Chapter 5 - The Doctrine of Salvation

Question 1

How did Myer Pearlman sum up the central doctrine of the New Testament?

Answer 1

“Christ died (the event) for our sins (the doctrine)

1 Cor 15:3

Question 2

How do we see Christ’s death in the Old Testament?

Answer 2

See through many types and prophecies.

Types:

(1) The coats of skin - (Gen 3:21)
(2) Abel’s offering - (Gen 4:4)
(3) The offering of Isaac - (Gen 22)
(4) The Passover Lamb - (Ex 12)
(5) The Levitical Sacrificial System - (Lev 1-7)
(6) The Brazen Serpent - (Nm 21/Jn 3:14)
(7) The Slain Lamb - (Is 53:6-7)

Prophecies:

(1) The Seed of the Woman - (Gen 3:15)
(2) The Crucifixión - (Ps 22)
(3) The Vicarious suffering (Is 53)
(4) The Cut-off Messiah - (Dan 9:26)
(5) The Smitten Shepherd - (Zec 13:6-7)

Question 3

How often is Christ’s death mentioned in the New Testament?

Answer 3

Mentioned directly more than 175 times.

1 out of every 45 verses.

Question 4

Points concerning the importance of Christ’s death.

Answer 4

(1) Main point of the incarnation. Spirit cannot die. God needed a physical body to conquer death and sin by dying. (Heb 3:14/1 Jn 3:5/Mat 20:28/Heb 9:26)
(2) It is 1 of the 2 fundamental truths of the Gospel. (1 Cor 15:1-4)

(3) It’s necessity for man’s salvation. All the following scriptures describe it as a “MUST!”
(Jn 3:14/Mat 16:21/Luke 17:25/Lk 24:7/Acts 17:3/Mat 26:21-23)

“God does not, forgive sinners because He loves them. His love caused Him to give His only begotten son to be a ransom for sin, thus the sinner can be forgiven.”

Question 5

4 misunderstandings concerning the death of Christ.

Answer 5

(1) The Accident theory - Christ died like any other man - (John 10:17-18)
(2) The Martyr theory - Christ’s death was no more than a noble martyr - (Rom 3:24-26)
(3) The Moral Influence or The Love of God theory - Christ’s sufferings are similar to that of a missionary in a country hostile to their message - just the natural outflow of becoming flesh. It softens and solicits sympathy from the human heart. (Jn 3:26/Roms 5:8) - His love did not save, His love motivated His to take action which enabled salvation)
(4) The Governmental theory - God made an example of Christ to exhibit to man His displeasure with sin. (Why then was the Incarnation necessary?)

Question 6

True meaning of the death of Christ.

Answer 6

(1) Vicarious - a substitution (Is 53:6/Mat 20:28/2 Cor 5:21)
(2) Atonement - a covering - (Lev 6:2-7/Lev 4:14-20) - Carries the idea of making our sins invisible to the eyes of God - (Ps 51:9/Is 38:17/Mi 7:19)
(3) Propitiation - To appease; the turning away of wrath by a sacrifice. (Rom 5:9/1 Thes 1:10/Heb 3:11)
(4) Reconciliation - sin brought enmity btw God and man. Through the death of Christ, this condition of enmity can be changed into one of peace and fellowship. (Rom 5:10/Col 1:20-21)
(5) Ransom or Redemption - releasing its liberation from captivity, slavery or death by the payment of a price, called a ransom. Death of Christ was the price paid for the deliverance of sinners. (Mat 20:28/Heb 9:12)

Question 7

According to the New Testament we have redemption from:

Pg. 190

Answer 7

1) Penalty of the Law (Paul calls it the curse of the Law) - Gal 3:13
2) From the Law itself - Romans 7:4/Romans 6:14
3) From sin as a power in one’s life - Rom 6:6/Romans 6:2/Ti 2:14/1 Pt 1:18-19/Rom 6:12-14
4) From Satan - 2 Tim 2:26/Heb 2:14-15
5) From all evil, including our present mortal body - Gal 1:4/Eph 1:14/Rom 8:23/Lk 21:28

Question 8

For whom did Christ die?

Pg. 191

Answer 8

1) The Church - Eph 5:25-27/Jn 17:9-11
2) The entire world - Is 53:6/Jn 1:29/1 Tm 2:6/1 Jn 2:2/2 Pt 2:1/Rom 14:15/1 Cor 8:11/Heb 2:9 - If Christ died for all, why aren’t all saved? - Jn 8:24/Ex 12:13/1 Tim 4:10
3) Infants? Saving grace of Jesus avails until point of accountability reached - Jn 16:8-9

Question 9

5 things listed by Paul that would be true if Christ be not risen from the dead.
(1 Cor 15)

Answer 9

1) Our preaching is in vain (1 Cor 15:14)
2) Faith is vain (1 Cor 15:14)
3) The Apostles are false witnesses (1 Cor 15:15/Acts 1:21-22)
4) Believers are yet in their sins (1 Cor 15:17)
5) Those who have died are perished (1 Cor 15:18-19)

1 Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Question 10

What is the swoon theory? How would you refute with scripture?
(Pg. 196-197)

Answer 10

The swoon theory states that Jesus did not actually die on the cross. Proponents of the theory say that he merely “swooned upon the cross”, was taken down while still alive and was revived to consciousness by the cool air of the tomb.

Refutation:

1) The soldiers saw that he was dead - Jn 19:33
2) The Centurion attested to his death - Mk 15:14-15
3) Blood and water flowed from his side (Sign of a ruptured heart which meant instant death) - Jn 19:34
4) Joseph of Arimathea believed he was dead - Mk 15:43
5) The women at the cross believed he was dead - Mk 16:1
6) Jesús said he died - Rev 1:18

Question 11

3 points made concerning the nature and manner of Jesus’ resurrection?
(Pg. 197)

Answer 11

1) It was by the work of the trinity
2) It was an actual resurrection (not swoon)
3) It was a bodily resurrection - Lk 24:36-39

Question 12

What are the 9 instances of the human body being raised from the dead in scripture?
(Pg. 198)

Answer 12

1) Son of the widow at Zarephath - 1 Kings 17:17-24
2) Shunamite woman’s son - 2 Kings 4:17-27
3) The man who was laid in the bones of Elijah - 2 Kings 13:21
4) Jairus’ daughter - Mk 5:22-43
5) the young man of Nain - Lk 7:11-17
6) Lazarus - Jn 11
7) Tabitha - Acts 9:36-43
8) Eutychus - Acts 20:7-12
9) JESÚS - Difference - Jesús rose to immortality - 1 Tim 6:16/Rev 1:18

Question 13

Proofs of resurrection?

Answer 13

1) Empty tomb - Mt 28:6
2) Grave clothes - Jn 20:5-7
3) Resurrection of Christ not challenged in 1st Century
4) 3 effects that demand a cause - (a) Lord’s day (b) The Christian church (c) The New Testament

Question 14

6 results or benefits of the resurrection?

Answer 14

1) It provides a firm foundation for our faith. Only God can raise from the dead. He proved he was God by raising Jesus. The resurrection is a firm affirmation that Jesus is all he said He was - 1 Pt 1:21/Rom 1:4/Mt 12:38-40/Jn 2:18-21
2) It provides assurance of the forgiveness of sins - Rom 10:9/Rom 4:25
3) We have an understanding, merciful and faithful High Priest in heaven - Heb 2:17/Rom 8:34/Heb 7:25
4) It assures the believer of all needed power for life and service - Phil 3:10/Eph 1:19-20
5) The believer has the assurance of resurrection and immortality - 1 Thes 4:14/2 Cor 4:14/Jn 14:19
6) It guarantees a certainty of a Day of Judgment - Acts 17:31/Acts 10:42/Jn 5:22,25-29

Question 15

Which Gospels mention the ascension of Christ?

Answer 15

1) Luke - Lk 24:50-52

2) Mark - Mk 16:19

Question 16

What is meant by his “Exaltation?”

What are the 7 results of the Exaltation of Christ?

Answer 16

Meaning: refers to the Father giving to the ascended and risen son the place of honor and power at His right hand.

Results:

1) He is now our High Priest - Heb 9:24
2) We are assured of access to God - Heb 4:14-16
3) Christ Head of the church - Eph 1:22
4) Spirit outpoured - Jn 16:17/Acts 2:33
5) He gave gifts to men and to the church - 1 Cor 12:8-10/Eph 4:8-13
6) He is preparing a place for His own - Jn 14:2
7) He pledged His return - Jn 14:3

Question 17

What is the doctrine of “unconditional election?”

Pg. 206

Answer 17

The elect are chosen apart from any repentance and faith on their part; and “limited atonement” - that Christ did not die for all mankind, but only for those whom he chose.

Scriptures to refute:

(a) Chosen “In Christ” - Ephesians 1:3-5 - God chose from those in Christ - How did they get in Christ - Engaging their wills to get saved!
(b) The Bible does not teach selection but election - Without Christ we are condemned for hell anyway - Eph 2:1-3,12

Question 18

What are the 3 elements of sin mentioned on pages 210-211?

Answer 18

(1) Intellectual - Change of view with regard to sin, God and self. Sin comes to be recognized not merely as a weakness, an unfortunate happening, or a mistake but as a personal guilt - Ps 51:3/Rom 3:20/Ps 51:4/Ps 51:7/Job 42:5-6
(2) Emotional - a Godly sorrow for sin - Sorrow for sin must be followed by the voluntary element - If not is is remorse without repentance - Sorry I got caught - 2 Cor 7:9-10/Lk 18:13
(3) Voluntary - (a) Confessing sin - Ps 38:18/Lk 15:21 (b) Forsaking sin - Proverbs 28:13/Is 55:7 (c) Turning to God - Is 55:7/1 Thes 1:9/Acts 26:18

Question 19

Examples of how the Old/New Testaments highlight the importance of repentance.

Answer 19

Old Testament:
Dt 30:10/2 Kgs 17:13/Jer 8:6/Ez 14:6/Ez 18:30/2 Chr 7:14

New Testament:

(1) John the Baptist - Mt 3:1-2
(2) Jesús - Mt 4:17/Mt 9:13/Mt 11:20/Mt 12:41
(3) The Disciples - Mk 6:12
(4) The Great Commission - Lk 24:47
(5) Peter - Acts 2:38/Acts 3:19/Acts 5:31/Acts 8:22/Acts 11:18
(6) Paul - Acts 20:21/Acts 26:20/2 Cor 12:21/2 Tm 2:25

Question 20

What’s the manner in which repentance is produced?

Pg. 213

Answer 20

1) It is a gift of God - Acts 11:18/2 Tim 2:25/Acts 5:31 - Repentance is not something a person can bring about of himself - Heb 12:16-17

2) Through divinely ordained means:
Unsaved: (a) believing God’s word - Jon 3:5-6 (b) Through the preaching of the Gospel - Acts 2:37/Mt 12:41 (c) Through the goodness of God - Rom 2:4/2 Pt 3:9
Saved: (a) Through God’s re proof and Chastisement - Heb 12:6,10,11/Rev 3:19 (b) Through a vision revelation - Jn 42:5-6 (c) Through a brother’s rebuke - 2 Tm 2:24-26

Question 21

What are the fruits of repentance?

Answer 21

1) Confession of sin - Lk 18:13

2) Cause one to make restitution for wrongdoing as much as possible - Lk 19:8

Question 22

What do we receive through faith?

Pg. 215

Answer 22

1) Salvation - Eph 3:8/Mk 16:16/Acts 16:31/Jn 1:12/Rom 4:5/Rom 5:1/Heb 10:39/Jn 5:24

2) The fullness of the Holy Spirit - Gal 3:19/Jn 7:39
3) Sanctification- Acts 15:9/Acts 26:8
4) Secure in God through faith - 1 Pt 1:5/Rom 11:20/2 Cor 1:24
5) Perfect peace - Is 26:3/Heb 4:3
6) Healing - Jas 5:14/Acts 14:9
7) Victory over adversaries- 1 Jn 5:4/Eph 6:6-16/Lk 22:31-32
8) The flesh is overcome - Rom 6:11
9) Entire Christian life is lived through faith - (Hk 2:4/Rom 1:17/Gal 3:11/Heb 10:38/Gal 2:20/Heb 11:6

Question 23

Three elements of faith?

Answer 23

1) Intellectual - Rom 10:17
2) Emotional - Psalm 106:12/Mk 4:16-17
3) Voluntary - Rom 4:21/Prov 23:26/Mt 11:28-29/Jn 1:12

Question 24

Where does faith come from? What is it’s source?

Answer 24

Hearing God’s word - Acts 4:4/Rom 10:17/Rom 10:8-9/Jn 5:24/Acts 16:31

Question 25

Define Regeneration and Justification.

Answer 25

Regeneration: has to do with what takes place in the believer’s heart/Refers to the importation of life/Divine answer to the problem of spiritual death

Justification: concerns an individual’s standing before God/refers to being declared righteous in the eyes of God/The divine answer to the problem of guilt - Define: The act of God whereby He declares righteous him who believes on Christ. - Rom 4:3/1 Cor 1:30/2 Cor 5:21 - When God justifies He wipes away all traces of guilt - Jer 50:20

Question 26

Benefits of being justified?

Answer 26

1) Pardon or remission of sins - Acts 13:38-39/Eph 1:7/Col 2:13
2) Restoration to God’s favor - Jn 3:36/Rom 5:9/Rom 5:1-2/Titus 3:4-7/Luke 15:22-24
3) Imputation of Christ’s righteousness - Rom 4:6-8/Rom 3:19-20/Rom 3:21-22/2 Cor 5:21/Rom 1:16-17

Question 27

What is the method of justification?

Answer 27

1) Not by works - Rom 4:2-5/Rom 11:5-6
2) Not by endeavoring to keep the law - Rom 3:19,20,23/Gal 2:16/Gal 3:10 - Faith and works go hand and hand - Rom 3:28/Js 2:24
3) By the gift of God’s Grace - Rom 3:24/Titus 3:27
4) Through the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ - 1 Pt 2:24/2Cor 5:21
5) Through faith alone - Rom 3:24,26/Rom 5:1/Rom 4:5/Rom 10:10/Gal 2:16

Question 28

What the New Birth is not:

Answer 28

1) Not reformation - Jer 17:9
2) Not becoming religious - Nicodemus was very religious
3) Not a change of heart - 1 Jn 5:12/2 Pt 1:4/

Question 29

What the New Birth is:

Answer 29

1) A Birth - 1 Jn 5:1/Jn 3:8/Jn 1:12-13
2) A cleansing - (A cleansing of the soul from the defilements of the old life) - Titus 3:5
3) A Quickening - (renewing of the Holy Ghost) - Titus 3:5/Col 3:10/Rom 12:2/Psalm 51:10
4) A Creation - 2 Cor 5:17/Eph 2:10/Eph 4:24/Gal 6:15
5) A Resurrection - Rom 6:2-7/Eph 2:1,5,6

Question 30

How is the New Birth is received?

Pgs. 232-233

Answer 30

1) Through no human effort - Ti 3:5/Eph 2:8-9/Jn 1:13
2) The Holy Spirit is the agent - Ti 3:5/Jn 3:5-8
3) The Word of God - Jas 1:18/1 Pt 1:23/Gen 1:3,2
4) It is a divine mystery - Jn 3:8

Question 31

How is the New Birth brought about?

Answer 31

1) Believing the Gospel - 1 Pt 1:17-23

2) Accepting Jesus as Savior - Jn 1:12/Gal 3:26

Question 32

What are the results of the New Birth?

Answer 32

1) It makes the believer a child of God - Mt 6:9/Mt 7:11/Rom 8:16-17
2) Makes the believer a new creation and a partaker of the Divine Nature - 2 Cor 5:17/2 Pt 1:4/1 Jn 5:1/1 Jn 3:14/Ps 119:97/1 Pt 2:2/Mt 5:44-45
3) Enables living a life of victory over sin and the world - Eph 4:23-24/1 Jn 2:29/1 Jn 3:9

Question 33

What are the 3 ways the term “adoption” is used in the Pauline epistles?

Answer 33

1) Israel as a nation - Rom 5:4
2) Full culmination of our experience at the Second Coming - Rom 8:23
3) Used to refer to a present fact in the life of the believer - Gal 4:4-5/Eph 1:5/Rom 8:5

Question 34

Define “adoption” (Bible word)

Answer 34

“Placing as a son”

Question 35

What are the results of Adoption?

Answer 35

1) The witness of the Holy Spirit - Gal 4:5-6/Rom 8:14-16
2) Deliverance from fear - Rom 8:15/Gal 3:24-25
3) Made heirs and Joint heirs with Christ - Rom 8:17/Gal 4:1-7/Lk 15:29-31

Question 36

What is the Primary and Secondary meaning of Sanctification?

Answer 36

Primary meaning: a dedication, consecration, or setting apart for some specific and holy use - Lev 27:14,16/2 Chr 29:19/Dan 5:3-5/Ex 13:2/Jer 1:5/Jn 10:36/Jn 17:19

Secondary meaning: cleaning and purging from moral defilement

Question 37

What are the 3 aspects of Sanctification mentioned?

Answer 37

1) The initial act of Sanctification: Positional - 1 Cor 6:11/2 Thes 2:13/1 Cor 1:30/1 Cor 1:2/Eph 1:1/Col 1:2/Jd 1/Heb 10:10/Heb 13:12
2) The process of Sanctification: Practical - 2 Thes 2:13/1 Thes 5:23/Col 3:8-12/2 Pt 3:18/2 Cor 3:18/Rom 8:29/Phil 1:6/Jn 3:9
3) Complete and final Sanctification: Sinless perfection and being Wholly Sanctified at the coming of the Lord Jesus - Phil 3:20-21/1 Thes 3:13/1 Jn 3:2/2 Pt 3:18/2 Cor 3:18

Question 38

What are the means of Sanctification?

Answer 38

Divine component:

(1) The Father - Jn 17:17/1 Thes 5:23-24 (2) The Son - Heb 10:10/Heb 13:12
(3) The Holy Spirit - 1 Pt 1:2/Rom 8:13/Gal 5:17

Human component: Phil 2:13/Lev 20:7/2 Chr 30:3/Jos 3:5

(1) Faith - Acts 26:18/Acts 15:9
(2) Obedience to the Word - Jn 15:3/Jn 17:17/Eph 5:26/1 Jn 1:7
(3) Yielding to the Holy Spirit - Jn 16:13
(4) Personal commitment - Rom 12:1-2/Rom 6:13,19/2 Tm 2:21

Question 39

What are the reasons for a lack of assurance of one’s salvation?

Answer 39

1) Sought through the keeping of the law - Is 64:6/Rom 3:23/Eph 2:8-9
2) Have not been born again
3) Have not faced or dealt with the matter of sin in their lives - Jn 1:29
4) Lack of faith in what God says in His word
5) Thinking it is impossible to have absolute assurance in this life

Question 40

Positive means of assurance of one’s salvation?

Answer 40

1) By the witness of the Holy Spirit - 1 Jn 5:10/Rom 8:16/1 Jn 3:24/Gal 4:6
2) By the testimony of the Word of God - Jn 3:36/Rom 10:9-10/Jn 5:24/1 Jn 5:13
3) By the love toward the brethren - 1 Jn 3:11-14/Jn 3:19-21/1 Jn 4:7-8
4) By the desire to obey God’s commandments - 1 Jn 2:3-5/Rom 8:7/Ex 24:3/1 Jn 3:23/1 Cor 2:14/Jn 14:23/Jn 14:21/1 Jn 2:5/1 Jn 3:24
5) By the transformation of life and desires - 2 Cor 5:17/Jn 3:8 - (a) Repentance - 1 Jn 2:29 (b) Peace - Rom 5:1/Is 57:20-21/Phil 4:7/Rom 51,11,21; 6:11,23) (c) Power

Question 41

What are the 2 sides of the Security argument?

Answer 41

1) Calvinist (Securityist) - Jn 10:28-30/Rom 8:28-39
2) Arminianist (Non-Securityst) - (a) you can backslide - Js 1:13-15/Heb 6:4-8 (b) backsliders CAN return to Christ - Js 4:5-10/Heb 3:12-9/Js 5:19-20 (c) Soul can die/sin unto death - Js 5:19-20/1Jn 5:16 (d) God factor/man factor exist in salvation - Phil 2:12-13/Jn 3:36 (e) Our part/we must believe - Jn 3:18/Jn 6:47/Jn 3:16/Jn 6:40/1 Pt 1:5 (f) We MUST CONTINUE believing - Jn 10:28/Heb 10:26-27

“The conclusion that must be reached is that there is truth in both positions, but to carry either to the extreme is either to destroy the believer’s sense of assurance and security, or to comfort the apostate in his apostasy.”

Question 42

Warnings to the believer concerning the potential to backslide:

Answer 42

Warnings:

(1) Watch and pray - Mt 26:41
(2) Beware lest ye be led away - 2 Pt 3:17
(3) Give diligence to make calling election sure - 2 Pt 1:10
(4) Avoid ship wreck - 1 Tm 1:19
(5) Maintain good works/Stand fast in the Lord - Ti 3:8/Phil 4:1

(6) Double minded man - Js 1:8
(7) Salt loses savour - Lk 14-34-35
(8) Failing to abide in Christ - Jn 15:6
(9) Being moved away - Col 1:23
(10) Erring from the faith - 1 Tm 6:10
(11) Taken captive by the Devil - 2 Tm 2:24-26
(12) Neglecting so great salvation - Heb 2:3
(13) Departing from the living God - Heb 3:12
(14) Hardened through the deceitfulness of sin - Heb 3:13
(15) Willfully sinning - Heb 10:26-31
(16) Erring from the truth - Js 5:19-20
(17) Overcome by the world - 2 Pt 2:20-22
(18) Leaving one’s first love - Rev 2:4-5