe what some says, to accept a statement as true.
Essential to salvation
Hebrews 11:6
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Conversion
The human response to God’s offer of salvation
Genuine repentance, confessing and forsaking of sins produces pardon and forgiveness of sins
“Regeneration is the other side of conversion. It’s God’s doing.”
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Regeneration
The work of the Holy Spirit accompanying the hearing of the Word of God
Man is spiritually dead
He must be regenerated to experience eternal life
Involves a complete, supernatural reversal of the person’s natural tendencies
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Union with Christ
Believers are somehow united with Christ
“if anyone is in Christ”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“in the heavenly places in Christ”
Ephesians 1:3-4
“dead in Christ”
1 Thessalonians 4:16
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27
“Christ lives in me”
Galatians 2:20
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Union with Christ
Not only are believers said to be “in Christ,” they are also identified with Him in:
His suffering (Romans 8:17)
His crucifixion (Galatians 2:20)
His death (Colossians 2:20)
His burial (Romans 6:4)
His quickening (Ephesians 2:5)
His resurrection (Colossians 3:1)
His glorification and inheritance(Romans 8:17)
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Union with Christ
The union is judicial
God sees us through Christ
The union is spiritual
Accomplished by the Holy Spirit
The union is vital
The Life of Christ flows through the believer’s life
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Justification
A legal term describing the way in which God declares the sinner to be righteous.
Not an impartation
But an imputation
God forgives the sinner
God imputes the righteousness of Christ to the sinner.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Adoption
Change of both status and condition
In justification God pronounces us righteous
In adoption He effects a change in our legal relationship to Him.
We become His children
By God’s choice, we become the sons of God
We receive all the rights associated with that status
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Sanctification
Means separation
Immediate effect of the new birth
Continuing influence of the Holy Spirit
It is a process
We become more like Jesus
Originates in the grace of God and is mediated to us through faith on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Glorification
The end result of the salvation process
Romans 8:29-30
Removes the last limitations of sin’s effects on human nature
Romans 8:23
The final and full vindication of the believer!
Transformation of the physical body into an incorruptible immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:38-50
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Cosmic Dimensions "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Cosmic Dimensions
Romans 8 (New Living Translation)
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Cosmic Dimensions
2 Peter 3:12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Cosmic Dimensions
Revelation 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY How Salvation is Mediated
To one who believes in and calls on the Name of the Lord
Romans 3:9-20; 10:13-15
Scripture alone is sufficient for instruction leading to Salvation
2 Timothy 3:15-17
1 Peter 1:23-25
Means of salvation and relationship of salvation & works
Ephesians 2:8-10
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Extent of Salvation
Available to all
Received only by some
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Atonement
The Ransom Theory
Origen and Gregory of Nyssa
View that Satan was in legal possession of the souls of men because of their sins.
God traded the sinless Jesus for the souls of all those who would accept Jesus as their Savior.
When Satan attempted to possess His soul, Jesus was too powerful for Satan to hold.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Atonement
The Ransom Theory
Classical theory
The “devil ransom” theory
Fishhook theory
Some element of truth
1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Atonement
The Satisfaction Theory
Anselm, Canterbury (11th century)
View of compensation to the Father for His wounded honor.
God must punish those who violated His honor, or he could accept satisfaction in behalf of those who had violated his honor.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Atonement
The Satisfaction Theory
This view served to emphasize the seriousness of sin and the costliness of forgiveness.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Atonement
The Moral Influence Theory
Peter Abelard – also 11th century
View that forgiveness was not impossible for God.
Forgiveness could only be offered to those who requested it.
Man must be influenced to repent.
The cross was manifestation of Divine love, to cause man to change.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Atonement
The Socinian Theory
Faustus and Laelius Socinus -16th century
View that man has the infallible power of choice over each decision.
Man only needed an example to follow.
God is not a God of retribution, nor does he demand payment or satisfaction.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Atonement
The Governmental Theory
Hugo Grotius –early 17th century
View that man sees the atonement as a demonstration of divine justice
God is holy and righteous ruler and has a right to punish the offenders
As a God of love, He can make a sovereign choice to forgive sin.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Atonement
The Governmental Theory
Death of Christ as “penal substitution”
Impossible to transfer a penalty from one person to another.
Suffering of Christ was not a vicarious bearing of the sins of others.
A demonstration of God’s hatred of sin – the consequences of sin
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY The Atonement Other Theories:
The Recapitulation Theory
Irenaeus (c. 130-200)
The Dramatic Theory
Aulen (1930)
The Mystical Theory
Schleiermacher (1834)
The Vicarious Repentance Theory
John McLeod Campbell (1872)
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
God is absolutely holy & sinless
The Law of God is an expression of God Himself.
Disobedience of God’s law is sin
1 John 3:4
Carries the penalty of death
Genesis 2:15-17
Ezekiel 18:20
Romans 6:23
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Galatians 6:7-8
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
Man cannot help himself.
Romans 3:10-11
An atonement must be made by someone else on man’s behalf.
Only God could offer a sufficient price.
“In the person of Christ, God added humanity to His deity in order to atone for the sins of man.”
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 9:22; 28
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
Atonement means “to cover.”
OT Sacrifices were offered as a substitute for the sinner.
The sacrificial animal had to be perfect in every way.
Sacrifice was presented to the priest, who laid his hands on it as a confession of guilt and a symbolic transfer of that guilt.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:4-6
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
Jesus as a “ransom”
Matthew 20:28
Jesus as a “substitute”
John 15:13
Jesus as a “sacrifice”
John 17:19
Jesus as a “substitute” and a “sacrifice”
John 1:29
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
“one man should die for the people”
John 11:49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all,
50 "nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish."
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
“one man should die for the people”
John 18:14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
The atonement was accomplished by God Himself in Christ.
that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:19
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
The atonement was a demonstration of the love of God
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
The atonement was a substitutionary death
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
2 Corinthians 5:14
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
Christ as the Passover Lamb
... For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
1 Corinthians 5:7
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
The sacrificial nature of the atonement:
whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Romans 3:25
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
The sacrificial nature of the atonement:
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Romans 5:9
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
The sacrificial nature of the atonement:
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
Ephesians 1:7
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
The sacrificial nature of the atonement:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
The sacrificial nature of the atonement:
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Colossians 1:20
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
Christ died for us:
who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:10
SOTERIOLOGY : SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY ONE SOTERIOLOGY Biblical Teaching
See the Systematic Theology summary by Dr. Segraves