THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

The word “salvation” is the all-inclusive word of the Gospel, taking into it all the redemptive acts and processes. The word is found 163 times—118 times in the Old Testament and 43 times in the New Testament. There are seven Hebrew and Greek words translated “salvation.” They are found 388 times and are also translated by 23 other English words which mean “salvation” or some phase of it. These words are “deliverance,” “deliver,” “delivered,” “deliverers,” “save,” “saved,” “savest,” “saveth,” “saving,” “health,” “help,” “welfare,” “safety,” “victory,” “safe,” “Savior,” “Saviors,” “defend,” “avenged,” “avenging,” “rescue,” “preserved,” and “preservest.”

I. “Salvation” the All-Inclusive Gospel Word

“Salvation” is the great and all-inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes, such as those expressed in the doctrines of salvation listed below. One can see by these words and by the Scriptures below that salvation teaches full deliverance from dangers, troubles, sin, disease, and poverty. Salvation takes in deliverance from every phase of sin, including inbred sin, or the old man—the devil, as we shall see in Lessons Thirty-three and Thirty-four. It would not be a deliverance from all sin if one were still bound by sin and Satan in any form. The following is a summary of the different words that express the different phases of salvation:

1.      REPENTANCE—A change of mind, a new mind about God (Mt 3:2, Mt 4:17, Lk 13:1-5, Lk 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43, 2 Cor 7:9-10, 1 Jn 1:9).

2.      CONVERSION—A change of direction, a new walk with God (Ps 19:7; 51:13; Mt 18:3;Lk 22:32; Acts 3:19; Jas 5:19).

3.      REGENERATION—A change of nature, a new nature before God (Jn 3:3-5; Rom 3:24-25; 2 Cor 5:17; Titus 3:5; 2 Pet 1:4-14).

4.      ADOPTION—A change of family, a new relationship with God (Rom 8:14-23; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:4; 3:15; Jn 1:12; 3:16; 1 Jn 3:8-10; 5:1-18).

5.      WASHING—A change of morals, a new creature before God (1 Cor 6:9-11; Eph 4:24; 5:26; Titus 3:5; Rev 1:5; 7:14; Jn 15:3; Isa 1:16-18).

6.      REDEMPTION—A change of owners, a new master in God (Rom 3:24-25; 6:16-23; 1 Cor 1:30; 3:16; 6:19-20; Gal 3:13; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14, 22; 1 Pet 1:18-23).

7.      PROPITIATION—A change of clothing, a new covering of sins before God (Rom 3:24-25; 4:7; 1 Jn 2:1-2; Ps 32:1; 85:2; 1 Pet 4:8).

8.      GRACE—A change of favor, a new standing before God (Jn 1:16-17; Rom 5:1-2; Eph 2:1-9; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Pet 3:18).

9.      IMPUTATION—A change of accounts, a new debt to God (Rom 1:14; 4:1-11, 22-24; Gal 3:6-14; Jas 2:23; 2 Cor 5:17-19).

10.   FORGIVENESS—A change of judgment, a new pardon by God (Ps 103:3; Eph 1:7; Col 2:13; 1 Jn 1:7-9; Lk 24:47; Acts 10:43).

11.   DELIVERANCE—A change of bondage, a new liberty before God (Lk 4:18; Gal 5:1, 13; Heb 10:19; 2 Cor 3:6-18; Jas 1:18-25).

12.   FAITH—A change of confidence, a new trust in God (Mk 9:23; 11:22-24; Rom 1:16-17; 4:1-25; 10:9-17; Heb 11; 12:1-2; 2 Pet 1:5).

13.   BLOOD—A change in life, a new life from God (Lev 17:11; Mt 26:28; Rom 5:1-11; 6:1-23; 8:1-13; Eph 1:7; 1 Jn 1:7; Rev 1:5; 5:8-10).

14.   FORBEARANCE—A change of attitude, a new patience in God (Eph 4:2; 2 Tim 2:24; Rom 3:24-25; 5:1-4; 15:4-5; Col 3:13; Jas 1:3-4).

15.   RECONCILIATION—A change of friendship, a new union with God (Rom 5:10; Eph 2:14-16; Col 1:20-21; 2 Cor 5:17-20; Heb 2:17; 1 Cor 6:17).

16.   SUBSTITUTION—A change of victims, a new sacrifice to God (Gen 22:8, 13; Isa 53; Heb 10:5-18; 1 Cor 5:7; Rom 12:1-2; Heb 13:15).

17.   REPRESENTATION—A change of agency, a new representative before God (Rom 8:26-27, 34; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 2:18; 4:14-16; 5:5-10; 7:24-28; 9:1-28).

18.   NEW BIRTH AND SONSHIP—A change of parents, a new Father in God (Mt 6:8-9; Jn 1:12; 3:1-18; Gal 4:5-6; Heb 12:7; 1 Jn 3:1-3; 5:1-5, 10-18).

19.   HEIRSHIP—A change of fortune, a new inheritance in God (Rom 8:17; Gal 3:29; Heb 1:4; 9:15; Jas 2:5; 1 Pet 1:4; Eph 1:11-18).

20.   PRAYER—A change of communication, a new approach to God (Mt 6:9; 7:7-11; 21:22; Mk 11:22-24; Jn 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Heb 10:19-23; 11:6; 1 Jn 3:22; 5:14-16).

21.   ELECTION—A change of office, a new position in God (Mt 20:16; Eph 1:4; Rom 8:33; 1 Pet 1:2; 1 Thess 1:4; 2 Pet 1:10; Jn 15:16).

22.   RIGHTEOUSNESS—A change of acts, a new obedience to God (Rom 4:1-25; 6:11-22; 8:3; Mt 6:33; 1 Jn 2:29; 3:7, 10; 1 Cor 1:30; Eph 4:24).

23.   CRUCIFIXION—A change of death, a new subjection to God (Rom 6:3-22; 8:13; Gal 2:20; 5:24; 6:14; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:5-10).

24.   RESTITUTION—A change of dealings, a new honesty before God (Exod 22:1-12; Lev 6:4-5; 24:21; Prov 6:31; Lk 3:8; 19:8).

25.   RETRIBUTION—A change of vengeance, a new attitude before God (Mt 5:39; 7:12; Lk 6:27-46; 9:51-55; Rom 12:17-21; Heb 10:30; 1 Cor 6).

26.   RANSOM—A change from slavery, a new release by God (Job 33:24; Mt 20:28; 1 Tim 2:6; Gal 5:1; 6:1; Rom 6:3-6, 11-23; 8:1-13).

27.   MORTIFICATION—A change of practice, a new conduct before God (Rom 8:13; Col 3:1-17; Mk 11:24; Mt 5:6; 1 Jn 4:19).

28.   CONSECRATION—A change of devotion, a new offering to God (Rom 12:1; 2 Cor 8:5; Acts 6:4; 1 Tim 4:13-15; Heb 13:15).

29.   ASSURANCE—A change of security, a New Covenant with God (Col 2:2; 1 Thess 1:5; Heb 6:11; 10:19-23; 2 Tim 3:14; 2 Pet 1:4-14).

30.   HUMILITY—A change of spirit, a new temperament in God (Mt 18:1-4; Acts 20:19; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 5:5, 6; Jas 4:6-11).

31.   LOVE—A change of affection, a new devotion to God (Deut 6:5; Mt 22:37; Rom 5:5-8; Jn 13:34-35; 1 Cor 13; 1 Jn 3:11-18; 4:7-21; Gal 5:21-22).

32.   JOY—A change in emotion, a new delight in God (Neh 8:10; Ps 16:11; 51:12; Lk 19:37; 24:52; Jn 15:11; 1 Pet 1:8-9; Gal 5:21-22).

33.   PEACE—A change in mind, a new tranquillity in God (Acts 10:36; Rom 5:1; 14:17; 15:13; Eph 2:14-18; Col 1:20; Gal 5:21-22).

34.   LONGSUFFERING—A change in forbearance, a new endurance before God (Gal 5:21-22; Mk 4:17; 2 Tim 2:3; 4:5; Jas 5:11; Rom 5:1-8).

35.   GENTLENESS—A change in manner, a new behavior before God (Gal 5:21-22; 1 Thess 2:7; 2 Tim 2:24; Titus 3:2; Jas 3:17).

36.   GOODNESS—A change in virtue, a new holiness in God (Gal 5:21-22; Rom 15:14; Eph 5:9; Phil 4:8; 2 Pet 1:3-14).

37.   MEEKNESS—A change of disposition, a new humility before God (Gal 5:21-22; Num 12:3; Ps 76:9; 149:4; Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 1 Tim 6:11).

38.   TEMPERANCE—A change to moderation, a new sobriety before God (Gal 5:21-22; Acts 24:25; 2 Pet 1:3-14; 1 Cor 9:25-27; Titus 1:8; 2:2).

39.   REVELATION—A change of knowledge, a new doctrine from God (Mt 11:25; 13:35; 16:17; Deut 29:29; Rom 1:17; 1 Cor 2:10; Eph 1:17; 3:1-11).

40.   CONVICTION—A change in the sense of guilt, a new awakening before God (Jn 8:9; 16:7-12; Acts 2:37; 18:28; 1 Cor 14:24; Jas 2:9).

41.   REMISSION—A change of sentence, a new justification by God (Mt 26:28; Lk 24:47; Acts 2:38; 10:43; Heb 9:22).

42.   HEALING—A change in health, a new health in God (Ps 91; 103:3; Mt 8:17; Isa 53; Rom 8:11; 1 Pet 2:24; 2 Jn 2; Jas 5:14-16).

43.   SOUNDNESS—A change of condition, a new perfection in God (Prov 8:14; 14:30; Ps 91; Col 2:10; 2 Tim 1:7; 1 Tim 1:10; Titus 1:9, 13; 2:1-8).

44.   CREATION AND TRANSFORMATION—A change of likeness, a new image before God (2 Cor 3:18; 5:17; Rom 12:1-2; 6:3-22; 8:1-13; 2 Pet 1:3-14; Col 3:1-17; Gal 5:16-26).

45.   SANCTIFICATION—A change of service, a new separation unto God (Jn 10:36; 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Tim 2:21; Exod 13; 30:38; 40:10-11; Lev 27:14-27; Jer 1:5).

46.   JUSTIFICATION—A change of state, a new righteousness in God (Rom 3:20-30; 5:1, 9; 1 Cor 6:11; Gal 3:6-14; Acts 13:38-39).

47.   PRESERVATION—A change of assurance, a new security in God (Ps 37:28; 145:20; 2 Tim 4:18; Phil 1:6; 1 Thess 5:23; Jude 20-24; 1 Pet 1:5).

48.   PROVIDENCE—A change of supply, a new provision in God (Mt 6:33; Phil 4:18; Mk 11:22-24; Jn 15:7, 16; Ps 84:11).

49.   BAPTISM INTO CHRIST—A change of elements, a new burial in God (Eph 2:1-9; Rom 6:3-6; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27; 5:24; Col 2:11-17).

50.   RESURRECTION—A change in substance, a new body given by God (1 Cor 15:21-58; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:13-17; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Jn 5:28-29).

51.   PREDESTINATION—A change of decree, a new destiny in God (Rom 8:28-30; Eph 1:5, 11; 3:10-11; 1 Pet 1:2-13; 2 Pet 1:4-14; 2 Cor 3:18).

52.   FOREKNOWLEDGE—A change in revelation, a new knowledge of God (Rom 8:29; 11:2; Acts 2:23; 1 Pet 1:2; Eph 1:1-17; Mt 11:25; Deut 29:29).

53.   FOREORDINATION—A change in appointment, a new future in God (Rom 3:25; Jn 15:16; 1 Thess 5:9; 1 Pet 1:20; Eph 1:10; 2:7; 3:10-11).

54.   POWER—A change in authority, a new power in God (Lk 24:49; Jn 14:12-14; Mk 16:15-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 12-14; Eph 1:19; 3:19-20; Heb 2:3-4;Mk 11:22-24).

55.   GLORIFICATION—A change of realm, a new dominion with God (Rom 8:17, 30; Acts 3:13; Phil 3:21; 1 Cor 15:21-58; Rev 5:10; 20:1-7).

56.   DESTINATION—A change of dwelling, a new home with God (Jn 14:1-3; Heb 11:10, 13-16; 13:14; Rev 3:12; 21:1-22:5).

57.   HOLINESS—A change in living, a new conformity to God (Rom 6:16-23; 8:1-13; 12:1-2; 11:16; 1 Cor 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor 5:17; 7:1; Heb 12:14; Rev 20:4-6).

58.   LIFE—a change of existence, a new eternal life with God (Jn 3:16-20,36; 5:24; 17:2-3; 1 Jn 2:24-25; 5:11-12; 1 Thess 4:13-17).

59.   MERCY—A change of heart, a new disposition in God (Mt 5:7; Rom 12:8-19; Jas 2:13; Lk 6:36; Phil 2:1; Col 3:12).

60.   INSPIRATION—A change of thoughts, a new influence from God (1 Cor 2:9-14; 2 Tim 3:15-17; Jn 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; 1 Jn 2:27).

Not one of the phases of salvation listed above should be understood as a separate work from the salvation of which it is a part. One could not possibly receive salvation and not have every one of the above blessings started in him that has to do with sin. They all have an initial and instantaneous, as well as a progressive aspect until they are completed in the eternal future.

Although salvation and all its various phases that deal with sin are received in the initial stages by faith when one truly repents and believes the Gospel, the different phases continue in operation in the believer from the time of salvation until he receives and enters into the final stage of salvation at the Rapture and resurrection (1 Pet 1:5-9, 13; Rom 13:11; Heb 1:14; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:13-17; 5:23; 1 Cor 15:51-58; 1 Jn 3:1-3). Salvation, in the general sense of the word, includes even the redemption of all creation at the end of the Millennium (Rom 8:17-25; Heb 1:10-12; 12:25-28; 2 Pet 3:10-13; Rev 21-22; Isa 66:22-24). If salvation takes in all creation affected by the Fall, then it is easy to see how it takes in every phase of deliverance for man in the process of redemption from its beginning to its completion.

—God’s Plan for Man by Finis J. Dake

Another wonderful excerpt from one of the lessons found in God’s Plan for Man. I could do all the back ground work on this myself but since Finis Jennings Dake already did the work I see no need to reinvent the wheel. Reverend Dake was with out a doubt a gifted man when it came to teaching the Word. When you learn a little about him, it was said that God gave him a supernatural ability to recall scripture. Man that would be awesome. I thank Reverend Dake for all his time and effort spent writing books explaining the Word. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Filed under: Understanding Scripture