One of the most important things we can remember in connection with the doctrine of salvation is summarised in the following words of Moses:
“And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in…” Deuteronomy 6:23
God’s purpose in the atonement was not primarily to forgive our sins, or even to break the satanic hold on our soul.
These are examples of the things he has ‘brought us out of’ through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. God’s purpose however was to ‘bring us in’ to something.
Just as Egypt stood between Israel, and the fulfilment of God’s purpose and promise to bring them into the promised land (their spiritual inheritance through Abraham), so the atonement deals with the obstacle of sin, in order to bring us into our inheritance in Christ.
It is this aspect of the work of salvation, the benefits of the atonement, that we now consider. Yes, God has brought us out – and in truth this is enough for us to rejoice over – but it is what He has brought, and is bringing, us into that overwhelms and awes the grateful soul.
These benefits can be summarised under the following headings, which we will consider in the following lessons:
- Justification
- Imputation
- Regeneration
- Adoption
- Sanctification
- Perfection
- Glorification
All of these great benefits can be summed up in the one great theological word, Salvation. In this session we will present a broad summary of the above benefits under the banner heading of “so great salvation”! (Heb 2:3) Salvation as described in the Bible is all-encompassing, extending to the entire being of the person who receives it. It is not merely a future event (a fire insurance), nor just a ‘spiritual’ deliverance. The awesome grace of God which has saved us delivers us from sin, sickness, poverty, and the fear of death in one amazing package.
“Salvation”
Strongs #4991. soteria, so-tay-ree´-ah;
rescue or safety (physically or morally), deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
NAS Greek #4991. soteria; from 4990;
deliverance, salvation: —deliverance(2), preservation(1), salvation(42).
Thayer Definition:
1) deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation
1a) deliverance from the molestation of enemies
1b) in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety or salvation
1b1) of Messianic salvation
2) salvation as the present possession of all true Christians
3) future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
KJV Occurrences: 44 translated ‘salvation (40), saved (1), health (1), saving (1)
“Save(d): Sozo”
Strongs # 4982. sozo, sode´-zo; from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saos, “safe”); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): — heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
NAS Greek #4982. sozo; from (safe, well); to save: —bring safely(m)(1), cured(1), get well(m)(3), insure salvation(1), made well(11), preserved(1), recover(1), restore(1), save(36), saved(50), saves(1), saving(1).
Thayer Definition:
1) to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction
1a) one (from injury or peril)
1a1) to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health
1b1) to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue
1b) to save in the technical biblical sense
1b1) negatively
1b1a) to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment
1b1b) to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance
KJV Occurrences: 120 saved(53), save(41), whole(11, made(9), healed(3), do(1), preserve(1), well(1)
Clearly salvation is inclusive of temporal and physical deliverance from danger, fear and other afflictions, as well as spiritual and eternal deliverance; spirit, soul and body.
It includes the idea of deliverance, preservation and protection, recovery, restoration to complete soundness.
Through Christ we become heirs of this great salvation (Hebrews 1:14):
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21 KJV)
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 KJV)
A Complete Salvation
Adam Clarke in his commentary, says of Hebrews 7:25, which claims that Christ is able to save (sozo) those who come to Him to the uttermost:
Wherefore. Because he is an everlasting priest, and has offered the only available sacrifice, he is able to save, from the power, guilt, nature, and punishment of sin,
to the uttermost, to all intents, degrees, and purposes; and always, and in and through all times, places, and circumstances; for all this is implied in the original word….”
For salvation to be realised a man or woman must repent of dead works (futile efforts to save themselves) and believe the gospel, turning their heart in faith toward God (this would include a saving confession being made from the now believing heart (Romans 10:9-10)).
[These subjects were covered in Module 2: Doctrine, Lesson 1: Repentance from Dead Works and Faith Toward God.]
We will also expand on the personal application and realisation of the believer’s salvation in the remaining lessons of this module.
Salvation is for the entire person and comprises past, present and future deliverance: The believer has been saved, he is saved, and he will be saved.
“[For it is He] Who rescued and saved us from such a perilous death, and He will still rescue and save us; in and on Him we have set our hope (our joyful and confident expectation) that He will again deliver us [from danger and destruction and draw us to Himself],” (2 Cor 1:10 AMP)
Time past
We were saved. (Mark 16:16; Rom 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; 2 Tim 1:9)
Jesus died for our sins, to save us. This is an accomplished fact, and righteousness is credited to the one who believes it.
Jesus atoning sacrifice and resurrection delivers us from the penalty of sin. This is our justification.
Time Present
We are being saved. (1 Cor 15:2; 1 Thess 4:3; Col 1:22-23)
The Holy Spirit of Christ is now at work in our lives, and His grace (empowerment to fulfil His will) is imparted so we are able to live overcoming lives of faith. (1John 5:18)
Jesus atoning sacrifice and resurrection delivers us from the power of sin. This is our sanctification.
Time Future
We will be saved. (Romans 13:11; 1 Thess 5:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1Pet 1:4-5,9-10). Christ will ultimately eradicate even the very principle of sin from the universe, restoring all things to perfection.
Jesus atoning sacrifice and resurrection will finally deliver us from even the presence of sin. This is our ultimate redemption, perfection and glorification.
In Christ both temporal and physical needs pertaining to life are provided, and every spiritual and eternal element necessary for our fullest life here and hereafter.
“…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3
