Salvation

What must I do to be saved?

That was the question the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas as documented in Acts 16:29 and 30...

²⁹The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 

³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

As Apostles, Paul and Silas were obligated to answer the jailer honestly and completely - obligated to tell him everything he needed to do in order to be saved.

³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Here are some key points to Biblical Salvation through faith that are often misunderstood but clarified in Pastor Griffin's teaching.

Definition of Salvation

• Salvation is understood as the deliverance from sin and its consequences, achieved through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

• The Bible emphasizes that it is a grace gift from God, not something that can be earned through works.

  
  

The Role of Grace

• The Bible teaches that grace is central to salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 states that salvation is by grace through faith, highlighting that it is not of ourselves, but a gift from God, not of works (lest any man should boast).

  
  

Eternal Security

• The doctrine of eternal security asserts that once a person is truly saved, they cannot lose their salvation.

• This provides reassurance to believers that their relationship with God is secure, regardless of their failures or sins.

• This concept is clearly documented throughout scripture:

Verse	Content
John 3:3	“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”
Titus 3:5	“He saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
Ezekiel 36:26	“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh.”
Ezekiel 36:27	“I will put my Spirit within you; I will take the initiative and you will obey my statutes and carefully observe my regulations.”
James 2:26	“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
Romans 8:30	“And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.”
Romans 8:33-34	“Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.”
John 14:17	“The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.”
Romans 8:9	“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him.”
1 Corinthians 12:13	“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit.”
John 3:15	“So that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
Romans 8:38-39	“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Process of Salvation

• The process of salvation includes:

  1. Hearing the Gospel: The message of Christ's death and resurrection.

  2. Repentance: Acknowledging you are a sinner in need of salvation. Changing your mind with regard to what you think of yourself and of Jesus of Nazareth.

  3. Faith: Accepting the person and the work of Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

  4. Receiving the Holy Spirit: Receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a seal of salvation.

     
     

The Importance of Faith

• Pastor Griffin emphasizes that faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves trust and reliance on Jesus Christ for salvation.

  
  

Assurance of Salvation

• He addresses common doubts believers may have about their salvation, providing Biblical promises and rationales to strengthen their faith. He encourages believers to rest in the assurance that their salvation is secure in Christ.

  
  

Practical Applications

• Pastor Griffin encourages believers to live out their faith actively, demonstrating their salvation through continued study and application of the Word of God. He teaches that while salvation is a gift, it should lead to a life that reflects Christ's character.