Basic Beliefs To Grow On: Salvation - Part One

Hello and happy Wednesday to you all!

In this installment of Basic Bible Facts, I would like to introduce the topic of SALVATION. What is salvation? Salvation is one of the promises of God to all believers: to be given the gift of eternal life. To be "saved" in the full sense of the word means to have received eternal life. The word salvation is also used to describe the process we go through before we can receive eternal life. (In a few scriptures "saved" refers to redemption, one of the steps in the process of salvation.)

Before we start, I always like to mention this before each study. In order to avoid any confusion, the information presented here was composed using a King James Version Bible. Therefore, there might be some slight translation differences if you are using a different version, but not to worry. These studies are very simple and the answers are always found in the Bible no matter which translation you prefer!

Due to the amount of information regarding this subject (and the limited amount of space), I think it would be best if it is broken up into smaller chunks over a period of time. We will begin this study today, continue next time, and see how it goes from there. In order to get the most out of our study, I suggest that you read through it carefully!

Here's a suggestion to help you get the most out of this study. To fill in the blanks and/or answer the questions, please look up the Bible verse(s), even if you think you know what the correct answer is. It really is to your advantage to look at the verse, even if you think you already know what it says!

So, if you're ready, let's get started!

A good introductory question would be, "Why do all men need to be saved?" (I strongly recommend reading Luke 5:27-32 before you continue). According to Luke 5:31, what kind of people need a doctor? _____ What kind of people do not need a doctor? _____ Read Luke 5:32. Do righteous people need to be saved? _____ What kind of person needs a Savior? _____

Next, "Why did Jesus come into the world?" Let me present four verses that answer this question: 1 Timothy 1:15; Luke 19:10; Matthew 1:21; John 3:17. Now, according to Luke 5:32, Jesus came into the world to save what kind of people? _____Righteous people do not need to be saved. But read Romans 3:10. How many righteous people are there? _____ Therefore, how many people need to be saved? _____ Read Luke 5:30 and then choose the correct answer from the following:

a. The Pharisees and Scribes were righteous men.
b. The Pharisees and Scribes thought they were righteous. They were SELF-righteous.

Read Luke 18:9-14 and answer the following questions:

Which man thought he was righteous? _____
Which man realized that he was a sinner? _____
Which man was saved? _____
Before a person can be saved, what must he first realize? _____

I think that this would be a good stopping point for now! As I mentioned above, salvation is a pretty broad topic. By breaking it into smaller, more understandable pieces, I feel that it will be more beneficial to you!

Remember, read the verses carefully and find your answer in the Scriptures. In this way you will learn exactly what the Bible teaches. As you go through this study you should constantly be asking yourself..."What do the Scriptures say?" (See Romans 4:3)

Prayer:

"Jesus, as we earnestly seek and follow You our minds are being renewed daily. Our ambitions, goals, and affections are being transformed into Your likeness. The ways of the world have less grip on us as we transfix our thoughts upon the Author and Finisher of our faith. It is in dying to the world that we become alive unto Christ and it is through Your mercy that we offer our lives today as living sacrifices. Amen."

May God bless you,

Yvette