OUTLINE:
What is salvation?
– Hebrew yesha (root for Joshua & Jesus) – refers to freedom from something binding/restricting deliverance
– Greek soteria – means deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation; to cure, to rescue
Instead of Seeking Theology…
Somewhere along the line, the religious Jews lost sight of the spirit in favor of the letter – they lost sight of Christ, the Savior, as they clung to their religion – and their religion became their “savior”.
Jn 5:39-40, 46
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life…For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.
Religious Sacrifices
When performed righteously before God (through faith); they were not construed as the means of salvation; rather, they were ‘types’ (prophetic symbols – physical illustrations of spiritual realities) of Christ’s ultimate, final sacrifice. (Heb 10-11)
Instead of Seeking Theology…
Somewhere along the line, the religious Jews lost sight of the spirit in favor of the letter – they lost sight of Christ, the Savior, as they clung to their religion – and their religion became their “savior”.
OT Salvation Perspective
We see that salvation had an implied “from”, meaning God saved them FROM something that threatened them with harm. Salvation was a safe-haven for those who turned to their Savior for deliverance.
Lk 4:21
And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” [aka – “I’m the Messiah!”]
The Context of Salvation
If we’re going to understand the fullness of Jesus’ words in the four Gospels, we must understand the context of His ministry to the Jews.
What is salvation?
– Hebrew yesha (root for Joshua & Jesus) – refers to freedom from something binding/restricting deliverance
– Greek soteria – means deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation; to cure, to rescue
2 Implications of Salvation
– There’s a need for salvation (Gen 2:17; Ps 19:1; 69:1-2; Ecc 7:20; Is 1:6; Jer 17:9; Mt 9:1-2; 14:25-30; Mk 7:20-23; Lk 19:10; Jn 8:44; Ac 8:30-31; 14:17; Ro 1:19-20; 2:14-16; 3:19; 5:12; 2Co 4:4; Eph 2:2,12; Jas 4:4; 1Jn 2:15-16; 3:10; 5:12; Jud 1:19)
– There’s a willing/able party that saves (Zech 9:9; Mt 8:2-3; Lk 1:68-69; 2:29-30; 3:5-6; Ac 4:12; Ro 1:16; Eph 3:20; 1Ti 2:3-4; 2Ti 1:12; Tit 2:11; Heb 2:18; 5:9; 7:25; 2Pe 3:9; Jud 1:24)
The Nature of Creatures
Creatures have an irresistible urge to do whatever they are naturally inclined to do.
We cannot lay claim to a single act of goodness from a state of total depravity.
The Total Depravity of Man
A.W. Pink
Perfectly Righteous Creatures
Before the Fall, Adam and Eve were totally dependent on God’s provisions. After the fall, in their newly formed evil estate, their nature naturally chose self-righteousness (e.g., they covered themselves, hid from God).
God’s Holiness Demands Holiness
In order to fellowship with God, one:
1. Cannot be sinful
2. Must possess perfect righteousness