SOTERIOLOGY - Doctrine of Salvation - The Origin of our Salvation - class 1 ITADESP - Instituto Teológico de São Paulo SOTERIOLOGY - Doctrine of Salvation - class 1 The Origin of Salvation The Salvation of Man The word Soteriology means - Doctrine of Salvation. Salvation, or the word that describes its meaning (Soteriology), has its root in the Greek word (sõteria), occurring in both Testaments with profound meaning and infinite scope. Throughout the entire length of the Holy Scriptures it occurs once in the plural (2 Sm 22.51). From the divine point of view of observation, salvation is a term that encompasses within its scope many aspects. For example, there is salvation of the past, in the present and for the future: that is, salvation of the spirit in the regeneration of the soul in sanctification, and of the body in glorification. 1. Definition of Salvation. According to Dr. CI Scofield, these various aspects include the fundamental doctrines that, theologically speaking, constitute what we call Soteriology, that is, the Doctrine of Salvation. The Portuguese word that appears in our versions and translations derives from the Latin, salvare, to save, from salus, health, to help, and translates the Hebrew term yeshua and cognates: width, ease, security, etc. a) In the New Testament, the verb to save and the noun salvation appear more than 150 times, corresponding another 100 times, sometimes in the active, sometimes in the passive. However, the New Testament also recognizes the most common meaning of the verb: to save in classical Greek derives from “saint” and means to restore health to the sick (elementary meaning), safety to the threatened (general meaning), and to rescue the dying from death (individual meaning). Read: (Mt 8.25; 14.30; 27.40,42,49; Mk 3.4; Lk 6.9; Jn 12.27; Acts 27.20; Hb 5.7). However, it is broad and objective in all its aspects. b) With regard to its origin, salvation had (and has) its starting point in the heart of God. It is said that it was created by Him, manifested to men through Jesus Christ and evidently, executed in the human heart through the Holy Spirit. Read: (Lk 1.68,69; Jn 12.48,49; 16.7-14 etc.). The propitiatory work of Jesus Christ our Lord is the greatest revelation of God’s great purpose in the plan of redemption to save humanity. It was in Him that all the martyrs of full salvation had their encounter of expansion  Read (Heb 2.3). What is Sanctification? The term sanctification means to become holy, to consecrate oneself, to separate oneself from the world to belong to God, to have communion with Him and to serve Him with joy. It is through the process of sanctification that the regenerated man begins to have an intimate relationship with God in his daily life. 1. The meanings of sanctification Sanctification has the generic meaning of separation, dedication, consecration of people or things for the exclusive use of the Lord (Ex 13.2; Jer 1.5; Lv 27.14,16; 2 Chr 29.19). When it comes to the sanctification of the believer, two main meanings flow from the Word of God. a) Separation from evil, to belong to God (Lev 20:26). It is called the negative aspect of sanctification, because it deals with “you shall not do this,” “you shall not do that,” etc. b) Separation to serve God, dedication to God, for His service (Ex 19:5,6). It is called the positive aspect of sanctification, because it deals with doing what God commands regarding sanctification (2 Cor 7:1; Rev 22:11; Prov 4:18; 1 Thess 5:23). 2. The three means of Sanctification a) The believer is sanctified by the Word of God (John 17:17). The Word has purifying power (Eph 5:26); it corrects us (1 Pet 1:22; Ps 119:9); John 17:17; 1 John 1:7); it penetrates deeply (Heb 4:12). b) The believer is sanctified by the blood of Jesus (Heb 13:12). The blood of Jesus atoned for our guilt, justified us before God (Rom 3:24,25), and is also the provision for our daily sanctification (Rom 7:18; 8:7,13; 1 John 1:7). c) The believer is sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Rom 1:4; 15:16). This work of the Spirit is manifested by the power and anointing that guarantee the believer victory over the flesh (Rom 8:13; Gal 5:17-21). Undoubtedly, when we surrender to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, living day by day in His service and completely losing interest in the things of the world, we become increasingly holy and more assured of our salvation (Rom 6:13,19; 2 Tim 2:21). Without sanctification no one will be able to see the Lord (Heb 12.14). ITADESP - Theological Institute of the Assemblies of God of São Paulo General Director Pastor and Teacher Josiel Saraiva Theology Course: Basic, Intermediate, Bachelor's and Master's - 100% Online