Salvation

What is salvation?  

Salvation means being saved or rescued from danger. If we consider the opposite of salvation we can better understand it - the opposite of being saved is being lost, in peril or as the Bible says perishing!

Maybe though you don't feel lost, you don't feel like you are in any peril or danger yet the Bible makes it clear that "we must be saved" Acts 4 v 12.

So lets ask ourselves the question why?

Why do I need to be saved?

Arguably the most difficult part of salvation is understanding why we need to be saved. Until we understand our danger we will not feel any need for salvation!

The reason we need salvation is because of our condition in the sight of God. The Bible clearly tells us that the whole world is "guilty before God" Romans 3 v 19. We have all "sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3 v 23. God is a righteous and holy God who cannot overlook sin and therefore His holiness demands that our sin must be punished. We are in danger of eternal punishment because as Isaiah 59 v 2 says "your sins and iniquities have separated between you and your God".

Our condition is serious - "the wages of sin is death" Romans 6 v 23. Eternal separation from God is what we deserve because of our sin. Little wonder the Bible warns us that "we must be saved" Acts 4 v 12.

How can I be saved?

One of the greatest questions ever asked in the Bible was "what must I do to be saved" Acts 16 v 30 and the answer is the same today as it was then "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" Acts 16 v 31.

God's righteousness demanded that the penalty for sin be paid but God is not only righteous He is also a loving God who is "rich in mercy" Ephesians 2 v 4. Elsewhere in the Bible we learn that God "is not willing that any should perish" 2 Peter 3 v 9 and that because of His love for us He provided a way of escape from eternal judgment - "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" John 3 v 16.

The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and mine and paid the full penalty so that we could go free. To be saved you need only to trust Him and believe that He died for you on the cross - the Bible promises that "He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life" John 3 v 36.

When should I be saved?

Now that we've considered what, why and how we need to just think of when! The Bible only promises us that if we trust Christ now we will be saved. There is a solemn warning that this opportunity will not be available forever - in the words of Genesis 6 v 2 "my Spirit shall not always strive with men".

It is important then that we do not delay and make sure we put our faith in Christ while there is still time because the Bible says "NOW is the accepted time, behold NOW is the day of salvation" 2 Corinthians 6 v 2.

Baptism

The Scriptures teach that once a person has been saved they should be baptised "in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Matthew 28 v 20.

Further Info

For a more detailed explanation of the way of salvation and what it means to be saved click on the following link to our what is a Christian page.

www.prestwichgospelhall.com