23. The Gospel Presentation

.... Once the working of the sanctification of the Spirit is completed, as described in Section 22, the sinner is called into the fellowship of God’s Son through faith in the gospel (This is also known as their ‘effectual calling’). Again, an inward and an outward working come together to effect this end. The sanctification of the Spirit prepared the sinner for obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2), and this inward preparation will now be coupled with an outward calling as the gospel message is presented.

. .... Once again, according to the principle seen in prophecy, when an inward and an outward witness match, it will produce a certain result: the sinner will be convicted, and will fall on their face and worship God, confessing Him (1 Cor 14:24-25). Apparently this principle is true of the effectual calling as well, as the hunger that is produced through God’s preparation finds a perfect satisfaction in the gospel of Christ and their moment of truth arrives.

. .... After the sanctification of the Spirit progresses to a certain point, the gospel will be presented. At this point the Lord will also grant repentance to the sinner (Acts 11:18), and saving faith (Eph 2:8); as part of His own inward calling.

. .... Once the sinner believes, he is justified and he is glorified. (Rom 8:30. See also John 17:22). He attains to the adoption as sons, and Predestination Phase 2 is completed in his life (Eph 1:5).

. .... There are myriads of other things that occur at the point of salvation, but the most basic thing to consider is that when they are joined with Christ, all further things are true from this perspective. In other words, these things are true of Christ, and true of the person as he abides ‘in Christ’.

. .... As we begin the discussion on salvation itself, a whole new situation will begin to unfold. But like the preparation itself (Predestination phases 1 & 2), salvation is an ongoing work. Here, we begin Predestination Phase 3.