Reference to Spiritual Salvation

How Salvation connects to the truth

ELECTION – is that aspect of the eternal purpose of God whereby He certainly and eternally determines who believes and who will be saved. Matthew 22:14; Acts 13:48; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

No one is excused from believing in this doctrine. God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4; Acts 2:21

PREDESTINATION – This differs from the election in that predestination relates specifically to God’s intent to conform those He has chosen to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29,30

CALLING – is used in two senses. 1st is the general call of the gospel addressed to all humans. Matthew 22:14; John 3:16-18; 16:7-11.  2nd is this application of the Word of the Gospel to the ones God has chosen results in regeneration. John 6:44; Romans 8:28, 30; 1 Cor, 1:23, 24.

LAW – is how God governed His covenant people in the Old Testament. He established His covenant by grace. Genesis 17:7. The New Testament demonstrates that the note of the law is not to justify but to show us what sin is; it was only a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Galatians 2:16, 3:24.

REGENERATION – Refers to the spiritual change brought about in a person by the Holy Spirit, namely, a new life. This change is from spiritual death to spiritual death to spiritual life. It is a change in one’s way of nature to one in communion with God. The New Testament explicitly presents the doctrine. 2 Cor. 5:17, Eph. 2:1, 1 John 4:7.  

Whereas the Old Testament implies it. Moses spoke of Israelites who would have circumcised hearts. Deut. 30:6 and Isaiah described changes that resemble the Old Testament’s depiction of the new birth. Isaiah 57:15.

JUSTIFICATION – is first presented in the Bible about Abraham. Abraham believed in God’s promises to him, and this faith was accounted to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6; Romans 3:23; 4:12; Galatians 3:6. All those that trusted in Christ are counted righteous. Romans 4:5; 5:1.

SANCTIFICATION – is the work of God in developing the new life and bringing it to perfection before God. It is being separated from the spiritual life and set apart for a sacred purpose. Though Christians are sanctified fully in Christ, they are gradually coming experientially what they are already positional. Romans 6:11; 12:1, 1 Cor. 1:2.

GLORIFICATION – is the completion of the work of God in the believer. In justification, God placed us in a righteous position before Himself. In sanctification, God is working in the Christian to bring him to the image of Jesus Christ. Glorification is when God presents the believer perfect without sin in himself. Romans 8:30.