SPECIAL TOPIC: NEW TESTAMENT EVIDENCE FOR ONE'S SALVATION

  1. Evidence for one's salvation is based on the New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36) in Jesus:
    1. The character of the Father (cf. John 3:16), the work of the Son (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21), and the ministry of the Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:14-16), not on human performance (cf. Eph. 2:8-9), not wages due for obedience, not just a creed.
    2. It is a gift (cf. Rom. 3:24; 6:23; Eph. 2:5,8-9).
    3. It is a new life, a new worldview (cf. James and 1 John).
    4. It is knowledge (the gospel), fellowship (faith in and with Jesus), and a new lifestyle (Spirit-led Christlikeness, cf. Eph. 1:4; 2:10) all three, not just any one by itself.
    5. The tests of true salvation in 1 John 2:3-2.
      1. willingness to confess sin (initially and continually), 1 John 1:9
      2. lifestyle obedience, 1 John 2:3-6 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP)
      3. lifestyle love, 1 John 2:7-11 ( SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVE)
      4. victory over the evil, 1 John 2:12-14
      5. forsaking the world, 1 John 2:15-17
      6. perseverance, 1 John 2:19 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSEVERANCE)
      7. correct doctrine, 1 John 2:20-24; 4:1-3 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: ORTHODOXY OF THE PASTORALS)

  2. New Testament (i.e., the Pastorals) can be characterized by the things one is delivered from and the things one is given.
    1. Delivered from
      1. sin
      2. Satan and the demonic powers
      3. error
      4. self-deception
    2. Given
      1. a peace with God now
      2. a purpose in life now
      3. a giftedness for ministry now
      4. a Spirit-filled and directed life now
      5. a future consummation
      6. a future home in heaven
      7. a future glory with Christ
      8. a future reigning with Christ
      9. a future body like Christ's

  3. These tests in 1 John can be summarized in three areas.
    1. the doctrinal test (belief in Jesus, cf. 1 John 2:18-25; 4:1-3,14-16; 5:1,5,10)
    2. lifestyle test (obedience, cf. 1 John 2:3-7; 3:1-10, 22-24)
    3. the social test (love, cf. 1 John 2:7-11; 3:11-18; 4:7-12,16-21; 5:1-2)

  4. Remember, the gospel is
    1. a person to welcome (personal relationship)
    2. truths about that person to believe
    3. a life like that person's to live (Christlikeness is the goal)

    SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT)

    SPECIAL TOPIC: THE GOSPEL

    SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PERSONHOOD OF THE SPSIRIT

    SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST

     

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