Salvation
We believe and teach that the salvation of
sinful men has always ultimately depended upon the sovereign grace
of God. A single divine method of salvation by grace through faith
has been in effect since the fall of man (Romans 4:1-9,
9:16;
Ephesians 2:8-9). This great truth, however, never nullifies or
diminishes the sinner's responsibility of appropriation nor the
servant's responsibility of communication (Romans 10:8-15).
God's sovereign plan of salvation was divinely drafted in eternity
past (Ephesians 1:4;
Revelation 13:8), including all of its provisions
(the work of Christ and the Spirit) and processes (Titus 3:3-7).
Furthermore, on an individual, historical basis, His grace stands
behind all the stages of salvation, i.e., past - justification;
present - sanctification; and future - glorification (Romans 8:29-30).
Thus, our salvation is entirely accomplished by the almighty power
of the sovereign and gracious triune God. "He saved us, not
on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but
according to His mercy,..." (Titus 3:5). Some vital constituents
of His salvation plan include:
Election: We believe and teach that
election is the gracious act of God by which, before the foundation
of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously calls,
regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies (Romans 8:28-30;
Ephesians 1:4-11;
2 Thessalonians 2:13;
2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2).
We believe and teach that sovereign election does not contradict
or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ
as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23,
32,
33:11;
John 3:18-19,
36,
5:40;
Romans 9:22-23;
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12;
Revelation 22:17).
All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all
who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40,
44;
Acts 13:48;
James 4:8).
We believe and teach that the unmerited favor that God grants
to totally depraved sinners is unconditional, i.e., not related
to any initiative of their own part nor to God's anticipation
of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His
sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:4-7;
Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2).
Regeneration: We believe and teach
that regeneration (i.e., the new birth) is a gracious supernatural
work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine
life are given (John 3:3-7;
Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and
is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through
the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24). The new birth
results in the believer's union with Christ (Colossians 2:13)
in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-11), thus receiving
the spiritual graces of the New Covenant (i.e., reconciliation,
peace with God, a new heart, new affections, and deliverance from
the dominating power of sin etc.,) (Deuteronomy 30:6;
Ezekiel 11:19-20;
Romans 2:28-29,
5:1,
6:5-7,
11,
14;
Colossians 2:11-12).
Because genuine regeneration involves the imparting of a new
life, a new heart and saving faith, it will be manifested by fruits
worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and
conduct. "Faith working through love" will be its proper
evidence and fruit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20
; Ephesians 5:17-21;
Philippians 2:12b;
Galatians 5:6;
Colossians 3:16;
2 Peter 1:4-10).
This grace-empowered obedience causes the believer to be increasingly
conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Such a conformity is climaxed in the believer's glorification
at Christ's coming (Romans 8:17;
2 Peter 1:4;
1 John 3:2-3).
Justification: We believe and teach
that justification before God is a gracious act of God (Romans 8:33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith
in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3;
Acts 2:38,
3:19 ,
11:18;
Romans 2:4;
2 Corinthians 7:10;
Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him
as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9-10;
1 Corinthians 12:3;
2 Corinthians 4:5;
Philippians 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue
or work of man (Romans 3:20,
4:6) and involves the placing of
our sins on Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peter 2:24) and the imputation
of Christ's righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:2,
30, 6:11;
2 Corinthians 5:21). By this means God is enabled to "be
just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus"
(Romans 3:26).
Sanctification: We believe and teach
that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification
and is therefore declared to be holy and identified as a saint.
This sanctification is positional, permanent, and instantaneous
and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This
sanctification has to do with the believer's standing, not his
present walk or experiential condition (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2,
30,
6:11;
2 Thessalonians 2:13;
Hebrews 2:11,
3:11,
10:10,
14 ,
13:12;
1 Peter 1:2).
We believe and teach that there is also by the work of the Holy
Spirit a progressive sanctification by which the state (i.e.,
practice) of the believer is brought closer to the standing he
positionally enjoys through justification. This sanctification
is an effect of the love of God manifested in the soul, whereby
through the gracious empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer
is enabled to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity
to the will of God, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus
Christ (c.f. "regeneration") (John 17:17,
19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4,
5:23). In this
respect, we teach that every saved person is involved in a daily
conflict. He is a new creation in Christ doing battle against
the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 7:15-25), but adequate provision
is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through
this earthly life and is never completely ended. Eradication of
sin is not possible, but the Holy Spirit does provide for victory
over sin (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Philippians 3:12;
Colossians 3:9-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).
Perseverance: We believe and teach
the biblical doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints. This
doctrine has two parts: (1) God will so work with His people in
His grace that they will inevitably be preserved to the end and
be saved (1 Peter 1:5; Jude 1; John 10:28-30; Philippians 1:6).
Thus no true child of God, born of the Holy Spirit, will ever
be lost (Romans 8:29-30). (2) It is equally true, however, that
no person will be saved without persevering to the end. In order
to be saved, believers must persevere to the end in faith and
obedience (Mark 13:13; Colossians 1:22-23;
Hebrews 3:14,
12:14).
The means God uses to bring about our perseverance are His magnificent
promises (2 Peter 1:3-4) and His terrifying warnings (Hebrews 10:26ff).
