Course # F001
Doctrine Of Salvation
The Threefold Method of Salvation
While God has indeed delt with His creatures under different dispensations (the pre-law stages, the age of the law, the post-law stage, etc.), He saves them by the identical threefold method:
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Salvation is always by blood: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness). Hebrews 9:22 Furthermore, this blood must be innocent, shed and applied!
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Salvation is always through a person: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6. See also Acts 4:12.
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Salvation is always by Grace: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Titus 2:11 (See also Ephesians 2:7-9).
The Work of the Trinity in Salvation
Stephen D. Swihart offers the following helpful information: The relationship of the Father to the Son, and the Son to the Holy Spirit in the plan of salvation is unique. A careful study of the following outline will make this association plain:
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The Father's Work: Designed the plan in Eternity
a. Foreknow: For whom He did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be con-
formed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born
among many brethren. Romans 8:29
b. Predistinate: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Ephesians 1:5
c. Chose/Elect: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Ephesians
1:4.
d. Call: Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he
called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Romans 8:30.
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The Son's Work: Discharge the plan in fullness of time.
1. God's Eternal covenant with Christ: REAL
a. Matthew 26:54; Mark 14:21; Luke 22:22; 24:25-27; Acts 2:23; 4:25-28;
13:27-28; 26:22,23; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 1 Peter 1:11,20.
2. God's Eternal covenant with Christ: REVEALED
a. That Christ should be the second federal Head of the human race:
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last
Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is
spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man (Adam) is of the earth, earthy: the second man (Jesus) is the
Lord from heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:45-47.
b. That Christ would partake of flesh and bone:
And the Word (Jesus Christ - John 1:1) was made flesh, and dwelt among
us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father
full of grace and truth. John 1:14.
c. That Christ would function in a Son and Servant relationship to God:
See Isaiah 43:10; 49:3-6; 52:13; John 10:15-18.
d. That Christ would die for the sins of the world: The next day John seeth
Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world. John 1:29
e. That Christ would receive, as His inheritance, the nations, along with
all power and authority: The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all
things into his hand. John 3:35. See also Psalm 2:6-8; 8:5-8; 22:27.
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The Spirit's Work: Declare the Man/Plan
a. Propagation: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will
send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your re-
membrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26. See also Acts 1:8.
b. Conviction: See John 16:7-11
c. Regeneration: See John 3:3-7 and Titus 3:15
d. Sanctification: See Romans 15:16 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13
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