The Nature of Salvation Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2005

The Nature of SalvationThe Nature of Salvation

Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2005 Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2005

The Nature of SalvationThe Nature of Salvation

I. Aspects of Salvation

II. Stages of Salvation

III. Means of Salvation

I. Aspects of Salvation

II. Stages of Salvation

III. Means of Salvation

The Nature of SalvationThe Nature of SalvationI. Aspects of SalvationII. Stages of SalvationIII. Means of SalvationIV. Exclusivity of Salvation

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation A. Salvation

– Greek: Soteria, soterion (nouns). The adjective is soterios

from which we get the word soteriology.

– Meaning: Means deliverance, preservation, or salvation. It is

sometimes used of physical deliverance (cf. Luke 1:69, 71; Acts 7:25; 27:37) such as Paul's desire to be delivered or released from prison when he wrote: "I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance" (Phil. 1:19).

A. Salvation– Greek:

Soteria, soterion (nouns). The adjective is soterios from which we get the word soteriology.

– Meaning: Means deliverance, preservation, or salvation. It is

sometimes used of physical deliverance (cf. Luke 1:69, 71; Acts 7:25; 27:37) such as Paul's desire to be delivered or released from prison when he wrote: "I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance" (Phil. 1:19).

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation A. Salvation

– Meaning: Spiritually, salvation refers to the process by which God

delivers sinners from the prison of sin by the work of Christ. Paul declared, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16 cf. Eph. 1:13.). He added later, "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Rom. 10:10). Peter announced: "Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)

A. Salvation– Meaning:

Spiritually, salvation refers to the process by which God delivers sinners from the prison of sin by the work of Christ. Paul declared, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16 cf. Eph. 1:13.). He added later, "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Rom. 10:10). Peter announced: "Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation B. Redemption

– Greek: The English term is translated by several Greek

words : apolutrosis; lutron; antilutron; agoradzo.

– Meaning: The basic meaning of redemption is to ransom,

deliver, buy back, or pay a price for. It means that Christ paid a price to redeem man. He paid the debt that sinners had incurred against God.

B. Redemption– Greek:

The English term is translated by several Greek words : apolutrosis; lutron; antilutron; agoradzo.

– Meaning: The basic meaning of redemption is to ransom,

deliver, buy back, or pay a price for. It means that Christ paid a price to redeem man. He paid the debt that sinners had incurred against God.

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation B. Redemption

– Support: “. . . being justified freely by His grace through the

redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7).

“. . . who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Tim. 2:6).

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk. 10:45).

B. Redemption– Support:

“. . . being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7).

“. . . who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Tim. 2:6).

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk. 10:45).

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation C. Justification

– Greek: Dikaios - just or right(eous) (Matt. 1:19 Gal. 3:11).

Dikaiosunee – righteousness. It can refer to practical justification (Matt. 3:15; 5:6,10; 6:13-20; Phil. 1:11) or positional justification (Rom. 1:17 Gal. 2:21).

Dikaioo - justify, or justified. It sometimes refers to God (Luke 7:29), or Christ (1Tim 3:16), of salvation (Acts 13:39; Rom. 5:1)

Dikaiosis - justification (Rom. 5:18).

C. Justification– Greek:

Dikaios - just or right(eous) (Matt. 1:19 Gal. 3:11).

Dikaiosunee – righteousness. It can refer to practical justification (Matt. 3:15; 5:6,10; 6:13-20; Phil. 1:11) or positional justification (Rom. 1:17 Gal. 2:21).

Dikaioo - justify, or justified. It sometimes refers to God (Luke 7:29), or Christ (1Tim 3:16), of salvation (Acts 13:39; Rom. 5:1)

Dikaiosis - justification (Rom. 5:18).


– Meaning: Justification is the act of God by which we who are

unrighteous in ourselves are nevertheless declared righteous before God.

In Scripture the means of obtaining this declaration is

faith in the promises of God (Rom. 4:20).

Believing in Christ results in righteousness being credited to sinners (Rom. 3:21-23) apart from works (Rom. 1:17; 3:20; 4:2-5).

C. Justification

– Meaning: Justification is the act of God by which we who are

unrighteous in ourselves are nevertheless declared righteous before God.

In Scripture the means of obtaining this declaration is

faith in the promises of God (Rom. 4:20).

Believing in Christ results in righteousness being credited to sinners (Rom. 3:21-23) apart from works (Rom. 1:17; 3:20; 4:2-5).


“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (Gal. 2:21).

Romans 4:2-5 is a key passage: "If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. What does the Scripture say? `Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness."

C. Justification “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness

comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (Gal. 2:21).

Romans 4:2-5 is a key passage: "If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. What does the Scripture say? `Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness."

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation D. Regeneration

– Greek: Paliggenesia - regeneration, rebirth, or spiritual

renovation. (Mt.19:28 - of Messianic renovation; Titus 3:5 - of salvation).

– Meaning: Regeneration is the impartation of spiritual life to the

soul of those who were “dead in trespasses and sin” (Eph. 2:1); they are “made alive” by God “through faith” in Christ (Eph. 2:8).

A parallel concept is new birth, or being “born again” or “born from above” (John 3:6-7; 1 Pet. 1:23). They get a "new heart" by repenting (Eze. 11:19).

D. Regeneration– Greek:

Paliggenesia - regeneration, rebirth, or spiritual renovation. (Mt.19:28 - of Messianic renovation; Titus 3:5 - of salvation).

– Meaning: Regeneration is the impartation of spiritual life to the

soul of those who were “dead in trespasses and sin” (Eph. 2:1); they are “made alive” by God “through faith” in Christ (Eph. 2:8).

A parallel concept is new birth, or being “born again” or “born from above” (John 3:6-7; 1 Pet. 1:23). They get a "new heart" by repenting (Eze. 11:19).

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation E. Regeneration

Paul declared that God "... saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit..." (Titus 3:5).

Regeneration, a work of God through the Holy Spirit, results in sonship that endures for all eternity. John wrote: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…." (John 1:12-13).

Paul added, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus..." (Gal. 3:26).

E. Regeneration Paul declared that God "... saved us, not because of

righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit..." (Titus 3:5).

Regeneration, a work of God through the Holy Spirit, results in sonship that endures for all eternity. John wrote: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…." (John 1:12-13).

Paul added, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus..." (Gal. 3:26).

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation F. Reconciliation

– Greek: Katallasso - to reconcile or bring together (cf. Mt.

5:23-24; Rom. 5:10; 1Cor. 7:11. Katallaga - reconciliation, bringing together (Rom.

5:11; Rom. 11:15 (of Gentiles); 2Cor. 5:18, 19). Hilaskomai - is "reconciliation" (Heb.2:17).

– Meaning: Fallen human beings need to be reconciled to God

because sin has alienated them from God by breaking their fellowship (2 Cor. 5:18-20). Reconciliation is the removal of the enmity towards God of a carnal mind (Rom. 8:7).

F. Reconciliation– Greek:

Katallasso - to reconcile or bring together (cf. Mt. 5:23-24; Rom. 5:10; 1Cor. 7:11.

Katallaga - reconciliation, bringing together (Rom. 5:11; Rom. 11:15 (of Gentiles); 2Cor. 5:18, 19).

Hilaskomai - is "reconciliation" (Heb.2:17).– Meaning:

Fallen human beings need to be reconciled to God because sin has alienated them from God by breaking their fellowship (2 Cor. 5:18-20). Reconciliation is the removal of the enmity towards God of a carnal mind (Rom. 8:7).

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation F. Reconciliation

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people" (Heb.2:17).

Paul urged, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God”(2 Cor. 5:18-20).

F. Reconciliation “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His

brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people" (Heb.2:17).

Paul urged, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God”(2 Cor. 5:18-20).

I. Aspects of SalvationI. Aspects of Salvation G. Sanctification

– Greek: Hagiasmos - consecration, purification, holiness.

– Meaning: Sanctification is the act whereby God sets the believer

apart to Himself. Through sanctification, God delivers the believer from his propensity to sin and prepares him for service in God’s kingdom.

– Support: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you

should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (1 Thess. 4:3-5).

G. Sanctification– Greek:

Hagiasmos - consecration, purification, holiness.– Meaning:

Sanctification is the act whereby God sets the believer apart to Himself. Through sanctification, God delivers the believer from his propensity to sin and prepares him for service in God’s kingdom.

– Support: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you

should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (1 Thess. 4:3-5).

II. Stages of SalvationII. Stages of Salvation

A. The Process of Salvation– 1. Justification:

Saved from the penalty of sin (one time act).

– 2. Sanctification: Saved from the power of sin (present process).

– 3. Glorification: Saved from the presence of sin (future culmination).

A. The Process of Salvation– 1. Justification:

Saved from the penalty of sin (one time act).

– 2. Sanctification: Saved from the power of sin (present process).

– 3. Glorification: Saved from the presence of sin (future culmination).

II. Stages of SalvationII. Stages of Salvation 1. Justification

– Meaning: Justification is the initial stage of salvation. It is the act

whereby God declares the sinner righteous through faith in Christ alone. It is a legal status conferred by God in relation to His Law.

– Significance: The doctrine of justification is essential to the doctrine of

salvation by grace through faith alone apart from works. The charge against sinners is unbelief (John 3:18). Justification is God’s declaration “not guilty.”

1. Justification– Meaning:

Justification is the initial stage of salvation. It is the act whereby God declares the sinner righteous through faith in Christ alone. It is a legal status conferred by God in relation to His Law.

– Significance: The doctrine of justification is essential to the doctrine of

salvation by grace through faith alone apart from works. The charge against sinners is unbelief (John 3:18). Justification is God’s declaration “not guilty.”


– Necessity of: Total depravity. Because human beings are corrupted by

sin in every facet of their being, it is necessary for redemption that a means be provided whereby the sinner can attain to righteous apart from self effort or works (John 15:5).

Original sin. Because all human beings since the fall of Adam are sinners by birth (Psa. 51:5) and are “by nature the children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3), it necessary that God by His goodness provide the a means of their redemption.

1. Justification– Necessity of:

Total depravity. Because human beings are corrupted by sin in every facet of their being, it is necessary for redemption that a means be provided whereby the sinner can attain to righteous apart from self effort or works (John 15:5).

Original sin. Because all human beings since the fall of Adam are sinners by birth (Psa. 51:5) and are “by nature the children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3), it necessary that God by His goodness provide the a means of their redemption.


– Support: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity” (Psa. 32:1-2).

Paul stated, “...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them...” (2 Cor. 5:19).

1. Justification– Support:

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity” (Psa. 32:1-2).

Paul stated, “...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them...” (2 Cor. 5:19).

II. Stages of SalvationII. Stages of Salvation 2. Sanctification

– Meaning: Sanctification is the process by which God delivers us

from the power of sin. Whereas in justification God declares us to be righteous, in sanctification God makes us righteous.

– Necessity: While justification deals with the penalty of sin it does

not address the propensity for sin inherent in fallen human nature. God by sanctification gives us the power to be victorious over the sin in our lives (Rom. 7:14-18).

2. Sanctification– Meaning:

Sanctification is the process by which God delivers us from the power of sin. Whereas in justification God declares us to be righteous, in sanctification God makes us righteous.

– Necessity: While justification deals with the penalty of sin it does

not address the propensity for sin inherent in fallen human nature. God by sanctification gives us the power to be victorious over the sin in our lives (Rom. 7:14-18).


– Arenas: The world (1John 5:4). The flesh (Rom. 7:24-25). The Devil (Jas. 4:7).

– Steps: Knowing - recognizing that we are dead to sin

through Christ (Rom. 6:6). Reckoning – counting that it is a fact (Rom. 6:11) Yielding - submitting ourselves to God (Rom. 6:13)

2. Sanctification– Arenas:

The world (1John 5:4). The flesh (Rom. 7:24-25). The Devil (Jas. 4:7).

– Steps: Knowing - recognizing that we are dead to sin

through Christ (Rom. 6:6). Reckoning – counting that it is a fact (Rom. 6:11) Yielding - submitting ourselves to God (Rom. 6:13)


– Requirements: Because the third step in sanctification involves

yieldedness, it does not follow automatically from justification (Rom. 6:13). It involves cooperation on our part; we must submit to God’s sanctifying grace.

Spiritual maturity is the natural fruit of sanctification and is God’s plan for every believer. Hebrews says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Heb. 5:12). Thus, spiritual immaturity is the result of resisting the work of the Spirit.

2. Sanctification– Requirements:

Because the third step in sanctification involves yieldedness, it does not follow automatically from justification (Rom. 6:13). It involves cooperation on our part; we must submit to God’s sanctifying grace.

Spiritual maturity is the natural fruit of sanctification and is God’s plan for every believer. Hebrews says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Heb. 5:12). Thus, spiritual immaturity is the result of resisting the work of the Spirit.

II. Stages of SalvationII. Stages of Salvation 3. Glorification

– Meaning: Glorification is the future act whereby God delivers His

people from the very presence of sin. It is the culmination of God’s work of salvation.

– Process: God accomplishes our glorification by transforming our

corrupted bodies into incorruptible bodies. “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” ( 1 Cor. 15:53-54).

3. Glorification– Meaning:

Glorification is the future act whereby God delivers His people from the very presence of sin. It is the culmination of God’s work of salvation.

– Process: God accomplishes our glorification by transforming our

corrupted bodies into incorruptible bodies. “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” ( 1 Cor. 15:53-54).


– Necessity: To abolish sin (1 John 3:2). Because our bodies are still

corrupted by sin, we must be given new incorruptible bodies. (Philip. 3:21)

To see God. No mortal man can see God and live (Ex. 33:20; Jn. 1:18), but yet seeing God face to face has been the desire of the saints throughout the ages (1 John 3.2; Rev. 22:4). Only by being transformed can this desire be fulfilled.

To perfect freedom. The desire for righteousness is presently hindered by the presence of sin in the body. However, glorification fulfills the desire of every true believer for freedom from sin (Rom. 7:15-17).

3. Glorification– Necessity:

To abolish sin (1 John 3:2). Because our bodies are still corrupted by sin, we must be given new incorruptible bodies. (Philip. 3:21)

To see God. No mortal man can see God and live (Ex. 33:20; Jn. 1:18), but yet seeing God face to face has been the desire of the saints throughout the ages (1 John 3.2; Rev. 22:4). Only by being transformed can this desire be fulfilled.

To perfect freedom. The desire for righteousness is presently hindered by the presence of sin in the body. However, glorification fulfills the desire of every true believer for freedom from sin (Rom. 7:15-17).


– Certainty: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are

not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:18-19).

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

3. Glorification– Certainty:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:18-19).

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

III. Means of SalvationIII. Means of Salvation A. The Work of Christ

– His death: Substitutionary atonement. Christ is our

substitute in death. His death on our behalf releases us from the condemnation of the Law.

– His resurrection: Bodily resurrection. God ties our life to Christ’s

life, i.e. His resurrection (Rom. 5:10). We are raised from death by Him (Jn. 14:19).

A. The Work of Christ– His death:

Substitutionary atonement. Christ is our substitute in death. His death on our behalf releases us from the condemnation of the Law.

– His resurrection: Bodily resurrection. God ties our life to Christ’s

life, i.e. His resurrection (Rom. 5:10). We are raised from death by Him (Jn. 14:19).

III. Means of SalvationIII. Means of Salvation B. Atonement

– Hebrew: Kaphar. Literally, it means to cover, but it also

carries a broader meaning of expiation, condoning, wiping away, placating, or canceling.

As a covering. “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch [kaphar]” (Gen. 6:14).

B. Atonement– Hebrew:

Kaphar. Literally, it means to cover, but it also carries a broader meaning of expiation, condoning, wiping away, placating, or canceling.

As a covering. “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch [kaphar]” (Gen. 6:14).

III. Means of SalvationIII. Means of Salvation B. Atonement

As expiation. “When the sin which they have committed becomes known, then the assembly shall offer a young bull for the sin, and bring it before the tabernacle of meeting. And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord. Then the bull shall be killed before the Lord. The anointed priest shall bring some of the bull’s blood to the tabernacle of meeting. Then the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil. ‘And he shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of meeting…. So the priest shall make atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them. Then he shall carry the bull outside the camp, and burn it as he burned the first bull. It is a sin offering for the assembly” (Lev. 4:14-21).

B. Atonement As expiation. “When the sin which they have committed

becomes known, then the assembly shall offer a young bull for the sin, and bring it before the tabernacle of meeting. And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord. Then the bull shall be killed before the Lord. The anointed priest shall bring some of the bull’s blood to the tabernacle of meeting. Then the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil. ‘And he shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of meeting…. So the priest shall make atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them. Then he shall carry the bull outside the camp, and burn it as he burned the first bull. It is a sin offering for the assembly” (Lev. 4:14-21).

III. Means of SalvationIII. Means of Salvation 3. Atonement

– Greek: Hiloskomai - to propitiate, expiate, or conciliate.

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17).

3. Atonement– Greek:

Hiloskomai - to propitiate, expiate, or conciliate.

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17).

III. Means of SalvationIII. Means of Salvation 4. Substitutionary Atonement

– The necessity: God’s justice. God is too holy to excuse sin (Hab. 1:13). It

must be punished. Someone (Christ) had to bear the punishment that was due to sinners.

Total depravity. Because human beings are depraved they are unable to earn their salvation. Being guilty before God (Rom. 3:19), justice (death) must be upheld against sinners. Only a substitutionary death can remove that guilt.

Old Testament Sacrifices. The laying on of hands symbolized the transference of guilt (Lev. 1:3-4).

4. Substitutionary Atonement– The necessity:

God’s justice. God is too holy to excuse sin (Hab. 1:13). It must be punished. Someone (Christ) had to bear the punishment that was due to sinners.

Total depravity. Because human beings are depraved they are unable to earn their salvation. Being guilty before God (Rom. 3:19), justice (death) must be upheld against sinners. Only a substitutionary death can remove that guilt.

Old Testament Sacrifices. The laying on of hands symbolized the transference of guilt (Lev. 1:3-4).


– The necessity: Isaiah 53:5-6: “But He was wounded for our

transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. . . . And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

The Passover lamb. The lamb sacrificed at Passover was a substitute and Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7).

Ransom. Jesus said His death was given as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

4. Substitutionary Atonement– The necessity:

Isaiah 53:5-6: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. . . . And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

The Passover lamb. The lamb sacrificed at Passover was a substitute and Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7).

Ransom. Jesus said His death was given as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).


– Conclusion: It was necessary that Christ must die as a

substitute for sinners in order to fulfill all righteousness and to satisfy the wrath of God.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).

4. Substitutionary Atonement

– Conclusion: It was necessary that Christ must die as a

substitute for sinners in order to fulfill all righteousness and to satisfy the wrath of God.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).

III. Means of SalvationIII. Means of Salvation 5. Christ’s Life

– Resurrection: By His life, we have life. It is the power of His

resurrection that empowers us to live godly lives.

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Rom. 6:4-6).

5. Christ’s Life– Resurrection:

By His life, we have life. It is the power of His resurrection that empowers us to live godly lives.

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Rom. 6:4-6).

IV. The Exclusiveness of SalvationIV. The Exclusiveness of Salvation

Salvation is: Provided by grace alone (Titus 3:5; Rom. 11:6). Based on the work of Christ alone (Jn. 14:6; Acts

4:12; 1Tim. 2:5: Heb. 9:22). Received by faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:4-5)

Salvation is: Provided by grace alone (Titus 3:5; Rom. 11:6). Based on the work of Christ alone (Jn. 14:6; Acts

4:12; 1Tim. 2:5: Heb. 9:22). Received by faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:4-5)

Documents

The Nature of Salvation Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2005