Discussion Assignment Instructions
Compose two replies of around 3 – 4 sentences apiece for each student, which also must contain one citation each for each reply. The student must only cite the course textbooks.
Student 1 Sara
Son of God
Returning to the creation of man that is described in Genesis 1, Moody reminds us that we were made in the Image of God. Of course, this perfect image was destroyed when Genesis 3 explains mankind’s first sin.[1] Seeking to rectify the separation of His relationship with humanity, Scripture declares, “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).[2] The author of Colossians then says, “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, [Jesus] made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (2:13–14).[3] This one verse identifies that Jesus died for the sins of all human beings. Or, as Moody explains, the sins causing our separation from God were “nailed to His cross.”[4] First John 5:12-13 recognizes the necessity of the Son’s work for being awarded eternal life: “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”
Spirit of God
If it weren’t for the unified work of the Son and Spirit, salvation would not be possible. Being saved is impossible by knowing all the facts. So, the Spirit will convict individuals of their wrongdoings and provide the required faith to believe in Jesus’ forgiveness. Once accepting Christ, believers are comforted by the Spirit’s abiding presence and depend upon its direction in ministering salvation to the unsaved.[5]
Assurance of Salvation
Moody acknowledges five criteria guaranteeing salvation. As stated previously, one requirement is a personal relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Considering the new nature and heart for Christ, saved individuals should strive to live a life that honors God over seeking to worldly securities. Also, godly actions should be practiced following salvation. This person will also be experiencing a process of spiritual maturity. No developing Christian can live in our sinful world without training to be more like Christ. Lastly, the existence of the Holy Spirit within a believer’s life provides assurance that the individual has been saved. “But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9).[6]
Evidence of Salvation
Moody again emphasizes five qualities providing evidence of salvation. The first is when God’s presence in so great in a believer’s life that an outside observer will also recognize that their vocation is centered on Christ. Next, the believer should naturally exhibit godly behaviors in response to their thoughts being so consumed with God’s Word. Third, a true Christian is evident after defeating the challenges and confidently sharing the gospel of Christ with others. Moody refers to 1 John 4:16 when discussing the fourth characteristic: “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” In layman’s terms, the saved person should not be living in continual sins but seeking to live a righteous and holy life. The final specified feature to identify someone’s evidence of salvation is tenderness. In keeping with Jesus’ commands, this is a required attribute for Christ-followers: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).[7]
Security of Salvation
Based on my developing theological knowledge, I argue that our salvation is secure because it completely belongs to the Lord. Salvation began with Jesus’ birth, atoning death, and victorious resurrection. His Word confirms that our salvation will be completed when Jesus returns: “So Christ … will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him” (Heb. 9:28). This ultimately defines the past, present, and future life of God’s children. I’m not a biblical commentator, but I interpret that Paul included God calling lost individuals to redemption and then promising to raise their bodies (figuratively) into His glory after death in his Roman epistle: “And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified” (Rom. 8:30, ESV).
[1] Christopher Moody, Disciple-Making Disciples: A Practical Theology of the church (Franklin, TN, Carpenter’s Son, 2021), 91.
[2] Ibid., 107.
[3] Ibid., 196.
[4] Ibid., 197.
[5] Ibid., 171.
[6] Ibid., 87-97.
[7] Ibid., 100-13.
Student 2 Amba
Discussion Thread: From Christology to Pneumatology.
“Salvation consists of three steps: effectual calling, conversion, and regeneration. Through the Holy Spirit, God calls the unbeliever to salvation. The human response to that call involves turning from sin to faith in Christ. Faith also includes belief. God responds by regenerating the person to new life in Christ. We can only stand in awe of God’s work of saving us and regenerating us as spiritual beings.” (Millard J. Erickson).
What role does each of them have?
“God chooses some persons to be saved and that their conversion results from that decision on God’s part. Because all humans are lost in sin, spiritually blind, and unable to believe, however, some action by God must intervene between His eternal decision and the conversion of the individual within time. This activity of God is termed special or effectual calling.”
“Scripture speaks of a general calling to salvation, an invitation extended to all persons. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). There is a universal dimension to Isaiah’s “Turn to me and be saved, all you end of the earth” (Isa. 45:22). This passage combines an emphasis on the exclusiveness of God and the universality of His offer. Further, when Jesus said, “For many are invited, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14), He was probably referring to God’s universal invitation. But note the distinction here between calling and choosing. Those who are chosen are the objects of God’s special or effectual calling.”
“George Ladd remarks that the first work of the Spirit is to enable men to understand the divine work of redemption. The cross was an event whose meaning was folly to Greeks and an offense to Jews. But to those enlightened by the Spirit, it is the wisdom of God. In other words, Paul recognizes a hidden meaning in the historical event of the death of Christ (“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,” 2 Cor. 5:19) that is not evident to the human eye, but which can be accepted only by a supernatural illumination. The Spirit does not reveal heavenly realities but the true meaning of an historical event. He does not impart some kind of “gnostic” esoteric truth but the real meaning of an event in history. Only by the illumination of the Spirit can men understand the meaning of the cross; only by the Spirit can men therefore confess that Jesus who was executed is also the Lord (1 Cor. 12:3).”
Make clear the distinction (difference) between the assurance of salvation, the evidence of salvation, and security of salvation by contrasting the 3 terms.
“The first step of the Christian life is called conversion; it is the act of turning from one’s sin in repentance and turning to Christ in faith.”
The negative aspect of conversion is the abandonment or repudiation of sin. This is what we mean by repentance. It is based on a feeling of godly sorrow for our sin. Repentance is godly sorrow for one’s sin together with a resolution to turn from it. As repentance is the negative aspect of conversion, turning from one’s sin, so faith is the positive aspect, laying hold of the promises and the work of Christ. Faith is at the very heart of the gospel, for it is the vehicle by which we are enabled to receive the grace of God.”
Although we have depicted conversion as a human response to divine initiative, even repentance and faith are gifts from God. Jesus made very clear that conviction, which repentance presupposes, is the work of the Holy Spirit: “When (the Spirit) comes, He will convict the world of guilt regarding sin and righteousness and judgment.
Jesus also said, “No one can come to me, for example, exercise faith unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44). This work of the Father is effective: “All those the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me, I will never drive away. Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to me” (John 6:37, 45).
“There are three essential elements among the objective aspects of salvation: Union with Christ, justification, and adoption. Union with Christ is a generally inclusive term for all of salvation. It is also specific, referring to an intimate relationship with Christ, akin to the marriage relationship between husband and wife. In justification God imputes the righteousness of Christ to the believer, which cancels God’s judgment on the believer.”
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.
