By Kennedy Tembo I. A few clarifications first: The Biblical words for salvation are yasha` (יָשַׁע) in Hebrew and soteria (σωτηρία) in Greek; and both are pretty much alike in their usage and meaning. Basically, these words mean: “deliverance, safety, salvation, rescue, welfare,” and “to deliver” (as a verb). Therefore, it is important to note that these words are translated in various ways in the Bible depending on the context they are used in that passage. Nevertheless, whichever way they are translated, they still demonstrate their salvific concept (that’s rescue and deliverance). 2. There are different salvations portrayed in the…
How is one Saved?
Salvation is by grace through faith: Justified by faith Key verse: by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. (Isa 53:11, NIV) Introduction To be a partaker of eternal life promised in the gospel is to be saved. Therefore, in this article, we are going to talk about how one is saved, the object of saving faith and what a preacher is required to do with regard to the proclamation of the gospel. These are foundational things in the Christian faith hence it is important to be well taught in these matters. Our…
The Gospel
In Romans 1:16-17, we find that the topic of the gospel is one of unmatched significance. Paul writes that “it is the power is God unto salvation … and that … in it, God’s righteousness is revealed.” Surely, something of this magnitude demands the attention of all of us. What does the Bible affirm about the Gospel? First things first; What is the gospel? In 1 Cor 15:1-8, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the kind of the gospel he preached to the church in Corinth. Two things are to be noted in this passage for our understating of the…
Why it matters that Christ is fully God in Salvation
John 1: 1 is so emphatic about the deity of Jesus Christ: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In 1:14, John continues; “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Later in the book, John records Jesus saying “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Charles Ryrie observes that this was perhaps the clearest and strongest occasion of such a claim. “The neuter form of “one” rules…
Why it matters that Jesus Christ is the sinless substitute
Jesus Christ is the lamb who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29). Peter adds that “he was the lamb without blemish.” (1 Peter 1:19) – Referring to being without defect, either physically or morally.[1] Sinlessness in our Lord means that He never did anything that displeased God, violated the Mosaic Law under which He lived on earth, or in any way failed to show in His life at all times the glory of God (John 8:29). It does not exclude His experiencing sinless limitations that accompany humanity. For example, He was weary (4:6); He was hungry (Matt….
Jesus Christ and the atoning work
An average person has asked: “Why can’t humanity in and out of itself meet God’s requirement for removal of sin’s penalty? The Scriptures thoroughly present all that sets Jesus’ substitutionary work apart from any other attempted works to merit salvation from sin. Therein, we find all that Jesus had to be and do in order to be the suitable and acceptable substitute for sin. The Bible teaches that Jesus was set apart before foundations of the world as a substitutionary payment for sin (Revelation 13:8). Peter discussed this truth with some detail when he wrote: For you know that it…
Why it matters that Jesus Christ suffered willingly as our substitute.
From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.” (Matthew 16:21-23). Like Peter, many ask: “Why would Jesus let this happen to himself? Jesus’ answer to…
The Holy Spirit in Romans Chapter 8
The great eighth chapter of the book of Romans is the chapter of declaration of freedom, victory, and security for the believer. After expressing the reality of the personal struggle with sin and the enslaving law (Ch.7), Paul opens this chapter by highlighting the believers’ passage from sin’s condemnation to freedom in Christ. It is important to note that throughout this chapter of Romans, Paul demonstrates that all members of the Trinity are in unity as they bring a believing sinner to his/her new position. At the same time, he shows that the presence of the Godhead in a believer’s…