Doctrinal Statement on Soteriology

I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross. Jesus literally, not figuratively died on the Roman cross (Mark 15:33-34). “The death of Christ is substitutionary in the sense that Christ is the Substitute who bears the punishment rightly due sinners” (MHT 334-35). Jesus also willfully humbled Himself to die for mankind.

I believe that Jesus Christ’s atonement is extended to all men. Christ died for every person but His death is effective only in those who believe in the gospel. “The word whosoever is used more than 110 times in the New Testament and always with an unrestricted meaning” (MHT 339) (John 3:16, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13, Revelation 22:17). Not everyone will be saved, but anyone can be saved. Christ’s righteousness is therefore imputed to every man that accepts God’s gift of Salvation.

I believe that both God and Man are responsible for Salvation. “While there is human responsibility in Salvation, there is first a sovereign role that only God can do” (MHT 339). The Trinity is very active in Salvation and each God-head plays a different role. God the Father elects believers according to His foreknowledge (1 Peter 1:2). God the Son paid propitiation for our sin debt (1 John 2:2). God the Holy Spirit convicts unbelievers of their need of Christ, regenerates and indwells the believer once he has repented.  “Many passages in Scripture affirm that man’s only responsibility in Salvation is believing the Gospel” (MHT 343). Man must have knowledge (intellect) of special revelation, conviction (emotional response) about special revelation, and trust (decision) Christ for Salvation.

I believe that God extends common and effectual grace to mankind. Common Grace is “the unmerited favor of God toward all men displayed in His general care for them” (MHT 344). Common Grace is given to all of mankind regardless of his eternal destination (Matthew 5:45).  Common Grace includes material possessions, sunshine and rain to unbelieving farmers, and breath to every man. Efficacious grace is “the work of the Holy Spirit which effectively allows men to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior” (MHT 346). The Holy Spirit is highly involved in efficacious grace and it must involve the Word of God. Efficacious grace is necessary because of sin and efficacious grace is what is mentioned in Ephesians 2:8 when the Bible says, “For by grace. . .” Therefore, Efficacious Grace is necessary for Salvation (STV2 492).

I believe that God regenerate His children. Regeneration is the act of God giving a believer life. This work is instantaneous when a believer becomes saved. It is not based on human works or part of the responsibility of man (STV2 430). Regeneration is only true about in the New Testament saints (Titus 3:5), but Old Testament saints were regenerate as well. Salvation was looking forward to Christ rather than back to Christ’s death. The Servant Songs are examples of hope given to Israel to look forward to Messiah—for more data on this topic see NBD 1047.

I believe that God gives eternal security to His children. Believers are secure because God has elected them; believers are secure because the Son has justified them; believers are secure because the Holy Spirit has regenerated them (MHT 352). No man can pluck us out of the Father’s hand (John 10:29) and God will never take away our Salvation (Romans 11:29).