HOW IS SALVATION BROUGHT TO MEN?
1.
(1) Through
the Spirit - Mystical - This is partly true
(2) Through
the Sacraments - Sacerdotal -- Baptism, Lord's Supper, etc. Protestant same
system
(3) Through
the Sacraments - Sacerdotal -- Catholic; Baptism, Mass, Extreme Unction – As you
perform baptism, salvation is communicated through the act to you.
(4) Through
the Word - Moral -- the Spirit works through the Word
2.
Bible teaches that Salvation is brought to sinners through the instrumentality
of a message - the Word written or spoken - and this message in its ultimate
source is a Revelation from God, concerning Christ, recorded in the Scriptures,
applied by the Holy Spirit, whose work through the Word is symbolized in part
by the sacraments.
Rom. 1:16 =
good news – for it is the power of salvation
1 Cor. 1:21
= preached – wisdom of God that the world sees as moronic
Acts 11:14
= words
James 1:21
= "inborn word" (47 marg.) – word which was accepted and therefore
inborn
2 Tim. 3:15
= Basis of all Holy writings
3.
The Word not only conveys the message of Salvation to the soul, but also
activates the response of faith by which Salvation is received by the soul.
Rom. 10:16-17
faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ
- this
leads to next point:
The Spirit does not bring
salvation to men directly, but through the Word of God. God has chosen to save
men through the written and spoken word. The sacraments are symbols of the work
of the Spirit through the word.
There may be instances of direct
action by the Holy Ghost. But I do not know any. Somehow God has chosen to
mediate eternal life through a progressive knowledge of Himself in the Word.
John 17:3
HOW IS SALVATION RECEIVED BY MEN?
1. Several
different opinions:
(1)
By inheritance – Biological. Cf. John 3:5-6 – clear line between biological and
spiritual. Father therefore son.
(2)
By environment – Educational. Cf. Phil. 3:4-8 Paul's condition before
salvation. If you live in the right environment. Paul had to forget all his
previous education.
(3)
By works - Legal. cf. Eph. 2:8-9 If you live right , you’ll be saved.
(4)
By Faith – Spiritual. Cf. Eph. 2:8-9 This is Biblical.
2.
Bible teaches that Salvation is the gift of God which the sinner receives by
one simple act of faith.
Rom.
1:16 “to everyone who believe”
Acts
16:30-31 "believe in the Lord Jesus Christ”
3.
But while Salvation cannot be secured or merited by works, the Bible never
separates it from its moral results.
2
Tim. 1:9 "Holy calling"
2
Thess. 2:13 "Chosen you to salvation through sanctification"
Eph.
2:8-10 "Created...unto good works" God ordained both salvation and
works, but in the right order.
SOME PROBLEMS
1. How
explain certain texts:
Mark
16:16 - Baptism? Not the condition of salvation. Textual problem.
Acts
2:38 - Baptism? With respect to, or because of the remission of sin.
1
Pet. 3:21 - Baptism? Serves as an anti type.
Rom.
10:9-10 - Confession? vs. 9 is explained by verse 10.
2.
Did the Old Testament saints have Salvation in the same sense in which we
possess it today?
(1)
Prophets regard Salvation in its complete spiritual sense as more of a promise belonging
to the future, rather than to their own generation and age.
1
Pet. 1:10-12 "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."
(2)
But this does not mean that Old Testament saints had no part in Salvation. They did receive it by faith, although most of its
blessings were future.
cf.
Heb. 11:2, 39-40 "For by it the elders obtained a good report." "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
Rom.
4:1 ff. Instance "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
Jer.
31:31-34 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
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