God’s gracious provision for delivering sinners from the penalty and the power of sin, and for restoring them to their original state of perfection. The release of the sinner from condemnation is called justification; the process of character transformation is called sanctification; the restoration of immortality is called glorification. The plan of salvation was conceived in eternity past, and became operative when the first humans sinned and fell from their original state. The conditions of salvation have been the same throughout human history. The OT sacrificial system pointed forward to the cross, the focal point and keystone of the plan of salvation, and was made effective by the perfect life, vicarious death, and glorious resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Salvation comes as a free gift of God’s grace, and is accepted by faith in Christ. It is available to all, but becomes a reality only in the experience of those who, by their own free choice, accept it. It is not irresistible, as Augustine taught. The Seventh-day Adventist concept of salvation corresponds closely to the historic Methodist understanding, especially as set forth by John Wesley.
The ultimate objective of salvation is the restoration of God’s image in humans, the eradication of sin from the universe, the confirmation of God’s infinite love and justice to the eternal satisfaction of all created beings, and the establishment of universal and everlasting peace and security. See also Faith and Works ; Justification ; Law ; Law and Grace ; New Birth ; Perseverance ; Righteousness by Faith ; Sanctification .