The Bible is Source of Salvation

Posted on December 20, 2010 by admin
This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series Bible Truths and Your Salvation

Bible Truths and Your Salvation

In our previous article we stated our belief that the Bible is the wholly inspired word of God. In this article we show how the Bible is the only source of information for us to have a relationship with God, and how it is the source of salvation.

Source of Salvation and Faith

Because the Bible is a result of divine inspiration, it is like no other written text. It possesses qualities that make it unique and it changes the lives of those who believe  its message. The following passages provide examples of these qualities and effects:

“… and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

The scriptures instruct us concerning salvation and provide us with the necessary doctrine, reproof and instruction in righteousness to ensure that we bring forth the fruit of faith, good works. Salvation comes through faith in Christ Jesus and it is the word of God that produces faith:

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

Being Born Again

In Jesus’ parable of the sower, the seed represents the word of God (Matthew 13:19) and it is this word that has the power to transform our lives. The beginning of this transformation is referred to in the Bible as being “born again”.  The word of God plays an essential part in this new birth:

“…since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)
“Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18)

Jesus spoke about being born again in John 3 where he says to Nicodemus:

“Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”" (John 3:5-6)

Later on, Jesus explains what he means by “the spirit”:

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life.” (John 6:63)

In other words, the word of God and ‘spirit’ are the same thing here!  Once we have been born again by believing the gospel message and by being baptized into the name of Jesus, the word of God will continue to work in our lives if we continue to read and meditate upon it. It will help us to overcome sin, it will sanctify us and cleanse us. (See Psalm 119:9,11, John 17:17, John 15:3).

Conclusion

When the apostle Paul said goodbye to the new believers in Ephesus, he warned them about false teachers and he directed them to the word of God to ensure that they would not be lead astray, that they would grow in their faith, and that finally they would receive the inheritance of eternal life:

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:29-32)

In the next article we will look at why we all need salvation. Thanks for reading!

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This entry was posted in Bible Truths, Eternal Life, Inspiration of Bible, Plan of God, Salvation. Bookmark the permalink.

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