Most who study theology have learned of the ordo salutis or the “order of salvation.” Depending upon one’s theological framework (Reformed or Arminian, for example) the logical sequence of events in which a person becomes a believer will vary. Of course, each camp has their own biblical support for the sequence as they see it, but both maintain 1) God’s plan is certain and 2) human involvement is part of God’s strategy that he employs to bring about his perfect plan for the universe.
As Berhof’s Systematic Theology explains, the ordo salutis is “the process by which the work of salvation, wrought in Christ, is subjectively realized in the hearts and lives of sinners. It aims at describing in their logical order, and also in their interrelations, the various movements of the Holy Spirit in the application of the work of redemption.” (L. Berkhof, pp. 415-6).
Similarly, Wayne Grudem’s popular theology suggests “The ordo salutis, lit. the order (or way of salvation) is an effort to explain the “list of events in which God applies salvation” to the believer.” (Grudem, p. 669)
What about our progress in holiness? After becoming a believer, is there a logical order, supported by Scripture, whereby a believer moves gradually and certainly closer to Christlikeness? Is there an order of events or behaviors that must occur before I can experience victorious Christian living? Is there an ordo sanctus?
Maybe 1) confess 2) repent 3) forgive 4) restore? Is it possible to repent from sin and not confess it? Or is confession (change of mind) sufficient apart from repentance (change of behavior)? What does it mean to confess sin? What role does confession or repentance play in our sanctification?
What do you think?
Hey, great posting, very thought provoking! I want to preface my response by giving my own personal view of Salvation. I believe God, in Christ (Col., 2:9), initiated grace for salvation on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, for the world (John, 3:16). I read it as the whole, though not everyone will accept His salvific work (Matt., 7:13). Since God has given us that opportunity, His spirit reaches out to us (John 6:44) and in response we accept that grace through faith (Eph., 2:9; Rom., 12:3).
Our response to that grace, I believe is this we hear and consider the Gospel in our hearts, believing it and allowing it to convict their hearts (Acts, 2:15-37). The audience hearing Peter’s message of Christ, on the day of Pentecost (which many theologians consider the birth of the Church [Acts, 2:1-14]), asked “What must we do (Acts, 2:37)?” And Peter’s response was to “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts, 2:38).” This was the normative for the Church in the Book of Acts (Acts, 2, 8, 10, & 19). We also see this pattern in Paul’s writings (Rom., 6:3-4). I believe this is what Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus (John 3, specifically John 3:3; 5)
If we read these passages of Scripture, we read that some people repented, were baptized (Acts 2, 8, and 19), then received the Spirit of Christ (Rom., 8:9-11). However, in Acts 10, those saved in the house of Cornelius, repented and received the Holy Spirit, then were baptized. I believe that one must first repent, specifically in Acts 10, there is no mention of confession at all. They received the Holy Spirit as Peter preached to them. The Jews which were there knew that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit (Acts, 10:44-47), as they had at Pentecost (Acts 2).
I said all that to say that, as for confession, there appears to be that is good to do (1 John, 1:9). As a counseling student, I have been taught the benefit of catharsis. Catharsis is essentially confession. I cannot speak on God’s behalf on the necessity of confession for receiving grace (James, 4:6). Maybe, if we are humble as James 4:6 says, we are not afraid to confess our sins. Or, it is possible that we humble ourselves through confession and confession leads to a deeper commitment to repentance. Although, repentance of behavior appears necessary to a productive and sanctifying relationship with Christ; as I am sure you are aware, the Scripture references would be too numerous to mention.
Paul delineates the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal., 5:22; Eph) as a result of relationship with Christ. I am not aware of any Biblical formula for the Ordo Sactus. I believe that God has given us principals to follow, but in the everyday application of those principles, we must yield ourselves to God’s spirit.
Thanks, Chris, for your comments.
I appreciate the emphasis upon “humility” as that seems requisite to the acts of confession and repentance. Without the right heart condition (humility), the acts of confessing and repenting hardly mean anything.
This is an old post I realize so I don’t want to assume you are still interested/active in this issue but if you are I would love to correspond with you about it. I’m writing a book on this very topic and would enjoy chatting with you about it. Let me know.
Hello Jim and thanks for reading and responding. You’re right; this is a very old post. Have not thought about it for some time, but happy to chat with you here if you like. Maybe pose some questions/comments here and we’ll see where this goes?