What is Salvation?

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 05, 2003

Answers

Salvation is translated from the Greek word "Soteria" which means deliverance.

Salvation is deliverance granted by God through Jesus Christ from our sins WHEN WE MEET THEIR CONDITIONS.

God has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David which is speaking of Christ. (Luke 1:69).

John's work was to "give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins." (Luke 1:77).

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), September 22, 2003.

Here is a little more on the subject of Salvation:

One of the grandest subjects capable of being discussed by man is that of salvation. The primary Greek noun translated salvation is soteria (found 45 times in the Greek New Testament). Soteria means, "denotes deliverance, preservation, salvation" (Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Thayer only contributes the "added" thought of "safety" (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon, pg. 612). The concept and state of salvation is viewed in the past, present, and future tenses in the scriptures (Rom. 8:24, 1 Cor. 15:2, Rom. 13:11).

Salvation is associated with Jesus Christ. "And she shall bring forth a son," the angel told Joseph, "and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). The apostles stressed the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus when they said, "neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Jesus possesses the ability and the authorization to extend salvation to man. Jesus shed his blood for the remission of our sins (salvation, Matt. 26:28, Heb. 5:8-9).

There are a number of things which are expressly "linked" to salvation. Belief, confession, repentance, water baptism, the gospel, the long suffering of the Lord, and man's acceptance of the salvation offer are all linked to salvation (Mk. 16:16, 2 Cor. 7:10, Rom. 10:10, Mk. 16:16, Eph. 1:13, 2 Pet. 3:15, Phil. 2:12). You will appreciate that in these links both God and man are involved. Salvation is said to be "common" (Jude 3). It is common because all men can appropriate it regardless of race, culture, money, etc.

What salvation is: Salvation is not just a clear conscience (Acts 23:1, cf. 22: 4-5), spiritual education (Acts 26:27), morality (Acts 10: 1-2, 11:14), faith only (Jas. 2:24), good feeling (Acts 26:9), or joining a church (3 Jn. 9-11). Salvation is not simply an emotional experience (Acts 2:37, 38-40), worship (Mk. 7:7, Acts 8:27) or reading the scriptures (Acts 8:28, 30, 36). Salvation (soteria) involves deliverance. Deliverance from the bondage of sin (Rom. 8:16-17), and from self (Lk. 9:23). Salvation is preservation in the sense the saved are kept by God (Jn. 3: 16). Safety is an element, if you will, of salvation in that God assists those who are endeavoring to do his will (1 Cor. 10:13). Salvation is a relationship between man (the saved) and God (the source of salvation). The saved are sons and daughters, God is their Father (2 Cor. 6:17-18). It is obvious salvation is a state, a state of preservation, deliverance, and relationship (Eph. 2:1, 4-6, Jn. 10:27-29, Jude 24). Salvation is a state which man knows he has obtained because he has done what God has said to do to be saved (1 Jn. 5:13). He is reconciled (made a friend with God (2 Cor. 5), justified (Rom. 5), redeemed (1 Pet. 1:18-19), and cleansed (Acts 22:16).

There are essentially three extant views regarding man's salvation which are regularly taught.

The view that man merits salvation. Catholicism and many cults advocate meritorious salvation. Many of these so called salvation doctrines present man as having the potential to rise to such a level as to effect his own salvation. However, the scriptures irrefutably teach man can not merit his salvation (Tit. 3:5, Rom. 4:1-4). While salvation involves man, man could do nothing save by God's grace and mercy (Eph. 2:8-9). In fact, grace and meritorious works cancel out one another (Rom. 11:6).

The view that man's salvation is wholly of God. Most of the denominational world has embraced the slogan of the reformers, "salvation is by grace alone, faith alone, and Christ alone." If this be true, either all men are going to be saved or God is a respecter of persons (only a few shall be ultimately saved, Matt. 7:13-14 and God is no respecter of persons, Acts 10:34). God is no respecter of persons, in this vein, because he has provided men with the means of being saved, a means which necessarily involves man in an active role in the acquisition of his salvation. Some men accept (saved), some reject (lost). You see, if salvation were by God alone, all men would be saved!

The view that man's salvation requires unworthy man's participation. This view emphasizes God's part as the provider of the essential grace and man as possessing active faith (Eph. 2:8-9, Jas. 2:19-24). It is for certain, man would be in a hopeless situation without God's grace (Rom. 3:23). The only thing man has earned is his death (Rom. 6:23, this is the thought of "wages" ). Nonetheless, man must appropriate God's grace (God's grace can be received in vain and one can fall from grace, showing man's responsibility, 2 Cor. 6:1, Gal. 5:4). When the Jews in Acts 2 learned they were in need of salvation, they cried out, "...Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (vs. 37.) Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin (salvation) and the gift of the Holy Spirit (vs. 38). He exhorted them with many other words saying, "save yourselves from this untoward generation" (vs. 40).

What man must do to be saved. The lost jailer at Philippi asked the preachers, "...Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30).

Notice, Paul and Silas did not rebuke him and call him a legalist because he asked what he must do to be saved. Not only did they not rebuke him, they told him what to do to be saved. First, there was the matter of belief (vs. 31). Belief in this instance is comprehensive - total of man's responsibility in the considered circumstance (see Heb. 11:6, Jas. 2:19-24). They had to preach to him so he could believe (you see, faith is not a direct gift from God, Acts 16:32, Rom. 10:17). Notice how "he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway" (vs. 33). The washing of their stripes was indicative of repentance (Acts 2:38). He and his were immediately baptized, as we have seen, because "baptism is for the forgiveness of sin" (Acts 2:38, 22:16, Rom. 6:1-18). He and his could now rejoice "believing in God..." (vs. 34). Hence, the nonChristian must Believe, Repent, Confess Christ's deity (Rom. 10:9-10, see Acts 8: 37, confession is necessarily inferred in the two cases noticed, Acts 2:16), and be Baptized. Belief is the first because there is not anything said to precede and Baptism is the final because salvation is associated with the act of baptism (when preceded by the other noted acts).

The Christian must confess his sins and ask God for forgiveness of those sins committed while a Christian (1 Jn. 1:6-9). As the Christian walks in the light and keeps himself in the love of God, he enjoys salvation (1 Jn. 1:7-9, Jude 21). He is to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling (Phili. 2:12). His life was begun in obedience and he is to continue in submission to God's will (Rom. 6).

Salvation imparts joy and meaning in this life and provides hope for beyond the grave. Salvation is truly great and must not be neglected (Heb. 2:1-3). "Now is the day of salvation," wrote Paul (2 Cor. 6:2).

The gospel is God's power to salvation. (Romans 1:16).

Have you obeyed the gospel???

If not, what are you waiting for???

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), September 22, 2003.

Interesting!

One question:

If man is saved by Faith Alone (David's concept and others), where does this put man's Free Will after he is saved?

It sounds like one loses their Free Will once he is "saved forever"; his choices are now gone. He can no longer do anything that would forfeit his Salvation. This is obviously wrong. We continue to have Free Will; we can choose to have faith or not.

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 22, 2003.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), September 22, 2003.

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

You lose your rewards, not your Salvation.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), September 22, 2003.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from THE SIMPLICITY that is in Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3

There is no "Plan" to follow, we are not living under old testaments conditions that we have to slaughter a lamb to gain salvation. It wasn't the act of the sacrifice that saved them, it was there faith.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), September 22, 2003.

This discussion will eventually lead up to "once saved, always saved; if you lost your salvation, you never had it to start with". Well, in that case, how do you know if you really have salvation if at the last moment you may lose it? This brings me back to the same square: we may not know that we have Salvation until the moment of judgement. You or I or all of us may believe that we have Salvation and then find out later that we never had it? This, too, sounds wrong.

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 22, 2003.

So, the guy who went and killed that abortion doctor is still saved because he held on to his faith in Christ, eventhough "vengence is mine saith the Lord" and the guy took matters into his own hands. The guy believes that he will be in Heaven as he is executed for his crime.

Of course, we need to consider if the guy confessed, repented, and was indeed judged by God. So, the guy believed that "once saved, always saved" applies to him, even in grave sinfulness on his part. Something is not quite right in this situation.

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 22, 2003.

David,

Your Once Saved Always Saved doctrine is FALSE.

Romans 8:38, WE CAN SEPARATE OURSELVES from the love of God!

1 Corinthians 3:11-15, the "any man's work" that Paul was speaking of in these verses are those that they have converted. If any man's work (those who have obeyed the gospel as the result of his teaching) shall be burned (those who did NOT continue to remain faithful until death after they obeyed the gospel) would be burned, and yes this man would suffer loss because he would be losing a brother or sister that he had converted to Christ. These verses do not even remotely have anything to do with a so called Once Saved Always Saved doctrine.

2 Corinthians 11:3 also has NOTHING to do with the false doctrine of OSAS.

David writes, "There is no "Plan" to follow, we are not living under old testaments conditions that we have to slaughter a lamb to gain salvation."

I never said that we first "lived under old testament conditions" nor did I ever state that we had to "slaughter a lamb to gain salvation". Please tell us David if "Faith ONLY" saves, then why do the demons "believe" and yet they are NOT saved?

If there is such a doctrine as OSAS, then why did Jesus admonish the apostles in Rom 11:21, to FEAR if it were NOT possible to be lost? "For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either." The natural branches were the Jews, and they are NO longer the children of God as they were broken off. (v. 20).

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), September 22, 2003.

Because we have saving faith Kevin. The demons believe Jesus exists, but to they trust in him alone to save them? No.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), September 22, 2003.

I believe that Satan and his gang had a one shot deal. They blew it and will pay for their disobedience. We have a different deal; we have a continual chance for redemption, if we take it. We will have that offer until we deny it.

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 22, 2003.

David,

Faith WITHOUT WORKS is a DEAD faith.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), September 22, 2003.

rod,

God is so merciful that if Satan would ask for his forgiveness God will accept it. We know that can't happen, but it's just an example.

Kevin,

We are not saved by works. Titus 3:5 Ephesians 2:8,9

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), September 22, 2003.

David do you realize that with that comment --Satan being saved-- you would have gotten burned at the stake as a heretic. I'm just making a historical reference, nothing more or less.

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 22, 2003.

David,

The works Paul spoke of in Ephesians 2:8-9 were the works of the Law of Moses.

Titus 3:5 tells us SPECIFICALLY that we are saved by the "WASHING OF REGENERATION" which is BAPTISM. Please compare this verse with John 3:5.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), September 22, 2003.

rod,

The Romanists would have burned me at the stake for saying the Wafer is not God, or that Mary was not a virgin. Or for refusing to bow down to the pope.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), September 22, 2003.

David,

There are different kinds of works:

1. Works of the flesh - Gal 5:19-21

2. Our own works - Acts 7:41, 2 Tim 1:9

3. Works of the Law of Moses - Gal 2:16

4. Works of obedience - Acts 10:34-35, Luke 6:46, John 6:29. See Luke 17:7-10 which PROVES that Obedience does not equal a works salvation.

5. Faith is a work - John 6:29

6. Works of the devil - 1 John 3:8

7. Work out your own salvation - Philippians 2:12, Titus 1:16

8. We will be judged according to our works - Revelation 20:12-13, James 1:22, 25

Salvation by Grace EXCLUDES Works of boasting, since Faith, Repentance, Confession and Baptism are all Works of the Obedience of Faith (Romans 1:5, 16:26), and yet they are NOT Works of Merit which result in boasting (Luke 17:10), It follows that they are NECESSARY in order for the sinner to be saved by Grace. Faith is as much a Work as Baptism (John 6:28-29) and Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that everything God does for us is an act of Grace. Everything which we do in Obeying Him is an act of FAITH.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), September 22, 2003.

Yes:

"Everything which we do in Obeying Him is an act of FAITH. "

How can this be made clearer to many? I see this, but some do not call it for what it is.

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 22, 2003.

The scripture tells us that work and grace are quite diametrically opposed, work is not grace and grace is not work. Grace is 'undeserved merit, mercy and/or favour' whilst Work is 'any effort or activity directed towards the production or accomplishment of something'

"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

The scriptures also tell us that it is by 'grace' one is saved and not of 'works' giving us the reason why.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Therefore standing on that sure ground, one has to ask if one can ever maintain something by 'deserving' that was completely 'undeserved' to start with. None of us deserve salvation or will ever be 'good' enough to 'keep' it, which is why we are told that we are 'kept by the power of God'. It is HIS salvation, it is HE that keeps us.

One knows that they are saved by the witness of the Spirit of God within them, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we ARE the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

As John the beloved disciple said: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

And we know that not all are 'sons of God' but only those who receive Christ as their Saviour. One may ask 'when does eternal life start?'. According to 1John 3:14, John 3:36, John 5:24 etc. 'eternal life' is given from the point of trusting in Christ as Saviour. And it cannot be lost or demerited or otherwise it was never 'eternal' life to start with and Christ deceived us.

However, what one does AFTER he is saved matters a great deal. Not for salvation's sake, but for service and witness' sake. For as paul said "ALL things are lawful..." now to a believer, but not all things are expedient or edify. It is our witness we must keep carefully, not our salvation, for God says He keeps that for us.

-- Gillian Dickenson (Gilliantwin@msn.com), February 06, 2004.

Hi Gillian

Why didn't you make any quotations from the Book of James?

Faith without Works is Dead.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 06, 2004.

rod,

We have been through this a few times already, James is talking about the EVIDENCE of salvation. Go ahead and continue to misquote him.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), February 06, 2004.

David, my question was meant for Gillian. Also, you need to read the question and not interject your interpretation into the question. The question is rather obvious and straight forward. Your bias is showing ,again.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 06, 2004.

rod said,"David, my question was meant for Gillian."

I don't care who your question was directed at. You asked her why she didn't quote from the book of James (i.e. faith without works is dead- james 2) and posted a webpage from the United Catholic Church dealing with the topic "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD". I have already told you, and you KEEP on misquoting James. James was talking about the evidences of salvation.

rod said,"Also, you need to read the question and not interject your interpretation into the question."

Read the question? What question? All I did was point out your error concerning James.

rod said,"The question is rather obvious and straight forward. Your bias is showing ,again."

What bias?

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), February 06, 2004.

You know what rod, forget it. I won't waste my time. I finally have enough time to finish my reply to Kevin on the baptism thread.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), February 06, 2004.

Finally, you get it! Have you noticed your "off topic" replies in the other threads? Have you noticed your double standard?

.........don't delete my posts, David...............

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 06, 2004.

I didn't quote anyone, Daivd. So, I didn't "misquote" anyone either. Unless, you are saying that my Scripture quotation is in error, then I'm still not "misquoting" anyone. Also, I posted a link to somebody else's writings, just the same way that you have in the past. If I am wrong, I've learned that technique from you.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 06, 2004.