What is salvation? How does it work? Are there components of salvation? In Greek the word for Savior or Deliverer is s?t?? (soter) and so we call the study of salvation soteriology.
What is salvation?
Temporal Salvation
When enthusiastic Christians ask others if they have been saved, many don’t even know what that means. Salvation in the Bible refers both to a physical and spiritual rescue. In the case of ancient Israel, they were saved from slavery in Egypt.
Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. (Exodus 14:30 KJV)
Later Israel was saved from many national calamities. Many individuals were saved from personal misfortune or sickness.
O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone! (Jeremiah 17:14 NLT)
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us (Luke 1:68-71 ESV)
Eternal Salvation
More important than temporary physical salvation is permanent eternal salvation, humanity saved from sin and the consequences of it. What makes the salvation of the world possible is Jesus Christ.
They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42 NIV)
We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:14 NASB)
Facets of Salvation
Although salvation can refer to being saved from a calamity or sickness, generally it refers to eternal salvation, and contains several important aspects.
Election
In the New Testament the people, who are often referred to as the church of God, become God’s elect and it is a group open to all people of the world.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
Calling
We are called to be holy, set apart by God, which is what the word saint means.
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7 KJV)
Regeneration
Regeneration is a strange word, almost machine-like to our modern ears, but let’s understand that it is also called being born again or born from above.
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God… I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:1-7 NLT)
Conversion
In Greek the word conversion is ?p?st??f? (epistrophé) meaning a turning about. The process of conversion involves repentance and faith.
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21 KJV)
Christian Unity in Christ
The divisions between Christians are only worldly. In reality there is no division between genuine Christians because we are one body in union with Christ.
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:5 KJV)
Justification
In Greek the word for justification is d??a??s?? (dikaiosis) and means simply declared righteous. It can also mean an acquittal, a declaration of “not guilty” even though we were guilty. God declares sinners righteous because of Jesus’ righteousness not because we were blameless.
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin… and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus… For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. (Romans 3:20; 24, 28 NIV)
Adoption
In ancient times there was often no difference between an adopted child and a natural born one. An adopted child received all the rights and privileges of a biological child. That is the meaning in the Bible. We have a special relationship as an adopted child of God.
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26 NLT)
How do we know if we are children of God? Are we led by the Spirit of God?
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:14 NLT)
Sanctification
Sanctify means to set apart or dedicate something for special use. In the New Testament Jesus prayed that his disciples would be sanctified in the truth, God’s word is truth.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17 NIV)
We are also sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV)
We are also sanctified in Jesus Christ.
To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV)
Even an unbelieving spouse is sanctified by being married to a believing spouse.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. (1 Corinthians 7:14 NASB)
Christians often pray when they eat because food is sanctified by prayer.
For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:5 KJV)
Perseverance
If we hold steadfast throughout life we are partakers with Christ, who will help us through to receive the promise of eternal life.
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. (Hebrews 3:14 NLT)
Glorification
Glorification has to do with the high honor and spiritual bodies that we have in eternity.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV)
Summary
Salvation can refer to being saved from physical problems, but ultimately and primarily refers to being saved from death and hell. Salvation is a process that includes such things as calling, election, rebirth, conversion, unity in Christ, justification, adoption, being made holy, persevering and being glorified in eternity.
