SOTERIOLOGY in Christian systematic theology is used to refer to the study of the biblical doctrine of Salvation. It comes from the Greek terms SOTER meaning Savior or Deliverer and LOGOS meaning “word” “matter” or “thing”
It often includes topics such as the nature and extent of the ATONEMENT as well as the entire process of salvation, conceived as an eternal, divine plan designed to rescue lost and erring sinners and bring them back into ETERNAL fellowship with God. Many regard it as the primary theme in Scripture with the Kingdom of God as its goal. It discusses how Christ’s death secures the salvation and eternal life of those who believe. It also helps to understand the doctrines of redemption, justification, sanctification, propitiation, the new birth and atonement.
Other than Christology, Soteriology is the area where Christianity differs most from cults and other world religions. It help us to know why Salvation is by GRACE ALONE (Ephesians 2.8-9) through FAITH ALONE, IN Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4.12). No other religion bases salvation on faith alone. Philippians 4.7 assures us that our salvation provides a peace that passes understanding because we come to know that He who never fails secures our salvation.
SOTER Strong’s #4990 Deliverer, Savior
SOTERIA Strong’s # 4991 (Used 45 Times in NT)
Romans 1.16, Romans 10.10, Romans 11.11, 13.11,2 Corinthians 6.2, 7.10, Ephesians 1.13
The generic word. It is an all-inclusive word signifying forgiveness, healing, prosperity, deliverance, safety, rescue, liberation and restoration. Christ’s Salvation is total in scope for the total man: Spirit, Soul and Body
SOTERION Strong’s #4992 (Used 5 Times in NT)
Luke 2.30, Luke 3.6, Acts 28.28, Ephesians 6.17, Titus 2.11,
Defender, Defense, Salvation, Rescue, Deliverance, safety, Liberation, release, preservation, and the general word for Christian Salvation.
Acts 28.28 Therefore let it be known to you that the SALVATION of God has been sent to the gentiles and they WILL HEAR IT!
The Protestant Christian perspective on salvation is that no one can merit the grace of God by performing rituals, good works, meditation, self-denial or any other thing because GRACE is the result of God’s initiative without anything from us.
Union with Christ
The expression “in Christ” (and its derivatives) is used in the NT to express our union with Christ as believers. It encompasses the whole spectrum of our salvation from its conception in the mind of God to its consummation in the new heavens and the new earth. Our election was “in Christ” (Eph 1:4) and so are all the ensuing benefits, namely, our calling, redemption regeneration, conversion, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification (Rom 8:29-30, 38-39; 1 Cor 1:30; John 15:1-11; 1 John 2:5-6). Our entire present experience and future destiny is “in Christ.”
Our experience of death to sin and resurrection to new life is in light of our union with Christ in his death and resurrection. Thus, not only are we “in Christ” but he (as well as the Father and the Spirit) is also in us (John 14:23) and through His indwelling Spirit we are sanctified in Christ and increasingly conformed/transformed to his image (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18). And, all believers are “one body” in Christ Jesus which itself is a spiritual reality that should give rise to zealous efforts to develop unity (not disunity or uniformity) among true believers (Rom 12:5; 1 Cor 10:17; Eph 4:4).
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1.4-7 NKJV
Adoption is a wrong translation of the word HUIOSTHESIA (Huios= Sons, Thesia= made or incorporated) it refers to God’s decision to make us members of his family and to offer us all the benefits and (ethical) standards involved in living “under his roof.” If justification deals with my legal standing before God as a sinner, then accepted deals with my familial relationship to the Father; I am now one of his own children through the new birth of incorruptible seed (1Peter 1.23) I am NOT ADOPTED but CONCEIVED and he has become my Father. In many different texts—many more than one finds in the Old Testament—the New Testament claims that God is our special Father through the gospel and that we are his children. It is in the context of this new relationship that we receive many, great blessings.
Paul describes to Titus the SUMMARY of SALVATION:
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration (Baptism in His Blood) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.