Core Truths for the Christian Life

Session 6A

Salvation

Theories of Original Sin

Romans 5 (12) Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--

Ezekiel 18 (20) The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.

Romans 14 (12) So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Why do we need to be saved from sin?

Matthew 1 (21) She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Romans 3 (10) As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; (14) "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." (15) "Their feet are swift to shed blood; (16) ruin and misery mark their ways, (17) and the way of peace they do not know."

James 1 (13) When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; (14) but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (15) Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Romans 6 (23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 9 (27) man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Does God really want everyone to be saved?

1 Timothy 2 [3] This is good, and pleases God our Savior, [4] who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3 [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

John 3 [16] "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

Can people repent?

Ezekiel 18 [23] Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? [32] For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Jonah 3 [4] On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned." [5] The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. [10] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

Can people actually exercise free will?

Deuteronomy 30 [19] This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

Joshua 24 [15] But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Isaiah 1 [18] "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Isaiah 55 [6] Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Acts 17 (26) From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. (27) God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Matthew 11 [28] "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

2 Corinthians 5 [20] We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Revelation 22 [17] The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

What about being spiritually dead?

Ephesians 2 (1) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, (2) in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

What about being spiritually dead?

Luke 15 (17) "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! (18) I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. (19) I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' (20) So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (23) Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. (24) For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

What about only those drawn by the Father?

John 6 (44) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."

What about only those drawn by the Father?

John 6 (41) At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." (43) "Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. (44) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. (45) It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

Who are the “elect” or “chosen” & how do you recognize them?

Matthew 24 [22] If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. [24] For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. [31] And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

2 Timothy 2 [10] Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

1 Peter 1 [1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

What did God foreknow?

1 Peter 1 [2] who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

How did Paul know God had chosen them or they were God’s elect?1 Thessalonians 1 [4] For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you

What 8 concrete evidences did Paul find convincing?

1 Thessalonians 1 [5] …because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. [6] You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. [7] And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. [8] The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, [9] for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true

God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. Where are the heavenly blessings?

Ephesians 1 [3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Who are the “us”?

Ephesians 1 [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

When?

Ephesians 1 [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Is it a who or a what that is “predestined?”

Ephesians 1 In love [5] he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

Where are we chosen or become the chosen?

Ephesians 1 [11] In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

How do we get “in” Christ’?

Ephesians 1 [13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

Is it a who or a what that God predestined?

Romans 8 [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Who did we say the foreknown are?

How does God call out the elect? Is it secretive or something different than the rest of humanity gets?

Romans 8 [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Did God chose who or how?

2 Thessalonians 2 [13] But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

How does God call people?

2 Thessalonians 2 [14] He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Follow the chain: The predestined are also the…

Romans 8 [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

How does He call?

2 Thessalonians 2 [14] He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The predestined who were called are next said to be what?

Romans 8 [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

How does one get justified?

Romans 5 [1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [3:26] he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

So if these predestined were called, what must have been their response to the call?

So now the predestined are called the justified.

What does it next say He does to the justified?

Romans 8 [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Look at Romans 8:29 for a description of what it means to be glorified:

Romans 8 [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Can a saved person lose their salvation?

John 10 [27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Reconsider Romans 8:28-30

Romans 8 [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Can a saved person lose their salvation?

1 Corinthians 15 [1] Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. [2] By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Matthew 10 [22] All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Colossians 1 [22] But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- [23] if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. [2:6] So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, [7] rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

1 John 2 [28] And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

2 John 1 [9] Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Hebrews 3 [14] We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. [4:14] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Hebrews 5 [8] Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered [9] and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

How many apostles did Jesus have while on earth?

How many apostles did Jesus send out to preach and do miracles?

How many apostles were actually saved?

Do you think the average person could have ever guessed the difference in Judas’ heart until he acted?

What was the difference between Judas & Peter?