What does it mean to be Saved? How Can I be Saved?
I have already explained the bad news that because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, all humans are born pre-programmed to be sinners. (Click here if you have not already read Why Does a Person Need to Be Saved?) That page left off on a sad note, proclaiming that we are all sinners, but not explaining a hope for forgiveness of our sins. This page (and another to come) will try to take on the task of explaining how a sinner is forgiven and saved!
This page is written for the purpose of explaining salvation in a way that can be understood by everyone, including someone who is completely new to the idea of salvation. I have no fancy letters after my name that some may consider credentials for delving into this task. But, I myself am a human and saved by God’s grace. And, I will rely upon the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit to direct my words to lead others to salvation.
I want to begin with two key Scriptures to understand this topic.
Simply put, Jesus was a man, but not just any man! Jesus is the Son of God, because He was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
We know from Romans 5:19 that one man – Jesus – has made many people righteous, but How? What is the connection between this perfect, sinless man, to my own forgiveness? The answer to that is a little harder to put into one post. God gave us the entire Bible to show us mankind’s problem – sin, and God’s solution – salvation. I cannot thoroughly explain how a person is saved, without quoting the entire Bible to you! But, I will try to summarize as best as possible – hoping that you will read the Bible on your own for the complete story.
We have to begin by starting in the beginning of the Bible, in particular, the first five books. These first books of the Bible contain the Law/Instruction of God.
While Adam and Eve were dwelling in the Garden of Eden we only know of one law they were given:
In God’s kindness and mercy, he set up a system whereby men could find forgiveness for sins. He told them how and when to sacrifice an animal to be forgiven of their many sins. (The word the Bible uses for this is “atonement” – which means reconciliation with God) For many years, the Israelites sacrificed animals, to be reconciled with God, after they had sinned. The sacrifices themselves were not a means of salvation. Rather the faith that these people had, that believed in God’s provision of sins, was the saving agent!
Along with the Law, God gave His people prophets to explain to them that One Man was to come who would be the perfect sacrifice. The very first mention in Scripture that alludes to this future solution to the problem of sin is in Genesis, when God is setting curses upon Adam, Eve and the Serpent for their sins. He says to the Serpent (who is Satan): "Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life;And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." Gen 3:14-15 (NASB)
Continued in Part Three - Jesus Can Save You!
I have already explained the bad news that because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, all humans are born pre-programmed to be sinners. (Click here if you have not already read Why Does a Person Need to Be Saved?) That page left off on a sad note, proclaiming that we are all sinners, but not explaining a hope for forgiveness of our sins. This page (and another to come) will try to take on the task of explaining how a sinner is forgiven and saved!
This page is written for the purpose of explaining salvation in a way that can be understood by everyone, including someone who is completely new to the idea of salvation. I have no fancy letters after my name that some may consider credentials for delving into this task. But, I myself am a human and saved by God’s grace. And, I will rely upon the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit to direct my words to lead others to salvation.
I want to begin with two key Scriptures to understand this topic.
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned... Romans 5:12 (NASB)
For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 (NASB)The man that brought sin into the world was Adam. Who is the one man who will be obedient and make many to be righteous? Jesus! Read this verse that is speaking of Jesus:
He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21 (NASB - clarification of names added)Jesus was a man who never sinned! But, how can that be, when “by one man sin entered into the world?” (Romans 5:12) This can only be accomplished through a miraculous kind of conception! Joseph raised Jesus, but he was not the one who placed the seed in Mary’s womb to grow!
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary . And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35 (NASB - emphasis mine)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.It is incredibly important that we understand that Jesus was the seed of the Holy Spirit – this is the only way that He could be formed without the sin nature passed down from Adam!
Matt 1:18-20 (NASB - emphasis mine)
Simply put, Jesus was a man, but not just any man! Jesus is the Son of God, because He was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
We know from Romans 5:19 that one man – Jesus – has made many people righteous, but How? What is the connection between this perfect, sinless man, to my own forgiveness? The answer to that is a little harder to put into one post. God gave us the entire Bible to show us mankind’s problem – sin, and God’s solution – salvation. I cannot thoroughly explain how a person is saved, without quoting the entire Bible to you! But, I will try to summarize as best as possible – hoping that you will read the Bible on your own for the complete story.
We have to begin by starting in the beginning of the Bible, in particular, the first five books. These first books of the Bible contain the Law/Instruction of God.
While Adam and Eve were dwelling in the Garden of Eden we only know of one law they were given:
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat , for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." Gen 2:15-17 (NASB)Unfortunately, Adam broke this agreement (or covenant) with God, and was sent out of the garden. Much later, God gave His people new laws to keep – many of them. In fact, He gave them so many laws that it was impossible to keep all these rules. With their natural propensity to sin (the sin nature) they could never be completely obedient. We cannot; however, say “That’s not fair.” Because God is Perfect and Holy. God is more fair and Just than we will ever understand (in this mortal life).
In God’s kindness and mercy, he set up a system whereby men could find forgiveness for sins. He told them how and when to sacrifice an animal to be forgiven of their many sins. (The word the Bible uses for this is “atonement” – which means reconciliation with God) For many years, the Israelites sacrificed animals, to be reconciled with God, after they had sinned. The sacrifices themselves were not a means of salvation. Rather the faith that these people had, that believed in God’s provision of sins, was the saving agent!
Along with the Law, God gave His people prophets to explain to them that One Man was to come who would be the perfect sacrifice. The very first mention in Scripture that alludes to this future solution to the problem of sin is in Genesis, when God is setting curses upon Adam, Eve and the Serpent for their sins. He says to the Serpent (who is Satan): "Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life;And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." Gen 3:14-15 (NASB)
Later prophecies are more clear and specific:
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. "Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. Isaiah 7:14-15 (NKJV)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief ; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well -being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. Isaiah 53:3-7 (NASB)
The Old Testament speaks of One man who will come and be a sacrifice for others. The New Testament explains how Jesus has fulfilled and completed the system of sacrifice that God set in place (for mankind to be forgiven of sins).
Continued in Part Three - Jesus Can Save You!
