Salvation is divided into two sections, first what Christ did on the historic cross, i.e., salvation past; and second what Christ does for someone today, i.e., salvation present. The past is redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness and propitiation. The present is conversion, regeneration and indwelling.
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Salvation is described in a past tense – saved from the guilt and penalty of sin.
2. Salvation is described in a present tense – saved from the habit and dominion of sin.
3. Salvation is described in a future tense – saved from all the physical infirmities, which are the consequences of sin and curse of God upon sin.
B. CONVERSION
1. Conversion refers to the change that takes place when a person becomes a Christian. "Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you" (Rom. 6:17).
a. Conversion begins with a change in thinking. Although there is only one Gospel (Gal. 1:9), it may be described as:
(1) Personal truth because it is the person of Jesus (I Cor. 2:2).
(2) The Gospel is also prepositional truth, which means it is an accurate formula because it is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (I Cor. 15:1, 34).
b. Things people must know to be converted:
(1) Their need. "All have sinned" (Rom. 3:23).
(2) The penalty. "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).
(3) God’s provision. "Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).
(4) How to respond. "Believe in thine heart" (Rom. 10:9).
Knowing the Gospel – the intellect – is foundational to conversion.
Conversion involves a definite act of the will.
Emotions – feelings – are affected in conversion.
c. Conversion is viewed as both a process and an event.
(1) "Trusting in" (Prov. 3:5).
(2) "Repenting" (Acts 2:38).
(3) "Believing" (Acts 16:31).
(4) "Receiving" (John 1:12).
(5) "Being born again" (John 3:7).
(6) "Confessing" (Rom. 10:9).
C. REGENERATION
Regeneration is the work of God through the Holy Spirit within a person who has "saving faith," and is given a new nature that makes the person capable of doing God’s will.
1. Conversion looks at the salvation experience from a human perspective while regeneration describes the same experience from a divine perspective.
2. Regeneration is described as being born again (John 3:3).
a. Regeneration is an act of God.
b. Regeneration produces spiritual life in the believer.
c. Regeneration produces noticeable changes.
d. Regeneration gives a new nature. The Christian is transformed into a new creation (II Cor. 5:17).
3. The basis of both conversion and regeneration.
a. The Scripture is the instrument of salvation.
(1) Convicts of sin (John 16:8).
(2) Gives us a new nature (II Peter 1:4).
(3) The basis of our spiritual power to overcome sin (Psa. 119:9).
b. The Holy Spirit is the agent of salvation. He convicts of sin, draws people to Christ, and gives new life to those who repent.
D. JUSTIFICATION
1. Justification is a legal declaration of our righteous standing before God. (Rom 5:1).
2. Justification is the act whereby God declares a person righteous when he or she trusts Christ.
3. Justification is non-experiential.
4. Justification gives a new standing before God and is the means by which we enter into a new position in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:6).
a. Abraham is the first who is described as having been justified by faith (Gen. 15:6).
b. The only way we can be justified before God is to accept Christ’s righteousness by faith.
c. Results. God declares us not guilty of sin and we have a perfect record in Heaven.
d. We are justified at our conversion. It often takes time to experience the change.
e. Practical steps in working out our personal salvation:
(1) "Know" (Rom. 6:6).
(2) "Reckon" (Rom. 6:11).
(3) "Yield"(Rom. 6:13).
(4) "Obey" (Rom. 6:16-17).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
