Study 98 – The Doctrine of Salvation

Part 2 of 12

From Study 96

2) Three Factors of Salvation. (1) God's grace, (2) Christ's death. (3) man's faith.

God's grace is the origin of salvation; Christ's death is the basis of salvation; man's faith is the
condition of salvation.

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1 Timothy 2:5 NASB

'For there is one God, and one mediator also
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,'

The process of salvation includes three participants: God, Jesus Christ, and man as outlined in
the passage above. Salvation is a matter between the one God in His holiness and love, and the human
race in its sin. This process is accomplished between the one mediator, Jesus Christ.
There are three factors related to the three participants in salvation: God's grace, Christ's
death, and man's faith. God's grace is the origin of salvation; Christ's death is the basis of salvation;
man's faith is the condition of salvation. The Bible teaches that man is saved by God's grace (Eph. 2:8),
by Christ's blood (Rev. 5:9), and by man's faith (Acts 16:31).

The Origin of Salvation

Salvation originates in God's grace. Planned by His wisdom, prompted by His love, and
performed through His power, salvation begins in the heart (mind) of God. Sinners don't deserve to be
saved; they cannot merit salvation on their own as it is a gift from God. Christianity is unique amongst
other world religions because God searches for man. Other world religions have man searching for
God. It is in grace that God starts the salvation process for the benefit of mankind.

The Basis of Salvation

Christ's sacrificial death is the basis of salvation. It is through the infinite value of his sacrifice
that the price of sin is paid. The death of Jesus removed that barrier which was created by our sin. The
death of Jesus provided a basis whereby God could now bestow His blessings of grace to humanity
without compromising His holiness and justice. Jesus is the only Saviour; there is no other way to God.
If man is to be saved, he must be saved on the basis of Christ's sacrifice. Apart from his death there can
be no salvation. (Some of these issues have been touched upon in previous studies on Christology.)
The Condition of Salvation

Man's acceptance of salvation through faith is the condition upon which salvation is gained. It
can become a reality only when someone meet's God's requirements. God has provided salvation; man
must accept salvation through conversion. A sinner's acceptance is the condition of salvation. Man has
the responsibility to act on this condition of salvation in order to be saved. Conversion, including
repentance, faith, and baptism, is NOT the origin nor the basis of salvation. Our conversion is NOT the
meritorious basis of salvation; it is only the means whereby man accepts God's saving gift. Simply
stated, all these conditions we are obligated to do are not what our salvation is based on...it is based on
the sacrificial death of Jesus.

Relation to Seven Doctrines

Since the whole of salvation is related to the three factors stated above, one would expect to
find that each of the seven doctrines of salvation also is related to these three factors. When we read the
New testament, we find that these seven doctrines are related to God's grace, Christ's death, and man's
faith. The seven are: forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, redemption, sanctification, newness of
life, and adoption. For example, the Bible teaches that the sinner is justified by His grace (Titus 3:7), by
Christ's blood (Rom. 5:9), and by man's faith (Rom. 3:28).

God's Christ's Man's

Grace Death Faith
Forgiveness Eph. 1:7 Matt. 26:28 Acts 10:43
Justification Titus 3:4-7 Rom. 5:9 Rom. 3:28
Reconciliation Rom. 5:1-2 Rom. 5:10 Rom. 5:1
Redemption Eph. 1:7 1 Pet. 1:18-19 Gal. 3:13-14
Sanctification 1 Cor. 1:2-3 Heb. 13:12 Acts 26:18
Newness of Life Eph. 2:4-5 2 Cor. 5:14-17 John 20:31
Adoption Eph. 1:5-6 Gal. 4:5-6 Gal. 3:26