Pastor Jonathan Falwell
TRBC Doctrinal Statement: “We affirm that each person can be saved only through the work of Jesus Christ, through repentance of sin and by faith alone in Him as Savior. The believer is declared righteous, born again by the Holy Spirit, turned from sin, and assured of heaven.
We affirm that the Holy Spirit indwells all who are born again, conforming them to the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a process completed only in Heaven. Every believer is responsible to live in obedience to the Word of God in separation from sin.”
The Doctrine of Salvation
• Soteriology
– Soteria – “to cure, to provide recovery, to rescue”
– Ology (logos) – “word”
The Truth About Salvation
• Everyone is in need of salvation
Romans 3:10b There is none righteous, no, not one
• No one can accomplish it on their own
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved
Acts 16:30-31 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household
• There must be payment for our sin
Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission
• Only Jesus can accomplish it
1 Timothy 2:3-6a For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all
What is Salvation?
1. Belief
Two-fold process of conversion
Doctrinal Statement: “We affirm that each person can be saved only through the work of Jesus Christ, through repentance of sin and by faith alone in Him as Savior.”
- Repentance – “turning from”
John 16:8-9 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me - Faith – “turning to”
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst
John 6:47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life
2. Justification
Doctrinal Statement: The believer is declared righteous
Justification is that legal act whereby man’s status before God is changed for the good. The method of justification is by faith and by grace
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God
3. Sanctification
Doctrinal Statement: born again by the Holy Spirit, turned from sin… We affirm that the Holy Spirit indwells all who are born again, conforming them to the likeness of Jesus Christ… Every believer is responsible to live in obedience to the Word of God in separation from sin.
Sanctification is the process of being set apart
1 Thess. 4:3a For this is the will of God, your sanctification
1 Thess 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
4. Glorification
Doctrinal Statement: …and assured of heaven…This is a process completed only in Heaven
Glorification is the completion of justification and sanctification and “refers to the ultimate and absolute physical, mental and spiritual perfections of all believers”
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God
John 3:14-17 (NKJV) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.