Theology 21 — Conditional Salvation

We’ll delve into the multifaceted theology of salvation (aka soteriology).  We’ll look at all three tenses of salvation: how we were saved, are being saved, and will be saved.  Now, I realize this can be a very sensitive and controversial subject, depending on what your preexisting doctrinal commitments are.  However, I simply ask that you listen carefully and test what I say here against the scriptures to see whether it holds up.  Be a good Berean and see where God leads you.

—— Notes ——

Past Tense[1]

In Paul’s letters we find several different ways of talking about what God has done in Christ.  The most common is that we are “saved.”  Here is (perhaps) the most famous Scripture about how God has saved us.

Ephesians 2:8-9   God’s salvation is a gift that we accept by faith.  His grace reaches down, and we reach up through faith.  Then He pulls us up and out.  Because salvation doesn’t depend on works, no one can say, “I’ve earned it; I’m so great.”  Instead, we say God did it.  Isn’t He glorious?

In addition to describing gracious act as “salvation,” we also see these other ways of talking about, each emphasizing a different aspect of what He has done for us through Christ:

justified Rom 2:13; 3:4, 20, 24, 28; 4:2; 5:1, 9; 8:30; 10:10; 1 Cor 6:11; Gal 2:16-17, 3:11; 3:24; 5:4; Tit 3:7 reconciled Rom 5:10-11; 1 Cor 7:11; 2 Cor 5:18-20; Eph 2:16; Col 1:20-22 adopted Rom 8:15, 23; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5 sanctified 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11; Eph 5:26 redeemed Gal 3:13; 4:5; Tit 2:14 regenerated Tit 3:5

When considering salvation (in the past tense), we may ask the question, “What are we saved from?”  This question is extremely helpful in clarifying our understanding.  Fortunately, we need only go back up to the beginning of the chapter to get the answer we seek.

Ephesians 2:1-10   According to verses 1-3, we’re saved from being dead in sin, going along with evil spiritual forces, living in the passions of our flesh, and being a child of wrath.  Verse 7 tells us we have a future to look forward to as well.  But, if we’re saved, what does that mean about how our lives should look?  Verse 10 tells us the purpose of our salvation is for good works that we should walk in.

 

Present Tense[2]

1 Corinthians 15:1-2   The Corinthians had already received the gospel some time ago; they believed it when they heard it.  Now they are “being saved.”[3]  Salvation is not just a one-time event, though there is an entry point.  We become saved, and then we continue in that reality.  Is it possible to lose your salvation?

 Southern Baptist Convention

Article Nine: The Security of the Believer[4]

We affirm that when a person responds in faith to the Gospel, God promises to complete the process of salvation in the believer into eternity. This process begins with justification, whereby the sinner is immediately acquitted of all sin and granted peace with God; continues in sanctification, whereby the saved are progressively conformed to the image of Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit; and concludes in glorification, whereby the saint enjoys life with Christ in heaven forever.

We deny that this Holy Spirit-sealed relationship can ever be broken. We deny even the possibility of apostasy.

 

Lutheran Churches

Formula of Concord: XI Election

Therefore we should judge concerning this our election to eternal life neither from reason nor from the Law of God, which lead us either into a reckless, dissolute, Epicurean life or into despair, and excite pernicious thoughts in the hearts of men, for they cannot, as long as they follow t