Salvation
What do we believe about Salvation?
Our Belief
There is only one name under heaven by which we can be brought into relationship with God: the name ‘Jesus Christ.’ It is only through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, that the guilt, penalty, and power of sin can be removed. In that death, God demonstrates his love to us most perfectly and establishes his victory over Satan and all his foes. The work of the Holy Spirit is necessary to make the death of Jesus effective in an individual’s life. The Spirit enables the sinner to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ, so that salvation is entirely of God’s grace and not of human merit or works. Although now we enjoy the blessing of union with Christ and secure relationship with God, we await the final consummation of our hope with the return of Christ, the resurrection of our bodies and life with him eternally.
Exclusivity of Jesus
All religions do not lead to God. Jesus said,
“I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me”
John 14:6
Jesus Christ is the only way to God, absolute truth exists and is found in Jesus and eternal life is real and tangible. Salvation in not achieved through Jesus plus our merit. Religious syncretism which combines aspects of different faiths and practice is simply a new designer religion and is not faith in Christ alone. Secular ideologies are also forms of religion. For this reason, we unashamedly preach the mutual exclusivity of Jesus.
Propitiation and Satan's Defeat
Jesus' death was the ‘once for all’ sacrifice that completely appeased God’s anger at our sin. In the Old Testament, believers needed to engage a human priest to make regular blood sacrifices at the temple to turn away God’s wrath. However, at Jesus’ crucifixion, his blood was eternally accepted as the propitiation for our sin. This is why Christian's worship Jesus as our Redeemer. When the price for our sin was paid, the temple curtain was torn in two, providing everyone direct access to God’s forgiveness because of the finished work of Jesus.
At the cross, Satan’s was defeated with a mortal wound, and he now prowls the earth knowing his days are numbered. A fatally wounded lion can be at its most ferocious just moments before their end. So, for this reason, we are to put on the full Armour of God so that we are equipped to engage in the spiritual battle and harvest before the return of the King.
Repentance
Repentance is a change of mind – from trying to save ourselves to accepting the gift of salvation that Jesus has won for us. The Holy Spirit illuminates our mind enabling us to see and follow Jesus. He empowers us to grow in our love and knowledge of Jesus. Romans 12:2 says that believers are transformed by the renewing of our mind which extends to our worldview and our personal behaviour becoming more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
Salvation - Past, Present and Future
Consider the extent of our salvation with the question, ‘When were you saved?’ Scripture reveals there are multiple correct answers.
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We were saved before the foundations of the world
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We were saved on a hill called Calvary outside Jerusalem around 30AD
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We were saved when we placed our faith in Jesus Christ
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We will be saved when Jesus presents us as His bride.
All these answers are beautiful and true. They reveal the depths of God’s love and power. Unlike finite humans, God also exists outside of time. So, we rest in our limited knowledge of his infinite plans, knowing that He works all things together for good.
Resurrection and Eternity
It is appointed unto man, once to die and after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27). Those found in Jesus will be resurrected to eternal life. Those who have not, are heading for eternal death. Matthew 25:46. This sobering truth provides an urgency for all believers to share the good news of Jesus with the world who does not know Him. Just as Jesus rose bodily from the grave on the 3rd day, so those who put their faith in Him will also receive eternal resurrection bodies. This provides great comfort and hope for the believer - knowing that no matter what the world does to us – that when our temporary body is taken from us, we will be present with the Lord with our eternal body.