Beliefs about salvation - the good, the bad and the ugly

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We continue our exciting series exploring relevant research findings from Teleios!

 

Teleios conducted a survey with 244 participants: 93% were adolescents (< 18) and millennials (18-34), 60% evangelicals and 60% female. We asked them what they must believe to be a Christian. Wow, we received some amazing answers! (full report here Belief survey: Understanding the gospel)

 

The good 

Fortunately, almost all participants agreed that salvation was by faith through grace based on Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for our sins on the cross (87%). Furthermore, most (60%) believed their salvation was secure after their belief through faith; all very scriptural, YAY! (Romans 10:9-11; Ephesians 2:4-10; Romans 3:23-26; 1 Peter 1:4-5; John 10:28-30).

 

The bad 

However, high percentages of our participants also added in some extra biblical requirements for being saved, which are not mentioned in biblical salvation texts. The non-biblical additions to salvation were (percent agreeing with statement):

• Believe in the trinity (i.e., Father, Son and Holy Spirit) - 87%
• Believe heaven and hell are real places - 78%
• Believe the devil is real - 65%
• Believe in creation - 64%
• Believe every word of the Bible - 58% 

Although our participants are admirable in their zeal, when sharing the gospel, we should be careful not to add burdens that God does not Himself mention. For salvation a person simply needs to believe in the sacrifice of Christ for their sins and His resurrection by faith. 

 

Then upon belief, a person is regenerated by the Spirit to become a new person in Christ. They will then grow in orthodoxy, accepting the issues listed in the Table, by the help of the Spirit as they study and grow in biblical knowledge.

 

The ugly

Further, the participants also frequently added in some extra-biblical requirements for salvation, including being anti-abortion and water baptized (40% each). Again, these are important topics but have nothing to do with our salvation. 

 

Christ alone and His glorious sacrifice is sufficient to save us.

 

We have a wonderful Savior who has provided the amazing gift of salvation. For those who already have believed to salvation, He then graciously causes us to grow. Don't make it hard for others! It is God who causes young believers to stand, not us (Romans 14:4).

 

Join us again next week as we continue to explore what one must do be saved and assured of salvation. We will continue the amazing findings of Teleios research and the advantages of the scripture.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

For questions or to view more of our research…

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Disclaimer - Teleios, Inc. provides this website and its content for informational and educational purposes only. The Stewarts are not trained or licensed theologians, pastors, or psychologists. For spiritual, psychological, medical, or other specific concerns, please consult qualified professionals or conduct your own research. Content is intended for visitors over 18 and should not be taken as advice or recommendation for any personal or institutional situation. Materials may change and contain errors; Teleios makes no guarantees regarding accuracy, completeness, or suitability. Use of this site is at your own discretion, and Teleios accepts no liability for the content or its use. External links do not imply endorsement. All content is protected by copyright and may be used only for personal, non-commercial educational purposes. This website is operated from the United States.

 

 

Security of Salvation: Part 1

 

Welcome back to my blog and thank you for visiting. I wrote not long ago about our security of salvation. However, few topics are as important as the knowledge of our eternal security it's time then to examine it again. God has given us such great promises. Read and enjoy! 

 

The Foundation of Our Faith

 

Born again Christians have entered the gateway to a relationship with God by faith in Christ’s forgiveness for our sins by His death and resurrection. Through Christ’s gracious sacrifice, God sees us without fault and completely accepted by Him (Ephesians 2:7-9; Romans 3:21-25; Romans 10:9).

 

Our Relationship with God is Secure!

 

What is next step after salvation? It is vital to realize that as a Christian we are SECURE in our relationship with God. Why is this critical? We cannot grow in our faith and serve others well if we lack confidence that God accepts us. Otherwise, we will be distracted from serving God and others by wondering if God will reject us for some sin.

 

The Bible makes a great example in Ephesians 5:20-33. In this wonderful passage the Apostle Paul likens the relationship between Christ and the church (individual believers) to marriage. In the same way a married couple will find it difficult to grow in their love, intimacy and confidence in each other if they fear their partner will reject them, so a Christian will find it nearly impossible to grow in the love of God if they fear His repudiation.

 

Likewise, our loving God, who made and understands us, knows we cannot grow in His love without the confidence that He will not reject us. Wow, what a great promise!

 

So then, how can we know from scripture we are secure?

 

Direct statements - God states directly that we are secure (1 Peter 1:3-5; John 10:27-31; Romans 8:28-39).

 

Assurances - After we become a Christian by faith alone, we are not simply called a Christian, there is so much more. Our precious salvation provides wonderful, irreversible morphologic and legal assurances to our standing before God. No scripture indicates these assurances of salvation can ever be reversed returning us to our original corrupt and sinful selves. These assurances are linked to the security of our salvation which is discussed in another summary in the Teleios ‘Know the Bible’ section (under ‘Our great salvation’). Below is a short summary of our standing before God after we come to salvation by faith.

 

• Legally innocent – We are declared ‘not guilty’; as in a court of law, this cannot be overturned (Romans 3:21-25)!

 

• In God’s family – We are adopted as God’s children (Ephesians 1:5).

 

• Possession – We are sealed by the Holy Spirit to salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:5).

 

• Spiritual baptism – We are baptized a new person by the Holy Spirit, being made like Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:2-9)!

 

• Perseverance – God Himself causes us to persevere through our life unto salvation, not by our own works and resources (2 Timothy 1:12; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

 

• Chosen – God chose us to salvation before the world began (Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:28-20).

 

Wow, God is gracious to us! Because of our faith in Christ we are a new person who cannot be unmade, with legally unchangeable promises that guarantee our salvation. This comfort and confidence allow us to invest ourselves in knowing and serving God. We should not be burdened with guilt and worry over the status of God’s acceptance of us.

 

The certainty of our salvation is one of the great comforting promises of Scripture. It is our hope! 

 

Thank you for joining me today. In the following blogs we will look at more detail of these assurances of salvation so you can gain a complete and joyful understanding of what God has done for us by grace. I look forward to seeing you then.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email     info@teleiosresearch.com 

Website http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch 

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

The Return of Christ – Eschatology: Part 1

 Welcome to my blog. Thank you for visiting.

Christ’s return is our great hope of salvation and initiates spending a glorious eternity with God. Consequently, the study of eschatology (end times) is critical to understanding our salvation and is a great blessing (Revelation 1:3). Let's take the next few blogs to consider the return of Christ in detail and what scripture says. 

 

Although the exact nature of Christ’s return is a controversial topic among theologians, it is important to base our beliefs in scripture, which will be the basis of our discussion. 

 

Scripture prophecy 

 

End times biblical literature in the New Testament includes major prophetic passages in:

 

• Revelation

• Chapters 4-18 – The tribulation

• Chapters 19-20 -The second coming of Christ

• Chapters 21-22 – Eternity

• Matthew 24 and 25 - The “Olivet discourse”, discusses the tribulation, 2nd coming and judgment, leaning to a Jewish perspective

• 1 Corinthians 15:51ff – The rapture

• 1 Thessalonians 4 – The rapture

• 1 Thessalonians 5 – Second coming

• 2 Thessalonians 1 – Tribulation

• 2 Thessalonians 2 – Antichrist

 

There is also extensive prophetic literature in the Old Testament detailing the first and second comings of Christ, Christ’s kingdom reign and prophecies already fulfilled in the Old Testament itself. Many prophecies related to Christ are dealt with in our chapter the Plan of God. The kingdom reign of Christ is discussed here. Prophecies fulfilled in the Old Testament itself are beyond the scope of this Resource Center. Please see helpful references below for further reading.

 

Although opinions vary, proper interpretation of scripture should be a normal, literal meaning that should consider the style of writing in the original text. For instance, prophecy literature should allow symbols to be symbols, as intended by the original author, to represent actual events, not to be spiritualized or understood verbatim.

 

Our discussion is based on a normal literal interpretation of scripture. Other traditional alternative beliefs to the end times exist but are not included in this chapter because of the lack of substantiation in scripture. Several references are included below for your convenience for deeper reading.

 

Key definitions 

 

• The term ‘end times’ is derived from scripture ‘last days’. This term and its derivatives typically mean the time of the church as well as Christ’s second return and ensuing eternity. It can indicate, however, only Christ’s return and beyond which is the case for our study in this chapter.

• Eschatology – This is the study of end times taken from the Greek word ‘last’ (ἔσχατος, eschatos).

 

End times events in order

 

• The rapture (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Revelation 4:1; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58) – This important event includes the following:

• It occurs at a time known only by God

• A trumpet, shout and announcement shall be heard and Christ will return in the clouds

• Christ will take dead and living Christians out of the world to be with Him for eternity

• Those taken our bodies will be changed to be incorruptible forever

• The rapture initiates the series of events leading to Christ’s return and begins specifically the tribulation (see below).

• Although beliefs differ, scripture indicates the church is taken out of the world before the tribulation because it is promised to Christians that they will not know God’s wrath (Revelation 3:10; 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:9) which is the purpose of the tribulation. The church is not mentioned in tribulation passages.

 

Well, that starts our discussion of end times and takes us through the rapture allows those living on earth to begin their experience with eternity, avoiding the wrath to come.

 

Thanks be to God for his wonderful promises of eternal life through our faith alone in Jesus Christ. Join us next time as we continue this wonderful journey of our overview of the end times.

 

Books to expand on this topic:

Messiah in the Old Testament, The: Kaiser Jr., Walter C.: 9780310200307: Amazon.com: Books 

Systematic Theology (4 Volume Set): Chafer, Lewis Sperry: 9780825423406: Amazon.com: Books

Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth: Ryrie, Charles C.: 9780802427342: Amazon.com: Books

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email     info@teleiosresearch.com 

Website http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch 

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

The Wonderful Plan of God: Part 2

 

Thank you for reading my blog!  

 

The Holy Bible is an amazingly unified text that encompasses the whole plan of God to bring salvation to man through Jesus Christ and complete all of history in our Savior (Ephesians 1:10). Knowing the plan of God helps us realize the meticulous detail by which He brought us eternal life through His wisdom, knowledge and love, for his good pleasure and praise (Ephesians 1:4-8). 

 

Key to this plan is: 

·      The structural elements to bring salvation. 

·       The teaching elements to allow us to recognize the Savior. 

 

In my last blog we covered the planof God from creation up to the end of the time of Abraham, roughly up to Genesis 23.Today we discuss the time of Israel opens to the time of the prophets.

 

Israel – This chosen people was God’s fourth gracious attempt to provide a way for people of the world to seek and obey Him (please see the last blog for the first three). Israel’s history can be conveniently divided between several time periods. 

  

Theocracy – God desired to lead Israel as a theocracy, through his representative Moses, then Joshua, into the promised land which would be their rest, a place of peace symbolizing their final holy Kingdom under Messiah.  

 

Through the theocracy, God’s intention for Israel was they become a royal priesthood, a holy nation and His unique people (Exodus 19:5-6). Further, in redeeming them He promised them a rest, safety and a land (Deuteronomy 12:9-12). 

 

Unfortunately, following their redemption through the Red Sea, Israel immediately sinned and tempted God at Massa (Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95:7-11), and they fell into judgement.  In addition, Israel failed to take the land, however, as God directed. For this reason, and continued unfaithfulness, they suffered resulting attacks from heathen countries in and around the promised land (described in the book of Judges). 

 

Ultimately, Israel then longed for a king like other nations so they could attain a superficial stability instead of faithfully seeking God and the greater benefits of being His people (1 Samuel 8). 

 

The kings – God graciously allowed a king, as the Israelites requested, through the leadership of Samuel. This change ended the theocracy. However, Israel chose Saul, the wrong King, and God ultimately provided His choice, David (1 Samuel 16), who initiated the line of Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16).  

 

God confirmed David as His choice by Davidic Covenant promising him an eternal throne, house and kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16); God later upheld again these promises (Psalm 89:20 through 132:8; Rom 11:25-31). Israel under David, and under his son, Solomon, reached its height of powersymbolized the glory power, wisdom and riches of the Messianic kingdom (Matthew 12:42). 

 

Key Messianic prophecies – David was known as a person after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22; 1 Sam 13:14). Accordingly, God used David to bring forth numerous Messianic prophecies often reflecting Christ’s own affliction. Below are several of the important Davidic prophecies:  

§ Psalm 2:7-8 – This passage predicts the resurrection of Messiah (Acts 13:33).  

§ Psalm 16: 8-10 – Speaks to the resurrection of Messiah.  

§ Psalm 22 – Describes Messiah’s death on the cross.  

§ Psalm 45: 6-7 – Messiah is God, righteous and eternal.  

§ Psalm 68:18 – Ascension of Christ.  

§ Psalm 69,109 – Messiah will be betrayed.  

§ Psalm 110:1,4 – Messiah will have all enemies under his feet and is from the order of Melchizedek, Messiah is God (see also Genesis 14; Hebrews 7

 

The prophets – After Solomon, Israel continued in sin and Israel was split into separate northern and southern kingdoms. God graciously helped Israel by revealing His will through the prophets. The age of the prophets started with Elijah and was initiated by miracles. Ultimately, important new revelation, given through the ensuing major and minor prophets (e.g., Isaiah and Hosea), warned Israel of coming judgment and urged repentance but also gave further details of the coming glorious Messianic kingdom. 

 

Nonetheless, Israel continued in sin and God carried away the especially sinful northern kingdom and its 10 tribes to Assyria 722 BC, and ultimately the southern Kingdom at the beginning of the 6th century BC to Babylon for a 70-year exile. Following the exile, many Israelites in Babylon returned to the southern kingdom to Judah where they rebuilt the temple within the walls of Jerusalem. However, after Malichi, God left them in a time of prophetic silence until the coming of the Messiah 400 years later (inter-testament period). Major Messianic prophesies are given in both the major and minor prophetic books. Below are several important examples: 

§ Isaiah 7:14 – Messiah would be born from a virgin.  

§ Isaiah 9:1-6 – Messiah is God and will have a just government.  

§ Isaiah 53 – Messiah will die for our sins.  

§ Isaiah 59:20-21 – Messiah will bring salvation and the Holy Spirit.  

§ Jeremiah 31:31-34 – The New Covenant which includes the kingdom promise and Holy Spirit.  

§ Zechariah 12:10 – Messiah will be pierced.  

§ Zechariah 13:7 – Messiah will be struck and Israel scattered.  

§  Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5; Isaiah 40:3 – God will send a forerunner, as Elijah, to urge Israel to repent. This was John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11-15).  

 

Thank you for joining me. God indeed has a great plan for the ages to sum all things up in Christ. join me again next two time on this fascinating journey as we discussed the gospels and afterwards the church age and return the return of our blessed Savior.

 

Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!

 

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                        info@teleiosresearch.com

Website                  http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook               https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram              https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube                 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.