SOTERIOLOGY
Definition - Soteriology, (soteria, salvation, logos, discourse) refers to the study of the doctrine concerning salvation. In general, Soteriology embraces God’s purpose to save, the Person and work of the Redeemer, and the application of redemption by the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of men.
Six Presuppositions Of Soteriology -
God’s rule is sovereign.
God as Creator, Ruler, and Saviour underlies all the provisions of salvation.
Man is responsibility to his Creator because he has the capacity for good and bad.
The Covenant of Works expresses God’s will and man’s obligation.
The Law of God requires perfect obedience.
God as a perfect Being cannot require less than perfection in His Moral Law.
Six Presuppositions Of Soteriology -
God’s rule is sovereign.
God as Creator, Ruler, and Saviour underlies all the provisions of salvation.
Man is responsibility to his Creator because he has the capacity for good and bad.
The Covenant of Works expresses God’s will and man’s obligation.
The Law of God requires perfect obedience.
God as a perfect Being cannot require less than perfection in His Moral Law.
Christ's Atoning Death
Substitution - Isaiah 53:3 - 6
False views of the atonement –Ransom to Satan –Moral influence –Moral example –Governmental –Accidental
Role of Christ’s blood in the atonement - Acts 20:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; 2:13; Colossians 1:20; 1st Peter 1:2; Hebrews 9:12, 22; 1st John 1:7; Revelations 1:5; 5:9; 12:11
Extent
Limited-Matthew 20:28; John 10:15; Ephesians 5:25
Unlimited – John 1:29; 3:16 – 17; 4:42; 6:51; 12:32, 47; Acts 17:30; 2nd Corinthians 5:19; 1st Timothy 2:4, 6; 4:10; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 2:9; 1st John 2:2; 2nd Peter 2:1
Finality
Sat down-Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:1-2
One time-John 19:30; Hebrews 9:12, 26; 10:10, 12, 14
False views of the atonement –Ransom to Satan –Moral influence –Moral example –Governmental –Accidental
Role of Christ’s blood in the atonement - Acts 20:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; 2:13; Colossians 1:20; 1st Peter 1:2; Hebrews 9:12, 22; 1st John 1:7; Revelations 1:5; 5:9; 12:11
Extent
Limited-Matthew 20:28; John 10:15; Ephesians 5:25
Unlimited – John 1:29; 3:16 – 17; 4:42; 6:51; 12:32, 47; Acts 17:30; 2nd Corinthians 5:19; 1st Timothy 2:4, 6; 4:10; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 2:9; 1st John 2:2; 2nd Peter 2:1
Finality
Sat down-Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:1-2
One time-John 19:30; Hebrews 9:12, 26; 10:10, 12, 14
Illustrations of The Atonement
Abraham offering Isaac-Genesis 22
Passover Lamb-Exodus 12
Levitical offerings-Leviticus 1-5
Red heifer-Numbers 19
Day of Atonement-Leviticus 16
Passover Lamb-Exodus 12
Levitical offerings-Leviticus 1-5
Red heifer-Numbers 19
Day of Atonement-Leviticus 16
Salvation Words
Redemption (agorazo / exagorazo / lutrao / lutron / lutrosis / apolutrosis)-payment of a purchase price in order to release from bondage (Mark 10:45)
Reconciliation (dialasso)-change of relationship from one of hostility to one of peace /pre-supposes enemy of GOD (Ephesians 2:14 – 16)
Expatiation-removal of sin’s eternal penalty (Psalm 32:1 – 2)
Propitiation (ilisamos / orge / tetelestai)-satisfaction of divine wrath (Romans 1:18, 12:19 / Revelation 6:16)
Reconciliation (dialasso)-change of relationship from one of hostility to one of peace /pre-supposes enemy of GOD (Ephesians 2:14 – 16)
Expatiation-removal of sin’s eternal penalty (Psalm 32:1 – 2)
Propitiation (ilisamos / orge / tetelestai)-satisfaction of divine wrath (Romans 1:18, 12:19 / Revelation 6:16)
Justification
Dikaioo
Forensic term
Key verses-Romans 5:16, 18; 8:33-34
Declarative act at a point in time rather than a long process
Past event rather than something that occurs over a process of time as a person becomes more righteous
Opposite of condemnation-Romans 8:33-34
Basis of justification-faith and grace alone and not works
Source of justification-imputation (2nd Corinthians 5:21)
Forensic term
Key verses-Romans 5:16, 18; 8:33-34
Declarative act at a point in time rather than a long process
Past event rather than something that occurs over a process of time as a person becomes more righteous
Opposite of condemnation-Romans 8:33-34
Basis of justification-faith and grace alone and not works
Source of justification-imputation (2nd Corinthians 5:21)
Sanctification
Kodesh, hagiazo
Three tenses – Past-1st Corinthians 1:2 / Present-John 17:17 / Future-1st Thessalonians 3:13; 5:23
Sanctifier-Trinity
Means of sanctification –Past: Christ’s body and blood –Present: Word, Holy Spirit
Three tenses – Past-1st Corinthians 1:2 / Present-John 17:17 / Future-1st Thessalonians 3:13; 5:23
Sanctifier-Trinity
Means of sanctification –Past: Christ’s body and blood –Present: Word, Holy Spirit
Evidence for Eternal Security
Because self-righteousness did not save us it is not a basis upon which salvation can be lost
The believer is predestined for glory (Romans 8:29-30)
Salvation is not given or maintained by works
Christ’s atonement is complete (Titus 2:14)
Christ’s role as intercessor and advocate (John 17:11-12, 20)
The Spirit’s seal cannot be broken (Ephesians 4:30)
A believer cannot be removed from Christ’s body (1st Corinthians 12:13)
The Bible’s promises guarantee security (John 10:28)
God keeps us from falling (1st Peter 1:4-5)
The Bible does not specify which sins remove salvation
Believers with unfruitful lives still have salvation although lose rewards at the Bema Seat (1st Corinthians 3:15)
The believer is predestined for glory (Romans 8:29-30)
Salvation is not given or maintained by works
Christ’s atonement is complete (Titus 2:14)
Christ’s role as intercessor and advocate (John 17:11-12, 20)
The Spirit’s seal cannot be broken (Ephesians 4:30)
A believer cannot be removed from Christ’s body (1st Corinthians 12:13)
The Bible’s promises guarantee security (John 10:28)
God keeps us from falling (1st Peter 1:4-5)
The Bible does not specify which sins remove salvation
Believers with unfruitful lives still have salvation although lose rewards at the Bema Seat (1st Corinthians 3:15)