Conditions of Salvation by M. E. STEWARD

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 19, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 3.

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Conditions of Salvation

By M. E. STEWARD

M. E. STEWARD

“What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Matt. 16:26.

THE foundation of the Christian’s hope:—

1. The unmistakable evidences from his Word and his works that there is a God.

2. The existence of a Saviour: “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

3. His all-sufficiency: “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.” Heb. 7:25.

The first principles of the doctrine of Christ: Faith, repentance, baptism. Heb. 6:1, 2.

1. Faith is “nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith.” Rom. 10:6-8. The Lord gives it to the little child, so that he, without any effort, believes his mother. “Faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1.

2. Repentance springs from a recognition of the goodness of God (Rom. 2:4), and the conviction of one’s own sinfulness. This produces sorrow for sin, and a determination to put it away. But the natural heart can not sense

the Lord’s goodness and its own depravity. “The true Light . . . lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” With this light, all can repent who desire to. John 1:9; Acts 5:31. Let the seeker ask the Saviour to make him repentant, and believe his prayer is granted, though he may not feel it, because God has promised to receive all who turn from their sins. 2 Cor. 6:17, 18.

Confession, consecration, and conversion:—

1. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13. Secret sins should be confessed to God, and all others to those whom we have injured.

2. Consecration wills to do God’s will. Matt. 7:21. The Lord requires right-doing, without any compromise with wrong. The consecrated soul, who in his heart resolves to be right, has this promise: “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chron. 16:9.

3. “Look unto me,” says the Lord, “and be ye saved.” Isa. 45:22. This is not a casual look; it recognizes that Christ is the Saviour. “As soon as we look to Jesus for help, his work of transformation begins in the heart.” Jesus is the one who saves his people from their sins. Matt. 1:21. We are to believe it; for he says so. This is conversion. Bible conversion is in harmony with the principles of the law of God. Ps. 19:7.

Baptism

Baptism follows repentance and conversion. Acts 2:38. Baptism is a figure. 1 Peter 3:21. It signifies a death to sin, and a resurrection to newness of life. Rom. 6:3, 4. It is an acceptance of the death of Christ as a sacrifice for our sins, and a pledge to live entirely for God. Verse 11. “As a Christian submits to the solemn rite of baptism, the three highest powers in the universe, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, place their approval on his act, pledging themselves to exert their power in his behalf, and to furnish all the assistance required.”—Mrs. E. G. White. There is but one baptism (Eph. 4:5); that is a burial. Rom. 6:4. As Christ was buried in the tomb, not sprinkled or poured with the earth, so his followers are to be wholly covered in the liquid grave. Rom. 6:3, 4.

Sanctification

Sanctification carries on the work of transformation of character; it is a continuous thing; it is being cleansed and kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. 1 Peter 1:5. Day by day the soul comes to Christ in surrender (1 Cor. 15:31) for a new cleansing; day by day it appropriates the promises of acceptance; thus growing up into Christ in all things (Eph. 4:15), till the whole being is changed into “the same image from glory to glory.” 2 Cor. 3:18.

Election

“God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 2 Thess. 2:13. If one ceases to believe the truth and to live for God, he loses the conditions by which he is elected to be saved. “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience.” 1 Peter 1:2.

Sanitarium, Cal.