What is the order of salvation?
(Zechariah 2:12; Ephesians 1:3-14; Colossians 1:13-14) Blog July 2-08, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The church Paul planted and Apollos watered in Ephesus became the representative institution for the early church. To her, Jesus wrote his first letter in Revelation and for her growth Paul worked night and day for over three years. The great Ephesian goddess Diana lost much of her strength due to the entrance of the Gospel into that important city in Asia Minor. Later Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians to encourage them with a clear understanding of who they are “in Christ.”
All Spiritual Blessings
1. To whom does Paul address the letter to the Ephesians? Paul writes to those whom heaven calls saints. Those who faithfully follow Jesus on earth (Eph. 1:1).
2. As Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians, what does he wish for them? Paul desires that God would consider the believers in Ephesus better than they really are (grace) & that they enjoy the harmony with those around them (peace) that comes to those who are “in Christ” by faith (Eph. 1:2).
3. Where does Paul say that believers have every spiritual blessing? Every spiritual blessing is found in Jesus who is in heaven (Eph. 1:3).
4. For what were we chosen? We were chosen to be holy & blameless before God, walking in love (Eph. 1:4).
5. For what were we predestined? We were predestined to be adopted into God’s family (Eph. 1:5).
6. Where does Paul say that we find justification, redemption, and forgiveness? We find justification (acceptance), redemption & forgiveness in Jesus (Eph. 1:6-7).
7. What is grace? Primarily, grace is to be considered better than you are (accepted because of someone else’s goodness). But Paul says that grace overflowed from heaven toward us in wisdom & prudence. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. So, there is both saving grace & sanctifying grace. Thus, justification by “grace alone” does not distinguish Protestants from Catholics (Prov. 4:6-9; 2 Cor. 9:14; Eph. 1:6-8, 16; Heb. 10:29). See https://youtu.be/4TCxH36ovC0 for an example of using “grace alone” to cover up the real issues.
8. When considering the tense of the verbs used to speak of our election, predestination, justification, redemption, and forgiveness what must we conclude? Since the verbs are all in the past tense, we must conclude that these things were already settled for us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3-7).
9. Does this mean that God decided who he would save and who he would damn before the foundation of the world? In a certain sense, yes. Before the foundation of the world God decided he would save everyone found in Christ & damn everyone found outside of his Son (John 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 John 5:12; Rev. 17:8).
10. What is God’s ultimate goal for humanity? It is God’s purpose to impart every spiritual blessing to those who remain in Christ & to unite them with him who is their living head (Acts 3:19-21; Eph. 1:9-10).
Bi-focal Inheritance
11. In Ephesians 1:11 what else are we told that we have in Christ? Those found in Christ are not only elected, predestinated, accepted, & redeemed, they also now have an inheritance (Eph. 5:11).
12. What is the inheritance of those found in Christ? Primarily Jesus is our inheritance, but with him comes eternal life, final salvation, & innumerable other blessings (Rom. 8:32; 1 Cor. 2:9; Eph. 1:11-12, 22; 1 Tim. 6:17; 1 John 5:11).
13. Whose inheritance does Ephesians 1:18 speak about? God’s people are the inheritance that Jesus is waiting to receive (Deut. 32:9; Zech. 2:12; Eph. 1:18).
14. What is becoming obvious about the future of Christ and the church in the first chapter of Ephesians? It is obvious that God intends that a redeemed humanity will be the bride for his Son who pays the bride-price with his own blood (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:14; 5:22-27).
The Order of Salvation
15. In Ephesians 1:13 what three elements of salvation does Paul mention? The three elements of salvation are “believing,” “hearing,” & “sealing.” (Eph. 1:13).
16. What order of salvation does Paul give to “believing,” “hearing,” and “sealing”? Paul places “hearing” as a prerequisite to “believing” & “believing” as a prerequisite to being sealed with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 10:14; Eph. 1:13).
17. What important doctrine is established by Paul’s “order of salvation”? Paul’s order of salvation establishes the truth that faith alone brings the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit & not the opposite. This illustrates that “sanctifying grace” does not precede “saving grace” (Rom. 5:28; 8:9; Gal. 3:14; Eph. 1:13).
18. In Ephesians 1:14 what principle does Paul establish? Here Paul establishes that the gift of the Holy Spirit is like a downpayment & promise of future glory: an initial seal (early rain) to be followed by a final seal (latter rain) for those who have endured in faith to the end (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:14; 4:30; Jam. 5:7; Rev. 7:3).