Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine

by Wayne Grudem

when he rose from the dead, Jesus was the “firstfruits”2 (1 Cor. 15:20, 23) of a new kind of human life, a life in which his body was made perfect, no longer subject to weakness, aging, or death, but able to live eternally.

Jesus did not look exactly as he had before he died,

there was probably sufficient difference in his physical appearance for Jesus not to be immediately recognized.

It is true that Jesus apparently was able to appear and disappear out of sight quite suddenly (Luke 24:31, 36; John 20:19, 26). Yet we should be careful not to draw too many conclusions from this fact, for not all the passages affirm that Jesus could suddenly appear or disappear;

There was no penalty left to pay for sin, no more wrath of God to bear, no more guilt or liability to punishment—all had been completely paid for, and no guilt remained.

1 Corinthians 15:20–23: But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

The Offices of Christ How is Christ prophet, priest, and king?

CHRIST AS PRIEST

Jesus Offered a Perfect Sacrifice for Sin

Jesus Continually Brings Us Near to God

Jesus as Priest Continually Prays for Us

CHRIST AS KING

On that day he will be acknowledged as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16) and every knee shall bow to him (Phil. 2:10).

whenever we speak truthfully about God to believers or to unbelievers we are fulfilling a “prophetic” function

Peter calls us “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).

The Work of the Holy Spirit

the work of the Holy Spirit is to manifest the active presence of God in the world, and especially in the church.

(1) the Holy Spirit purifies; (2) the Holy Spirit unifies; (3) the Holy Spirit reveals; (4) the Holy Spirit empowers.

(5) the Holy Spirit shows stronger or weaker evidence of the presence and blessing of God, according to our response to him.

He brings forth the “fruit of the Spirit” within us (“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,” Gal. 5:22–23),

Contemporary experiences should be evaluated according to what lasting results (“fruit”) they bear in people’s lives (see Matt. 7:15–20; 1 Cor. 14:12, 26c).

There is an emphasis on the Holy Spirit coming on a community of believers. Not just a leader like Moses or Joshua, but sons and daughters, old men and young men, menservants and maidservants—all will receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

“strife, jealousy . . . rivalries, dissensions, divisions” (Gal. 5:20) are desires of the flesh that are opposed to being “led by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:18; cf. v. 25).

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit within us would be so powerful he would be like a river of living water flowing out from our inmost beings (see John 7:39)—

He Guides and Directs God’s People

He Provides a Godlike Atmosphere When He Manifests His Presence

He Gives Power for Service

He empowered Joshua with leadership skills and wisdom (Num. 27:18; Deut. 34:9)

when David was anointed as king, “the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward” (1 Sam. 16:13),

“We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26).

To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with the immediate presence of God himself, and it therefore will result in feeling what God feels, desiring what God desires, doing what God wants, speaking by God’s power, praying and ministering in God’s strength, and knowing with the knowledge which God himself gives.

All our ministry, whatever form it may take, is to be done in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Did the Holy Spirit immediately leave Samson when he began to sin (see Judg. 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14)?

The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption

Common Grace What are the undeserved blessings that God gives to all people, both believers and unbelievers?

common grace is the grace of God by which he gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation.

common to all people and is not restricted to believers or to the elect

God also demonstrates his common grace by giving warnings of final judgment in the operation of the natural world. God has so ordered the world that living according to his moral standards very often brings rewards in the natural realm, and violating God’s standards often brings destruction to people,

Common Grace Does Not Save People

Common grace does not change the human heart or bring people to genuine repentance and faith—

The Doctrine of Common Grace Should Stir Our Hearts to Much Greater Thankfulness to God

Election and Reprobation When and why did God choose us? Are some not chosen?

“The Order of Salvation” 1. Election (God’s choice of people to be saved) 2. The gospel call (proclaiming the message of the gospel) 3. Regeneration (being born again) 4. Conversion (faith and repentance) 5. Justification (right legal standing) 6. Adoption (membership in God’s family) 7. Sanctification (right conduct of life) 8. Perseverance (remaining a Christian) 9. Death (going to be with the Lord) 10. Glorification (receiving a resurrection body)

predestination is a broader term and includes the two aspects of election (for believers) and reprobation (for unbelievers).

election is an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them but only because of his sovereign good pleasure.

much controversy in the church and much misunderstanding over this doctrine.

But once people come to faith in Christ, then we can be confident that God had earlier chosen them for salvation.

Circular reasoning

Election Is Not Based on God’s Foreknowledge of Our Faith

That’s exactly what it seems to me to based on

it is thought, the ultimate reason why some are saved and some are not lies within the people themselves, not within God.

salvation at its most foundational level is based on grace alone.