SALVATION – HAVE GOSPEL WILL TRAVEL

SALVATION OVERVIEW

It is the overall focus of this lesson to address how the Bible presents God’s plan of salvation. It intends to show that the Bible defines salvation as the granting of eternal life to individuals, who put their faith in Christ. One passage of scripture in which this divine plan is pointed out is found in John 3:14-18,14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. It is noticed in this passage that God’s plan of salvation is so grand in scope, that it represents the epitome of God’s love toward mankind. However, before any person can comprehend this plan of salvation the individual must first address three questions that the Bible answers.

These questions are:

1. WHY DOES ANY PERSON NEED SALVATION?
2. WHAT HAS GOD SUPPLIED TO ADDRESS THIS NEED?
3. HOW CAN ANY PERSON RECEIVE SALVATION?

Upon examining these questions and the answers that the Bible details, it becomes clear that the Bible states that Jesus Christ is essential to God’s plan of everlasting life and that he is the one and only Savior of the world. To gain an understanding as to how the Bible purports that God accomplishes the goal of everlasting life through Christ, one must examine what the Bible teach as to how God impacts the soul of men through the Holy Spirit. Scripture teaches that the soul of every individual is comprised of their emotions, will and intellect and that these three aspects are the total essence of one’s spiritual being. Therefore, it is by transforming this core of men’s existence that the Holy Spirit is able to affect a person and grant everlasting life, when that person hears and accepts the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:10-12 states; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The message of salvation is founded upon the testimony that Christ declared that his death was the perfect sacrifice that would satisfy the debt that mankind owed to God for their sins. Jesus offered the proof of this propitiation by his resurrection from the grave.

The whole New Testament then, is based upon the proposition that when a person believes and except Christ for salvation in their soul, they will also receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to convert their life. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts2:38,

CHRIST’S SALVATION

The approach to the studying of the doctrine of salvation in these following lessons will be by presenting material that will answer the three questions that are hypothesized as being the foundation to understanding salvation. These questions will be addressed in assignments that will require that each student memorize some Biblical scriptures that answer each question.

The answers to these questions are:

WHY DOES ANY PERSON NEED SALVATION?

Because men are born with a sin nature

WHAT HAS GOD SUPPLIED TO ADDRESS THIS NEED?

The atoning death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

HOW CAN ANY PERSON RECEIVE SALVATION?

Repentance, belief and confession on Christ.

EIGHT SCRIPTURES THAT ADDRESS WHY MAN NEEDS SALVATION

ROMANS 3:23
ROMANS 6:23
JOHN 3:3
JOHN 3:18
PSALM 51:5
ISAIAH 53:6
ROMANS 3:10
ROMANS 5:12

EIGHT SCRIPTURES THAT ADDRESS WHAT HAS GOD SUPPLIED TO ADDRESS THIS NEED

ROMANS 5:8
COLOSSIANS 2:13-14
EPHESIANS 2:13
1 THESSALONIANS 5:9
EPHESIANS 1:7
HEBREWS 10:10
1 PETER 1:3
1 CORINTHIANS 15 3:-4

EIGHT SCRIPTURES THAT ADDRESS HOW ANYONE CAN RECEIVE WHAT GOD HAS SUPPLIED FOR A PERSON’S SALVATION

REPENTANCE

RECEIVE

BELIEVE

CONFESSION

When an individual hears, understands and excepts the truth that Christ death, burial and resurrection is the means that God has supplied to secure the souls’ everlasting life, this atonement for their sins can be granted. The means that this salvation is achieved is by this individual going to God in prayer and asking for forgiveness in Christs’ name and surrendering their life to God who will regenerate them with His Holy Spirit. It is important that a person has a clear understanding of each of the three questions highlighted above so that they can receive Christ’s salvation. The Bible is full of warnings about men who were deceived about how salvation is achieved and experience the dreadful consequences of damnation because of their misconception. These warnings are often given to those seeking salvation from some means other than through the grace supplied though Christ. However, there are also warnings who sought salvation through Christ, but were confused about the condition’s requirements of the gospel. One such passage is found in Matthew 7:21-23; 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.