Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation

 

Workbook for deeper reflection, with additional space for journaling —        PDF        DOCX

 

Soteriology is the doctrine of salvation—how God saves sinners, why salvation is necessary, and what Christ has accomplished on behalf of His people. This study is designed to be completed in one focused sitting while engaging deeply with the teaching of Scripture.

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1. Why Salvation Is Necessary

Scripture teaches that all people are born into sin and are spiritually dead apart from Christ (Romans 3:10–23; Ephesians 2:1–3). Sin is not merely behavior but a condition of rebellion against God. Because God is holy and just, sin separates humanity from Him and brings judgment.

Salvation is necessary because humanity cannot restore itself. No moral effort, religious practice, or personal reform can remove guilt before a holy God. Salvation must come from outside ourselves.

Key Scriptures: Romans 3:10–23; Ephesians 2:1–3

Reflection Questions:
• Why does Scripture describe sin as spiritual death rather than merely wrongdoing?
• How does understanding humanity’s inability affect your understanding of grace?

2. God’s Initiative in Salvation

Salvation begins with God. Scripture consistently teaches that God seeks sinners before they seek Him (Romans 5:8). Fallen humanity does not naturally pursue God, but God graciously draws people to Himself (John 6:44).

This demonstrates that salvation is not a cooperative effort where God and man meet halfway, but a gracious act of divine mercy from beginning to end.

Key Scriptures: John 6:44; Romans 5:8

Reflection Questions:
• Why is it important that salvation begins with God rather than human decision?
• How does God’s initiative cultivate humility and gratitude?

3. The Work of Christ

Jesus Christ accomplished salvation through His perfect life, substitutionary death, and bodily resurrection. He fulfilled the Law, bore the penalty for sin, and conquered death on behalf of His people.

Christ’s death satisfied God’s justice and secured redemption. Nothing remains to be added to His work—it is complete and sufficient.

Key Scriptures: Isaiah 53; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:10–14

Reflection Questions:
• Why must Christ be both fully God and fully man to accomplish salvation?
• How does the sufficiency of Christ’s work protect the gospel from distortion?

4. Salvation by Grace Through Faith

Salvation is entirely by grace, received through faith alone. Grace is unearned favor—God saving sinners not because of what they have done, but because of His mercy.

Faith is not a work that earns salvation but the means by which believers receive Christ and rest in His finished work.

Key Scriptures: Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5

Reflection Questions:
• How does grace differ from human effort or merit?
• Why is faith the appropriate response to God’s saving work?

5. Justification

Justification is God’s legal declaration that a sinner is righteous in Christ. This righteousness is imputed—credited to the believer—based on Christ’s obedience and sacrifice.

Because justification depends on Christ, believers can have peace with God and assurance of salvation.

Key Scriptures: Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Reflection Questions:
• How does justification provide assurance rather than uncertainty?
• Why is imputed righteousness essential to the gospel?

6. Regeneration and the New Birth

Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit in giving spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead. Jesus described this as being born again.

This new birth produces repentance, faith, and new desires, demonstrating that salvation transforms the heart.

Key Scriptures: John 3:3–8; Ezekiel 36:26–27

Reflection Questions:
• Why must regeneration precede true repentance and faith?
• How does new birth manifest itself in everyday life?

7. Sanctification

Sanctification is the ongoing process by which God conforms believers to the image of Christ. While justification is instantaneous, sanctification is progressive.

True salvation results in growth in holiness—not as a means of earning salvation, but as evidence of it.

Key Scriptures: Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:29

Reflection Questions:
• Why is spiritual growth evidence of genuine salvation?
• How should believers respond when sanctification feels slow or difficult?

8. Perseverance and Assurance

Those whom God saves are kept by His power. Salvation is secure because it rests on God’s faithfulness, not human performance.

Believers persevere because God preserves them.

Key Scriptures: John 10:27–29; Romans 8:38–39

Reflection Questions:
• How does God’s faithfulness provide assurance of salvation?
• What is the difference between perseverance and self-reliance?

9. Glorification

Glorification is the final stage of salvation, when believers are fully freed from sin and its effects. This will occur at Christ’s return when God restores all things.

Key Scriptures: Romans 8:30; Revelation 21:1–4

Reflection Questions:
• How does the promise of glorification shape present hope?
• Why is future restoration essential to the Christian worldview?

10. Common False Views of Salvation

Scripture rejects works-based salvation, ritual-based systems, moralism, and universalism. Each of these diminishes the sufficiency of Christ’s work and the seriousness of sin.

Key Scriptures: John 14:6; Galatians 2:16

Reflection Questions:
• Why are false views of salvation appealing to human pride?
• How does the biblical gospel guard against these errors?

Summary

Soteriology reveals salvation as God’s work from beginning to end—planned by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit. Salvation magnifies grace and points sinners to the sufficiency of Jesus Christ alone.