Salvation as I Understand It
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Salvation continued:
In my opinion, this sequence of events to salvation fits perfectly together based on the “foundation/cornerstone” of salvation, and that being: “God is a Spirit” as stated above. Salvation is a “spiritual”experience/event. While it can and most often does have a dramatic effect upon our physical beings, it is first and foremost a spiritual event that forever changes us from sinner to Sons of God.
God the Spirit Being, through the Holy Spirit, moves upon our spirit to call us to Him unto salvation. That salvation being the “eternal life” of our spirit.
THUS: We have “Calling,” “Conviction,”“Confession,” and “Cleansing.” At this point, we have become an Heir to the Promise.
John3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is important to state that at the time of our being “cleansed” of our sin, what is happening is we (our hearts/spirit) is being “baptized" in the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I refer to this as“blood baptism.” Others call it the baptism of Jesus Christ. Either way, this is the baptism unto salvation in my opinion. For unless we have been baptized into Him, we can not receive eternal life.
One final Scripture to tie this all together: Matthew 23:25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 .) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
We have become a “newly born” spiritual child who has received the gift of Grace, and have become Heirs to the Promise. We, basically, are a cup that has been cleansed, but we are an “empty” cup at this point. We need to be “filled.”
What are we “filled” with, and how does that happen? This is where we begin our life walk with/in Christ. This is the beginning of our journey towards“sanctification.” Let us look to Scripture once again.
Hebrews10:1) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.2 .) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins……..9) Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.10 .) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all……….12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 .) From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14.) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.15 .) Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 .) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17.) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 .) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 .) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 .) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say,his flesh; 21 .) And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 .) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 .) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised,)
In my opinion, the path to “perfection” is a life journey of striving to live Christ like, study of the Word of God, and walking in obedience to His Commandments. There is much included in these. Many of the things Scripture tell us that we should do. Obeying the Two Greatest Commandments given to us by Jesus, good works,and much more.
Sanctification and Salvation are two different occurrences in the life of a believer. In my opinion,they may or may not happen at the same time. I have already described how salvation comes to be. But those steps I described do not “sanctify”us, rather they prepare us for sanctification.
When God writes His laws in our minds and hearts, we begin to be “filled” by Him. Surely obedience to His Commandments are necessary, and this is where “water baptism” comes in. Water baptism, in my opinion, is an act of obedience to the Commandment from Jesus Christ that we be water baptized just as He was. There are two good reasons for this other than being obedient to Him, or are the “fruit” of our obedience to Him. First, our water baptism serves as a witness to the Church that we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and that we are now one of the Body of Christ. Second, our water baptism serves as a witnessto the world that we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and that we are now a disciple of Jesus Christ. A new man! Born again! I believe water baptism is a very important act of obedience in a new believer’s life walk with Jesus Christ. However, water baptism is not the baptism unto salvation in my opinion. It is one of the works of obedience that we must accomplish on our journey of sanctification unto perfection.
In my opinion, this sequence of events to salvation fits perfectly together based on the “foundation/cornerstone” of salvation, and that being: “God is a Spirit” as stated above. Salvation is a “spiritual”experience/event. While it can and most often does have a dramatic effect upon our physical beings, it is first and foremost a spiritual event that forever changes us from sinner to Sons of God.
God the Spirit Being, through the Holy Spirit, moves upon our spirit to call us to Him unto salvation. That salvation being the “eternal life” of our spirit.
THUS: We have “Calling,” “Conviction,”“Confession,” and “Cleansing.” At this point, we have become an Heir to the Promise.
John3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is important to state that at the time of our being “cleansed” of our sin, what is happening is we (our hearts/spirit) is being “baptized" in the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I refer to this as“blood baptism.” Others call it the baptism of Jesus Christ. Either way, this is the baptism unto salvation in my opinion. For unless we have been baptized into Him, we can not receive eternal life.
One final Scripture to tie this all together: Matthew 23:25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 .) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
We have become a “newly born” spiritual child who has received the gift of Grace, and have become Heirs to the Promise. We, basically, are a cup that has been cleansed, but we are an “empty” cup at this point. We need to be “filled.”
What are we “filled” with, and how does that happen? This is where we begin our life walk with/in Christ. This is the beginning of our journey towards“sanctification.” Let us look to Scripture once again.
Hebrews10:1) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.2 .) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins……..9) Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.10 .) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all……….12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 .) From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14.) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.15 .) Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 .) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17.) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 .) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 .) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 .) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say,his flesh; 21 .) And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 .) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 .) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised,)
In my opinion, the path to “perfection” is a life journey of striving to live Christ like, study of the Word of God, and walking in obedience to His Commandments. There is much included in these. Many of the things Scripture tell us that we should do. Obeying the Two Greatest Commandments given to us by Jesus, good works,and much more.
Sanctification and Salvation are two different occurrences in the life of a believer. In my opinion,they may or may not happen at the same time. I have already described how salvation comes to be. But those steps I described do not “sanctify”us, rather they prepare us for sanctification.
When God writes His laws in our minds and hearts, we begin to be “filled” by Him. Surely obedience to His Commandments are necessary, and this is where “water baptism” comes in. Water baptism, in my opinion, is an act of obedience to the Commandment from Jesus Christ that we be water baptized just as He was. There are two good reasons for this other than being obedient to Him, or are the “fruit” of our obedience to Him. First, our water baptism serves as a witness to the Church that we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and that we are now one of the Body of Christ. Second, our water baptism serves as a witnessto the world that we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and that we are now a disciple of Jesus Christ. A new man! Born again! I believe water baptism is a very important act of obedience in a new believer’s life walk with Jesus Christ. However, water baptism is not the baptism unto salvation in my opinion. It is one of the works of obedience that we must accomplish on our journey of sanctification unto perfection.
Salvation, final comment........
Baptism unto Salvation:
Galatians 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Ephesians 4:5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Titus 3:5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost
1[SUP]st[/SUP] Peter 3:21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of JesusChrist:
1[SUP]st[/SUP] Corinthians 12:13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(final thought; look above and reread this scripture: "and our bodies washed with pure water.")
Baptism unto Salvation:
Galatians 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Ephesians 4:5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Titus 3:5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost
1[SUP]st[/SUP] Peter 3:21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of JesusChrist:
1[SUP]st[/SUP] Corinthians 12:13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(final thought; look above and reread this scripture: "and our bodies washed with pure water.")
You said in the first portion of your blog: " 2) John 6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day
I believe that God calls us through the Holy Spirit. In that the Holy Spirit moves upon our heart, upon our spirit to make us aware of our sinful life."
AND
"Once we become aware of His calling, of the Holy Spirit moving upon/within us, we face a decision. "
The Holy Spirit convicts through the spoken word and thus He being in the believers in speaking unto sinners is all the Holy Spirit is doing.
My point here is that sinners are not given the Holy Spirit until they come to & believe in Jesus Christ. So when the scripture signify the Father as doing the job of drawing them unto the Son, then He did it: not the Holy Spirit.
Jesus always specified Who is doing what: so to support this truth that it is actually the Father drawing them unto the Son: we have more scripture.
Matthew 11:[SUP]25 [/SUP]At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. [SUP]26 [/SUP]Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. [SUP]27 [/SUP]All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
John 10:[SUP]28 [/SUP]And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. [SUP]30 [/SUP]I and my Father are one.
It is an error to draw more from the scripture than what was actually written in giving credit to the Holy Spirit when it has been clearly given to the Father.
Yes, the Holy Spirit is God. Yes, He has a specified role, but so does the Father.
Believers has a tendency to fall back to the One God approach to justify giving credit of a specified role that is due to the Son to give it to the Holy Spirit in many cases. Some do the same thing with the Father as He is the One of the Triune God that draws us to the Son.
It is a common practise that needs to be addressed and pruned in being a better witness of the truth as it is given in the scripture. Even I need the help of the Good Shepherd through the Holy Spirit in me to do that all the time.
I believe that God calls us through the Holy Spirit. In that the Holy Spirit moves upon our heart, upon our spirit to make us aware of our sinful life."
AND
"Once we become aware of His calling, of the Holy Spirit moving upon/within us, we face a decision. "
The Holy Spirit convicts through the spoken word and thus He being in the believers in speaking unto sinners is all the Holy Spirit is doing.
My point here is that sinners are not given the Holy Spirit until they come to & believe in Jesus Christ. So when the scripture signify the Father as doing the job of drawing them unto the Son, then He did it: not the Holy Spirit.
Jesus always specified Who is doing what: so to support this truth that it is actually the Father drawing them unto the Son: we have more scripture.
Matthew 11:[SUP]25 [/SUP]At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. [SUP]26 [/SUP]Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. [SUP]27 [/SUP]All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
John 10:[SUP]28 [/SUP]And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. [SUP]30 [/SUP]I and my Father are one.
It is an error to draw more from the scripture than what was actually written in giving credit to the Holy Spirit when it has been clearly given to the Father.
Yes, the Holy Spirit is God. Yes, He has a specified role, but so does the Father.
Believers has a tendency to fall back to the One God approach to justify giving credit of a specified role that is due to the Son to give it to the Holy Spirit in many cases. Some do the same thing with the Father as He is the One of the Triune God that draws us to the Son.
It is a common practise that needs to be addressed and pruned in being a better witness of the truth as it is given in the scripture. Even I need the help of the Good Shepherd through the Holy Spirit in me to do that all the time.
F
FORHISGLORY
Guest
Salvation is by God's grace ! Salvation began in eternity past. God chose who He decided to save before the foundation of the world(Eph.1:4).The second step is proclamation. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God(Rom.10:17). The third step is regeneration(Titus 3:5). At the kairos(the apponted time by God,Acts 13:48 ) moment God made you come alive in Christ(Eph.2:2). This process is known by theologians as Ortis Salutis or the order of salvation. God is so Good !