SEMESTER 4
363 – The Articles of Faith Concerning the Freeness of Salvation
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY IV LESSON # 63
CHURCH COVENANT AND ARTICLES OF FAITH – ARTICLE OF FAITH CONCERNING THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
Read: I Peter 1:1-8
and II Thes. 2:13
INTRODUCTION:
1. Absolute grace and human responsibility SEEM mutually exclusive to the natural mind.
2. But human reasoning must never dictate Christian beliefs.
3. This article addresses a very sensitive doctrinal issue.
4. What says God on election, the Gospel and man’s responsibility?
II. NOT THAT SALVATION IS IDENTICALLY TO ALL MEN
1. That in electing grace the gospel is sent to all elect. (Rom 8:29-30)
2. That the offer of salvation is real to all who hear it. (Rev 22:17)
III. THIS FREENESS CARRIES HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY
1. A common modern error is the right to reject.
III: By Herb Evans and “I would fight for your right to reject, etc.
2. It is every man’s immediate duty to accept by a certain kind of faith. 1. Cordial. 2. penitent 3. obedient
IV. ELECTING GRACE OR LACK OF IT PREVENTS NO ONE
1. Common argument is, “If election is true others cannot come.”
2. While this may be true, should we not ask why they cannot come? (Joh 6:37 and 44)
3. No one goes to hell because of election or lack of it.
4. Paul describes and rebukes their condition, (Rom 9:18-20)
5. All “not elected” are willing and determined rejecters. (Joh 3:19)
6. Damnation is not in the darkness, but in the love of it.
7. It is really more hatred of light than love of darkness.
V. THE ACT AND RESPONSIBILITY OF REJECTION IS IN AND UPON ALL
1. They need not hear the gospel to be guilty. (Rom 1:18-21)
2. Hearing does not initiate, but expands responsibility.
3. All who are blinded to the light are willingly so.
4. Isaiah said, God blinded. Christ said, they closed their eyes.
VI. REJECTERS ARE IN AGGRAVATED CONDEMNATION
1. Rejecters reject only because of their hatred for God.
2. This is according to their nature, but is not an excuse.
3. They contribute to their own darkness. (2Th 2:10-12)
4. Many of these really want, and have wanted God’s kingdom.
5. But they reject the king, and always to their condemnation.