Salvation Divided By the Scriptures – Definitions
(2 Timothy 2:15)
| Eternal Phase | Legal Phase | Vital Phase | Practical Phase | Final Phase |
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| DESCRIPTION: | God’s will, purpose, plan. An act of God’s mind. Occurred in eternity. Basis for the other phases. (Eph 1:11; Isa 46:9-11; Acts 15:18; Rom 4:17). | Reconciled God’s nature. Result of God’s counsel. Legal acts occur in time. Basis for God’s operation. (Gen 18:25; Deu 32:4; Job 8:3; Rom 3:4-6). | Needs personal existence. Living (vital) union to plan. Union begins in time. Basis for practical phase. Conditioned upon God. (1 Cor 15:39-49). | Personal actions in time. Evidence of vital nature. Individual responsibility. Manifests the vital phase. Conditioned on man. (Matt 7:20; 12:33). | Consummation of purpose. All objectives realized. Conditioned on God’s plan. Occurs at the end of time. Manifests God’s counsel. (Job 23:13-14; Is 14:24;44:7) |
| CONDEMNATION: | Sin foreknown & planned. Sin imputation designed. Reprobation of non-elect. (Pro 16:4; Rom 9:22; 2 Pet 2:9,17; Jude 4). | Adam ate the fruit in Eden. Sin imputation executed. All men made sinners legally. Sentence of death passed. (Rom 5:12-19; cp 3:12). | Occurs at conception. Living union with Adam. Men born spiritually dead. Men get a corrupt nature. (Psa 51:5; John 3:6). | Begins at natural birth. Involves personal sins. Manifests spiritual death. Evidences corrupt nature. (Psa 58:3; Rom 3:9-19). | Occurs at the last judgment. Results in the second death. Ultimate penalty for sinning. God shows wrath & power. (Rev 20:11-15; 2 Ths 1:6-9). |
| Main component: | Reprobation | Condemnation | Natural generation | Rebellion | Damnation |
| Conditioned upon: | God’s will | Adam’s transgression | Human reproduction | Human disobedience | God’s justice |
| Time occurring: | Eternity past | Garden of Eden | Physical conception | Individual’s own sins | Final day of judgment |
| Common error: | Ignored or rejected | Affected Adam only | Age of accountability | Life offered to all | God regrets His action |
| Eternal Phase | Legal Phase | Vital Phase | Practical Phase | Final Phase |
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| SALVATION | God foreknew His elect. Elect chosen in Christ. Predestinated to be sons. Christ ordained to die. Heaven prepared for elect. Saved from plan of sin. (Rom 8:29-30; 1 Pet 1:2; Eph 1:3-5; 2 Tim 1:9; Acts 13:48; Rom 9:23; 1 Pet 1:20; Matt 25:34). | Christ died for the elect. Elect legally in Christ. Representation by Christ. Sins legally eliminated. God is just & the justifier. Saved from the penalty of sin (1 Pet 1:2; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 2:14-17; 8:12; Is 40:2; Rom 3:24-26; 4:25; 5:14-19; Ex 34:7; Psa 85:10). | Christ gives life to the elect. United to Christ by life. New nature given by birth. Bestowal of spiritual life. Adoption effected by birth. Saved from the power of sin. (John 1:12-13; 3:5-8; 5:25; Eph 2:1-6, 10; 2 Cor 5:17; Jam 1:18; Tit 3:5). | Elect with life may act. In Christ my practice. Provides evidence of life. Works prove justification. Manifestation of sonship. Saved from practice of sin. (Phil 2:12-13; Rom 13:14; Jam 5:19-20; 2:14-26; 1 John 3:10; 2 Pet 1:5-12). | Elect receive eternal life. Forever in Christ’s presence. Elect made completely holy. God shows riches of glory. Bodies redeemed from grave. Saved from presence of sin. (John 5:28-29; 1 Pet 1:5; Rom 8:23; 8:29-30; 9:23; 1 Ths 4:17; 5:25; Rev 21:27). |
| Main component: | Election | Justification | Regeneration | Conversion | Glorification |
| Conditioned upon: | God’s will | Death of Christ | Spirit’s will & power | Elect’s obedience | God’s faithfulness |
| Time occurring: | Eternity past | Resurrection of Christ | Individual’s new birth | Individual’s repentance | Final day of resurrection |
| Common error: | Ignored or rejected | Potential only | Conditional upon man | Misapplied to eternal life | Separated from God’s plan |