The Foundation

Jesus teaches that a life built on His words stands firm, while a life built on anything else will collapse when storms come. In Matthew 7:24-27, He compares this to a wise builder who lays a solid foundation.

“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

What Is Soteriology?

Soteriology is the branch of theology that deals with salvation. It asks how God saves sinners, what salvation means, and how Jesus Christ accomplishes redemption for humanity.

Greek Word Meaning

σωτηρία (sōtēria) - “salvation,” “deliverance,” “rescue”

λογία (logia) - “study of”

The study of salvation: So salvation simply means how God saves humanity through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

• Why do humans need salvation?

• What is the problem of sin?

• What did Christ accomplish on the cross?

• How are people saved?

• What is grace?

• What is faith?

• What is repentance?

• What is justification and new life in Christ?

• What is the believer's assurance and final hope?

What is Sin?

Sin can be understood as "to miss the mark," "to fail," or "to go astray."

• Watching porn (sexual immorality and lust)

Matthew 5:27-28 — “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

• Smoking weed or vaping

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

1 Peter 5:8 — “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

• Getting drunk

Ephesians 5:18 — “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”

• Test driving/sex before marriage

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 — “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God.”

• Cussing people out

Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

Ephesians 4:29 (AMP) — “Do not let unwholesome (foul, profane, worthless, vulgar) words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].”

• Hating people

1 John 4:20 — “If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

• Refusing to forgive

Matthew 6:14-15 — “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

Biblical Definition of Sin

Romans 14:23 NASB1995 — “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.”

Romans 14:23 AMP — “But the person who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.”

James 4:17 NLT — “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

Ecclesiastes 7:29 NASB1995 — “Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.”

Creation and the Fall

Genesis 1:26 — “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image.’”

Genesis 2:15-17 — “The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was forbidden.”

Genesis 3:4-5 — “You will not surely die… you will be like God.”

Proverbs 14:12 — “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

Romans 5:12-13 — “Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin.”

God's Desire to Dwell with Humanity

Exodus 25:8 NASB1995 (God desired to be with humanity) — “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.”

Romans 6:23 NASB1995 — “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Leviticus 17:11 — “for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.”

The Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur

Atonement means to cover or to make a covering.

Leviticus 16:21 — “Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel…”

Simple takeaway:

• The sacrificed goat shows sin was covered

• The scapegoat shows sins were removed

The Day of Atonement only covered sin, but Christ came to take it away.

Jesus: The Lamb of God

John 1:29 NLT — “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Colossians 2:13-14 NLT — “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”

Jesus fulfilled both pictures:

• He became the perfect sacrifice whose blood paid the penalty for our sins.

• He also removed our sins completely, so they are no longer held against us.

Conclusion

The need for salvation came because man missed the mark and went astray from God's command, which caused separation from God. Since sin separated us from Him, we needed a Savior to reconcile us back to God the Father. Jesus came to remove that separation so we could have a relationship with God again.

Let’s recap

The Foundation

Jesus: The Perfect and Final Sacrifice

John 1:29: “Behold, the Lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world.”

Jesus is our substitute. Although we deserve death because of sin, He stepped in on our behalf.

The Old System Was a Shadow

Hebrews 10:1–10 NASB 1995

The sacrifices required by the law were a “shadow” of the good things to come. They pointed forward to Jesus but could not provide

complete cleansing from sin.

Hebrews 10:4: “For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

God prepared a body for Christ. Jesus offered Himself as the sacrifice for sin once and for all, establishing the New Covenant. The animal sacrifices had to be offered repeatedly. Jesus’ sacrifice does not have to be repeated because it is complete and sufficient.

Hebrews 10:18: “And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.”

Christ Died for Us in Our Mess

Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Christ did not wait for us to get ourselves together. He died for us while we were still in our mess. His forgiveness covers our past, present, and future sins. Sin includes more than breaking the Ten Commandments. Sin also includes:

• Failing to do what we know is right

• Acting without faith

• Lustful thoughts and desires

• Disobeying what God has told us to do

Christ died for all of it.

Jesus Became Our Sin

2 Corinthians 5:21: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus was perfect and blameless. The sacrifice had to be without spot, wrinkle, or blemish. Jesus became our sin so that we could be made righteous. He became our scapegoat so that our sins could be removed. We did not earn righteousness. Righteousness is a gift. Jesus became our sin so that we could be made the righteousness of God.

Understanding Salvation

What Is Salvation?

Salvation is God's gracious act of rescuing us from the penalty of sin and reconciling us to Himself through Jesus Christ.

Let's break this down:

• God's gracious act — This is God's choice, God's gift, not something you earned

• Rescuing us — We needed rescue; we were lost and condemned

• From the penalty of sin — Not from sin itself, but from the consequence and punishment

• Reconciling us to Himself — Bringing us back into relationship with God

• Through Jesus Christ — This is only possible because of what Jesus did

What Salvation Is NOT

• Being good enough

• Working hard enough

• Praying enough

• Going to church enough

• Following enough rules

• Suffering enough

Salvation is not a result of works. You can't work your way to heaven. You can't earn God's favor.

What Jesus’ Sacrifice Accomplished for Us

1. HE SAVED US FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN

Jesus’ death paid the price that we owed. He stood in our place and received the punishment we deserved.

You are not saved FROM sin itself. You will still struggle with sin. You will still be tempted. You will still make mistakes and fall short. But you are saved FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN.

Jesus’ death paid the price that we owed. He stood in our place and received the punishment we deserved.

2. HE FREED US FROM THE POWER OF SIN

But salvation is more than just getting you out of hell. Jesus also broke the power that sin had over you.

Scripture: Romans 6:14 (NLT) “Sin is no longer your master; for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. You live under the freedom of God’s grace.”

"Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace."

Before you're saved, sin is your master. You're enslaved to sin. You can't seem to stop doing the things you don't want to do.

When you're saved, sin is no longer your master. You have freedom. You have power. The Spirit of God lives in you and gives you the ability to say no to sin and yes to God.

This doesn't mean you'll never sin again. It means you're no longer under the control of sin. You now have the power to resist it.

3. HE IS TRANSFORMING US INTO HIS IMAGE

Salvation is ongoing. God didn't just forgive you and leave you alone. He's actively working to transform you.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

"So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."

God is in the process of making you more and more like Jesus. This process is called sanctification. It's the work of making you holy, making you pure, making you like Christ.

You should not be the same person spiritually as you were when you first got saved. There should be visible change happening in your life.

4. HE RECONCILED US TO THE FATHER

Reconciliation means bringing two estranged parties back together. Before you were saved, you were separated from God by sin. Now, you're reconciled.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NLT)

"And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."

Notice: God is no longer counting your sins against you. Because Jesus paid for them, God doesn't hold them against you anymore.

This means you can come boldly into God's presence. There's no barrier. There's no guilt. You're accepted, loved, and welcomed by the

Father.

5. HE ADOPTED US INTO GOD'S FAMILY

You don't just get forgiven and sent on your way. You become part of God's family.

Scripture: Romans 8:15 (NLT)

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.' For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children."

You are adopted. You are a child of God. You can call Him "Abba, Father"—a term of intimate affection, like "Daddy."

This is not just a legal declaration. This is real family. God loves you as His child. You have an inheritance. You belong.

6. HE WILL ONE DAY GLORIFY OUR BODIES

One day, when Jesus returns, this process will be complete. Your body will be transformed into a glorified, perfect, eternal body.

Scripture: Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT)

"But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control."

Right now, your body is temporary. But one day, you'll have a body like Christ's resurrected body—perfect, powerful, eternal.

How do I know I’m saved?

It's simple, but it requires two things:

STEP 1: REPENT

Scripture: Mark 1:15 (NASB)

"And saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'"

Repent means more than "feel sorry." The Greek word is metanoia, which means "a complete change of mind." The Hebrew word is shuv, which means "to turn" or "return"; turning back to God”

Repentance is:

• Turning around and going in a different direction

• Changing your thinking about sin (it's not worth it anymore)

• Changing your thinking about God (you trust Him now)

• A commitment to follow Jesus as Lord

This is not just an emotional experience. This is a decision. This is where you decide: I'm done living for myself. I'm going to surrender to Jesus.

STEP 2: BELIEVE THE GOSPEL

What is the gospel? It's the good news. But what specifically is the good news?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NASB)

"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

The gospel has three core elements:

1. Christ died for our sins — He took the penalty you deserved

2. He was buried — His death was real; He really went into the grave

3. He rose on the third day — He defeated death; He conquered sin and the grave

You must believe these three things. Not just intellectually. But with your whole heart—your mind, your will, your emotions.

Scripture: Romans 10:9 (NASB)

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Here's what "saved" means (the Greek word is sozo):

• Saved from eternal judgment — No condemnation

• Rescued from danger — No longer under sin's control

• Delivered from enemies — Free from Satan's dominion

• Preserved and kept safe — God's protection

• Healed and made whole — Restoration

• Restored — Brought back to wholeness

When you confess Jesus as Lord and believe He rose from the dead, all of this becomes yours.

The Purpose of Suffering

Misconception: We must “suffer to get blessed.”

Truth: Jesus, our substitute, suffered for us; blessing is not earned through suffering.

Real reason for suffering: We “grow through” trials to become more like Christ; suffering produces the fruit of the Spirit.

Example: Trials teach patience, self-control, joy, love, and forgiveness; God uses difficulty to build maturity, shaping us to “suffer well” like Jesus.

Key mindset: “I don’t work for victory; I work from victory.” We are already victorious in Christ.

Saved by Grace and Mercy

Scripture: Titus 3:5 — “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds… but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”

Even righteous acts do not qualify us for salvation; it is purely God’s mercy and grace.

His grace saves and His grace keeps.

Let’s Recap

What is the gospel?

The word Gospel means “good news.”

The Gospel is the message of:

• The death of Jesus Christ

• The burial of Jesus Christ

• The resurrection of Jesus Christ

Because of His finished work, salvation is available to everyone who believes.

How Are We Saved?

Romans 10:9 "...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Saving faith involves two realities:

• Believing in your heart

• Confessing Jesus as Lord

The Gospel is the message of:

• The death of Jesus Christ

• The burial of Jesus Christ

• The resurrection of Jesus Christ

Calling Jesus "Lord" isn't merely saying the words. Lordship means surrendering to His authority. Genuine faith eventually produces a life that reflects His rule.

Why Was a Sacrifice Necessary?

Sin brings death. Under the Old Covenant, sacrifices temporarily covered sin year after year. Those sacrifices pointed toward Jesus, the Lamb of God, who would become the once-for-all sacrifice that completely fulfilled God's plan of redemption.

Jesus: The Ultimate Sacrifice

John 1:29 "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

Jesus became the substitute for sinful humanity.

We deserved the penalty of death because of sin, but Jesus stepped into our place and received that penalty on our behalf. The sacrifices of the Old Testament temporarily covered sin. Jesus came to take sin away.

His death was the once-for-all sacrifice, making the old sacrificial system unnecessary.

Because of Jesus:

• Our sins can be permanently forgiven

• We can be reconciled to God

• We have direct access to the Father

• No additional sacrifice is necessary

Jesus didn't simply cover sin. He removed it. Because of His sacrifice, believers now have direct access to the Father without the need for another sacrifice.

Salvation and Regeneration

Salvation rescues us from the penalty of sin, eternal judgment, and separation from God. These benefits are received through faith in Jesus Christ, not through our works.

5 Benefits of Salvation

1. We Are Adopted into God's Family

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” - Romans 8:16–17 NASB1995

Through Christ we become children of God and heirs with Christ.

Our identity changes the moment we are saved.

2. We Have Peace with God

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” - Romans 5:1 NASB1995

God’s wrath against sin was poured out on Jesus, our substitute. This means believers are no longer living under God’s punishment.

There is an important difference between punishment and consequences.

Our choices may still produce natural consequences. However, those consequences do not mean that God is angry with us or trying to repay us for our sins.

3. We Have Access to the Father

“for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,” - Ephesians 2:18–19 NASB1995

The veil has been torn.

We no longer need a priest or a temple to approach God.

Through Christ, we have continual access to the Father.

4. There Is No Condemnation

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” - Romans 8:1 NASB1995

Those who are in Christ are free from condemnation, guilt, and shame. God does not want believers to continue punishing themselves for sins that Jesus has already forgiven.

Freedom from condemnation is not permission to continue living in sin. Instead, forgiveness should produce gratitude and a desire to honor God.

We do not live righteously to earn forgiveness. We live righteously because we have already been forgiven. We live from forgiveness, not for forgiveness.

5. Every Promise Is "Yes" in Christ

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” - 2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB1995

God keeps His promises. Because His character never changes, believers can confidently trust His Word in every season.

One of the greatest hindrances to receiving those promises is often a personal feeling of unworthiness. Condemnation causes us to believe that God’s promises are available to everyone except us. However, the promises are secured through Christ, not through our personal perfection.

How salvation affects the whole person

Spirit, Soul & Body

Our spirit is immediately made alive, while God continues working in our mind, will, and emotions throughout our walk with Him.

Spirit Saved instantly through regeneration.

Soul

Being transformed daily through sanctification.

Body

Will ultimately be redeemed and glorified.

What Is Regeneration?

Regeneration is God's supernatural work of making a spiritually dead person spiritually alive. Regeneration is the Inner cleansing and renewal of the human nature by the Holy Spirit. Mankind’s spiritual condition is transformed from a disposition of sin to one of a new relationship with God

It is:

• Being born again

• Receiving a new heart

• Becoming a new creation

• Receiving new life through the Holy Spirit

Conversion vs. Regeneration

Conversion - Our response to God Regeneration - God’s Response to us

We Repent

We are born again

Place our faith in Him

God gives us a new heart.

We turn away from sin & toward Christ

The Holy Spirit makes us spiritually alive.

• Conversion is the human response of repentance and faith.

• Repentance means changing our minds, turning away from sin, and turning toward Jesus Christ.

• Regeneration is God’s response.

We believe first. God regenerates us. Transformed behavior follows as the evidence of His work.

This distinction reminds us that salvation is ultimately God's work. We respond in faith, but only God can give new life.

Our New Identity

Because of Christ, we are no longer defined by our past or by our sin. Though believers may still struggle, sin is no longer their identity.

In Christ we have been:

• Justified

• Washed

• Regenerated

• Made the righteousness of God

Living the Regenerated Life

Regeneration isn't simply a theological idea. It changes how we live. Because our old self was crucified with Christ, we are called to:

• Resist temptation

• Feed the new nature

• Starve the old nature

• Walk in obedience

• Submit to Christ's Lordship

Transformation doesn't begin with behavior modification. It begins with believing the Gospel. God regenerates us, and changed behavior becomes the evidence of His work within us.

Old Testament Reference

Ezekiel 36:25–27 NLT – Promise of a New Heart and New Spirit

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”

God promised that He would:

• Cleanse His people

• Give them a new heart

• Put a new spirit within them

• Remove the heart of stone

• Give them a heart of flesh

• Place His Spirit within them

• Enable them to walk in obedience

This Old Testament prophecy anticipated the work of regeneration. The desire to follow God is evidence that something has changed internally. God has given the believer a new heart that desires Him.

New Testament Reference

Titus 3:5 NLT– Washing of Regeneration and Renewal by the Holy Spirit

“he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

God saved us because of His mercy, not because of righteous works we performed. Regeneration is completely the work of God. We cannot earn the new birth, produce it through good behavior, or make ourselves spiritually alive. The Holy Spirit washes, renews, and gives new life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT– A New Creation in Christ

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

When we are in Christ:

• Our identity changes

• Our spiritual condition changes

• Our relationship with God changes

• Our desires begin to change

• Our old life no longer defines us

Regeneration creates a new person with a new spiritual nature.

Romans 6:6–7 NLT– Freedom from the Power of Sin

“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.”

Our old self was crucified with Christ so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Sin may still tempt us, but it no longer has dominion over us. The believer is no longer powerless against sin. Through Christ, the power of sin has been broken.

Regeneration

What Is Regeneration?

Regeneration is God's supernatural work of making a spiritually dead person spiritually alive. Regeneration is the Inner cleansing and renewal of the human nature by the Holy Spirit. Mankind’s spiritual condition is transformed from a disposition of sin to one of a new relationship with God

It is:

• Being born again

• Receiving a new heart

• Becoming a new creation

• Receiving new life through the Holy Spirit

Conversion vs. Regeneration

Conversion - Our response to God

We repent, place our faith in Him, and we turn away from sin & toward Christ

Regeneration - God’s Response to us

We are born again, God gives us a new heart, and the Holy Spirit makes us spiritually alive.

• Conversion is the human response of repentance and faith.

• Repentance means changing our minds, turning away from sin, and turning toward Jesus Christ.

• Regeneration is God’s response.

We believe first. God regenerates us. Transformed behavior follows as the evidence of His work.

This distinction reminds us that salvation is ultimately God's work. We respond in faith, but only God can give new life.

Our New Identity

Because of Christ, we are no longer defined by our past or by our sin. Though believers may still struggle, sin is no longer their identity.

In Christ we have been:

• Justified

• Washed

• Regenerated

• Made the righteousness of God

Living the Regenerated Life

Regeneration isn't simply a theological idea. It changes how we live. Because our old self was crucified with Christ, we are called to:

• Resist temptation

• Feed the new nature

• Starve the old nature

• Walk in obedience

• Submit to Christ's Lordship

Transformation doesn't begin with behavior modification. It begins with believing the Gospel. God regenerates us, and changed behavior becomes the evidence of His work within us.

Old Testament Reference

Ezekiel 36:25–27 NLT – Promise of a New Heart and New Spirit

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”

God promised that He would:

• Cleanse His people

• Give them a new heart

• Put a new spirit within them

• Remove the heart of stone

• Give them a heart of flesh

• Place His Spirit within them

• Enable them to walk in obedience

This Old Testament prophecy anticipated the work of regeneration. The desire to follow God is evidence that something has changed internally. God has given the believer a new heart that desires Him.

Psalm 51:10–12 ESV

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

David said in Psalm 51:5 that he was born into sin.

Psalm 51:5 ESV

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

“Create in me a clean heart” speaks to regeneration.

The language anticipates what God later promises under the New Covenant. David didn’t need another salvation; he needed a renewed heart so he could live out the salvation God had already given him. What David prayed for, we receive the moment we accept Christ: a new heart and a new spirit.

We don’t live for God trying to get a new heart; we live for God because, through Christ, He has already given us one.

New Testament Reference

Titus 3:5 NLT– Washing of Regeneration and Renewal by the Holy Spirit

“he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

God saved us because of His mercy, not because of righteous works we performed. Regeneration is completely the work of God. We cannot earn the new birth, produce it through good behavior, or make ourselves spiritually alive. The Holy Spirit washes, renews, and gives new life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT– A New Creation in Christ

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

When we are in Christ:

• Our identity changes

• Our spiritual condition changes

• Our relationship with God changes

• Our desires begin to change

• Our old life no longer defines us

Regeneration creates a new person with a new spiritual nature.

What Does It Mean to Be “In Christ”?

“Any man be in Christ.” What is in Christ? In union with Him.

To be “in Christ” means that through faith you are united with Jesus, so that your standing before God, identity, and spiritual life are now defined by your relationship with Christ rather than your former condition apart from Him.

Let's make it plain:

Being in Christ is like the ultimate name-drop.

There are places I couldn’t get into by saying my own name, but if I say, “I’m with them,” suddenly I have access I didn’t have before. Their relationship gives me privileges my name couldn’t provide.In the same way, I don’t come before God based on the weight of my name.

I come because I’m with Jesus. I’m in Christ.

A New Creation

New creation means you’ve been given a new way of life.

Ephesians 4:24 NLT

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Ephesians 4:24 AMP

“and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].”

When I live according to His will, it expresses my gratitude for my salvation.

Old Things Have Passed Away

The old way no longer has dominion over my life.

Romans 6:6 NLT– Freedom from the Power of Sin

“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.”

Our old self was crucified with Christ so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Sin may still tempt us, but it no longer has dominion over us. The believer is no longer powerless against sin. Through Christ, the power of sin has been broken.

Old things passing away doesn’t mean I have amnesia concerning my past; it means my past has lost its authority to name me. My former status no longer determines my present standing.

All Things Have Become New

I now have to live out the new identity and reality that I have.

When God makes you new, you’ve got to learn the culture of your new Kingdom.

Galatians 2:20 describes the new life.

Galatians 2:20 NLT

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

When the Holy Spirit regenerates us, He gives life to our spirits and inclines us toward God.

Truths About Regeneration

1. Regeneration Happens Instantly

The new birth is not a gradual process but a decisive act of God.

While spiritual growth (sanctification) is progressive, regeneration occurs at the moment God gives new life.

John 3:3–8 NLT – You Must Be Born Again

“3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

Titus 3:5 NLT - New Birth Through the Holy Spirit

“he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

2. Regeneration Is an Inward Work

Regeneration changes the heart before it changes the behavior.

God transforms us from the inside out.

Ezekiel 36:26–27 – A New Heart and a New Spirit

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 – God Has Shined His Light into Our Hearts

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”

3. Regeneration Guarantees Entrance Into God’s Kingdom

No one can enter God’s Kingdom apart from being born again.

Regeneration is not optional—it is essential.

John 3:3 NLT – Unless One Is Born Again

“Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

1 Peter 1:3–4 NLT – Born Again to a Living Hope and an Eternal Inheritance

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”

4. Regeneration Is the Work of the Holy Spirit

The new birth is accomplished by God’s Spirit, not by human effort.

Titus 3:5

“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

James 1:18 NLT

“He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”

The Fruit of Regeneration

Abides in Christ

1 John 3:24 NASB1995

“The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”

Loves the Brethren

1 John 3:14 NASB1995

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.”

Overcomes the World

1 John 5:4–5 NLT

“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Led by the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:14 NASB1995

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Justification

Definition

Justification is a term that describes the event whereby persons are set or declared to be in right relation to God.

It is God’s legal declaration that a sinner is righteous before Him because of faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work, not because the sinner earned righteousness through works.

Key Idea

Justification deals with our position or standing before God.

When I accept Christ, I am placed in a new position: righteousness.

Old Testament Reference

“As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.”
Isaiah 53:11 NASB1995

The Righteous One justifies the many because He bears their iniquities.

New Testament Reference

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Romans 5:1 NASB1995

Justified by Faith

We are declared righteous through faith, not through our ability to earn righteousness.

Peace With God

Peace = the absence of hostility.

Peace with God is the result of being brought into right standing with God.

We are now in right relationship with God.

Why Does Romans 5:1 Say “Therefore”?

Romans 5:1 is connected to what Paul has just established in Romans 4.

“He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”
Romans 4:25 NLT

Jesus:

Was handed over because of our sins
→ Was raised to life
→ Made us right with God

Therefore:

“Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God…”

Our peace with God is based on what Christ accomplished.

We Were Enemies of God

“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.”
Romans 5:10 NLT

Before Christ:

Enemies of God

Through Christ:

Relationship restored

Because of justification:

We now have peace with God.

The First Picture of Justification

The concept of justification appears as early as Abraham.

“Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6 NASB1995

Paul later uses Abraham to explain justification:

“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’”
Romans 4:3 NASB1995

Abraham Shows Us How Faith and Righteousness Work

Abraham believed God, and because of his faith, righteousness was credited to his account.

This is significant because:

Abraham was counted righteous before the Mosaic Law existed.

His righteousness was not based on keeping the Law.

It was based on faith.

Credited — Logizomai

Logizomai means:

• To reckon

• To calculate

• To count

• To credit

• To consider

• To place something to someone’s account

It was commonly used in accounting or calculation language.

Picture It Like an Account

Abraham believed God.

God credited righteousness to his account.

The same principle helps us understand justification through Christ.

My righteousness before God is not based on me living a sinless life.

Through faith in Christ, God credits righteousness to me even though I still fall short.

My sin may describe something I have done, but it no longer determines my standing with God.

A New Position

When I accept Christ, I am placed into a new position: righteousness.

Those who do not accept Christ remain under condemnation, meaning under God’s judgment.

We Changed Seats

A helpful picture:

Before Christ:
Judgment / Condemnation

In Christ:
Right Standing / Justification

We changed seats.

We are no longer sitting under the verdict of condemnation. We have been placed into the position of righteousness through Christ.

John 3:16–18

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:16–18 NASB1995

There are two positions presented:

Believes in Christ → Not judged

Does not believe → Judged already

Condemnation vs. Justification

Both condemnation and justification are juridical terms.

Juridical

Juridical simply means:

Having to do with a court, judge, law, or legal verdict.

This is courtroom language.

The Courtroom Picture

God is the Judge.

Where there is sin or disobedience, a verdict must be given.

Judges are to:

“Justify the righteous and condemn the wicked.”

This gives us two opposing legal verdicts:

Hebrew Concepts

רָשַׁע — rāshaʿ

Condemn

To declare guilty.

צָדַק — tsadaq

Justify

To declare righteous.

Justification

A pronouncement of acquittal.

Both Are Verdicts

Condemnation and justification are both verdicts.

Condemnation says:

“You stand guilty and under judgment.”

Justification says:

“You were guilty, but because of Christ, you have been acquitted and declared righteous.”

The Problem: We Are Guilty

“Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?”
Psalm 130:3 NLT

Justification does not mean that we were innocent.

We were guilty.

God is not pretending that sin never happened.

The gospel is that something happened that was sufficient to deal with our guilt.

Christ took our place.

The Sentence for Sin

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 NLT

Sin produces a legal consequence:

Sin → Guilty verdict → Death

But for those who are in Christ:

The guilty verdict and its resulting sentence—death—have been removed.

Christ Took the Judgment

God’s wrath is not directed toward those who are justified in Christ because judgment was poured out upon Jesus.

“And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.”
Romans 5:9 NLT

Notice the connection:

Made right by His blood
→ Saved from condemnation

What the Law Could Not Do

“The law was without power because it was made weak by our sinful selves. But God did what the law could not do: He sent his own Son to earth with the same human life that everyone else uses for sin. God sent him to be an offering to pay for sin. So God used a human life to destroy sin. He did this so that we could be right just as the law said we must be. Now we don’t live following our sinful selves. We live following the Spirit.”
Romans 8:3–4 ERV

The Law could reveal the righteous standard, but because of our sinful nature, we could not fulfill that standard ourselves.

God did what we could not do. He sent His Son.

Christ dealt with sin so that we could be made right before God.

Romans 8:1

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1

This brings the courtroom picture together.

Condemnation Is Not Primarily an Emotion

Condemnation is a verdict.

Therefore, Romans 8:1 is not merely telling you how to feel.

It is declaring where you stand.

You may feel guilty.

You may remember what you have done.

Someone else may remind you of what you have done.

But the legal question is:

What verdict has God given concerning those who are in Christ?

No condemnation.

The Verdict Over Me

The verdict over me is not GUILTY.

Because I am in Christ:

I have been justified.

I have been declared righteous.

I am in right standing with God.

I have peace with God.

I am no longer under condemnation.

And:

No one has the authority to overturn God’s verdict in Christ.

What Is Justification?

Justification is a term that describes the event whereby persons are set or declared to be in right relation to God.

It is God’s legal declaration that a sinner is righteous before Him because of faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work, not because the sinner earned righteousness through works.

Justification means:

• Right standing with God

• Declared righteous

An Old Testament Picture of Justification

Zechariah 3:1–7 NLT

Jeshua the high priest stands before the angel of the Lord while Satan stands beside him, making accusations against him.

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.’”

Zechariah 3:2 NLT

A Brand Plucked From the Fire

The Hebrew imagery behind “a brand plucked from the fire” is that of a burning stick being snatched from destruction.

Jeshua did not rescue himself.

God plucked him from the fire.

The Filthy Garments

“Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ And turning to Jeshua he said, ‘See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.’”

Zechariah 3:3–4 NLT

Jeshua’s defiled clothing represents uncleanness and unholiness.

This matters because a priest had to have clean, sacred garments to minister before the Lord.

“Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful.”

Exodus 28:2 NLT

See also Exodus 29:4–9, where the priest is washed and clothed before ministering.

Jeshua is standing before God in garments that make him unfit for his position. But notice what God does.

God does not tell Jeshua to clean himself.

God says:

“Take off his filthy clothes.”

Then:

“I have taken away your sins.”

And then:

“I am giving you these fine new clothes.”

The New Garments Speak to Right Standing

“Then I said, ‘They should also place a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.”

Zechariah 3:5 NLT

The new garments speak to right standing.

The priestly turban represented:

HOLINESS — HOLY TO THE LORD

Now Jeshua is in the right position to minister before the Lord.

He did not earn or do anything to put himself in that position.

God plucked him.

God gave him new clothes.

God made him holy.

Cleansing Comes Before Obedience

“Then the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.’”

Zechariah 3:6–7 NLT

Pay attention to the order.

God does not say:

Obey Me, and then I will cleanse you.

Instead:

God cleanses him.
God restores him.
Then God tells him to obey.

His obedience comes after his standing has been changed.

Key Truth

Justification isn’t God pretending your garments were never dirty; it’s God providing a righteous standing you could never provide for yourself.

A New Testament Picture of Justification

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

Christ is the basis of our right standing before God.

We are made right with God through Christ.

The Woman With the Issue of Blood

Mark 5:24–34 NLT

The woman in Mark 5 had suffered from constant bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered under many doctors, spent everything she had, and grown worse instead of better.

Under the Law, her condition meant that she was ceremonially unclean.

“If a woman has a flow of blood for many days that is unrelated to her menstrual period, or if the blood continues beyond the normal period, she is ceremonially unclean. As during her menstrual period, the woman will be unclean as long as the discharge continues. Any bed she lies on and any object she sits on during that time will be unclean, just as during her normal menstrual period. If any of you touch these things, you will be ceremonially unclean. You must wash your clothes and bathe yourself in water, and you will remain unclean until evening.”

Leviticus 15:25–27 NLT

For twelve years, she lived with the reality of being considered unclean.

She heard about Jesus, came through the crowd, and touched His robe.

“For she thought to herself, ‘If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.’”

Mark 5:28 NLT

Immediately, the bleeding stopped.

Jesus then said to her:

“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

Mark 5:34 NLT

Truths About Justification

1. Justification Occurs Instantaneously

“being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;”
Romans 3:24 NASB1995

Justification is not a process of gradually becoming more accepted by God.

The moment a person places faith in Christ, God declares that person righteous.

Key Truth

We do not become progressively justified.

Justification is an immediate change in standing before God.

At salvation:

Guilty → Justified
Condemned → Righteous
Enemy → At peace with God

Key Terms

Gift — Something received rather than earned.

Grace — God’s undeserved favor toward us.

Redemption — Deliverance or release secured through the payment of a price. Our redemption is found in Christ Jesus.

2. Justification Gives Us Access to Grace

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”
Romans 5:2 NLT

Because we have been justified, we now have access to a new position before God.

Paul describes it as:

“This place of undeserved privilege where we now stand.”

We do not move in and out of God’s grace based on whether we performed well enough that day.

Through Christ, we have been brought into grace.

Key Truth

Justification does not simply change what happened to our past sins.

It changes where we now stand.

Through Christ:

Faith
↓
Justification
↓
Access to grace
↓
A new place where we stand before God

Grace

Grace is God’s unearned and undeserved favor.

We did not earn our position.

Christ brought us into it.

3. Justification Changes Your Position From Guilty to Righteous

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

Justification involves a change of position.

Before Christ:

Guilty

In Christ:

Righteous

We are made right with God through Christ.

Made the Righteousness of God

Jesus was sinless, yet He became the offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God.

The basis of our righteousness is therefore not ourselves.

It is Christ.

Key Truth

Justification changes the verdict attached to our standing before God.

Old position: Guilty and condemned
New position: Righteous and justified

This connects directly to the courtroom language of justification.

4. Justification Is Grounded in Christ’s Work

Justification is not merely God overlooking sin.

Sin had to be dealt with.

“He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”
Romans 4:25 NLT

Jesus was:

Handed over because of our sins

and

Raised to make us right with God.

Our justification rests upon what Christ accomplished.

Romans 5:1

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”
Romans 5:1 NLT

Notice the foundation:

“Because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

Our peace with God is not based upon:

• Our goodness

• Our performance

• Our ability to perfectly obey

• God pretending our sin did not matter

It rests on the finished work of Christ.

Key Truth

God did not simply ignore the guilty verdict.

Christ dealt with the reason for the verdict.

Our sin was real.

Our guilt was real.

The judgment against sin was real.

And Christ’s work was sufficient to deal with it.

5. Righteousness Is Not Earned

“So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’”
Galatians 3:11 NLT

No one is justified by successfully keeping the Law.

We cannot earn a righteous standing before God through our performance.

The Contrast

Works say:
“I have done enough to deserve righteousness.”

Faith says:
“Christ has done what I could never do for myself.”

“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”
Romans 5:18 NASB1995

Paul contrasts two acts:

Adam

One transgression
↓
Condemnation

Christ

One act of righteousness
↓
Justification of life

Our justification is connected to Christ’s righteousness and obedience, not our ability to earn righteousness ourselves.

Key Truth

Righteousness is received through faith, not achieved through works.

6. Righteousness Is Not a Feeling, but a Position

“But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.”
Romans 4:5 NLT

Notice the language:

“Counted as righteous.”

Righteousness describes what God has declared concerning the believer.

It is a position, not merely an emotional experience.

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”
Romans 5:2 NLT

Again, Paul uses positional language:

“Where we now stand.”

Key Truth

I may not always feel righteous, but my feelings do not establish my standing before God.

God's declaration does.

This connects back to condemnation:

Condemnation is a verdict, not primarily a feeling.

Likewise:

Righteousness is a position, not primarily a feeling.

Feelings vs. Position

Our feelings can change. Our position in Christ is grounded in what Christ has done.

7. Righteous People Act Righteously

“Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.”
1 John 3:7 NLT

Being justified does not mean our actions no longer matter.

The order is important: We do not live righteously in order to earn justification.

Instead: Because we have been made righteous, righteous living should begin to flow from our new identity and position.

What Is Sanctification?

Sanctification — A moral or re-creative work, changing the inner nature of man.

Why We Need Sanctification

By one man sin entered into the world.

Mankind was created in the image of God, meaning people were originally intended to reflect God’s holiness, love, and moral character.

• Created in God’s image — Genesis 1:26–27

• The Fall — Genesis 3

The image was marred by sin, resulting in spiritual death, brokenness, and separation from God.

Sanctification is the means by which God restores His image in believers, transforming them back into the likeness of Christ, who perfectly reflects the image of God.

The Image of God

• Ability to reflect His character, holiness, righteousness, and rule as He intended.

• Represent God.

• Resemble God.

Changed Into His Image

2 Corinthians 3:14–18

As we behold Him, He makes us more like Him.

Ephesians 4:22–24

• Put off the old sinful nature.

• Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

• Put on the new nature—the regenerated nature.

• The new nature is created to be like God in righteousness and holiness.

Sanctification restores the believer to what humanity was originally meant to be—holy and in fellowship with God.

Two False Teachings That Are Anti-Sanctification

1) Antinomianism

Antinomianism — means “against law.”

Teaches that the forgiveness found in Christ makes it legitimate for a Christian to do things which the Bible forbids.

In other words, one can choose to live as they please. The more one sins, the more chance there is for divine grace to work.

Romans 6:1–2

Paul responds to the idea of continuing in sin so that grace may increase.

Grace leads you to the process of growing in holiness and obedience to God.

Galatians 5:13

Freedom is not to be used to satisfy the sinful nature.

2) The Perfectionist View

The perfectionist view teaches that a person can become perfectly free from sin in this life. This is called sinless perfection.

No one except Jesus ever claimed to be without sin.

1 John 1:8

Simply, Sanctification Is

The process of making one holy. The inward renewal.

Sanctification Is Not:

• Mere external behavior.

• A list of traditional do’s and don’ts of the Christian life.

It has to do with the heart, and from the heart outward, behavior will change.

It’s the transformation of your character.

The Three Tenses of Sanctification

1. Past

2. Present

3. Future

Past — Set Apart

Positional Sanctification

This is initial sanctification, also called positional sanctification.

It occurs at the moment of conversion.

When a person comes to faith in Christ:

• They are declared holy.

• They are set apart by God.

• Through Christ’s atonement and by grace through faith, the believer is positionally holy before God.

Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians 6:9–11

• Hebrews 10:10

• Ephesians 2:10

Set Apart for God’s Use

When I gave my life to Christ, I was set apart for Him to use me.

He didn’t just save you to go to heaven.

He set you apart to use you!

Scripture References

• Psalm 139:13–16

• 1 Corinthians 1:2