The Doctrine of Salvation
How
"Righteousness by Faith"
Really Works
"Righteousness by Faith"
Really Works
Part A:
What is Sin
What is Sin
Lesson 1:
Two Definitions of Sin
(10:36)
Two Definitions of Sin
(10:36)
Lesson 1
Slideshow Transcript
Slideshow Transcript
Before we begin our Bible Study on "The Doctrine of Salvation," we need to lay out some basic issues that will guide all of the studies to come. The pivotal issue in any study of the gospel is the simple question:
What Is Sin?
- What did Jesus come to do?
Matthew 1:21 - And thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
A. Jesus came to be a good teacher. .
B. Jesus came to save lost mankind.
Sin is what caused us to be lost - separated from God, and The Gospel is The Good News (The Doctrine of Salvation):
How God saves us from sin.
Most of us assume we know what sin is, but as is typically true for most things that we assume without examining them carefully, our assumptions may be unproven suppositions that need careful rethinking.
Our situation is like a patient who makes an appointment with a physician. The most important thing the doctor can do for that patient is to make the correct diagnosis. What is the problem to be fixed?
If the diagnosis is wrong the prescribed remedy will not work, and may even make things worse. But, if the diagnosis is correct, then the proper remedy can be put into action and the condition can be cured.
It is exactly the same in our study of salvation. If the diagnosis of sin is correct, then the gospel remedy for sin will solve the problem, and we can have full assurance of salvation. On the other hand, if our definition of sin is unbiblical and based on misinformation, then the gospel that follows it is likely to be just as unbiblical, or even based on centuries of superstitious tradition, instead of on the holy Word of God.
Our situation is like a patient who makes an appointment with a physician. The most important thing the doctor can do for that patient is to make the correct diagnosis. What is the problem to be fixed?
If the diagnosis is wrong the prescribed remedy will not work, and may even make things worse. But, if the diagnosis is correct, then the proper remedy can be put into action and the condition can be cured.
It is exactly the same in our study of salvation. If the diagnosis of sin is correct, then the gospel remedy for sin will solve the problem, and we can have full assurance of salvation. On the other hand, if our definition of sin is unbiblical and based on misinformation, then the gospel that follows it is likely to be just as unbiblical, or even based on centuries of superstitious tradition, instead of on the holy Word of God.
The crucial question is:
- What is the issue about sin for which man is found guilty - so guilty that he deserves to die in the fires of hell, unless he is rescued by the grace of God?
We must be precise in defining the issue about sin that causes guilt, so that we will know exactly:
- What does the gospel rescue us from?
- Of what must we be forgiven?
- What must be healed for us to stop sinning?
- How can we escape the penalty of death?
What is our most serious problem?
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
A. Our problem is poverty. .
B. Our problem is lack of education.
C. Our problem is sin. .
B. Our problem is lack of education.
C. Our problem is sin. .
But the real question is:
- How did we all sin?
- What caused us to come short of the glory of God?
The answer we give to this question will affect every other decision we make about the gospel and how salvation works.
We know that Adam chose sin voluntarily. We know that he became guilty because of his choice. But what about us? Are we guilty because of Adam's sin; because we were born as descendants of Adam? Are we guilty because we have inherited a fallen nature from Adam? Or are we guilty of sin because we chose, of our own free-will, to sin?
To this question, two basic answers have been given throughout the Christian era.
These will be classified as Definition A or Definition B.
These will be classified as Definition A or Definition B.
Definition A: Sin as Nature
This definition claims that our condemnation before God is the result of something called "Original Sin." Original Sin does not refer to the first sinful act committed by Adam in the Garden of Eden. It refers to the idea that the state in which we are born (after Adam’s fall) makes us guilty of sin.
Because Adam sinned, we are born “sinners.”
Because Adam sinned, we are born “sinners.”
- Some say we are guilty or condemned because we have inherited sin from Adam.
- Some say we are guilty or condemned because we are born as sons and daughters of Adam, who was the head of the human race.
- Some say we are guilty or condemned because we are born into a situation in which we are separated from God. We are born apart from God, and that separation is our guilt.
- Some say we are not even guilty for any of these things, but that we are born condemned as part of the fallen human race.
But the common denominator in all of these views is that we are guilty or condemned because we are born into the human family. Our condemnation is based on our birth with a fallen nature into a fallen world. We are born lost because of our inheritance of a fallen nature.
Even though we may choose to do many wrong things in our lives, we are lost sinners primarily because of our birth, before any choice ever took place. Sin exists in us before choice or even before our awareness of existence or knowledge of sin. Sin exists in us before we can understand anything about right and wrong. Sin resides within us because of our birth into a fallen race.
Even though we may choose to do many wrong things in our lives, we are lost sinners primarily because of our birth, before any choice ever took place. Sin exists in us before choice or even before our awareness of existence or knowledge of sin. Sin exists in us before we can understand anything about right and wrong. Sin resides within us because of our birth into a fallen race.
What is the logical solution for this definition of sin as nature?
- This definition of sin is the reason that some Christians believe in the necessity for infant baptism. If we are lost at birth because of our fallen nature, it is extremely important to be baptized immediately as a sinful infant in order to wash our “sin” away!
Definition B: Sin as Choice
Definition B: Sin as Choice, says everything that Definition A: Sin as Nature, says EXEPT ONE THING.
Like Definition A, Definition B says that when Adam sinned, something changed in Adam's nature. His nature changed from one of perfection and obedience to one of distortion, selfishness, and rebellion -- from a perfect nature to a fallen nature.
Both definitions agree that we all inherit a fallen nature from Adam. Our fallen nature means that it is more natural for us to do wrong, than it is for us to do right.
The one difference in Definition B: Sin as Choice is that we do not inherit guilt (or condemnation) for being born with a fallen nature.
We inherit everything that Adam could pass on to his children, but we are not born as condemned sinners. Our fallen “sinful” nature does not make us guilty of sin, which must, by definition, be an act of our own choice. We become sinners -- we fall short of the glory of God, lost and condemned -- when we personally choose to rebel against God's revealed will.
Like Definition A, Definition B says that when Adam sinned, something changed in Adam's nature. His nature changed from one of perfection and obedience to one of distortion, selfishness, and rebellion -- from a perfect nature to a fallen nature.
Both definitions agree that we all inherit a fallen nature from Adam. Our fallen nature means that it is more natural for us to do wrong, than it is for us to do right.
The one difference in Definition B: Sin as Choice is that we do not inherit guilt (or condemnation) for being born with a fallen nature.
We inherit everything that Adam could pass on to his children, but we are not born as condemned sinners. Our fallen “sinful” nature does not make us guilty of sin, which must, by definition, be an act of our own choice. We become sinners -- we fall short of the glory of God, lost and condemned -- when we personally choose to rebel against God's revealed will.
- Is infant baptism necessary in this definition? No!
These are the two classic definitions of sin in Christianity. Depending upon which definition we choose to believe, the issues of righteousness by faith will be drastically different.
What we believe about justification, sanctification, and perfection will be different -- depending upon the definition of sin that we accept as Biblically true and accurate.
Definition A: Sin as Nature comes to us with impressive credentials. It was developed very early in Christian history. From the fourth century this definition has been the accepted, orthodox belief of most Christians. This was even the accepted belief during the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century. Inevitably this belief has become the dominant view of most churches today.
But as is true with all accepted beliefs, we must ask the question, Is this belief based on Scripture or on tradition? In fact, many beliefs and teachings which have been accepted into modern Christianity are not based on Scripture, but on ancient traditions. Our question must always be: What does God say?
What we believe about justification, sanctification, and perfection will be different -- depending upon the definition of sin that we accept as Biblically true and accurate.
Definition A: Sin as Nature comes to us with impressive credentials. It was developed very early in Christian history. From the fourth century this definition has been the accepted, orthodox belief of most Christians. This was even the accepted belief during the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century. Inevitably this belief has become the dominant view of most churches today.
But as is true with all accepted beliefs, we must ask the question, Is this belief based on Scripture or on tradition? In fact, many beliefs and teachings which have been accepted into modern Christianity are not based on Scripture, but on ancient traditions. Our question must always be: What does God say?
As strange as it may seem, two different gospels are built upon these two different definitions of sin: sin as Nature or Choice.
- One gospel tries to solve the problem of being born a lost sinner and living constantly in a state of sin, while the other gospel deals with the problem of a rebellious will and sinful choices.
- One gospel is concerned with the nature we inherit, while the other gospel focuses on the character which God wants to develop in us.
If we want to be sure that we are believing and living the true Biblical gospel, then we must be very careful to learn from the Bible what sin really is, and on what basis we stand as condemned sinners in the sight of God.
Now we are ready to open the Bible and learn what it says to us about the nature of sin. Later, when we have the right diagnosis of sin, Nature or Choice, we will study the Bible more and learn how God cures us of our sin problem.
Now we are ready to open the Bible and learn what it says to us about the nature of sin. Later, when we have the right diagnosis of sin, Nature or Choice, we will study the Bible more and learn how God cures us of our sin problem.