Salvation: "Being Saved"

The Evangelist John expressed best the meaning of "being saved."

Jn 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

All Christian churches teach essentially the same basic truths about salvation. And these truths are taught in much the same manner. Differences arise in the way or in the process churches teach that a person becomes a Christian--the process of Christian initiation. The essential differences are in terminology and ritual. There is no essential difference theologically. All Christian churches agree that God entered into our human affairs to "save" us from the consequences of sin which is eternal death.

1 Tim 2:4

(God) who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

Jn 11:25-26

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

In his loving kindness, it was God who took the initiative in the process of our salvation.

Eph 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God.

God called a people, the Israelites of the Hebrew Scriptures, and from them sent his own Son as the means of our salvation.

1 Thess 5:9

For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The entire goal of Jesus' life and teaching was our salvation.

Jn 12:47

And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.

Jesus commissioned his disciples and all those who follow him to the same salvation.

Mk 16:15-16

"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned."

Christian churches still teach the good news of salvation today.

1 Tim 1:15

This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

Lk 5:32

I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.

Last Updated: January 3, 1997