ORDO SALUTIS
Ordo salutis (AKA the order of salvation) is a hotly disputed doctrine between different theological traditions. This lesson will cover the generally accepted Reformed view of the ordo salutis, which is held, generally, by Reformed Baptists, Presbyterians, and other Reformed denominations. This view is strongly scriptural and supports many other areas of Reformed theology. The order is typically stated in this way: Regeneration/Calling, Conversion (Repentance and Faith), Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, and Glorification.
This paper is a short summary of the ordo salutis. It is not meant to be an exhaustive discussion of each individual point, but rather it is a demonstration of the order and distinctions of the main points of the doctrine. There have been libraries of books written on each point covered here. Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology” is the main text I used for reference. All scripture references are from the NASB translation.
1.Regeneration/Calling
Theologians speak of calling in two ways: external or general call and internal or effectual call. The former refers to the preaching of the Gospel and the command to all people to repent and believe in Christ (Acts 17:30,31). The ordo salutis is concerned with effectual call in particular. The effectual call of God is that work of the Holy Spirit in which a lost man is irresistibly drawn to Christ and united to him in faith.(John 6:37-40,44 Eph. 2:5). Sometimes theologians will include regeneration, conversion, justification, and adoption in the discussion of calling, so we will focus on regeneration in particular.
Regeneration is the spiritual transformation wrought in a man by the Holy Spirit that causes him to move from spiritual death to spiritual life. Regeneration is spoken of by Christ in John 3, when he speaks of being “born again”. There is no salvation without regeneration, so “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” John 3:3
In his letter to Titus, the apostle Paul said, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5. This refutes the idea, held by many, that the new birth follows repentance and faith. Repentance and faith are works done by us, albeit given to us as gracious gifts by God (See Acts 11:18, Heb. 12:2, Rom. 12:3) and therefore, would fall into the category of “deeds done in righteousness”. Regeneration must by necessity occur before anyone can express repentance or faith because they must understand their spiritual condition and this is not possible according to Paul. “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” 1 Cor. 2:14
2.Conversion(Repentance and Faith)
Both repentance and faith are gifts that God grants to His elect people, and are not exercised by anyone who is not effectually called of God and regenerate. Repentance refers to the turning away from sin and faith refers to turning towards Christ. They are two sides of the same coin and cannot be separated. Christ stands alone as the solution to our sin. One cannot turn to Christ without turning from sin. It is serious error to say that someone can have saving faith with no repentance.
Scripture speaks of worldly (attrition) and Godly (contrition) repentance. A worldly repentance is typically characterized by sorrow over the consequences for the sin committed, but no concern for the offense against God, other than fear of punishment. Judas and Esau are biblical examples of worldly repentance. A Godly repentance is characterized by a sorrow for offending God, primarily. Psalm 51 is an excellent example of King David expressing Godly repentance. Notice that there is no blame shifting involved in David’s pleas to God for forgiveness! True repentance will never involve downplaying, blame shifting, or attempts to excuse our crimes against God. The Christian has no reason to fear punishment, so fear, while possibly present, should not be the driving factor in Godly repentance, but the kindness of God in saving us should cause us to never want to offend Him.
Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as “...the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is, simply put, trusting that Christ is who He said He is, did what He said He would do, and will do what He said He will do. Putting your faith in Christ is essential to salvation, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
The act of faith is the means through which justification comes to the believer. “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,” Rom. 4:2-5
3.Justification
Justification is a judgement passed on man, not a work wrought within man. Justification is; “God’s act of remitting the sins of guilty men, and accounting them righteous, freely, by his grace, through faith in Christ, on the ground, not of their own works, but of the representative law-keeping and redemptive blood-shedding of the Lord Jesus Christ, on their behalf.” JIP
Justification is the legal declaration by God that a person is righteous. This declaration is made on the basis of God’s eternal decree that that person’s sin would be paid for by Christ, and Christ’s righteousness would be credited to that person. People are justified through faith in Christ and completely apart from works. The fact that faith is the means that justification comes to a man does not indicate that said man is responsible for His justification. As we have seen, faith is not something that man creates by his own will, but is a gift from God.
Justification is contrasted with condemnation in scripture numerous times, and “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Rom 8:1 All those who put their faith in Christ are released from the judgement of God for their sins, and receive the righteousness that Christ obtained through His perfect obedience to the law. David said it best, “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!” Psalm 32:1
Justification is the ground for our adoption as sons and daughters of God which is the next step in the order of salvation.
4.Adoption
Adoption can be defined as the action of God in making a believer a member of His family. It is common for people to say, “we are all God’s children”, but only believers, according to scripture, are truly children of God. Unbelievers, according to Eph. 2:3, are children of wrath, whereas John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”.
Being a child of God through adoption has it’s benefits. We don’t here refer to the heresy taught by so many televangelists, but rather the firm, inspired doctrine of the New Testament. Paul tells us “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Rom. 8:14-17 Later in the same chapter (v. 23) Paul makes it clear, however, that our adoption is not complete in this life, but will be complete in the age to come when He redeems our bodies. It is important at this time to draw some distinctions between the doctrines of regeneration, justification, and adoption. They are not the same thing, and to confuse them would confuse the clear teaching of the scripture. Regeneration refers to a change in our self, justification refers to a change in our standing before God’s law, and adoption refers to a change in our relationship with God himself. All of these changes are caused by God and do not depend on the work of man.
5.Sanctification
Sanctification refers to the gradual growth into the likeness of Christ. Sanctification is synergistic (multiple energies) as opposed to justification which is monergistic (one energy). It is imperative that we distinguish between justification and sanctification at this point. The confusion of the two will lead to heresies of damnable consequences. Wayne Grudem in his Systematic Theology uses a very helpful table to show the distinctions as follows.
Justification | Sanctification |
Legal standing | Internal condition |
Once for all time | Continuous throughout life |
Entirely God’s work | We cooperate |
Perfect in this life | Not perfect in this life |
The same in all Christians | Greater in some than in others |
Sanctification is something all believers are called to work at with the gracious help of the Spirit. God is the primary mover in our spiritual growth, but we are directly responsible for our participation in the process. Sanctification begins at regeneration, when the new believer is “renewed in the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). A moral change takes place so that the Christian no longer loves his sin, but begins the war against his flesh. 1 John 3:9 says, “No one who is born of God practices sin”. The apostle here speaks of an ongoing lifestyle of sin that cannot be a reality for a true believer! Paul says in Romans 6:14 that, “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
As followers of Christ, we are no longer in bondage to sin, so we can choose not to sin in any given situation. This by no means indicates that Christians can live in a state of sinless perfection, but that we are now free to grow in holiness rather than growing in iniquity. Sanctification will not be complete until we die, so it is the solemn duty of all Christians to be diligent in the pursuit of Godliness in all areas of life, leaving no part of our lives untouched by the sanctifying grace of God.
In Romans 7:14-25 Paul describes the seeming contradiction of the flesh and the spirit in the life of the believer. One day we will indeed be delivered from this “body of death”.
6.Glorification
Glorification refers to the eternal state of all believers after the final resurrection. Christ did not only redeem our souls, but He redeemed all of creation including our bodies. There is much debate in the church about when and how we will receive our glorified bodies, but all orthodox believers affirm the final resurrection and the glorification of the saints.
Romans 8:17 says if we suffer with Christ, we will also be glorified with Him. Verses 22 and 23 say, “for we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”
For Paul, glorification is certain. All those who have been justified will be glorified. Romans 8:28 says, “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”
Our glorified bodies will be incorruptible, sinless, and forever a testimony to the powerful, saving grace of Jesus Christ, forever our Lord and Savior.
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