Here is the entire catechism on soteriology (doctrine of salvation) that I am working through in the current sermon series on Sunday mornings.
1. Who needs to be saved?
All men and women need to be saved so that they can have a relationship with God. If they are not saved before they die, they will suffer in hell forever (Romans 3:23, 6:23).
2. Why do men and women need to be saved to have a relationship with God?
Sin has destroyed the relationship with God that all men and women need. They must be saved so this relationship can be restored (Ephesians 2:1-3, Titus 3:3, Romans 3:23).
3. How can sinful men and women know their need for salvation?
In his great love, God chooses some and makes their need for salvation clear to them. He then calls them so that they choose to be saved (Ephesians 1:3-6).
5. What is regeneration?
Regeneration is God’s changing of believers when they are saved so they are completely made new and have new direction for their lives (John 3:1-8, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17).
4. How can one be saved?
Anyone who turns from sin in repentance – – to Jesus Christ in faith will be saved (Acts 20:21).
6. What is meant by turning from sin in repentance?
Turning from sin in repentance means that one regrets their sin and determines to turn away from it (Acts 26:19-20).
7. What does it mean to turn to Jesus Christ in faith?
To turn to Jesus Christ in faith means that one understands what Jesus has done to make salvation possible and that one places all their trust in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9).
8. What is justification?
Justification is God’s declaration that believers are from that time on righteous and no longer guilty of their sins (Romans 5:1ff, Titus 3:3-8).
9. What do believers do to earn justification?
Believers do nothing to earn or pay the price for justification.
10. Who paid the price for justification?
The price for justification was paid by Jesus Christ. His righteousness is credited to those who are justified.
11. What is sanctification?
Sanctification is God’s setting apart of believers and the Holy Spirit working in their lives so that their lives reflect that they are justified.
12. Does sanctification require effort on the part of believers?
Yes. Believers should strive to become more and more like Christ knowing that they are righteous before God through Christ.
13. Are believers being sanctified individually, apart from one another?
No. Sanctification takes place within the church as believers grow together in Christ.
14. How does salvation change the believer’s relationship with Jesus Christ?
All believers are in union with Christ. This means they have a very close relationship with Him. This is the very heart of salvation.
15. Why is union with Christ the very heart of salvation?
God sees the believer and Christ as one. God, therefore, considers the believer righteous through Christ.
16. What are some ways that union with Christ affects the life of the believer?
Because they are in Christ, believers have a special relationship with other believers, they live in His strength, and suffer for him.
17. Will those who have been saved necessarily continue to have a relationship with God?
Yes. God keeps all who are saved so that they withstand the attacks of the world, their own desires, and Satan and He gives them grace so that they will continue in holiness.
18. Can believers have assurance that they are really saved?
Yes. God’s promises in Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the believer’s growth in holiness work together so that believers can be sure they have eternal life.
19. Should individuals who are not growing in their relationship with God be sure they are saved?
No. Those who are not growing in their relationship with God should seriously question their salvation.
20. Is salvation complete?
No. Salvation will be complete when believers are one day glorified. Then they will have perfect fellowship with God and other believers and their holiness will be complete.
