The Necessity and Basis of Salvation

One of the oldest and hottest debates in church history and theology is between two group of Christians holding opposing views: Calvinism and Armianism.

Salvation is grounded in the work of Jesus Christ

Ac 5:30–31; 1 Ti 1:15

Acts 5:30–31 NASB95

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

1 Timothy 1:15 NASB95

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

What is it that we could do more than what Jesus has already done?

See also Jn 4:42; Ac 4:10–12; Ro 5:9–10; Php 3:20–21; 2 Ti 1:9–10; Tt 3:5–7; Heb 7:24–25; 1 Jn 4:14

John 4:42 NASB95

and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Acts 4:10–12 NASB95

let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 5:9–10 NASB95

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Philippians 3:20–21 NASB95

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

2 Timothy 1:9–10 NASB95

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Titus 3:5–7 NASB95

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Hebrews 7:24–25 NASB95

but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

1 John 4:14 NASB95

We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

Jesus Christ’s death was totally sufficient for salvation

The problem with not recognizing this truth is detrimental because we place upon ourselves and others unnecessary burdens that the Lord never intended for us to carry.

1 Pe 3:18

1 Peter 3:18 NASB95

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

What does “once for all” mean?

See also Jn 17:1–4; Ac 4:10–12; Ga 1:3–4; Eph 1:5–10; 1 Ti 2:5–6; 2 Ti 1:9–10; Heb 10:10; 1 Jn 4:9–10; Re 7:9–10

John 17:1–4 NASB95

Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.

Acts 4:10–12 NASB95

Galatians 1:3–4 NASB95

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Ephesians 1:5–10 NASB95

He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

1 Timothy 2:5–6 NASB95

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

2 Timothy 1:9–10 NASB95

Hebrews 10:10 NASB95

By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

1 John 4:9–10 NASB95

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Revelation 7:9–10 NASB95

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Conclusion: Our Salvation is grounded in the Work of Jesus

IN ONE of the Superman movies, Superman saves a man from a burning building. He rescues him from the top floor and is carrying him to safety by flying through the skies. The man looks at Superman and then looks down to the ground. “I’m scared, Superman. Look how far down that is.”

Superman gives him a great answer. “Now if I delivered you from the burning fire, what makes you think I am going to drop you when I’m carrying you to safety?”

If God has delivered you from a burning hell, what makes you think He will drop you before He safely puts you down?2

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