FOUR HOME TRUTHS – Part 1 | The Bible and Salvation
I - THE BIBLE
“The Bible is a book of faith, a book of doctrine, and a book of morals, and a book of religion, of especial revelation from God.”—Daniel Webster
The BIBLE is a unique book (Ps. 119:129):
1. Because of its AUTHORSHIP (2 Pet. 1:21).
It has 40 writers some of whom were scholars (Paul), leaders (Moses), Prime Ministers (Daniel), priests (Ezekiel), fishermen (Peter), all whom claim their message came from God.
2. Because of its DIVINITY (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
The Scriptures are not the result of dictation, with the lips of God on one end and the ear of the writer on the other. The written authoritative revelation was ”expressed in the language of men.”—Ellen G. White (The Great Controversy, vi)
3. Because of its UNITY and ARRANGEMENT (Luke 24:44).
The Old Testament and New Testament are divided:
• LAW: Genesis to Deuteronomy.
• GOSPELS: Matthew to John.
• HISTORY: Joshua to Job.
• HISTORY: Acts of the Apostles.
• WISDOM: Psalms to Ecclesiastes.
• THEOLOGY AND ETHICS: Romans to Jude.
• PROPHETS: Isaiah to Malachi.
• PROPHECY: Revelation.
“The New Testament is the Old Testament concealed; The Old Testament is the New Testament revealed.”
4. Because of its POWER (Heb. 4:12; Luke 8:11).
• It contains dynamic creative activity. As in the “old” creation (Ps. 33:9; 2 Pet. 3:5). As in the “new” creation (1 Cor. 5:19; 1 Pet. 1:23).
• It saves those who believe (1 Cor. 1:21; 2 Thess. 2:13). By it miracles are wrought (Mt. 8:3, 8, 16, 26, 32; 9:6).
5. Because of its BENEFITS (Ps. 119:105).
• It offers protection (Ps. 119:11).
• It makes one wise (Ps. 119:99, 130).
• It sustains (Luke 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:14).
• It makes one strong in the battle with sin (Eph. 6:12-17).
6. Because of its THEME (John 5:39).
“The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ” (The Great Controversy, 250).
• O.T.: Forecast His life and work:
Birth (Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:2);
Atonement (Isa. 53:5-12);
Death (Ps. 22:16-18);
Resurrection (Ps. 16:10; Isa. 53:10);
Chronology (Dan. 9:27).
• N.T.: The GOSPELS record His life and teachings.
The ACTS testify to the power of His preaching.
The EPISTLES apply and interpret His teaching.
The BOOK OF REVELATION envisages His triumph.
7. Because of its INDESTRUCTIBILITY (Isa. 40:8; 1 Pet. 1:23; Luke 16:17).
“Seize its principles and abide in them; Study its prophecies and wait for them. Learn its promises and lean on them; Ponder its principles and obey them.”—Anonymous
II - SALVATION
“The hands of Christ seem very frail, For they were broken by a nail. But only they reach Heaven at last. Whom these frail, broken hands hold fast.”—John R. Moreland
1. Three Realities of Life that Necessitate Salvation:
(1) The reality of sin (Rom. 6:23 cf. 1 Jn. 1:8).
(2) The reality that man cannot save himself (Job 14:4; Mt. 16:25, 26).
(3) The inescapability of eternal death without intervention (Eze. 18:4, 20).
2. Five Principles of Salvation:
(1) The Cross is central: if no penalty is paid there is no salvation. (Isa. 53:5, 6; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Jn. 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:6, 8).
(2) The Cross makes forgiveness possible. (Jn. 3:17, 18; Rom. 4:5; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:1, 2 cf., Ps. 32:1, 2). Note 3 terms: (1) Justification; (2) imputation of righteousness; (3) forgiveness (means a “cancellation of an obligation”).
(3) The Cross makes it possible for Christ’s righteousness to count for us. (Rom. 4:3, 22-25; Gal 3:1-14; 1 Cor. 1:30).
(4) The Cross makes Christ’s righteousness available through the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:1-5; 8:9, 10; 1 Cor. 1:4, 5; 2 Cor. 8:1, 2; Gal. 2:9; 2 Tim. 2:1).
(5) The Cross of Christ gives power to obey the law. (Rom. 8:3, 4; 5:17).
So, what must be done to secure salvation? (Acts 16:30).
3. Four steps to Salvation:
(1) Belief (Acts 16:31; cf. Mk. 16:16).
“He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.” —Thomas Fuller
(2) Confession (1 Jn. 4:7). “The recognition of sin is the beginning of salvation.”—M. Luther
(3) Repentance (Ps. 38:18; Acts 20:21; 2 Cor. 7:10; Luke 13:3). “To do it no more is true repentance.”—M. Luther
(4) Obedience (Heb. 5:9; Jn. 14:13). “Obedience to God is the most infallible evidence of sincere and supreme love to Him.”—Nathanael Emmons
4. The two blessings of Salvation:
(1) The assurance of peace (Ps. 119:165; Rom. 5:1; 1 Cor. 7:15; 2 Tim. 2:22).
“I could not live in peace if I put the shadow of one sin between myself and God.”—G. Eliot
(2) The promise of a life that measures with the life of God (Jn. 3:16; 6:47).
“O saving Victim, opening wide. The gate of heaven to man below. Our foes press hard on every side. Thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.”—Thomas Aquinas
Rex D. Edwards is a former vice president for religious studies, Griggs University.
