This is article IV from the Baptist Faith & Message 2000. This is a statement of faith that all members of Lakeside agreed to upon becoming members! I have added some annotations in blue as we walk through this crucial doctrine of salvation.
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. It is so wonderful to realize that salvation is of the "whole man". We are embodied souls, and the bible promises the salvation of both our souls and bodies. Though our souls our fully secured in salvation now, we still wrestle with sin. And though our bodies are still broken and awaiting their redemption, we are promised one day to have glorious bodies free from death, sickness, and sin. Please take a moment to read Article III on "Man" for more info!
A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. The reason we need to become "new creatures" is because mankind is so infected with sin. Our whole being is wrought with sin. Therefore it is not enough to fix part of ourselves or work harder, we must become entirely something new. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. We must have both, repentance from our sin without faith in Jesus leaves us unforgiven and dead in our sins
Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour.
B. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God. This great doctrine of God brings to mind the legal language of God as our judge. In Christ, we are proven to be justified in his sight and declared righteous on the merit of Christ's works and not our own.
C. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life. It is so important for us to remember that the bible describes sanctification as an ongoing progress in our lives. Perfection is not the goal as there is only one perfect human being ever to live, but the gradual and passionate progress of the Holy Spirit working within us to make us more Holy like Christ.
D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed. Oh Lord come soon! How this doctrine of salvation helps us to long for heaven and the day when our faith shall be made sight. In this doctrine, our souls and bodies will be saved fully from sin and we will live in perfect community with our Triune God and other believers.
Scripture References:
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
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