Salvation through Christ: The Heart of the Faith

March/April 2020 | VOLUME 30 | NUMBER 2 — The Fundamentals: Salvation

[The latest FrontLine is available now online at www.fbfi.org for subscribers. Printing awaits, but we wanted you to know this edition is now available — and we want to encourage new subscriptions! — Ed.]

My mother is a modern-day “Mary of Bethany.” Until recently, when her health no longer allowed it, for decades she spent hours a day, every day, in the wee hours of the morning in the Word and prayer. She knows God and walks with Him. Her heart burns with love for God and the souls of men—especially Jews who don’t know Christ, but really for everybody she meets who does not know Him. She wants people to be saved!

For Mom the heart of the Faith is salvation through Christ. She is not a theologian, but her thinking is clear and spot-on theologically. If we are rightly aligned with the teaching of Scripture, that will be the heart of the Faith for all of us. Knowing what salvation is in its many dimensions, what Christ did to achieve it for us, the ongoing benefits of it, and our privilege to bear this message to all men are at the very core of biblical Christianity.

In this issue of FrontLine, one in a series on the fundamentals of the Faith, we have focused on the doctrine of salvation. Theologians call the doctrine of salvation “soteriology.” It is a term derived from the word in New Testament Greek translated “to save” or “to be saved.”

This issue begins with an important, orienting article by Layton Talbert (professor of Theology at Bob Jones University Seminary) that gives enlightening explanations of the many terms used to describe our salvation in Scripture and their relationship with each other. Pastor Kent Ramler (senior pastor of the People’s Baptist Church in Frederick, Maryland) then helps us understand the vital part repentance plays in trusting Christ for salvation in contrast to what is called “easy-believism.” Brian Hand (professor of New Testament at Bob Jones University Seminary) follows by shining the light of truth on the error known as the prosperity gospel, a popular, false way of salvation taught in the United States and around the world.

Next, Dave Shumate (general director of MGM International [a mission to Hispanics in North, Central, and South America]) presents the significance and celebration of the believer’s salvation through the death of Christ as commemorated in the Lord’s Supper. Pastor Stephen Russell (senior pastor of Central Baptist Church in Dothan, Alabama) follows by opening the Word to us about the teaching of Scripture concerning salvation from eternal hell in contrast to annihilationism, an old error that has found new life through the writings of some influential evangelical writers. Pastor Mike Harding (senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Troy, Michigan) then explains the true doctrine of salvation in contrast to the gospel of social justice, a highly relevant topic due the growingly popular emphasis on social justice among Bible-believing pastors in America. Pastor Ken Casillas (pastor at Cleveland Park Bible Church and professor of Old Testament at Bob Jones University Seminary) climaxes this issue with an encouraging article on the effects of salvation for us, past, present, and future.

All who know Christ will bear the testimony, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.” His saving grace truly is amazing. May your understanding and gratitude for His great salvation be enriched as you read!

Steve Hankins

FEATURES

“So Great Salvation”: Facets of Divine Deliverance
Layton Talbert

Salvation is the overarching story of Scripture, the divine drama.

The Importance of Repentance for Salvation
Kent Ramler

Theology is like a road with cliffs on both sides, and extremes on either edge threaten a person’s orthodoxy.

Salvation According to the Prosperity Gospel
Brian Hand

One finds that the prosperity gospel’s message of salvation suffers serious defects that contort it into another gospel.

Bread and Wine or Body and Blood? Why It Matters
David Shumate

This is not simply an esoteric debate about an unimportant matter.

Salvation from Nothingness: Is Annihilationism Taught in the Scriptures?
Stephen Russell

No doubt the term “annihilationism” seldom finds its way into small-group discussions at your church.

Social Justice and the Gospel
Mike Harding

There is not a spiritual brotherhood among all people.

In Christ We Are Saved Past, Present, and Future
Ken Casillas

We should not be surprised when we struggle to develop a comprehensive understanding of God’s plan of salvation.

DEPARTMENTS

Mail Bag & News from All Over

On the Home Front

Regional Reports

On Language & Scripture
Mark Ward

At a Glance: The Genesis of Salvation
Layton Talbert

Jesus, My Advocate
Christina Heffernan

What’s It Like Being a Chaplain’s Kid?
Jeremy Fisher

What Is Important to You?
Jerry Sivnksty

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