Soteriology
Soteriology is the theological teaching concept which describes the cross-work of Christ and the all-encompassing results of our so-great salvation. Reference The Doctrine of Salvation.
Slander
Slander is making negative statements publicly about another person. Also includes the verbal sins of gossiping, maligning, judging anyone other than self. Judge yourself first and foremost, leaving the judgment of others to God, for that is His realm and His business. No matter what the other person(s) has said or done, that is strictly an issue between them and…
Sin Unto Death
The “Sin Unto Death” is maximum punishment from God when He removes the believer from earth by physical death. It actually entails a maximum amount of time in reversionism (“backsliding”), out of fellowship, in perpetual sin, and useless to God. God calls the believer home so that sin doesn’t keep piling up. Removal from earth is a demonstration of God’s…
Sin Nature
The human nature to sin is inherited from Adam, and resides in the cell-structure of the body (hence, the reason for the virgin birth). The Bible refers to the sin nature as the “old man.” Reference our study on Human Nature.
Sin
Sin is a violation of God’s standards. Sin is mental (in the thinking) first, then overt by the tongue or physical action, and is a manifestation of sin in the flesh – inherent in our sin nature. In theological terms it is the doctrine of “Hamartiology” (Reference Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6).
Shekinah Glory
Christ is the Shekinah Glory of Israel. He lived in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 25:21-22; Leviticus 26:11-12; Psalm 91:1; Hebrews 9:5). His presence was visible by a cloud during the day and by a pillar of fire at night so that the Jews would know when He was in the Tabernacle. The Shekinah Glory is the visible majesty of…
Sacraments
Sacraments are symbols of God’s grace, such as communion and baptism (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Baptism is a visual and physical proclamation of faith in Christ, and not a requirement for salvation (the thief on the cross who believed did not come down and get baptized, then tithe ten percent to the local church, then “repent from sin,” then “work out…
Resurrection Body
Resurrection, for the believer, means the believer’s body is raised from the dead, up out of the grave or death place, brought back to life, and is given a supernatural body, incorruptible, one that never dies. The unbeliever is resurrected in a body of corruption at the Last Judgment (Reference our study of the Great White Throne Judgment) before being…
Revelation – The Letter From Jesus
From the Greek apokalupsis, meaning unveiling or disclosure from which we get revelation. Revelation may be defined as God making known to man that which is otherwise unknowable – the future. The Book of Revelation may be described as “A Letter from Jesus” or The Book of Consummation for the world as we know it. This book of prophecy, written…
Reproach
Scorn, rebuke, or shame (1 Timothy 3:7). On the cross, Christ bore the shame, disgrace, and humiliation of the cross, which was a reproach for our Lord. Believers will also suffer at the hand of scoffers. We must suffer rebuke for our faith. Christ first suffered for us so that we could be made the righteousness of God in Christ…
Repentance
Repentance is acknowledging and agreeing with God regarding sin, disobedience, and rebellion. It is a turning back to God (Matthew 9:13; Luke 5:32) or turning toward God through a change of mind (Genesis 6:6-7). Experiencing feelings of remorse (regret), conviction, guilt, shame for past conduct or lack of belief leads to repentance – a change of mind regarding God and…
Remission
Remission means a release from sin (Acts 2:38; Hebrews 9:22). The active nature of the word for remission in the Greek indicates that forgiveness is more than a passive act on God’s part. God took the initiative to break the grip of sin and set people free from the slavery of our sin-nature by the cross of His Son, and…
Religion
Religion is anti-grace and anti-God. Religion is ritual without reality. Religion is human viewpoint. Religion was introduced to the world by satan. Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is divine viewpoint. Christianity is God rescuing mankind from spiritual darkness by the spiritual death of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection. Christianity is the only faith where the object…
Relative Righteousness
Relative righteousness is mankind’s own righteousness compared to man. When compared to God, through Scripture, man should recognize his total depravity. God is perfect righteousness; man is negative-righteousness or “without righteousness.” Reference Relative Righteousness – A Brief Study.
Regeneration
The literal meaning of regeneration is “being born again” (John 3:3,5,7). There is a first birth “of the flesh” and a second birth “of the spirit” (John 3:1-12). The spiritual birth occurs when a person, by faith alone, accepts the “finished” work of Christ on the cross for their personal salvation (John 3:16; 19:30).
Redemption
Redemption encompasses the saving work of Christ on the cross whereby He purchased us (paid our debt) and set us free from the slave market of sin. Jesus Christ paid the ransom with His blood, which represents His spiritual death (Roman 3:24; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Redeemer
Christ is the ultimate Redeemer. He gave His life as a “ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Believers have redemption through His blood (His spiritual death – Ephesians 1:7). He literally bought us back from our slavery to sin. We are free. Our slavery to sin is over. Won’t you slip out of the chains that bind you and walk out…
Reconcilation
The doctrine of reconciliation is stated as such in 2 Corinthians 5:18, Ephesians 2:16, and Colossians 1:20-21. It means we have “peace” with God through our Savior Jesus Christ. “Peace” and “reconciliation” are synonymous terms in Ephesians 2:14,15,17; 4:3; 6:15. The actual work of reconciliation was completed on the cross. We become reconciled the split second we believe in Christ….
Rapture
The word “rapture” is not found in Scripture, but it means to be transported or carried out of one’s self. Rapture refers to the resurrection of the “church,” as a whole, at the end of the “Church Age.”
Pseudo Spirituality
“Pseudo” means false or counterfeit, and refers to man’s system of rules and rituals and/or satan’s system called “religion.” Religion is defined as satan’s ace trump whereby man believes that man’s way to God is being good, earning his own salvation by his own merit – his own good deeds, being a good person, etc. All religions require man to…