Biblical Teachings on Salvation

Biblical Teachings on Salvation

Let’s imagine a story. Once upon a time, there was a kingdom filled with people who were trapped by a scary dragon named Sin. They couldn’t defeat Sin on their own, no matter how hard they tried. But don’t worry, this story has a hero!

1. The Hero Arrives: Just like in any good story, a hero comes to save the day. In the Bible, that hero is Jesus. A verse in the Bible, John 3:16, says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is like the king of the kingdom sending his only son, the prince, to defeat the dragon and save the people.
2. The Battle Plan: The people of the kingdom have to do something too. They have to believe in the prince and follow his ways. The Bible says in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This is like the people of the kingdom joining the prince’s team to fight the dragon.

Salvation is a big word that means being saved or rescued. In the Bible, it means being saved from sin and its consequences so we can be close to God. Let’s explore what the Bible says about salvation in a way that’s easy to understand.

Key Scriptures Explaining Salvation

1. John 3:16 (NIV): “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Example: Imagine your best friend is in trouble, and someone steps in to save them. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to save us from our sins, so we can live with Him forever.
2. Romans 10:9 (NIV): “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Example: Think about making a promise. When you say out loud that Jesus is your Lord and truly believe it in your heart, it’s like making a promise to follow Him, and God promises to save you.
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV): “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Example: Picture receiving a present you didn’t earn, just because someone loves you. Salvation is a gift from God. We can’t earn it by doing good things; we just need to accept it by believing in Jesus.

Old Testament Foreshadowing of Salvation

Even before Jesus came, the Old Testament had hints about salvation.

1. The Story of Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9):

• Story: God told Noah to build a big boat (ark) to save his family and two of every kind of animal from a huge flood.
• Lesson: Just as the ark saved Noah’s family from the flood, Jesus saves us from the consequences of sin.

1. The Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22):

• Story: God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, but at the last moment, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead.
• Lesson: This shows that God would one day provide Jesus as a sacrifice to save us.

1. The Passover (Exodus 12):

• Story: The Israelites put lamb’s blood on their doorposts so that the angel of death would pass over their houses during the last plague in Egypt.
• Lesson: The lamb’s blood saved the Israelites, just as Jesus, the Lamb of God, saves us through His sacrifice.

Understanding Salvation

1. Jesus Came to Save Us:

• Key Scripture: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10, NIV)
• Example: Imagine you’re lost in a big city and can’t find your way home. Jesus came to find us and bring us back to God.

1. Believing in Jesus:

• Key Scripture: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31, NIV)
• Example: Believing in Jesus is like trusting that a life preserver will keep you afloat in deep water. When you trust Jesus, He saves you.

1. Living a New Life:

• Key Scripture: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
• Example: Think of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. When we believe in Jesus, He changes us from the inside out, giving us a new life.

Conclusion

Salvation is God’s way of rescuing us from sin and bringing us close to Him. By believing in Jesus and accepting His gift of salvation, we can have a new life with God. Remember, it’s not something we can earn; it’s a special gift from God because He loves us so much.