Discipleship Training
The New Birth
Lesson #13
“Four Aspects of Salvation”
I Cos. 6:11
Our concluding lesson for this series will center on the four major aspects of salvation: justification, regeneration, adoption and sanctification.
Justification:
This is the act by which God declares the sinner to be righteous. The sinner does not actually become righteous within himself, but God counts him as such, without regarding his past sins.
What does justification consist of?
(1) God forgives the sinner, removing the guilt and penalty associated with his sins, Rom. 4:6-8; 8:1
(2) God transfers the righteousness of Christ to the sinner, so that he can partake of everything Christ is entitled to, Rom. 3:22; 4:3-5; II Cor. 5:20-21
Regeneration:
This is defined as the new birth. The regenerated person receives a new, holy nature that has power over the old, sinful nature.
What does regeneration consist of?
(1) The destruction of the power of the old nature, II Cor. 5:17.
(2) Imparting a new nature, Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10; II Pet. 1:4
This new nature brings a change of desires and attitudes, Eph. 4:23-32, and power to live a new life, Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:4
Adoption:
This is the act of choosing and placing a child if signifies that we become God’s adult sons and heirs by His choice, Rom. 8:14-17
Adoption originates in God’s grace and choice Eph. 1:4-5 comes through faith, Gal. 3:26. It occurs instantaneously at the new birth
Sanctification:
Literally meaning separation, it is basically, equivalent to holiness. It is in essence the process of becoming righteous.
The initial act of sanctification comes at the time of repentance, water baptism, and Spirit baptism, I Cor. 6:11. The continuing work comes by the operation of the in-dwelling Spirit, II Thess. 2:13; I Pet. 1:2.
Notes:
