Introduction to Understanding Salvation & Growth
God is perfectly holy, man is fallen and sinful and separated from Him. He is also perfectly just, justice requires that He deals righteously with evil and evildoers, leaving no sin unpunished. True salvation is that which is provided by God Himself through the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ. There is no other way that a man can be saved from eternal condemnation and to eternal life than by believing in the gospel.
Acts 4:12 – “And there is salvation in
no one else; for there is
no other name under heaven that has been given among men
by which we must be saved.”
Hebrews 11:6 – “And
without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who draws near to God must
believe that He is and that He is
a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
Galatians 1:8 – “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should proclaim to you
a gospel contrary to what we have proclaimed to you, let him be accursed.”
Galatians 1:11-12 – “..the gospel which I am proclaiming as good news
is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but
I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”
John 20:30-31 – “many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and
that believing you may have life in His name.”
1 John 5:12-13 – “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that
you may know that you have eternal life.”
I. The Gospel of Salvation
The gospel of salvation is the good news that Christ—Messiah and God—died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, fulfilling Scripture, prophecy, and His own words. Salvation is received by faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross, through His shed blood and not by human effort or works. Believing in Jesus Christ acknowledges His divine authority and messianic role, trusting Him as both Savior and Lord. This gospel is God’s gift of grace, securing eternal life for all who believe.
Romans 1:18 – “For the
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against
all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness..”
Romans 3:23 – “For
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23 – “For
the wages of sin is death, but
the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 5:8-9 – “But
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be
saved from the wrath of God through Him.”
1 Corinthians 15:1–5 – “Now I make known to you, brothers, the gospel which I proclaimed as good news to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to [Peter], then to the twelve.”
Romans 10:9 – “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and
believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved.”
John 6:29 – “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work that God requires, that you
believe in Him whom He has sent.”
John 1:12 – “But as many as received Him, to them He
gave the right to become children of God, even to
those who believe in His name.”
John 5:24 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me,
has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but
has passed out of death into life.”
II. Repentance: A Change of Mind
Repentance (metanoia in Greek) means a change of mind or turning toward God, recognizing the truth about Christ, sin, and our helpless condition. Repentance is a gift from God, leading to knowledge of the truth and faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. True repentance naturally produces a change of heart and actions, as believers turn from unbelief or sin to follow God. While repentance and belief are distinct, they work together in salvation, as seen in Jesus’ call to repent and believe.
Acts 17:30-31 – “Therefore having overlooked the
times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He determined, having furnished
proof to all by raising Him from the dead.”
2 Timothy 2:25 – “With gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may give them
repentance leading to the full knowledge of the truth.”
Acts 20:21 – “Solemnly testifying both to Jews and to Greeks about
repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Acts 26:20 – “declaring that they should
repent and turn to God, practicing
deeds appropriate to repentance.”
Mark 1:15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the gospel.”
III. The Purpose & Meaning of Christ’s Death
Substitution for Sin
In place of or for the benefit of, this is the central accomplishment of Christ’s death
Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and
to give His life a ransom for many.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin
on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
1 Peter 3:18 – “For Christ also
suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.”
Redemption from Sin
To purchase, to take off the market, to set free
1 Corinthians 6:20 – “For you were
bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”
Hebrews 9:12 – “And not through the blood of goats and calves, but
through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained
eternal redemption.”
Titus 2:14 – “Who gave Himself for us
to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself
a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”
Revelation 5:9 – “You were slain and
purchased for God with Your blood people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.'”
Reconciliation to God
Change from a state of alienation to being a member of God’s family
2 Corinthians 5:19 – “Namely, that God was
in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
Romans 5:10 – “For if while we were enemies we were
reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Propitiation
To appease or satisfy, perfection is required by a Holy and perfect God
1 John 2:2 – “And
He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
Romans 3:25 – “Whom God displayed publicly as
a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed.”
Judged the Sin Nature
Makes the sin nature ineffective as the dominating force over our lives
Romans 6:6 – “Knowing this, that our
old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.”
Romans 6:11 – “Even so consider yourselves to be
dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
End of Mosaic Law
The code as a whole is gone, replaced with the law of Christ
Romans 10:4 – “For
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Colossians 2:14 – “Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and
He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
Cleansing from Sin
His once-for-all death provides constant cleansing as we confess
1 John 1:7 – “But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son
cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Titus 3:5-7 – “He saved us,
not by works which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy, through the
washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been
justified by His grace, we would become heirs of eternal life according to hope.”
IV. Examine Yourself
True saving faith is based only on belief and trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross, not on any other works or requirements. But living faith produces fruit by which it can be identified–sound character, good works, spiritual growth, enduring to the end. Let us examine ourselves to make sure we are truly believers, not among those who merely profess faith or are self-deceived.
2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Test yourselves
to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not
recognize about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?”
Romans 10:2-4 – “they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For not knowing about the righteousness of God and
seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Romans 8:8-9 – “those who are in the flesh
are not able to please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”
Consider the points below adapted in part from The MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1776. "If list I is true of a person and list II is false, there is cause to question the validity of one's profession of faith. If list II is true, then the first list will be also." See Matthew 13:23 on fruitless plants.
Evidences That Neither Prove Nor Disprove One's Faith
The Character of Genuine Saving Faith
V. Sealed for Eternity
"Religious" people can lose their "belief system" but genuinely saved people can never lose their salvation. At the moment of belief we are given the Holy Spirit, forever, sealed for eternity. The Holy Spirit indwells us and enables us to grow and learn and love Christ and those around us. Let us rest in the fact that eternal life is permanent and no one can snatch us from His hand.
Revelation 7:10 – “
Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Romans 8:10-11 – “But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness...
the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Ephesians 1:4-6 – “He
chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to
adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself,
according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”
Romans 11:29 – “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 – “In Him, you also, after listening to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were
sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as
a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”
1 Peter 1:23 – “for you have been born again
not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, that is, through
the living and enduring word of God.”
John 10:28-29 – “And I give
eternal life to them, and
they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and
no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
Romans 8:38-39 – “For
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing,
will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
VI. Key Distinctions
Law & Grace
The Old Testament law guides and shows the need for a Saviour but it does not save; salvation is by grace through faith, at the moment of an individual’s belief in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Grace is unmerited, undeserved favour.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast.”
Galatians 3:1-5 – “…did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having
begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”
Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are
not under law but under grace.”
Galatians 2:21 – “I do not set aside
the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
Romans 3:20 – “Because by the works of the Law
no flesh will be justified in His sight, for
through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby
fulfill the law of Christ.”
Romans 8:2 – “For the
law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you
free from the law of sin and of death.”
Justification & Sanctification
Justification is an instant legal declaration by God that we are right with Him; sanctification begins with being set apart for God and is a lifelong process of being set apart from sin. A believer is born/adopted into the family of God, fully justified, and ready to grow.
Justification: Declared righteous, received by faith through the work of Christ.
Sanctification: Set apart, growing in holiness through the work of the Holy Spirit.
| Justification (past tense) |
Sanctification (present tense) |
Glorification (future tense) |
| Saved immediately from sin's penalty |
Saved progressively from sin's power |
Saved ultimately from sin's presence |
Romans 4:2-8 – “For what does the Scripture say? “
ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
Romans 5:1 – “Therefore,
having been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Galatians 4:3-7 – “So also we were
held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive
the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘
Abba! Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then
an heir through God.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 – “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are
being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “Now may the God of peace Himself
sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Condemnation vs. Conviction
For those in Christ, condemnation is focused on value and identity and has no solution, it is from the enemy. Conviction is focused on revealing sin and leading to repentance and always has a goal or way to make things right, it is from the Holy Spirit and is part of the sanctification process.
John 3:18 – “
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Romans 8:1 – “Therefore there is now
no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus.”
John 16:8 – “And He (the Holy Spirit), when He comes, will
convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”
2 Corinthians 7:10 – “For
godly sorrow produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
Hebrews 12:5-6 – “The exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for
those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.’”
VII. Growing in Wisdom & Knowledge
Scripture is God’s inspired, clear, and logical revelation, it says what it means and means what it says. Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance and diligent study, we interpret it literally and contextually, letting it speak for itself. When we face obstacles in Scripture, it is us who must change to align ourselves with His Word, applying its truths to know God more deeply.
The Five Solas
Sola means "only" or "alone", as in "solely". The Five Solas are foundational principles of the Reformation as found in Scripture. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone. Additions to or subtractions from these will result in error.
Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura): The Bible is the sole infallible authority for Christian faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Faith Alone (Sola Fide): Salvation is received through faith alone, not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Grace Alone (Sola Gratia): Salvation is entirely by God’s grace, not human achievement. (Romans 3:24)
Christ Alone (Solus Christus): Jesus Christ is the only mediator and savior for humanity. (Acts 4:12)
Glory to God Alone (Soli Deo Gloria): All aspects of life and salvation are for God’s glory alone. (Romans 11:36)
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a
lamp to my feet and a
light to my path.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate,
equipped for every good work.”
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is
living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and
able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Colossians 3:16 – “
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all
wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God.”
1 John 2:14 – “I have written to you, young men, because
you are strong, and the word of God abides in you”
Philippians 1:9-11 – “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in
full knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and without fault until the day of Christ…”
Colossians 2:6-8 – “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so
walk in Him, having been
firmly rooted and being built up in Him, and having been established in your faith—just as you were instructed—and abounding with
thanksgiving. See to it that
no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We are
destroying speculations and every lofty thing
raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are
taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
2 Peter 1:3-7 – “His divine power has granted to us
everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the
full knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence…for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.”
VIII. How Then Shall We Live?
Evidence of true salvation can be seen through the fruit of the Spirit—good works, godly character, and obedience—as believers abide in Him. Sound faith and belief produces obedience to His word, obedience comes from a place of love for God and fellow believers. Fruit is evidence of genuine faith, not a condition for salvation, showing that we are God’s workmanship created for good works.
Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the full
armor of God, so that you will be able to
stand firm against the schemes of the devil…and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God.”
John 14:23 – “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone
loves Me, he will keep My word.”
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who
will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will
provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 – “Therefore, since we have a
great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been
tested in all things like we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us
draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
1 Peter 5:6-10 – “Therefore
humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit,
be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But
resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have
suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself
perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
2 Timothy 2:22 – “Now flee from youthful lusts and
pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who
call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
Ephesians 5:18 – “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but
be filled with the Spirit.”
Colossians 1:10 – “So that you will
walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects,
bearing fruit in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Colossians 2:5 – “For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your
good discipline and the
stability of your faith in Christ.”
Colossians 3:17 – “And
whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
1 Corinthians 7:24 – “Brothers, each one is to
remain with God in that
condition in which he was called.”
1 Thessalonians 4:11 – “And to make it your ambition to
lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and
work with your hands.”
Romans 12:18 – “If possible, so far as it depends on you,
be at peace with all men.”
Colossians 4:5-6 – “
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, redeeming the time. Let your words always be
with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should
answer each person.”
1 Peter 3:14-17 – “…always being
ready to give an answer (make a defense) to everyone who asks you to give
an account for the hope that is in you, yet with
gentleness and fear.”
Galatians 5:1 – “It was
for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore
keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
John 8:36 – “So if the Son makes you free,
you will be free indeed.”