Salvation

A Topic That Is Debated Among Believers

Salvation is a topic that is also debated among the various Christian churches.  Salvation is a topic that entails understanding the fundamentals of the faith and the varying views that different churches hold on this topic.  For example much of the Protestant churches believe that salvation is achieved simply through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Salvation is not based on merits, nor is it based on acts.  The individual is saved by God’s Grace through Jesus who died for our sins.  On the other hand, Catholic and Orthodox churches believe that baptism is necessary to cleanse the person of their original sin, thus wiping away the generational curse which condemned mankind to death. Moreover, they believe that baptism is the beginning of the walk in the active life of the church.  It’s simply not enough to accept Christ and it’s not the end all action.

The Apostle Paul is clear on Salvation through Grace, not works.  He speaks about that in the Book of Romans and Galatians.  In the Book of Galatians, the Jews were stipulating the gentiles to be circumcised as a prerequisite to salvation.  Paul rejects that notion and provide greater explanation that we are not saved through works, therefore, circumcision is not the prerequisite for salvation.  The same is mentioned in the Romans chapter 4 where Paul mentions that no one is righteous, thus salvation is achieved through Christ, not works.  Therefore, no one can boast in their salvation.  However, there is a key point in salvation that all must understand.  Those that have a genuine repentance will turn away from sin and dedicate their lives to the Lord.  Thus, the Holy Spirit will transform their lives and activate them to service.  The Holy Spirit will invigorate them to serve the Lord through the Gifts of the Spirit given to serve the Body of Christ and to share the Gospel.  To be clear, salvation is achieved by accepting the Lord, however, your walk with God begins after repentance.  A child of God will bear fruit in the faith.

Here are some verses that validate salvation which is not based on an act such as baptism, rather through faith.  The Book of Romans is the main foundation for this premise and here are some verses from Romans and other books in the New Testament that validate that.

Romans 10:9

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

In the following verses in Ephesians 1:13-14, it simply solidifies that those that have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior have also received the Holy Spirit:

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.