GOD OFFERS SALVATION THROUGH HIS SON JESUS
Salvation is deliverance from spiritual death and enslavement by sin. God provided salvation for all who believe and accept His free offer of forgiveness. Humankind's only hope of redemption from the fallen sinful state is through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that was shed as He died on the cross. (The account of the crucifixion of Jesus is recounted by four of His contemporaries, Matthew chapter 27, Mark chapter 5, Luke chapter 23, and John chapter 19).
THE EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION
Salvation is received when a person:
1. Repents before God for one's sins, and sinful nature or inclination.
2. Believes or has faith in the fact that the death and resurrection (supernatural restoration of Life) of Jesus Christ removes and brings forgiveness for one's own sin. In response of placing faith in God's love and freely given salvation, one experiences the "washing of regeneration" (or spiritual rebirth), the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, and is declared righteous (right with God). Regeneration, renewal, and justification (justified, or made right with God) are words describing what happens at salvation. At the moment of salvation, a person becomes heir to God's promised hope of eternal or everlasting life (Luke 24:47, John 3:3, Romans 10:13-15, Ephesians 2:8, and Titus 2:11, 3:5-7).
THE EVIDENCE OF SALVATION
The inner evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Holy spirit giving one the assurance that God has accepted them (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence, visible to others, is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24, Titus 2:12) in other words, it is living a life totally committed and pleasing to God.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS DOCTRINE
The restoration of relationship between God and fallen humankind is the central message of the Bible. The entire story from Genesis through Revelation point to a God who loved fallen humankind so much that He gave His Son to die. Those who believe in Jesus Christ and His work of providing salvation have never-ending spiritual life. Every true Christian experiences salvation and becomes a new person in Christ. Without this doctrinal truth, all other doctrinal statements are empty and without meaning. More importantly, without this experience, one's life is empty and without real meaning.
