God's Sovereign Control in Redemption and Salvation

The concept of God's sovereign control in redemption and salvation is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize God's absolute authority and power over all things. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's sovereignty is defined as "his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure" ^[1]. This understanding is supported by various scriptural references, including Daniel 4:25, 35, Romans 9:15-23, 1 Timothy 6:15, and Revelation 4:11.

The biblical basis for God's sovereign control in redemption is closely tied to the concept of predestination. The term "predestination" refers specifically to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found in several passages, including Acts 4:28, Romans 8:29-30, 1 Corinthians 2:7, and Ephesians 1:5, 11, all of which convey the idea of God's sovereign and immutable decree governing all events related to salvation ^[2].

Redemption, a key aspect of God's sovereign control in salvation, is described as the purchase back of something lost through the payment of a ransom. The Greek term "apolutrosis" is used in the New Testament to denote redemption, emphasizing the idea of a price paid for deliverance. This concept is seen in passages such as Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 ^[4].

In the New Testament, the work of Christ is central to the understanding of God's sovereign control in redemption. Jesus Christ is described as having been exalted by God as a "Ruler and Savior" to grant repentance and remission of sins to Israel (Acts 5:31) ^[3]. The power of Christ is highlighted in various passages, including Ephesians 1:20-21 and 1 Peter 3:22, which emphasize His supreme and unlimited authority.

The Protestant academic tradition interprets the concept of salvation as a work of God's grace, emphasizing that it is not earned through human actions but is a gift from God. For example, the commentary on Ephesians 2:5 notes that believers are "made alive together with Christ" through God's grace ^[6]. Similarly, the commentary on Titus 3:5 explains that salvation is not due to human works but is a result of God's mercy and the washing away of sins through the Holy Spirit ^[7].

The relationship between God's sovereignty and human salvation is further explored in the context of assurance. The resurrection of Jesus is seen as a pledge or assurance of God's revelation and salvation (Acts 17:31). The concept of "full assurance" is discussed in Hebrews 10:22 and Colossians 2:2, highlighting the importance of unwavering faith and conviction in the truth of Scripture ^[5].

The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary, emphasizes the role of Christ in redemption, stating that believers have redemption in Him, which involves deliverance from sin and its consequences. This tradition also highlights the spiritual nature of redemption, which includes justification, pardon of sin, and conversion ^{[8, 9]}.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
Acts “Acts 5:31 (LITV) — This One God has exalted as a Ruler and Savior to His right hand , to give to Israel repentance and remission of sins.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:14: In whom we have redemption,.... Which is an excellent and wonderful blessing of grace saints have in and by Christ; and lies in a deliverance from sin, all sin, original and actual, under which they are held captive, in a state of nature, and by which they are made subject to the punishment of death; but through the sacrifice of Christ it is taken, and put away, finished, and made an end of; and they are freed from the damning power of it, or any obligation to punishment for it; and in consequence of this are delivered from the enslaving governing power of it by h”
Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 1:27: Zion shall be redeemed with judgment,.... The blessing of redemption by Christ is the source and foundation of the other blessings of grace, before mentioned, the little remnant are favoured with, as justification, pardon of sin, and conversion, Isa 1:18, Isa 1:25 it is of a spiritual nature; the redemption of the soul is a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is plenteous and eternal; the objects of redeeming grace are "Zion" and her converts; not the world, but the church is redeemed by Christ; for by Zion is meant, not a place, but peopl”

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