SEMESTER 4
159 – Terminology – Part 5 (Cont.)
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: THEOLOGY IV LESSON # 59
WORDS AND TERMS DESCRIBING THE SAVING ACTIVITIES OF GOD
COVENANT THEOLOGY:
The Catholic and later the Protestant “Reformed” doctrine which follows. The “Church of the New Testament” like the “Church of the Old Testament” is formed on the basis of the same covenant, namely the covenant God made with Abraham. (Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge Page 549.) Therefore, they conclude that the children of believers have the right to baptism by which they are actually regenerated. (Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge Pages 546 & 547) This notion is essentially held by all infant baptizers.
JUSTIFICATION:
That aspect of salvation which deals with judicial righteousness or vindication. It is never self-acquired, but always given as the result of Christ’s substitutionary work. (Rom. 5:9
) It is realized by faith. (Rom. 5:1) It is demonstrated by works. (James 2:22-24)
SANCTIFICATION:
The state of being sanctified or holy. Scripturally this state of the believer is to be seen in two different aspects or senses:
1.Positional Sanctification: That is the position of holiness, innocence and perfection, which we have in the sight of God, through the imputed righteousness of Christ.
2.Practical Sanctification: The realized and progressive growth in grace, which we have in the sight of ourself and others, as a result of the imparted righteousness of Christ.
PERFECTIONISM:
The doctrine or belief that, through diligent effort and the gracious help of the Holy Spirit, a Christian may, in this lifetime, attain to sinless perfection. That is to say he may at some point experience total victory over sin, or even eradication of the flesh. They do not claim that the believer, having reached such a state, is at all assured of maintaining it. The orthodox view of this matter is that, without exception, we remain throughout this life, not only having been guilty of sin, but that we have sin clinging to us.
SALVATION:
Deliverance. The word properly carries with it the general and composite effect of all its various aspects, such as redemption, reconciliation, regeneration, calling, preservation, perseverance, and glorification. The word in its general sense should not be confused as being inherently synonymous with any of the words describing particular details thereof.
ADOPTION:
In biblical terminology it means to be placed as an adult son. We presently enjoy this position by faith through the Spirit of God within us. (Rom. 8:15) We shall enjoy it in a fuller sense at the redemption of the body. (Rom. 8:22-23)
APOSTASY:
This term deals with falling away or back from a previously held position of truth (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Some men relegate this term only to the false doctrine of falling from grace, but it must not be so limited.
PRESERVATION:
The work of God in which He, by grace, controls and guides all circumstances around and within His elect, which results in them unquestionably and without exception being delivered unblamable into His everlasting kingdom. This work is totally of God, is always perfect, and never enhanced by human cooperation.
PERSEVERANCE:
The responsibility and activity of the believer in which he continues in the basic direction of righteousness in spite of adversity. It is only made possible, and is always effected, by divine preservation, and yet is the believer’s responsibility. It is, therefore, never perfectly exercised but will always, in some measure, be present in the true believer’s life.
GLORIFICATION:
The work of God in which the believer has the old nature eradicated, and is finally conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This, though minutely realized as we grow in grace, will not be, in a major sense, realized until this mortal has put on immortality, and we are given a body like unto His glorious body.