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. 1Soteriology: The Study of Salvation. Stanford Murrel
Overview
The Three Phases of Salvation
Salvation in Christ, which begins in eternity past according to the predetermined plan of God and extends into the eternal future, has three observable phases in the Bible. Understanding this truth can relieve a lot of tension from the standpoint of security and enable the believer to relax in the Lord and His grace while simultaneously moving forward in spiritual growth.
Phase I. This is the past tense of salvation “saved from sin’s penalty. Several passages of Scripture speak of salvation as wholly past, or as accomplished and completed for the one who has believed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This aspect views the believer as delivered once and for all from sin’s penalty and spiritual death (Luke 7:50; 1 Cor 1:18; 2 Cor 2:15; Eph 2:5, 8; Tit 3:5; Heb 7:25; 2 Tim 1:9). So complete and perfect is this work of God in Christ that the believer is declared permanently saved and safe forever (John 5:24; 10:28, 29; Rom 8:1, 37-39; 1 Pet 1:3-5).
Phase II. This is the present tense of salvation and has to do with present deliverance over the reigning power of sin or the carnal nature’s power in the lives of believers (Rom. 6:1-23; 8:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 2:19-20; 5:1-26; Phil. 1:19; 2:12-13; 2 Thess. 2:13). This phase of salvation in Christ is accomplished through the ministry of the indwelling Spirit, but it is based on the work of Christ and the believer’s union and co-identification with Christ in that work.
Phase III. This is the future tense of salvation which refers to the future deliverance all believers in Christ will experience through a glorified resurrected body. It contemplates that, though once and for all saved from the penalty of sin and while now being delivered from the power of sin, the believer in Christ will yet be saved into full conformity to Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29; 13:11; 1 Pet 1:5; 1 John 3:2). This recognizes and shows that the Christian in his experience never becomes perfect in this life (Phil. 3:12-14). Full conformity to the character of Christ, experientially speaking, awaits ultimate glorification. However, the fact that some aspects of salvation for the one who believes are yet to be accomplished in no way implies that there is ground for doubt as to the outcome of eternal salvation because all three phases are dependent upon the merit and the work of God in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 2Soteriology, the Doctrine of Salvation. J. Hampton Keathley, III
Articles:
1) Soteriology, the Doctrine of Salvation – J. Hampton Keathley, III
2) Soteriology: The Study of Salvation. – Stanford Murrel
3) Articles on perseverance of the saints.
4) Articles on the new birth
Sermons:
1) Helping Each Other Endure to the End – John Piper
2) The Doctrine of Perseverance: The earnest pursuit of Assurance – John Piper
3) Final Perseverance (read) – Charles Spurgeon
Books:
1) Can I Be Sure I’m Saved? – R.C. Sproul
2) Children of the Living God – Sinclair B. Ferguson
3) Christ the Lord: The Reformation and Lordship Salvation – Michael S. Horton
4) God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment: A Biblical Theology – James M. Hamilton Jr.
5) Our Triune God: Living in the Love of the Three In One – Philip Graham Ryken & Michael Lefebvre
6) Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties and Roots – J.C. Ryle
7) What is the Gospel? (9-Marks) – Greg Gilbert (Author) D.A. Carson (Forward)
8) The Discipline of Grace: God’s Role and our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness – Gerald Bridges & Jerry Bridges
9) Click here for more Titles.
Comments are closed