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Course: Basic Christian Doctrine

Series: The Apostles Creed
Lesson 6: Salvation
1. Host
Throughout these lessons, weve mentioned that the Apostles Creed
began as a brief summary of the beliefs that early Christians confessed when
they were baptized. In that context, its easy to imagine that the most emotional
part of their confession, for many, would have been the articles of the Creed
expressing faith in their personal salvation.
And isnt that true for us, as well? We love our great God Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. And we value the church hes built. But our greatest joy is the
good news that salvation is for us. We rejoice in the assurance that God loves
us, that he forgives our sins, and that he has a wonderful destiny for us, both now
and in the world to come.
2. Title
This is the sixth lesson in our series on [The Apostles Creed]. And we
have entitled it [Salvation]. In this lesson, well look at the articles of faith in the
Apostles Creed that affirm belief in the good news of forgiveness and eternal life.
3. Definition: Salvation
In Scripture, the word [salvation] is used in a variety of ways, indicating
that there are many facets to our salvation in Christ. When modern Christians
use the word salvation, we generally have in mind [the reception of the
blessings that Christ purchased by his atoning death], beginning with being born
again and reconciled to God, continuing through life in a process of sanctification,
and culminating in our ultimate glorification in the new heavens and earth.
4. Animation
The Apostles Creed speaks of this aspect of salvation with these words:
I believe in ...
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting.
Now, these three ideas forgiveness, resurrection and eternal life -- do not
exhaust the Bibles description of our salvation. But they are the primary
statements in the Apostles Creed that confess belief in particular aspects of what
God does when he saves individual believers.
5. Signpost: Forgiveness
Our discussion of [salvation] in the Apostles Creed will address each of
these dimensions of our salvation. First, well talk about the [forgiveness] of sins.
Second, well explore the doctrine of the [resurrection] of the body. And third,
well consider the nature of [everlasting life]. Lets begin with the familiar subject
of the forgiveness of sins.

6. Panel: Problem of Sin

To understand what the Apostles Creed means by [forgiveness], well
touch on three closely related issues: first, the [problem of sin] that makes
forgiveness necessary; second, the [divine grace] that makes forgiveness
possible; and third, our [individual responsibility], the things we need to do to
receive forgiveness. Well look first at the [problem of sin].
7. Host
Christians who believe in the Bible recognize that one of the main reasons
Jesus died was to solve the problem created by our sin. Sin separates us from
Gods blessings, and places us under his curse. And there is no way that we can
overcome this problem by ourselves. This is what we mean when we talk about
the problem of sin: Sin condemns us. And apart from Christ, we have no way to
save ourselves from its presence or its consequences.
8. Bullet: Definition of Sin
Well investigate what the Scriptures teach about the problem of sin in
three parts. First, well offer a biblical [definition] of sin. Second, well talk about
the [origin] of sin in the human race. And third, well look at the [consequences] of
sin. Lets start with a [definition] of sin.
9. Animation
The Bible talks about sin in a variety of ways. It uses words like
[lawlessness], [rebellion], [transgression], [offense], [evil], [missing the mark], and
a variety of other words to describe things that are sinful. And each of these
words adds something to our understanding of sin.
But when Scripture speaks of sin abstractly when it offers its own
definition for sin one word tends to rise above the others: [lawlessness]. In the
Bibles vocabulary, sin is most fundamentally [a violation of Gods law].
10. Placard: 1 John 3:4
As the apostle John wrote in 1 John chapter 3 verse 4:
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
We see this same emphasis on sin as lawlessness in places like Romans
chapter 7 verses 9 through 25, and 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 56. This basic
concept of sin is also reflected in the theology of many different Christian
traditions.
11. Quotation: Westminster Shorter Catechism 14
As just one example, listen to the Westminster Shorter Catechisms
question and answer number 14. In answer to the question:
What is sin?
The Catechism answers:
Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of
God.

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Notice that this answer identifies two general types of violations of Gods law:
[want of conformity] unto the law, and [transgression] of the law.
12. Animation
13. Animation
On the one hand, [want of conformity] unto the law is [failure to do what
Scripture commands]. This is often called [sin of omission] because we omit or
neglect what we should be doing. On the other hand, [transgression] of the law is
[doing what Scripture forbids]. This kind of lawbreaking is often called [sin of
commission] because we actively commit sin by thinking, feeling or doing
something that Scripture forbids.
Now, when we talk about the law of God as the standard that defines sin,
its important to point out that Gods law is not arbitrary or random. On the
contrary, the law is a reflection of Gods perfect character.
14. Placard: Romans 7:12
Listen to the way Paul described the law in Romans chapter 7 verse 12:
The law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
As Paul said here, Gods commandments are always [holy, righteous and good],
just like God himself. Gods commands always accord with his nature.
15. Animation
This is why Scripture teaches that if we love God, well keep his
commandments. If we love God, we will also love those things that reflect God,
such as his law. We see this in Deuteronomy chapter 5 verse 10 and chapter 6
verses 5 and 6, Matthew chapter 22 verses 37 through 40, John chapter 14
verses 15 through 24, and many other places.
16. Placard: 1 John 5:3
Listen to what John wrote in 1 John chapter 5 verse 3:
This is love for God: to obey his commands.
Love for God is manifested in obedience to his law. So, when we break his law,
we are not acting in love for God. And therefore, we are sinning.
17. Scorgie 6.1 (3539)
There is in the Bible a very close connection between loving God and
obeying God. I think the first thing that we have to clarify is that merely loving
God is not a fulfillment of the command to love God. There can be a dutyoriented, obligatory drudgery that was never in mind when the Bible said If you
love me, or Christ said, If you love me, keep my commandments. But if the
love is there, if there is this voluntary self giving, rooted in a delight in God, then
the most natural and validating manifestation of that will be a profound, willing
and ready obedience because its rooted in a desire to be pleasing to this God
whom you love and delight in; its rooted in the trust that this Gods way is as
reliable and for your good as his own character.

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18. Animation
When we fail to act out of love for God, we sin by rebelling against him, by
transgressing his law, by doing evil, by missing the mark, by offending his holy,
righteous and good character. But when our love for God motivates us, we put
his interests and demands above our own. And as a result, we can avoid many
sins and their terrible consequences in our lives.
19. Bullet: Origin of Sin
With this [definition] of sin as violation of Gods laws in mind, lets turn to
the [origin] of sin in the human race.
20. Animation
Most of us are familiar with the events recorded in Genesis chapter 3, the
account of when our first parents Adam and Eve rebelled against God by eating
the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. From a biblical
point of view, this act was not an isolated event. It caused the entire human race
to become guilty of sin, and to be corrupted by sin. Theologians commonly refer
to this event as humanitys fall into sin, or simply [the Fall].
21. Animation
Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 through 31 tell us that when God created
humanity, we were [very good]. In this case, the word good means that we were
precisely what God wanted us to be. Our first parents were morally pure images
of God, perfectly suited to serve him by filling and ruling over the world God had
created.
As Paul indicated in Romans chapter 5 verse 12, sin had not entered
humanity before the Fall. We had never committed sin, we were not inclined
toward sin, we were not corrupted by sin, and we were not indwelt by sin.
22. Animation
But even in this sinless state, we did have both the ability and the
opportunity to sin. When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the
Garden of Eden, he revealed many things to them. But one command quickly
moved to the foreground as a test of their willingness to serve God. In Genesis
chapter 2 verses 16 and 17, we read that God permitted Adam and Eve to eat
from any tree in the garden except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
And the possibility of breaking this law presented an opportunity for Adam and
Eve to sin.
23. Animation
Tragically, as we know from Genesis chapter 3 verses 1 through 6, the
serpent deceived Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. Then Eve offered some of
the fruit to Adam, and he ate it too. Adam and Eve violated Gods righteous law
and willfully chose to sin. Revelation chapter 12 verse 9 indicates that the
serpent was actually Satan, and 1 Timothy chapter 2 verse 14 indicates that Eve

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was deceived. But neither Satans temptations nor Eves foolishness excused the
sin of our first parents. They both were guilty of choosing evil instead of good.
24. Animation
In these events we see once again that sin is fundamentally a matter of
violating Gods law, his revealed will. Whenever we think, speak or act in ways
that differ from Gods revealed law, we are choosing evil instead of good. And
even if were deceived or tricked into sinning, God still holds us accountable for
what weve done. Thats why its so helpful to hide Gods word in our hearts
not just so that we know it, but also so that we love it. When we know Gods law,
it helps us recognize sin so that wont be deceived. And when we love Gods law,
it makes it easier to choose to obey him.
25. Bullet: Consequences of Sin
Having considered sins [definition] and [origin], were ready to look at the
[consequences] of sin.
26. Animation
Scripture indicates that after Adam and Eve sinned, God judged and
cursed the entire human race. This curse affected every aspect of their being. It
immediately resulted in the [spiritual death] that is spoken of throughout
Scripture, as in John chapter 5 verses 24 and 25, Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1
through 5, and Colossians chapter 2 verses 13 and 14. It also produced
[corruption] in our beings, both body and soul, as we see in Jeremiah chapter 17
verse 9 and Romans chapter 7 verse 18 through chapter 8 verse 11. And it
ultimately led to [physical death], as we read in Genesis chapter 3 verse 19 and
Romans chapter 5 verse 12. Finally, sin earned humanity eternal suffering under
Gods judgment in hell, as we learn from passages like Matthew chapter 5 verses
29 and 30.
27. Quotation: Charles Spurgeon, from The Curse Removed
The well-known pastor Charles Spurgeon, who lived from 1834 to 1892,
spoke of Gods curse on Adam and Eve in his sermon [The Curse Removed].
Listen to what he said:
What does that curse include? It involves death, the death of this
body ... It includes spiritual death, a death of that inner life which
Adam had the life of the spirit, which hath now fled, and can only
be restored by [the] Holy Spirit ... And it includes, last of all, and
worst of all, that death eternal ... all that can be gathered in that
terrible, that awful ... word "hell."
28. Animation
Whats worse, the consequences of Adam and Eves sin also spread to
the entire human race to everyone who descended from them through natural
generation. We see the universal extent of sin in passages like 1 Kings chapter 8

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verse 46, Romans chapter 3 verses 9 through 12, Galatians chapter 3 verse 22,
and Ephesians chapter 2 verse 3.
29. Placard: Romans 5:12-19
Listen to the way Paul talked about Adams sin in Romans chapter 5
verses 12 and 19:
Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and
in this way death came to all men, because all sinned... [T]hrough
the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners.
As we saw in an earlier lesson, Adam was the covenant head of the entire
human race. And Paul taught that because of this, Adams sin was credited to all
his descendants. And as a result, we are sinners by nature. We come into the
world spiritually dead, subject to pain and hardship, and destined for physical
death.
30. Mohler 6.2 (869)
Its hard to exaggerate; its impossible for us even to understand the full
consequence of sin. But our sin is a revolt against the Creator. It is an effort to
rob him of his glory. It is breaking his law. It is falling short of his glory. It is in
every way setting ourselves as Gods enemies. Sin disrupts our relationship with
God because God is holy. He cannot look upon sin. As a consequence of His
holiness, he must pour out His wrath upon sin. So, when you look at human
sinfulness, it is everything we need to know about our problem. Its also
everything we need to know about ourselves. Sin is the short, three letter
psychology that helps us to understand what we see in the mirror, and what we
know ourselves to be. It also reminds us that there is no way we can rescue
ourselves from this predicament. Only God can do that, and He does so in Christ
31. Host
The problem of sin is truly dire. All humanity is utterly lost and condemned.
We have no way to redeem ourselves. We are perpetually doomed to suffer
under Gods judgment. There is no way for us to earn back his favor, or to make
amends for our sin. Apart from Gods gracious forgiveness, there is absolutely no
hope of salvation.
32. Panel: Divine Grace
Having looked at the [problem of sin], we should turn our discussion of the
[forgiveness of sins] toward the [divine grace] that makes forgiveness possible.
33. Animation
In his mercy, God was not willing to let the entire human race remain
under the curse of sin. He still planned for humanity to fill and rule over the earth,
and to turn it into a kingdom worthy of his presence. So, he sent a redeemer to
solve the problem of sin. And that redeemer was his Son, Jesus Christ.
As redeemer, Jesus saves us from our guilt and corruption; he reconciles
us to himself; he restores our ability to turn the world into his earthly kingdom.

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Gods plan does not rely on the ability of mere human beings to merit our own
salvation. It relies on Gods grace, his unmerited favor, granted to us through our
special representative: the Lord Jesus Christ.
34. Placard: Romans 3:23-24
As we read in Romans chapter 3 verses 23 and 24:
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ
Jesus.
35. Bullet: Father
As a work of [divine grace], forgiveness involves all three persons of the
Trinity, the [Father], the [Son] and the [Holy Spirit]. And it began with the [Father].
35.5 Wellum 6.3 (3552)
Salvation is Trinitarian at heart. The Father who initiates, the Son who
accomplishes, the Spirit who applies. When we think of the Father-Son
relationship, we should think of when we think of Father, Son and Holy Spirit
all three persons are involved in the planning of our salvation. All three
persons are acting in grace and in love and in mercy as well as upholding wrath
and righteousness and judgment. So when the Father is seen as initiator, Hes
not doing that independent of the Son and the Holy Spirit.
36. Animation
Forgiveness began with the Father because he was the one that planned
it. The New Testament explicitly teaches that the Father sent the Son into the
world and appointed him as the redeemer. We see this in John chapter 3 verses
16 through 18, Acts chapter 2 verses 34 through 36, and Hebrews chapter 3
verses 1 and 2.
The New Testament also teaches that the father authorized Jesus
empowerment as the redeemer of his people, and promised to accept Jesus
sacrifice on the cross as payment for sin. We read about these roles of the
Father in passages like John chapter 10 verses 14 through 18, Colossians
chapter 1 verses 18 through 20 and Hebrews chapter 2 verse 10.
37. Placard: Romans 3:25-26
In fact, Romans chapter 3 verse 25 says that it was the Father who
offered up Jesus as a sacrifice. Listen to what Paul wrote there:
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement.
38. Animation
The Father is the great architect of redemption. Its his gracious plan and
merciful desire to forgive our sins and to bless us. And its his authority that
makes salvation both possible and certain.
39. Duncan 6.3 (3552)

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The idea that at the cross, that Jesus is trying to turn away the anger of
his Heavenly Father against his people in such a way that Jesus is loving and
that the Father is not, is actually a very serious misconstrual of what is happening
in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. The Bible makes it clear that the atoning
work of Christ at the cross is not trying to get the Father to love his people, that
the atoning work of Christ on the cross is not trying to get the Father to be
sympathetic with or involved in the salvation of his people and the plight of his
people. But that Jesus work on the cross is actually the expression of the
Fathers prior love for his people. Think how often in the New Testament it is
stressed that Jesus coming into this world and his bearing of the cross is in fact
the result of the Fathers love. The verse that most of us memorize perhaps first
in our Christian life, John three sixteen emphasizes For God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten son Now, whose love is being emphasized in
that verse? I dont mean in any way to take away from the love of Jesus, but its
the love of the Heavenly Father in the giving of the Son, that is being emphasized
in that passage.
40. Bullet: Son
The divine grace that accomplishes our forgiveness also involved the
[Son], who is our redeemer.
41. Animation
In fulfillment of the Fathers promise, the Son was sent into the world,
becoming incarnate as Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, in order to atone for
human sin. We find this teaching in many places like Romans chapter 3 verses
25 and 26, and Hebrews chapter 2 verses 14 through 17, and chapter 10 verses
5 through 10.
Jesus atoned for sin by dying on the cross in place of sinners. He received
the divine curse that had been warranted by our sin. And his perfect
righteousness was credited to our account, so that we would be counted not as
sinners, but as obedient children of God. To list just a few of the places this
theme appears, we find it in John chapter 10 verses 14 through 18, Galatians
chapter 2 verse 20, 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 21, and Hebrews chapter 10
verses 9 through 14.
42. Placard: Ephesians 1:7
As Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 1 verse 7:
In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
43. Animation
Our sins are forgiven not because God ignores them, but because he has
punished them in Christ. And thats why Scripture encourages us to have such
confidence in our salvation.
44. Bullet: Holy Spirit

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Besides depending on these works of the Father and Son, forgiveness is
also the result of divine grace from the [Holy Spirit].
45. Animation
The Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity who actually applies forgiveness
to our lives. The Father laid the plans and the Son accomplished the atonement.
But our sins are not actually forgiven until the Holy Spirit does his work.
46. Animation
When we first come to faith, the Spirit reconciles us to God by forgiving all
the sins we have committed up to that point. He also gives us new spiritual life by
regenerating our spirits, as Jesus talked about in John chapter 3 verses 5
through 8. Acts chapter 11 verse 18 speaks of this experience as repentance
unto life because regeneration and faith will always involve sorrow and
confession of our sinfulness. This idea is confirmed in many passages, such as 1
Corinthians chapter 6 verse 11.
And the Spirit continues to apply forgiveness to us throughout our lives.
He is the one that maintains our faith, that leads us to daily repentance, and that
continually applies forgiveness to us. We see this in places like Romans chapter
8 verses 1 through 16 and Galatians chapter 5 verse 5.
47. Placard: 2 Thessalonians 2:13
As just one example, listen to what Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians chapter
2 verse 13:
God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the
Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Here, Paul wrote that believers are saved by the works of the Spirit that cleanse
us from sin and unrighteousness, that is, the works of the Spirit that apply
forgiveness to us. And the Spirit continues to apply forgiveness to us as we
continue to believe in the truth.
48. Animation
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit all demonstrate saving grace
toward us. And this has at least three implications for our lives. First, when we sin
and appeal to God for forgiveness and other aspects of salvation, we are right to
make our petitions known to all three divine persons. Second, when we receive
these blessings, we should give thanks to all three persons of God. And third, we
can take great confidence in our salvation, knowing that all three persons of the
Trinity love us and work to ensure our redemption. The Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit are all working together, for our benefit, to solve the problem of sin.
49. Panel: Individual Responsibility
Having looked at the [forgiveness of sins] from the perspectives of the
[problem of sin] and [divine grace], were ready to talk about the role [individual
responsibility] plays in forgiveness.

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50. Host
Scripture clearly teaches that God does not forgive the sins of every
person. Some people are forgiven, and some are not. Why is this true? From a
human perspective, the reason is that the process of forgiveness ordinarily
involves an element of individual responsibility. Generally speaking, those people
that fulfill these responsibilities are forgiven, but those that shirk these
responsibilities are not.
51. Bullet: Conditions
Our discussion of the role of [individual responsibility] will divide into two
parts. First, well mention some [conditions] that Scripture identifies as ordinary
requirements for forgiveness. And second, well talk about the [means] of
receiving forgiveness. Lets begin with the [conditions] that Scripture associates
with forgiveness.
52. List: Faith in God
Scripture speaks of two primary conditions for forgiveness. First, it speaks
of [faith in God] as a prerequisite for forgiveness.
53. Definition: Faith in God
In Scripture, faith is a multifaceted concept. But in this context, when we
speak of [faith in God], we have in mind:
Acknowledgement of Gods divine sovereignty, loyal submission to
him, and trust that he will show us mercy for the sake of our
redeemer Jesus Christ.
Although it may sound strange to modern ears, Scripture often refers to this type
of faith as the fear of God.
54. Placard: Psalm 103:8-13
For example, Psalm 103 verses 8 through 13 describes the conditional
nature of forgiveness in this way:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding
in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger
forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us
according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above
the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the
east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions
from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord
has compassion on those who fear him.
Notice that its [those who fear] the Lord that receive his forgiveness, whose
transgressions are removed.
55. Animation
This same idea is found throughout the Bible. For instance, we find it in 2
Chronicles chapter 30 verses 18 and 19, the Lord is said to pardon the people
who set their hearts on seeking him. In Mark chapter 4 verse 12, Jesus indicated

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that only those who perceive and understand the Lord can turn to him for
forgiveness. And in Acts chapter 26 verses 17 and 18, forgiveness can only be
had by those whose eyes have been opened to the truth of the Lords glory and
power.
56. List: Brokenness
The second ordinary condition of forgiveness found in Scripture is
[brokenness].
57. Definition: Brokenness
[Brokenness] is:
Genuine sorrow over sin; true regret over violating Gods law.
Its not simply sorrow over being caught or punished, but agreement that the
Lords requirements are holy, and broken-heartedness over having failed to
honor him.
57.5 Thomas 6.4 (3599)
In terms of contrition we are meant, you and I, to sense the guilt of our
sin. I think of David after hed sinned with Bathsheba. Yes he had sinned against
Bathsheba, and he had sinned against Bathshebas husband. He had sinned
against the church of the Old Testament, but ultimately against Thee, thee only
have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight. And you sense something of the
contrition of his heart. The modern term, I think, is brokenness, and we need the
word by the Spirit to break us, to break us in the presence of God.
58. Animation
For example, in 2 Samuel chapter 11, David showed no remorse when he
committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then arranged for the death of her
husband Uriah in order to hide her pregnancy. He lived without sorrow for his
actions for the entire time of Bathshebas pregnancy, until after his child was
born. At that time, the prophet Nathan confronted David over his sin, as we learn
in 2 Samuel chapter 12. Only then did David admit his crime and feel deep
conviction over it. Then, in a spirit of true brokenness, he wrote Psalm 51, his
great psalm of repentance, to express the depth of his sorrow and regret.
59. Placard: Psalm 51:6,17
Listen to what David wrote in Psalm 51 verses 6 and 17:
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ... The sacrifices of God
are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not
despise.
David recognized that in order to receive Gods forgiveness, he needed to share
Gods perspective on his sin. He needed to hate what he had done, and to be
truly sorry for it.
60. Animation

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We see this same emphasis on brokenness in Psalm 32 verses 1 and 2,
where forgiveness comes to those who have no deceit in them. We find it in
Isaiah chapter 55 verse 7, where Gods mercy is given to those who forsake their
sin. And we hear it in Jeremiah chapter 5 verse 3, where forgiveness is denied to
those whose hearts are hard with regard to their sin.
61. Packer 6.4 (3599)
I think we cultivate contrition, which is the heart of repentance, by focusing
our minds on the holiness of God. We can do that by contemplating what the
Bible says from Genesis to Revelation about the God who cannot fellowship with
disobedient people, but who judges disobedience, brings retribution on those
who transgress. That is Gods holiness in its very essence. And as we brood on
Gods holiness, lets then look back to the track record of our own lives and
review just some of the ways in which we have transgressed, disobeyed,
wandered off in disregard of what God has said, made a mess of our lives in a
way that dishonors him. Now then think back, now all the retribution that was due
to me for that has actually fallen on Christs shoulders and been endured by him.
And that tells me just how grievous my own sins were, that they could only be
atoned for by the death of the incarnate son of God for me. And as I realize how
grievous my sins are in light of the holiness of God and what was demanded to
put them away, so my sense of the grievousness of sin will be made more acute,
my contrition will be deepened, and out of that will come an honest attempt all
over again, again and again and again, to commit myself to God for holiness, to
tell him how much I regret and indeed hate the sins that made the atonement
necessary.
62. Animation
The conditions of faith and brokenness are important to the life of every
person, whether or not we are believers. For those who have not received Christ
as Lord and savior, these conditions are opportunities for them to come to God to
have their sins forgiven, and to begin new life in Christ. For those of us who
already belong to the Lord, they are reminders that we need to live lives of
constant faith, and to be truly sorry for the sins we continue to commit, so that we
can continue to receive forgiveness and cleansing on a daily basis.
63. Bullet: Means
Now that weve seen that the conditions for forgiveness normally include
God working faith and brokenness in our hearts, lets look at the ordinary [means]
by which we can receive forgiveness.
64. Animation
65. Animation
Sometimes, Christians fail to distinguish between a [means] of grace and
a [basis] of grace. As a result, they mistakenly think that a means of grace can be
used to earn grace, or even to force God to be gracious to us. So, its important
to distinguish clearly between a means and a basis.

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To help us see this distinction, imagine that a person needs physical
therapy to recover from an injury. The therapy is expensive, and is paid for by a
donor. We might say that the [means] by which the person fully recovers is the
therapy. But the financial [basis] for this recovery would be the donation.
66. Definition: Basis, Means
We might summarize these differences by saying that a [basis] is the
[ground or merit] on which an action or consequence is based, whereas a
[means] is a [tool or mechanism] for bringing that action or consequence to pass.
67. Animation
When it comes to receiving forgiveness and grace from God, the basis is
always [the merit of Christ], which he earned by his obedient life and sacrificial
death on the cross. We see this in places like Matthew chapter 26 verse 28,
Colossians chapter 1 verses 13 and 14, and 1 John chapter 2 verse 12.
Forgiveness is always earned. But its earned by Christ, not by us.
And the fundamental [means] by which all grace is applied to our lives is
faith. Whether expressed directly to God, or through means of grace, faith is the
primary tool through which God applies grace and other blessings to our lives.
68. List: Prayer
Scripture mentions several means through which faith normally works. For
our purposes in this lesson, we can summarize these other means in two general
categories, beginning with [prayer].
69. Animation
70. Animation
Throughout Scripture, prayer is presented as an ordinary means for
appealing to God for grace and forgiveness. For instance, the Bible commonly
speaks of prayers of [confession and repentance] as expressions of faith through
which the Holy Spirit applies forgiveness to us. The effectiveness of these
prayers is taught in 1 Kings chapter 8 verses 29 through 40, Psalm 32 verses 1
through 11, Acts chapter 8 verse 22, 1 John chapter 1 verse 9, and many other
places.
For those who have just come to know the Lord, faithful prayers of
confession and repentance are the means through which the Holy Spirit initially
applies forgiveness and salvation to their lives. This is why the church referred to
conversion as repentance unto life in Acts chapter 11 verse 18. And for all
believers, prayers of confession and repentance continue to be important means
of receiving Gods grace in our lives.
71. Placard: 1 John 1:9
As we read in 1 John chapter 1 verse 9:
If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

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The wonderful news of the gospel is that God freely forgives our sins on the
basis of what Christ has done for us. And we can receive this forgiveness simply
by asking for it in faith.
72. Duncan 6.5 (3655)
You know, a lot of folks think that if you teach that God will forgive sinners,
simply by their coming to him and saying, Forgive me, heavenly Father, that
that will cheapen the grace of God. But the fact of the matter is, it exalts the
grace of God, not because our repentance saves us, or is the basis on which
God forgives us, but because God has himself has provided the basis of our
forgiveness and reconciliation in the infinitely valuable and incalculably costly
death of his only begotten son.
Strauss 6.5 (3655)
The fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second person of the
Trinity came to earth and spent thirty years in humility and servanthood and then
suffered and died on the cross took on the eternal debt of sin on the cross to
pay the penalty for our sins. Thats an eternal price, thats an eternal cost, an
enormous cost, an infinite cost for our sins. So this is not cheap grace at all. This
is the most expensive grace ever achieved. We receive it as a free gift, but only
because Jesus gave His all for us.
Duncan 6.5 (3655)
All who come to him and simply say, Forgive me Lord, are forgiven.
Not because their request for forgiveness was so noble, not because their
repentance was so good, but because Jesus has done everything that is
necessary for us to be reunited in fellowship with our heavenly father.
73. Animation
Now, we should pause to mention that in addition to prayers of [confession
and repentance], which function as [ordinary means of forgiveness], prayers of
[intercession] sometimes function as [extraordinary] or unusual [means of
forgiveness].
74. Definition: Intercession
[Intercession] can be defined as: [mediation;] or [petition or prayer on
behalf of another].
75. Animation
Scripture records many biblical examples of people offering effective
intercessory prayers. We see this in Numbers chapter 14 verses 19 and 20,
where the Lord forgave the sin of Israel in response to Moses intercessory
prayer. We find it in 2 Chronicles chapter 30 verses 18 through 20, where the
Lord forgave the people who had not properly prepared for Passover in response
to Hezekiahs intercession. We see it in Job chapter 1 verse 5, where we learn
that Job regularly offered effective intercessory sacrifices for his children. And we
see it in James chapter 5 verses 14 and 15, where James taught that the elders
of the church can obtain forgiveness for those who have sinned. God does not

15
always apply forgiveness in response to the intercessory prayers of the faithful.
But there are many times when he does.
76. Animation
And beyond these types of human intercession, both the Son and the Holy
Spirit intercede for people. The intercession Jesus offers is mentioned in places
like Isaiah chapter 53 verse 12, Romans chapter 8 verse 34, and Hebrews
chapter 7 verse 25. And the Spirits intercession is taught in Romans chapter 8
verses 26 and 27.
77. List: Sacraments
The second general category of means of forgiveness is the [sacraments],
or what many modern Protestant churches call the ordinances, namely baptism
and the Lords Supper.
78. Animation
Now, when we use the term sacrament, we need to be clear that we are
not talking about the view of the Lords Supper and baptism found in the Roman
Catholic Church. Rather, the word sacrament has historically been used by
many Protestant denominations to refer to the Lords Supper and baptism. These
ceremonies are special, holy ordinances that God provided to the church as
means of expressing our faith and receiving his blessing. Protestant traditions
differ over the details of the workings of these ordinances. But they all agree that
they are special in some way.
79. Host
Sometimes Christians feel suspicious when they hear others talk about
the Lords Supper and baptism as means of forgiveness. So, its important to
emphasize that we are not saying that these ordinances have any merit in
themselves that makes them effective. They are not the basis of forgiveness.
At the same time, the Bible teaches that when we express our faith
through the Lords Supper and baptism, the Holy Spirit uses these ordinances to
apply forgiveness to our lives.
80. Animation
Baptism is spoken of as a means of grace in passages like Mark chapter 1
verse 4, Acts chapter 2 verse 38, Romans chapter 6 verses 1 through 7, and
Colossians chapter 2 verses 12 through 14.
81. Placard: Acts 22:16
As just one example, listen to Ananias words to Paul in Acts chapter 22
verse 16:
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash
your sins away, calling on his name.
In these instructions, Ananias indicated that Pauls sins would be forgiven or
washed away through baptism.

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82. Animation
83. Animation
Now, of course, baptism is not a necessary means of forgiveness. We can
be forgiven in other ways as well. For example, the thief who came to faith while
being crucified with Jesus was never baptized. Nevertheless, Luke chapter 23
verse 43 indicates that he was forgiven and saved. So, we should not make the
mistake of thinking that forgiveness and salvation are only available to those who
have been baptized. Still, Scripture makes it abundantly clear that baptism
ordinarily functions as a means of applying forgiveness to our lives.
And the same is true of the Lords Supper. Paul explicitly taught that
partaking of the Lords Supper is a means of receiving the benefits of Christs
death, such as forgiveness.
84. Placard: 1 Corinthians 10:16
Listen to what he wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 16:
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a
participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we
break a participation in the body of Christ?
These were rhetorical questions. Everyone reading Pauls letter knew that the
answers were yes, of course. By partaking of the Lords Supper in faith, we are
united to Christ.
85. Animation
Forgiveness of sins is a great blessing of salvation that we experience
throughout our Christian lives. Whether we are new converts, or lifelong
believers, forgiveness is a continual aspect of our walk with Christ. And it results
in many other blessings as well.
86. Quotation: John Wesley: Sermon 26
[John Wesley], a founder of the Methodist church who lived from about
1703 to 1791, spoke about forgiveness in his Sermon number 26, in which he
exposited the Sermon on the Mount. Listen to what he said there:
As soon as ... we receive forgiveness of sins, we receive likewise a
lot among those who are sanctified, by faith which is in him. Sin has
lost its power: It has no dominion over those who are under grace,
that is, in favor with God. As there is now no condemnation for them
that are in Christ Jesus, so they are freed from sin as well as from
guilt. The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in them, and they walk
not after the flesh but after the Spirit.
87. Schreiner 6.6 (3656)
I think the forgiveness of sins, is in some ways, the most precious reality
we have as Christians. Fundamentally what it means to be forgiven of our sins is
to be in a right relationship with God, with our Creator. When we look at the world
today, we see that people are longing for meaning, for significance, for purpose.

17
And theres so much confusion in our culture. What is life all about? What is the
reason for living? Why am I here? And so people try all sorts of things to find
meaning and significance whether they pursue their job or sexuality or drugs. I
mean, there are all kinds of venues and paths where people are trying to find
happiness and joy. But the gospel tells us our fundamental need as human
beings is to be in a right relationship with our Creator, with the one who made us.
And the Gospel tells us the truth about ourselves. Its a very difficult truth to
accept. And that truth is that we are alienated from Him. The truth is that I, Tom
Schreiner, am evil. Im a wicked person. And thats a very hard thing to bare. We
all know what its like to be in a conversation with someone and they point out
one of our sins. We resist it; were defensive. And the Gospel tells us that our
Creator is telling that to us. The one who made us is saying that, you are evil,
you have displeased me. And it takes a great work of the Holy Spirit to admit that
and to stand before God naked as it were. And to say, God I have displeased
you, I have rebelled against you, I am a wicked person. But the Gospel doesnt
end there does it? The gospel says that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to atone
for our sins, to absorb the wrath of God. God out of his love sent his Son so that
our sins could be forgiven, so that if we put our trust in him we can be forgiven of
our sins. And when we come to that experience, when we turn to Jesus Christ for
such forgiveness, there is an incredible sense of peace, a sense of rightness with
the world because it truly is a rightness with the world. We suddenly realize this
is what we are created for. We are created to be in right relationship with God.
We recognize at that moment.
88. Signpost: Resurrection
Now that weve explored the doctrine of the [forgiveness] of sins, were
ready to consider our next article of faith: the [resurrection] of the body.
89. Animation
Recall these words from the Apostles Creed:
I believe in ...
The resurrection of the body.
We need to be clear at this point, that the Creed is not talking about the
resurrection of Jesus. Jesus own resurrection appears earlier in the Creed when
it says that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. When the Creed speaks of
the resurrection of the body it has in mind the [general resurrection] the
resurrection of all people when Christ returns in glory.
90. Panel: Curse
Well consider the general resurrection of the body in three steps. First,
well look at the [curse] that results in death for our bodies. Second, well explain
that the Christian [gospel] offers life for our bodies. And third, well look at the
way our bodies will eventually experience [redemption]. Lets begin with the
[curse] that causes our bodies to die.
91. Animation

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As we saw in an earlier lesson, God created human beings to consist of
physical bodies and non-physical souls. Based on Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12
and 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 23, some traditions have maintained that
each human being also possesses a [spirit] in addition to a [soul]. But there are
approximately 200 verses in which one or the other of these terms is used to
refer to all the inner, non-physical aspects of our being as a whole. So, most
Christian traditions have concluded that the words soul and spirit both refer to
the same underlying reality, and that human beings consist of only two main
parts: body and soul.
Before our Fall into sin, our bodies and our souls were unaffected by sin
and its corrupting powers. But when Adam and Eve fell into sin, sin corrupted not
only their souls, but also their bodies. And this corruption of their bodies
ultimately resulted in their physical death.
92. Placard: Genesis 3:19
Listen to Gods curse on Adam in Genesis chapter 3 verse 19:
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to
the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to
the dust you will return.
When Adam and Eve sinned against God, he cursed them both. And part of his
curse was that they would be mortal. They would eventually die and return to
dust. And because all human beings descend from Adam and Eve, we are all
born with similar corruption.
Placard: Romans 5:12
As Paul wrote in Romans chapter 5 verse 12:
Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and
in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
93. Animation
Sin affected Adam and Eve in both spiritual and physical ways. And
because we are their natural descendants, we bear the same curse. Our souls
come into the world in a state that the Bible describes as spiritual death. We are
under Gods judgment, and have lost all ability to please him. We read about this
in passage like Romans chapter 5 verses 12 through 19, and chapter 8 verses 1
through 8.
And just like Adam and Eve, our bodies are also corrupted by sin. This
corruption results in physical hardship, sickness, and eventually death. Paul
talked about this in Romans chapter 6 verses 12 through 19, and chapter 7
verses 4 through 25. Sin corrupts all that we are our entire being, body and
soul. But the wonderful promise of God is that salvation in Christ redeems both
our souls and our bodies.
94. Wellum 6.7 (3657)
Christians should never view human death as something thats normal.
We often use in our language or convey that kind of idea. Sometimes at funerals
we can say of someone, Well, they lived a good long life. And its only at maybe

19
the death of a young child or the death of someone maybe in their twenties or
thirties that we say, Oh, this is terrible. No, this is really not a proper Christian
view of human death. A Christian view of human death views all death as that
which is abnormal. We were made to live from the very beginning forever. You
think of how, even in the creation account on the seventh day God rests. He
would enter into full enjoyment with His creation. We would then live to His glory
and carry out the creation mandate. We were not ever made to die. But instead,
the wages of sin, the entrance of sin into this world, Genesis 3, the wages of sin
the Apostle Paul says, and spoken of in Genesis 2, is death. Death, which is
physical, death which is also spiritual.
95. Animation
In some sense, physical death is a blessing to believers because we are
taken directly into the presence of Christ. But in a more fundamental sense,
physical death is tragic. Its a universal human experience, but its also horribly
unnatural. God did not create humanity for death; he created us for life. And our
salvation wont be complete until Christ returns and redeems our bodies.
96. Panel: Gospel
Having looked at the [curse] that results in death for our bodies, lets turn
to the aspects of the [gospel] that ensure our resurrection.
97. Host
How many of us know Christians who believe that they will spend eternity
in heaven as disembodied spirits? Probably more than a few. As odd as it may
sound, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is almost completely unknown
in some modern churches. And one reason for this is that Christians often fail to
understand the significance of our human bodies. But Scripture clearly teaches
the good news that not only our souls, but also our bodies, will be glorified when
Christ returns.
98. Bullet: Old Testament
Well explore the idea that bodily resurrection is part of the [gospel] by
considering three issues. First, well mention the [Old Testament] background of
this doctrine. Second, well see that its clearly proclaimed in the [New
Testament]. And third, well talk about the relationship between the resurrection of
believers and the [resurrection of Jesus]. Lets start with the [Old Testament].
99. Definition: Gospel
Many modern Christians dont realize this, but the word [gospel], which
means [good news], actually comes from the Old Testament. In particular, we find
it in Isaiah chapter 52 verse 7 and chapter 61 verse 1, and Nahum chapter 1
verse 15.
100.

Placard: Isaiah 52:7

As just one example, listen to Isaiah chapter 52 verse 7:

20
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring
good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who
proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
101.

Animation
In the Old Testament, the good news or gospel was that God would
save his people by defeating his enemies and theirs. In a narrow sense, this was
the good news that God would rescue his people from the oppression of their
earthly enemies. But in a broader sense, it was the good news that God would
reverse all the curses that resulted from Adam and Eves fall into sin. He would
extend his glorious heavenly reign over the entire earth, and ultimately bless
everyone who had faith in him.
102.

Animation
Of course, the salvation God provided in the Old Testament was based on
Christs future victory. Although Christ had not yet come to die for sin, he had
already promised to die on behalf of his people. And that promise was sufficient
to secure their salvation. In fact, every hope of salvation in the Old Testament
pointed to Christ and what he would accomplish.
103.

Placard: Hebrews 10:1-5

Listen to the way Hebrews chapter 10 verses 1 through 5 describes the
Old Testament sacrifices:
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming not
the realities themselves... [I]t is impossible for the blood of bulls and
goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the
world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body
you prepared for me.
104.

Animation
The author of Hebrews indicated that the Old Testament sacrifices were
only shadows of the reality that was later realized in Christ. Animal sacrifices
could never perfectly atone for sin because God required that human sin be
punished with human death. But they could and did point to Jesus, whose fully
human death was a perfectly sufficient and effective atonement for sin.
105.

Animation
As part of the gospel in the Old Testament, Gods people were taught that
a day was coming when God would raise all the dead of humanity, and judge
them for their deeds. Those who had lived righteously, having faith in God, would
be everlastingly blessed. But those who rebelled against God would be
condemned to a perpetual future of punishment. Both of these sets of
consequences would continue forever in bodily form. Christian theologians
commonly refer to this event as the [last judgment].
106.

Animation

21
As we saw in a prior lesson, the Apostles Creed refers to the last
judgment in the line:
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
107.

Animation
Perhaps the clearest statement of the idea that the last judgment involves
bodily resurrection can be found in Daniel chapter 12, where an angelic
messenger revealed to Daniel that in the future God would deliver his people
from oppression.
108.

Placard: Daniel 12:1-2

Listen to what Daniel was told in Daniel chapter 12 verses 1 and 2:
At that time your people everyone whose name is found written
in the book will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of
the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and
everlasting contempt.
Daniel specifically referred to bodily resurrection when he spoke of those who
[sleep in the dust of the earth]. Souls do not sleep in the dust of earth; bodies do.
And its those bodies that will be raised at the final judgment.
Placard: Isaiah 26:19
Isaiah also spoke of a day of judgment that included a general
resurrection. Listen to what he wrote in Isaiah chapter 26 verses 19 through 21:
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust,
wake up and shout for joy... [T]he earth will give birth to her dead...
See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of
the earth for their sins.
Once again, we see that the dead, those [who dwell in the dust], will rise from
their graves with new life, as if the [earth] were giving [birth] to them. And this will
occur in the context of judgment, as the Lord comes [to punish the people of the
earth for their sins].
109.

Animation
The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is also implied in several Old
Testament passages that speak of [deliverance from sheol] in the context of final
judgment and recompense, such as Psalm 49 verses 7 through 15, and Psalm
73 verses 24 through 28. And in Job chapter 19 verses 25 through 27, Job
confidently expressed his belief that he would be resurrected to see God on the
day the Lord came to stand upon the earth the day of judgment.
110. Dr. John Frame 3520: Did the Old Testament saints have any
conception that there would be a future general resurrection and judgment
of the earth? What did they think it would be like?
The future resurrection and judgment isnt as clear in the Old Testament
as it is in the New. But certainly there are indications in the Old Testament that
this is going to take place. Isaiah for example speaks of a time in which dead
people will live, come out of their graves. Daniel speaks similarly of a time when

22
the dead will come forth, the righteous and the wicked to final judgment. And so
this is something that, this is a belief that sprang up, at least among some of the
Jews, not all of them. The Pharisees of Jesus time believed in the resurrection.
The Sadducees did not. But Jesus himself, when the Sadducees come and ask
him whether there is such a thing, and they give him a trick question to make it
look ridiculous. Jesus actually quotes the passage when God says; I am the God
of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. And Jesus says God is not
the God of the dead, but of the living. So, Abraham, when God forms a
relationship, a covenant relationship with somebody, it really is a personal
relationship with that individual and if Abraham was just going to lie on the
ground, and was never going to waken again doesnt make a whole lot of sense
to say that God is in a covenant relationship forever with Abraham. So, that
means that the New Testament is, of course, irrevocably committed to the
doctrine of resurrection. And of course the resurrection of Jesus puts the final
seal on that.
111.

Bullet: New Testament

Having seen that the general resurrection was part of the gospel in the
[Old Testament], lets look at the fact that its also part of the gospel message in
the [New Testament].
112.
113.

Animation
Animation
The biggest difference between the Old Testament and New Testament
gospel proclamations is that in the New Testament, the redeemer had finally
come. He had finally been revealed in history as Jesus of Nazareth. God was
now reigning through his Son Jesus. This is why the New Testament so often
emphasizes that [Jesus is Lord], meaning that he is the reigning king. We see
this in places like Luke chapter 2 verse 11, Acts chapter 2 verse 36, Romans
chapter 10 verse 9, and 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 3.
Lister 6.9 (3553)
Salvation comes the same way in the Old and New Testaments, by faith in
the promise of Gods provision. Whats different about faith in the Old Testament
and faith in the New, is not faith towards God, but the specificity with which the
promise is given. Faith in the Old Testament is fundamentally forward looking in a
promise yet to be fulfilled. So at the point of Genesis three, fifteen Adam and Eve
dont know that hell be called Jesus, or virgin conceived or any of these sorts of
things, but they know that God has made a promise to provide for them in a way
that they cannot provide for themselves. Faith in the New Testament forward is
retrospective looking back at the cross at a promise that has been fulfilled. So
theyre, they both involve faith directed towards God for a provision that he will
make and we cannot supply.
Animation
In Jesus, all the Old Testament promises of salvation are being fulfilled. As
we saw in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 1 through 5, his death is the reality to

23
which the Old Testament sacrifices pointed. And in Romans chapter 15 verses 8
through 13, and Galatians chapter 3 verse 16, Paul taught that Jesus gospel
fulfills the promises made to the Old Testament patriarchs. In these and many
other ways, the New Testament affirms the Old Testament gospel the good
news that the divine king has finally come to bring salvation to his people by
grace through faith.
114.

Guest: Moved; Inserted into 113

115.

Animation
Jesus taught that the general resurrection will take place at the last
judgment. For instance, in Matthew chapter 22 verses 23 through 32 and Luke
chapter 20 verses 27 through 38, he refuted the Sadducees denial of the general
resurrection. In Luke chapter 14 verses 13 and 14, he encouraged believers to
do good works on the basis that they would be rewarded in the resurrection. And
in John chapter 11 verses 24 through 26, he confirmed the doctrine in his talks
with Martha, the sister of Lazarus.
116.

Placard: Luke 20:37-38

Listen to what Jesus said in Luke chapter 20 verse 37:
In the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise.
Here, Jesus insisted that the doctrine of the general resurrection had already
been revealed in the Old Testament.
117.

Animation
And this same idea is confirmed throughout the rest of the New
Testament. Unfortunately, in many branches of the church, the bodily resurrection
of the dead is largely ignored. Many Christians believe that we will remain
disembodied spirits for all eternity. But in Hebrews chapter 6 verses 1 and 2, the
resurrection of the dead is described as one of the basic doctrines of the
Christian faith. And in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 35, believers resurrection is
held out as a motivation for doing good works.
In fact, the Apostles regularly pointed out that Christians believed in the
Old Testament promises of resurrection. For instance, Peter and John did this in
Acts chapter 4 verses 1 and 2. And Paul did it in Acts chapter 23 verses 6
through 8 and chapter 24 verses 14 through 21.
118.

Placard: Acts 24:14-15

As just one example, listen to how Paul defended his ministry in Acts
chapter 24 verses 14 and 15:
I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the
Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with
the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same
hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both
the righteous and the wicked.

24
Here, Paul pointed out that the Christian hope in the general resurrection at the
last judgment was precisely the same as the Jewish hope. The difference was
that the Christians believed this resurrection would be accomplished through
Christ.
119.

Host
Its important for us to understand that Gods plan of salvation has always
been the same. He didnt appoint one way for ancient Israel to be saved, and
another way for us to be saved. He didnt appoint one way of salvation for the
Jews, and another for the Gentiles. The Old and the New Testaments are united
in their teaching. And thats part of the reason that Christians treasure the Old
Testament as Gods word for their lives. Gods people have always been saved
by grace, through faith, and in Christ. Christians are part of a long history of the
mercy and redemption God has always provided for his faithful people. And the
whole Bible both Testaments teaches us about this wonderful truth.
120.

Bullet: Resurrection of Jesus

Now that weve seen that in both the Old Testament and the New
Testament, the gospel included the good news that there would be a resurrection
of the dead, lets take a look at the relationship between the resurrection of
believers and the [resurrection of Jesus].
121.

List: United to Jesus in his Resurrection

The New Testament teaches that there are at least two very important
connections between the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection of believers.
First, we will be resurrected to blessed life specifically because we are [united to
Jesus in his resurrection].
122.

Placard: Romans 6:4-5

As Paul wrote in Romans chapter 6 verses 4 and 5:
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in
order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory
of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united
with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with
him in his resurrection.

123.

Animation
Paul taught that through faith, baptism unites us to Christs death,
resulting in the payment of the debt we incur by our sin. But it also unites us to
his resurrection, resulting in the regeneration of our spirits in the present life, and
the resurrection of our physical bodies at a future time. Our union with Jesus
resurrection is also taught in places like 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 21 and
22, Philippians chapter 3 verses 10 through 12, and Colossians chapter 2 verse
12.
124.

List: Our Resurrection Guaranteed

25
As a result of the fact that we are united to Jesus in his resurrection, [our]
own [resurrection is guaranteed].
125.

Placard: 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

Listen to what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 20 through

23:
Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those
who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the
resurrection of the dead comes also through a man... But each in
his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who
belong to him.
Here, Paul referred to Jesus resurrection as the [firstfruits] of a harvest that
includes all [those who belong to him].
126.

Animation
In the Old Testament, God required Israel to bring him an offering of the
[firstfruits] of the harvest. We see this, for example, in Leviticus chapter 23 verse
17. These firstfruits were just the first part of the whole harvest, and they
represented the entire harvest. They were a form of guarantee by giving the
Lord the first part of the harvest, the Israelites expressed faith that they
themselves would receive the rest of the harvest. By giving us Jesus
resurrection, God demonstrated his full intention to resurrect us in the same way.
So, as believers, we can have great confidence in our own future resurrection,
knowing that God has sealed us for that day by the resurrection of Christ.
127.

Panel: Redemption
So far in our study of the resurrection of the body, weve look at the [curse]
that results in death for our bodies, and at the [gospel] that offers life for our
bodies. At this point, were ready to consider the way our bodies actually
experience [redemption].
128.

Bullet: Present Life

Well consider the [redemption] of our bodies in three stages: First, the
things believers experience during our [present life] on earth. Second, the
[intermediate state] of our bodies that begins with our physical death. And third,
the [new life] of resurrection itself, which will begin when Christ returns. Lets start
with our [present life].
129.

Animation
Although Christians normally talk about the redemption of our bodies in
terms of our resurrection on the last day, the Bible actually teaches that the
salvation of our bodies begins with the [indwelling] of the Holy Spirit when we first
come to faith. This indwelling is mentioned, for example, in Romans chapter 8
verses 9 through 11. Although it does not result in our immediate bodily
resurrection, it does seal us with the guarantee of the full redemption of our
bodies in the future, as Paul taught in Ephesians chapter 1 verses 13 and 14.

26

130.

Animation
And our bodies continue to benefit from the Holy Spirits indwelling
presence throughout our lives, especially through the process of sanctification.
The sanctification of our bodies is similar to the sanctification of our souls. The
Holy Spirit sets us apart for God and purifies us. He continues to sanctify us
throughout our lives, as he forgives the sins we commit with our bodies, and
ensures that we use our bodies in ways that honor the Lord. Ideally, this results
in us honoring God with our bodies, as Paul taught in 1 Corinthians chapter 6
verse 20, and giving our bodies to God as living sacrifices, as we read in
Romans chapter 12 verse 1.
131.

Bullet: Intermediate State

After the beginning of the redemption of our bodies in the [present life] of
believers, the process continues during our physical death.
132.

Animation
When we die, our bodies are temporarily separated from our souls. This
stage is often called the [intermediate state] the state between our lives on
earth now, and the lives well have in the resurrection. During the intermediate
state, our souls dwell with Christ in heaven. Scripture talks about this in places
like Matthew chapter 17 verse 3 and 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verses 6 through 8.
But while our souls are in heaven, our bodies remain on earth. Our bodies
are still corrupted by sin, as proven by the fact that they decay. But the sin that
corrupts them can no longer influence us to commit sin. For one thing, death
frees us from sins mastery, as Paul taught in Romans chapter 6 verses 2
through 11. For another, our bodies lie in the grave in an unconscious state,
being incapable of any thought, action or feeling, whether good or bad.
133.

Animation
But even though our bodies and souls are temporarily separated at death,
the Bible never says that our bodies cease to be part of us. Whether they are
buried, or cremated, or seemingly lost, our bodies continue to be part of us.
There are dozens of examples of this in the Bible. For instance, 1 Samuel
chapter 25 verse 1 says that Samuel was buried at his home in Ramah. 1 Kings
chapter 2 verse 10 says that David was buried in Jerusalem, the City of David.
And the regular refrain throughout 1 and 2 Kings, as well as 2 Chronicles, is that
the kings of Judah are buried in the city of the forefather David. Their bodies still
belong to them, and are still part of their persons.
134.

Quotation: Westminster Shorter Catechism 37

The Westminster Shorter Catechism describes our death in this way in
question and answer number 37. In answer to the question:
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
The catechism answers:

27
The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness,
and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still
united in Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection.
Here, the Catechism says that believers have two fates at death one for their
[souls], and one for their [bodies]. Our souls [pass into glory] in heaven, but our
bodies, [begin still united to Christ], [rest in their graves] they lie dormant,
waiting for new life in the resurrection.
135.

Chamblin 6.10 (3645)

I think it is true to say that when our soul is in heaven and our body is in
the grave, yes, were in two places at the same time. That requires some
explanation and one answer in
(***Chamblin audio, Switch visual to: Quotation: Westminster Shorter
Catechism 37***)
the Shorter Catechism is very good at this point. The souls of believers are at
their death made perfect in holiness and do immediately pass into glory. And their
bodies being still united to Christ, rest in their graves until the resurrection.
(Chamblin visual again)
The first part of that about the soul departing from the body is the subject of 2
Corinthians chapter 5:1-10. Paul speaks of his present mortal body as an earthly
tent and he doesnt relish the prospect of death because his soul will then be
separated from his body, which is an unnatural state
136.

Animation
This tension between being in two places at one time is felt even in
heaven. There is no doubt that heaven will be wonderful beyond our
expectations. But its also true that even in heaven our salvation will not yet be
complete because our bodies will not yet have been resurrected.
137.

Placard: Romans 8:23

Listen to how Paul talked about bodily resurrection in Romans chapter 8
verse 23:
We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly
as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our
bodies.
Here, Paul said that we groan in this life because we dont have our resurrected
bodies. But the souls in heaven are still waiting for their new bodies, too. So, it
makes sense to think that they are also groaning, in some sense, as they wait for
the redemption of their bodies.
137.5 Scorgie 6.10 (3645)
Some people think that the bodies we will receive are just convenient
earth suits, optional equipment, that we are absolutely content and quite happy to
be disembodied. That seems to be just a little more platonic than biblical. So,
what is it like to be in this intermediate state between your personal death and
the promised resurrection from the dead? What is it like? We have not been

28
given photographic reportage of that. We have not been given detailed
descriptions of that. But the answer we are given from Scripture is very assuring
and its highly relational. We will be with the Lord.
138.

Bullet: New Life

With our [present life] and our physical death in mind, were ready to see
how the redemption of our bodies is completed in [new life].
139.

Animation
Our bodies will receive new, perfect life when they are restored to life in
the general resurrection. In the resurrection, the consequences of sin will finally
and forever be completely put away from us. We read about this in Romans
chapter 8 verse 23, 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 12 through 57, and
Philippians chapter 3 verse 11.Theologians often refer to this stage of salvation
as [glorification], because it results in us being made into glorious, perfected
human beings. Scripture does not give us many details regarding our
glorification. But Paul did briefly compare our glorified bodies to our existing
bodies in 1 Corinthians chapter 15.
140.

Placard: 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Listen to what he wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 42 through 44:
The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is
sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is
raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual
body.

141.

Animation
We cant be sure of the precise continuities and discontinuities between
the bodies we have now and the bodies well have in the resurrection. Just as
Christs body underwent changes in his resurrection, our bodies will also be
changed. They will be renewed and perfected. They will be immortal, glorious,
powerful and spiritual. But they will also be entirely human. In our resurrection,
we will finally become the people God has always planned for us to be.
142.

Host
Our bodies die as a consequence of sin; physical death is Gods judgment
against humanitys wickedness in the Fall. But the good news is that the gospel
proclaims the restoration of our bodies. It tells us that Jesus came to redeem us
as whole persons, body and soul. And this redemption is glorious. Its a cause for
great joy and celebration. With the resurrection of our bodies, we will finally be
able to declare victory over death. We will finally be prepared to inherit all the
blessings God has in store for us in the new heavens and new earth. And we will
finally be able to see with our own eyes the victory of Jesus Christ.
143.

Signpost: Everlasting Life

29
So far in our discussion of [salvation], weve talked about the articles of
faith in the Apostles Creed that deal with the [forgiveness] of sins and the
[resurrection] of the body. At this point, we are ready to turn to our last topic:
[everlasting life].
144.

Animation
The Apostles Creed mentions everlasting life in its last article of faith:
I believe in ...
The life everlasting.
At this point, the Creed has in view the everlasting life, often called eternal life,
that follows the resurrection of our bodies. The Creed affirms the belief that all
Gods faithful people will ultimately be rewarded with perfect, blessed,
incorruptible, never-ending life.
145.

Panel: Timing
Although there are many things we might say about everlasting life, well
focus on three issues in this lesson: First, well mention the [timing] of everlasting
life. When does it begin? Second, well talk about the [quality] of everlasting life.
How does it differ from other kinds of life? And third, well mention the [location]
where we will live forever. Lets begin with the [timing] of our everlasting life.
146.

Scorgie 6.11 (3569)

When does eternal life begin? Christ said that hes come that we might
have life and have it abundantly. Certainly hes suggesting that to be in Christ, to
be a disciple of Christ, introduces us to a qualitatively superior way of living, but
is that eternal life? Does eternal life begin when we pass from this sphere of
mortal existence to the life beyond? Is that when eternal life begins? Well, in a
sense yes. But theres in another sense, the new life, the resurrection life of
Christ that will carry us through the grave and propel us on into eternity, an
unending eternity with God, is a life that has been planted as a seed within us
now. So that the life that will never end is beginning now, and its important to
understand that this eternal life is not just a life defined by endless duration, but a
life defined qualitatively as a life that is now Christ-centered and God-centered
and is moving toward the full restoration of all that was intended for human
beings. And we get to participate in that now, even while we were still embedded
in a painful, struggling, broken world.
147.

Animation
Scripture often says that believers already possess everlasting life as a
present reality. We see this in John chapter 10 verse 28, 1 Timothy chapter 6
verse 12, 1 John chapter 5 verses 11 through 13, and many other places.
148.

Placard: John 5:24

As just one example of this, listen to what Jesus said in John chapter 5
verse 24:

30
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who
sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed
over from death to life.
149.

Animation
Jesus and the writers of the New Testament sometimes talked about
eternal or everlasting life as a present reality that results from our union with
Christ. And of course this is true. Our souls will never die, even though our
bodies will. The spiritual life we possess now is the same life well have forever.
150.

Animation
On the other hand, Scripture talks even more frequently about the fact that
we will be given everlasting life as our inheritance at the last judgment. We see
this in places like Matthew chapter 25 verse 46, Mark chapter 10 verses 29
through 30, John chapter 12 verse 25, Romans chapter 2 verses 5 through 7,
and Jude verse 21.
151.

Placard: John 6:40

As just one example, listen to what John wrote in chapter 6 verse 40 of his
gospel:
For my Fathers will is that everyone who looks to the Son and
believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the
last day.
As John did here, Scripture often associates our full reception of eternal life with
the resurrection of our bodies. When our bodies are made alive, we will live
forever, body and soul, as fully redeemed and fully restored human beings.
151.5 Jeffrey Jue 6.11 (3569)
I think its helpful to describe what we receive in Christ, through our union
with Christ, is that which is both already and not yet. And by that I mean that
the benefits of Christ, which includes eternal life, are ours already when we
receive Christ, when we put our faith in Christ. They are ours we have eternal
life. Yet at same time, its not yet in this sense that, of course, even after we
receive Christ, many of us will grow old, many of us will get sick, many of us will
experience death if Christ does not return before. And in that sense, then, the
not yet of eternal life awaits us still. So the already-not yet I think helps us
understand that, yes we do have eternal life, and yet at same time, eternal life
awaits us in the new heavens and the new earth.
152.

Host
Theres a sense in which its fair to say that eternal life for our souls begins
in this life when we are regenerated. But we wont be completely alive until our
bodies are raised at the last judgment. Only then will our entire being live before
God. Before then, we have a foretaste of everlasting life through the redemption
of our souls. But only when our bodies have also been given new life will we
really live as God intended.

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153.

Panel: Quality
With this understanding of the [timing] of everlasting life in mind, lets look
at its [quality].
154.

Animation
In the Bible, everlasting life is not simply a matter of having our existence
and consciousness continue forever. After all, even people who are under the
eternal judgment of God have continued existence and consciousness. Rather,
the key quality of eternal life is that we will live forever in the blessings of God. In
this sense, to have [life] is to receive Gods favor and blessing. And by contrast,
to suffer [death] is to fall under his wrath and curse. Both eternal life and eternal
death involve continued existence. The difference between them is the quality of
that existence.
155.

Placard: John 17:3

As Jesus prayed in John chapter 17 verse 3:
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Here, Jesus taught that eternal life is equivalent to knowing God and Jesus. In
this context, the idea of knowing implies a loving relationship. Jesus point was
that eternal life is not defined merely in terms of existence or consciousness, but
in terms of the experience of Gods love.
Placard: Romans 7:9-11
Or consider the way Paul talked about life and death in Romans chapter 7
verses 9 through 11, where he wrote this:
Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment
came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very
commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought
death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the
commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put
me to death.
During the entire period that Paul described here, he was physically and mentally
alive. He existed as a conscious, rational being. Even so, he claimed first to have
been [alive], and then to have [died], to have been put to [death]. And the
difference was his standing before God. Before the law condemned him, he was
alive. But once the law put him under Gods curse, Paul was dead. Later, when
he came to Christ and the curse was lifted, he could be described as having new
life. We see this same idea in places like John chapter 5 verse 24, and 1 John
chapter 3 verse 14.
156.

Animation
Think about it this way: On the last day, all the dead will be raised in the
general resurrection. Our immortal souls will be reunited with our resurrected
bodies. According to John chapter 5 verses 28 and 29, those who have done
good will rise to be rewarded, and those who have done evil will rise to be

32
condemned. Both will live conscious lives in their resurrected bodies forever. But
the Bible calls the fate of the righteous [life], and the fate of the wicked [death].
The difference is not whether or not they will exist or think or have experiences.
The difference is their relationship to God. If we are under Gods blessing, the
Bible says we are alive. If we are under his curse, it says we are dead. So,
everlasting life is continued conscious existence in a blessed relationship with
God. But what are these blessings? What does blessed life look like?
157.

Schreiner 6.12 (3540)

I think we ought not to conceive with our eternal life with God as just
floating on clouds, so to speak. But well have new resurrected bodies; bodies
that are not touched by sin and disease and death. We will be immortal; we will
never die. And well live on a new earth. Now, details elude us what will that
involve? We dont know all the details, but we know that we will have some
responsibility. We will reign with Christ. And I take it, since its a new universe that
we will interact with the cosmos that God has created. So therell be specific
things, I take it, for us to do. But fundamentally what the New Testament
emphasizes is not what well do, as interesting as that is, and Im sure it will be
fascinating and fulfilling. But what the New Testament emphasizes is that God
will be with us. We will see His face. Fellowship with Him will be our all-satisfying
joy.
158.

Quotation: Berkhof, Systematic Theology, part 6, chapter 5

The famous theologian [Louis Berkhof], who lived from [1873 to 1957],
described the final state of everlasting life in [part 6, chapter 5] of his book
[Systematic Theology]. Listen to how he put it:
The fulness of this life is enjoyed in communion with God ... They
will see God in Jesus Christ face to face, will find full satisfaction in
Him, will rejoice in Him, and will glorify Him... There will be
recognition and social intercourse on an elevated plane... [T]he joy
of each individual will be perfect and full.
159.

Animation
In some ways, it may seem strange that the Bible doesnt talk about
the nature of eternal life very often. After all, eternal life is the great reward
the gospel offers to those who repent and have saving faith in Christ. But
the reality is that Scripture tends to talk about eternal life in fairly general
terms. Revelation chapter 21 verses 3 and 4 tell us that God will dwell with
his people, and there will be no death or sadness. We will have new
bodies, and we will be completely free from the presence, corruption and
influence of sin. But what about the details? The truth is that the Bible
says very little about them. Instead, it mostly encourages us to trust that
God is good, and not to speculate too much about the wonders he has in
store for us.
160.

Placard: 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

33
Listen to what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 2
through 4:
I know a man in Christ who ... was caught up to the third heaven...
caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that
man is not permitted to tell.
Notice what Paul said about this experience. The things heard were
[inexpressible] they could not be sufficiently expressed in human language.
Moreover, [man is not permitted to tell] what this third heaven contained. It is so
wonderful that God is keeping it secret for now.
161.

Animation
And this was only heaven the intermediate state before our
resurrection. If the secrets of heaven cant be revealed, how much more the
secrets of our final state? Who can possibly imagine how wondrous life will be
when Christ returns? The Bible tells us that there will be no more sorrow,
suffering, disappointment, or death. These things are wonderful and true, but the
Bible simply doesnt tell us very many details about them.
162.

Panel: Location
Now that we have considered the [timing] and [quality] of everlasting life,
lets turn to our final topic: the [location] where we will live forever.
163.

Animation
Scripture often speaks of the location where we will live eternally as the
[new heaven] and [new earth]. We find this language in Isaiah chapter 65 verse
17 and chapter 66 verse 22, 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 13, and Revelation chapter
21 verse 1. This recreation of the heavens and earth brings the overarching
storyline of the Bible to full completion. History began in Genesis chapter 1 verse
1 when God created the heavens and the earth. But then it was corrupted by
humanitys fall into sin, making it unfit for God to inhabit. The rest of the Bible tells
the story of how both humanity and creation are being redeemed. And once
Jesus returns, the ultimate result will be that the heavens and the earth will be
redeemed and renewed, so that God will finally dwell on earth with his
resurrected people.
164.

Placard: Matthew 6:9-10

This is the goal Jesus had in mind in Matthew chapter 6 verses 9 and 10,
when he taught us to pray these words:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The goal was always for Gods kingdom to be fully manifested in both the
heavens, where the angels and the souls of the departed saints live, as well as
on earth, where we live. This is why Jesus taught us to petition God to bring his
kingdom to earth, and to cause his will to be obeyed on earth as fully as it is in
heaven.

34
165.

Animation
Although Scripture does not often speak of this new creation, when it does
it makes it clear that the ultimate destination of redeemed human beings will not
be in the heavens, but on the renewed earth. For instance, in Isaiah chapter 65
verses 17 through 19, we learn that Gods people will dwell in the renewed holy
city of Jerusalem. And in Revelation chapter 21 verse 2, we find that this new
Jerusalem will exist on the new earth.
166.

Placard: Revelation 21:1-5

Listen to what John wrote in Revelation chapter 21 verses 1 through 5:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth ... I saw the Holy City,
the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God ... And I
heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of
God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people,
and God himself will be with them and be their God. ... He who
was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
Here we see that God is preparing the new Jerusalem in heaven. And when the
new earth is ready, he will bring the new Jerusalem to earth as his holy dwelling
among his people, who will also inhabit the new earth. If Gods plan were simply
to take us to heaven for eternity, there would be no need for a new earth. But as
we read here, God is making everything new, including the world itself for our
eternal home.
167.

Quotation: Augustine, The City of God, book 20, chapter 16

The early church father Augustine, the famous bishop of Hippo who lived
from A.D. 354 to 430, wrote about the new earth in this way in his famous work
[The City of God, book 20, chapter 16]:
As the world itself is renewed to some better thing, it is fitly
accommodated to men, themselves renewed in their flesh to some
better thing.
167.5 Pennington 6.12 (3540)
There is a day coming when God will renew all things. We can see this
especially in the beautiful words that Jesus taught us, his disciples, to pray when
he said, Our Father, who is in heaven, let your name be sanctified, let your
kingdom come, and let your will be done on this earth, even as it now is in
heaven. That crucial, central, foundational Christian idea is that we are now
living in a time of waiting for the heavenly realities to become earthly realities
that the way things are done in heaven when God is hallowed, when all things
are right, and righteousness and glory and truth and love reigns. Our hope as
Christians our sure hope is that those realities of heaven will become
earthly realities, and this is what the Scriptures promise and hope as the new
creation, our eternal home.
168.

Animation

35
If we lose sight of the fact that the new earth is to be our final home, it can
be easy for us to detach ourselves from the physical aspects of reality, and to
think that bodily existence on the earth is a hardship rather than a blessing. But
when we recognize that the earth itself is to be our permanent home, we can see
this present world as a blessing and a foretaste of the beauty and blessing that
God has in store for us in the world to come.
169.

Signpost: conclusion
In this lesson on the Apostles Creed, we have focused on the topic of
[salvation]. We have talked about the [forgiveness] of sins in terms of the
problem of sin, the gift of divine grace, and the role of human responsibility. We
have explored the doctrine of the [resurrection] of the body by looking at the
curse of death, the gospel of life, and redemption in Christ. And we have
considered the nature of [everlasting life], including its timing, quality and
location.
170.

Host
In this lesson on salvation, weve seen that the Apostles Creed focuses on
the essential elements of our common Christian confession that the church has
maintained throughout the millennia. If we keep these common doctrines in mind
when we talk to Christians from other traditions and denominations, well find that
we have a solid basis for pursuing unity with those that affirm the Apostles
Creed, and for correcting those that dont. Moreover, as we focus on these
essential doctrines of salvation, it will help us to see the big picture of what God
is doing in this world, and to find more and more reasons to praise him for his
love and grace.