SPECIAL TOPIC: NEW TESTAMENT EVIDENCE FOR ONE'S SALVATION

  1. Evidence for one's salvation is based on the New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36) in Jesus:
    1. The character and actions of the Trinity (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY)
      1. the character of the Father (cf. John 3:16)
      2. the work of the Son (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21)
      3. the ministry of the Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:14-16)
      4. not on human performance but a gift from God (cf. John 4:10; Eph. 2:8; Heb. 6:4)
    2. It is a gift (cf. Rom. 3:24; 6:23; Eph. 2:5,8-9).
    3. It is a new life, a new worldview (cf. James and 1 John).
      1. knowledge (the gospel)
      2. fellowship (faith in and with Jesus)
      3. Spirit-led Christlikeness, cf. Eph. 1:4; 2:10
      4. all three, not just any one by itself
    4. The tests or evidences of true salvation in 1 John
      1. willingness to confess sin (initially and continually), 1 John 1:9-10 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CONFESSION/PROFESSION)
      2. lifestyle obedience, 1 John 2:3-6; 3:1-10,22-24 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP)
      3. lifestyle love, 1 John 2:7-11; 3:11-18; 4:7-12,16-21; 5:1-2 ( SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVE)
      4. victory over the evil, 1 John 2:12-14; 4:4; 5:4-5
      5. forsaking the world, 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4
      6. perseverance, 1 John 2:19,28 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSEVERANCE)
      7. correct doctrine, 1 John 2:18-25; 4:1-3,14-16; 5:1,5,10 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: ORTHODOXY OF THE PASTORALS)

  2. New Testament (i.e., the Pastorals) can be characterized by the things one is delivered from and the things one is given.
    1. Delivered from
      1. sin
      2. Satan and the demonic powers
      3. error
      4. self-deception
    2. Given
      1. a peace with God now
      2. a purpose in life now
      3. a giftedness for ministry now
      4. a Spirit-filled and directed life now
      5. a future consummation
      6. a future home in heaven
      7. a future glory with Christ
      8. a future reigning with Christ
      9. a future body like Christ's

  3. Remember, the gospel is
    1. a person to welcome (personal relationship)
    2. truths about that person to believe (Apostolic teaching)
    3. a life like that person's to live (Christlikeness)

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE GOSPEL

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PERSONHOOD OF THE SPIRIT

SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST

 

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