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Question 1

Define grace.

Answer 1

The unmerited favor of God towards man (p. 31).

Question 2

How did God’s grace provide for our salvation?

Answer 2

Through the death of Jesus Christ (p. 32).

Question 3

a. Salvation leads to good works; good works do not lead to salvation. Is this statement true?
b. Cite a scriptural passage which states the biblical principle involved.

Answer 3

a. Yes.

b. Ephesians 2:8-9 (p. 33).

Question 4

Some have reasoned that since grace has freed us from the law’s penalty of death and ceremonial requirements, we may live a sinful life if we choose to do so and still be saved. Cite two verses of Scripture which oppose this view.

Answer 4

Romans 6:1-2; 6:15 (p. 33).

Question 5

What is the relation of faith to grace?

Answer 5

Faith is the means by which man accepts and receives God’s saving grace (p. 34).

Question 6

What does it mean to be “justified”?

Answer 6

To be counted righteous (p. 35).

Question 7

a. What is the source of our faith?
b. Cite one verse to support this.
c. What is the theological name for the faith which precedes salvation?

Answer 7

a. God is the source of our faith because He gives all the ability to believe (p. 37).
b. Romans 12:3 or Hebrews 12:2.
c. Universal prevenient grace.

Question 8

Cite one scriptural passage which teaches that men do not seek God on their own.

Answer 8

John 3:27; 6:44; Romans 3:10-12.

Question 9

Contrast the biblical meaning of faith with its generally understood modern meaning.

Answer 9

Faith is generally understood to be mental assent or public affirmation of a creed or the gospel. However, the Bible teaches it to be a personal, lifelong, total commitment to Christ which involves knowledge, trust, and obedience (footnote 11, p. 41).

Question 10

Identify and briefly explain three components of genuine, saving faith.

Answer 10

a. Knowledge
b. Assent
c. Appropriation (See pp. 41-42 for explanations of each.)

Question 11

What is the critical element lacking in the lives of those whose belief in Jesus Christ is insufficient
for salvation?

Answer 11

Lack of total commitment to Jesus and obedience to His Word (p. 43).

Question 12

The apostle John had an acid test for the Christian in I John 2:3-5. Summarize this passage in your own words.

Answer 12

We know God, have the love of God perfected in us, and abide in God only when we obey God (p. 45).

Question 13

How do the views of Paul and James agree concerning the relation of faith to works?

Answer 13

Paul and James both agreed that saving faith will produce a life-changing reliance upon God, evidenced by works (p. 49).

Question 14

Scripture describes saving faith as something more than a momentary condition or mental commitment. What would be a scriptural view of saving faith, as described by the author?

Answer 14

Saving faith is not just a temporary condition but a continuing relationship with Jesus Christ (p. 50).

Question 15

Describe the relationship of faith to:

a. Repentance
b. Water baptism
c. Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost

Answer 15

a. Repentance can be described as the first “faith response” to the gospel, because it stands at the beginning of a life of faith and is itself the initial act of faith (p. 52).
b. True faith in God and His Word will cause the believer to submit to water baptism. Water baptism, too, is a “faith response” to God (p. 53).
c. Faith leads to receiving the Holy Spirit (p. 54).

Question 16

a. Are repentance and water baptism attempts to gain salvation through works?
b. If not, how might one explain their role in salvation?

Answer 16

a. No.

b. Repentance and water baptism show submission or obedience to God and are expressions of saving faith (p. 55).

Question 17

Many believe that Romans 10:8-10 points to true salvation by mental belief in and verbal confession of Jesus Christ as the Savior.
a. From the context of the passage, how do we know that Paul was not describing in detail the conversion experience itself?
b. Paul quoted a portion of Deuteronomy 30:14 in Romans 10:8. Comparing the two verses, what implication of Paul’s quote becomes obvious?
c. What would be the fullest understanding of “confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus”?
d. In Romans 10:9, Paul pronounces belief in the resurrection of Christ as critical to salvation.
What two points can be made as to why Paul makes this emphasis?
(1)
(2)

Answer 17

a. This passage was written to Christians to remind them of how accessible salvation really is. Paul did not have to explain the new birth inany detail because his readers had already experienced it. Rather,he was reminding them that the foundation of salvation remains faith in Christ and the gospel and in public confession of this faith to the world in which they lived (p. 57).
b. Faith also entails obedience to God’s will. Thus, confessing and believing includes obeying the Word of God (p. 57).
c. This means to give a truthful, verbal confession that He is Lord. For this to be truthful in reality, we must submit our lives to Him as Lord and be obedient to Him. Verbal confession comes when we call His name at water baptism and when we speak in tongues at the Spirit baptism. No one can confess that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (p. 58).
d. (1) True belief in Christ’s resurrection will lead us to apply His atonement to our lives.
(2) True belief in His resurrection will lead us to receive His Spirit. The atoning death of
Christ is effective through the resurrection and we receive new life through the Spirit of the risen Christ (Romans 4:25; 5:10; 6:4-5; 8:9-11).

Question 18

One may miss the point of Romans 10:13 if the context of the verse is ignored. What is the main point of this verse?

Answer 18

This verse is not a formula for salvation but 116 teaches that salvation is for all. It teaches the universality of salvation (p. 59).

Question 19

Though God has dealt with men in various ways throughout the ages, the atoning death of Jesus Christ is the one central event in His plan of salvation for all time. Two principles have been evident in God’s dealings with man under both the old and new covenants. What are these principles?

Answer 19

a. God’s grace, on which salvation is based (p. 60).

b. The principle of faith evidenced in obedience to God’s plan.

Question 20

What does the doctrine of grace teach concerning the new birth?

Answer 20

The doctrine of grace teaches that the new birth is a free gift from God which we do not earn or deserve (p. 62).

Question 21

What does the doctrine of faith teach concerning the new birth?’

Answer 21

. The doctrine of faith teaches that we receive the new birth by relying totally and exclusively on Christ and His gospel. Faith is the means by which we appropriate God’s grace, yield to Him, and allow Him to perform His saving work in us (pp. 62-63).

Question 22

Give the twofold definition of saving faith.

Answer 22

Saving faith is (a) acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation and (b) appropriation (application) of that gospel to our lives, by obedience to its requirements (p. 61).