Salvation
What is involved in salvation? How does someone become a Christian?
What does the Bible say about salvation? -
- Love overcomes - Acts 16v22-34
- Saved to eternal life - 1 Timothy 1v15-17
- Believe - Romans 10v9-10
- The Holy Spirit - Acts 2v36-39
Remarkable people
Acts 16:22-34
A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What did the jailer see in Paul and Silas that would lead him to want to be saved?
- What did the jailer need to do to be saved?
Thoughts to consider
Paul and Silas demonstrate a peace and graciousness that is in sharp contrast to the conditions that had been doled out to them, or the opportunity to run they had not taken. The jailer was affected by this salvation life in such a way this his whole family believed.
Saved to eternal life
1 Timothy 1:15-17
This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How did Paul (the same person in the prison passage above) see the life he was saved from?
- What is the outcome of believing in Jesus?
Thoughts to consider
Salvation is not merely a change in life outcome, it is an entrance into an eternal relationship with God who pours his love into our lives. It is in receiving this love through a trusting relationship that our outlook and way of life change.
Believe
Romans 10:9-11
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What does it mean to trust in Jesus, and what is the outcome for those who do?
- Why do you think that the Lord has made salvation so simple?
Thoughts to consider
Salvation is both simple and deep. It is something that a child can handle while the deepest thinker would be out of their depth. The key point of salvation is that the focus is not ourselves, but Jesus who saves.
The Holy Spirit
Acts 2:36-39
“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What did Peter tell the people they must do in order to be forgiven by God?
- What gift from God did Peter say that they could expect from God?
Thoughts to consider
God promises his Spirit to live in those who have trusted him. His Spirit works in us to empower us for a godly life, to enable gifts to work through us and to speak to us, so developing our relationship with God.
Overview questions for reflection or discussion
- What does God ask of those who want to be saved?
- Why would God ask for this?
Thoughts to consider
Relationships are built on trust. The whole point of salvation is not just what we are saved from but the life we are saved into, and that is into a relationship with God built on love.
