VII. SALVATION

A. THE ATONEMENT

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was the voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. (Isaiah 53:4-7,11,12; Matthew 18:11; John 3:16; John 10:18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; I Corinthians 15:3,20; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:12-15; Hebrews 12:2; I Peter 2:24; I Peter 3:18; I John 2:2; I John 4:10)

B. THE GRACE OF GOD IN THE NEW CREATION

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (Luke 5:27; John 1:12-13; John 3:3,6-8; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 6:23; II Corinthians 5:17,19; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 5:9; Colossians 2:13; II Peter 1:4; I John 5:1)

C. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe in God’s electing grace; that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. (Isaiah 55:1,6-7; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-16,18,36; John 5:40; John 6:37; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29,30; Romans 10:13; I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 3:12; I Thessalonians 1:4; I Timothy 1:15; Titus 1:1; I Peter 1:2; Revelation 22:17)

D. JUSTIFICATION

We believe that the great gospel blessing, which Christ secures to such as believe in Him, is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood is His righteousness imputed unto us. (Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Zechariah 13:1; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; Romans 4:1-8; Romans 5:1,9; Romans 8:1; Galatians 3:11; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 10:38)

E. REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior. (Psalm 51:1-4,7; Isaiah 55:6-7; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:8; Luke 18:13; Acts 2:37-38; Romans 10:9-11,13)

F. PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professions; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation. (Psalm 121:3; Matthew 6:30; Matthew 13:19-21; John 8:31-32; John 10:28-29; John 16:8; Romans 8:28,35-39; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 1:14; I Peter 1:15; I John 2:19)