The Peculiar Actions of the Triune God in Redemption

We now examine the distinct roles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the work of redemption. This exploration will help us understand the unity and focus of God’s plan to save sinners.

The Father’s Role in Redemption

The Father’s actions in redemption are rooted in His eternal decree and loving will. Specifically:

1. Election: The Father chose certain individuals for salvation before the world was created. This choice was based on His grace, not on anything foreseen in those chosen (Ephesians 1:4-5).
2. Sending the Son: The Father sent Christ into the world to accomplish the salvation of the elect. This sending was not a general act but a purposeful mission to save those given to the Son (John 6:37-39).
3. Providing the Mediator: The Father appointed Christ as the Mediator of the covenant of grace, ensuring that the work of salvation would be carried out through Him (Hebrews 8:6).

The Father’s role shows that salvation originates in His sovereign will, not in human effort or decision.

The Son’s Role in Redemption

The Son’s actions are central to the work of redemption, as He is the one who accomplishes salvation through His life, death, and resurrection. Specifically:

1. Obedience to the Father: Christ perfectly obeyed the Father’s will, fulfilling the law on behalf of the elect (Romans 5:19).
2. Sacrificial Death: On the cross, Christ bore the punishment for the sins of the elect, satisfying God’s justice and securing their forgiveness (Isaiah 53:5-6).
3. Intercession: After His resurrection and ascension, Christ intercedes for His people, ensuring that the benefits of His death are applied to them (Hebrews 7:25).

The Son’s work is focused and effective. He did not come to make salvation possible for all but to actually secure salvation for those given to Him by the Father.

The Holy Spirit’s Role in Redemption

The Holy Spirit’s role is to apply the work of Christ to the lives of the elect. Specifically:

1. Regeneration: The Spirit transforms the hearts of the elect, bringing them to spiritual life and enabling them to believe in Christ (John 3:5-6).
2. Sanctification: The Spirit works in believers to make them more like Christ, conforming them to His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
3. Sealing and Assurance: The Spirit seals believers, guaranteeing their inheritance in Christ and giving them assurance of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Spirit’s work is essential for bringing the benefits of Christ’s death into the lives of the elect, ensuring that God’s plan is fulfilled.

The Unity of the Trinity in Redemption

The work of redemption is a unified act of the Triune God. The Father plans salvation, the Son accomplishes it, and the Spirit applies it. There is no contradiction or inconsistency in their work. This harmony highlights the certainty and effectiveness of salvation for the elect.

If we were to accept the idea of universal atonement—that Christ died for all people—this unity would be disrupted. It would mean that the Son’s work does not align with the Father’s election or the Spirit’s application. Such a view undermines the coherence of God’s plan.

Conclusion

The distinct yet unified actions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit demonstrate the focused nature of God’s redemptive work. Each person of the Trinity plays a unique role in the salvation of the elect, ensuring that Christ’s death is not wasted or ineffective. This truth should fill believers with confidence and gratitude, knowing that their salvation is secure in the hands of the Triune God.

In the next chapter, we will explore the specific question: For whom did Christ die? We will see how Scripture answers this crucial question and further reveals the intent of God’s plan of salvation.

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A Modern English translation of Book 1, Chapter 3 of John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.