The Sovereignty of God in Salvation and Redemption
The Sovereignty of God in Salvation and Redemption
The sovereignty of God in salvation and redemption is a doctrine that underscores God's absolute authority and control over the salvation of humanity. This concept is rooted in various biblical passages that highlight God's initiative and grace in saving humanity [1, 2].
The Bible attributes salvation to God's sovereignty, emphasizing that it is God who takes the initiative to save humanity. Psalms 62:7 states, "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God" [4]. Similarly, Psalms 3:8 declares, "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people" [5]. These passages demonstrate that salvation is not achieved by human effort but is a gift from God.
The sovereignty of God in salvation is closely tied to the concept of election. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, there are different types of election mentioned in the Scripture, including the election of individuals to office or honor, the election of nations to special privileges, and the election of individuals to eternal life [3]. The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God, as stated in Ephesians 1:5 and 11.
The New Testament further emphasizes God's sovereignty in salvation through the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 2:5, it is written that God "made us alive with Christ" [6]. This passage highlights that salvation is a work of God, who gives new life to believers through the resurrection of Christ. The Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians 2:5 notes that believers share in Christ's resurrection, both now and in the future.
The sovereignty of God in salvation is also reflected in the concept of redemption. According to John Gill's commentary on Colossians 1:14, redemption is a blessing of grace that saints have in and by Christ, involving deliverance from sin and its consequences [9]. This redemption is made possible through the sacrifice of Christ, demonstrating God's sovereignty in providing salvation.
Different Christian traditions interpret the sovereignty of God in salvation and redemption in various ways. The Presbyterian tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, emphasizes the role of God's sovereignty in salvation, highlighting that thanks should be given to God the Father, who is the fountain of every blessing in creation, providence, election, and redemption [8]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill, also underscores the sovereignty of God in salvation, emphasizing that salvation is of the Lord, both temporally and eternally [11].
The biblical basis for the sovereignty of God in salvation and redemption is evident in various passages. The Psalms frequently attribute salvation to God, emphasizing His role as the rock of strength and refuge [4, 10]. The New Testament writings, particularly those of Paul, further develop this theme, highlighting God's initiative in salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ [6, 7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
- 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: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 62:7 — In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 3:8 — Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people.”
- 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.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:20: thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”
- 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”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 62:7: In God is my salvation,.... Or "upon God" (h); he that is God over all has took it upon him to save me; he is the author of salvation to me; and it is in him safe and secure, and I shall be saved in him with an everlasting salvation: and my glory; the author of all his temporal glory, honour, and dignity; and of all his spiritual glory, which lay in the righteousness of Christ put upon him, and in the grace of God wrought in him; and of the eternal glory he was waiting for; and besides, God was the object of his glorying, of whom he boasted, and in whom he gloried; ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 37:38: But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord,.... Both their temporal, spiritual, and eternal salvation; particularly the latter, which is originally of the Lord, and springs from the thoughts, purposes, and resolutions of his heart: it is of him freely, of his rich grace and abundant mercy; and it is of him fully and completely; it is an entire salvation of soul and body; includes all blessings of grace and glory in it; it is to the uttermost, and from all sin, and every enemy; and it is of him only; there is no salvation in any other; and the glory of it is to”