SALVATION, PART 1

     On this web page we finally come to the very heart of  this Web site.  This writer has discussed  God and His being; he touched on the Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, but will deal with those in greater detail.  He has considered the Bible and its subsections, Angels, Man, and Sin.  He also considered How to Be Saved.  If  you are not saved, you may wish to peruse that web page just by clicking on it.  You can also click on any of the other subjects.
     Theologically, this subject constitutes the doctrine of  Soteriology.  The word salvation has several meanings in the Bible.  It refers to physical deliverance as well as being rightly related to God.  It is chiefly in the latter connection that concerns us on this web page.  "In its broadest significance the doctrine of  salvation includes every divine undertaking for the believer from his deliverance out of  the lost estate to his final presentation in glory conformed to the image of  Christ." (Chafer, Systematic Theology, III:6).
     It is impossible but to touch on this grand theme.  No study of  this subject, however, can even begin without a brief consideration of  the One Who has redeemed us unto Himself.

1. The Savior of  mankind.  That there is only one Savior is paramount.  The Lord Jesus Christ, He and He alone saved us by His death on the cross.  This does not approbate the work of  the Father and the Holy Spirit in our salvation.  These will be touched on that shortly.
     a. His positions.  The seven positions of  Christ sums up the entire truth of  His work for mankind.  This will, of  course, be considered on the web pages, Jesus Christ.
          1) The preincarnate Christ.  His first position is that of  the preincarnate Christ.  Several passages speak of  this truth, but John 1:1,2, 14 is most comprehensive and revealing.  A complete study of  these verses may be considered on a web page Study of  Verses.  The key word is Word.  That the Word is Jesus Christ is evident from verse 14.  At this point This writer mentions three truths presented in this passage:  (1) The first is that the Word, Jesus Christ, was one with the Father and was Himself God and this from eternity.  This thought is presented in verses 1, 2. (2) Second, this Word became flesh; that is, He took on a physical body.  This idea is set forth in verse 14.  (3) The third notion is that the Word always manifests God the Father.  This truth is actually set forth in 1:18.
          2) The incarnate Christ.  His second position is that of  the incarnate Christ.  The fact of  His incarnation is abundantly documented in the Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments. John 1:14 clearly states it, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . . ." (Bold type for emphasis).  As such He is the God-man.  He is ever as much God as the Father and the Spirit.  Yet He is in every respect a real human being.
          3) The crucified Christ.  His third position is that of  the crucified Christ.  All four gospels attest to this truth.  The primary teaching in the Book of  Acts  was the death and resurrection of  Jesus Christ.  He died on the cross for your sin and mine.  Paul made this clear in Galatians 2:20 where we read in part, "Who loved me and gave Himself  for me."  It is of the utmost importance that we understand what Jesus really accomplished on that cross for us.  That is a major part of  this web page.
          4) The resurrected Christ.  His fourth position is that of  the resurrected Christ.  By His resurrection we are justified. By His resurrection God is satisfied.  Again, this was a main element in the preaching in the early church as shown in the Book of  Acts.  Many are the passages that testify to this fact.  Besides, the gospel record, we have Paul's definitive statement in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.
          5) The ascended Christ.  His fifth position is that of the ascended Christ.  This is clearly set forth in Acts 1:9-11.  We know He is seated in heaven making intercession for us.  1 John 2:1 sets forth this truth as well as others.  Also John saw Him high and lifted up in Revelation 1:13-18.
          6) The returning Christ.  His sixth position is that of  the returning Christ.  That Christ is coming again is attested in both testaments.  Isaiah 63:1-6 and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 (among others) show that He is coming in judgment.  He will come for His saints (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17), and then He will come with His saints (Jude 14; Revelation 19:11-16) to set up His millennial kingdom.
          7) The reigning Christ.  His seventh position is that of  the reigning Christ.  Many are the Scriptures that speak of  this reign.  Every Christmas one often hears Isaiah 9:6, 7 read.  Revelation 11:15 also speaks of  his eternal reign.  The relation of  this reign in respect to God the Father is a subject of  another study.
      b. His offices.  The offices of  Christ are threefold.  These are the offices that are the result of  His being the Messiah (or Christ).
          1) A Prophet.  Jesus Christ is first a prophet.  Yea, He is more than a prophet; He is the Prophet.  All others were types and shadows.  As was the case of  all prophets, His prophetic ministry was twofold--forthtelling and foretelling.
               (a) Forthtelling.   The former has  to do with  a message  that primarily  was for the  needs of  the people to whom the prophet addressed.  These messages had, of  course, application to all people of  all ages.  Any cursory review of  the Old Testament prophets shows this to be the case. Likewise, our Lord spoke to the need of  the people of  Israel in His day.
               (b) Foretelling.  The prophet, however, also had a ministry of  prediction, telling forth events that were yet to happen.  Jesus also did this repeatedly.  The passages are numerous; and a cursory study of  the ministry of Jesus will show this to be so.
               (c) Time periods.  Christ's prophetic ministry also  involved three periods of  time.  (1) He had a preincarnate ministry which is suggested by John 1:18.  His incarnate ministry, of  course, occupied His entire ministry while here on earth.  1 Timothy 3:16 sets forth six aspects of  that ministry.  (2) Secondly, as already suggested, He foretold and told forth.  The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:39) is an example of  this latter ministry.  There are other such long discourses.
                    These discourses often contain elements of  foretelling as well.  He promised the Apostles that the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance the things which He had told them about the future.  (John 14:26; John 16:13)  (3) The third period of  His ministry is that which is present in Heaven.  We have His present ministry of  intercession and advocacy. Several verses teach this (Cf. 1 John 2:1).  The most extensive section of  this present ministry is that to the seven churches of  Asia (Cf. Revelation 2, 3).
          2) A Priest.  Jesus Christ is also a priest.  He is the Priest par excellence.  The book of  Hebrews set forth particularly this ministry.  He is our High Priest. (Hebrews 4:14-16)  His priesthood is compared to that of  Melchizedec, first in His person, second by divine appointment, and lastly for all eternity.  He continues that priestly work through the believer.  This is one of  the contrasts between the nation Israel and the church.  They had a priesthood; we (the church) is a priesthood.  The details of  this priesthood of  our Lord is clearly set forth in the book of  Hebrews which can be clearly seen by even a cursory reading of  that epistle.
          3) Finally, Jesus Christ is a King.  In fact, He is the King of  kings and Lord of  lords (Revelation 19:16).  Matthew set forth this kingship more than the other writers.  Numerous passages set forth this aspect primarily in connection with the Davidic throne.
               Contrary to what some teach, Jesus Christ did NOT come to this earth (that is, incarnated) solely to die on the cross for the sin of  mankind.  He did come for that purpose.  He came, however, as the Messiah-King over the nation Israel.  They rejected Him, not recognizing that He had to die for all mankind.  He will yet rule over them on David's throne in the city of  Jerusalem.  Even at His death on the cross, He was accused as the King of  the Jews (Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; & John 19:19).

     c. His sonships.  Jesus Christ had a fourfold sonship.  Two are unique, but the other two are also important.
         1)  The Son of  God.  Jesus Christ is first and foremost the Son of  God.  This sonship is unique and will be considered more fully  in the web pages Jesus Christ.  John 1:18 clearly sets forth this truth.
          2)  The Son of  Man.  Jesus Christ is secondly the Son of  man.  This was the title most used by our Lord.  It clearly sets Him forth in His humanity.  John 1:14 sets forth this idea (without using the phrase).  It sets forth Jesus as the representative Man.  The title itself occurs 80 times  in the New Testament. Thus, it clearly identifies Him with His people. A corollary to these two titles has to do with what is called "the hypostatic union."  This has to do with His unique character as the God-man and the unique union of  the two natures.  This aspect will also be considered more completely in the sections  Jesus Christ.
          3) The Son of  Abraham and David.  Jesus Christ is also the Son of  Abraham and the Son of  David.  The latter is solely Jewish and has it roots in His Messiahship.  As indicated Jesus is yet to rule over the house of  Israel and sit on the throne of  David.  To allegorize this  into a non-physical kingdom  is a travesty on the promises made to David as well a total disregard of  the plain language of  Scripture.  As the Son of  Abraham, however, His sonship is universal.  This is the redemptive aspect of  His work.  It is as the Son of  Abraham that all the people of earth are blessed.

     d. His sufferings.  The grand theme of  the sufferings of  Christ are touched on here because our salvation is the result of  His death on the cross.  It will, of  course, again be considered on the web pages dealing with Jesus Christ.
          1) In His life.  Too often when the sufferings of  Christ is considered, it is His death on the cross that one ponders.  Jesus Christ also suffered, however, during His life here on earth.  It must be kept in mind, though, that His sufferings during His lifetime did NOT in any way enter into the redemptive process; but it was a part of  His being "tempted [tested] in all points like as we are" (Hebrews 4:15).
               (a) First of  all, He suffered because of His holy character.  Isaiah 53:5 shows this to be true.  We grant that primarily this occurred on the cross, but it also occurred during His lifetime. If  Lot's soul was vexed by the sin of  his day (cf. 2 Peter 2:7, 8), would not our Lord Who is holy, undefiled, separate from sinners not be vexed by the sin of  His day?
               (b) The second aspect of  His suffering during His life here on earth was due to His compassion.  We read of virtue going out of  Him as He healed people.  Though God, as a man it drained Him.  He needed periods of  restoration through prayer.  It is not necessary to cite passages in this regard as even a brief reading of  the gospels will show this aspect although not specifically declared.
               (c) Finally, there is the suffering He experience due to anticipation of  the cross.  This aspect can be most clearly seen in His prayer in the garden of  Gethsemane.  Again, we must stress that none of  this suffering added one iota to our salvation.  Our salvation is solely due to His death on the cross and the blood shed there.  There is no suggestion in any Scripture that any experience in His life nor the prayer in the garden in any way was a factor in our salvation.
          2) In His death.  That the death of  Christ on the cross is central to our salvation is evident. The cross is a "stumbling block" to the Jew and "foolishness" to the Gentile (Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:22, 23).  One of  the major problems today is the attempt of  many who claim to be Christians to minimize the importance of  the cross of  Christ.  This is seen in the  attempts of  the more liberal denominations to eliminate hymns referring to the shed blood of  Jesus Christ from hymnals.
               (a) There is a distinction between crucifixion and the cross per se.  It is the preaching of  the cross that is foolishness to the Gentiles, not the crucifixion.  The crucifixion was a horrible means of execution, and many unsaved only see the horror in that punishment in regards to the "good" man, Jesus.  The cross, in contrast, is the symbol of  divine redemption to those who believe.  Yes, the crucifixion was a horrible crime against the man, Christ Jesus; but through that death, He redeemed those of us who believe unto eternal glory.  Thus, God in His infinite wisdom used the method of crucifixion to accomplish the redemption of  mankind.
               (b) Another aspect of  His death is who really put Christ to death.   All too often the Jews are blamed for His death.  An overemphasis on this fact was responsible over the centuries for undue persecution of  the Jews.  We grant that they brought it upon themselves when their leaders said to Pilate, "His blood be on us, and on our children." (Matthew 27:25).
                    However guilty the Jews were for the death of  Christ on the cross--and they were, they were not the sole group responsible.  In Acts 4:27, 28 four groups or individuals are mentioned; these are "both Herod, and  Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of  Israel."  Besides these four, there is Satan himself as predicted in Genesis 3:15.
               (c) Finally, the Trinity itself was involved.  The Father is clearly involved  as shown by Isaiah 53:10 and Acts 2:23 as well as others.  The Son of  God lay down His life voluntarily for mankind.  Isaiah 53:7, John 10:18, Ephesians 5:25 and others set this truth forth.  Finally, Hebrews 9:14 states the involvement of  the Holy Spirit.  In regard to the Father, Jesus Christ was forsaken while He hung on the cross.  The offering of  Isaac by Abraham well illustrates this fact, and other passages suggest it.  We have seen the involvement of  all three Persons of  the Trinity; thus, in a real sense the Savior is the Triune God.
           3) In its results.  There are at least 14 results of  Christ's death on the cross.
               (a) Sinners' Substitute.  First, He is the substitute for sinners.  The idea is that He took our place of  punishment for sin.
                    The primary words involved in substitution are two Greek propositions.  The first is the word anti with a root meaning of "Face to face."  The dominant meaning in the first century, however, was instead of. (Cf. H. E. Dana and Julius R. Mantey, A Manual Grammar of  the Greek New Testament, p. 100).  The other Greek word is huper which had a root meaning of  "over."  However, with the ablative case it takes on the meaning of in behalf of, or for the sake of.  The passages are too numerous for inclusion here, but John 6:51, Romans 5:6-8, Galatians 3:13, and 1 Peter 3:18 are examples.
                    Thus, Christ's death was a vicarious suffering for mankind. God is both a just God and a merciful One.  His justice demands the penalty of  sin; His love demands mercy.  These two aspects  could only be satisfied  by Christ having died in the place of  the sinner.
                    Another aspect of  this substitution is mediation.   Job recognized the need of  a mediator in his words set forth in Job 9:32, 33.  Only the God-man could serve as such a mediator.  This mediatorship of  Christ is set forth in 1 Timothy 2:5 among others.  As the Substitute He met the judgment for sin; that is to say, Jesus paid the penalty of  our sin.  Much more could be said along this line, but this hits the high spots.
               (b) End of  the law principle.  Secondly,  Christ is the end of the principle of law for the believer.   Paul argues this matter in the Epistle to the Galatians.  He showed there that the law was a school master to bring us to Christ.  That is, the law was to make us see the impossibility of  being saved by any system of  works.  Other passages also teach this truth.  Romans 10:4 states, "For Christ is the end of  the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."  Unfortunately even the church has succumbed to a law of  works.  Repeatedly, this writer has seen on the internet assertions that one must do this or that in order to be saved.  However, there is no work that a person can do in order to be saved.  It is simply by faith in the finished work of  Jesus Christ.  He has done it all.  Ephesians 2:8, 9 (among others) bears this out.  Conclusive is the decision of  the first church council in Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15:10, 11 (although the whole chapter is pertinent to this issue).
               (c) Redemption.  The third aspect is redemption.  This one is closely related to the fourth and fifth parts.  These three have to do with the unsaved.  Redemption has to do with the sin aspect of  the death of Christ.  "Redemption is an act of God by which He Himself pays as a ransom the price of  human sin which the outraged holiness and government of  God requires." (Chafer, Systematic Theology, III:88)  This subject is huge and can not be barely touched upon here.
                    The Old Testament word that gives the idea of  redemption  is the word ga'al  (the main word)  which expressing the idea of  being freed by payment of  the price of  ransom.  The kinsman-redeemer is the Old Testament picture of  this idea.
                    In the New Testament, three terms are used in the Greek.  The first is agorazo which means to "purchase in the market place."  With the addition of  the prefix eks, we have the meaning of  "purchase out of  the market place."  The third term is the Greek word, lutroo, meaning to "loose and set free."  Many are the passages that have these words in this usage.
                (d) Reconciliation.  Another part of  what Christ did in His sufferings and death is reconciliation.  Though the term appears in the Old Testament, the occurrences refer to the offering or the idea of  atonement. One  place uses the term in regard to David being reconciled to Saul.  The teaching of  reconciliation is strictly, therefore, a New Testament truth.
                    Reconciliation has to do with man being reconciled to God.   The meaning of  the Greek word katallasso means to "change completely."  Thus, reconciliation is a complete change  in respect to God.
                    In Hebrews 2:17 the word  "reconciliation" is used, but it is another Greek word that is in view which has the meaning of  "propitiate."  The KJV rendering  is proper when the meaning of  "reconciliation" is considered as appeasement.
                  In Romans 5:11 the Greek word in question is "atonement."  In the sense of  being at one with God, that rendering is correct.
                    In 1 Corinthians 7:11 the reconciliation is between a wife and her husband.  Otherwise, the term is used in our being reconciled to God.
                    The key passage is 2 Corinthians 5:19, 20.   Verse 19 tells us that the world is reconciled to God through Christ.  This reconciliation is man toward God, never the other way around.
                    Other passages are Romans 5:10, 11; Colossians 1:20, 21;  Romans 11:15;  and Ephesians 2:16. Romans 5:10, 11 sets forth this reconciliation as twofold.  It is the reconciliation of  the world and it is particularize to the individual when he believes.
               (e) Propitiation.  The fifth notion is propitiation, and the term occurring 3 times is the rendering of  the Greek word hilasmos.  It variously means "that which propitiates", "propitiation", and "mercy-seat."  This last meaning has, of course, reference to the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies of  the temple of  the Israelites.
                    The related word occurs such passages as Luke 18:13 where the publican prayed that God would be merciful to him.  The word is "propitious."  The three passages of  import are Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; and 1 John 4:10.  This propitiation is through faith in the shed blood of  Jesus Christ.  Again this propitiation is twofold.  As 1 John 2:2 shows, Jesus Christ "is the propitiation for our sins"; but He is also the propitiation "for the sins of  the whole world."
               (f) Judgment of  sin nature.  Sixthly,  Christ's sufferings  and death  provided the judgment of  the sin nature.  The primary passage is Romans 6:1-8:13.  Romans 6:1-10 is the basis of  this judgment.  This passage sets forth the our being crucified with Christ (cf. also Galatians 2:20), dead with Christ, buried with Christ, and raised with Christ.  This doctrine is the heart of  Christian living.  This truth undercuts any system of  works to maintain one's salvation. We are DEAD TO SIN; all we have to do is "reckon" ourselves dead to sin and alive unto God.  Romans 7 shows the inability of  the believer to control the sin nature.  Romans 8:1-13 that the victory in the Holy Spirit.  Other passages teach this same truth.
               (g) Basis of  forgiveness and cleansing.  The basis of  forgiveness and cleansing of  the believer is in Christ's sufferings and death. 1 John 1:1-2:2 is the chief passage on this subject.  This forgiveness and cleansing depends on confession of  sin (not to one another or a priest) to God.  We can't cover this passage in detail, but 1:9 shows the matter of  confession.  Also, the forgiveness and cleansing are a vital part of  Christ's current priestly ministry in heaven.  This is set forth in 2:1 where Christ is set forth as our advocate.
               (h) Basis for deferring judgment.  Christ's sufferings and death is also the basis for God deferring His righteous judgments. God is holy and can not tolerate sin.  We live in an era in which evil seems to prevail.  This idea is suggested by Romans 9:22 as well as other passages.  His longsuffering is set forth in such passages as 2 Peter 3:9, 15.  Matthew 24:48-51 shows the certainty of  such a judgment.
               (i) Another aspect of  Christ's sufferings and death is the removal of  sin of  Old Testament saints only covered by sacrifice.  Hebrews 10:2ff. sets forth this notion.  Also, note that Hebrews 9:15 states, "And for this cause He is the Mediator of  the new testament, that by means of  death, for the redemption of  the transgressions that were under the first testament, they  which are called might receive the promise of  eternal inheritance.
               (j) The tenth result of  the sufferings and death of  Christ is the salvation of  the nation Israel.  There are those who say that God is through with Israel as a nation.  They contend that all the blessings of  Israel now belong to the Church.  It is true that the Church comes under the blessing of  the Abrahamic covenant.  The promise of  the land has never been fulfilled to the Abraham's seed as yet.  Passages such as Luke 21:24; Acts 15:15-18; Romans 11:25-27 all show that Israel is yet to be dealt with by God.
               (k) The Gentiles have millennial and eternal blessings as the result of  the sufferings and death of  Christ.  Matthew 25:31-46 sets forth these blessings.  This is also presented in the the prophecies of  the Old Testament.  Isaiah 60:3, 12 among others show this truth.
               (l) Christ also spoiled the forces of  darkness at the cross.  Such passages as John 12:31, 16:11; Colossians 2:14, 15 as well as the judgment of  Satan set forth this notion.  Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 14:12; Ezekiel 28:16-19 as well as others show the ultimate end of  Satan.
               (m) Christ's sufferings and death  also is the basis of  peace.   This is shown in Romans 5:1;  Ephesians 2:13, 14a; and Colossians 1:20.  Also there is the peace that could now be possible between Jew and Gentile as set forth in Ephesians 2:14-18 among others.  Colossians 1:20 and other passages show the peace available to the universe by the cross of Christ.
               (n) Finally, Christ's sufferings and death results in the purifying of  heavenly things.  We little realize the effect of sin had not only in the universe, but in heaven itself.  Hebrews 8:23, 24 show this truth.
          (4) In other things.   This web page can not cover everything in detail.   Some of  the other matters that involve the sufferings of Christ include the types of His death.  A type is a divine illustration, and they can be classified as to persons, events, things, ceremonies, and institutions.  This writer will not discuss these here.  They range, however, from Abel's offering to the tabernacle.
               Another matter in regards to the death of  Christ is the fact it is presented in practically every section of  the Bible.  Someone has well said that there is a red thread that goes through the entire Book.  Of  course, some books are more prominent concerning His death than others.  For example, Genesis is the first to present it.  The rest of  the five books of  Moses has repeated allusions to His death.  Several Psalms and the prophets set forth His death.  In the New Testament, each of  the gospels, most of  the Pauline epistles, and the book of  Hebrews talk about His death as well as His resurrection.
               Various terms are used  in the Bible  that are related to His death.   They range from the  term "atonement" to substitution.  This writer has dealt with some of  these terms.  One author lists at least 13 such words.  It is more than he can cover here.
               Finally, there are various theories as to the value of  Christ's death.  Here again the subject is vast and is beyond the scope of  this web site.  It is mentioned only to make the reader aware of  the situation.                        

    This writer has endeavored on this page to briefly introduce the doctrine of  salvation and the Person of  the Savior as well as His suffering and death.  Of  course, these subjects will be dealt with on the web pages Jesus Christ.  The doctrine of  salvation is so important and huge, it cannot justifiably be covered on one web page.  The next topics to be covered are the matter of  divine election and the work of  the Triune God in salvation.  These truths will be discussed on the next page SALVATION, PART 2.  The final topics to be discussed on the page SALVATION, PART 3 will be eternal security, consummating matters, and terms of  salvation.

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