Condensed Theology

A Primer in Systematic Theology

Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation

What does the Bible teach about salvation?

Review

Review
The ordo salutis Salvation is union with Christ Primordial union with Christ Temporal union with Christ

Review: The Ordo Salutis

The Order of Salvation

The Ordo Salutis

The New Testament suggests the following order of the aspects of the application of redemption (how Christs work gets from him to us):
Election Predestination (Effectual/Effective) Calling Regeneration Repentance Faith Justification Adoption Sanctification Glorification

Review: Salvation Is Union with Christ

Review: Union with Christ

This is the central and organizing motif of the biblical understanding of the application of redemption.

Review: Union with Christ

It is in Christ that we have been elected and predestined for salvation. It is in Christ that we are called and regenerated. It is in Christ that we receive the gifts of faith and repentance. It is in Christ that we are justified. It is in Christ that we have received the adoption as sons. It is in Christ that we are sanctified. And it is in Christ that we are glorified.

Review: Union with Christ

In other words, all of the aspects of the ordo salutis belong to us only through union with Christ. They are his and through our union with him by the Holy Spirit all of them are oursfrom eternity past to eternity futurewe have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3).

Review: Union with Christ

We must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value for us (John Calvin, Institutes 3.1.1).

Review: Primordial Union with Christ

Union before Time

Review: Primordial Union with Christ

Election and Predestination Can anyone define these terms? Eph 1:4: [The Father] chose us in Him [= in Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. What part do we play in election and predestination?

Review: Temporal Union with Christ

The Initiating Acts of God

Review: Temporal Union with Christ: Gods Initiating Acts

(Effective) Calling Can anyone define this term? 1 Cor 1:9: God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. What part do we play in effective calling?

Review: Temporal Union with Christ: Gods Initiating Acts

Regeneration Can anyone define this term? 1 Pet 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. What part do we play in regeneration?

Review: Temporal Union with Christ

Mans Response to Divine Activity

Review: Temporal Union with Christ: Mans Response

Repentance Can anyone define this term? 1 Thess 1:9: For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God. 2 Tim 2:25: with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth. What part do we play in repentance? What part does God play in repentance?

Review: Temporal Union with Christ: Mans Response

Faith Can anyone define this term? Acts 16:31: They said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Eph 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. What part do we play in faith? What part does God play in faith?

Review: Temporal Union with Christ

Gods Responsive Activity

Review: Temporal Union with Christ: Gods Responsive Acts

Justification Can anyone define this term? Rom 3:24-26: being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. What role do we play in justification? What role does God play in justification?

Review: Temporal Union with Christ: Gods Responsive Acts

Adoption Can anyone define this term? Gal 4:4-5: But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. What role do we play in adoption? What role does God play in adoption?

Temporal Union with Christ

Sanctification

Sanctification
Toward a Definition

Sanctification: Toward a Definition

To be sanctified means to be set apart for holy use. In the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system, bowls and cups and lavers and priests, etc. were sanctified by God. They were set apart for use in the Tabernacle/Temple through some symbolic rite involving blood and/or oil and/or water. Old Testament terms include: sanctify, consecrate, set apart, and make holy.

Sanctification: Toward a Definition

Exod 40:9: "Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall consecrate it and all its furnishings; and it shall be holy. 1 Chron 23:13: The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was set apart to sanctify him as most holy, he and his sons forever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to Him and to bless in His name forever.

Sanctification: Toward a Definition

Because the sanctification of individuals and objects of the Old Covenant set them apart for holy use, for service to the holy God, and ethical idea developed from the ceremonial one. To be sanctified in this sense is to behave as one set apart for service to the holy God; i.e., to behave obediently.

Sanctification: Toward a Definition

Ps 15:1-5: O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. Lev 19:2: Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.

Sanctification: Toward a Definition

The New Testament builds on both the ceremonial and ethical aspects of sanctification, emphasizing the latter (ethical sanctification). 2 Tim 2:21: Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 1 Pet 1:15-16: but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

Sanctification: Toward a Definition

Sanctification refers to the believers holiness of life and conductset apart by God and behaving like God.

When Is the Believer Sanctified?

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

This may seem like a strange question, but we will not understand the doctrine of sanctification without it. For added help, lets put it differently

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

Is sanctification a responsive act of God, or not? That is, can a person be sanctified before exercising saving repentance and faith? Or is sanctification Gods response to our exercise of repentance and faith? Answer: It is both.

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

To explain, let us compare sanctification with justification.

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

To explain, let us compare sanctification with justification.
Justification

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

To explain, let us compare sanctification with justification.
Justification Sanctification

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

To explain, let us compare sanctification with justification.
Justification Sanctification

Only received following faith, not continuously justified

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

To explain, let us compare sanctification with justification.
Justification Sanctification

Only received Obtained following faith, before faith not and continues continuously after faith justified

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

To explain, let us compare sanctification with justification.
Justification Sanctification

Only received Obtained following faith, before faith not and continues continuously after faith justified Yet a gift of Gods grace

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

To explain, let us compare sanctification with justification.
Justification Sanctification

Only received Obtained following faith, before faith not and continues continuously after faith justified Yet a gift of Gods grace In both cases (before and after faith), a gift of Gods grace

Sanctification before Faith

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

Sanctified before faith Rom 1:7: to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 1:2, 9: To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.9God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sanctified after Faith

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

Sanctified after faith 1 Thess 4:3: For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality. 1 Thess 5:23: Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

Because of the before faith/after faith paradigm, it is helpful to understand sanctification both as definitive and progressive. Christians by definition are sanctified. Christians over time are being sanctified.

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

Remember our original elaborative questions: Is sanctification a responsive act of God, or not? That is, can a person be sanctified before exercising saving repentance and faith? Or is sanctification Gods response to our exercise of repentance and faith?

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

The categories of Definitive sanctification and Progressive sanctification Allow us to answer, It is both.

Sanctification: When Are We Sanctified?

Definitive sanctification is a unilateral act of God that is performed upon us irrespective of faith and Progressive sanctification is a responsive act of God that is performed upon us not only once we repent and believe, but as we repent and believe throughout our Christian lives.