The Way of Salvation
Acts 16:30-32 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
“We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9); through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 15:11); Who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature (Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:17), yet without sin (II Corinthians 5:12); honored the divine law by His personal obedience (Galatians 4:4-5), and by His death made a full atonement for our sins (Romans 4:25; 8:32); that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven (Acts 2:30-36); and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies and divine perfections (Hebrews 2:13), He is in every way qualified to be a suitable (Hebrews 4:14-16), a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour (Hebrews 7:25).”
Salvation is the state of being saved (Acts 4:12). Salvation deals with what a man is, as well as what he does. A saved man is a man whose life has been changed (Colossians 1:13; II Corinthians 5:17). He is changed in respect to God (Romans 8:1). He is saved from the penalty of sin (Romans 6:21-23). He is saved from the wrath of God (I Thessalonians 1:9). Because salvation completely changes a man, his future prospects are also changed. (I Thessalonians 1:10).
Because a man is a sinner in every respect, he is not able to save himself. He lacks inclination, power, and merit for making himself acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:1-8).
In every way, salvation is by our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; 13:38-39). The Eternal Son of God, that He might become the Saviour of men, became the Son of man (Luke 19:10; Hebrews 2:17). He lived as an underprivileged man. He was born into poverty (II Corinthians 8:9). He lived with the toilers as one of themselves (Mark 6:3). He identified Himself with the impotence of man as well as with the nature of man. He was flesh and blood. He knew weariness, heartache, and trouble. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15; Philippians 2:7-8).
The Son of God, revealed on earth as God’s Saviour, is now enthroned in heaven (Philippians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3). He is the one mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5). His name, “JESUS”, is the name above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). By Him we are accepted (Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18). He is the Man whom God has ordained to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31; Revelation 1:6-7). He ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:24-25). He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). In Christ Jesus our LORD, we have the Apostle and High Priest of our profession (Hebrews 3:1), “able to save from the uttermost to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him” (Hebrews 7:25). He is our gracious, victorious, mighty, everlasting LORD and Saviour (John 20:30-31; I Corinthians 1:30). “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
- - - - The Scriptures below are referenced in the doctrinal statement - - - -
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
John 3:16 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.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Philippians 2:6-7 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
2 Corinthians 5:12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Acts 2:30-36 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; (31) He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. (32) This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (33) Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (34) For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, (35) Until I make thy foes thy footstool. (36) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Hebrews 2:13-16 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.