Title Page

Lesson Fourteen

II Peter 1:2-4

II Peter 1:2-42 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

II Peter 1:5-8

II Peter 1:5-85 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Peter 1:9-11

II Peter 1:9-119 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

II Peter 1:12

II Peter 1:1212 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

Focus Verse

II Peter 1:10

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if

ye do these things, ye shall never fall.

Focus Thought

In Christ Jesus we are saved, sanctified, and secure.

IntroductionIntroductionThe Bible addresses many important topics, but it is first and foremost the wonderful story of salvation. As early as Genesis 3, the introduction of sin marred God’s magnificent and orderly creation. From that regrettable day in the Garden of Eden to John’s vision of a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21), the Bible narrates God’s master plan to redeem or rescue mankind from his sinful condition. Sin is serious business, and it results in grave and disturbing consequences, including guilt, condemnation, and judgment.

IntroductionHowever, there is good news! God has provided a secure avenue to “escape the judgment of God” (Romans 2:3). This way of escape is “the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). The entrance of Jesus Christ into the world was the centerpiece of the Bible and of all human history (Luke 2:10-11; John 1:10-14), including His ministry of preaching, teaching, and miracles (Matthew 4:23, 9:35; Acts 10:38); His death on the cross for our sins (Luke 23:33; Romans 5:6-8); and His resurrection (Mark 16:6; Acts 13:30); and His ascension (Acts 1:9).

IntroductionAlthough God has provided a way of salvation through Jesus Christ, we must respond to His offer. As the people of Israel discovered many years ago, deliverance from Egypt involved a journey with a beginning (the Exodus), middle (the wilderness), and end (the Promised Land). Sadly, the vast majority of these people did not finish the journey of faith that they had once begun.

IntroductionHerein lies a paradox. God has provided an absolutely secure way of salvation from the bondage and penalty of sin. This way effectively guarantees that salvation cannot be seized from us by opposing powers or circumstances (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39). Nevertheless, that secure way is not without qualifications. We have to uphold our part of the conditional agreement! As the apostle Peter maintained, the believer must “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (II Peter 1:10). If we fail to do them, however, we jeopardize our salvation and eternal standing with God. 

I Corinthians 15:1-2II Timothy 2:2

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I

preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep

in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain”

(I Corinthians 15:1-2).

Introduction

In this lesson, we will examine the requirements, provisions, and rewards of the road of salvation.  

I. Initial SalvationInitial Salvation

The epistle to the Hebrews likens salvation to a marathon race (Hebrews 12:1). A marathon is not won by speed alone but by endurance. It includes a starting line, a long running course, and a finish line. In a similar way, salvation features a definite point of beginning. For example, Paul referred to the beginning of salvation when he addressed the Galatians and said, “Having begun in the Spirit . . .” (Galatians 3:3). Jesus told Nicodemus that a new birth was necessary in order for a person to “enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5), which indicates a starting point.

I. Initial SalvationThere are potential runners who may be on their way to the race of salvation, but who have not yet started the race. We sometimes refer to these individuals as seekers—people who are open to God’s leading in their life as He directs them to a fuller understanding and reception of salvation as summarized in Acts 2:38. We should encourage these people to step up to the starting line of this wonderful marathon! 

I. Initial SalvationBefore their conversions, Cornelius (Acts 10), Apollos (Acts 18:24-28), and the Ephesian disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 19:1-7) were examples of those nearing the entrance to the kingdom of God. We could say that such individuals are traveling along the on-ramp that leads onto the highway of salvation.

I. Initial SalvationLet us examine the elements of what we could describe as initial salvation or the beginning of the redemptive experience. 

I. Initial Salvation AA. Faith

Faith is the first requirement in the process of salvation. The writer of Hebrews explained that “without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). The Greek word for faith is pistis, which means “conviction or belief” and often includes the idea of “trust” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). Faith thus entails confidence that God is reliable and that He speaks truth. Moreover, He ultimately has our best interest in mind.

I. Initial Salvation AMere belief in God’s existence is insufficient (James 2:19), for “he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrew 11:6). In fact, salvation not only begins with faith, but it reflects a lifelong walk of trusting God, a way of life the prophet Habakkuk characterized as living by faith (Habakkuk 2:4). 

I. Initial Salvation BB. Repentance

Genuine faith in Jesus Christ leads a person to repentance. To repent is to feel regret for sins, turn away from a lifestyle of disobedience, and turn toward God to obey His commands. Repentance is another initial element of salvation.

I. Initial Salvation BRepent, which is translated from the Greek word metanoeo, means “to change one’s mind” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). The word signifies a turning around or change of direction. When a person repents, he asks God to forgive his sins, and he determines to head in a different direction—toward God—with God’s assistance.

I. Initial Salvation BIn addition to a person’s initial repentant response toward God as he experiences remorse for his sins, repentance also is significant in his ongoing relationship with God. Believers need to repent daily of any sin that may be in their lives. Repentance was a fundamental part of the message that Jesus preached (Matthew 3:2; 4:17), and it was the first element of Peter’s salvation message on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). 

I. Initial Salvation CC. Water Baptism

in Jesus’ Name

Water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins was an unquestionable practice of the early church and one of the most clear and indisputable teachings of the entire New Testament. The Greek word from which the English noun baptism derives is baptisma, which literally means “immersion” or “submersion” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).

I. Initial Salvation CWater baptism is linked to salvation (Mark 16:16) and, along with Spirit baptism, constitutes an essential component of being born again (John 3:3, 5). (See also John 1:26, 33.) Water baptism is not an optional experience, but it is a command (Acts 2:37-38; 10:48). Moreover, water baptism in Jesus’ name remits or removes sin (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

I. Initial Salvation CSince water baptism is essential, how is it to be performed today? It is to be done in the same way it was performed in the early church! The New Testament church did not follow the practice of sprinkling infants. On the contrary, a significant amount of water was necessary for water baptism since the candidates always were submerged. (See John 3:23; Acts 8:38.) In addition, the leaders of the early church always invoked the name of Jesus over the person who was being baptized. (See Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5.)

I. Initial Salvation CSome individuals have misunderstood Jesus’ directive when He commanded that water baptism be performed in “the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). These misguided believers wrongly assume that we are to repeat the words of Jesus when what the Lord desired was that we obey His words.

I. Initial Salvation CJesus commanded that the disciples baptize in the “name,” which is the singular form of the Greek word onoma. The only way to obey His command is to baptize in the singular “name” of Jesus since it is the only name specifically identified with the Father (John 5:43), specifically identified with the Son (Matthew 1:21), and specifically identified with the Holy Ghost (John 14:26). Moreover, the apostles clearly understood His words, for they consistently and without exception baptized new converts in the name of Jesus Christ.

I. Initial Salvation CThe Scriptures never record anyone quoting the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 as though they were a formula to be repeated. Rather, the apostles obeyed the command of Jesus by baptizing in His name! 

I. Initial Salvation DD. Receiving the Holy Ghost

Receiving the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is another critical element of salvation. Jesus informed Nicodemus that a person had to be born of the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). Paul likewise stated that “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).

I. Initial Salvation DThe wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit is a universal experience available to all who desire it (Acts 2:39; Revelation 22:17). The Spirit provides life (John 7:38; Romans 8:10), empowerment to witness (Acts 1:8) and to overcome sin (Romans 8:4-5), direction or leading (Romans 8:14), and strength during weakness (Romans 8:26-27). Furthermore, the Spirit fills believers with joy (Acts 13:52; Romans 14:17, 15:13; I Thessalonians 1:6). Thankfully, we not only receive God’s Spirit as part of our initial salvation experience, but His Spirit remains with us forever (John 14:16-17).

I. Initial Salvation DHow does a person know when he has received the Holy Ghost? According to the representative examples from the Book of Acts, the initial reception of the Spirit was accompanied in every instance by an audible phenomenon or sign—speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance.

I. Initial Salvation DThe 120 disciples on the Day of Pentecost spoke in tongues (Acts 2:1-4), as did those of Cornelius’s household (Acts 10:44-46) and the Ephesian disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 19:6-7). Significantly, the narrator in Acts 10:46 informs the reader of the reason that the Jews knew the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit: “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”

I. Initial Salvation DFurther, we are not told precisely that the Spirit outpouring was accompanied by tongues in Acts 8:17, but the implication is obvious from the context of this passage; Simon the sorcerer witnessed a supernatural manifestation that convinced him the Samaritans had received the Holy Ghost and that he ought to enhance his repertoire of magical feats by acquiring the ability to perform this sign also (Acts 8:18-19). For his inappropriate inquiry, Paul soundly rebuked Simon and prayed that God would forgive him and show him mercy. 

II. Progressive SalvationProgressive Salvation

By initially exercising faith in God and obeying Acts 2:38, a person activates the salvation experience in his life. But salvation does not end with Acts 2:38. There is so much more to come! Ahead lies an exciting—and at times, challenging—life of walking in the Spirit with God.

II. Progressive SalvationThe Bible uses various metaphors to capture the essence of salvation as a progressive experience or process. Peter, for example, spoke of it as “the way of righteousness” (II Peter 2:21), while Isaiah referred to it as “the way of holiness” (Isaiah 35:8). The psalmist David acknowledged it as “the path of life” (Psalm 16:11), whereas Solomon described it as “the path of the just” (Proverbs 4:18). The process of salvation is thus a way, path, or road that a disciple takes while following God.

II. Progressive SalvationAlthough the initial redemptive experience occurs as a single event, a person’s salvation is progressive, which implies a forward movement over a period of time with a goal in mind. Such a walk denotes duration, continuance, and perseverance, often in the face of hardship, difficulties, and opposition. Discipleship involves steadily following the Lord no matter the circumstances.

II. Progressive SalvationThankfully, we can rest assured that Jesus will strengthen and assist us all along the way. (See Matthew 11:28.) His strength in our lives will empower us to be faithful in the long-term pursuit of redemption. Someone pursuing the way of salvation does not repeatedly leave the highway every time things get tough. The believer must not walk away from God like the Israelites who rebelled in the wilderness and missed out on the blessed Promised Land (Hebrews 3:7-11). Instead, he or she abides in Jesus Christ (John 15:4).  

Transparency 2“They that are with him are called, and

chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14.)

II. Progressive Salvation AA. Adding to Our Faith

When a person decides to go mountain climbing, he needs to ensure that he is properly equipped for the rigors he will face. He needs to pack the right gear and provisions. A soldier going off to battle must likewise be prepared to carry the appropriate weaponry and protective armor. David made certain to pack his slingshot and stones before he headed out to confront Goliath (I Samuel 17:40). In a sense, the same holds true for believers headed into a walk of faith and ready to engage the enemy in spiritual warfare. We need to be properly equipped spiritually for the journey and battles we will face (Ephesians 6:11-18).

II. Progressive Salvation AFortunately, as we begin the journey of salvation, God has provided an ample storehouse of supplies to properly outfit us to face the challenges of our voyage. Through His divine power we have access to everything we need to successfully navigate to our final destination, for God “hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3). In fact, it is a fail-safe situation if we follow through with our responsibilities. He will equip us abundantly to keep us secure in Him. (See II Peter 1:8-11.)

II. Progressive Salvation A If we fail to take advantage of Christ’s provisions for our success, however, we will lose out on the resources He has made available to us through His grace. Specifically, what resources are available in God’s spiritual warehouse? In II Peter 1:5-7, the apostle Peter listed eight traits with which we should frequently stock up:

II. Progressive Salvation A1. Faith (Greek, pistis), which means “conviction

or belief,” and often includes the idea of “trust” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).

2. Virtue (Greek, arete), which can refer to “a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action” or “moral excellence” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).

II. Progressive Salvation A3. Knowledge (Greek, gnosis), which means “understanding, insight . . . as the result of divine enlightenment” (Friberg Greek Lexicon).

4. Temperance (Greek, egkrateia), which indicates “self-control” (New International Version) or “the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).

II. Progressive Salvation A5. Patience (Greek, hupomone), which reflects “steadfastness, constancy, endurance” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).

6. Godliness (Greek, eusebeia), which is used of “a particular manner of life characterized by reverence toward God and respect for the beliefs and practices related to Him” (Friberg Greek Lexicon).

II. Progressive Salvation A7. Brotherly kindness (Greek, philadelphia), or “mutual affection” (New Revised Standard Version), which suggests “love for [a] fellow believer” (Louw-Nida Lexicon).

8. Charity (Greek, agape), which is typically translated “love” in most modern translations. According to the Friberg Greek Lexicon, the term can mean “devotion” and occurs “especially as an attitude of appreciation resulting from a conscious evaluation and choice; used of divine and human love.”

II. Progressive Salvation BB. Perfecting Holiness

in Sanctification

1. Separated from the World. An important aspect of our walk with God involves separation from the world. Holiness is not an option; it is a requirement. Without it, we will not “see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

II. Progressive Salvation BSince we are “the temple of the living God,” we must shun communion with the wicked ways of this world (II Corinthians 6:14-18). We must guard against defilements that will cause us to come up “short of the grace of God” (New American Standard Bible), such as bitterness, sexual immorality, and ungodliness (Hebrews 12:15-16). We must “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Corinthians 7:1).

II. Progressive Salvation B2. Consecrated unto God for His Use. In the Old Testament, the priest was consecrated for the purpose of serving the needs of the sanctuary (Leviticus 16:32). Likewise, believers today are called to be consecrated vessels, set aside for God’s holy purposes: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (I Peter 2:9). 

II. Progressive Salvation CC. Secure in Christ

Some people seem to live for God as if they are riding a roller coaster. When they are climbing the heights (in other words, in their mind they are doing pretty well in their walk with God), they think that God loves them. When they plunge down a slope (in other words, they do not think they are doing so well), they think God is angry with them. They daily pull the petals off the love daisy, saying, “He loves me. He loves me not.”

II. Progressive Salvation CThey feel that they are repeatedly saved and lost numerous times every day! In their mind, it is as if God has spiritual surveillance cameras set up everywhere, watching for them to make the slightest infraction so He can punish them and remove their salvation. For these people, an angry God is lurking behind every bush, anxiously waiting for them to make a mistake so He can zap them. This is an unhealthy and disturbing way to live one’s life!

II. Progressive Salvation COur salvation can be secure. If we are truly living for God (and He knows our hearts), we do not need to live in a state of constant terror that God is going to cast us away. Eternal salvation is something that the child of God possesses now: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29).

II. Progressive Salvation CNothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:35-39). Paul declared to the church in Romans 8:37 that we are “more than conquerors”; in other words, we are to live a life that is “completely victorious” (Friberg Greek Lexicon). This does not sound like a roller coaster ride in and out of salvation!

II. Progressive Salvation COn the other hand, we have to realize that there are two sides to every coin. God does watch what we do, whether it be good or bad (II Chronicles 16:9). While God certainly loves us, He also becomes angered by sin: “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:22, NIV).

II. Progressive Salvation CIn short, if we do not walk the life we profess, and if we do not repent of our sins, we are in grave danger of losing our salvation. As Simeon Young Sr. has noted, “It is possible for our eternal salvation to be secure, but it is not possible for it to be unconditionally secure” (“Strategies for Staying Saved,” Pentecostal Herald, February 2006).

II. Progressive Salvation CSalvation is like a contract. When you sign a contract, there are usually riders or stipulations attached to it, and each member who enters into the agreement agrees to abide by the various terms of the contract. God always keeps His end of the deal, but will we keep ours? Salvation is also like a product that is absolutely guaranteed by God Himself to work properly. However, we have to correctly follow the instructions on the label! 

II. Progressive Salvation CSomeone once said it well: “As Christians, we are not unconditionally, eternally secure, but neither need we be temporarily insecure! Our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ and we need not fear as long as we are in Him.

II. Progressive Salvation CThe Book of Hebrews offers ample warnings to those who are in danger of slipping (pararreo) from the moorings of salvation (Hebrews 2:1). The writer used a term that speaks “metaphorically in the New Testament of being like a ship drifting without anchorage” (Friberg Greek Lexicon). He asked, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3).

II. Progressive Salvation CIn chapter 10, the writer of Hebrews described a scenario in which someone can lose his salvation. It involves a deliberate turning of one’s back on God’s ways and the salvation He provided at the Cross: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27).

II. Progressive Salvation CIn other words, the only remaining sacrifice available for the efficacious cleansing of our sins is the Cross, and if we reject that sacrifice there is no other alternative path that will redeem us. Our only hope lies in turning once again to the only redeeming sacrifice for sin—the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross.

II. Progressive Salvation CThe writer continued by describing the severe and frightening punishment awaiting such a backslider (Hebrews 10:28-31). In chapter 6, he explained that “it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6).

II. Progressive Salvation CThe scenario describes someone who has drifted so far from God that he has completely rejected the power of Christ’s blood to cleanse his sins. This passage reflects an extreme and, it is hoped, unlikely possibility for a child of God, but one that every Christian must guard against. God forbid that anyone would coast so far away from Christ and His cross that he would lose his salvation, but it is possible!

II. Progressive Salvation CThe antidote to such a calamitous fall is provided in Hebrews 10:36-39: “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” The message is that the completion of our salvation is coming, so we must not turn back or turn aside now! We must hang in there and hold on! Keep up “the good fight of faith” and “lay hold on eternal life” (I Timothy 6:12).

III. Eternal SalvationEternal Salvation

When traveling on long trips as a child, many of us kept asking our parents relentlessly, “Are we there yet?” Eternal salvation represents the final destination of the long journey when one day we will finally proclaim with ecstasy, “I’ve arrived!” (See II Peter 1:11.) While we possess salvation at the beginning and middle of the journey, this final step represents what theologians refer to as “eschatological” (end-of-the-ages or final) salvation. It is here that each of God’s loyal servants will hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21-23).

III. Eternal SalvationAt that day, our faithful endurance and patience will have paid off. We will have abided in Him and been faithful to the end (Matthew 24:13). We will cross over to the other shore. We will enter the Promised Land. It will be like the runner who breaks through the tape at the finish line. The exciting but sometimes grueling marathon will be over (Hebrews 12:1).

III. Eternal SalvationWhat rewards will we experience at that day? For one thing, we will avoid the awful lake-of-fire judgment awaiting those whose names are “not found written in the book of life” (Revelation 20:15). This in itself will make the journey worthwhile! Yet there are eternal blessings for those with eternal salvation. We will live in a new paradise similar to Eden of long ago, complete with a river of life and healing fruit (Revelation 22:1-2). Life there will be very different from life on earth, as the former things that troubled us will be gone. 

Revelation 21:4II Timothy 2:2

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there

shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall

there be any more pain” (Revelation 21:4).

III. Eternal SalvationThere will be no more night (Revelation 22:5). But best of all, “the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him” (Revelation 22:3)! We shall be ushered into the immediate presence of God, and we shall behold His unveiled face (I Corinthian 13:12; Revelation 22:4). Praise be unto God! 

ReflectionsWhat a wonderful plan of salvation! Through God, we are saved, sanctified, and secure. His way of salvation works with people from the beginning, through the middle, and to the end of their salvation. His plan serves a wonderful purpose, which is to deliver us from the bondage of sin, to allow us to walk with Him in this life, and to eventually arrive at the heavenly Promised Land. We can agree with the apostle Paul when he proclaimed, “thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (II Corinthians 9:15)!