The subject of salvation is viewed by the voice of inspiration as something to be “obtained.” Paul wrote to the evangelist Timothy, “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). The Bible discusses many features of salvation that draw the reality and meaning of the subject clearly into view.
Saving Lord
The God of heaven is the saving Lord Peter proclaimed, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God is referred to as the “God of our salvation” in Psalm 68:19. “Salvation is of the Lord” declared Jonah from the whale’s belly (John 3:2; Matthew 12:40). Known all too well is the answer “nowhere” to the refrain of the beautiful Christian hymn “Where Could I Go but to the Lord?”
Saving Scriptures
God’s planning (Ephesians 3:8-11), Christ’s performing (Hebrews 10:7), and the Holy Spirit’s revealing (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) have brought about “the salvation in Christ.” The entire human family can know about it because it stands unassailably codified in the eternal word of the living Lord (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 24:35). James wrote, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).
Saving Gospel
The gospel message is God’s power unto salvation, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). The sinner cannot be redeemed without sufficient power exerted upon the sinful condition of the soul to save him or her from spiritual ruin and death. That saving power is the gospel of Christ. The entire gospel system presented in the New Testament stands upon the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scripture” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
The Bible is clear on the benefits of being in Christ:
- Acts 4:12 – Salvation is only in Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 – New creatures are in Christ
- Romans 8:1 – No Condemnation to those in Christ who walk after the Spirit
- Ephesians 1:3,7 – All spiritual blessing are in Christ (forgiveness and redemption)
- Revelation 14:13 – It is a blessing to die in the Lord
- Galatians 3:27 – We are baptized into Christ
- I Corinthians 12:13 – We are baptized into one body
- Colossians 1:18 – The Body is the church
- Ephesians 1:22-23 – The church is the body
- Ephesians 4:4 – There is one body, There is ONE Church
- 1 Corinthians 12:27 – The body of Christ is the church of Christ
- Romans 16:16 – The churches of Christ salute you (ONE church, different locations)
Get in Christ today. Being in Christ is the only place of salvation. The church of Christ is the only church built by Christ (Matthew 16:18)