What Does the Bible Say About Salvation?

Introduction (Romans 1:16):
The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. Every question about salvation must be answered by the Word of God. When we put together everything the inspired writers said, we gain a complete understanding of how salvation is promised, received, lived, and secured through Jesus Christ.

Salvation Is a Promise
God has promised eternal life to those who obey Him. This promise was confirmed through Christ and extended to all who will answer His call (Romans 15:8; Acts 2:39; 1 John 2:25). God’s promises never fail.

Salvation Is a Reward
Faithful endurance brings reward. When we hold fast to confidence and patiently do the will of God, He grants us the reward of our inheritance (Hebrews 10:35–36; Colossians 3:24). Salvation is the fulfillment of that reward in heaven.

Salvation Is a Prize
Paul compared salvation to a race where the faithful run with discipline and purpose (1 Corinthians 9:23–24). The Christian presses toward “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:11–14). Salvation is not by accident; it is the result of perseverance.

Salvation Is a Hope
Hope gives believers strength to endure trials. It rests on the unchanging promise of God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). This hope motivates holy living as we look for the glorious appearing of our Savior (Titus 2:13–14; 1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Salvation Is an Inheritance
Christ’s resurrection brings believers into a living hope and an incorruptible inheritance (1 Peter 1:3–4). By His death, He made possible the promise of eternal inheritance for those called by the gospel (Hebrews 9:15).

Salvation Is a Gift
Salvation cannot be earned. It is the gracious gift of God, freely offered through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). Jesus gives eternal life to His followers (John 10:28) and nourishes them with the bread of life that endures forever (John 6:27).

Salvation Is in Christ Alone
There is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. God appointed that we obtain salvation by His Son (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10). Paul suffered that others might “obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:10). Peter declared, “Neither is there salvation in any other” (Acts 4:12).

Salvation Is Eternal
Eternal life is both the promise and the possession of the faithful. We are in Him who is true—Jesus Christ, the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20). Those who remain in His love look forward to eternal mercy (Jude 21).

Salvation Must Be Striven For
Jesus urged His listeners, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate” (Luke 13:24). Paul said, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Salvation demands effort, dedication, and continual faithfulness.

Salvation Is Urgent
Salvation is not something to delay. The Hebrew writer said, “Today if ye will hear His voice” (Hebrews 3:7). Paul emphasized, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Tomorrow may never come.

Salvation Is Through Forgiveness of Sins
Luke recorded that salvation comes “by the remission of their sins” (Luke 1:77). Paul wrote that in Christ “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:6–7). Without forgiveness, there is no salvation.

Salvation Is for the Obedient
Christ saves those who obey. God grants “glory, honor, and peace to every man that worketh good” (Romans 2:10). Jesus is the author of eternal salvation “unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:9). Faith that refuses obedience cannot save.

Salvation Is by Grace Through Faith
Paul wrote, “By grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace provides what we could never earn; faith responds in obedient trust. God’s grace does not permit sin but transforms lives through holiness (Romans 6:1–2).

Salvation Is for All
God loved the world and sent His Son so that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish” (John 3:16). The gospel invitation calls all who thirst to come and freely take of the water of life (Revelation 22:17). The gospel remains God’s universal call to salvation (Romans 1:16).

Salvation Is a Lifelong Pursuit
We are urged to continue steadfastly in faith, watching for danger and growing in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:17–18). Salvation is not a single act—it is a life of walking with God, pressing on until we enter His rest (Hebrews 4:9–12).

Call to Action:
Salvation is God’s gift and man’s greatest need. Hear the gospel. Believe in Jesus Christ. Repent of sin. Confess His name before men. Be baptized for the remission of sins. Then walk in the light, serve faithfully, and press toward the eternal prize. Now is the time to obey and secure the hope of eternal life.

Key Takeaways:
• The entire message of salvation must be built upon the whole counsel of God. Every inspired passage adds necessary understanding, and nothing can be left out without losing truth.
• Salvation is promised, rewarded, hoped for, and inherited through Christ.
• It is both a gift of grace and a response of obedient faith.
• It requires striving, endurance, and daily commitment.
• It must be accepted urgently before life’s opportunities pass.
• It brings forgiveness, transformation, and eternal joy to those who obey.

Scripture Reference List:
• Romans 1:16 — The gospel is God’s power to save.
• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 — Scripture fully equips us for salvation.
• Romans 15:8 — Christ confirmed the promises of God.
• Acts 2:39 — The promise of salvation is extended to all.
• 1 John 2:25 — Eternal life is the promised gift.
• Hebrews 10:35–36 — Patience receives the promise.
• Colossians 3:24 — The reward of the inheritance.
• 1 Corinthians 9:23–24 — Run to obtain the prize.
• Philippians 3:11–14 — Press toward the high calling of God.
• Titus 1:2 — Hope of eternal life promised before the world began.
• Titus 3:7 — Heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
• Titus 2:13–14 — Looking for the blessed hope.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:8 — The helmet of salvation.
• 1 Peter 1:3–4 — An inheritance incorruptible and undefiled.
• Hebrews 9:15 — The promise of eternal inheritance.
• Romans 6:23 — The gift of God is eternal life.
• John 6:27 — The Son gives food that endures to eternal life.
• John 10:28 — Christ gives eternal life to His followers.
• 2 Corinthians 9:15 — Thanks for God’s unspeakable gift.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 — Salvation through Jesus Christ.
• 2 Timothy 2:10 — Salvation is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
• Acts 4:12 — No other name under heaven saves.
• 1 John 5:11, 20 — Eternal life is in the Son.
• Jude 21 — Keep yourselves in the love of God.
• Luke 13:24 — Strive to enter the narrow gate.
• Philippians 2:12 — Work out your own salvation.
• Hebrews 3:7 — Today if you will hear His voice.
• 2 Corinthians 6:2 — Now is the day of salvation.
• Luke 1:77 — Salvation by the remission of sins.
• Ephesians 1:6–7 — Redemption through His blood.
• Romans 2:10 — Peace to every man that does good.
• Hebrews 5:9 — Christ saves the obedient.
• Ephesians 2:8 — By grace through faith we are saved.
• Romans 6:1–2 — Grace does not excuse sin.
• John 3:16 — God loved the world.
• Revelation 22:17 — The invitation to all who will come.
• Hebrews 4:9–12 — Labor to enter God’s rest.
• 2 Peter 3:17–18 — Grow in grace and knowledge.

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

Additional Resources

Online KJV Bible

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