Books

Focus On The Fundamentals Of The Faith

By W. Douglass Harris

Factors in Salvation

One of the serious mistakes made by many Bible-believing people in understanding the Bible is focusing on one factor involved in salvation to the exclusion of all the other factors. Even some brethren have fallen victims to this false approach. An established rule of Bible study is to collate all that the Bible says on a particular subject to determine the whole truth on that subject (Psalm 119:160 ASV).

An honest and complete search of the Scriptures reveal several contributing factors (causes) in salvation.

Original factor: God is the original factor. Since man could not devise a plan by which to save himself (Jeremiah 10:23), the divine scheme of human redemption was conceived in the mind of God (Ephesians 1:4,9,11; 3:8-11; 2 Timothy 1:9). In these passages note the expressions “purpose of His will”, and “eternal purpose” that was in the mind of God from the beginning but had not been revealed. This conception is a demonstration of God’s grace, mercy, and goodness (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8,9). In this sense God is referred to by inspiration as our Saviour (1 Timothy 1:1; 2:3).

Sacrificial factor: Animal sacrifices were not efficacious to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4), but without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). Christ’s death is our atoning sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:26; 10:12; Romans 5:8). To reject this sacrifice leaves us without any other atoning death (Hebrews 10:10,12). Christ’s willingness to humble Himself to become our atoning sacrifice is the supreme expression and demonstration of God’s grace, love, and mercy. There remains no more sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:26).

Procuring factor: Christ’s blood is the procuring factor (1 Peter 1:18,19; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:11-14). By His blood the guilt of all faithful saints in the past was blotted out (Romans 3:24,25). Even the blood of Christ cleanses Christians of their sins as they walk in the light of God’s word (1 John 1:7).

The issue with our religious neighbors has never been over whether or not we are saved by the blood of Christ, but over how and when that blood is contacted or appropriated. If we believe the Scriptures, it could not be before baptism with its scriptural pre-requisites (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-4). In the light of these passages, if one is saved at the point of faith, he is saved without contacting the blood of Christ.

Revealing factor: We would know nothing about the foregoing without this factor, and this factor is the Holy Spirit. Christ’s apostles were promised the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit to guide them into all the truth (John 14:26; 16:13). The “mystery” (God’s plan not revealed in the past) was revealed by the Holy Spirit to the apostles, which we have in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Ephesians 3:1-5). This revelation is now complete and all-sufficient (1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Jude 3; 2 Timothy 3:16,17). This means that there cannot be any “latter-day” revelations.

Instrumental factor: Revelation, or the inspired word, is the instrument used by the Holy Spirit in the conviction and conversion of sinners and the sanctification of saints. It was given for this purpose (2 Timothy 3:16, “reproof”, conviction). Everything that is said in the Bible to be done by the Holy Spirit in these areas is also affirmed of the word, which means that the revealed word is the instrument used by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). This requires hearing and learning the word (John 6:44,45). Neither can the preaching of the word be bypassed (1 Corinthians 1:21). It is the Spirit through the word that gives life; it is not a dead letter (John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12). “The letter killeth” in 2 Corinthians 3:6 is referring to the old Jewish covenant. Read the context!

Appropriating and consummating factors: This involves man’s response to God’s grace in providing all of the above. It is by faith and obedience (appropriative, not meritorious factors) that man is saved. Man comes to God by faith (Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24). It is the obedient believer that is saved (Mark 16:16; Romans 1:16). Baptism is a part of this obedience (Acts 18:8; 1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is no more meritorious than faith and repentance; they are simply appropriative in nature. How long will it be before the religious world learns this?!

Sustaining factor: Paul says that Christians are saved by hope (Romans 8:24) and hope is described by the writer of Hebrews as the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19). Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of this hope (1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Peter 1:3). This hope is given to us through grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16).

Conclusion: To focus on one of these factors to the exclusion of the others is to do violence to the Holy Scriptures. They are all undergirded by God’s grace and work in conjunction with each other. Every passage should be checked to see if we have made correct application, and you are requested to do this. In man’s response he believes through grace, repents through grace, confesses Christ through grace, and is baptized through grace (Acts 18:27). “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy” (Revelation 1:3).