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What Does It Mean to Be Saved According to the Scriptures?

Salvation in the Old Testament Context

The concept of salvation in Scripture begins with humanity’s need for deliverance from sin and its consequences, as recorded in the earliest chapters of Genesis. After Adam and Eve disobeyed Jehovah’s command (Genesis 2:16–17; 3:6), sin entered the world, and death followed as the penalty for their transgression (Romans 5:12). From that moment, Jehovah revealed His plan of salvation, promising a future Redeemer who would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). This promise, often referred to as the protoevangelium or "first gospel," is foundational to the entire biblical narrative.

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of Jehovah acting as a Savior to His people. The deliverance of Noah and his family from the flood (Genesis 6:13–22; 7:1–24) illustrates Jehovah’s power to save the righteous from destruction. Similarly, the Exodus account portrays Jehovah’s redemption of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Moses proclaimed to the Israelites, “Stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will work for you today” (Exodus 14:13). These acts of deliverance prefigure the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ, but they are not merely allegories—they are historical events that reveal Jehovah’s character and His plan for humanity.

Throughout the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, salvation is often presented as a future hope tied to obedience to Jehovah’s covenant. Deuteronomy 30:15–16 emphasizes the necessity of choosing life through obedience: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of Jehovah your God that I command you today, by loving Jehovah your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and Jehovah your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.” The covenantal relationship between Jehovah and His people required faith and action, foreshadowing the New Testament's emphasis on faith and obedience.

The Psalms frequently extol Jehovah as the source of salvation. David declared, “Jehovah is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2). This reliance on Jehovah as Savior underscores the biblical truth that salvation originates solely from Him. Isaiah further prophesied about the coming Messiah who would bring ultimate deliverance: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:4–5). The anticipation of salvation through the Messiah becomes a dominant theme, setting the stage for its fulfillment in the New Testament.

The Fulfillment of Salvation in Jesus Christ

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise of salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The angel announced to Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus’ name, derived from the Hebrew Yeshua, means “Jehovah is salvation,” encapsulating His mission on earth.

Jesus’ ministry was marked by calls to repentance and faith. In Mark 1:15, Jesus proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” This message highlights the two essential components of salvation: turning away from sin and placing trust in the good news of Jehovah’s redemptive work through Christ. Unlike the Old Testament sacrificial system, which served as a temporary atonement for sins (Hebrews 10:1–4), Jesus offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12–14). His death on the cross fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant and established the new covenant foretold in Jeremiah 31:31–34.

The apostle Paul articulated the doctrine of salvation with precision, emphasizing its basis in grace through faith. In Ephesians 2:8–9, he wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This grace is made available to all people, as Paul affirmed in Titus 2:11: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” However, grace does not negate the necessity of obedience and perseverance in faith. James 2:17 declares, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead,” underscoring that genuine faith manifests in actions consistent with Jehovah’s will.

Jesus’ resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian hope and assurance of salvation. Paul asserted, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). The resurrection demonstrates Jehovah’s power over death and guarantees eternal life for those who belong to Christ (Romans 6:5). Baptism, as commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:19) and practiced by the apostles (Acts 2:38), symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Peter emphasized its significance, stating, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

The Process of Sanctification and Final Salvation

Salvation is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of sanctification. This process involves growing in holiness and conforming to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Paul exhorted believers to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13). This exhortation underscores the cooperative nature of sanctification, where the believer actively pursues righteousness while relying on Jehovah’s power.

Scripture warns against complacency, highlighting the necessity of perseverance. Jesus taught, “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13), and Paul echoed this truth, writing, “If we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1–23) illustrates the dangers of falling away, emphasizing the importance of rooting one’s faith deeply in the Word of God.

Ultimately, salvation will be consummated at the return of Christ, when the faithful will be resurrected to eternal life. Paul described this event in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” This glorious hope motivates believers to live in anticipation of Christ’s return, striving to remain blameless until the day of His coming (2 Peter 3:14).

Conclusion: The Biblical Doctrine of Salvation

The Bible presents salvation as a multifaceted doctrine encompassing deliverance from sin, a call to holiness, and the promise of eternal life. It is rooted in Jehovah’s grace, accomplished through Jesus Christ’s atoning work, and actualized in the believer’s life through faith, repentance, baptism, and obedience. This journey, sustained by the Word of God, culminates in the ultimate redemption of the faithful at Christ’s return, when Jehovah will dwell eternally with His people (Revelation 21:3–4).

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).