Salvation ? What Is It? How Does It Happen?

As Christians read the scriptures they often fail to receive a clear understanding, because they don’t have a proper definition of some of the words used in scripture. Even when these words are clearly understood, often they are not used in the proper context when ordering the events comprising salvation.

I trust that the next few pages will help to define words associated with salvation, place them in their proper context, and give a clear understanding of the on-going process.

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Jesus came to bring salvation from sin (Matt. 1:21).

 

How does it happen?

Faith is believing that God can and will save those who  seek salvation through Jesus( Ephesians 2:8, Romans 10:9-10, Hebrews 11:6).

Repentance towards God means a change of attitude towards God and all He stands for. It will necessarilybring a change in attitude towards sin and self  (Luke 13:3, Acts 26:20, 2 Corinthians 7:9-11).

Salvation initially saves from sin’s consequences (spiritual death) (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:5).

Faith encourages repentance which brings initial salvation.

Regeneration is the born again experience, a change in the believers awareness of the Kingdom of God ( John 3:3), and his ability to enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5).

Justification is a change from guilt and condemnation to acquittal and acceptance (Romans 3:23-26). A change in the believers standing before God.

Adoption is the believer becoming a son of God (Galatians 4:4-7). A change in the believers relationship.

 

Initial salvation is regeneration, justification, and adoption.

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Continuing salvation is sanctification.

As salvation continues it saves from sin’s power and enables us to live right.  (Romans 6:14, 8:2, 6:1-4)

Sanctification is a life separated from a sinful world and dedicated to God. It necessarily brings a change in the believers service (2 Timothy 2:21).

Holiness is conformity to the character of God (Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 1:15-16).

Righteousness is conformity to the conduct of Go. (1 John 3:7).

Continuing salvation is sanctification, which manifest itself in holiness and righteousness.

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Sanctification brings complete salvation.

Complete salvation saves from sin’s presence (Revelation 21:27).

Translation is the believer being transferred from the physical to the spiritual existence (1 Cor 15:42-44).

The Spiritual Body will be immortal and incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

Rapture is the believer being caught up from the earth to meet the Lord at His return (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Complete salvation is translation our being changed, caught-up, and forever in His presence.