The Manifestation of Salvation

SALVATION

This post, with the addition of several other topics, may be read at the following link:  Salvation, Hell,& Resurrection

The Source of Salvation

No one can save another person.  A Gospel messenger may offer another individual information concerning the Gospel message; answer any scripture question a person may ask; or even explain the overall New Covenant concept of salvation through faith but they cannot bestow salvation upon that person.  Only God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can bequeath salvation to anyone, regardless of the scriptural knowledge of that particular individual.

A person may have several theology degrees, with a vast knowledge of the Bible, and believe many scriptural New Testament concepts, but that will not elicit salvation which is only possible when a person receives the Holy Spirit through an act of God.

James 2:19 NET  You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that — and tremble with fear.

Some preachers boast concerning the amount of people THEY have saved.  They haven’t saved anyone and those people may not be saved.  Many people come forward at the end of a church service and claim they have asked Jesus into their heart; or claim they believe in Jesus Christ, or the Gospel message but that doesn’t automatically grant them salvation if they have not been infilled with the Holy Spirit sent by the power and authority of God.

Signs of Salvation

Follow the laws of God.  Does that mean every law written in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy?  No it actually doesn’t.  Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” and the contents of Matthew 5, 6, and 7 will make you a follower of Christ and the Kingdom of God.  It is vitally important that an individual align themselves with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Ten Commandments could also be included except for the controversy of the weekly Sabbath.  Should it be the Jewish Saturday or the Roman Church’s Sunday?  If a person needs to work or provide for their family, it doesn’t matter.  Some may have a different opinion, but rigidly adhering to a Sabbath day ritual is not important or necessary.

Matthew 12:8 NET  For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

Mark 2:27-28 NET  Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.  (28)  For this reason the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Luke 6:5 NET  Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

Jesus said, “take up your cross and follow Me”.  That is not a literal statement.  It means that one should live their life with the mind of Christ, i.e. love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself, which is the essence of the law of God.  One should be willing to die rather than reject Christ, and they must live their life as Jesus taught even if the penalty is death. This has resulted in some being killed or even crucified but purposely dying is not necessary to prove one’s salvation – only if one is called to do so.

Matthew 10:38-39 NET  And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  (39)  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life because of me will find it.