The Way Of Salvation.

 The Way of Salvation (Part 1)

Introduction.

Salvation: the dramatic act of saving or rescuing (often by force) someone from harm or death. Scripture has extended that act to include deliverance from the power of sin and death. (Paraphrased Holman Bible Dictionary definition)

Our English words “salvation” “save” and “saved” are much more than mere theological terms, pronouncing the multi-dimensional idea of “deliverance”. “Salvation is the process by which a person is delivered from all that would prevent that person from attaining the greatest good that God has prepared for that person.” [International Standard Bible Encyclopedia] The Hebrew word for salvation is yesha‛ [pronounced yeh'-shah] and it literally means liberty, deliverance, prosperity.  In addition to the notion of deliverance the Bible also uses the term or thought of salvation to denote health, well-being, and physical/spiritual healing.  

Salvation is mentioned more than 150 times in most versions of the Bible, from its first mention in Genesis 49:18, when Jacob is waiting for the promise of it… “I have waited for your salvation, O Lord!” Genesis 49:18 NKJV The final mention of salvation occurs in Revelation 19:1 2 when the gathered saints are rejoicing in Heaven

AFTER THIS I heard what sounded like a mighty shout of a great crowd in heaven, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! Salvation and glory (splendor and majesty) and power (dominion and authority) [belong] to our God!

Revelation 19:1 Amplified Bible.

In the very broadest of terms, salivation is the overriding theme of the Bible. “The biblical writers speak of salvation as a reality with at once spiritual and physical, individual and communal, objective and subjective, eternal and historical dimensions. Since the biblical writers view salvation as a historical reality, the temporal dimensions of past, present, and future further intensify and deepen the concept. Salvation is a process with a beginning and an end.” Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology  

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Salvation is illustrated by various means in the following verses.   

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. Psalm 18:2 Amplified Bible

Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David. Luke 1:68-69 NKJV

 He is a Tower of salvation and great deliverance to His king, and shows loving-kindness to His anointed, to David and his offspring forever. 2 Samuel 22:51 Amplified Bible

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great. 2 Samuel 22:36 NKJV

For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. Isaiah 62:1NKJV

 I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:13 NKJV

Now therefore, Arise, O Lord God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, And let Your saints rejoice in goodness. 2 Chronicles 6:41 NKJV

I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. Psalm 132:16 NKJV

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 NKJV

 

Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3 NKJV

In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.” Isaiah 26:1

 O Lord, were You displeased with the rivers, Was Your anger against the rivers, Was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation? Habakkuk 3:8 NKJV

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Ephesians 6:17 NKJV

AFTER THIS I heard what sounded like a mighty shout of a great crowd in heaven, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! Salvation and glory (splendor and majesty) and power (dominion and authority) [belong] to our God!

Revelation 19:1 Amplified Bible

What is salvation?

“In the Old Testament the term refers to various forms of deliverance, both temporal and spiritual. God delivers His people from their enemies and from the snares of the wicked (see Psalm 37:40; Psalm 59:2; Psalm 106:4).  He also saves by granting forgiveness of sins, answers to prayer, joy, and peace (Psalm 79:9; Psalm 69:13; Psalm 51:12). The Old Testament prophecies center upon the One who was to come as the bringer of salvation.”

“In the New Testament salvation is regarded almost exclusively as freedom from the power and dominion of sin. And of this Jesus Christ is the author (see Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:9).  It is freely offered to all men but is conditioned upon repentance and faith in Christ (see John 3:16; Hebrews 2:3).  Salvation proceeds from the love of God, is based upon the atonement wrought by Christ, is realized in forgiveness, regeneration, and sanctification, and culminates in the resurrection and glorification of all true believers.” [New Ungers Bible Dictionary]

Salvation is freedom from oppressors:

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Exodus 14:13 RV

God achieved the Israelites deliverance without human help or means; this is a “type” of the salvation offered by Christ, who without external help from His followers has freed them from their sins.  

Salvation is freedom [from the consequences] of sin:

How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself], and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak]. Hebrews 2:3 Amplified Bible

N.B. Neglect of the offered salvation is enough to condemn; just as a business person does not have to commit forgery or steal from his business to ruin himself- mere neglect of sound business principles alone will eventually lead to ruin-indeed most of the calamities of (this) life are caused by neglect of one form or another. Likewise neglect of what Christ has offered us by His sacrifice will result in damnation. “Salvation would be worth nothing if it cost no effort - and there will be no salvation where no effort is put forth.” [Barnes]

Salvation is unique to Christ alone:

And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 Amplified Bible

There is simply no other name in the universe that can bring any form of salvation to mankind. This concept is reiterated again and again in the Bible. When this claim was made there were all manner of Greek or Roman ‘gods’ one could worship… from Apollo to Zeus. Epicureanism, Stoicism, Hedonism and Eclecticism were common philosophies.  There were all kinds of mystery religions and pagan worship ideas. Just like today…

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Titus 2:5 NKJV

To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins. Act 10:43

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 NKJV

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:9-10 NKJV

There are all kinds of things one can believe in today…

- All kinds of religions… from Baha’i to Zoroastrianism.

- All kinds of philosophies… from evolutionary humanism to Scientology.

Many claim it doesn’t matter what you believe… we’re all on the same journey; we’re just taking different paths, right? But what Peter told the religious leaders in Acts 4:12 is as true today as it was 2000 years ago. Salvation can be found in no one else, “for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Just 16% of the world’s total population of 7.5 billion claim no religious affiliation, yet most deny their salvation by failing to believe in the One who offers it… freely.

 Why is Christ’s offer of salvation so frequently missed?

At a recent missionary conference attended by thousands of evangelical students, only one third of the participants indicated their belief that “a person who does not hear the Gospel is eternally lost.” In a recently conducted secular poll only 41% of the respondents indicated agreement that Jesus has provided the way to know God personally. Only 29% could correctly state how one becomes a Christian. Therein lies the problem (for us moderns at least)…

We live in a world where truth is seen as relative (what’s true for you may not be true for me). Jesus said, “I am THE way, THE truth and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 People have a hard time accepting absolute truth from the scripture as inerrantly inspired by God. Human reason has gradually replaced Scriptural Truth. Militant opposition to Christianity or anything that has absolute truth has resulted in almost universal rejection of this truism…  Christ is the only way, the only truth and the only life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. 

Salvation is particular to God’s Word:

In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 Amplified Bible

The Word of Truth is the message of salvation unmixed with human philosophy or religious tradition. It is the sole source of our faith… “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:7 NKJV

Salvation is by divine appointment: 

For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) 1Thessolonians 5:9 Amplified Bible It is God who chooses us, not the other way ‘round… not because of any of our works, but because of His very great love for us. It is our acceptance of that call (which is general to all of humankind) that makes us believers. Being called, according to God’s purpose, includes acceptance of His offer of salvation.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began 2 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV 

Salvation is offered to all mankind:

So I ask, Have they stumbled so as to fall [to their utter spiritual ruin, irretrievably]? By no means! But through their false step and transgression salvation [has come] to the Gentiles, so as to arouse Israel [to see and feel what they forfeited] and so to make them jealous. Romans 11:11 Amplified Bible

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV

Because God wills the salvation of all of humankind, He has made the way for that salvation to all people. It is God’s deepest desire that all accept this offer, and indeed He has made abundant provision for all to do so. Everything that is necessary for salvation has been accomplished in the work of Christ upon the cross. Quoting John Gill’s “Exposition of The Entire Bible” we read… “God wills the salvation of all men, as they are his creatures, and the work of his hands; and with the latter he wills, or not wills it, according to their future conduct and behavior; but the will of God concerning man's salvation is entirely one, invariable, unalterable, and unchangeable: nor is it merely his will of approbation or complacency, which expresses only what would be grateful and well pleasing, should it be, and which is not always fulfilled.”

Salvation is offered through God’s grace:

Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-6 NKJV

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Titus 2:11

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24 NKJV

Paul’s epistles are full of the idea of salvation by grace… “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV… Salvation is God’s unmerited favour; there is noting that makes us worthy of that salvation… Quoting Matthew Henry’s Commentary “Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not the mere product of any natural abilities, nor of any merit of our own.”  

Salvation is offered out of God’s great love for mankind:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NKJV 

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. Romans 5:8 Amplified Bible 

While God’s love for humanity was expressed in “general terms” throughout the Old Testament, His dealings with many individuals, and more specifically the nation of Israel were the focus of that love.  God’s love was “hidden” in His heart… and there was little sense of the loving parent or as Jesus referred to Him, Abba (in informal Hebrew title, roughly equivalent to daddy).

And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6 RV  

Sending Jesus to die for us, while we were yet sinners, was the manifest demonstration of that love. In a unique way God expressed His love, by His willingness to die for us. For those saints who live “post cross” this is where our faith differs from that of Abraham.... He believed God could/would perform that which He promised. We are called to believe that He has performed that which was promised.

Salvation is offered out of mercy:

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 NKJV 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). Ephesians 2:4-5 NKJV

Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! Psalm 6:4 NKJV

Our salvation is surely the greatest proof (as if we need any) of our Savior’s incredible love for us: we can’t earn it, we don’t deserve it, yet salvation is ours for free! The “plan” of salvation is not based upon our good works, and nor are our good works the cause of our salvation…. “Were that so, there would have been no need for a savior, and if people   could have been saved by their own good works, there would have been no need of salvation by the Redeemer; if our own deeds were now the basis of our title to eternal life, the work of Christ would be equally unnecessary.” [Barnes]

Our salvation had its origin in mercy;

-It is by mere mercy or compassion, and not by justice;

-It is an expression of great mercy, and,

-It is now in fact conferred only by mercy. [Barnes]

But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. Psalm 13:5 NKJV

But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation. Psalm 13:5 Amplified Bible

 Salvation is the pinnacle of our faith

[At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9 Amplified Bible

Receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9 NKJV

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:2-3 NKJV

The “end of your faith” is surely sufficient grounds for joy and rejoicing. This is what our faith was designed and purposed for. “The condition of one who is a true Christian here is so secure that it may even now be called salvation.” [Barnes]

Salvation is worth waiting for:

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:26 NKJV

The Old Testament saints waited for the author of their eternal salvation… Jesus Christ. New Testament believers living in the “Church age” are encouraged to wait for… “Whether it be the hour of death, or the second coming of Christ, or the resurrection of the dead, and eternal glory; all which are unseen by us, and to be hoped for” [John Gill’s  “Exposition of The Entire Bible”]

But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Romans 8:25

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Next week: Terms and Conditions of Salvation

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References:

Dakes Bible

Modern King James Bible

Fausset’s Bible Dictionary

Matthew Henry’s Commentary

The Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Compton's Interactive Bible NIV

e-Sword http://www.e-sword.net

Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible

Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries 

Brown-Driver-Biggs Hebrew Definitions

John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Theological Word Book of the Old Testament

Logos Library System: Nelsons New Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

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These studies are non-denominational, and as far as possible do not reflect a particular doctrine or theological viewpoint. The material in these e-Bible studies is drawn from a wide variety of sources, and may be used for any reasonable purpose. .

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