Class Notes: 10/4/2015

Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; The doctrine of witnessing part 18

In our study of the doctrine of witnessing Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; we are examining the doctrines that undergird the gospel so that we understand how and why it is God alone who made it possible for our so great salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Eph 2:8-9;

We are now discussing the doctrine of reconciliation where God once and for all addressed the barrier between Himself and mankind and by extension the barriers that exist between people. The only solution to these problems is believing in Jesus Christ as savior and growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Last time we noted that the curse of the law places mankind into the slave market of sin. Freedom from the slave market must be purchased and only God through Jesus could offer the purchase price.

The doctrine of redemption teaches that we are redeemed from the slave market of sin by the saving work of Christ on the cross, Psa 34:22; Gal 3:13; Eph 1:7; 1Pet 1:18-19; Titus 2:14;

The holiness or integrity of God is composed of His perfect justice and righteousness. Mankind has relative righteousness (-R); God has perfect righteousness (+R). -R can never have fellowship with +R.

Rom 3:23; "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The glory of God refers to His perfect righteousness (+R).

The doctrine of propitiation removes God's holiness as a barrier. God the Father is satisfied with the work of God the Son. When Christ's work was finished, God the Father gave His approval under the doctrine of propitiation.

This is why God the Father can never be satisfied with any work that man can do; He can only be satisfied by what God does. God resolved mankind's problem through the work of Christ on the cross.

There are four doctrines that address reconciliation for the entire human race: unlimited atonement, expiation, propitiation, and redemption.

The entire human race is the beneficiary of these doctrines. They completely wipe out the barrier between God and mankind and establish peace between man and God.

Since God has removed the barrier, any person can step over the line and enter into a relationship with God or be reconciled to God through personal faith in Jesus Christ.

God has sued for peace but the peace treaty must be ratified, therefore, "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." Acts 16:31;

Eph 2:8-9, "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast."

Since the work for salvation has already been accomplished all we do is believe in Jesus to be saved.

2Cor 5:19; "Namely, that God (Father) by means of Christ (agent of reconciliation) was reconciling the world (unlimited atonement) to Himself by not imputing their sins to them." Our sins were never imputed to us for judgment; they were all imputed to Jesus Christ. He is our substitute; He took our place.

Col 1:20; "And through Him (Son), to reconcile all things to Himself (Father), having made peace through the blood of the Cross through Him (Son), whether things on earth or things in heaven." The "blood of the cross" refers to all four of the doctrines that are involved in the saving work of Christ on the cross.

When any member of the human race believes in Christ, the results of the removal of the barrier are made effective for the believer forever.

Regeneration or being born again removes the barrier of physical birth. Eternal life is imputed to the human spirit removing the barrier of spiritual death.

God's perfect righteousness is imputed removing the barrier of relative righteousness resulting in justification, logistical grace, and becoming the target of God's personal love. The barrier of our position in Adam is removed and replaced by our new position in Christ.

In physical birth, we are born with the genetic transfer of the old sin nature, Rom 5:12. This facet of the barrier cannot be removed apart from faith in Christ.

Regeneration is the work of God the Holy Spirit at the moment we believe in Christ. The Holy Spirit creates a human spirit, and God the Father imputes eternal life to that human spirit. This is "the renewal of the Holy Spirit" that is taught in Titus 3:5; 1Pet 1:23; and John 3:1-18;

When we are born into this world physically, God the Father imputed soul life, when we believe in Jesus Christ, we are described as being born again because eternal life is imputed to the human spirit that God the Holy Spirit creates as described in John chapter 3.

As believers we have both human soul life and eternal spiritual life.

Regeneration along with expiation removes the barrier of finite life that was created by physical birth.

The problem of relative righteousness is removed by the imputation of God's righteousness. Isa 64:6;"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags in His sight," is removed. by two grace functions from God.

The imputation of divine righteousness, Rom 3:22; results in justification and permits God to personally love the believer and enables God to provide logistical support by the imputation of logistical grace to that imputed perfect righteousness.

This second item is removed by simply believing in Christ, at which time we receive the imputation of divine righteousness, Rom 3:22; 1Cor 1:30; 2Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9. Rom 5:1, "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The imputation of divine righteousness instantly results in justification, Rom 4:1-5, 25, Rom 5:1, 9; Rom 8:30; Gal 2:16; Rom 3:11; Titus 3:7;

Position in Adam is also resolved when we believe in Christ. 1Cor 15:22, "in Adam all die, but in Christ shall all be made alive."

At salvation, God the Holy Spirit enters every believer into union with Christ; this is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This makes us royal family and the heirs of God. This removes our position in Adam.
So our position in Adam is replaced by position in Christ through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Three doctrines tell us what God does for everyone who believes in Jesus Christ in reconciliation: regeneration, imputation of divine righteousness plus justification, and baptism of the Holy Spirit

Reconciliation is the basis of unity among believers. Every believer in Jesus Christ has the same eternal life.

Every believer in Jesus Christ has God's perfect righteousness (+R). Every believer in Jesus Christ is entered into union with the person of Christ. These unities establish the basis for unity among all believers.

This means that peace with God is in effect. Entry into the royal family of God engages these doctrines establishes our reconciliation with God and becomes the basis for peace among members of the royal family.

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