The Process of Salvation

1
The Process of Salvation

• What does the Scriptures reveal concerning how we
  are saved.

2
Process of salvation Mans side

• How does man acquire so great a salvation?
• The wrong answer is fatal and eternally
  condemning!
• Galatians 18-9 But even if we (or an angel from
  heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the
  one we preached to you, let him be condemned to
  hell! 9 As we have said before, and now I say
  again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel
  contrary to what you received, let him be
  condemned to hell!

3
Erroneous views add requirements to faith

• Repent and believe Feeling sorry not enough.
  Should not be seen as separate events. Acts 2021
  indicate they are one act.
• Believe and be baptized (from Acts 238). Peter
  called on those guilty of crucifying Christ to be
  marked as distinct. They were already believers.
  Also Mark 1616 only condemns those who dont
  believe.
• Believe and confess Christ from Rom 109, refers
  to acknowledgement of His deity
• Believe and surrender to Christ. Acknowledging
  Christ as Lord means His deity, not necessarily
  as Lord of your life. If not carnal Christians
  would be lost still (1 Cor 31). Lordship is a
  condition for spiritual maturity, not salvation.
• Be healed or experience a miracle and Believe.
  The question is not if God has been good to you,
  but are you trusting in the Word of God and the
  work of Christ on the Cross (Matt 721)

4
Biblical view of receiving salvation
Many passages indicate that belief is the only
requirement Jn 112 316, 18, 36 524 1244
2031 Acts 1631 1 Jn 513

• Three elements of biblical faith
• Intellect (knowledge) unless one believes all
  that Jesus claimed to be and do, he will die in
  his sins (Jn 824). Includes (a) personal
  sinfulness, (b) Christs atoning sacrifice, (c)
  bodily resurrection (Jn 2030-31)
• Emotion (conviction) A sense that it is true (Jn
  168-11) A recognition of lostness in self and
  hope in Christ
• Will (Decide to trust) An awareness of serious
  personal need, a conviction that there is only
  one solution, and a willingness to trust Christs
  death with all your heart (Rom 109)

5
The Grace of GodCommon Grace

• The unmerited favor of God toward all men
  displayed in His general care for themdoes not
  mean they are saved! He wants people to trust
  Him
• Those general operations of the Holy Spirit
  whereby He, without renewing the heart, exercises
  such a moral influence on man through His general
  or special revelation, that sin is restrained,
  order is maintained in social life, and civil
  righteousness is promoted
• Those general blessings, such as rain and
  sunshine, food and drink, clothing and shelter,
  which God imparts to all men indiscriminately
  where and in what measure it seems good to Him

6
Contrasts of the two births
First birth Second birth

• Origin
• Means
• Nature
• Realm
• Position

• Of God
• Of incorruptible seed
• Of the Spirit spiritual
• Christs freeman
• An objective of divine love

7
Explanation of Regeneration

• It is instantaneous (Jn 113 35, aorist tense)
• It is not the result of human experience
• Experience can be the result of the new birth,
  but not cause it
• It is not based on human effort (Jn 113)
• Faith and trust are not the causes of
  regeneration
• They are simultaneous events, but not causitive

8
Results of Regeneration

• New Nature
• Participation in the divine nature (2 Pet 14)
• A new man or nature (Eph 424)
• A new creature (2 Cor 517)
• New Life
• A new mind to know God (1 Cor 216)
• A new heart to love God (Rom 55)
• A new will to obey God (Rom 613)

9
Foreknowledge

• Some things in Pauls writings were hard to
  understand (2 Pet 315-16, And regard the
  patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also
  our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to
  the wisdom given to him, 16 speaking of these
  things in all his letters. Some things in these
  letters are hard to understand, things the
  ignorant and unstable twist to their own
  destruction, as they also do to the rest of the
  scriptures.
• Election and Foreknowledge were not among the
  hard to understand
• Election mentioned 4 times (1 Pet 11-2 26,9/
  2 Pet 110)
• Foreknowledge mentioned 3 times (1 Pet 12, 20 2
  Pet 317)

10
Word study of Foreknowledge

• proginoskein knowledge beforehand
• Calvinists want a pregnant meaning that implies
  election
• In all secular, papyrii, inscriptions, biblical
  texts and Church Fathers ALWAYS means to know
  beforehand.
• Only Arndt and Gingrich list a secondary meaning,
  chose beforehand
• The give no linguistic support, rather refer to 4
  German theologians
• Theology must be built on linguistic and
  exegetical data, not the reverse.
• Jerome (ag Pelagius Bk, 3) foreknowledge must
  not be understood as involving fatal necessity or
  compulsion by God, but that events foreknown by
  God are done by men of their own free choice.
• The idea that if He foreknows it, He must make it
  happen is philosophy, or isogeses, not biblical
  exegesis

11
Gods foreknown plan for the Cross

• Acts 223 this man, who was handed over by the
  predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you
  executed by nailing him to a cross at the hands
  of Gentiles. 24 But God raised him up, having
  released him from the pains of death, because it
  was not possible for him to be held in its power.

12
Elect according to foreknowledge (1 Pet 11-2)

• according to kata with accusative always
  means according to, in accordance with, in
  conformity with
• If foreknowledge has pregnant meaning then this
  is redundant, we are elect according to the
  elective choice of God Nonsense!f

13
Predestination

• Word Meanings
• proorizein predestinate in Latin Vulgate
• Rare word leaving some doubt to translate
• Study of cognates horizein and aphorizein reveal
  a meaning of to pre-appoint
• The idea of destiny is not present in these
  words
• Hippocrates used it of early diagnosis of a
  disease (Hp praec.3)
• Cognates
• horizein 8x in NTto limit, set the limit or
  to appoint
• Used of being appointed to a service or
  responsibility
• aphorizein 10x in NT means to separate
• Separating, marking off or appointing someone for
  service (Rom 11)

14
Predestination NT usage

• Acts 428 to do as much as your power and your
  plan had decided beforehand would happen.
• 1 Cor 27 Instead we speak the wisdom of God,
  hidden in a mystery, that God determined before
  the ages for our glory.
• Romans 829 because those whom he foreknew he
  also predestined (decided before) to be conformed
  to the image of his Son, .
• Ephesians 15 He did this by predestining
  (previously appointing) us to adoption as his
  sons through Jesus Christ, according to the
  pleasure of his will
• Ephesians 111 In Christ we too have been claimed
  as God's own possession, since we were
  predestined according to the one purpose of him
  who accomplishes all things according to the
  counsel of his will

15
Predestination Lexicons

• Thayer Predetermine, decide beforehand
• Vulgate praedestino, to foreordain, appoint
  beforehand.

16
Predestination Translations

• A number of modern translations have broken from
  using predestinate
• NEB Rom 829, For God knew His own before they
  ever were, and also ordained that they should be
  shaped in the likeness of His Son.
• Williams, marked off as His own.
• Robertson, preappointed
• Berkeley, appointed beforehand
• FF Bruce, foreordained
• to be conformed to the image of His son and His
  service.

17
Ordo salutis

1. Foreknow
2. Foreordination (foreappointment)
3. Calling
4. Justification
5. Glorification

18
Election and Sovereignty (Rom 9-11)

• Jewish/Gentile issue in churches in Rome
• Jews expelled from Rome under Claudius Caesar
  (Acts 182) left the church with Gentiles
• When allowed to return under Nero (Priscilla and
  Aquila Rom 163) Hebrew Christians no longer
  in charge
• Felt Paul abandoned his people to go to the
  Gentiles provoked Pauls defense
• First issue in context is the transition from
  Israel being Gods chosen people to being
  replaced by the Church
• 91-29 Gods sovereign justice in dealing with
  Israel
• 930-1015 Paul focuses on proclamation of
  faith to all mankind
• 1016-1132 Paul shows how God foreknew and
  used Israels fall for the worlds salvation.

19
Election and Sovereignty (Rom 9-11)Gods
Dealings with Corporate Israel

• Paul shares his burden for Israels salvation
  (91-5)
• In separating out the nation Israel, physical
  descent did not guarantee being in chosen Israel
• 96 For they are not all Israel who are
  descended from Israel
• Two examples lineage would be through Isaac,
  though Ishmael is not mentioned
• Ishmael probably a believer, God was with the
  lad (Gen 1610-12 2117-20)
• Focus is on the lineage of the nation

20
Election and Sovereignty (Rom 9-11)Gods
Dealings with Corporate Israel

• 2nd Illustration Choice of Jacob over Esau (Gen
  2523, Two nations are in your womb and two
  peoples shall be separated from your body, one
  people will be stronger than the other, and the
  older shall serve the younger.
• Focus is not on individuals, but on nations
  (Israel and Edomites)
• Esau never served Jacob! (Edomites subjugated
  under David and Solomon
• Paul then goes to Malachi 12-4 written 1500
  years later with reference to judgment on
  Edomites, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated and I
  made his mountains a desolation
• Jacob and Esau are euphemisms of nations
• These are national prophecies, not a doctrine of
  individual unconditional election

21
Election and Sovereignty (Rom 9-11)Four Examples
(914-29) of sovereign justice

• When Israel sinned in worshipping golden calf (
• God said He would destroy Israel and make a new
  nation through Moses (Ex 3210-14)
• Moses willing to blot out his name if God would
  save Israel Moses pled to show him His way (Ex
  331-16)
• God favored Moses to see His presence which Paul
  quotes (3319)
• The issue is continuance of Gods gracious and
  compassionate favor on the nation of Israel, esp.
  Moses
• This is the context of 911, 16, Gods
  purpose,.. does not depend on the man who wills
  and the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
• Nothing to do with individual unconditional
  election to salvation
• This text is not discussing reprobation or
  impossibility of choosing, but on mercy and
  compassion on Moses and Israel not salvation.

22
Election and Sovereignty (Rom 9-11)Four Examples
(914-29) of sovereign justice

• Gods dealing with Pharaoh, god-king of
  idolatrous nation, hardening him for judgment
  (917-18)
• Each of 10 judgments are directed against a deity
  in Egypy
• God sated His sovereign intention to Moses (Ex
  73)
• Seven clear references to Pharaoh's being
  characteristically hardened (Ex 713-14, 22
  819 97)
• Two references to Pharaoh hardening his own heart
  (815, 32) Use of Hiphil or self-causitive act.
  Form
• God then hardens his heart further in judgment
  (Ex 912 101, 20 1110 148)
• Ex 916 quoted in Rom 917 Issue is not
  individual salvation but God purpose to bring
  Israel out of Egypt as symbol of His judgment on
  a corrupt idolatrous religion.
• Pharaoh and nation were ripe for judgment (Gen
  1513-16)
• He hardens whom He desires (918b) not
  referring to arbitrary reprobation in eternity
  past of unborn, rather it is giving Satans
  representatives over to depraved mind (Rom 124,
  26, 28 215)

23
Election and Sovereignty (Rom 9-11)Four Examples
(914-29) of sovereign justice

• Jeremiah observation of Potters wheel (Jer
  181-11)
• Paul responds to fatalistic argument to Gods
  justice to Israel (919)
• Note these are words of an OBJECTOR, not Paul
  never base a doctrine on a skeptics statement
• How have Jews resisted the will of a sovereign
  God in this regard? (boulema not boule may
  indicate a more formal, crystallized plan or
  counsel, close to decree. Only usage is from a
  fatalistic unbeliever.
• Paul saw the marred vessel on the wheel, in soft
  clay, not yet hardened nation of Israel is the
  clay (Jer 188,11)
• Gods dealing with Israel was always conditional
• Paul would later state the cause of Israels
  being set aside was their unbelief (not sovereign
  choice) (930-33 1016-21)
• Paul refers to Gods patience with Israel for
  years of pleading through Christ and apostles
  (922)

24
Election and Sovereignty (Rom 9-11)Four Examples
(914-29) of sovereign justice

• Cont.
• Key words katertismena (prepare, make, create)
  is it middle or passive? Arndt and Gingrich
  suggest middle, having prepared themselves for
  destruction Rom 922 This harmonizes with
  Jeremiahs usage
• Point is God could use Israel for 2000 year then
  set them aside in favor of Gentiles
• In Rom 11 Paul shows the justice of this decision
  by showing a remnant is still being saved
  (111-10) and that God will ultimately restore
  Israel to place of corporate blessing (1111-32)
• Now the Gentiles became the object of mercy
  (923-24) by a plan prepared beforehand
  (proetoimazein)
• Text reveals the patience of God with Israels
  unbelief and riches of the cross through the
  Church
• Not hint in context for individualizing these
  texts, thus nothing about unconditional election.
  

25
Election and Sovereignty (Rom 9-11)Four Examples
(914-29) of sovereign justice

• Four prophetic passages quoted in 925-29 (Hos
  223 110 Isa 1023 19)
• Context of Hosea is the end-time restoration of
  Israel (34-5)
• Principle here is that those who were not Gods
  people can become Gods people in support of
  923-24
• Isaiah quote refers to the preservation of a
  remnant of believing Jews (which Paul refers to
  in 111-10)
• Nothing here about individual unconditional
  election

26
Election and Sovereignty (Rom 9-11)Universal
Gospel (930-1015)

• Poor chapter division new subject in 930
• Vindicates the righteousness of God by the
  proclamation of Gods righteousness by faith to
  all mankind (930-1015), then returns to
  Israels unbelief and failure (1016-1132)
• Emphasis is on universal gospel message
• 1011-15 Salvation of lost is contingent on
  human instrumentality
• 1017 faith is by hearing the word not
  election
• Human instrumentality is vital to prepare the
  lost for faith, but the NEW BIRTH is totally a
  work of the Spirit.
• Major issue is the western mindset of
  individualism in stead of the biblical
  perspective of corporate concepts and dealings
  with Israel

27
Election

• eklegomai to chose something for ones self
• eklege selection having a qualitative
  connotation.
• eklegomain to chose (21x in NT 3x mans
  choice Gods choice choice of the 12 apostles
  the end-time elect 2 theological references (Lk
  935 Eph 14)
• eklektos, chosen, choice, elect (22x in NT)
• 9x ref. to end-time tribulation saints
• 2x by Peter (1 Pet 11-2 2 Pet 110)
• 2x ref. to Christ Choice One of God (1 Pet
  24,6)
• 1 ref. to Church as elect of God 1 Pet 29
• 2 Jn 1, 13 elect refers to the churches.
• Never any references to singular elect
  individual!

28
Election

• Christ, the Choice Elect one (Lk 935)
• Lk 935 on Mt of Transfiguration This is my
  Son, My Chosen One with whom I am well pleased,
  listen to him.
• Identified as Elect Servant from Isa 421-7,
  Beloved Choice
• Mocked with this title on the cross (Lk 2335)
  His chosen One
• Connotation is choice or select is demanded
• No way is Jesus chosen by God He is the Choice
  One
• Nothing of being chosen out of Israel this is
  the basis of 2 heresies Gnosticism and
  Ebonitism.
• The chosen (elect) apostles
• Includes Judas (Lk 613 Jn 6201378 1516-19)
• No hint of an election to salvation

29
Election concepts

1. Nature of election is corporate (rejecting Israel
   to elect the choice Church)
2. Other corporate symbols (vine, body, temple,
   flock, bride, people of God
3. Ordinances are corporate in nature
4. Israels election by God is corporate and did not
   guarantee salvation to anyone
5. Election is for a function or purpose apostles
   chosen to be messengers to Israel (not a
   guarantee of salvation i.e. Judas
6. Use of elect always plural, that is, corporate,
   not individual
7. God chose the corporate church in eternity past
   to become His choice people

30
How can dead men believe? Conviction of the
Spirit

• Calvinists claim irresistible grace which grants
  regeneration before faith
• Armenianists teach universal prevenient grace,
  which enables all fallen men to respond to Gods
  message of grace
• Problem neither is inductively formed but
  logically deduced.

31
Conviction Defined

• the doctrine of conviction as a work of the Holy
  Spirit prior to either regeneration or faith, it
  seems to me, solves this problem Prior to either
  regeneration or faith, the Holy Spirit does
  convict the lost sufficiently so that those who
  reject Gods grace are wholly to blame for their
  lost condition, and effectively in the elect, so
  that those who are saved must acknowledge that
  their faith is wholly a gift of God. (Buswell,
  A Systematic Theology of Christian Religion II,
  p. 157)

32
Process and Miracle Distinguish

• People come to saving faith in Christ through a
  process of human and divine involvement which
  leads to
• The New Birth (miracle) which is 100 the
  instantaneous work of the Spirit

33
Prophecy of coming of Spirit

• John 167 But I tell you the truth, it is to your
  advantage that I am going away. For if I do not
  go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but
  if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he
  comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning
  sin and righteousness and judgment-- 9 concerning
  sin, because they do not believe in me 10
  concerning righteousness, because I am going to
  the Father and you will see me no longer 11 and
  concerning judgment, because the ruler of this
  world has been condemned.

34
Meaning of convict, convince (elegchein)

• LXX translates Heb to rebuke, to shame, to
  punish, condemn, test, examine
• Buchsel in TDNT, it denotes discipling, and
  educating of man of God as a result of judicial
  activity. This includes all aspects of education
  from conviction of sinner to chastisement and
  punishment.
• Used 16x in NT to show someone his sin and
  summon him to rependence
• Has the sense of proof, convincing, refutation,
  investigation, and account.
• Arndt and Gingrich (1) bring to light, expose
  (2) convince someone of something (3) reprove,
  correct (4) punish discipline.

35
Three Acts of the Spirits Work

• Conviction of sin of unbelief
• 2 Corinthians 43 But even if our gospel is
  veiled, it is veiled only to those who are
  perishing, 4 among whom the god of this age has
  blinded the minds of those who do not believe so
  they would not see the light of the glorious
  gospel of Christ, who is the image of God
• John 525 I tell you the solemn truth, a time is
  coming--and is now here--when the dead will hear
  the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear
  will live.
• Conviction of Righteousness revives the
  conscience as it is exposed to Truth
• Conviction of Judgment esp. judgment on world
  and Satan annulling their authority
• Colossians 215 Disarming the rulers and
  authorities, he has made a public disgrace of
  them, triumphing over them by the cross.
• John 1231 Now is the judgment of this world now
  the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32
  And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will
  draw all people to myself."

36
Evidences of Conviction of Spirit before
regeneration

• Saul was convicted by Stephen and other
  Christians (Acts 269-14, it is hard for you to
  kick against the goads)
• Philippian jailer was under conviction of Spirit
  and cried out, Sirs, what must I do to be
  saved? (Acts 1630)
• Not always a positive response to conviction
• Acts 533 Now when they heard this, they became
  furious and wanted to execute them.
• Acts 754 When they heard these things, they
  became furious and ground their teeth at him.

37
Conviction Human Instrumentality Essential

• Activity of apostle used the cognates of
  elegchein proof, refutation, persuasion
• Acts 141 The same thing happened in Iconium when
  Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue
  and spoke in such a way that a large group of
  both Jews and Greeks believed.
• Acts 1828 for he refuted the Jews vigorously in
  public debate, demonstrating from the scriptures
  that the Christ was Jesus.
• Acts 184 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the
  synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
• Note Christs apostolic charge to Paul Acts
  2618 to open their eyes so that they turn from
  darkness to light and from the power of Satan to
  God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins
  and a share among those who are sanctified by
  faith in me.'

38
Extent of the Ministry of Conviction

• Romans 116 For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
  for it is God's power for salvation to everyone
  who believes, to the Jew first and also to the
  Greek.
• Implies the presence of conviction which
  coincides with the proclamation of the Gospel

39
Faith Prior to New Birth?

• R.C. Sproul, an extreme Calvinist affirms the
  maxim that Regeneration precedes faith and is
  a cardinal point of Reformed Theology. (Sproul,
  R.G., Chosen by God, p. 72)
• Through the convincing/convicting ministry of the
  Spirit, the dead can hear and believe John
  525 I tell you the solemn truth, a time is
  coming--and is now here--when the dead will hear
  the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear
  will live.
• John 112, He that receives (or accepts, Aor.)
  His truth and believes are given the right to
  become the sons of God. Thus it is impossible to
  reverse the order, i.e. receive/believe then
  born-again as son.
• John 524 "I tell you the solemn truth, the one
  who hears my message and believes the one who
  sent me has eternal life and will not be
  condemned, but has crossed over from death to
  life.
• Ephesians 113 And when you heard the word of
  truth (the gospel of your salvation)--when you
  believed in Christ--you were marked with the seal
  of the promised Holy Spirit,

40
Is Faith a Gift of God?

• Ephesians 28 For by grace you are saved through
  faith (f.), and this (n.) is not from yourselves,
  it (n.) is the gift of God 9 it (n.) is not from
  works, so that no one can boast.
• Antecedent agreement in case and gender show
  refer to same thing.
• Calvin states, Many persons restrict the word
  gift to faith alone, but Paul is only repeating
  in other words the former sentiment. His meaning
  is, NOT that faith is the gift of God, but that
  salvation is given to us by God, or that we
  obtain it (salvation) by the gift of God. (John
  Calvin Commentaries, trans. Pringle, vol. XXI,
  pp. 228-229)
• Phrase not of works (29) could not refer to
  faith (nonsense), but must refer to salvation
• Rom 623, the free gift of God is eternal life
  in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• By its very nature, a gift is to be received or
  rejected it is nonsense the notion of an
  irresistible gift

41
Faith develops mediately in human hearts

1. Through the propagation of the Word (Rom 1017),
   so faith comes from hearing and hearing by the
   Word of Christ.
2. Conviction of the Spirit prepares the heart for
   faith (John 168-11 Conviction is neither
   universal, nor limited to elect)
3. Faith is always ascribed to man, not God.
4. Jesus commented on faith of individuals (9
   individuals in 14 Gospel passages)
5. Christ constantly pointed to the faith of those
   individuals who possessed it (i.e. Centurion in
   Mt 810,13)

42
Faith develops mediately in human hearts

• Conversion of some people is attributed to
  antecedent conditions
• Parable of Sower indicates different soils are
  peoples heart (Lk 811-15)
• Cornelius prayed (seeking God) and told that
  Peter shall speak words to you by which you will
  be saved. (Acts 1114)
• God uses people to bring unbelievers to faith
  (Acts 2618 to open their eyes so that they turn
  from darkness to light and from the power of
  Satan to God, so that they may receive
  forgiveness of sins and a share among those who
  are sanctified by faith in me.'
• People are commanded to seek God (50 commands)
• It is clear that God gives people opportunity to
  believe in answer to our prayers and witness. 1
  Tim 21-6, pray for all men (v. 1) with the
  desire that all men might be saved (v. 4)
  because Christ gave himself as a ransom for all
  (v.6)

43
Problem with Direct Gift of Faith

1. Why did Christ bother to witness, argue, persuade
   the non-elect?
2. Why should Paul (and us) bother to use persuasion
   at all?
3. Why did Christ marvel at unbelief?
4. How could unbelief be judged if not option?
5. How can we explain the degrees of unbelief being
   judged more severely?
6. How can demonic activity hinder a direct work of
   the Spirit (Lk 812)?
7. Why are some classes of people harder to win than
   others (Tit 112-13)
8. Why does God give the gift of faith to so many
   Americans and so few Lyberians, Mongolians,
   Afgans, Turks, Aceheans?

44
Call and Irresistible Grace

• kaleein, klesis, kletos, call or invitation
• For many are called (invited), but few are
  chosen Mt 2214)
• General Invitation
• I have not come to call the righteous, but
  sinners to repentance (Luke 532)
• Effectual Invitation or Calling
• Used by Paul 50x for the completed process in the
  life of believers
• How it becomes effectual is the issue
• Is it irresistible calling, that is, already an
  accomplished fact?
• Is it a technical sense of those who already
  responded to the general call or Gospel
  invitation and thus by hindsight are the called?

45
Calling is accomplished through preaching the
Gospel

• 2 Thessalonians 213 But we ought to give thanks
  for you always, brothers and sisters loved by the
  Lord, because God chose you from the beginning
  for salvation through sanctification by the
  Spirit and faith in the truth.
• 14 He called you to this salvation through our
  gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our
  Lord Jesus Christ.

46
Why do some get saved and others remain unchanged?

• Luke 815 But as for the seed that landed on good
  soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the
  word, cling to it with an honest and good heart,
  and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.
• Matthew 2337 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who
  kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to
  you! How often I have longed to gather your
  children together as a hen gathers her chicks
  under her wings, but you would have none of it!
• Luke 730 However, the Pharisees and the experts
  in religious law rejected God's purpose for
  themselves, because they had not been baptized by
  John.)
• Acts 751 "You stubborn people, with
  uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always
  resisting the Holy Spirit, like your ancestors
  did!
• The key is to confront all men with the Gospel

47
Views of Eternal Security

• Armenian view since salvation was fully received
  by the will of man, it can be departed from by
  the will of man
• Calvinist view Since salvation depends upon the
  Perseverance of the Lord (not the believer),
  salvation can never be lost
• Security is based upon the work of the Father,
  Son and Spirit
• Mediante Position Full subjective assurance is
  derived from an objective understanding of the
  person and ransom-redemption and propitiation
  provided by Christ on the cross, as well as a
  subjective personal appropriation of, and a
  heart dependence upon the promises of God and
  willingness to share all of life henceforth with
  Christ.

48
Securing work of Trinity

• Father
• Chosen from eternity past (Eph 14)
• Chosen to position of sonship and part of the
  Body of Christ (Eph 15)
• Son
• He redeemed the believer (Eph. 17), removed the
  wrath of God from the believer (Rom. 325),
  justified the believer (Rom. 51), provided
  forgiveness (Col. 213), and sanctified the
  believer (1 Cor. 12)
• He prays for believers to be with Him (John
  1724) He continues to be their Advocate at
  Gods bar of justice (1 John 21) and He
  continues to make intercession as the believers
  High Priest (Heb. 725).

49
Securing work of Trinity

• Spirit
• Gave him life (Tit. 35)
• indwells the believer forever (John 1417)
• sealed the believer until the day of redemption
  (Eph. 430),
• the sealing being a down payment, guaranteeing
  our future inheritance
• baptized the believer into union with Christ and
  into the body of believers (1 Cor. 1213).