“Salvation” Study Outline
—More about “salvation”
Here's a study outline answering some critical questions about “salvation”.
Christians commonly talk about "salvation", their "Saviour", and the need to be "saved". But these Bible terms are meaningless to many people. Even some Christians are vague about what doctrine lies behind these terms. In this outline, we answer some key questions to help clarify what salvation means.
1 What is opposite to being saved?
Answer: Being lost, perishing
Matthew 8:23-27 —"Jesus got into the boat. His disciples followed him. Behold, there arose a great storm in the sea. The boat was covered with waves. But Jesus himself was asleep. The disciples awoke him saying, 'Save us Lord! We are perishing!'"
Luke 15:3-7 —"A man will... go looking for the sheep which is lost until he finds it. When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing. When he comes home he calls together his friends and neighbours saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost'."
John 3:16 —"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
2 What does God save people from?
Answer: God’s wrath
Romans 11:22 —"Behold the goodness and severity of God: to those who fell severity, but to you goodness if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you too will be cut off."
Romans 5:8-9 —"God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we by him be saved from the wrath of God."
Note that in the cross of Christ we see both sides of God's nature.
3 How many can be saved?
Answer: The whole world
John 3:16 —"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
1John 2:1-2 —"We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world".
2Peter 3:9 —"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance".
4 How many ways of salvation are there?
Answer: One way
Acts 4:12 —"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
John 14:6 —"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,"
Matthew 1:21 —"Jesus" means "Saviour" (=Joshua, "Jehovah saves")
5 What do we contribute to our own salvation?
Answer: Faithful obedience
Matthew 7:24-27 —"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock..."
Hebrews 5:9 —"And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
Philippians 2:12 —"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
6 What made our salvation possible?
Answer: Jesus’s sacrifice
Hebrews 9:14,26 —"the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God... He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
7 What is expected of us —what should we do?
Answer: Six steps
In God's method of salvation, there are six things for us to do, so that we can take advantage of the means of salvation —the sacrifice made by Christ. Paul tells us to:
1. Hear the gospel of Christ (Romans 10:11-17)
2. Have faith (belief) in Christ (Romans 1:16-17, 8:34)
3. Confess faith in Christ (Romans 10:8-10)
4. Repent of sin (change of heart) (Romans 2:4-5, 6:1-2)
5. Be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4, 8:1)
6. Continue in his way (Romans 12:1-2, 12:11-12).