Soteriology: A Basic Introduction

Soteriology is the study of salvation. The word comes from the Greek soteria (s¿t¿¿¿a), which means "salvation" or "deliverance," and logos (¿¿¿¿¿), which means "a word about," or "the study of" something. Soteriology is the sphere of systematic theology that speaks to the nature, means, scope, and purpose of salvation. It is an important theme that runs throughout Scripture and reveals the God who saves. It touches on the attributes of God such as His holiness, righteousness and justice concerning sin, as well as His love, mercy, grace and goodness to save lost sinners who cannot save themselves.

Our salvation was accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. While Jesus hung between heaven and earth, He willingly bore the punishment for our sins and paid our sin debt in full. Having accomplished our salvation at the cross, forgiveness of sins and the free gift of eternal life are available to all who come to Jesus in simple faith. The good news of the Gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised again on the third day, and was seen by many, as the Scripture reveals (1 Cor 15:3-8).

Once we understand who Jesus is as the eternal Son of God (Col 2:9; Heb 1:8), the second member of the Trinity, and God incarnate (John 1:1, 14), we can believe in Him as our Savior (John 3:15-16; Acts 4:12; 16:31). Through faith in Christ, we receive forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:43; Eph 1:7) and eternal life (John 6:40; 10:28). Salvation is by grace alone (totally undeserved), through faith alone (not by works), and in Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5). It is a gift from God to us (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9). We simply come with the empty hands of faith, trusting in Christ alone as our Savior.