Ordo Salutis

The "Ordo Salutis", Latin for "the order of salvation," refers to the sequence by which God applies the benefits of redemption in an individual's life. It explains the biblical framework of how regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification unfold, all of which flow from union with Christ. This union is initiated by the Holy Spirit’s regenerating work, bringing the believer into a saving relationship with Christ through faith. Importantly, these blessings cannot be separated from the Benefactor—Jesus Christ. Salvation, from election to glorification, is entirely the work of God’s sovereign grace in Christ and is accomplished without any contribution from human effort.

Every aspect of salvation—conversion (faith and repentance), justification, sanctification, and perseverance—begins with the Spirit’s work of regeneration, which renews the heart and enables saving faith. While the benefits of salvation are received simultaneously in union with Christ, there is a logical order to their relationship: regeneration produces faith, which immediately unites the believer to Christ and brings justification and sanctification. These blessings, though distinct, cannot be separated and work together as part of God’s unified and gracious work to conform the believer to the image of Christ. Perseverance flows from this same grace as God preserves His people in faith and holiness throughout their lives, ensuring their final glorification. This unified work reflects the richness of God’s grace and His ultimate purpose to bring His people into full communion with Himself.

Jesus Christ is the source of every redemptive blessing, including regeneration, justification, and sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30). Election serves as the foundation or "blueprint" of the Ordo Salutis, revealing God's sovereign intention for the elect. However, election itself is not the application of redemption. Regeneration, which is the Holy Spirit’s work of bringing sinners into a living union with Christ, holds causal priority over all other aspects of salvation.

 -- God opens our eyes, and we see.

-- God circumcises or unplugs our ears, and we hear.

-- Jesus calls a dead and buried Lazarus out of the grave, and he comes (Ephesians 2:5).

In the same way, the Holy Spirit applies regeneration, opening our spiritual eyes and renewing our affections, immediately and infallibly resulting in faith (John 6:63, 65).

The Relationship Between Faith and Repentance

While regeneration precedes faith, it is important to clarify the relationship between faith and repentance. Faith precedes repentance because we do not forsake sin in order to come to Christ; rather, we come to Christ so that we might forsake sin. Repentance flows from faith in Christ. Believing in Him as Savior and Lord transforms the heart and compels the believer to turn away from sin and toward God (Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25). Faith, as the gift of God, is the root from which repentance grows, ensuring that the entire work of salvation is by grace alone.

Contrasting Views: Reformed vs. Arminian

Historically, the Church has debated the sequence of salvation, particularly between Reformed and Arminian camps. Both perspectives affirm that Christ’s work is the foundation of salvation, but they differ on the order of its application:

In the Reformed camp, the ordo salutis is 1) election/predestination (in Christ), 2) Atonement 3) gospel call 4) inward call 5) regeneration, 6) conversion (faith & repentance), 7) justification, 8) sanctification, and 9) glorification. (Rom 8:29-30). To be more precise see the following chart with text overlapping and the redemptive benefits of Christ springing from our (Spirit-initiated) union with Christ:

  • Election/Predestination (Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:29-30):
    This is the foundation of salvation, referring to God's eternal choice of individuals for salvation in Christ, based entirely on His grace and purpose, not human merit.

  • Atonement (Romans 3:25-26; 1 John 2:2):
    The historical accomplishment of redemption through Christ’s substitutionary death and resurrection. While it is distinct from the application of salvation, atonement is the basis upon which all redemptive benefits are applied.

  • Gospel Call (Romans 10:14-17):
    The outward proclamation of the gospel to all, calling sinners to repentance and faith in Christ.

  • Inward Call (John 6:44; Romans 8:30):
    The work of the Holy Spirit in effectively calling the elect, drawing them to Christ in a way that infallibly leads to salvation.

  • Regeneration (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5):
    The Spirit’s sovereign work of renewing the heart, enabling the sinner to respond in faith and repentance. Regeneration is the beginning of the application of redemption, bringing the individual into spiritual life and union with Christ.

  • Conversion (Faith and Repentance) (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21):
    The sinner, now regenerated, responds to the gospel by trusting in Christ (faith) and turning away from sin (repentance). These are distinct but inseparable aspects of conversion and are both gifts of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:25).

  • Justification (Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:16):
    The legal declaration of righteousness, based on Christ’s imputed righteousness, received through faith alone. This is the forensic aspect of salvation, wherein the believer is pardoned and accepted as righteous in God’s sight.

  • Sanctification (Romans 6:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:23):
    The ongoing work of the Spirit in making the believer holy, progressively conforming them to the image of Christ. While distinct from justification, sanctification flows necessarily from it and is inseparable in the life of the believer.

  • Glorification (Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44):
    The final stage of salvation, where the believer is fully conformed to the image of Christ, receiving a glorified body and dwelling eternally in the presence of God.

 

In the Arminian camp, the ordo salutis is 1) outward call 2) faith/election, 3) repentance, 4) regeneration, 5) justification, 6) perseverance, 7) glorification.

The Reformed understanding emphasizes that these benefits occur simultaneously but with a causal order. For example, placing repentance before justification in no way suggests that repentance causes justification or serves as a condition for pardon. Rather, repentance is a fruit of faith, both of which spring from the regenerating work of the Spirit.

The Unity of Salvation in Christ

At the heart of the Ordo Salutis is the truth that all benefits flow from our union with Christ. He gives faith. He gives repentance. Salvation springs from Christ alone, who unites us to Himself by His Spirit. This biblical order—that regeneration precedes faith and faith precedes repentance (John 6:37, 6:63, 65)—ensures that our salvation is wholly of God and by grace alone. “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

Thus, we must not view the order of salvation as strictly linear but as a unitary work of God. Consider an analogy: when you strike the cue ball with a pool stick, it rolls across the table and strikes the intended ball, sinking it into the pocket. The cue ball and the other ball strike simultaneously, yet the cue ball causes the other ball to move. Similarly, God’s regenerating grace in Christ gives rise to all other aspects of salvation. The work is instantaneous and unified, yet regeneration causally precedes the other benefits.

[See our essay on Repentance in the Ordo Salutis for a detailed explanation]  Also see Horatius Bonar's essay Insensibility

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