Six Verbs of Salvation: God’s Sovereignty and Human Response

The process of salvation can be clearly understood through a framework known as the "six verbs of salvation," which outlines the sequential and interdependent actions involved in the experience of being saved. This framework balances the sovereignty of God with human responsibility, affirming that salvation is entirely from the Lord while also requiring a response from individuals.

The first verb is that God sends heralds. These heralds are believers whom God commissions to proclaim the gospel, fulfilling the mandate to spread the good news to all people. This sending is an act of divine initiative, demonstrating God’s sovereign role in salvation.

The second verb is that heralds preach. Preaching is a public and audible proclamation of the gospel message. It is essential that the gospel is shared openly and clearly, as this proclamation is the means by which the message reaches others.

The third verb is that people hear. Hearing the gospel is not a passive act; God grants understanding so that the message is truly grasped by the hearers. This divine enabling ensures that the gospel penetrates beyond mere words to genuine comprehension.

The fourth verb is that hearers believe. Faith is a gift from God, highlighting His sovereign work in enabling individuals to trust in Jesus Christ. Belief is not merely a human decision but a response empowered by God’s grace.

The fifth verb is that believers call. This calling on Jesus is the human response of faith, an active turning to Christ in trust and dependence. Calling on the Lord does not diminish God’s sovereignty; rather, it is the necessary response that God requires from those He draws to Himself.

The sixth and final verb is that calling leads to salvation. When a person calls on the Lord in faith, they experience the reality of salvation—being saved from sin and reconciled to God.

The importance of preaching and hearing the gospel is foundational to this process. Scripture teaches that people cannot believe without hearing, and they cannot hear without someone preaching. This underscores the critical role of heralds who faithfully proclaim the gospel and the hearers who receive it with understanding.

This framework maintains a biblical balance between God’s sovereign initiative and human responsibility. God initiates salvation by sending heralds and enabling belief, yet humans must respond by calling on Jesus in faith. Both aspects are essential and work together harmoniously in the salvation experience.

Believers are called to actively participate as heralds, sharing the gospel with others. The proclamation of the gospel is indispensable; living a good life alone is insufficient for salvation. Verbal proclamation and hearing the gospel remain vital components in the process of salvation, ensuring that the message of Christ reaches and transforms lives ([44:11] through [47:39]).

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from First Southern Tucson, one of 2 churches in Tucson, AZ