Understanding God’s Plan of Salvation
Preamble
Knowing what we believe about salvation is crucial. Conservative Anabaptists have not traditionally been
inclined to develop or articulate systematic theology. However, some confessions, articles, and books have
been written that address aspects of salvation or provide an overview of what has been considered most
important. It is crucial that we base our understanding of truth firmly on what the Scriptures communicated to
the original audience and embrace and follow the timeless principles and applications there for us today.
This statement does not provide a view of salvation as a systematic theology approach would do. We recognize
that certain aspects of salvation may be viewed slightly differently among us. But there are primary points that
are important to be agreed upon. These “Articles of Affirmation and Denial” attempt to address these primary
points. The listed Scripture references are representative but not all inclusive. Statements in italics are direct
quotes from the 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith and are followed by the Article number in [brackets]. This
statement has been reviewed and approved by the Biblical Mennonite Alliance Council of Overseers and Board
of Executors.
Articles of Affirmation and Denial
1. The Gospel
We affirm that the Gospel is the good news that God has made a way of salvation for sinful man through the
death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. By His resurrection from the dead, Christ accomplished the
full justification of those who believe in Him. [5]
We deny that man can be saved by character, law, good works, or ceremonies. [6] We deny that only a select
few are capable of responding to the Gospel, while the rest are predestined to an eternity in hell.
Genesis 3:15; Luke 19:10, 24:45-49; John 1:1-18, 3:16; Romans 1:1-6, 5:8, 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21;
Galatians 4:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-10; Colossians 1:21-23; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Hebrews 1:1-3, 4:14-16; 2 Peter 3:9
2. The Sinfulness of Man
We affirm that, because of the fall of Adam, every person inherits a sin nature and that every person who is
capable of moral action will sin. As a fallen creature, man is self-centered, self-willed, rebellious toward God,
unwilling to yield to Christ, unable to break with sin, and under divine judgment. [4]
We deny that any person is guilty for Adam’s sin other than Adam. Those who perish eternally do so only
because of their own sin. The most grievous sin is the stubborn refusal to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Saviour
and Lord. [4]
Genesis 3:15-24, 6:5; Isaiah 6:5, 53:6; Jeremiah 17:9, 31:29-30; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Matthew 7:21-23; Romans
1:18-32, 3:9-18, 5:12, 6:23, 7:9; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, 6:9-10, 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27-28;
Revelation 20:11-15
3. The Atonement of Christ
We affirm that the substitution of Christ in bearing the punishment that we deserve is the only available and
effective sacrifice for the sins of every person. Jesus Himself was the sacrifice for sin. [5] Jesus, by His
redemptive death and resurrection, conquered the forces of sin and Satan and atoned for the sins of mankind.
[1]
We deny that Christ died only for the sins of those who will be saved. The merits of the death and resurrection
of Christ are adequate for the salvation of all men, are offered to all, and are intended for all. [6]
Psalm 22:1-31; Isaiah 53:1-12; John 14:6; Acts 10:39-43; Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-
14; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-20; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 9:12-15, 22-28, 10:1-18; I John 1:7, 2:2
4. The Regeneration of the Sinner
We affirm that the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and the Son to bring to individuals the redemption of
Christ. [1] The supreme ministry of the Spirit is to lead men to Christ and His salvation. [7] Men are able to
accept or reject the grace of God when convicted by the Holy Spirit and are therefore culpable for the eternal
consequences of their personal choices. Those who repent and believe in Christ as Saviour and Lord receive
the gift of righteousness, are born again, and are adopted into the family of God. [6]
We deny that any person is regenerated prior to or apart from hearing and responding to the Gospel. We deny
that those called by God have no choice but to receive His grace and its accompanying salvation. As Christians
yield to Christ and obey His Word, the Holy Spirit transforms them into the spiritual image of Jesus Christ and
enables perseverance in faith and holiness. [7]
John 3:3, 6:35-40, 7:37-39, 10:10, 16:7-14; Acts 2:37-39; Romans 6:4-11, 10:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2
Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:13; 1 Peter 3:18
5. The Sovereignty of God and Election
We affirm that from all eternity God knew who would be the believers in Christ, and these persons foreknown as
believers are elect according to the foreknowledge of God. [6]
We deny that from eternity, God predestined certain people for salvation and others for condemnation. We deny
that God’s foreknowledge is a cause of a person’s acceptance or rejection of faith in Christ.
Genesis 1:26-28, 6:5-8; Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15; Matthew 7:13-14, 11:20-24, 24:31, 25:34; Mark
10:17-22; Luke 9:23-24; John 6:70, 15:16; Romans 8:29-33, 9:6-8, 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:4-6, 2:11-22, 3:1-11; 1
Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 2:9; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 7:9-10, 22:17
6. The Security of the Believer
We affirm that it is the privilege of every believer to have the assurance of salvation. The God who saves is also
able to keep each believer unto a happy end in Christ. [6]
We deny that it is impossible for a saved person to “fall from grace” or to have his name blotted out of God’s
book of life.
Exodus 32:33; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:4, 24; Colossians 1:21-22; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:12; James 1:12;
1 John 2:5, 5:13-15; Jude 24-25; Revelation 3:5, 21:7
7. The Great Commission
We affirm that Christ has commissioned the church to go into all the world and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them, and teaching them to observe His commandments. Jesus entrusted to the church the
stewardship of the Gospel, and promised the power of the Holy Spirit for the work of evangelism and missions.
[9]
We deny that salvation is possible outside of a faith response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20; John 14:6; Acts 1:8, 4:12, 10:42-43; Romans 1:16, 10:13-15; 1 Corinthians 1:17-21;
Ephesians 3:7-9, 6:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:1-5