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A. GOD, BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE, GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS, FOR THE SALVATION OF THE ENTIRE WORLD. Early in His ministry Jesus began to reveal this spiritual truth to the people. 1. "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. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16,17). "...he who does not believe the Son shall not see life..." (Jn. 3:36). 2. Jesus spoke of coming into this world that we might have life, and have life more abundantly (John 10:10). 3. Jesus also said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6). 4. The apostles said, "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 4:12). Jesus Christ is the one Mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5). B. GOD'S SALVATION, RECEIVED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, IS OFFERED TO THE WORLD, BECAUSE OF HIS GRACE, MERCY AND LOVE FOR ALL. Go ye into all the world...(Mk. 16:15,16). 1. In Him (Jesus) we have redemption...the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God's grace (Eph. 1:7). 2. God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love, with which He loved us...made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)...(Eph. 2:4,5). We shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:17). 3. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8). C. JESUS WILLINGLY OFFERED HIS BODY, AS A SACRIFICE TO GOD, SO THAT WE CAN BE SAVED, SANCTIFIED AND PERFECTED FOREVER. 1. Christ has loved us, and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:2). 2. Christ entered heaven…appeared in the presence of God for us to put away sin by His sacrifice(Heb.9:24,26). 3. Christ sanctified (made free from sin, holy) and perfected (brought to completeness) forever, those being sanctified, by the offering of His body, as a sacrifice to God, once for all (Heb. 10:10,12,14). 4. Christ has suffered for us, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to our sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes (wounds), you were healed (1 Pet. 2:21,24). D. JESUS WILLINGLY SHED HIS BLOOD SO THAT WE CAN BE FORGIVEN, JUSTIFIED, REDEEMED AND RECONCILED TO GOD. Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin (Heb.9:22). 1. We are justified (declared free from the guilt of sin) freely (without any cost) by God's grace through the redemption (deliverance from bondage, set free) in Christ (Rom. 3:24). 2. We are justified, saved from God's wrath, and reconciled (brought back in harmony) to God by the shedding (causing to flow, gush, pour, spill from a cut or wound) of Christ's blood in His death on the cross (Rom. 5:9,10). 3. We have redemption and forgiveness of our sins, through the precious blood of Christ, according to the riches of God's grace (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:18,19). The emphasis of grace is primarily to those already saved. 4. Jesus washed us from our sins and redeemed us to God by His blood (Rev. 1:5; 5:9). E. WE CANNOT EXPECT TO BE SAVED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, CHURCH LAWS, RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS, RELIGIOUS RITUALS OR GIVING FINANCIALLY. 1. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds (works) of the law (Rom. 3:28). 2. A man is not justified by the works of the law; by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified (Gal. 2:16; 3:11). 3. All who attempt to be justified by the works of the law have fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4). Once saved, always; false. 4. You were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold, or by traditions received from your fathers, but by the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18,19). F. WE CANNOT EXPECT TO BE SAVED BY DESIGNS OF OUR OWN CREATION. 1. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8). G. WE CANNOT EXPECT TO BE SAVED BY GOOD WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. 1. Saved, lest anyone should boast (Eph. 2:5-10). 2. Saved, but according to God's own purpose and grace...in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 1:9). 3. Saved which we have done, but according to God's mercy, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5-7). It is clear from the above scriptures that we cannot save ourselves by our works or ways. We must fully rely upon God's provision for our salvation. Our response to God's love and grace is to believe Jesus Christ is the only way to God (Jn. 14:6), acknowledge that His sacrifice was the payment for our sins and trust in Him for forgiveness. This is an "essential" doctrine of Christ we must be willing to profess. After hearing the first gospel sermon about Christ's sacrifice and ascension into heaven many believed and wanted to know what to do (Ac. 2:22-37). Category No. 2 of the "Classified Doctrine Concept" is a more detailed explanation of what is involved in our acceptance of God's provision for our salvation.
Arranged by Eugene Lockling |
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