© John Stevenson, 2012

Salvation

The AtonementThe Atonementwas accomplishedwas accomplished

on the Crosson the Cross

The benefits ofThe benefits ofthe Atonementthe Atonementare applied atare applied at

ConversionConversion

But as many as received Him, to them But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His God, even to those who believe in His

name, name, 1313 who were born not of blood, nor who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of

man, but of God. (John 1:12-13).man, but of God. (John 1:12-13).

Now there was a Now there was a man of the man of the

Pharisees, named Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler Nicodemus, a ruler

of the Jews of the Jews (John 3:1).(John 3:1).

……this man came to this man came to Jesus by night and Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You we know that You

have come from God have come from God as as a teacher; for no a teacher; for no one can do these one can do these signs that You do signs that You do unless God is with unless God is with him.” (John 3:2).him.” (John 3:2).

Jesus answered Jesus answered and said to him, and said to him,

“Truly, truly, I say “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one to you, unless one is born again he is born again he cannot see the cannot see the

kingdom of God.” kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).(John 3:3).

Jesus answered and said to him, Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see one is born again he cannot see

the kingdom of God.”the kingdom of God.”(John 3:3).(John 3:3).

Nicodemus said to Him, “How Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second old? He cannot enter a second

time into his mother’s womb time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”and be born, can he?”

(John 3:4).(John 3:4).

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born say to you, unless one is born

of water and the Spirit he of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom cannot enter into the kingdom

of God.” (John 3:5).of God.” (John 3:5).

“…“…Born of water and Born of water and Spirit…”Spirit…”

• Water baptismWater baptism

“…“…Born of water and Born of water and Spirit…”Spirit…”

• Water baptismWater baptism

Then I will sprinkle clean water on Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will you, and you will be clean; I will

cleanse you from all your filthiness cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. (Ezekiel and from all your idols. (Ezekiel

36:2536:25))

“…“…Born of water and Born of water and Spirit…”Spirit…”

• Water baptismWater baptism

Moreover, I will give you a new Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within heart and put a new spirit within

you; and I will remove the heart of you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a stone from your flesh and give you a

heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26))

“…“…Born of water and Born of water and Spirit…”Spirit…”

• Water baptism

And I will put My Spirit within you And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My and cause you to walk in My

statutes, and you will be careful to statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. (Ezekiel observe My ordinances. (Ezekiel

36:2736:27))

“…“…Born of water and Born of water and Spirit…”Spirit…”

• Water baptism that represents the Water baptism that represents the purification from sins.purification from sins.

• Physical BirthPhysical Birth

• The Word of GodThe Word of God

……for you have been born again for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable not of seed which is perishable

but imperishable, but imperishable, that isthat is, , through the living and abiding through the living and abiding word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)

“…“…Born of water and Born of water and Spirit…”Spirit…”

• Water baptism that represents the Water baptism that represents the purification from sins.purification from sins.

• Physical BirthPhysical Birth

• The Word of GodThe Word of God

• The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit

For I will pour out water on the For I will pour out water on the thirsty thirsty land land And streams on the dry ground; And streams on the dry ground;

I will pour out My Spirit on your I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, offspring, And My blessing on your And My blessing on your descendants (Isaiah 44:3). descendants (Isaiah 44:3).

And they will spring up among And they will spring up among the grass the grass Like poplars by streams of Like poplars by streams of water. (Isaiah 44:4). water. (Isaiah 44:4).

“…“…Born of water and Born of water and Spirit…”Spirit…”

• Water baptism that represents the Water baptism that represents the purification from sins.purification from sins.

• Physical BirthPhysical Birth

• The Word of GodThe Word of God

• The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit

““That which is born of the flesh That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. of the Spirit is spirit. 77 Do not be Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You amazed that I said to you, ‘You

must be born again.’”must be born again.’”(John 3:6-7).(John 3:6-7).

““The wind blows where it The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is comes from and where it is

going; so is everyone who is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).

““The wind blows where it The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is comes from and where it is

going; so is everyone who is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).

In the exercise of His will He brought In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we us forth by the word of truth, so that we

might be, as it were, the first fruits might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures. (James 1:18).among His creatures. (James 1:18).

For you have been born again not For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but of seed which is perishable but

imperishable, that is, through the imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.living and abiding word of God.

(1 Peter 1:23).(1 Peter 1:23).

RepentanceRepentance FaithFaith

• NachamNacham: Reflects the idea of : Reflects the idea of sorrow and often indicates a sorrow and often indicates a change of purposechange of purpose

• ShuvShuv: To turn.: To turn.

““Yet even now,” declares the LORD,Yet even now,” declares the LORD,“Return [“Return [shuvshuv] to Me with all your heart,] to Me with all your heart,And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; 1313 And rend your heart and not your And rend your heart and not your garments.” garments.” Now return [Now return [shuvshuv] tothe LORD your God, ] tothe LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, And relenting [And relenting [nachamnacham] of evil. ] of evil. (Joel 2:12-13).(Joel 2:12-13).

Who knows whether He will not turn [Who knows whether He will not turn [shuvshuv] ] and relent [and relent [nachamnacham], ], And leave a blessing behind Him, And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a libationEven a grain offering and a libationFor the LORD your God?For the LORD your God?(Joel 2:14).(Joel 2:14).

• Metanoeo: Metanoeo: RepentRepent

Corresponds to the Hebrew Corresponds to the Hebrew NachamNacham..

• EpistrephoEpistrepho: Turn: Turn

Corresponds to the Hebrew Corresponds to the Hebrew ShuvShuv..

Classical Greek used Classical Greek used metanoeometanoeo in a general in a general sense of a change of mind, heart, or direction, sense of a change of mind, heart, or direction,

including times when a person repented of including times when a person repented of doing something good to turn to a path of evil.doing something good to turn to a path of evil.

““Therefore repent [Therefore repent [metanoeometanoeo] and ] and return [return [epistrephoepistrepho], so that your sins ], so that your sins

may be wiped away, in order that times may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the of refreshing may come from the

presence of the Lord; presence of the Lord; 2020 and that He and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed may send Jesus, the Christ appointed

for you” (Acts 3:19-20).for you” (Acts 3:19-20).

Louis Berkhof lists three elements Louis Berkhof lists three elements of biblical repentance.of biblical repentance.

• An intellectual elementAn intellectual element

• An emotional elementAn emotional element

• A volitional elementA volitional element

I now rejoice, not that you were made I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful

to to the point of the point of repentance; for you were repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to made sorrowful according to the will of the will of God, God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything so that you might not suffer loss in anything

through us. through us. 1010 For the sorrow that is For the sorrow that is according to according to the will of the will of God produces a God produces a repentance without regret, repentance without regret, leading leading to to salvation, but the sorrow of the world salvation, but the sorrow of the world

produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).

Therefore bear fruits in keeping with Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,” for I say to you that from these father,” for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children stones God is able to raise up children

to Abraham. (Luke 3:8).to Abraham. (Luke 3:8).

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, teach, patient when wronged, 2525 with with

gentleness correcting those who are in gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant opposition, if perhaps God may grant

them repentance leading to the them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, knowledge of the truth, 2626 and they may and they may come to their senses come to their senses and escape and escape from from

the snare of the devil, having been the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.held captive by him to do his will.

(2 Timothy 2:24-26).(2 Timothy 2:24-26).

RepentanceRepentance

Focus on the negative

FaithFaith

Focus on the positive

Turns away from sin and rebellion

Turns to God and trusts in Him

What is Faith?What is Faith?

• CognitionCognition

• ConvincingConvincing

• ConfidenceConfidence

• CommitmentCommitment

……as it is written, “There is none as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;righteous, not even one;1111 There is none who understands, There is none who understands,There is none who seeks for God;There is none who seeks for God;1212 All have turned aside, together All have turned aside, together they have become useless;they have become useless;There is none who does good,There is none who does good,There is not even one (Romans There is not even one (Romans 3:10-12).3:10-12).

But a natural man does not But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually them, because they are spiritually appraised. (1 Corinthians 2:14).appraised. (1 Corinthians 2:14).

• Lydia... was listening... and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul (Acts 16:14).

• ...as God has allotted to each, a measure of faith (Romans 12:3b).

• For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit... to another faith by the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-9).

• For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, (Philippians 1:29).

• Simon Peter... to those who HAVE RECEIVED a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1).

And He asked his father, “How long has this And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, been happening to him?” And he said,

“From childhood. “From childhood. 2222 It has often thrown him It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to both into the fire and into the water to

destroy him. But if You can do anything, destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” (Mark 9:21-22).take pity on us and help us!” (Mark 9:21-22).

And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” things are possible to him who believes.” 2424 Immediately the boy’s father cried out Immediately the boy’s father cried out

and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:20-24).(Mark 9:20-24).

For by grace you have been saved through For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, faith; and that not of yourselves, it is it is the gift the gift of God; of God; 99 not as a result of works, so that no not as a result of works, so that no

one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

And He also told this parable to some And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they people who trusted in themselves that they

were righteous, and viewed others with were righteous, and viewed others with contempt (Luke 18:9).contempt (Luke 18:9).

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 1111 The The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself:

“God, I thank You that I am not like other “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. like this tax collector. 1212 I fast twice a week; I I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.” (Luke 18:10-12).pay tithes of all that I get.” (Luke 18:10-12).

But the tax collector, standing some But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up distance away, was even unwilling to lift up

his eyes to heaven, but was beating his his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the

sinner!” (Luke 18:13).sinner!” (Luke 18:13).

I tell you, this man went to his house I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who exalts himself will be humbled, but he

who humbles himself will be exalted. who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14).(Luke 18:14).

And when all the people and the tax-gatherers And when all the people and the tax-gatherers heard this, they ACKNOWLEDGED GOD’S heard this, they ACKNOWLEDGED GOD’S

JUSTICE, having been baptized with the JUSTICE, having been baptized with the baptism of John. (Luke 7:29).baptism of John. (Luke 7:29).

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the on our behalf, that we might become the

righteousness of God in Him. righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).(2 Corinthians 5:21).

His righteousnessHis righteousness

Our sin

Romans 4:1-2Romans 4:1-2What then shall we say that

Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

Romans 4:3Romans 4:3For what does the Scripture say?

“And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Romans 4:4-5Romans 4:4-5Now to the one who works, his

wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

Romans 4:6-8Romans 4:6-8....just as David also speaks of the ....just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from reckons righteousness apart from works: works: 77 “Blessed are those whose “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. whose sins have been covered. 88 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”will not take into account.”

Romans 4:23-25Romans 4:23-25Now not for his sake only was it

written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

Romans 5:1-2Romans 5:1-2Therefore, having been justified by

faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:6-7Romans 5:6-7For while we were still helpless, at

the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

Romans 5:8-9Romans 5:8-9But God demonstrates His own

love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

• God is infinite.God is infinite.

• God’s righteousness is infinite. God’s righteousness is infinite.

• Anything less than God’s righteousness Anything less than God’s righteousness is separated from that righteousness by is separated from that righteousness by an infinite gulf. an infinite gulf.

• Therefore, the righteousness that God Therefore, the righteousness that God demands must always be an infinite demands must always be an infinite righteousness. righteousness.

• Sin is contrary to God’s righteousness. Sin is contrary to God’s righteousness.

• Therefore, sin is infinite in demerit. Therefore, sin is infinite in demerit.

• Because sin is infinite in demerit, it Because sin is infinite in demerit, it demands an infinite punishment against demands an infinite punishment against the sinner. the sinner.

• The righteousness that God credits to The righteousness that God credits to the believer’s account is an infinite the believer’s account is an infinite righteousness.righteousness.