The primary theological topic addressed in "The Captain of Our Salvation" by Don Fortner is the role of Jesus Christ as the Captain of salvation, emphasizing the significance of His authority, leadership, and provision for believers. Fortner argues that Christ, as the divinely appointed leader, is essential for bringing many sons to glory, relying on Hebrews 2:10 to illustrate that God has appointed Christ to perfect salvation through suffering. He further supports this argument with references to John 10:9, 14:6, John 17:2, and Romans 8:17 to depict Christ's authority, the path laid out for believers, and the inheritance shared with Him. The practical significance of this doctrine lies in recognizing Christ's sovereignty in the believer's journey, ensuring that their struggles are under His guidance and that the ultimate victory belongs to Him alone.
Key Quotes
“For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
“The captain has all authority and power... the captain's word is the law by which the whole army is governed.”
“You will never go... through any fiery furnace... but where you will find the footprint of the Crucified One who is the Captain of your salvation.”
“The battle is not ours. It is the Lord's.”
What does the Bible say about Jesus as the Captain of our Salvation?
Hebrews 2:10 describes Jesus as the Captain of our Salvation, perfecting our redemption through sufferings.
Hebrews 2:10, John 10:9, John 14:6
How do we know that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for salvation?
Christ's sacrifice is sufficient because He leads us directly to glory as the appointed Captain.
John 17:2, Hebrews 2:10, John 10:9
Why is Jesus called the Captain of our Salvation?
Jesus is referred to as the Captain of our Salvation because He possesses all authority and leads us to glory.
Hebrews 2:10, Romans 8:17, John 10:9
How does God's providence relate to Christ as our captain?
God's providence operates through Christ, who directs our paths and meets our needs as our Captain.
Romans 8:28, Hebrews 2:10, John 17:2
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. - Hebrews 2:10The Captain Of Our Salvation
God has purposed that he will bring many sons to glory; but he has determined that he will do so by a chosen Captain, a Captain greater than Joshua, who will fight for his people and bring them safely into the Canaan of glory. Yes, God will bring his sons to glory, but he will do so only by the Captain of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. Sinners cannot come to glory but by this Captain (John 10:9; 14:6). Christ is called the Captain of our Salvation because...
The captain has all authority and power. The captain of an army is invested with the authority and power of the king himself. The captain's word is the king's word. The king's treasures are the captain's treasures. Even so, the Lord Jesus Christ has all power and authority given to him for the saving of his people (John 17:2).
The captain makes all the arrangements for the army's march. He decides what path the troops will take, where they will camp, and how long they will stay at any place. And he supplies all provisions for them. Even so, our Lord Jesus Christ mapped out our path in divine predestination, supplies us with our needs and directs our steps according to his wise and good providence.
The captain's word is the law by which the whole army is governed. Soldiers are not allowed to do each one what he chooses. The troops do not make up their rules of conduct and principles of warfare as they go along. That is the captain's business. In the Church and Kingdom of God Christ gives the marching orders. They are not optional. His Word is our law. He alone determined what our doctrine and duty is, what our faith and practice must be; and he has given these things to us in his Word.
The captain is more than a commander, he is a leader. The captain leads the way. You will never go in any path of duty, walk through any fiery furnace, go through any deep valley, climb any high hill of difficulty, or endure any temptation, but where you will find the footprint of the Crucified One., who is the Captain of your salvation.
The captain encourages his men. When the Lord Jesus appears to us and we hear him say, "It is I, be not afraid,” that is all that is required to calm our hearts and sustain our souls.
It is the captain's delight to reward his followers. As David's spoils were shared equally by all the army, the timid as well as the brave, the weak as well as the strong (1 Sam 30:24), so the Lord Jesus Christ will bestow upon all the many sons he brings to glory all the glory he has won. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). That means that all the glory which Christ now possesses as our Mediator shall be ours (John 17:5,22).
The captain is responsible both for the army under his command and for the victory. It is true, we are engaged in a warfare. We must fight continually, resisting sin, contending with the world, the flesh and the devil. But the battle is not ours. It is the Lord's (Ex. 14:13-14; 2 Chr. 20:15). Christ, the Captain of our Salvation, is the One responsible for our salvation; and "he shall not fail!”
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