Lesson 6 – Receiving Salvation

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1. DID JESUS REALLY SAVE EVERYONE?

John 3:16 — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

2 Corinthians 5:19 — God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.

Jesus paid for the sins of everyone.

2. IS EVERYONE THEN SAVED?

2 Thessalonians 1:9 — They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord.

Many are not saved, even though Jesus paid for their sins.

3. WHO RECEIVES THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE?

Ephesians 2:8,9 — For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 5:1 — Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 4:24,25 — But also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness — for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Those who trust Jesus as their own God and Savior will have eternal life.

4. WHAT IS FAITH?

James 2:19 — You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.

Faith is more than knowing what Jesus did.

Matthew 8:8 — Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

Faith depends on God’s Word alone.

Romans 8:38,39 — For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 1:21 — For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Faith is the confidence that through Jesus alone we have eternal life.

5. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF FAITH IN JESUS?

Romans 10:17 — Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

2 Timothy 3:15 — You have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

The Bible is the source of Christian faith.

6. WHAT IS THE BIBLE?

Hebrews 1:1,2 — In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.

2 Timothy 3:16 —All Scripture is God-breathed.

John 17:17 — Your word is truth.

1 Peter 1:24,25 — For all men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.

The Bible is God’s own message to man. It is completely without error and reliable for all people of all ages.

7. HOW DO WE RECEIVE FAITH FROM THE BIBLE?

Romans 1:16 — I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

1 Corinthians 2:14 — The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.

1 Corinthians 12:3 — No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16 — Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

God in the Person of the Holy Spirit produces faith among those who hear God’s Word.

SUMMARY: Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. He provided forgiveness for everyone. Sad to say, many do not accept this truth. Thus they deprive themselves of the salvation that Christ has won for them. Only those who believe in Jesus as their Savior will finally enjoy eternal life.

But even this faith is not our doing. God the Holy Spirit comes to us through the Word of God — the Holy Bible and the sacraments. With these “means of grace” he gives us faith to believe what God teaches, especially that Jesus is our Savior and Lord.

QUICKIE QUIZ (T or F)

  1. ___ Jesus also paid for the sins of those who go to hell.
  2. ___ Those who believe in God will be saved.
  3. ___ It doesn’t make any difference what you believe, as long as you’re sincere.
  4. ___ If you’re not sincere, it doesn’t make any difference what you profess to believe.
  5. ___ The devil does not believe that Jesus died for the sins of the world.
  6. ___ We will go to heaven if we believe in Jesus and try to live according to our faith.
  7. ___ Faith comes to those who pray for it.
  8. ___ A good pastor will bring many people to faith.
  9. ___ Every word of the Bible is true because the Bible is inspired by God.
  10. ___ The Holy Spirit is God.

WHERE DOES THE BIBLE SAY

  1. that believers have eternal life?

    John 3:16 — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

  2. that faith is a gift from God?

    Ephesians 2:8,9 — For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

  3. that only the Holy Spirit can make us believe?

    1 Corinthians 12:3 — No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

  4. that the Bible is true?

    John 17:17 — Your word is truth.

  5. that God saves us through the gospel?

    Romans 1:16 — I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

For more information you can watch this lesson presented as a Bible study HERE.  Please click HERE to find the complete series of Bible studies.

Previous Lesson – #5 The Price of Our Salvation

Next Lesson – #7 Receiving Salvation Through Baptism