(grace, repentance & acceptance)
Plan of Redemption
• Jesus’ whole life is significant: Jesus as Savior, Baptizer with the Spirit, Healer and Soon- coming King speaks to the plan of Redemption.
• Jesus’ perfect obedience unto death means satisfaction is provided, justice is gained, God’s honor is reinstated, and sinners are pardoned.
• God Himself initiated this plan (John 3:16), promised it from the fall (Genesis 3:15) and fulfilled the Old Testament sacrificial system for atonement (Lev 17:11, Hebrews 9:13-14).
• Jesus’ death, along with his life, provides full redemption. Christ’s redemptive work significantly applies to various dimensions of human suffering and need, including the healing of physical needs, forgiveness for mental healing and hope for spiritual healing.
Salvation Through Grace
• Salvation by grace through faith declares that sinners are justified and brought into relationship with God by faith in God’s grace alone. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Rom. 3:23-28).
• Though one has been saved, one is also being saved – and at the End – will be saved. Salvation is a dynamic, multifaceted process that the Spirit directs. Past: by grace we HAVE BEEN saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). Present: To us who ARE BEING saved (1 Cor. 1:18). Future: How much more SHALL WE BE saved (Rom 5:9).
• We want to understand, communicate, and embody (model) an ongoing response to God’s grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that entails participatory actions leading to personal and communal transformation and healing (good works). Good works still play a vital role in the life of the believer. Faith without works is dead (James 2:18). We are created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Repentance and Acceptance
• Repentance is a result of experiencing the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ.
• A conversion experience is accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior (1 John 1:9).
• Repentance is continually turning back to Jesus’ lordship and leadership in your life. (Matthew 3:2; Acts 3:19).
• Repentance leads to life transformation (Acts 2:38-39) and is a response to God’s profound goodness (Romans 2:4). A repentant posture results in a life of humility.
Article IV: THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION (green)
Instructions: Highlight or underline the critical aspects of this article:
We believe that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, the just for the unjust; freely, and by divine appointment of the Father, taking the sinner’s place, bearing his sins, receiving his condemnation, dying his death, fully paying his penalty, and signing with His life’s blood the pardon of everyone who should believe upon Him; that upon simple faith and acceptance of the atonement purchased on Mount Calvary, the vilest sinner may be cleansed of his iniquities and made whiter than driven snow. (Isa. 53:5; Titus 2:14; Isa. 55:7; Heb. 7:25; Isa. 1:18).
Write your statement of faith using the information above:
ARTICLE V: SALVATION THROUGH GRACE (red)
Instructions: Highlight or underline the critical aspects of this article:
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly through grace; that we have no righteousness or goodness of our own wherewith to seek divine favor, and must come, therefore, throwing ourselves upon the unfailing mercy and love of Him who bought us and washed us in His own blood, ‘pleading the merits and the righteousness of Christ the Savior, standing upon His word and accepting the free gift of His love and pardon. (Eph. 2:8, 13; Rom. 3:10, 23-24 and 6:23; Is 64:6; John 6:47).
Write your statement of faith using the information above:
ARTICLE VI: REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE (yellow)
Instructions: Highlight or underline the critical aspects of this article:
We believe that upon sincere repentance, godly sorrow for sin, and a whole-hearted acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, they who call upon Him may be justified by faith, through His precious blood and that in place of condemnation they may have the most blessed peace, assurance and favor with God; that with open arms of mercy and pardon the Savior waits to receive each penitent who will in unfeigned contrition and supplication for mercy, open the door of his heart and accept Him as Lord and King. (I Jn. 1:9; Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 8:1; Luke 1:77-79; Jn. 6:37)
Write your statement of faith using the information above:
Questions and Scripture
What is the significance of the shed blood of Jesus and His death on the cross (Jn 3:16, Gen 3:15, Lev. 17:11, Heb. 9:13-14)?
What does the New Testament mean in its affirmation that one is, “saved by grace through faith” (Eph 2:8-9, Rom. 3:23-28)?
What is the relationship between the conversion experience and the repentance process (1 Jn 1:19, Matt. 3:2, Acts 3:19)?
What makes repentance so powerful (Acts 2:38-39, Ro. 2:4)?
How does this information impact your personal story of redemption, grace, repentance and acceptance?