Soteriology

Soteriology is the study of salvation

Man’s Role- Man has a need for salvation because he is unrighteous (Romans 3:10, 12) and has sinned before a holy God (Romans 3:23; Romans 1:18). He does not desire God (Romans 3:11). Man is also incapable of salvation on his own terms (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God’s Role – God is utterly responsible for our salvation (Acts 2:22-23). God elected those that are believers (Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:4-6, 2 Timothy 1:9) through a call in the form of the Gospel (John 6:44, Romans 10:14). The following are part of the salvation process. Regenerated/born again (John 3), faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), justification (Romans 3:26), sanctification (Titus 3:5), redemption (Hebrews 9:12), reconciliation (Colossians 1:20-22), adoption (John 1:12), perseverance (John 10:27-29), union with Christ (Colossians 2:10), and glorification (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

Christian Growth – Christlikeness is the goal of Christian growth. It is commanded (2 Peter 3:18). Growth is effect externally through the Word (1 Peter 2:2, believers (Hebrews 10:24-25), leaders (Ephesians 4:11-13) and discipline (Hebrews 12:10), and internally through faith (Galatians 2:20), repentance (Revelation 2:4-5), and yieldedness (Romans 6:11-14). Christians should always be growing (Hebrews 10:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; John 17:17; and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). This is referred to as progressive sanctification.