What Happened at the Cross? Understanding Christ's Work of Salvation

 

What Happened at the Cross? Understanding Christ's Work of Salvation

Welcome back to my blog, dear friends. Last week, we began our journey through the marvelous, chronological timeline of our salvation—an eternal story that began before time itself and will only conclude at Christ’s glorious return.

 

To help us see the bigger picture, we recounted the events that led up to our personal decision to trust in His saving work (in rough order):

• Christ chose us for salvation before the foundation of the world.
• The Holy Spirit worked in our hearts, convicting us of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
• God powerfully drew—and lovingly compelled—us to Himself.

 

If you missed those foundational truths, I highly encourage you to catch up on last week's post Our Wonderful Salvation: How Did It All Began?

 

Today, we take the next step on our timeline. We are looking directly at the cross to examine the profound work Jesus accomplished there to provide our salvation—a perfect sacrifice that was made fully active in our lives the moment we believed.

 

 

Christ’s Sacrificial Work on the Cross

 

Scripture describes four key components of Christ’s gracious actions on the cross, bringing us eternal life through His death:

• Propitiation – Christ’s sacrifice was a full and sufficient payment for our sins to God (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2).
• Reconciliation – Christ’s sacrifice ended the hatred between man and God because of our sins. Our holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. Our sins, being forgiven through Christ, changed our status before God as we are now innocent and without sin. This allowed peace between parties and healed (reconciled) the relationship between God and man. (Romans 5:10-11; Colossians 1:20-21: Ephesians 2:16-19).
•  Redemption – Christ’s death purchased us from sin for which we owed a payment of death (Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7).
• Substitution – Christ died in our place, taking the punishment we deserved, that we could obtain eternal life (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 3:18).

These four vital biblical concepts describe Christ gracious work on the cross to forgive our sins, and correct our relationship with God, that we might be saved.

 

 

What then must we do to be saved?

 

How then does someone make Christ’s actions on the cross efficacious for themselves?

 

Here is an easy-to-learn gospel message (how to become a Christian based on Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-26, Romans 10:9):

• Each person has sinned (done actions contrary to God’s righteous character).
• We each deserve judgment and punishment from a perfect and just God.
• However, God, being loving, sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins to take the punishment that we deserved.
• Consequently, by acknowledging through faith the forgiveness that Christ provided by His death, and new life through His resurrection, we gain eternal life!

 

God did all the work to provide salvation, and no credit is given to us. It is a gift with all glory and praise to God. Wow, what a great promise! 

 

To summarize, to this point in our salvation journey, we have seen that God chooses us, the Holy Spirit convicts us, and God drags us to himself to the point of being saved. Then on our belief, salvation became efficacious to us based on Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and His mighty resurrection.

In gratitude and praise, we owe Him our service and praise until we go home to be with Him. Thanks be to God for such a great salvation and for eternal life.

 

Please join us next time as we discuss what happened to us as a result of the cross. It's exciting stuff so don't miss it!

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

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/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. 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.

 

 

Our Wonderful Salvation: How Did It All Begin?

 

Welcome back to my blog. Over the next few weeks, we are going to explore the beautiful, multi-layered description of our great salvation found in the Scriptures.

Many Christians view their salvation as a simple, isolated event—almost like crossing a street to reach the other side, with nothing else changing. Some even believe a person can easily cross back over and lose their status as a child of God. My friends, nothing could be further from the truth!

Our salvation is not a temporary decision; it is an eternal plan that began before the world was formed and will culminate when Christ returns. It is reinforced with divine safeguards that make it absolutely impossible for a true, born-again believer to ever be lost.

Let us open the Word together and examine the beginning of this amazing journey, tracing God’s plan from before time began up to the cross.

 

The Process of Salvation

 

The Plan of Salvation

• God’s first step was to create a plan to save man and remove the problem of sin that would be created by Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:15).
• Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, man fell and became depraved; he was unable to choose God or do good, fleeing from Him (Romans 3:10-12). Therefore, God graciously had to choose, before all time began, some to come to salvation (Ephesians 1:4,5,11; Romans 8:29-30).
• If God had not chosen, then nobody would have come to saving grace. God has always had to choose throughout the Bible to accomplish his work in the world (Romans 9:7ff).

Bringing Us to Salvation 

• Because man would not choose God and did not understand God, the Holy Spirit had to intervene In in those God chose and convict them of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8).
• Further, God had to drag future Christians to Himself to believe (John 6:44). Interestingly, the word used in the Greek (the original language of the New Testament) for ‘drag’ is ελκω (helko), which describes when fishermen cast a net and literally bring fish into their boat. As the fish do not come voluntarily, neither do we!  God had to literally force us to saving faith!

God Causes Us to Believe

• Our faith then made Christ’s sacrificial death and His resurrection efficacious for us to our salvation. The content of the gospel can be found here https://teleiosresearch.com/consider-the-gospel/. 

Figure 1. Timeline of Salvation

Please note the figure showing the chronological plan of Salvation throughout the Bible. Indeed, the Bible is the story of salvation through our precious Savior Christ. God, by His love and wisdom, created this plan, and realized it throughout history and will complete it in the future (Ephesians 1:4-8;10-11). 

 

Today, we have discussed the foundation of the plan and how God draws us to Himself. Next week, we'll discover what happens at the cross. 

 

What a great plan; what a great promise! To God be the glory who has done all the work of salvation, and nothing was left to us nor to chance. There is nothing we could have done past, present, or in the future to earn eternal life. God did it all; solo fide (only by faith).  

 

Thanks again for joining me,e and I look forward to seeing you again next time.  

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

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/c/TeleiosVideos/

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. 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.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Biblical Truth on Salvation Boosts Your Well-being

Believing you are saved by God’s grace alone does more than secure your eternity—it improves your daily wellbeing. However, many young Christians still struggle with misconceptions about what actually happens at the moment of salvation.

Understanding these biblical truths builds your confidence and protects you from the weight of false guilt.

The Research: What Do Young Christians Believe?

A recent survey of 201 participants—primarily in the US (53), female (55%), <35 years old (67%), and evangelical (80%)—explored beliefs regarding salvation. While many recognized sound doctrine, the results revealed a significant need for deeper biblical teaching.

Key Findings on Salvation

The survey examined four critical areas of a believer’s new life:

Belonging and the Church

• 65% of participants believe salvation results in permanent adoption into God’s family.
• 37% recognized an immediate need to join a local community of believers.
• 34% identified that the Holy Spirit places them permanently into the universal church.
• 28% acknowledged that water baptism serves as a public expression of their faith in Christ.

Righteousness and Forgiveness

• 54% stated they are forgiven through faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
• 52% still feel the need to seek forgiveness daily for new sins.
• 34% recognize Jesus Christ as their advocate, ensuring no one can bring a claim against them.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

• 54% believe the Holy Spirit indwells them permanently as a seal of their salvation.
• 57% noted that the Spirit regenerates them into a new person identified with Christ.
• 34% credit the Holy Spirit with providing the power to defeat sin in their daily lives.

The Impact of Regeneration

• 50% of respondents believe regeneration empowers them to live a holy life through the Holy Spirit.
• 35% recognize that regeneration creates a completely new identity in Christ.
• 30% believe they were baptized or regenerated by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation.

Full data can be found here: What happens after salvation?

Why This Matters for You

Discovering the full scope of your salvation through scripture is vital for a confident relationship with God. When you understand your eternal security and the benefits provided through grace, your mental and spiritual wellbeing thrives.

Take the next step: Invest time in investigating scripture to secure your foundation in these truths.

WILLIAM C. STEWART, MD

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Email – info@teleiosresearch.com

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

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

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LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice nor recommendation for any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone 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.

Faith and Therapy: Survey Insights on Christian Counseling

 

Christian counseling is a cornerstone of modern church-based society, utilized frequently by individuals and as a primary referral source for congregations. To understand the actual impact on the current generation of believers, Teleios conducted a survey of young Christians' experiences and impressions of these services. Full findings are available here: Christian Counseling Survey.

The Current Landscape: Who is Seeking Help?

The survey reached 235 respondents, of whom the majority are female (71%), aged 18-34 years (77%), and located in the United States of America (58%). The result shows that participants' overall view of Christian counseling is positive, having:

• 9%of respondents are currently in counseling; 
• 7% had been in therapy and were planning to start again; and 
• 30% have never attended but plan to go. 

Meanwhile, 27% believe every Christian should be in counseling at some point in their life, while around 35% indicated that they should only go for specific problems.

The Impact: Emotional Relief vs. Spiritual Depth

Believers seek counseling for a variety of reasons, often with life-altering results.

• Emotional & Physical Benefits: Respondents reported that counseling improved relationships (11%), reduced anger (8%), improved depressive symptoms (8%), and even saved lives (6%).
• Spiritual Engagement: Participants noted that sessions helped them seek God through prayer, fellowship, and Bible knowledge (roughly 10% for each).
• The Statistical Paradox: Despite these individual successes, survey data showed that overall well-being did not differ statistically between those who participated in counseling and those who did not (P>0.05). This suggests that while counseling is a popular resource, its long-term clinical and spiritual efficacy remains largely undescribed.

A Balanced View: Pros and Cons

Navigating Christian counseling requires an understanding of both its practical utility and its potential limitations.

The Advantages:

• Pastoral Support: Provides a vital resource for busy pastors to extend help to their congregation.
• Emotional Outlet: Provides a dedicated platform for Christians to discuss pain with a sympathetic listener.
• Community Integration: Helps further integrate the participant into the Christian community.
• Crisis Gateway: Serves as an important gateway to psychiatric services for profound mental health issues.

The Challenges:

• Scientific findings on Christian counseling, compared with secular counseling or no counseling at all, remain largely unknown.
• The methodology of Christian counseling and counselors’ training is not well proven.
• In our survey, average well-being did not differ between participants who had received prior or current counseling and those who expressed a desire for future counseling. This might suggest that Christian counseling is not always beneficial.
• The interaction between Christian counseling methods and the Bible is unclear, varies by institution, and likely varies among counselors themselves.
• From our survey, most young Christians who participated in counseling did not receive instruction in any of the 5 basic elements of the Christian faith that underpin maturity (Acts 2:42,47)
• Universities that train Christian counselors typically do so from a secular, not a biblical, basis. More information can be found here. 
• Christian counseling, while it may offer practical advice and even some spiritual direction, may not provide the basis for growing in Christian maturity as described in the Bible.

The Path Forward for 2026

Christian counseling is a practical step for believers dealing with life's hurdles. However, discernment is necessary. Believers should assess their care to ensure it provides guidance into biblical maturity through obedience to the Word. If these tools are absent in the therapy room, they must be supplied through other spiritual sources.

As we move forward, more research is essential to bridge the gap between clinical results and spiritual growth, ensuring participants receive the full benefit of faith-based support.

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – info@teleiosresearch.com

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

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

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@teleiostiktok

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice nor recommendation for any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone 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.