Basics Series. Soteriology, part 10.

The Doctrine of Soteriology
(Salvation)

Salvation is
God’s complete work by which He
rescues man
from eternal ruin,
and bestows on him
the riches of His grace.

pay the penalty for sin.

remove the guilt of sin.

satisfy the justice of God.

end the enmity and restore peace.

The blood of Christ – His substitutionary spiritual death on the cross – provided redemption, expiation, propitiation, and reconciliation for every man.

REDEMPTION = the ransom or PRICE paid by our Lord Jesus Christ for our sins. It is the BONDAGE OF SIN side of the cross.

EXPIATION = CANCELLING the DEBT. To put an end to the guilt and penalty of sin. It is the GUILT OF SIN side of the cross.

PROPITIATION = SATISFACTION. The justice of God is completely satisfied with the Person and Work of Christ. It is the GODWARD side of the cross.

RECONCILIATION = the removal of the barrier between God and man. Man is restored to PEACE with God. It is the MAN AS ENEMY side of the cross.

JUSTIFICATION = It is the legal act of God whereby He declares the ungodly believer RIGHTEOUS because He has imputed to the believer His perfect righteousness.
It means VINDICATION.

Propitiation (in relation to God): means “satisfaction”. God the Father is completely satisfied with the work of Christ on the cross.

Propitiation reveals the ultimate reason why Christ went to the cross: to vindicate the character of His Father.

Point 1. Definition

1. Propitiation is the God-ward side of the work of Christ in salvation.

The substitutionary spiritual death of Jesus Christ on the cross satisfied the righteous demands of the holy God that the sins of the entire world be judged.

2. Propitiation is the aspect of the work of Christ on the cross that deals with the integrity of God.

The integrity of God is the harmonious operation of three divine attributes: His righteousness, His justice, and His love.

Love is
the motivation
of the integrity of God.

Righteousness is
the principle
of the integrity of God.

Justice is
the function
of the integrity of God.

3. Propitiation means that our Lord satisfied the Father.

In propitiation, the justice of God judges our sins and the integrity of God is satisfied with that judgment.

The holiness of God equals
His righteousness
plus
His justice.

Holiness is that perfection in God’s nature that totally separates Him from all that is evil or sinful.

God can have nothing to do with sin.

4. Christ’s death was necessary, and it was made so by the character of God.