Our Statement III leaves humankind without hope. Humanity is “unable to save himself.” Statement IV is the declaration of the Gospel (Good News). What humanity couldn’t do for itself God has done.
Salvation is usually seen as being saved from something. We think of being saved from sin, death, and hell. Salvation is also for something; more exactly, for someone, namely God. We are saved so that we can truly reflect the image of God, serve Him, and be in union with Him forever.
Regeneration conveys the thought of new birth (John 3:3) and new life (Ephesians 2:1, 5). God has already begun the work of new heavens and new earth by making us a “new creation in Christ” (II Corinthians 5:17).
Sanctification and holiness represent two English word-groups that translate a single Greek word-group. These words were used of the temple and sacred objects, for example. These things were holy and sanctified because they belonged to God.
Our holiness, our sanctification, has been provided by Jesus Christ.
We have become the holy people of God, cleansed and claimed through the cross.
Justification is related to the word “righteousness.” Both English word-groups are used to translate a single word-group in Greek. Justification is a legal term which declares a person is right or innocent in the eyes of the court.
For some theologians, justification simply means that God has forgiven our sins and thus we are right in God’s eyes. For others, the emphasis is that the righteousness of Jesus (his “right-ness” in God’s eyes) has been imputed or granted graciously to us (Philippians 3:9). Redemption describes the freeing of slaves. Those in bondage (to sin, to death, to evil powers) have been freed. The money paid for slaves was called the ransom. Jesus said he came to give his life as a ransom (Mark 10:45).
Statement IV recognizes that the whole ministry of Jesus was involved in bringing us salvation.
His life (as fully human but without sins [Hebrews 4:14] and fully divine [John 1:1]) allowed all that he did, especially his preaching, teaching, and miracle working, to be an invitation to fellowship with God (Luke 15:2) and to be a revelation of God’s true nature (John 1:18).
The death on the cross is the center of the redemptive work. He gives his all, sheds his blood, concludes his revelation of God’s love and justice, and dies as the Righteous One and Son of God (Acts 3:14; Matthew 27:54).
The resurrection announced God’s approval and acceptance of the work of Jesus. Physical death is transcended and our hope for the same is secured.
The ascension (Acts 1:9) explains his physical absence from us but also contains the promise of his return. Salvation will be completed at his return when death is defeated and we are raised (1 Corinthians 15).
The intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25) means Jesus knows our situation and responds. His intercession is our strength in temptation and help in the night. We are not alone. He is truly God with us (Matthew 1:23; 28:20).
The Apostles bore witness: There is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). No one did what Jesus did; no one provides what he offers.
Dr. Douglas Low, Professor of New Testament, Chapman Seminary and OCU