Doctrinal Themes of Salvation

Salvation has many terms associated with it. This video aims to help you understand the main ones.

In Christianity, various denominations and theological traditions may emphasize different aspects of salvation, but there are several key doctrines that are generally accepted across the majority of Christian traditions. Here are some of the major doctrines of salvation in the Christian faith:

Sin and Separation from God:
Christian doctrine teaches that all humans are born with a sinful nature inherited from the first humans, Adam and Eve. Sin is viewed as rebellion against God and results in separation from Him.

Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned."

Atonement:
Atonement refers to the reconciliation of humans with God through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Different Christian traditions interpret the atonement in various ways, such as substitutionary atonement, moral influence, Christus Victor, and others.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

Grace:
Christians believe that salvation is a gift of God's grace. It is not something that can be earned through human efforts or good works. Grace is seen as God's unmerited favor towards sinful humanity.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

Faith:
Faith is a central element in Christian salvation. Christians believe that salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This faith involves trust in God's promises and acceptance of Jesus' work on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.

Romans 10:17 "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."

Repentance:
Repentance involves a sincere changing of the mind from disbelief to belief. It is a necessary response to God's grace and an integral part of the process of salvation.

John 20:27-29 "Then he [Jesus] said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.' Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!' Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"

Regeneration and Renewal:
Regeneration refers to the spiritual rebirth of an individual by the Holy Spirit. Christians believe that through regeneration, believers are made new creatures in Christ and receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for spiritual growth and transformation.

Ephesians 4:22-24 "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Justification:
Justification is the legal or forensic declaration of righteousness by God. Christians believe that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are justified before God, and their sins are forgiven. This is often associated with the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the believer.

Romans 3:23-24 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Galatians 2:16 "know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified."

Adoption:
Adoption into God's family is a concept that emphasizes the believer's new relationship with God. Christians believe that through faith in Christ, believers become adopted children of God, with the privileges that come with this familial relationship.

John 1:12 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—"

Ephesians 1:5-6 "he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

Thanks!