The Trinitarian Work of Salvation

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." Ephesians 1:4

    God's eternal purpose includes the work of the Divine Trinity in man's salvation. The one God consists in three Persons. There is an exclusive unity in this Trinity, because it is a fellowship of equals. Thus, the eternal purpose of grace is unilateral.

1. God the Father chose a certain number to be saved (Eph. 1:4). Election is eternal, secret until conversion, free, particular, and definite (John 6; 10; 17). Before the cross, the elect were in Christ by election and foreordination (Rom. 8:29, 30; II Tim. 1:9).
2. God the Son purchased salvation for His sheep at Calvary (John 10:11, 15, 16). At the cross, the elect were in Christ by redemption and propitiation (Rom. 3:24-26; Eph. 1:7-12). Jesus Christ did not purchase a possible salvation for all mankind without exception, but a certain salvation for His sheep (John 10:15).
3. God the Holy Spirit regenerates all whom the Father elected and the Son redeemed (John 3:8). Subsequent to the cross, all the elect will be in Christ by regeneration and reconciliation before Christ comes to establish His kingdom (II Pet. 3:9, 15).

    The covenant of grace is unilateral; therefore, a fourth party could not have a place in that covenant between equals. God cannot stoop to make a covenant with sinners on a dunghill. Sinners have no part in their salvation from the guilt and penalty of sin. The glory of God's salvation of sinners cannot be shared with those He saves. If man could take credit for his salvation, his deliverance would not be by grace.