In essence, salvation is when a person has surrendered their life to the rulership of the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation though, does not stop there. The Word clearly encourages us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling! This includes sanctification, faith, repentance and much more. This article gives a brief definition of key words regarding the aspects of salvation in the life of every Believer.
1. Repentance — turning from sin.
Scriptures: Matt. 9:13; Acts 17:30; 26:20
2. Faith — turning to the Saviour.
Scriptures: Acts 20:21; Eph. 2:8–9; Heb. 11:6
3. Substitution — Christ’s death on the cross in our stead.
Scriptures: 1 Pet. 3:18; John 10:11
4. Reconciliation — bringing together two opposing groups/people through a third group/person, like Christ brought us to God the Father.
Scriptures: 2 Cor. 5:18–20
5. Propitiation — Christ satisfied the holiness of God on the Cross.
Scriptures: Rom. 3:25; Eph. 2:13; Col. 1:20; 1 John 2:2; 4:10
6. Remission — putting away or carrying away our sins—also synonymous with forgiveness.
Scriptures: Lev. 16:21–22; Heb. 9:26; 13:12–13; Rom. 3:25; Eph. 4:32; Col. 2:13
7. Regeneration — receiving a new nature through the second birth.
Scriptures: John 1:12–13; John 3:3; 1 John 5:1
8. Redemption — was obtained for us by Christ paying a ransom price.
Scriptures: Luke 1:68; Gal. 3:13; Heb. 9:12
9. Imputation — God adding the righteousness of Christ to the believing sinner.
Scriptures: Isa. 53:5, 11; Rom. 4:3–8; Phil. 3:7–8
10. Adoption — wherein the believing sinner enjoys all the privileges and responsibilities of adult sonhood.
Scriptures: Gal. 4:4–5; Rom. 8:15–23; Eph. 1:5
11. Supplication (prayer) — communicating with God.
Scriptures: Luke 18:13; Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13; Jude 20
12. Justification — God declaring a repentant sinner righteous.
Scriptures: Rom. 5:1; Rom. 8:33
13. Sanctification — God setting us apart for growth and service.
Scriptures: John 17:17; Eph. 5:26; 1 Thess. 4:3–4; 1 Thess. 5:23
14. Glorification — the ultimate, eternal and absolute physical, mental and spiritual perfection of all Believers.
Scriptures: Rom. 8:18, 23, 30; Rom. 5:2; 1 Cor. 15:43; Col. 3:4; 1 Pet. 5:1
15. Election — being chosen by God.
Scriptures: Eph. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9
16. Foreknowledge — that attribute of God which provided Him in advance with all the facts concerning the elect.
Scriptures: Acts 15:18; Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2
17. Predestination — God’s eternal plan whereby all believing sinners are conformed to the image of Christ.
Scriptures: Rom. 8:29–30; Eph. 1:9–12
(Source: Willmington, H. L.: Willmington’s Book of Bible Lists. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House, 1987)
