Difference between revisions of "Salvation"

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'''Salvation''', in the primary Biblical sense, is the free gift of God through the [[Propitiation|propitiatory]] (sacrificial atoning) death of [[Jesus Christ]] and His [[resurrection]], in accordance with the Scriptures. When a person humbles themselves before God ''(in genuine repentance of the evil in their heart)'' and accepts Jesus as his or her Lord and Savior (authority in every area of life), that person is given the gift of salvation. Salvation means being forgiven and reconciled with God, being ''saved from'' [[Hell]] and receiving the gift of eternal life, and entering into a relationship with the Lord of [[Heaven]]. It is also more than just being ''saved from'' the consequences of sin; also carries with it the idea of being ''saved out of'' the slave market of [[sin]]; and being forgiven by Jesus.
  
'''Salvation''' is a word commonly used to describe the goal of [[Christian]]s. Salvation is also called "Eternal Life" and "Life Everlasting."  Salvation should not be confused with [[Heaven]] nor with the [[Resurrection]].  But before Salvation can be considered one must know what one is being saved from.
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==Terminology==
  
In short, [[sin]] and its consequence of death are the things Christians seek salvation from.  Simply put, sin is wrong doing.  In the words of St. John the Evangelist:
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Terms such as  ''saved'' or ''salvation'' are not restricted to the salvation of the soul, as God saves people daily from temporal evils, but its most supreme manifestation is in relation to the spiritual and eternal realm, that of the redemption of the soul, and which subject is theologically termed ''soteriology''.
  
{{cquote|
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The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia explains,  
Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has either seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as He is righteous. He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are children of Cod, and who are children of the devil; whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother'' (1 Jn 3:4-10).
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}}
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==The recognition of sin==
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In English Versions of the Bible the words “salvation” “save,” are not technical theological terms, but denote simply “deliverance,” in almost any sense the latter word can have. In systematic theology, however, “salvation” denotes the whole process by which man is delivered from all that would prevent his attaining to the highest good that God has prepared for him. Or, by a transferred sense, “salvation” denotes the actual enjoyment of that good... Salvation from physical evil was a very real part, however subordinate, of Christ's teaching. (Mar_1:34, etc.)
The first step is the fact that mankind is sinful in nature; everyone does things which are contrary to God's will. In God's eyes, stealing a paper clip is just as sinful as stealing a car.  The Apostle Paul neatly summed up the condition of man:
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:''As it is written: There is none righteous, no not one;''
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==The gospel of the grace of God==
  
:''There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God."  
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The Biblical [[gospel]] ("good news") is most essentially the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1Cor. 15:1-4ff) This "word of truth" (Eph. 1:13) has the God of the Bible as its object of faith, as "the Father sent the Son, the Saviour of the world." (1Jn. 4:10) This message reveals that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."  But whom men, "by wicked hands", nailed to a cross and killed, Christ suffering "once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened [resurrected alive] by the Spirit". And that Jesus Christ "showed Himself alive after His passion [suffering and death] by many infallible proofs, being seen of them [His apostles] forty days," as well as by over five hundred brethren at once. And "who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him." It concludes that it is this Jesus "who is ordained of God to be the Judge of living and dead", and that "to Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 1:3; 2:23; 10:38,40,42,43; 1Cor. 15:6; 1Pet. 3:18,22)
  
:''They are all gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable, there is none that does good, no, not one."
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In addition to the living and true God of the Bible being the object of faith and obedience, a primary aspect of the Biblical gospel is that neither the sacrifices or good works of man (or church, etc.) can enable him to escape from his future just and eternal punishment in hell-fire, (Mk. 9:43-48; 25:41,46; Rv. 14:11; 20:10) or merit him eternal life with an infinitely holy and just God.(Rm. 4; Titus 3:5; 2Tim. 1:19) But that instead man must humble himself before God as a sinner,  unable to justify himself, and then cast all his faith on the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom God sent to be the perfect sacrifice for sin, and Savior of the world. (1Jn. 4:10,14) By so (truly) doing, one is choosing the Lord Jesus over sin, light over darkness. (Jn. 3:19-21) This faith decision is shown by being baptized in identification with the Lord Jesus.<ref>Dr. John Gill (1690-1771), Mt. 28:19</ref> (Mt. 28:19; Acts 2:41; 8:36,37; 10:47,48)
  
:''Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they have used deceit, the poison of asps is under their lips;''
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==False gospels==
  
:''whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;''
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The gospel of salvation has been subject to some confusion and much false teaching down through the ages, and which issue the Bible treats with utmost concern. The apostle Paul warned, "If any preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
  
:''their feet are swift to shed blood;''
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Matthew Henry comments here, "This will not justify our thundering out anathemas against those who differ from us in minor things. It is only against those who forge a new gospel, who overturn the foundation of the covenant of grace, by setting up the works of the law in the place of Christ's righteousness..."<ref>Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714), Gal 1:6-9</ref>
  
:''destruction and misery are in their way,''  
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"The gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24) is shown to be made clear enough that a false gospel can be discerned by way of comparison with it.<ref>Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832), Romans 1:6-9</ref>  It is principally here that false religions are seen to be in foundational contrast to the apostolic gospel, and which manifests who or what they worship, in which, officially or by way of informal conveyance, they teach that one's own sacrifices and works (or those of their religion) can or must merit them salvation.<ref>Barnes, Rm. 3:20-25, Gal. 1:6-8</ref> The Bible also declares that man's own works, by which he supposes he is justified before the one true Holy God, are as filthy rags.<ref>Barnes, Is. 64:6</ref> (Is. 64:6) In this the Bible is particularly evidenced to most uniquely stand apart from thousands of beliefs, in that it declares that there is only One Way to be justified before God and gain eternal life with Him, that being through true faith in the risen Lord Jesus and His sinless shed blood. (Rm. 3:25) There are different degrees of critical deviations from the Biblical gospel in this regard, and in the West it is often seen that one may have an outward profession of faith in Jesus Christ but not the inward reality, not having experienced the new birth.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/rubornagain.html Are you born again? by J. C. RYLE - 1816-1900]</ref><ref>[http://www.precious-testimonies.com/General/a-e/BornAgainIndex.htm PRECIOUS BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN TESTIMONIES]</ref> (Jn. 3:3-7; Acts 10:43-47; 15:7-9; Gal. 4:6) 
  
:''and the way of peace they did not know.''
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Another false gospel, among others, found within that which is broadly called Christianity, is one that that holds that one is saved by faith, but that a Christian no longer being "under the law", (Rm. 6:14,15) means that the Christian is not bound to the moral laws of the Bible. This teaching is called antinomianism, of which there are different variations, but which basically enables "turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness",<ref>[http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/GO/gvcc/radio_trans/antinomianism.html Antinomianism, P. G. Mathew, M.A., M.Div., Th.M]</ref> (Jude 1:4) and which idea Paul, the "apostle of grace", expounded at length against, as does the Bible as whole. (Rm. cps. 6-8) Being freed from the law basically refers to the law not being a means of salvation, as well as not being bound to literal obedience as regards ceremonial aspects of it.<ref>Albert Barnes, (Mt. 5:18)</ref> (Gal. 4:10; Col. 2:16,17; Heb. 9:10)
  
:''There is no fear of God before their eyes.''
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Adam Clarke comments,
  
:''But we know that whatever things the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law; so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may be under judgment before God,''
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The Gospel proclaims liberty from the ceremonial law: but binds you still faster under the moral law. To be freed from the ceremonial law is the Gospel liberty; to pretend freedom from the moral law is Antinomianism.<ref>Clarke, Gal. 5:13</ref> {{See also|Leviticus 18}}
  
:''because by the works of the Law none of all flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law is the knowledge of sin.''
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All false gospels are seen to be preaching a ''different'' Jesus, spirit, and gospel, formally or effectively. (2Cor. 11:4,13,14) Robertson comments, "It is a tragedy to see men in the livery of heaven serve the devil.<ref>Archibald Thomas Robertson, WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT</ref>
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==Biblical means of Salvation==
  
:''But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets;''
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The Lord Jesus commanded His disciples that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Lk. 24:47). And thus did the apostles, even as Paul testified "both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21) The Lord Jesus declared that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (Jn. 16:7-11) and which conviction is necessary for man - whom the Bible evidences as sinful and (usually) self-righteous - to realize his need for mercy and salvation. God "desires truth in the inward parts", (Ps. 51:6) and a soul needs to have a heart that can honestly admit his/her own sinfulness and guilt, but which wants a new life in Christ. Unless the sinner hardens his heart (Acts 19:9), this conviction works such a humble and a contrite heart, and it is those who be of such that God saves, when they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ps. 34:18; Acts 2:37,38 16:30,31)  And which is to God's credit and honor, and not to that of man. (Eph. 1:6; 2:8,9) 
  
:''even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, toward all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference,''
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This conviction and drawing to Christ can only by done by God, (Jn. 6:44) but usually He works through preachers of the word to do so, and the preaching of the holy apostles manifests the Holy Spirit working this through them. (Acts 2:14-27; 13:16-41) In so doing, the manner of early Christian preachers in reaching souls was to reason "with them out of the scriptures", (Acts 17:2; 18:28; 28:23; cf. Lk. 24:25-27,44; Rm. 10:17) though if their audience was primarily scripturally illiterate [[Gentiles]], then natural revelation was invoked, (Acts 14:15-17; 17:24-28) with supernatural signs and miracles from God usually providing Divine attestation to both classes. (Acts 2:33; 3; Rm. 15:19) The Divinely inspired words of the apostles themselves were received as the word of God (1Thes. 2:13) being able to be proved by the scriptures, (Acts 17:11), which is the only tangible class of revelation which is given assurance of being wholly inspired of the one true God, (2Tim. 3:16) the finished canon of which man is not to add to, but all is tested by scripture. (Is. 8:20; 2Pet. 1:16-21) (Rev. 22:18,19) The conversion which resulted by such  conviction and faith in the risen Lord Jesus and His sinless shed blood was manifested by radically changed hearts and lives, with those who were saved evangelizing as well. (Acts 2:42-47; 6:4; 1Thes, 1:8,9)
  
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===Recognition of sin===
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The Holy Spirit convicts man of the fact that he is sinful, as by nature and in thought and action everyone does things which are contrary to the law of God, (1Jn. 3:4) and "by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Rm. 3:20) In God's eyes, stealing a paper clip is a sin, just as stealing a car is. (Ja. 2:10) While any sin is damnable,<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/40SinsThatWillSendYouToHell.html 40 SINS THAT CAN SEND YOU TO HELL]</ref>  the ultimate sin is rejecting the only One who fully lived righteously, but whom became the scapegoat for us, (Lv. 16:8,20-22; Is. 53:3-6) and whom God therefore raised from the dead (Acts 17:31)  Jesus Christ being the only "name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.(Acts 4:12) Those who will not be saved, but who die in their sins will face judgment, just as their master was and will be, (Jn. 8:21; 16:11; Rv. 20:10), in contrast to those "which die in the Lord." (Rv. 14:13)
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Drawing upon the [[Old Testament]], the Apostle Paul summed up the deleterious condition of man in [[Romans 1]]:
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{{cquote|
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:''As it is written: There is none righteous, no not one;''
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:''There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God."
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:''They are all gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable, there is none that does good, no, not one."
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:''Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they have used deceit, the poison of asps is under their lips;''
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:''whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;''
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:''their feet are swift to shed blood;''
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:''destruction and misery are in their way,''
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:''and the way of peace they did not know.''
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:''There is no fear of God before their eyes.''
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:''But we know that whatever things the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law; so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may be under judgment before God,''
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:''because by the works of the Law none of all flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law is the knowledge of sin.''
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:''But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets;''
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:''even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, toward all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference,''
 
:''for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.'' (''Letter to the Romans'', 3:10-23)
 
:''for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.'' (''Letter to the Romans'', 3:10-23)
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}}
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A holy God will not allow sin in His presence, (Hab. 1:13; Ps. 5:4; 94:20; Rv. 21:27) and on that basis alone mankind is excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven.
  
A holy and just God will not allow sin in His presence, and on that basis alone mankind is excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven.
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===Judgment: the after-effects of sin===
 
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If the average man was to die at this moment, he would face judgment.
===The after effects===
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:''It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.'' (''Letter to the Hebrews'', 9:27)
If the average man was to die at this moment, he would face judgement.
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:''It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.'' (''Letter to the Hebrews'', 9:27)
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:''Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.'' (''Gospel of John'', 5:28-29)
 
:''Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.'' (''Gospel of John'', 5:28-29)
The man facing judgement would stand before God's throne, where his life would be reviewed.
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The man facing judgment would stand before God's throne, where his life would be reviewed.
 
:''And I saw the dead, the small and the great, stand before God. And books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.'' (''Revelation'', 20:12)
 
:''And I saw the dead, the small and the great, stand before God. And books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.'' (''Revelation'', 20:12)
Every single moment of this man's life would be exposed, from cradle to grave. There would be nothing hidden.
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Every single moment of this man's life would be exposed, from cradle to grave. There would be nothing hidden.
 
:''For there is nothing hidden which shall not be revealed; nor became covered, but that it might come to the light.'' (''Gospel of Mark'', 4:22)
 
:''For there is nothing hidden which shall not be revealed; nor became covered, but that it might come to the light.'' (''Gospel of Mark'', 4:22)
 
:''But I say to you that every idle word, whatever men may speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment.'' (Gospel of Matthew'', 12:36)
 
:''But I say to you that every idle word, whatever men may speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment.'' (Gospel of Matthew'', 12:36)
Line 54: Line 72:
 
:''Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.'' (''Gospel of Matthew'', 25:41)  
 
:''Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.'' (''Gospel of Matthew'', 25:41)  
 
:''And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.'' (Gospel of Matthew'', 25:46)
 
:''And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.'' (Gospel of Matthew'', 25:46)
:''And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire.'' (''Revelation'', 20:15)  
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:''And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire.'' (''Revelation'', 20:15)
 
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===Atonement===
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According to Christians the key event necessary for salvation is atonement.  Atonement can be understood as that act which makes salvation possible.  The act of atonement is the Crucifixion of Jesus.  There are several theories that try to explain exactly how the the Crucifixion atones.  They include the ''Cristus Victor Theory'', the ''Ransom Theory'', and the ''Satisfaction Theory''.
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==Salvation in Calvinist Thought==
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In Calvinist theology human beings have no ability to influence whether or not they will be saved.  Essentially, because man is totally depraved he is unwilling and unable to do any of the things required to be saved.  Not even whether or not to believe or have faith in Jesus is within the power of man.  Therefore, if anyone is to be saved, God must save them.  In Calvinist soteriology, God saves some people by predestinating them to have faith in Jesus and repent of their sins.  This idea is developed out of Martin Luther's theology, notably in ''Bondage of the Will'' and his ''Commenatry on Romans'' in which he side-steps the issue of predestination but not depravity.
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Biblical support comes from many passages, inclusive of these:
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Ephesians 1:4-6 (King James Version)
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4 [[According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world]], that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
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5 [[Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will]],
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6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
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Ephesians 1:10-12 (King James Version)
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10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
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11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, [[being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will]]:
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12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
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The five points of Calvinism are:
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===Total depravity===
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Also called "radical depravity" and "total inability", this point means that every person is corrupt and sinful throughout in all of his or her faculties, including the mind and will. Thus, no person is able to do what is truly good in God's eyes, but rather, everyone does evil all the time. As a result of this corruption, man is enslaved to sin, rebellious and hostile toward God, blind to truth, and unable to save himself or even prepare himself for salvation.
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===Unconditional election===
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Election means "choice." God's choice from eternity past, of whom he will bring to himself, is not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in the persons he chooses but rather is unconditionally grounded in his own sovereign decision.
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===Limited atonement===
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Also called "particular redemption" or "definite atonement", the doctrine of the limited atonement is the teaching that Jesus' atonement was definite and certain in its design and accomplishment. It teaches that the atonement was intended to render complete satisfaction for those and only those whom the Father had chosen before the foundation of the world. Calvinists do not believe that the atonement is limited in its value or power (if the Father had willed it, all the people of all generations could be saved), but rather they believe that the atonement is limited in that it is designed for some and not all.
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===Irresistible grace===
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Also known as "effectual grace", this doctrine does not hold that every influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted but that the Holy Spirit is able to overcome all resistance and make his influence irresistible and effective. Thus, when God sovereignly purposes to save someone, that individual certainly will be saved.
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===Perseverance of the saints===
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Also called the "preservation of the saints" or "eternal security," the fifth point teaches that those whom God has called into communion with himself will continue in faith until the end. Those who apparently fall away either never had true faith to begin with or will return. This is slightly different from the "once saved, always saved" view prevalent in some evangelical churches in which, despite apostasy or unrepentant and habitual sin, the individual is truly saved if he or she had truly accepted Christ in the past; in traditional Calvinist teaching, apostasy by such a person may be proof that they never were saved.
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==Theosis==
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===Only remedy for sin===
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:''For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'' (Letter to the Romans'', 6:23)
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When a crowd was being preached to by the Apostle Peter in ''Acts'', chapter 2, they were convicted and condemned of their own sin. Realizing the hopelessness of their situation in relation to God, many cried out "what can we do?"
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:''Then Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."'' (''Acts of the Apostles'', 2:38)
  
The Orthodox Church has an understanding of salvation that is different from both [[Protestant]]s and Roman Catholics.  They understand salvation, not so much as having sins forgiven but as becoming like God in a process called Theosis.    The idea is ancient, as can be see in [[New Testament]] and patristic texts such as these:  
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As in the first Passover, when God ordered the Hebrews to place blood on their doors as a sign of protection from death during the last plague on Egypt (''Exodus'' 13), so God had so loved the world ''"that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"'' (Gospel of John'', 3:16). These famous texts (among many) provide promises for lost souls to believe, who are looking for salvation.  from judgment of eternal damnation to eternal life. (Jn. 5:24) 
  
''"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."'' -- 1 Peter 2:14
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:''Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.''
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:''For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.''
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:''For the Scripture says, Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame.''
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:''For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him.''
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:''For everyone, "whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'' (''Letter to the Romans,'' 10:9-13)
  
''"We are not made gods from the beginning; first we are mere humans, then we become gods."'' --St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Adv Haer III IV:38:4
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==The Eternal Question==
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Standing before a crowd of sinful people, Pilate, unbeknown to him, is seen asking the eternal question, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" Their response was, "Let him be crucified." In the Christian gospel this represents a question asked of every soul, with the response essentially being either that of the crowd here, who follow the "broad way" of damnation which Jesus warned of, (Mt. 7:13,14) or those, who like the contrite official in Luke 18:13, humble themselves before the true God as sinners, sincerely seeking salvation from their sins. And who therefore, by God's grace, (Acts 11:8; Rm. 5:15) trust in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus, and so follow Him. This manner of salvation and the heart and faith it requires is what is seen consistently throughout the Bible, which even in its last few verses entreats "whosoever will may come" (Rv. 22:17), while warning those who alter its sacred truth, such as seek to "climb up another way". (Jn. 10:1)
  
''"Let us become the image of the one whole God, bearing nothing earthly in ourselves, so that we may consort with God and become gods, receiving from God our existence as gods"'' --St. Maximus the Confessor, On Theology, 7.73
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==See also==
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*[[Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)]]
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*[[Essay: The superiority of the King James Bible: Looking through!]]
  
''"For the Son of God became man, that we might become God.''" --St. Athanasius of Alexandria, On The Incarnation.
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== References ==
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{{reflist|2}}
  
The Orthodox see the Sacraments (which they call the Holy Mysteries) as the main way a person attains theosis and is saved.
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== External links ==
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*[http://www.campusbiblefellowship.org/cbf/gospel/gospel1.php God’s Plan of Salvation-For You!]
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* [http://www.onetruechrist.com/christ-came-to-save-sinners.html Christ Came to Save Sinners: From Creation to Christ], a salvation message that begins at Creation and leads to Christ
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*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ Who can be saved? Who can not be saved?]
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[[Category:Christianity]]

Revision as of 22:36, November 10, 2016

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John Wesley
Pope

Salvation, in the primary Biblical sense, is the free gift of God through the propitiatory (sacrificial atoning) death of Jesus Christ and His resurrection, in accordance with the Scriptures. When a person humbles themselves before God (in genuine repentance of the evil in their heart) and accepts Jesus as his or her Lord and Savior (authority in every area of life), that person is given the gift of salvation. Salvation means being forgiven and reconciled with God, being saved from Hell and receiving the gift of eternal life, and entering into a relationship with the Lord of Heaven. It is also more than just being saved from the consequences of sin; also carries with it the idea of being saved out of the slave market of sin; and being forgiven by Jesus.

Terminology

Terms such as saved or salvation are not restricted to the salvation of the soul, as God saves people daily from temporal evils, but its most supreme manifestation is in relation to the spiritual and eternal realm, that of the redemption of the soul, and which subject is theologically termed soteriology.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia explains,

In English Versions of the Bible the words “salvation” “save,” are not technical theological terms, but denote simply “deliverance,” in almost any sense the latter word can have. In systematic theology, however, “salvation” denotes the whole process by which man is delivered from all that would prevent his attaining to the highest good that God has prepared for him. Or, by a transferred sense, “salvation” denotes the actual enjoyment of that good... Salvation from physical evil was a very real part, however subordinate, of Christ's teaching. (Mar_1:34, etc.)

The gospel of the grace of God

The Biblical gospel ("good news") is most essentially the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1Cor. 15:1-4ff) This "word of truth" (Eph. 1:13) has the God of the Bible as its object of faith, as "the Father sent the Son, the Saviour of the world." (1Jn. 4:10) This message reveals that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." But whom men, "by wicked hands", nailed to a cross and killed, Christ suffering "once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened [resurrected alive] by the Spirit". And that Jesus Christ "showed Himself alive after His passion [suffering and death] by many infallible proofs, being seen of them [His apostles] forty days," as well as by over five hundred brethren at once. And "who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him." It concludes that it is this Jesus "who is ordained of God to be the Judge of living and dead", and that "to Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 1:3; 2:23; 10:38,40,42,43; 1Cor. 15:6; 1Pet. 3:18,22)

In addition to the living and true God of the Bible being the object of faith and obedience, a primary aspect of the Biblical gospel is that neither the sacrifices or good works of man (or church, etc.) can enable him to escape from his future just and eternal punishment in hell-fire, (Mk. 9:43-48; 25:41,46; Rv. 14:11; 20:10) or merit him eternal life with an infinitely holy and just God.(Rm. 4; Titus 3:5; 2Tim. 1:19) But that instead man must humble himself before God as a sinner, unable to justify himself, and then cast all his faith on the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom God sent to be the perfect sacrifice for sin, and Savior of the world. (1Jn. 4:10,14) By so (truly) doing, one is choosing the Lord Jesus over sin, light over darkness. (Jn. 3:19-21) This faith decision is shown by being baptized in identification with the Lord Jesus.[1] (Mt. 28:19; Acts 2:41; 8:36,37; 10:47,48)

False gospels

The gospel of salvation has been subject to some confusion and much false teaching down through the ages, and which issue the Bible treats with utmost concern. The apostle Paul warned, "If any preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

Matthew Henry comments here, "This will not justify our thundering out anathemas against those who differ from us in minor things. It is only against those who forge a new gospel, who overturn the foundation of the covenant of grace, by setting up the works of the law in the place of Christ's righteousness..."[2]

"The gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24) is shown to be made clear enough that a false gospel can be discerned by way of comparison with it.[3] It is principally here that false religions are seen to be in foundational contrast to the apostolic gospel, and which manifests who or what they worship, in which, officially or by way of informal conveyance, they teach that one's own sacrifices and works (or those of their religion) can or must merit them salvation.[4] The Bible also declares that man's own works, by which he supposes he is justified before the one true Holy God, are as filthy rags.[5] (Is. 64:6) In this the Bible is particularly evidenced to most uniquely stand apart from thousands of beliefs, in that it declares that there is only One Way to be justified before God and gain eternal life with Him, that being through true faith in the risen Lord Jesus and His sinless shed blood. (Rm. 3:25) There are different degrees of critical deviations from the Biblical gospel in this regard, and in the West it is often seen that one may have an outward profession of faith in Jesus Christ but not the inward reality, not having experienced the new birth.[6][7] (Jn. 3:3-7; Acts 10:43-47; 15:7-9; Gal. 4:6)

Another false gospel, among others, found within that which is broadly called Christianity, is one that that holds that one is saved by faith, but that a Christian no longer being "under the law", (Rm. 6:14,15) means that the Christian is not bound to the moral laws of the Bible. This teaching is called antinomianism, of which there are different variations, but which basically enables "turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness",[8] (Jude 1:4) and which idea Paul, the "apostle of grace", expounded at length against, as does the Bible as whole. (Rm. cps. 6-8) Being freed from the law basically refers to the law not being a means of salvation, as well as not being bound to literal obedience as regards ceremonial aspects of it.[9] (Gal. 4:10; Col. 2:16,17; Heb. 9:10)

Adam Clarke comments,

The Gospel proclaims liberty from the ceremonial law: but binds you still faster under the moral law. To be freed from the ceremonial law is the Gospel liberty; to pretend freedom from the moral law is Antinomianism.[10]

See also: Leviticus 18

All false gospels are seen to be preaching a different Jesus, spirit, and gospel, formally or effectively. (2Cor. 11:4,13,14) Robertson comments, "It is a tragedy to see men in the livery of heaven serve the devil.[11]

Biblical means of Salvation

The Lord Jesus commanded His disciples that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Lk. 24:47). And thus did the apostles, even as Paul testified "both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21) The Lord Jesus declared that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (Jn. 16:7-11) and which conviction is necessary for man - whom the Bible evidences as sinful and (usually) self-righteous - to realize his need for mercy and salvation. God "desires truth in the inward parts", (Ps. 51:6) and a soul needs to have a heart that can honestly admit his/her own sinfulness and guilt, but which wants a new life in Christ. Unless the sinner hardens his heart (Acts 19:9), this conviction works such a humble and a contrite heart, and it is those who be of such that God saves, when they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ps. 34:18; Acts 2:37,38 16:30,31) And which is to God's credit and honor, and not to that of man. (Eph. 1:6; 2:8,9)

This conviction and drawing to Christ can only by done by God, (Jn. 6:44) but usually He works through preachers of the word to do so, and the preaching of the holy apostles manifests the Holy Spirit working this through them. (Acts 2:14-27; 13:16-41) In so doing, the manner of early Christian preachers in reaching souls was to reason "with them out of the scriptures", (Acts 17:2; 18:28; 28:23; cf. Lk. 24:25-27,44; Rm. 10:17) though if their audience was primarily scripturally illiterate Gentiles, then natural revelation was invoked, (Acts 14:15-17; 17:24-28) with supernatural signs and miracles from God usually providing Divine attestation to both classes. (Acts 2:33; 3; Rm. 15:19) The Divinely inspired words of the apostles themselves were received as the word of God (1Thes. 2:13) being able to be proved by the scriptures, (Acts 17:11), which is the only tangible class of revelation which is given assurance of being wholly inspired of the one true God, (2Tim. 3:16) the finished canon of which man is not to add to, but all is tested by scripture. (Is. 8:20; 2Pet. 1:16-21) (Rev. 22:18,19) The conversion which resulted by such conviction and faith in the risen Lord Jesus and His sinless shed blood was manifested by radically changed hearts and lives, with those who were saved evangelizing as well. (Acts 2:42-47; 6:4; 1Thes, 1:8,9)

Recognition of sin

The Holy Spirit convicts man of the fact that he is sinful, as by nature and in thought and action everyone does things which are contrary to the law of God, (1Jn. 3:4) and "by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Rm. 3:20) In God's eyes, stealing a paper clip is a sin, just as stealing a car is. (Ja. 2:10) While any sin is damnable,[12] the ultimate sin is rejecting the only One who fully lived righteously, but whom became the scapegoat for us, (Lv. 16:8,20-22; Is. 53:3-6) and whom God therefore raised from the dead (Acts 17:31) Jesus Christ being the only "name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.(Acts 4:12) Those who will not be saved, but who die in their sins will face judgment, just as their master was and will be, (Jn. 8:21; 16:11; Rv. 20:10), in contrast to those "which die in the Lord." (Rv. 14:13)

Drawing upon the Old Testament, the Apostle Paul summed up the deleterious condition of man in Romans 1:

As it is written: There is none righteous, no not one;
There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God."
They are all gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable, there is none that does good, no, not one."
Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they have used deceit, the poison of asps is under their lips;
whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;
their feet are swift to shed blood;
destruction and misery are in their way,
and the way of peace they did not know.
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
But we know that whatever things the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law; so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may be under judgment before God,
because by the works of the Law none of all flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law is the knowledge of sin.
But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets;
even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, toward all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference,
for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Letter to the Romans, 3:10-23)

A holy God will not allow sin in His presence, (Hab. 1:13; Ps. 5:4; 94:20; Rv. 21:27) and on that basis alone mankind is excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven.

Judgment: the after-effects of sin

If the average man was to die at this moment, he would face judgment.

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Letter to the Hebrews, 9:27)
Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (Gospel of John, 5:28-29)

The man facing judgment would stand before God's throne, where his life would be reviewed.

And I saw the dead, the small and the great, stand before God. And books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation, 20:12)

Every single moment of this man's life would be exposed, from cradle to grave. There would be nothing hidden.

For there is nothing hidden which shall not be revealed; nor became covered, but that it might come to the light. (Gospel of Mark, 4:22)
But I say to you that every idle word, whatever men may speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment. (Gospel of Matthew, 12:36)

If the man's name was not found in the Book of Life, he is denied entry into God's Kingdom.

Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. (Gospel of Matthew, 25:41)
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life. (Gospel of Matthew, 25:46)
And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire. (Revelation, 20:15)

Only remedy for sin

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Letter to the Romans, 6:23)

When a crowd was being preached to by the Apostle Peter in Acts, chapter 2, they were convicted and condemned of their own sin. Realizing the hopelessness of their situation in relation to God, many cried out "what can we do?"

Then Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts of the Apostles, 2:38)

As in the first Passover, when God ordered the Hebrews to place blood on their doors as a sign of protection from death during the last plague on Egypt (Exodus 13), so God had so loved the world "that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Gospel of John, 3:16). These famous texts (among many) provide promises for lost souls to believe, who are looking for salvation. from judgment of eternal damnation to eternal life. (Jn. 5:24)

Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
For the Scripture says, Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame.
For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him.
For everyone, "whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Letter to the Romans, 10:9-13)

The Eternal Question

Standing before a crowd of sinful people, Pilate, unbeknown to him, is seen asking the eternal question, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" Their response was, "Let him be crucified." In the Christian gospel this represents a question asked of every soul, with the response essentially being either that of the crowd here, who follow the "broad way" of damnation which Jesus warned of, (Mt. 7:13,14) or those, who like the contrite official in Luke 18:13, humble themselves before the true God as sinners, sincerely seeking salvation from their sins. And who therefore, by God's grace, (Acts 11:8; Rm. 5:15) trust in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus, and so follow Him. This manner of salvation and the heart and faith it requires is what is seen consistently throughout the Bible, which even in its last few verses entreats "whosoever will may come" (Rv. 22:17), while warning those who alter its sacred truth, such as seek to "climb up another way". (Jn. 10:1)

See also

References

  1. Dr. John Gill (1690-1771), Mt. 28:19
  2. Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714), Gal 1:6-9
  3. Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832), Romans 1:6-9
  4. Barnes, Rm. 3:20-25, Gal. 1:6-8
  5. Barnes, Is. 64:6
  6. Are you born again? by J. C. RYLE - 1816-1900
  7. PRECIOUS BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN TESTIMONIES
  8. Antinomianism, P. G. Mathew, M.A., M.Div., Th.M
  9. Albert Barnes, (Mt. 5:18)
  10. Clarke, Gal. 5:13
  11. Archibald Thomas Robertson, WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
  12. 40 SINS THAT CAN SEND YOU TO HELL

External links