Salvation is the perseverance or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil. This word is one of the most important words used in the Bible. When used in the Old Testament, salvation comes from the Hebrew word “shua” which means “deliverance and victory.” When it comes to the New Testament, salvation comes from the Greek word “soteria” which means “deliverance, preservation, safety.” Salvation is what we receive when we trust Jesus as our Savior! It is a gift of God! Salvation is not something we receive on just some day; it is a present possession of every person who has received Jesus into their hearts. The remainder of this article will give you some aspects of salvation and steps to attain salvation.
Baptism and Salvation
There is a question that has come across both Christians and non-Christians. That question is, “Is baptism required to be saved?” The answer to this question can be found within the New Testament of the Bible. The New Testament gives concrete details about baptism while providing stories on salvation.
The phrase “to baptize” comes from the Greek word Baptizo. The Greeks used this word in a variety of ways such as: to dip, to immerse, and to drown. In Matthew 3:1-6, John the Baptist baptizes people who are continually confessing their sins. Matthew 3:11 states that John the Baptist is performing baptism of repentance (regret and turning away from sin). The book of Acts (preferably Acts 22:16) helps us to understand that baptism is the result of calling on Jesus. It comes after one believes Jesus is our Savior who takes away our sin (John 1:29).
There are five scriptures in the New Testament that suggest that one must not only believe but also is required to be baptized in order to be saved. The five scriptures are as follows: Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4; 1 Peter 3:21. But these suggestions are not as they seem once you fully understand the scriptures.
Mark 16:16 reads, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Since this is in English translation, you must examine the Greek language to know that baptize is a passive participle. This means that something else is causing the event to happen. The person is not causing himself to be baptized but the Holy Spirit is. To go even further, the second part of the verse states that you will be condemned if you don’t believe. It does not say that you will be condemned if you are not baptized.
To understand the other four scriptures, one must read the context around the scripture to know why this scripture is being used. Furthermore, one must know and understand the steps to salvation/being saved. Water baptism is sometimes put side by side with believing in Jesus to show one is serious about the commitment.
After understanding these scriptures, baptism is not required for salvation. Baptism is commanded by the Holy Spirit as an act of symbolic death from your sins and your decision to live a new life committed to Jesus Christ.
WHERE WILL SALVATION LEAD YOU?
John 14:1-3 states that salvation, “will lead you to heaven.” Salvation is the key to getting into heaven to live eternally with God. Not only will you be there with Him, but you will also get to see all the glories of the holy city.
2 Corinthians 5:17 reads that salvation, “will lead you into holiness.” Salvation will alter your life in which no man can receive Jesus and remain the same (Colossians 3:10). This person will have a drastically changed life with true repentance, a difference in lifestyle, and a desire to serve the Lord.
Mark 16:15 says that salvation, “will lead you into the harvest.” A mark of genuine salvation is being able to witness and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus never called us to be lazy, but for us to let our light shine for Him. He wants us to be “fishers of men” (Mark 1:17).
Hebrews 10:25 states that salvation, “will lead you to the house of God (church).” Salvation is accompanied with a desire to worship, praise, and adore the Lord with other saints. Go to church and enhance your salvation to become one with God.
Where is your life headed?
This section is solely designated to those of you who may not know where your life is headed. Better yet, who is your life being directed by? If you are feeling down and out and feel that no one understands what you are going through, allow Jesus into your life. Allow him to direct your life. Even in His directing, He will never leave you, and He will walk side by side with you as long as you want Him to.
According to a Web site that’s dedicated to the two types of lives people live the Self-Directed Life causes us to get into things that were never meant for us such as abusive relationships, sleeping around, stealing, etc. People with this life intentionally break God’s commandments even though they may believe there is a God.
The Christ-Directed Life allows us to yield before God. Even if we make a mistake, we can sincerely repent and continue walking in harmony with God. This life believes and sincerely follows God’s commandments.
You can receive Christ right now. Revelation 3:20 reads, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Christ is inviting you to come to Him. The precise words you use to commit yourself to God are not important. He knows the intentions of your heart. If you are unsure of what to pray, this might help you put it into words:
Steps to Salvation
1. Believe in Jesus Christ (God’s Gift of Love) (John 3:16).
2. Admit that we all have sinned and need Jesus.
3. Have faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8; John 14:6)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
-John 3:16