This question is multi-leveled, complicated, but
wonderful. As understanding our salvation is transformative. Let's spend the
next few blogs discussing it.
Teleios Research has found that knowledge of
salvation and eternal security enhances our wellbeing.1 What are the
Biblical reasons why? Today’s blog will talk about what happens, as described
in the Bible, at the time of our salvation which results in a new and wonderful
position for the believer.
We know from Scripture that our merciful God
chose us (Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:29-30), convicted us by his Spirit (John16:8), and dragged us to Himself (John 6:44) that we might believe in Christ’s
forgiveness. All this by grace through
the Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to grant us salvation by faith alone (Ephesians2:8-9). Indeed, God is worthy of praise for such a great salvation.
However, it is vital for us to know exactly what
happens at salvation as it enhances our wellbeing and confidence, and certainly
our praise to God.
At salvation we receive:
Spiritual baptism - We are regenerated by the Spirit into a new person and our old self dies
(Romans 6:2-9). We become identified (the meaning of the word ‘baptism’) with
Christ's death and resurrection. This marvelous spiritual truth speaks to the
importance of the resurrection because it is the vehicle for our new life in
Christ and eternity (Romans 6:9, 10:9-10). Indeed, we are a new person and the old
sinful self is gone forever.
Membership in the church (I Corinthians 12:13) - The Spirit places each believer in the church
universal (the fellowship of all believers under the headship of Christ, Colossians 1:17-18). We serve others, and
God, typically through a local church assembly.
The Holy Spirit - He is given in part as a down payment to our salvation (Ephesians1:13-14, II Corinthians 1:21) that we cannot lose (Romans 8:28-39, I Peter1:4-5). He maintains us until the day of our redemption when Christ comes again
(Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:10).
Adoption - Each believer
is a child of God, adopted into his family. As generally in first world
cultures today, when a child was adopted in the ancient Greek and Roman world, it
was a legal right that could not be overturned.2 In other words, the
adopted child received all the rights and privileges of a natural-born child; so
with a believer as a child of God (Ephesians 1:5).
Justification - Before
we believed we were guilty of sin for which Christ died on the cross to provide
his forgiveness and to declare us innocent (Romans 3:24-25). The word for
justified in Greek (δικαιος, dikaios) means legally found innocent as in court of law. In other
words, there is no double jeopardy: οnce found innocent no one can bring a charge
against us (Romans 8:33).
Possession- We are the possession
of Christ and God (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:10). No one can take us out of their
hand (John 10:27-30).
Christ is a fantastic and true Savior! The nature
of our salvation is so important we will speak to each of these topics individually
and how they might enhance a believer's wellbeing. Come back again next week as
we start this exciting journey to discover the nature of our great salvation.
WC Stewart
1.
MacIlvaine, W.R., Nelson, L.A.,
Stewart, J.A., Stewart, W.C. (2013). Association of strength of religious
adherence to quality of life measures. Complement Ther Clin Pract, 19:251-255.
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