What Is The True Means Of Salva
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- WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANS OF SALVATION? *************
Ephesians 2:8-10 says (the statements in capital letters are my comments):
2:8 For by grace (UNMERITED OR UNDESERVED FAVOR) are ye saved through faith; and that (FAITH) not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works (FOR THE PURPOSE OF DOING GOOD WORKS), which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (GOD’S FOREORDAINED PLAN IS THAT HIS PEOPLE DO HIS WORK AND LIVE “RIGHTEOUSLY AND GODLY IN THIS PRESENT WORLD”… TITUS 2:12).
Paul makes it plain that salvation IS solely by the GRACE of God. However, most of the religious groups who claim to be part of “Christianity” ADD VARIOUS WORKS WHICH THEY TEACH ARE NECESSARY (AS WELL AS GRACE) in order to experience initial salvation. The following is a partial list of some of the various “WORKS”. Please keep in mind that not everyone teaches ALL of these are necessary.
(1) Repentance
(2) Sinner’s prayer for forgiveness
(3) Broken heart and tears
(4) Water baptism
(5) Restitution
(6) Works of righteousness and good deeds
(7) Membership in some recognized denominational “church”
I believe that MOST of these things have their place in a Christian’s LIFE as a part of salvation, BUT NONE of these fulfill the teachings of scripture as to THE MEANS OF GAINING INITIAL salvation.
Paul stated in Romans 13:11b “…for now is our salvation NEARER than when we believed”. Since salvation is by “GRACE through faith”, our salvation actually BEGINS when we receive FAITH (BELIEVE). Yet in this scripture, Paul seems to be speaking of the work of salvation which extends BEYOND initial believing.
Paul mentions a similar thought in Philippians 2: 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.
From this text, we can conclude that:
(1) Paul is writing to TRUE CHRISTIAN PEOPLE who are ALREADY saved. He calls them saints IN Christ Jesus in Philippians 1:1, and in verses 5 and 6 he is very obviously addressing SAVED people.
(2) Therefore, Philippians 2:12-13 cannot be teaching these people to work to OBTAIN salvation, but instead is only instruction as to how to USE the salvation they already possess to work for God as He works through them. This then is speaking of the continuing process of the experience of salvation.
I Timothy 4:12-16 says:
4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Paul is saying these things to a young man who was a child of God and a preacher of the gospel. He was not saying that Timothy was not yet INITIALLY saved. He was speaking of the continuation of his experience of salvation.
Although there are other scriptural proofs, these should be sufficient for us to be certain that the word “salvation” is used in a broad sense in the Bible. Since that is true, then it is also very possible that some of the instances where people are being told WHAT TO DO TO BE SAVED could ALSO be admonitions to press onward in their salvation. In other words, some passages referring to “salvation” ARE ACTUALLY WRITTEN TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INITIALLY SAVED, and NEED TO CONTINUE IN THEIR EXPERIENCE. Biblically, SALVATION is a PROCESS!!! If that is not true, then WHY do so many texts speak of SAVED PEOPLE BEING SAVED???
What scriptures do you think would be best to study as to the means of initial salvation? Historical accounts, or straight forward, DOCTRINAL texts? In other words, would we want to place more faith in passages such as Peter’s message to a large gathering of LITERAL JEWS on the day of Pentecost to show us how we may be saved, or in a text such as Ephesians 2:8? You may be thinking that I am trying to leave out part of the Bible. This is not so. However, we need to realize that some texts of scripture which SEEM to contradict others are sometimes directed to a particular group of people whose situation may be altogether different than our own. For example, Peter’s message in Acts 2:38 is used by some churches as the “plan of salvation”. Notice:
2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Several denominations today tell us that this text is the plan of salvation. HOWEVER, since there are many other scriptures which CONTRADICT this text, WHO IS RIGHT (we will show some of those scriptures shortly)??? We SHOULD at least look and see to whom Peter is preaching. Is he preaching to you and I today??? Is he preaching the message for GENTILES??? No!!!!!!!!! Acts 2:5 shows us this message was preached to “JEWS, DEVOUT MEN, OUT OF EVERY NATION UNDER HEAVEN”. Jesus had told the disciples to FIRST preach the gospel to the Jews!!!! Peter was doing just that, and the message he preached was for people who were ALREADY in a covenant relationship with God, but needed to accept THEIR messiah. Since A.D. 70 and the destruction God sent upon Jerusalem and the Jews, NO ONE CAN GET ANYTHING FROM GOD BY FOLLOWING THIS TEXT IN ACTS 2:38!!!!
Paul even STATED in Romans 11:13 that he was the apostle to the GENTILES (all who were not Jews). He called what he preached, “MY GOSPEL” (Romans 2:16, Romans 16:25, 2 Timothy 2:8, etc.), so what Paul preached for the Gentiles was NOT exactly the same as the “gospel” that Peter and the other disciples preached. We must be aware of that fact, or we will be deceived!!!!! In fact, IN EVERY text of scripture, it is ALWAYS important to notice TO WHOM THE STATEMENT IS SPOKEN!!! Therefore, let us examine several direct doctrinal statements, and learn what the Bible says is the INITIAL means of our salvation. These texts should not conflict with the facts that Ephesians 2:8-10 has shown us:
(1) We are saved by GRACE through FAITH.
(2) Even FAITH is NOT of ourselves.
(3) Faith (and therefore salvation) is “the gift of God”.
(4) Salvation is “NOT OF WORKS” so we cannot “boast” in ourselves.
(5) God saves us “UNTO GOOD WORKS” which He has ordained.
James 1:18 says:
1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
The Greek word translated “BEGAT” means to “breed forth”; to “generate”; “to cause to be conceived”. This term is used due to the fact that the Bible speaks of God as our Father and the church as our “mother” (Galatians 4:26 and Ephesians 5:22-33). In the Old Covenant scriptures, the term “begat” always refers to the FATHER’S part in the bringing forth of children. Although it is very popular today to talk about being “BORN again”, there can never be a birth without conception taking place FIRST. Churches who teach that INITIAL SALVATION IS A SPIRITUAL “BIRTH” are preaching false doctrine which is more dangerous than you might imagine, or that might appear at first glance. What do you think would happen if PEOPLE or ANIMALS tried to bring BABIES to BIRTH WITHOUT FIRST CAUSING THEM TO BE CONCEIVED???
I Peter 1:23 says:
1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
I Hope the reader will take time to look up the Greek word which is here translated “born again”. Its meaning is broad enough that it CAN be properly translated by using terms which refer to the birth process. However, is is even MORE accurately translated by using terms which refer to FATHER’S part in raising up a new life. The term that certainly would fit the context much better is “BEGAT”, or in this passage “BEGOTTEN”. That should be easy to see since the experience is brought to pass by “seed” (of the WORD OF GOD) which comes from the Father, GOD.
Let us now consider both these texts (ie: James and I Peter), and determine whether or not they have to do with the means whereby we attain INITIAL SALVATION. Both texts refer to the WORD OF GOD as a type of SPIRITUAL SEED which brings to pass SPIRITAL CONCEPTION, and therefore MAKES those who attain such an experience to become CHILDREN OF GOD. Since the Bible makes use of such symbolism, we can compare the SPIRITUAL with the natural, and better understand the process of initial salvation.
For example, it is common knowledge that no one can do anything to bring to pass their own conception. We cannot WILL it; we cannot WORK at it; we cannot ASK for it. In fact, until we are conceived and allowed to grow for a considerable length of time, we do not even know how we got here.
In the same manner, God uses the things He created in the NATURAL realm to illustrate to His TRUE children the principle by which He operates the SPIRITUAL realm. This helps us to begin to see how the child of God is given spiritual life at the moment of “conception” through the Word of God. Then they must be SPIRITUALLY FED, NURTURED, AND CARED FOR by a true pastor (and the family of God) until they grow enough spiritually to learn how to HELP care for themselves. They will NEVER get so spiritual that they have no need for their spiritual family, but they will grow and learn to win many battles by relying upon the power of God which is indwelling their hearts.
Most who read this will understand the natural process of conception, so I will not have to go into detail in order to help you see the SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES illustrated by the fact that there are MANY SEEDS WASTED for every conception that takes place. Jesus expressed this same fact in a different manner in Matthew 7:13-14 where He said that the multitudes go the way of destruction (ie: they are like eggs which are never impregnated by the seed of the gospel) and only a “few” find life (ie: are brought to conception by the seed of the gospel). This is not because there are not enough “seeds”, NOR BECAUSE THE SEEDS ARE NOT SOWN, but rather has to do with God’s FOREKNOWLEDGE, and therefore the MANNER IN WHICH THE SEEDS ARE SOWN.
We can see a literal event which “typifies” the spiritual truth concerning this subject in Genesis 38:9-10.
38:8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 38:9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled [it] on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
38:10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
The word “ground” in this text is translated from the same Hebrew word which is usually translated “earth”. In our other Bible Studies we cover the EARTH symbol, and prove that it is a type of the FLESH. Romans chapter eight speaks of carnality and uses the same Greek word as is also normally translated “flesh”. Paul says there that the carnal (ie: FLESHLY) mind is an ENEMY of God, and cannot receive or be subject to the Law of God. He also makes the following statement in I Corinthians 2:14.
2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.
The term “natural man” refers to those who are not saved, and therefore are “natural” or FLESHLY. They do not have spiritual life, and are therefore unable to truly understand spiritual things.
Notice the following thoughts:
(1) The FLESH of man, whether he be a child of God or not, is symbolized by “earth”, and that is of course what we are made of physically
(2) Whenever any human being, saved or lost, uses their FLESHLY mind and wisdom (which is all lost people have to use) in order to try to interpret the Bible or to make decisions concerning spiritual things, they are casting the “seed” of God’s word to the earth (ie. down to a FLESHLY level).
(3) As God’s people we have a responsibility to try to be very careful and only sow the seed where it will do some good if God sees fit to use it at that time. A good example of this is in Matthew 13 where Jesus uses a somewhat different picture of the earth. There He pictures the earth in the spiritual rather than the “fleshly” sense. He shows four types of ground, and the fact that only the “GOOD GROUND” (that wasn’t full of rocks and thorns and wasn’t too packed down to allow seed to “sink within” and germinate) was “an honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15). Matthew’s writings in 13:10-17 make very clear the fact that Jesus was actually trying to HIDE the truth that He was teaching FROM the multitude.
Notice His words:
13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 13:16 But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them].
Why would Jesus do such a thing as this? He did not want to be guilty of casting the word of God to the BAD types of earth (ie: FLESH). He took His chosen (ELECT) ones into the house (Matthew 13:34-36), and there explained to them the meaning of the parables He had spoken. The multitudes were NOT given the opportunity to hear the explanations, and therefore could not understand.
Another type which may help the reader to better understand is found in the very familiar story of God calling Moses to lead the children of Israel. In the first few verses of Exodus 4, God miraculously transforms Moses’ rod into a serpent when he cast it unto the earth. Moses’ rod was a “TYPE” (a symbolic spiritual picture) of the word of God. He was a shepherd and he used the rod to defend the sheep as well as to lean upon when he was weary. Certainly that is still one of the purposes of the word of God in the hand of the shepherd (pastor) today.
It is also just as true today that when a pastor or any Christian casts the word to the flesh (literalizes it like the Jews of old…2 Corinthians 3), it becomes a “serpent” with poison in its mouth which will bring destruction to all those who get in its pathway.
Satan transforms his ministers into “angels of light” (II Corinthians 11:13-15) by preaching out of the same Bible that God’s people use. The main difference in his preaching is that he casts the word to the ground (FLESH). He does that by reducing the SPIRITUAL to fleshly, natural stories and doctrines that any lost, fleshly minded person can understand. He attempts to make the Bible appeal to the “natural man”. God does not want LOST people to understand the DEEP THINGS of His WORD (I Corinthians 2:6-14).
God does not want the shepherd’s rod to become a serpent, and He definitely does not want the seed of His WORD used for FLESHLY PURPOSES, whether it be in the manner which seems commonplace for “big time” television evangelists, or whether it be for the purpose of some “small time” preacher to go into the ministry simply as a means of making a living. The work of the ministry must be a definite calling from God, and not just an attempt to find a vocation that may provide an easy life. If a pastor is truly serving God, he will put in much more time and work harder than he would in any other vocation. A true pastor’s MAIN salary is paid in Glory.
(4) God’s people need to strive to follow Jesus’ example and keep the truths of the word of God in HIDDEN PARABLE form until men and women have proven themselves to be part of the “disciples”. Jesus’ disciples are those who fulfill his description of such in Luke 14, and therefore can be taken in the “house” of the CHURCH and be taught the meanings of the DEEP things of God.
The lost need to be shown the “mirror” of the LAW of God so they can be made to realize their dreadful condition. However, the Lord never intended for lost people to feed on the glorious spiritual manna which is sent to the family of God to provide strength for spiritual VICTORY and GROWTH. Therefore we can easily see that God’s GRACE has sent forth the WORD OF GOD as LAW to convict the lost of their need of GRACE; as LAW to provide a mirror so the child of God can see themselves as HE sees them (and thereby know where the sins are in their life so they can strive with God’s help to conquer them); as FOOD for the spirit’s of those who are God’s children; and as SEED to bring forth LIFE spiritually in the hearts of those who are spiritually dead. THE SEED PORTION OF THE WORD OF GOD IS BASICALLY WHAT THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN TO “SOW”. THE “SEED” IS THE TRUTH CONCERNING MAN’S DESPERATE NEED OF THE GRACE OF GOD DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO TO SAVE HIMSELF. THE “SEED” SHOULD CLEARLY REVEAL THE FOLLOWING TO THE LOST PERSON:
(1) NO MATTER HOW “GOOD” they become, they can never become sufficiently perfect to save themselves.
(2) Since breaking even the “smallest” principle of God’s law makes one guilty of the WHOLE law (James 2:10), then EVEN SAVED PEOPLE MUST STILL TOTALLY TRUST IN GOD’S GRACE.
(3) If a person feels a definite attraction to Jesus Christ, and a desire beginning to rise up within their heart to want to try to serve and live pleasing to God (NOT JUST A FEAR OF HELL), then God’s GRACE has already begun to work a work in their life. Too many people today are turning to WHAT CLAIMS TO BE CHRISTIANITY, as a cure all for all their problems rather than as a privilege of serving God. While it is very TRUE that GENUINE SALVATION IS THE BASIS for solving all man’s problems, God never intended that salvation would be something for people to use for their own selfish purposes.
(4) A person who is LOST should not expect or hope for some kind of SCARY, HELLFIRE sermon to bring them to salvation. You cannot bring to life an egg within the mother by a SCARING process, and you cannot bring forth spiritual life in that manner either. People who use that method have filled our world with false professing HYPOCRITES, who bring a great reproach on the cause of Jesus Christ. They are trying to get people saved by their own works as they try to get people to CRY and PRAY their way to God. God does not hear a person’s prayer until they are His child (Psalms 66:18, Proverbs 15:29 and 28:9, John 9:31, etc.).
(5) Since we are saved by the seed of the word, and kept saved by feeding upon the word, THEN PEOPLE NEED TO BE MADE TO REALIZE THAT THEY NEED TO HEAR THE TRUTH PREACHED MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THIS WORLD!
Someone reading this might be thinking, “but where does FAITH come into the picture?” Let’s take a look at a couple of very familiar passages of Scripture. We already saw that Ephesians 2:8 says we are saved by GRACE THROUGH FAITH. Romans 10:13-17 says:
10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
This text makes very clear the order of the process of initial salvation.
(1) God must DEFINITELY call, teach, equip, and send a true preacher. See our study on true pastors for more information on this.
(2) The preacher must preach the TRUTH…not just something out of the Bible. They might not have great light, but must at least have the “seeds”.
(3) The “seed” penetrates the spiritual “egg”, and spiritual conception takes place (in all except “wayside” ground).
(4) The spiritual life that is produced causes the person to “call upon the Lord”. Once communication is established, God leads and helps the Child of God to grow spiritually, by sending them to a true church and a true pastor who will spiritually “feed” and care for them.
(5) As they “feed” upon the word, they gradually grow up through the 12 stages of spiritual growth and experience greater and greater blessings from God.
(6) Greater growth allows the child of God to WORK for God in an ever increasing manner. These WORKS earn spiritual rewards for ETERNITY.
There are HUNDREDS of spiritual “types” in the Bible which prove all that we have stated in these pages. If the reader is interested, our other Bible studies will give you opportunity to look into some of these beautiful spiritual pictures, and therefore to become better acquainted with these truths. May God richly bless your studies.
In His Love, Pastor Doyle Armstrong