Page 138 - Bible Doctrines II w videos short

Study Section 21: Salvation is a Big Thing in the Bible

21.1 Connect

When we wonder what it takes for humans to be forgiven of our sins, we often think in terms
of our role or job. The problem is that the Bible is clear it isn’t anything we could do. God had
to meet all the requirements for offering salvation. God chose to offer salvation through the
work of His Son Jesus. In this section we will pick it up from the point of the fall of man. As
there is a course available from the school called History of Redemption, we will focus on
four specific actions of Christ’s completed work to bring about salvation. Specifically, we will survey the
Incarnation, atonement, and Resurrection. In each section we will briefly mention how these actions
affect us.

21.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain what the incarnation is and how it affects salvation?

2. The student should be able to explain what the theories of the atonement, which best fits
all the biblical data, and how the atonement affects salvation.

3. The student should be able to explain the resurrection and how it affects us.

21.3 What did Jesus do in the past to offer salvation?

The work of Christ is a large and important aspect of the Doctrine of Salvation. Christ has
worked in the past (before the ascension), has been at work presently (since the ascension),
and has work remaining to do when He comes again. Many aspects of this work relate to
salvation. Those aspects will now briefly be surveyed.

Redemption. The work of Christ began with creation and continued with the work of redemption.
Mankind did not obey and as a result was condemned to death. From that time forward God has been
working through Christ to redeem mankind.

“If the term “salvation” be understood as the comprehensive term for the complete work of God for
man in time and eternity, then redemption is particularly concerned with that aspect of salvation which
was accomplished in the death of Christ” – Lewis Sperry Chafer.

The Fall. While the doctrine of the fall specifically deals with man’s sin and alienation from God, Christ’s
work of redemption is first seen during the dealing out of the consequences. This brief glimpse of
Christ’s redemptive work is known as the proto-evangelium. Genesis 3:15 – Jesus would come as
savior to defeat Satan.

The work of Christ in the Old Testament to bring about salvation included establishing a covenant
people to bring salvation through. It included the development of the priesthood who would be a sign of
the Great High Priest who would minister on man’s behalf. It included the many engagements as the

137