1 saved by GRACE
2 “For by grace you have been saved through faith“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” EPHESIANS 2:8-9
3 One-dimensional DefinitionSALVATION Breaking Free from a One-dimensional Definition p. 1
4 SALVATION is not merely going to heaven p. 1
5 SALVATION “Then the LORD raised up judges who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” Judges 2:16 p. 2
6 SALVATION “But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz.” Judges 3:9 p. 2
7 SALVATION is not merely going to heaven p. 2
8 is also deliverance from the hands of enemies and oppressorsSALVATION is also deliverance from the hands of enemies and oppressors p. 2
9 SALVATION Who is our enemy but Satan?What oppresses and attacks us but sin? p. 2
10 SALVATION “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” II Timothy 2:25-26 p. 2
11 SALVATION is not merely going to heaven p. 3
12 SALVATION “Your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:48“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50 p. 3
13 SALVATION ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέν σε· πορεύου εἰς εἰρήνην Luke 8:48p. 3
14 SALVATION is not merely going to heaven p. 4
15 SALVATION is also being healed and made whole from sickness, being saved from death p. 4
16 What is our sickness other than sin?SALVATION What is our sickness other than sin? p. 4
17 SALVATION “And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” Mark 2:17 p. 4
18 a PICTURE of GRACE p. 4
19 Israel could not fight or earn their way to victorya PICTURE of GRACE Israel could not fight or earn their way to victory p. 4
20 Israel could not fight or earn their way to victory; neither can wea PICTURE of GRACE Israel could not fight or earn their way to victory; neither can we p. 4
21 God had already won the victory for Israela PICTURE of GRACE God had already won the victory for Israel p. 5
22 “These are the statutes and rules that you shall be careful to do in the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth.” Deuteronomy 12:1 p. 5
23 “And when the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, ‘Go up and take possession of the land that I have given you,’ then you rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God and did not believe or obey his voice.” Deuteronomy 9:23 p. 6
24 God had already won the victory for Israela PICTURE of GRACE God had already won the victory for Israel p. 5
25 a PICTURE of GRACE God had already won the victory for Israel; He has already won the victory for us p. 6
26 “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:11-12 p. 6
27 a PICTURE of GRACE Israel had to go up and take possession of the land God had secured for them p. 6
28 a PICTURE of GRACE Israel had to go up and take possession of the land God had secured for them; so must we p. 6
29 “Fight the good fight of faith“Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” I Timothy 6:12 p. 7
30 When Israel won the victory, they were to give God the glory;a PICTURE of GRACE When Israel won the victory, they were to give God the glory; p. 7
31 “And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them.” Joshua 24:12-13 p. 7
32 When Israel won the victory, they were to give God the glory;a PICTURE of GRACE When Israel won the victory, they were to give God the glory; So must we p. 7
33 “For by grace you have been saved through faith“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 p. 8
34 If Israel forgot who won the victory, they would lose ita PICTURE of GRACE If Israel forgot who won the victory, they would lose it p. 8
35 “Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today...” Deuteronomy 8:11 p. 8
36 “And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.” Deuteronomy 8:19 p. 9
37 “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:17-18 p. 9
38 If Israel forgot who won the victory, they would lose it;a PICTURE of GRACE If Israel forgot who won the victory, they would lose it; So will we p. 9
39 SAVING GRACE p. 10
40 Saving grace delivers from slavery, not heredityp. 10
41 Calvinism claims “Original sin, then, may be defined a hereditary corruption and depravity of our nature, extending to all the parts of the soul, which first makes us obnoxious to the wrath of God, and then produces in us works which in Scripture are termed works of the flesh.” Institutes p. 10
42 Calvinism claims “All of us, therefore, descending from an impure seed, come into the world tainted with the contagion of sin. Nay, before we behold the light of the sun we are in God’s sight defiled and polluted.” Institutes p. 11
43 The Bible Claims “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” Romans 7:14-17 p. 13
44 The Bible Claims “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” II Timothy 2:25-26 p. 12
45 The Bible Claims “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness.” Romans 6:16 p. 13
46 Saving grace is unmerited, not unconditionalp. 14
47 The Bible Claims “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 p. 14
48 The Bible Claims “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us… Titus 3:3-7 p. 14
49 The Bible Claims “…in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7 p. 14
50 Calvinism claims “God’s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will. His choice of particular sinners was not based on any foreseen response or obedience on their part, such as faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance… Steele and Thomas p. 14
51 Calvinism claims “…to each individual who He selected. These acts are the result, not the cause of God’s choice. Election therefore was not determined by or conditioned upon any virtuous quality or act foreseen in man. Those whom God sovereignly elected he brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Steele and Thomas p. 14
52 Calvinism claims “Thus God’s choice of the sinner, not the sinner’s choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation.” Steele and Thomas p. 14
53 Calvinism does not claimThe elect will be saved without faith, repentance, and good works Sinning is okay and doesn’t matter The elect do not have to obey God People should simply wait around for God to save them p
54 The Bible Claims “…even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Ephesians 3:4 p. 16
55 “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.”The Bible Claims “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 3:4-5 p. 16
56 The Bible Claims “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 3:11-12 p. 16
57 In your outline, check out the following discussions: Prevenient Grace vs. Foreknowledge Boasting in Ephesians 2:8-9 p
58 Saving grace is for all, not merely for somep. 17
59 Calvinism claims “Calvinists believe that Jesus died for the elect alone and that has important implications for how we are to understand the nature, character, and effect of Christ’s death, as well as for how we understand its extent.” Boice p. 18
60 The Bible Claims “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one Gond, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” I Timothy 2:3-6 p. 19
61 The Bible Claims “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” II Peter 2:9 p. 19
62 The Bible Claims “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” I John 2:2 p. 19
63 The Bible Claims “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only So, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 p. 19
64 Saving grace is motivational and effective, not irresistiblep. 20
65 The Bible Claims “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us… Titus 3:3-7 p. 20
66 The Bible Claims “…in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7 p. 20
67 “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin?’”The Bible Claims “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin?’” Proverbs 20:9 p. 20
68 The Bible Claims “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 p. 20
69 “We love because he first loved us.”The Bible Claims “We love because he first loved us.” I John 4:19 p. 20
70 “Therefore, this inward calling is an infallible pledge of salvation.”Calvinism claims “Therefore, this inward calling is an infallible pledge of salvation.” Institutes p. 21
71 “When He wills to save, the free will of no man can resist Him.”Calvinism claims “When He wills to save, the free will of no man can resist Him.” Concerning Eternal Predestination p. 21
72 “Do not quench the Spirit.”The Bible Claims “Do not quench the Spirit.” I Thessalonians 5:19 p. 22
73 The Bible Claims “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit.” Acts 7:51 p. 22
74 The Bible Claims “And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.” Acts 13:43 p. 22
75 The Bible Claims “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” II Corinthians 6:1 p. 22
76 In your outline, check out the following discussions: God getting what He wants God not coercing anyone p
77 Saving grace is empowering, not inescapable
78 The Bible Claims “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 p. 23
79 The Bible Claims “In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. Romans 4:18-21 p. 24
80 The Bible Claims “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that god was able to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:18-21 p. 24
81 Calvinism does not claimOnce you are saved, it doesn’t matter how you live Christians go to heaven no matter how they live Christians don’t have to obey God’s law p
82 Calvinism claims “The same thought I also apply [in the Institutes] to perseverance: as the beginning, so also the completion of good works depends on God alone. And [I say], lest man fail, he is strengthened in such a way by the power of God that the course of pure, undeserved grace continues right up to the end… Bondage and Liberation p. 28
83 Calvinism claims “…of his life. Nor does man of himself cooperate with God so that some contribution of his own is added in, but [man cooperates] only in accordance with the measure which he has received, so that he acts only to the extent that he is acted upon.“ Bondage and Liberation p. 28
84 Calvinism claims “The simplest, shortest description of the perseverance of the saints is: Once Saved, always saved. It is one of the grandest thoughts in the Bible: Once you believe, you can never be lost, you can never go to hell. Christ will always be your Savior. It is possible to get your eternal destiny settled once for… Palmer p. 28
85 Calvinism claims “…all so that you never have to worry about it…The term perseverance of the saints emphasizes that Christians—saints, as Paul calls them in his letters—will persevere in trusting Christ as their Savior. They will not turn on and then turn off, but they will continue believing forever. Thus they will always be… Palmer p. 28
86 Calvinism claims “…saved…It is possible, however, to use another term to describe this fact, namely the perseverance of God. It is because God perseveres in His love toward His church that the church perseveres in its love toward Him.” Palmer p. 28
87 The Bible Claims “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” Galatians 5:4 p. 28
88 The Bible Claims “For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.” II Peter 2:20-22 p. 28
89 The Bible Claims “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance…” Hebrews 6:4-6 p. 29
90 In your outline, check out the following discussions: If it can be taken back, it isn’t a gift If we can die again, it isn’t eternal life p
91 DANGERS POSED BY CALVINISM p. 30
92 DANGERS Over Reaction p. 30
93 DANGERS Misrepresentation p. 31
94 Calvinism does not claimA moment of faith or a prayer saves us Christians can pursue sin and abandon God’s law Christians don’t have to obey God’s law It is useless to preach the gospel Christians are led by an inner prompting of the Spirit Baptism is unnecessary p. 32
95 Calvinism claims “If we look at the administration of human affairs with the eye of sense, we will have no doubt that, so far, they are placed at man’s disposal; but if we lend an ear to the many passages of Scripture which proclaim that in these matters the minds of men are ruled by God, they will compel us to place human choice in subordination to his special influence.” Institutes p. 32
96 Saying what is wrong about God even though we have proper motivesDANGERS Saying what is wrong about God even though we have proper motives p. 32
97 The Bible Claims “After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: ‘My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.’” Job 42:7 p. 33
98 DANGERS Despair p. 33
99 Calvinism claims “How do you know if you are among the elect?“There is only one way to know this, and it is not by trying to peer into the eternal counsels of God, stripping the cover from the book of his divine foreknowledge and predestination. The only way you will ever know if you are among the elect is if you… Boice p. 33
100 Calvinism claims “…respond to the gospel. The Bible says, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved’ (Acts 16:31). When you believe in Christ, you can know that God has set his electing love upon you and that, having loved you, he will continue to love you and keep you to the end.” Boice p. 34
101 Calvinism claims “In fact, the final perseverance of believers is the only ultimate proof that we have been chosen by God and truly have been born again.” Boice p. 34
102 Calvinism claims “Therefore, while we all labour [sic] naturally under the same disease, those only recover health to whom the Lord is pleased to put forth his healing hand. The others whom, in just judgment, he passes over, pine and rot away till they are consumed. And this is the only reason why some persevere to the end, and others, after beginning their course, fall away. Institutes p. 35
103 Calvinism claims “Perseverance is the gift of God, which he does not lavish promiscuously on all, but imparts to whom he pleases. If it is asked how the difference arises—why some steadily persevere, and others prove deficient in steadfastness—we can give no other reason than that the Lord, by his mighty power, strengthens and… Institutes p. 35
104 Calvinism claims “…sustains the former, so that they perish not, while he does not furnish the same assistance to the latter, but leaves them to be monuments of instability.” Institutes p. 35
105 DANGERS Limiting God’s Glory p. 36
106 Deny Baptism for the Remission of SinsDANGERS Deny Baptism for the Remission of Sins p. 37
107 Calvin* claims “Hence those who have thought that baptism is nothing else than the badge and mark by which we profess our religion before men, in the same way as soldiers attest their profession by bearing the insignia of their commander, having not attended to what was the principal thing in baptism; and this is,… Institutes p. 40
108 Calvin* claims “… that we are to receive it in connection with the promise, ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.’” Institutes p. 40
109 Calvin* claims “I know it is a common belief that forgiveness, which at our first regeneration we receive by baptism alone, is after baptism procured by means of penitence…” Institutes p. 40
110 “For by grace you have been saved through faith“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” EPHESIANS 2:8-9
111 saved by GRACE