SEMESTER 1
201 – Introduction to Soteriology
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY I LESSON # 1
INTRODUCTION TO SOTERIOLOGY
I. WHAT IS SOTERIOLOGY?
1. Greek Soterios – which means health.
2. -ology – Science of, or a treatise on health.
3. In theology, it is the doctrines of salvation.
II. WHY STUDY SOTERIOLOGY?
1. God reveals man to be terribly unhealthy spiritually.
i. Lost (Luk 19:10
)
ii. Dead (Eph 2:1)
iii. Alienated (Eph 4:18)
iv. Condemned (Joh 3:18-19)
2. The Bible reveals that God purposes to save. (Mat 1:21)
3. God saves through preaching and believing. (Mar 16:15)
4. Correct understanding is necessary for both. (Mar 16:16, 2Th 2:12)
III. HOW CAN WE STUDY SOTERIOLOGY?
1. Man must not diagnose his own state of health. (Rev 3:17)
i. Man cannot see the source of his symptoms (the heart).
ii. Man cannot project by reason the outcome (it is invisible).
iii. Man cannot prescribe a remedy that will help.
2. Only God knows the result and remedy for sin. (Rom 7:7-13)
i. Only from God can man learn sin’s cause, (the heart).
ii. Only from God can he learn its penalty, (hell).
iii. Only from God can we learn its cure, (Christ). (Heb 10:10)
3. God has revealed Soteriology in Scripture.
i. He tells us of man’s state. (Eph 2:1-3)
ii. He tells us of His purpose to save. (Eph 2:4-7)
iii. He tells us of His redemption. (Eph 2:13-16)
iv. He tells us of His methods and power in calling. (Eph 2:16-19)
v. He tells us of His purpose and power in keeping. (Rom. 8:29-30)
IV. HOW MUST WE APPROACH THIS STUDY?
1. As in subjection to a Sovereign God.
2. As subjects of the issue at hand.
3. Humbly knowing we know nothing alone.
4. Seriously, knowing men’s souls are at stake.
5. Responsibly, knowing we must teach what we learn.
CONCLUSION
1. It is no small or simple study for lazy minds.
2. Second only to knowing God, it is the most important subject to study.