THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION 3. None are excluded.
God is “not willing that any should perish, but
(Lesson 13 on Bible Doctrines)
Text: HEBREWS 2:1-4
INTRODUCTION:
1. This morning we are going to consider the greatest doctrine in the
Bible – the doctrine of salvation.
2. It is vitally important because it affects each and every one of
us. Salvation is the theme of both the Old Testament and the New
Testament. And this theme centers on the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Salvation has three aspects, or three tenses – past, present and
future.
· We have been saved (II Cor. 6:2; Eph. 2:8, 9) – from
the penalty of sin.
· We are being saved (Phil. 2:12, 13) – from
the power of sin.
· We shall be saved (Romans 13:11-14) – from the
very presence of sin.
4. No Biblical theme is more deserving of prayerful and careful study
than that of salvation. When a repentant sinner puts his trust in
Jesus Christ he is saved from the penalty of sin (hell); he is saved
from the power of sin – “sin shall not have dominion over you” (Rom.
6:14); and he is saved from the very presence of sin – eternity in
heaven.
5. When a man gets saved he is delivered from Satanic bondage (Greg’s
friend shaking and walking out during song service), from false
doctrine, from alcohol, drugs, gambling, and all the worldly sins that
were dragging him down to hell.
6. Hebrews 2:3 says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect
so great salvation?” God has provided for us a “great salvation.”
I. SALVATION IS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS DIVINE AUTHOR
II. SALVATION IS GREAT BECAUSE OF THE PRICE PAID TO
PROCURE IT
III. SALVATION IS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS UNIVERSALITY
IV. SALVATION IS GREAT BECAUSE OF THE WONDERFUL
BLESSINGS IT BESTOWS
I. SALVATION IS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS DIVINE AUTHOR
1. Salvation was conceived in the mind of God way back in eternity
past, before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4; II Tim. 1:9; Titus
1:2; I Peter 1:18-20; Rev. 13:8).
2. God did not look down into the Garden of Eden and say, “Oh
no! Adam and Eve have sinned? Let me come up with a plan of
salvation.”
3. God’s wonderful plan of salvation was no immediate,
unpremeditated plan to meet a sudden emergency; it was not an
afterthought on God’s part.
4. Salvation is all according to God’s “purpose and grace” (II Tim. 1:9).
5. Let us always remember that salvation is not in a church, not in a
ritual, not in a priest, not in a vision, not in baptism, not in some
emotional experience – salvation is in a PERSON! And that Person is
God (Isaiah 12:2).
6. David said, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I
fear?” (Psalm 27:1; cf. Ps. 62:1, 2).
7. Salvation demonstrates God’s love. “But God commendeth His love
toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
(Rom. 5:8).
8. Salvation demonstrates God’s grace. Ephesians 2:7 says, “That in the
ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace…”
Salvation is great because of its Divine Author.
II. SALVATION IS GREAT BECAUSE OF THE PRICE PAID TO PROCURE IT (I
COR. 6:20; 7:23).
1. By His sacrificial death on the cross, our Lord secured a perfect
salvation for sinners. It is therefore a precious salvation, because we
have been redeemed “with theprecious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:19).
2. The Lord Jesus Christ had to give His life as a ransom in order to save
us (Matt. 20:28).
3. Salvation is great because of the price paid to procure it (Acts
20:28).
III. SALVATION IS GREAT BECAUSE OF ITS UNIVERSALITY
1. Jude writes in verse 3 of his little epistle, “Beloved, when I gave all
diligence to write unto you of the common salvation…” The word
“common” here means “something for all; universal.”
2. The provision for sin is as extensive as the extent of sin.
that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).
4. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world…” Irrespective of
nationality, position, age, or religious background, God’s salvation is
for all (I Tim. 2:4-6; 4:10; I John 2:2; 4:14).
5. Christ is “the Saviour of the world” (I John 4:14). This does not
mean that all men will be saved, but it does mean that God has
provided a Saviour for all men.
6. Richard De Haan (Dr. M.R. De Haan’s son) told a true story about a
discouraged old sinner by the name of Kline. One Sunday night Mr.
Kline went out for a walk, feeling very discouraged and defeated. He
felt no one cared about him and that life wasn’t worth living. But as
he walked past a church he could hear the congregation singing an
old hymn.
“Saved by grace alone, this is all my plea.
Jesus died for all mankind, and Jesus died for
me.”
Mr. Kline was a bit hard of hearing and so when the congregation sang,
“Jesus died for all mankind,” he thought they were singing, “Jesus
died for old man Kline.” “Well, what do you know?” he thought to
himself. “That’s me!” He walked into the church and stayed for the
rest of the service. The pastor preached the Gospel and Mr. Kline was
gloriously saved!
7. When we speak of the universality of salvation we are not saying all
men will be saved. The Bible teaches that those who reject the Lord
Jesus Christ are condemned and will go to hell (John 3:16-18, 36).
8. I heard a sad story about when the French tore down the
Bastille. The Bastille was a medieval fortress in Paris that had
become a notorious prison-house. The people stormed the Bastille,
yelling, “Down with the Bastille!” Finally the doors were broke open
and the prisoners released. But they found one man who was in his
dark, lonely cell for 40 years. They told him he was free but he
refused to leave. He actually stood in the doorway and fought with
those who tried to drag him out into the bright sunlight and fresh
air. The account I read said, “He resisted them with the ferocity of a
tiger.” And so it is with sinners who refuse salvation.
IV. SALVATION IS GREAT BECAUSE OF THE WONDERFUL BLESSINGS IT
BESTOWS
1. When we speak of these wonderful blessings we are referring to
deliverance from the bondage of sin, and from the curse of sin, and
from the condemnation of sin, which is eternal torment in hell.
2. When we speak of the wonderful blessings that accompany salvation
we are talking about the peace of God, fellowship with Jesus, joy
unspeakable and full of glory.
3. What a blessing it is to know that our salvation is for all eternity (cf.
Isa. 51:6).
4. How wonderful it is to know that we are safe in the arms of Jesus
(John 10:27-30).
CONCLUSION:
1. We have barely scratched the surface of this great doctrine of
salvation. Salvation is great because of its simplicity (John 3:16; Acts
16:30, 31; Rom. 10:9, 13).
2. I have read many interesting stories about the Titanic, but I think the
best is the one concerning a preacher named John Harper. One of
the men that survived the Titanictestified later that he was drifting
out on the ocean on a piece of wood from the ship when John Harper
drifted by.
3. John Harper called out, “Man are you saved?” and the man replied,
“No, I am not.” John Harper yelled out, “Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
4. The waves pushed John Harper away but a little later on the waves
brought him back. Again he called out, “Man are you saved now?”
and once again the man had to answer no, he was not. And John
Harper said again, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt
be saved.”
5. Shortly afterwards the man saw John Harper go down, and there in
the middle of the night this man called on the Lord and asked Him to
save him. He eventually was rescued and everywhere he went he
told people that he was John Harper’s last convert.
 3. As touching the will – genuine repentance involves
confession of sin, forsaking of sin, and turning to God (cf.
Isa.55:7; I Thess. 1:9,10).
THE DOCTRINE OF REPENTANCE
(Lesson 14 on Bible Doctrines)
IV. HOW REPENTANCE IS PRODUCED

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God,
1. "The servant of the Lord" teaches and preaches the Word
and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21).
of God in order that "God peradventure will give them
repentance" (II Tim. 2:24,25). As the Word of God is
"There surely is not the emphasis laid upon repentance in modern preaching taught, the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin and the
that there is in the Bible" (R. A. Torrey, What the Bible Teaches). hearer changes his mind as the truth of God’s Word is
presented.
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE
2. Repentance is a gift of God that must be sought (Acts
11:18; Heb.12:17).
1. Repentance was greatly emphasized by the Old Testament
prophets (Ezek.14:6; Amos 4:6-12; Zech.1:3; Matt.12:41).
3. Repentance results when men believe God’s Word (Jonah
3:5).
2. John the Baptist preached repentance, as did our Lord
(Matt.3:1,2; 4:17).
4. "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance"
(Rom.2:4).
3. Repentance is absolutely essential for salvation (Luke
13:1-5).
V. THE RESULTS OF REPENTANCE
4. When Jesus sent forth His twelve apostles, "they went out,
and preached that men should repent" (Mark 6:12). 1. There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth
(Luke 15:7,10).
5. Repentance is part of the Great Commission – "And that
repentance and remission of sins should be preached in 2. Repentance brings pardon and forgiveness of sin (Acts
His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" 3:19).
(Luke 24:47).
3. The Holy Spirit is poured out upon those that repent (Acts
6. God "is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any 2:38).
should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II
Peter 3:9; cf. Act 17:30).
CONCLUSION:

7. Foremost in the preaching of the apostles was the

doctrine of repentance (Acts 2:38; 20:21; 26:18-20).
II. FALSE VIEWS OF REPENTANCE
1. Repentance is not sorrow for sin though it includes
sorrow for sin. There is an ungodly sorrow for sin (sorrow
for getting caught) – "the sorrow of the world worketh
death" (II Cor.7:10). Judas "repented" in this fashion and
then hung himself (Matt.27:3-5).
2. Repentance is not penance. The Romish church teaches
that man can atone for his sin through "penance" but
nowhere is this taught in the Bible. Unfortunately, they
have substituted "do penance" for "repent" in some of
their distorted translations of the Bible.
3. Repentance is not mere moral reformation, though
genuine repentance will lead to reformation and
restitution (cf. Luke 19:8).
III. THE NATURE OF REPENTANCE
1. Genuine salvation will always be preceded by repentance.
The contrite sinner who turns to God accepts God’s
judgment upon sin, accepts the fact that he needs to get
right with God, accepts the fact of his guilt, and accepts
the fact that he is lost and on his way to hell without
Christ.
2. The true penitent turns from his own self-righteousness,
turns from his own works, turns from his false religious
beliefs, and turns to the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving Him
as His Lord and Saviour.
3. "And how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living
and true God" (I Thess.1:9b).
4. "Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of
hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will
turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Be ye not as your
fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried,
saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from
your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not
hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD" (Zech.1:3,4).

1. As touching the intellect – repentance means to change

one’s mind (cf. Matt.21:28-32). The prodigal son "came to
himself" (Luke15:17), i.e., he repented of his folly and
returned to his father. On the day of Pentecost, Peter
exhorted his Jewish listeners to repent, i.e., to change
their minds about who Jesus was (Acts 2:22-38).

2. As touching the emotions – there is a relationship

between sorrow and repentance (cf. II Cor.7:9,10). Sorrow
and repentance are not the same thing, but when sorrow
has done its work there will be repentance, resulting in
salvation. True repentance is manifested in deep sorrow
for sin and in self-humiliation and in self-abhorrence (cf.
Ps.38:18; Luke 18:13,14).