Salvation
What is Salvation?
Salvation is to escape the second death and to live in God's presence for eternity.
We are saved from a guilty conscience and eternal condemnation.
Why do we need to be saved?
Because of man's fall and our sinful nature we are unable to come into God's presence unless we are saved.
When God created the world, it was perfect. Man was without sin, but this situation didn't last long. Man disobeyed God (which is what sin is) and ate of the tree of 'Knowledge of Good and Evil' and as a consequence became aware of his nakedness. He tried to cover him self but couldn't. He tried to hide from God but couldn't.
God did provide man a covering but sent man out of the Garden of Eden.
Subsequently God made a Covenant with Abraham. "I will be your God and you will be my people as long as you obey me" This covenant was symbolized by circumcision.
God later gave them some rules to live by called the Ten Commandments when he spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai. Man was able to offer animal sacrifices to atone for sin when he broke God's law.
The trouble was, God's people were not able to keep God's law and did not seek atonement. They became uncircumcised in heart and broke his Covenant.
So God decided to send his only begotten son Jesus Christ to establish a New Covenant symbolized by baptism. Jesus was to be a once and for all sacrifice to pay for the sins of all men once and for all. Any man who would trust in Jesus to be his Lord and Savior would receive cleansing and forgiveness of sins (Justification) as well as eternal life (Salvation) and freedom from oppression (Redemption). In addition, they would receive a new Spirit when he baptized them (Rebirth, Born again, Regeneration) and he would make them Holy (Sanctification, Transformation) as they grew in the Knowledge of God.
What should we do to be saved?
Believe in the atoning power of Christ's death and resurrection and invite him to be Lord of your life.
Give examples of verses that end in "shall be saved".
Mt.10:22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Mt.24:13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Mk.13:13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Mk.16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Lu.8:12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Lu.21:19 By standing firm you will gain life.
Jn.3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jn.5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
Jn.6:40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
Ac.2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Ac.16:30-1 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
Ro.10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Ro.10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Ro.10:13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
1Jn 5:1 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
Can we be saved and not redeemed?
No.
Can we be saved and not justified?
No.
Can we be saved and not born again?
No.
Can we be saved and not baptized with the Holy Spirit?
No.
Can we be half saved or half born again or half baptized or half justified?
No.
Can these things be separated or do they come as a package deal?
No, they cannot be separated, they come as a package deal.
Can you be saved without believing?
No.
Is believing enough by itself?
Yes. If you truly believe the Gospel and love God, you will decide to make him Lord of your life and obey his commands and there will be fruit in your life.
What do we have to believe?
The Gospel as recorded in the Bible which is the Word of God.
Does it matter if you love something or somebody more than God?
Yes. Anything that we love more than God is an idol or a false God. Idols cannot save you.
Do we have to obey everything that the Bible says?
Yes.
Do I really need to repent?
Yes.
What does walking in the Light mean?
Being honest and not deceptive.
Does Jesus really expect me to forgive people who have hurt me?
Yes.
Do we need to invite Christ into our lives?
Yes.
Does Jesus have to be Lord of everything in our lives?
Yes. If he isn't, you will eventually have to chose between him and whatever it is that you love so much.
Am I saved by being Baptized in Water?
No. But if you decide to get baptized in water, it is most likely that you are saved.
Then why should we get Baptized in Water?
Because the Bible tells us to and we need to make a public confession and a definite decision to follow Christ.
What does it mean to deny Christ?
It means to abandon the faith and pursue other Gods (false Gods).
Can't I keep my being Christian a secret?
The natural response to being saved is to want to tell everybody about God. If you are ashamed to be a Christian, you need to examine yourself to see if you really do believe.
If I don't speak in tongues, does that mean I haven't been Baptized in the Holy Spirit?
No.
What are the other signs of Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Praising God, a transformed life, and other signs and manifestations.
How can I know whether I am saved or not?
Something within you will tell you that you are saved. You can know if you are right with God, especially if you do all that the Bible says.
Will good works save me?
Not by themselves. Doing good works does not cancel out the bad things we have done. For example, if you get a parking ticket, it doesn't matter how many times you park the car right after that, you still have to pay the parking ticket fine. If there is just one spot on your garment, it is dirty. The only way to get clean is to accept that Jesus has paid the price for your sins when he died on the cross.
