Digging Deeper: Salvation Scripture alone, Christ alone, Grace alone, Faith alone

14 Pages·2017·0.83 MB·English

Digging Deeper: Salvation
Scripture alone, Christ alone, Grace alone, Faith alone

‘Why study the reformation slogans on the doctrine of salvation?’ I hear you say.
‘After all,’ one might argue, ‘that was back then, and this is now. Even if it was
an important stage in the spread of the gospel, I’m not really into dry, church
history.’

Well, we’re not going to study church history but the bible, as we seek to
‘rediscover’ some key biblical truths which shaped the reformation. The
reformers were reacting against the Roman Catholic Church which had departed
from the bible’s teaching at a number of points, and so leaders like Martin
Luther and John Calvin sought reforms. As we approach the 500th anniversary
of the Reformation on October 31, it will be helpful to remind ourselves of some
of the foundational biblical truths which have shaped Protestant churches. It is
just as important today to be clear on the crucial doctrines of salvation, or
soteriology, as it was when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the
Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517.

Theological problems and pastoral questions remain the same across the
centuries. How can I find out about God? By reading God’s revelation to us in
the bible, the Holy Scriptures alone (Sola Scriptura). How can I be in a right
relationship with God? The truth remains that it is by coming to know Jesus
Christ alone, the one mediator between God and man (Sola Christi). But how
can I be accepted by a Holy God – surely I must offer some good works? No,
God has done all that is needed for me to be friends with him – salvation is by
grace alone (Sola gratia). What must I do to make this real for me? Receive
Christ by faith alone (Sola fide). Let’s dig deeper in our understanding of God’s
salvation.
1
2 Timothy 3:14-17, Psalm 19:1-11
_________________________________________________________________________________
Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura)

Purpose: To understand that the only authoritative word is the bible

1. Apart from the Bible what other kind of authorities (things, books, people, etc)
claim to teach us who God is and what He wants? What happens when people use
differing sources of authority to tell us what God is like or what He wants?

Two ways God speaks to us

Read Psalm 19:1-11

2. What is one source of knowledge of God, and why is it limited in its ability to teach
us about God (v1-4)?

3. How is God’s Word described and what is it useful for (v7-11)?

Think about it
4. How might this encourage you to delight in studying God’s word?
The final revelation

Read Hebrews 1:1-3

5. What is the difference between how God spoke in the past and now (in these last
days)?

6. Why is God’s Son the supreme source of knowledge of God?

Bible alone

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17

7. What does it mean that “all scripture is God-breathed”? (see 2 Peter 1:20-21 & 1
Thessalonians 2:13)

8. In 1 Timothy 5:18 Paul quotes from both the Old & New Testaments (Deut. 25:4 &
Luke 10:7) calling it collectively Scripture. What does this mean for the authority of
New Testament writers?
Think about it
9. What is the goal of Scripture and how can it help us?

10. Is the bible all we need to know God and live His way, or do we also need to
consult church traditions? Why or why not?

11. What problems (how to read, motivation etc) have you had in reading the bible?
What things could help us read the bible more fruitfully?
2
Colossians 1:15-23, Hebrews 9:1-28
_________________________________________________________________________________
Christ alone (Sola Christi)

Purpose: To understand that Christ is the only mediator between God &
people

1. If a person does not have complete faith in the finished work of Christ, how
might this be evident in their attitudes and actions?

The need for a new high priest

Read Hebrews 9:1-28.
2. What were the problems with the Old Testament system of sacrifice (v1-10)?

3. What is the significance of the blood shed by the sacrifice (v11-23)?

4. How does the sacrifice of Christ supersede the old covenant sacrifices (v24-28)?
Think about it
5. How does the Roman Catholic theory of transubstantiation, whereby the prayer of
the priest physically changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, go
against what Hebrews 9:25-28 declares (see also 10:11-18)?

The supremacy of Christ

Read Colossians 1:15-23

6. What phrases in this section express Christ’s divinity and his supremacy over our
world (v15-19)?

7. How is Christ’s supremacy in our salvation expressed?

8. What is the means by which Christ can reconcile us (v20, 22), and why does this
section work against the idea that we need anything additional?
Read 1 Timothy 2:5-6

9. What does Christ being the one mediator between God and mankind mean?

Think about it

10. Is there any place for praying to Mary or saints or ancestors? Can a human priest
act as our mediator? Why or why not?

11. How might complete faith in Jesus as our only mediator express itself in our
Christian walk?
3
Ephesians 2:1-10
_________________________________________________________________________________
Grace alone (Sola gratia)

Purpose: To understand that God has done all that is needed for our
salvation

1. How does our society teach us that we must ‘earn our way’, that we must
contribute to receive anything?

Our natural state before God

Read Ephesians 2:1-3.

2. Summarise our standing before God before we trusted in Jesus?

3. Does our dire position preclude the idea that we might fix the problem ourselves?
Why or why not?
What God has done

Read Ephesians 2:4-7

4. How has God acted to save us?

5. Why has God acted to save us?

Think about it
6. How do verses 6 and 7 reassure us that God has done everything necessary to save
us through Christ?

Do we do anything?

Read Ephesians 2:8-10

7. How does the apostle Paul emphasise that we cannot save ourselves, or even partly
contribute (v8-9)?