The 3 Tenses of Salvation

Our Biblical Resources Group continues to make progress on our paper about salvation. A section of the paper talks about the three tenses of salvation.

Someone might ask, “Are you saved?” The biblical answer to that question for believers is: “Yes, I have been saved; yes, I am being saved; and yes, I will be saved.” According to God’s Word, salvation occurs in three tenses. Dr. Ryrie explained:

The inclusive sweep of salvation is underscored by observing the three tenses of salvation. (1) The moment one believed he was saved from the condemnation of sin (Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:5). (2) That believer is also being saved from the dominion of sin and is being sanctified and preserved (Heb. 7:25). (3) And he will be saved from the very presence of sin in heaven forever (Rom. 5:9-10).

The past tense aspect of salvation is known as justification. Justification takes place at a moment in time when a sinner trusts Christ for salvation. By means of justification, the one who trusts Christ as Savior is saved from the penalty of sin which is eternal separation from God. Justification is by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (See Acts 16:31).

The present tense aspect of salvation is known as progressive sanctification. This is a process that occurs over a period of time as the believer walks by faith in God’s Word by means of the Holy Spirit. Through progressive sanctification, believers are saved from the power of sin in their lives as they rely upon the Spirit and abide in Jesus as the Vine. Progressive sanctification is by God’s grace through daily dependence on the Lord via the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 6:1-14; 8:1-4).

The future tense aspect of salvation is known as glorification. When believers ultimately stand complete in heaven, they will be delivered from the very presence of sin.

Unless people understand these three tenses of salvation, it is easy to complicate the message of the gospel. Often preachers confuse the requirements of discipleship (the second tense of salvation) with the requirements for justification (the first tense of salvation). The only requirement for justification is faith alone in the finished work of Christ. In contrast, there are many requirements for discipleship.

Our paper on salvation tries to bring some clarity to issues such as this.

Blessings,

Bob

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A call ... for Christian discernment must now be extended; for truly, the battle for the Gospel of the grace of God has come upon us once again. New attention must be paid on the part of individual Christians to sound doctrine and good theology. The beginning of this attention must surely be on the question “what must I do to be saved?” The resounding answer must always and ever be no more and no less than the stunning and surprisingly simple truth “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31) —Dave Breese

 

What Must I Do to Be Saved?

The Biblical Resources Group for Ethnos360 continues to work on doctrinal papers for the mission. We meet once a week to discuss the papers that we are working on. So, far we have revised 22 papers that were written nearly 20 years ago. We have also written 3 new papers. And we are currently writing a new paper called “God’s Good News” which speaks to the doctrine of salvation.

In the evangelical world today, there are many confusing ideas as to how a lost person can be saved. When Paul and Silas were asked by the Philippian Jailer how to be saved, their answer was simple: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Dr. J. B. Hixson wrote Getting the Gospel Wrong. In that book, he explains the confusion that exists today in many gospel presentations. He wrote:

Vince Lombardi is widely recognized as one of the greatest football coaches of all time. Legend has it that on one occasion, after a particularly tough loss for his team, he gathered his players in the locker room for the usual postgame speech. In a short but poignant statement the coach cut right to the heart of the matter. Holding up a football, Lombardi quipped, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” His point was not lost on the players: Their performance in the game that just concluded had evidenced an utter lack of competency in the very basic fundamentals of the game.

A survey of the state of American evangelicalism reveals a similar incompetency when it comes to the basics of the Christian faith, namely, the gospel. There is a crisis regarding the nature of the gospel within evangelical theology today and very little is being done to address the issue. While most evangelicals agree that Jesus Christ is the object of saving faith, there is widespread inconsistency regarding the specific content of saving faith. What is it about Jesus Christ that one must believe in order to have eternal life? Are there certain nonnegotiable truths that must be included in a gospel presentation in order for it to be considered the pure gospel? An abandonment of certainty, as well as a general disdain for absolute truth within the postmodern ideological milieu, have created fertile ground for erroneous gospel presentations—each competing for legitimacy within the evangelical church at large.…

What is needed today is a Lombardi-style critique in which pastors and evangelical leaders confidently raise their Bibles and remind the church, “This is the gospel!”

Our newest paper is an attempt to bring some clarity to this issue. Your prayers for this project are much appreciated.

Blessings,

Bob

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Keep the Gospel Clear

Keep the issue clear:

The issue is sin, and Who is going to forgive it.

Keep the direction clear:

It is from the Giver to the recipient. The gift of righteousness is given when you believe.

Keep the requirements clear:

It is salvation through FAITH.
There is nothing more!

―Dr. Charles Ryrie