The Order of Salvation in Reformed Theology

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The Order of Salvation in Reformed Theology

In Reformed theology, the Order of Salvation (Ordo Salutis) refers to the sequence in which God applies salvation to the elect. The general order is as follows:

1. Election

The beginning of salvation lies in God's eternal decree. Before the foundation of the world, God sovereignly chose certain individuals for salvation, not based on their deeds or merit, but solely according to His will and grace.

  • Biblical Basis

    • Ephesians 1:4-5
      "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."

    • Romans 9:11-13
      “Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls… Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’”

2. Calling

God calls the elect to salvation through both the external call (preaching of the Gospel) and the internal call (the effectual work of the Holy Spirit). Those who receive the internal call will inevitably respond in faith.

  • Biblical Basis

    • Romans 8:30
      “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

    • 1 Corinthians 1:9
      “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

3. Regeneration

The Holy Spirit renews the hearts of the elect, bringing them from spiritual death to life. Regeneration is entirely the work of God's sovereign grace.

  • Biblical Basis

    • John 3:3-5
      “Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.… No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.’”

    • Ezekiel 36:26-27
      “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

4. Conversion

Regenerated individuals respond with repentance and faith. Though this is an action taken by the individual, its power and origin come entirely from God's grace.

  • Biblical Basis

    • Acts 2:38
      “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

    • Romans 10:9-10
      “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

5. Justification

God declares sinners righteous based on the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to them. This is received by faith alone, apart from works.

  • Biblical Basis

    • Romans 3:24
      “And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

    • 2 Corinthians 5:21
      “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

6. Adoption

Justified believers are not only forgiven but also adopted into God's family as His children. This marks a glorious change in status.

  • Biblical Basis

    • John 1:12
      “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

    • Romans 8:15
      “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”

7. Sanctification

After justification, believers undergo a lifelong process of growing in holiness through the work of the Holy Spirit. Though sanctification is primarily God's work, believers actively cooperate through obedience.

  • Biblical Basis

    • 1 Thessalonians 4:3
      “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.”

    • 2 Corinthians 7:1
      “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

8. Perseverance

God preserves His elect, ensuring that they will not fall away but will remain in the faith until the end. True believers will never lose their salvation.

  • Biblical Basis

    • John 10:28-29
      “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

    • Philippians 1:6
      “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

9. Glorification

The final stage of salvation, where believers are raised and transformed into a state of perfect holiness, dwelling with God forever.

  • Biblical Basis

    • Romans 8:30
      “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

    • Philippians 3:21
      “Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

This is the Reformed understanding of the Order of Salvation, firmly grounded in the principles of grace alone, faith alone, and Christ alone.

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