Salvation is solely an act of God's will, as affirmed by Scripture, which emphasizes that it is He who initiates and accomplishes our redemption.
The doctrine of salvation as a divine work is rooted in the understanding that God is the first cause of all things, including our redemption. In John 9, Jesus states, 'I must work the works of him that sent me,' emphasizing that the initiative for salvation lies with God alone. This aligns with the Reformed affirmation of total depravity, which teaches that humans are incapable of coming to God on their own due to sin. Salvation is entirely by God's grace and mercy, ensuring that all glory for our redemption belongs to Him. This conviction reinforces the necessity of relying on divine power and initiative in the salvation experience.
Scripture References:
John 9:4, Ephesians 1:4-5, Acts 11:18, John 6:44, 2 Timothy 2:25, Romans 9:11, Joshua 4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:5, John 9:3-5, 2 Timothy 1:9, Acts 3, Acts 14:27
Commentary