THE TENTH SDA FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

10. THE EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION
     In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew him no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God’s grace.
Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God’s sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in him we become partakers of the divine nature and have  the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment.
All human beings need to be saved. We are sinful by nature and need to admit and repent of our sins, and receive Christ as our sinless substitute.
ØWe have all sinned and come short of God’s glory. Romans 3:23
ØOur sinfulness alienates us from God and alienation leads to further sin. Romans 8:5-8
ØThe Holy Spirit points out our need for repentance. John 16:7-8
ØWe need to recognize and admit our sinfulness. 1 John 1:8-10
ØWe need to repent. Acts 2:38
ØWe cannot save ourselves, we need a Saviour. Titus 3::3-7
Through faith we receive our Saviour who forgives us for our past, gives us assurance of eternal life, brings about our adoption as sons and daughters of God, and gives us power to live holy lives.
ØFaith and salvation are God’s gifts to us. Ephesians 2:5-10, Luke 17:5
ØWe receive faith through hearing the word of God. Romans 10:17
ØBy faith we accept Jesus as our Saviour. John 3:16
ØBy faith we receive forgiveness and justification. Romans 3:21-26
ØBy faith we are adopted as God’s children.
ØBy faith we are delivered from evil and given the assurance of eternal life. Galatians 1:4; 1 John 5:13
ØBy faith we are born again to a new life. John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23
ØBy faith we are changed to be more like God. Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 2 Peter 1:3-4
ØBy faith we receive power to live a holy life. Ezekiel 36:25-27, Romans 8:1-4
ØGod has promised to write his law of love on our hearts to help us obey “from the heart.” Hebrew 8:7-12
ØGod promises to forgive us as we confess our sins. 1 John 1:7-9
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