Changes

'''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.

'''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 consciously aware of right and wrong 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 ''free and unmerited'' gift of salvation. Salvation means being forgiven and reconciled with God, cleansed of sin, being ''saved from'' [[Hell]] and the Second Death<ref>Revelation 20:14-15</ref> 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; salvation also carries with it the idea of being ''saved out of'' the slave market of [[sin]]; and being forgiven by Jesus. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."<ref>Ephesians 2:10 KJV; compare James 2:14-26, 1 John 3:17-18 and Matthew 25:31-46.<br>See also [[Antinomianism]] and [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy]].</ref>

When a person consciously aware of right and wrong 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 ''free and unmerited'' gift of salvation. Salvation means being forgiven and [[reconciliation|reconciled]] with God, cleansed of sin, being ''saved from'' [[Hell]] and the Second Death<ref>Revelation 20:14-15</ref> 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; salvation also carries with it the idea of being ''saved out of'' the slave market of [[sin]]; and being forgiven by Jesus. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."<ref>Ephesians 2:10 KJV; compare James 2:14-26, 1 John 3:17-18 and Matthew 25:31-46.<br>See also [[Antinomianism]] and [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy]].</ref>

==Terminology==

==Terminology==

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)  

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 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 be justified and sanctified by Christ, 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 ([[free will]]) the Lord Jesus over sin, light over darkness. (Jn. 3:19-21)  

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 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 be [[justification|justified]] and sanctified by Christ, 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 ([[free will]]) the Lord Jesus over sin, light over darkness. (Jn. 3:19-21)  

==Biblical means of Salvation==

==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)

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)

In the New Testament, the word for "repent" is the Greek '''μετανοέω''' ''metanoeo'', which means more than regret and simple sorrow for sin. It also has the deeper [[connotation]] of "turning away", a "reversal", "to think differently", "feel compunction", "reconsider".<ref>See [http://biblehub.com/greek/3340.htm Strong's number 3340] and [http://biblehub.com/greek/3341.htm 3341].</ref> A "metanoic conversion" is a sudden, dramatically radical change, which can be startling.<ref>[[Saint Paul]]'s Damascus road conversion, was a metanoic conversion. Acts 9:1-21.</ref> The sinner touched by the grace of true repentance (Greek '''μετάνοια''' ''metanoia'') experiences a ''reformation'' of character, a decisive ''reversal'' of decision in life, ''away'' from sin, and ''toward'' God.<ref>See [[Salvation: declarational salvation and ontological salvation]].</ref> It involves not only the moment of conviction of sin and a heartfelt decision in drawing to Christ, but the daily ongoing orientation of "being turned" constantly against sin, and constantly "being turned" faithfully toward Christ, daily deciding "for" God. Children born into a Christian family that constantly seeks to be dedicated "toward" the righteousness of God and "away" from the world of sin solely by the grace of repentance, by constantly "being turned", can live a "life of repentance", not of grief, but of being firmly turned toward God and living decisively every day for Jesus as Lord and Savior.<ref>See Romans 2:6-11; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; and [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy]].</ref>

In the New Testament, the word for "repent" is the Greek '''μετανοέω''' ''metanoeo'', which means more than regret and simple sorrow for sin. It also has the deeper [[connotation]] of "turning away", a "reversal", "to think differently", "feel compunction", "reconsider".<ref>See [http://biblehub.com/greek/3340.htm Strong's number 3340] and [http://biblehub.com/greek/3341.htm 3341].</ref> A "metanoic conversion" is a sudden, dramatically radical change, which can be startling.<ref>[[Saint Paul]]'s Damascus road conversion, was a metanoic conversion. Acts 9:1-21.</ref> The sinner touched by the grace of true repentance (Greek '''μετάνοια''' ''metanoia'') experiences a ''reformation'' of character, a decisive ''reversal'' of decision in life, ''away'' from sin, and ''toward'' God.<ref>See [[Salvation: declarational salvation and ontological salvation]].</ref> It involves not only the moment of conviction of sin and a heartfelt decision in drawing to Christ, but the daily ongoing orientation of "being turned" constantly against sin, and constantly "being turned" faithfully toward Christ, daily deciding "for" God. Children born into a Christian family that constantly seeks to be dedicated "toward" the righteousness of God and "away" from the world of sin solely by the grace of repentance, by constantly "being turned", can live a "life of repentance", not of grief, but of being firmly turned toward God and living decisively every day for Jesus as Lord and Savior.<ref>See Romans 2:6-11; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; and [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy]].</ref>

This conviction and drawing to Christ can only be 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 [[Biblical Canon|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)  

This conviction and drawing to Christ can only be 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 [[Biblical Canon|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===

===Recognition of sin===

==Varying interpretations of salvation==

==Varying interpretations of salvation==

===Roman Catholic===

===Roman Catholic===

In accordance with 1 Peter 3:21 and Mark 16:16, [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[doctrine]] teaches that salvation is normally given by God through [[baptism]],<ref>1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto ''even'' baptism doth also now save us" KJV<br>Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" KJV<br>Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" KJV<br>Ephesians 5:25b-27 "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶That he might [[Holy|sanctify]] and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" KJV<br>In accordance with the doctrine in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is "not willing that any should perish" (KJV) Catholicism teaches that in addition to baptism as the ordinary means of salvation given to the Church, the grace of salvation has been provided also for those who are unable to receive water baptism, through two extraordinary means: one called "baptism of blood" (when one dies for faith in Jesus and the truth of the Gospel by [[martyr]]dom before having opportunity to be baptized); the other called "baptism of desire" (God knowing the hearts of all, even in the womb, bestows the baptismal grace of salvation in Christ Jesus on the soul of one who does not know of the necessity of baptism, but who in their heart and soul already has an innate desire to do the will of God [Romans 2:14-15], God divinely knowing by his [[omniscience]] that if they would have had opportunity to come to knowledge of its necessity they would have accepted it). <br>See [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1257 ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' CCC 1257-1261.]</ref> and for this reason even [[Infant baptism|infants are baptized]] for their salvation.-->

In accordance with 1 Peter 3:21 and Mark 16:16, [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[doctrine]] teaches that salvation is normally given by God through [[baptism]],<ref>1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto ''even'' baptism doth also now save us" KJV<br>Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" KJV<br>Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" KJV<br>Ephesians 5:25b-27 "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶That he might [[Holy|sanctify]] and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" KJV<br>In accordance with the doctrine in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is "not willing that any should perish" (KJV) Catholicism teaches that in addition to baptism as the ordinary means of salvation given to the Church, the grace of salvation has been provided also for those who are unable to receive water baptism, through two extraordinary means: one called "baptism of blood" (when one dies for faith in Jesus and the truth of the Gospel by [[martyr]]dom before having opportunity to be baptized); the other called "baptism of desire" (God knowing the hearts of all, even in the womb, bestows the baptismal grace of salvation in Christ Jesus on the soul of one who does not know of the necessity of baptism, but who in their heart and soul already has an innate desire to do the will of God [Romans 2:14-15], God divinely knowing by his [[omniscience]] that if they would have had opportunity to come to knowledge of its necessity they would have accepted it). <br>See [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1257 ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' CCC 1257-1261.]</ref> and for this reason even [[Infant baptism|infants are baptized]] for their salvation.

 

This faith decision can be manifested by being [[Baptism|baptized]] in identification with the Lord Jesus<ref>Dr. John Gill (1690-1771), Mt. 28:19</ref> (Mt. 28:19; Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-37; 10:47-48) by being united to his body.  

This faith decision can be manifested by being [[Baptism|baptized]] in identification with the Lord Jesus<ref>Dr. John Gill (1690-1771), Mt. 28:19</ref> (Mt. 28:19; Acts 2:38-42; 8:36-37; 10:47-48) by being united to his body.