Systematic Theology Terms Flashcards
Regeneration
The work of the Holy Spirit to bring new spiritual life to a person without which it is impossible to enter the Kingdom of God; to be “born again.”
John 3:3-8 (Nicodemus and born agani)
Titus 3:5 (Saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit)
Justification
An act of God’s free grace which he pardons all our sins, declaring us as righteous in his sight on account of Christ’s righteousness imputed to us and received by faith alone.
Romans 3:21-26 (all have sinned and fall short …and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[b] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith)
Romans 4:1-8 (Abraham justified by faith)
Rom. 8: He predestined, called, justified and glorified.
1 Cor 6: Believers are washed, justified and sanctified.
Rom. 5: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Sanctification
An act of God’s free grace where we are entirely renewed after the image of God, and are enabled more and more die to sin, and live to righteousness. His sanctifying work is both definite and progressive.
Romans 6:4 (buried w/ him thru baptism into death, in order that just as Christ is raised so that we may have a new life)
Phil 2:12-13 (workout salvation with fear…for it is God who works in you to will and act for his good pleasure)
Hebrews 10:14 (by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy)
Perseverance
Because God’s preserving grace, all of his elect will remain in Christ all their days, will demonstrate his work in them by their fruitfulness, and will be gloried by him on the last day.
Jn 10:27-29, (no one can snap [sheep] out of father’s hand)
1 Thess 5:23-14 (May God sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming…)
Phil 1: God who begins the good work in us will bring it to complete.
Matt 28: God will be with us until the very end.
John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Rom. 8: Nothing shall separate from the love of God. Those who are called will be justified and glorified.
Union with Christ
The believer’s intimate relationship with Christ through faith which is the source of every spiritual blessing.
John 15:1-11 (vine and branches)
Eph 1:3-14 (spiritual blessing in Christ)
Covenant
A relationship that God established with us and guarantee by his Word.
Genesis 15
Jeremiah 31:33 (put law in their minds, write it on their hearts)
Resurrection (2 verses)
Romans 1:1-4 (declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead)
1 Cor 15:12-22
Trinity
The doctrine that God exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person is uncreated, co-eternal, and equal in power, glory, and honor. They are rightly worshipped as the one true God, one in three, three in one.
Matt 28:19
John 14:26 (Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you)
2 Cor 13:14
Providence
God actively sustains and governs all created things according to his holy will, in such a way, that nothing happens in this world without his orderly arrangement.
Col 1:17 (He is before all things, and in him all things hold together)
Job 37:6-13 (They do whatever he commands … make these things happen either to punish or show unfailing love)
Proverbs 16:33 (We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall)
Matt: 10:29-30 (not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it and hairs on your head are all numbered)
Total Depravity
Every part of man’s nature is affected by sin, so that he cannot choose what is spiritual good apart from God’s grace.
Rom 3:9-12 (all have sinned)
Eph 2:1-3 (you were dead in your transpasses and sin)
Isaiah 64: our righteousness is a filthy rag.
Romans 6: Wages of sin is death
Faith
The gift of God that enables us to understand and trust in his Word and respond appropriately to it. Saving faith is directly toward Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Eph 2: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
John 3: Anyone who believes will have eternal life. Those who do not will perish.
1 John 4: Those who believes that Jesus is Christ has been born of God.
Particular atonement
The work of Christ in his life, death and resurrection to secure salvation for his chosen people. This doctrine affirms that he definitely saves those who are particular his.
Election and Reprobation
God’s decision from before the creation of the world to choose some of his fallen human creatures to be saved and by his grace to become holy and blameless in his sight. In his wisdom and for his glory he passed over others, holding them accountable for their sins.
Ephe 1:4 he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Rom 9:14-24 “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy … compassion on others”
Sacrament
A holy ordinance instituted by Christ that is both a sign of the new covenant and a seal tat applies its benefits to the believer. There are two: baptism and Lord’s supper.
Rom 4:11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.
Lord’s supper: Matt 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, 1 Cor 11
Baptism: Matt 28, Col 2: you have circumcised with a circumcision not done by human hands. Your whole flesh has been circumcised by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism.
