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SPECIAL TOPIC: NEW TESTAMENT EVIDENCE FOR ONE’S SALVATION

SPECIAL TOPIC: NEW TESTAMENT EVIDENCE FOR ONE’S SALVATION

Evidence for one’s salvation is based on the New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34;
Ezek. 36:22-36) in Jesus:

  1. The character of the Father (cf. John 3:16), the work of the Son (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21),
    and the ministry of the Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:14-16), not on human performance
    (cf. Eph. 2:8-9), not wages due for obedience, not just a creed.
  2. It is a gift (cf. Rom. 3:24; 6:23; Eph. 2:5,8-9).
  3. It is a new life, a new worldview (cf. James and 1 John).
  4. It is knowledge (the gospel), fellowship (faith in and with Jesus), and a new lifestyle
    (Spirit-led Christlikeness, cf. Eph. 1:4; 2:10) all three, not just any one by itself.
  5. The tests of true salvation in 1 John 2:3-2.
    1. willingness to confess sin (initially and continually), 1 John 1:9
    2. lifestyle obedience, 1 John 2:3-6
    3. lifestyle love, 1 John 2:7-11
    4. victory over the evil, 1 John 2:12-14
    5. forsaking the world, 1 John 2:15-17
    6. perseverance, 1 John 2:19
    7. correct doctrine, 1 John 2:20-24; 4:1-3

These can be summarized in three areas.

  1. the doctrinal test (belief in Jesus, cf. 1 John 2:18-25; 4:1-3,14-16; 5:1,5,10)
  2. lifestyle test (obedience, cf. 1 John 2:3-7; 3:1-10, 22-24)
  3. the social test (love, cf. 1 John 2:7-11; 3:11-18; 4:7-12,16-21; 5:1-2)

Remember, the gospel is

  1. a person to welcome (personal relationship)
  2. truths about that person to believe
  3. a life like that person’s to live (Christlikeness is the goal)

 

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