Fundamentalists, Pentecostals, Evangelicals, etc. what is your view on salvation/justification?

Question

How are we saved or justified with God? Is it by a mere legal act by which God declares the sinner to be meriting heaven even though he remains in fact unjust and sinful?

Is it a real eradication of sin, or just a covering or non-imputation? Is it an inner renewal and a real sanctification or only an external application of Christ’s righteousness?

Please state your church and teaching.

Scripture understands justification differently. It is a true eradication of sin and a true sanctification and renewal of the inner man, for "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" and "if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come" (Rom. 8:1 and 2 Cor. 5:17). Thus God chose us "to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth" (2 Thess. 2:13).

Scripture conceives of forgiveness of sins as a real and complete removal of them. The words used are "wipe out," "blot out," "take away," "remove," and "cleanse" (Ps. 51:2[50:3]; Is. 43:25; Mic. 7:18; John 1:29; Ps. 103 [102]:12). Scripture shows justification as a rebirth, as a generation of the supernatural life in a former sinner (John 3:5; Titus 3:5), as a thorough inner renewal (Eph. 4:23), and as a sanctification (1 Cor. 6:11). The soul itself becomes beautiful and holy. It is not just an ugly soul hidden under cloak.

I welcome all views including LDS, JW, Adventists, Catholic. I am really surprised that Christendom has different interpretations of a fundamental doctrine. Now I understand why Gandhi said, "Why should I be a Christian? Christians cannot even agree on what to believe in!"

Answer 1

gluttony for punishment isn't a sin but geesh! You sure are brave!---lol.

Answer 2

Not sure if I have a denomination but I consider myself charismatic and I also am a four point calvinist.

I believe that JUSTIFICATION *is* a 'mere legal act'. The wages of sin is death, and someone has to pay. Jesus paid. His blood is more than enough to cover my sins --- past, present and future. I will remain unjust and sinful all of my days here (at least, so far as I can tell --- met any perfect people yet?), but God doesn't see me that way --- I am the righteousness of God in Christ --- the Bible declares this.

Sanctification is what happens *after* justification. I don't know about everyone else, but I do know that for myself, salvation was a serious heart change. Of course, not everything changed at once, but I could tell that something was HUGELY different in who I was. God deals with my sin, in His time, through His discipline. My sanctification does nothing to earn my way to Heaven. Scripture says that we can't do that --- that salvation is a gift of grace through faith. My *works* are the proof that I have been justified and am going through the process of sanctification. James was right --- faith without works is dead. If you don't have works, you don't have salvific faith. The proof is in the pudding, to so speak. Paul was also right --- salvation is by faith through grace, not of WORKS that NO MAN MAY BOAST.

So, to put it simply, if my faith isn't producing works, it isn't living, salvific faith. It is lip service, and shows that I haven't experience the 'new birth'. But my works do not save me. Scripture is *very* clear on that. Works show WHAT I am. They don't add to what Christ has done. Does Christ's death need anything else? Isn't His blood enough?

Answer 3

My teaching is straight from the scriptures.Paul summed it up best in Ephesians 2: 8,9."For it is by grace(unearned favor) that you are saved through faith (believing God's word) and not by works,it is the gift(one can not earn a gift ,it is given)of God ,least any man boast(say I did more than you therefore I'm more saved).
"It is by grace that you are saved ,through faith and not of works.It is the gift of God least any man boast."
How do we get this "faith"?Paul also says "Faith comes by hearing ,hearing the word of God".
Faith is the Greek word 'Pisteo' which is a verb. You can believe something but faith makes you put that belief into action.You believe Jesus died for ALL our sins,that justifies you,now you are clean,you have had a big showerbath.Now when we sin as IJohn 1:9 says "He (Jesus ) is faithful and just to forgive us"So we go back and wash up occasionally.You believe the Holy Spirit indwells you when you believe and put your faith in Christ? Then "ye are Holy" Sanctified,literally "Sainted"(saints aren't elected sorry Catholics)
Do you believe that? Do you live it? Then you have been sanctified and justified through faith in Christ.
I am nondenominational ,pre-trib, Calvary Chapel kind of guy.

Answer 4

We are saved by repentence, baptism in Jesus name(specifically), and filled w/ the Holy Ghost evidenced w/ speaking in other tongues as God gives the utterance. Acts 2:38 tells the whole plan of salvation. I am part of the United Pentecostal Church International(upc.org)and (upc.net)

Answer 5

You lost me there with your big words. Are you shopping around for truth? It's all in the Bible. And, it's so simple that a child can understand it, and at the same time so profound that the greatest scholar will not be able to fathom it. Turn to God humbly and request He teach you these things by His Spirit. After all, you don't want to rely on men's opinions on such important matters.

Blessings,

Jack

Answer 6

As a Catholic, I can't wait to read all the answers (so I can understand some of their views). Good question! (Didn't know if you wanted our view or just the prostestant views)

Answer 7

GODS GRACE AND MERCY NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS <((((><