Question: “What is Soteriology?”

Answer: Soteriology is the study of the doctrine of salvation. Soteriology discusses how Christ’s death secures the salvation of those who believe. It helps us to understand the doctrines of redemption, justification, sanctification, propitiation, and the substitutionary atonement. Some common questions in studying Soteriology are:

Once saved always saved?
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching fear some believers live with is that we can do something to lose our salvation. But the Bible speaks clearly about the eternality of our salvation and how we are preserved by the One who bought us with His blood.

Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?
Am I saved just by believing in Jesus, or do I have to believe in Jesus and do certain things?

Is baptism required for salvation?
What is baptismal regeneration? Baptismal regeneration is the belief that a person must be baptized in order to be saved. While baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, the Bible is clear that baptism is not a requirement for salvation.

What is repentance and is it necessary for salvation?
Biblical repentance is changing your mind about Jesus Christ and turning to God in faith for salvation (Acts 3:19). Turning from sin is not the definition of repentance, but it is one of the results of genuine, faith-based repentance towards the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to be a born again Christian?
The phrase “born again” literally means “born from above.” It is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes—a spiritual transformation.

Other than Christology, Soteriology is the area where Christianity is the most different from the cults and other world religions. Understanding Biblical Soteriology will help us to know why salvation is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. No other religion bases salvation on faith alone. Soteriology helps us to see why. A clear understanding of our salvation will provide a “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) because we come to know that He who can never fail is the means by which we were saved and the means by which we remain secure in our salvation. If we were responsible to save ourselves and keep ourselves saved, we would fail. Thank God that is not the case!

• Titus 3:5-8 is a tremendous summary of Soteriology, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

Recommended Resource: So Great Salvation by Charles Ryrie.

http://www.gotquestions.org/Soteriology.html

http://bible.com/59/NEH8.9.ESV And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

http://bible.com/59/2TI2.24.ESV And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

A few days ago I was at the church and poked my head inside the door of the sanctuary just to kind of check things out. And I saw the sun coming across the pews. I thought “that’s a picture.” I sensed the peace and presence of God.

Thank you, Lord, for the good building you have given us.

Dave

Click pic to enlarge.

Beautiful flowers.

Thanks, Gerald.

Click on photos to enlarge.

You’ve heard of Evangelism Explosion. This was Excavation Evangelism.

Lots of ways to love our neighbors, as individuals and as a church. This week I enlisted the services of Uncle Dean’s & Steve’s Excavating & Hauling Co. to help a neighbor in need.

Our neighbor across from us and by the church needed some dirt junk piles moved. So Uncle Dean and Steve came to the rescue. While they were there, our other neighbor on the opposite corner also had a couple dirt/weed piles that were in her way. No problem for the boys at Uncle Dean’s & Steve’s Excavating & Hauling Co. They hauled her stuff away too.

We do these things in Jesus’ name and let God do what he will do.

Thanks Dean and Steve.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

http://bible.com/59/PRO10.24.ESV What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
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http://bible.com/59/PRO10.25.ESV When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.
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Hello Everyone,

Will seem a little weird not having church at our place today, but it is a good thing to support the community services and Argyle Bible Church today. Will see you there!

Here are some updates to my preaching schedule that may interest you. You will find more details on the “Preaching Schedule 2014 through March 30” page on the blog.

Sunday Morning Worship Service:

• A Study through the Book of Ezra / January 5, 2014 – March 30, 2014
• Lessons in the Sovereignty of God: Building with God’s Blessing in a Pagan Land!

Sunday Evening Worship Service:

• On September 15, 2013 we will begin a topical study on wisdom, seeking truth, seeking the Lord, etc.
• You may remember my comments concerning God directly commanding us or exhorting us to “seek the truth.” And how when I set out for research for my book Living by the Words of God, that I thought I would find many direct references to seeking truth. However, no where in the Bible are we commanded to “seek truth” or “seek the truth.” Yes, you are probably as surprised as I was. But what we are exhorted to do many times is to seek the Lord. The punch line is found in Proverbs 2:5-6.
• It will be very interesting to see how this all works out and the renewing and transforming of our minds that will happen. It will also be very interesting to see how sometimes (often) God’s idea of wisdom and the wise person are so vastly different than the conceptions that we have formed over the years via our human thinking and experience.
• (Proverbs 2:5–6) Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Dave

http://bible.us/59/PSA147.3.ESV He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
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