The Doctrine of Salvation The meaning of salvation in the Bible. The Old Testament: Exodus 14:13; 15:12 (Hebrew) Strong s #3444: Something saved, deliverance, help(ing) aid, victory, health, salvation, save, saving, welfare. Zechariah 9:9; Hebrew #3467: means to be open, wide or free, safe, rescue preserve, be safe, defend, deliver (-er) get victory. Habakkuk 3:8;13:18) Hebrew #3468:Liberty, deliverance, safety, salvation, saving the major Hebrew verb for salvation. Carries the meaning of: help, deliver (once) rescue, defend, in removing a burden or danger. At other times the term refers to being liberated or set free (See Psalm 3:8, Jonah 2:9). The New Testament: Meaning: God s power to deliver from bondage of sin. Salvation outline: I. The Fall of Adam and Eve II. Jesus Christ: God s gift for our salvation III. Salvation: By faith, not by works I. The Fall of Adam and Eve In the account of Genesis (2:17, 3:1-11) where God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The serpent: this serpent represented more than a mere beast of the
field. as indicated by his reasoning faculties and power of speech. If he were a creature through whom satan [as a spirit] spoke. he was certainly an upright creature, For only after the curse, is he said to go on his belly. (3:14). In Revelation (12:7-9) it gives us a snapshot of what happened. Apparently there was war in heaven (with Satan and his angels, against Michael and his angels) the devil was put out of heaven to earth. This means that the earth became his base of operations. Satan approached Eve through the serpent and tempted her. The serpent spoke - Genesis 3:1-5; the woman registered no scripture when the serpent spoke, Because of this, some have believed that before the fall animals possessed the power of speech (and could talk). (3:1) Satan questions God: Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden (2:17). Satan lied: you will not surely die, you will be like God (3:6) the woman s reasoning ; the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was delightful to look at, and to make one wise. That sin has been repeated by humans ever since. Reasoning: that sin doesn t look that bad, it can t be really as bad as they say pleasing to the eyes: The Lust of the eye (1 John 2:16) sin always looks good at first. She took of its fruit and ate, and also gave to Adam followed. their disobedience plunged them and all the human race into a state of sin and corruption. (3:14) God s judgment on the serpent (3:15) The first announcement of a savior [Salvation] in the Bible. (3:16-19) Judgment upon man: From now on he would have to work II. God s gift for our salvation: Jesus Christ In the Old Testament, the Jewish people would offer sacrificial animals for their sins. They would offer lambs, goats, and bulls on the altar (Leviticus 1:2-14). But they were only substitutes until Christ would come and
become the sacrifice, that would never have to be repeated again. Sacrifice: the word in the Hebrew (Strong s #2077) means: slaughter place, slaughter an animal, usually in sacrifice. The Crucifixion: Isaiah described in detail the savior that God promised to send. Like the animal being sacrificed in the old testament for the guilty sinner, so Christ bore our sins on the cross. At the cross, Jesus took the place of the guilty sinner, and paid the price for their salvation (53:4-6) Isaiah spoke this about 700 years before Christ was even born. At this time, they probably had never heard or knew about crucifixion. the Jews did not use crucifixion as a punishment. they used stoning to kill. They would drive tapered iron spikes (about 5-7 inches long with a square shape 3/8 inches across) into the wrists. Psalm 22:16 They pierced my hand (my feet) Jesus Christ: God s Son for our salvation At the Cross, Jesus Took the place of the guilty sinner, and paid the price for their salvation (53:5). But he was pierced: Isaiah spoke this about 700 years before Christ was born at this time they probably had never heard or knew about crucifixion. The Jews did not use crucifixion as a punishment. They used stoning to kill. Crucifixion probably first began among the Persians. The Romans did not invent Crucifixion but they perfected it as a form of torture and capital punishment. Roman crucifixion was a shameful and painful way to die. It was usually reserved for slaves and foreigners (not Roman citizens). In crucifixion they would drive tapered iron spikes (about 5-7 inches long with a square shaft 3/8 inches across) into the wrists. Psalm 22:16 They pierced my hands and my feet. David wrote this 1,000 years before Christ was even born) See Matthew 27 III. Salvation: By faith, not by works - salvation is the most important truth of our Christian faith. The ABC s of Salvation: A. Admit you have sinned. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
B. Believe in Jesus "For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 C. Confess your sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Many people who are prospering in Europe/ America think Why do I need God, I m living a good life without God right now (Isaiah 2:7) What is a Christian? Some people will answer I was born in America or I ve gone to church all my life. or I m a good person. Can you be Christlike and still go to hell? Yes, yes, and yes. Cults and good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 You cannot work for(?) your salvation, or do good works for it. Don t try to add to your salvation. Salvation - By faith, not by works: 1. The fall of man: the account is in Genesis 3:1-11) where Adam and Eve ate in Disobedience to the will of God. Sin then entered the human race (Romans 5:12). 2. Man is a sinner: Romans 3:23: For all have sinned the bible describes sin as missing the mark. 3. For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). When Adam sinned, he broke fellowship with God in the garden (Genesis 2:17, 3:8). Disobeying God resulted in death for Adam and the whole human race. There was both a physical and spiritual death. Physical death: Growing older and dying Spiritual death: spiritual separation from God. Man is trying to reach God through religion, a good life, and good works/deeds. hoping his good will outweigh the bad.
4. Jesus Christ died for our sins (Romans 5:8) John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son... 5. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We must receive Christ through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) 6. We must receive Jesus Christ by personal invitation. Nobody else can do it for you. Not your father nor your mother nor your pastor. Revelation 3:20: Behold I stand at the door and knock. 7. When we receive Christ into our life, we experience a new birth (John 3:1-8) 2 Cor 5:!7: If any man be in Christ...new creature.