1. The Definition of Salvation.  The term "salvation" is defined as a complete deliverance from an impending or present harm.  In the context of the Bible the "harm" from which all men need deliverance is sin and it’s consequence.  Therefore, the doctrine of Salvation is defined as that line of theology, which addresses the Bible's teaching concerning salvation from sin. 

2. The Need of Salvation.   All mankind is in a state of rebellion against God (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23).  We have broken His law bringing upon ourselves the judicial consequence of death (Romans 6:23; Genesis 2:17).  Born in a state of spiritual death all men will eventually experience physical death (Hebrews 9:27).  The final result of this "death sentence" will be eternal suffering and torment in hell (Revelation 20:15).  No amount of good deeds can erase our death sentence (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:20).  All unsaved men are thoroughly bent towards sin and dead concerning relationship to God (Ephesians 2:1). 

3. The Provision of Salvation.  God, out of His own good pleasure, has provided a salvation for lost mankind (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4,6; 4:10; 1 John 2:2; 2 Peter 2:1; 3:9; Hebrews 2:9).   Through the incarnation Jesus Christ partook of humanity for the purpose of dying in humanities place (as our substitute) (1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 2:14).  Jesus Christ took upon Himself the sins of all mankind in death and rose again after three days breaking deaths power (Romans 6:9). 

4. The Application of Salvation.  God's salvation, although sufficient to save all mankind (1 John 2:2; Hebrews 2:9), is only applied to those who place their faith in Christ (Romans 5:1; John 1:12; 3:16,18,36; 11:25,26; 20:31; Acts 16:31). 

Specifically to place faith in Christ is to solely rely on Christ's death and resurrection as the only way to receive a pardon from God.   Of course, the implication of such a decision is that it is preceded by repentance.  Repentance involves one understanding his lost condition and the grave consequence of sin resulting in his turning to Christ for salvation. 

Salvation is received the moment faith is placed in Christ and cannot be lost or taken away (Romans 10:13; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Romans 8:38,39).  At the moment faith is placed in Christ all sins (past, present and future) are completely propitiated.  Concerning the believer there remains no sin left unpaid, which would endanger his security (Hebrews 10:14). 

Salvation is not received by the works or merits of men.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith Not of works lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).  Salvation has been provided by the grace of God and such salvation is received through faith in Christ.   Faith is the avenue through which God applies the merits of Christ to the sinner.  Faith is shown to be without merit in Romans 4:2-6.  Dr. Griffith Thomas writes: "There is no credit or merit in the act of believing, for trust in another is absolutely incompatible with self-righteousness and dependence on our own powers (Cited by Samuel Fisk, Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom, p.26). 

5. Election.   To elect is "to pick or chose from a number."  Believers have been elected to salvation by God (1 Peter 1:2). 

6. Predestination. God has predetermined that those who trust Christ will: 

a) Be placed as adult sons (Ephesians 1:5). 

b) Be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). 

c) Receive an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11).

a) Eternal life is given to the believer (John 5:24). 

b) All saved people make up a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5).  As believer-priests we have direct access to God.  There are no "class distinctions" amongst believers, for all have an equal standing. 

c) Placed in Christ.  At the very instant an individual "believes" he is placed "in Christ" (Ephesians 2:12,13). This term insures our security and acceptance before God who, after placing believers in Christ, will never allow them to receive condemnation (Romans 8:1). 

We have been "chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world' (Ephesians 1:4).  God has determined beforehand that He will chose for salvation those who are "in Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). God's decision - to choose those for salvation who place their trust in Christ - was made in eternity and based upon His own good pleasure. 

d) Adoption.  God has predetermined that those who trust Christ as Savior will be placed as adult sons, with all the rights and privileges of a home born son, through adoption (Romans 8:15). 

e) Made heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). 

f) God makes the believer a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).  The Believer has a changed life, which includes power over sin (through the Holy Spirit) and a relationship with God. 

g) Sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22).  This occurs the instant faith is placed in Christ.  "The Spirit as a seal shows ownership, a completed transaction, authentication, and authority" (Unpublished class notes, Dr. David Doherty Th.D. New Brunswick Bible Institute). 

h) Glorification.   This refers to the ultimate state of believers when they will be delivered from the presence of sin (1 John 3:2) and reunited with their resurrected bodies (1 Corinthians 15:53).  Our future glorification is certain and is spoken of in the present tense in Romans 8:30. 

i) Justification. This is the act of God where He declares the believing sinner righteous in Christ, on the basis of Christ's work of salvation (Romans 5:1).  "The believer is constituted righteous by virtue of his position in Christ, but he is justified by a declaratory decree of God.  Righteousness imputed is the abiding fact, and justification is the divine recognition of that fact." (Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, p. 246, cit. Ibid.). 

j) Sanctification. This word means to be "set apart".  In the context of salvation it is described as that gracious operation of the Holy Spirit, by which he delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God, and enables him to perform good works (L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology, p. 532).   At the moment of salvation believers are sanctified in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2; Hebrews 10:10).  Believers are also daily sanctified by God's working in their lives (Philippians 1:6).   Our sanctification will be brought to completion at the time of the glorification of our bodies (1 John 3:2). 

k) Reconciliation. Through Christ, believers have been made right with God (Romans 5:11). 

l) Regeneration.  This term describes the new birth of the believer.  At the moment of salvation God gives the believer a new birth, placing him into the family of God (James 1:18). 

m) Propitiation. To propitiate is to satisfy the requirements of a violated law.   Christ, through His work on the cross, completely satisfied the judicial consequence of sin (1 John 2:2). The fact of propitiation allows God to righteously accept individuals who respond to the Gospel (Romans 3:25).  Propitiation has made it possible for an individual to have a good standing in relation to the law of God.