IS SALVATION ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST?

            Salvation [Part 2 – Salvation only through Jesus Christ]

In this study we are going to be looking at what the Bible has to say about the ultimate path to salvation, and in whom we can obtain salvation, and why.

1    Why was Jesus given the name “Jesus”?

“And she [Mary] shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall SAVE His people FROM THEIR SINS.” – Matthew 1:21.

Note: According to this text, Jesus is the solution to the sin problem that we have been discussing in the previous series entitled ORIGIN OF EVIL. This name [Jesus] reveals His primary mission here on earth as “to seek and to save that which was lost.” – Luke 19:10. Read Luke 5:32.

2    How many names are given to humanity from which salvation can be obtained?

“For there is...one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...Neither is there salvation in other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” – 1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 4:12.

Note: Acts 4:10 reveals that the only name from which we obtain salvation is “the name of Jesus.” “Jesus saith unto him [Thomas], I am THE WAY, the truth, and the life...” – John 14:6. Jesus is not one of the ways, but the only way, hence He calls Himself “the way” and not “a way.” To ensure that we don’t miss this point He adds the following in this very verse, “no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” While the Bible teaches that any man can be saved, it also teaches clearly that there is only one way to obtain salvation, and that is through Jesus Christ.

3    Why was Jesus’ incarnation necessary?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of the flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that THROUGH DEATH He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” – Hebrews 2:14.

Note: One of the reasons why Jesus had to become a man was so that He could die in the place of a sinner. “...Jesus came into the world to save sinners...” – 1 Timothy 1:15. Read Luke 19:10; Matthew 20:28. Him becoming a human being allowed Him to live as a human being, and to die in the place of sinner. Even though He “knew no sin”, still He was “made sin for us...that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” See 2 Corinthians 5:21. He traded places with us.

4    How does the blood of the Lamb [Jesus] play a role in the forgiveness of sin?

“...without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission [of sin]...In whom [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” – Hebrews 9:22; Ephesians 1:7.

Note: When Adam and Eve sinned, they were disconnected from God, and the Saviour took the initiative to reconcile them to their heavenly Father. He sought them when they sought Him not, even though they sinned. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of SKINS, and clothed them.” – Genesis 3:21. Not only did the Saviour provide the physical clothes to cover their physical nakedness, but the blood that was shed as the animal was slaughtered was to cover their spiritual nakedness. God was the first to initiate the sacrificial system after Adam and Eve sinned. Since “without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission [of sin]”, the animal had to be sacrificed to make atonement [propitiation] for them. As this animal shed its blood, this was a symbol for the blood of Christ which was soon going to be “shed...for the remission of sins.” – Matthew 26:28. Jesus, the Son of God is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” – Revelation 13:8. There were many animals which were sacrificed in the Old Testament as a symbol of Jesus, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” – John 1:29. In other words, Jesus was the ultimate Lamb which every person looked forward to. Jesus Christ took the position of the sinner as the Lamb of God, and died on his behalf. All the animals sacrificed were a type [shadow] of the anti-type [fulfilment] which is none other than Jesus, the Lamb of God. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23. This shows that those who lived prior to the first coming of Christ looked forward in FAITH to the coming Saviour as they sacrificed those animals, and us today we look back to the cross in FAITH. FAITH HAS BEEN AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE MEANS FOR ACCEPTING THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS.

5    How did God demonstrate His love toward humanity? 

“For GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” – John 3:16,17.

Note: Read Romans 5:8. Jesus was given to make salvation available for everyman that would ever be born on this planet, yet it is the responsibility of that individual to accept this free sacrifice by faith. Please read Isaiah 53 which is a prophecy about Jesus, the Saviour of mankind.

WHY WE NEED A SAVIOUR!

       Salvation [Part 1 - You need a Saviour!]

In our previous study called ORIGIN OF EVIL, we learnt that when sin entered the world, every creature suffered the consequences of sin, even nature itself. And ever since, there has been a degradation in the nature of man, and we know that this was not God’s original plan: “...An enemy hath done this.” – Matthew 13:28. Now in this series we are going to see how God makes a way for humanity to escape the terrible consequences of sin, the power of sin and eternal death as we know that “sin...bringeth forth death.” – James 1:15.

1    What is sin?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” – 1 John 3:4.

Note: This is the only definition of sin in God’s word. Bible does contain several examples of sin, e.g. “All unrighteousness is sin...” – 1 John 5:17; “...whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” – Romans 14:23; knowing good and not doing it is sin (see James 4:17), etc. but our only definition of sin is “the transgression of the law.” In the Garden of Eden, man was given a law which said that he must not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and when he disobeyed that law, he sinned against His Marker.

2    How does sin affect a new born baby?

“Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” – Psalm 51:5.

Note: We are not born with a record of sin, but we are all born with a sinful nature; a nature inclined to sinning. Even though we are born with the inclination to sin, we ourselves choose to sin. We all know that lying and swearing is wrong but we do it either way. This is because we are more inclined to do that which is wrong than to do that which is right before the eyes of God. And by repeating sin we become more and more evil.” Read Isaiah 48:8. Every descendant of Adam is born with a sinful nature (nature bent toward sin). “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” – Romans 5:12. This is why the Bible says we are “by nature the children of wrath.” – Ephesians 2:3.

This is MAN’S CONDITION AS A RESULT OF SIN which entered the world:

(a)    He is born in sin – Psalm 51:5.

(b)   His understanding is darkened – Ephesians 4:18.

(c)    His heart is full of evil – Jeremiah 17:9.

(d)   He is spiritually dead – Colossians 2:13.

(e)   His conscience is defiled – Titus 1:15.

3    Can a man change his situation by himself?

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” – Jeremiah 13:23.
"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."- Matthew 7:18

Note: Mankind needs an external help in order for him to change his sinful nature. This implies that WE ALL NEED A SAVIOUR because we are not able to fix ourselves. Every human being needs salvation. SALVATION means to being saved from the penalty, power, and presence of sin. While salvation is a free gift as we will see in the future studies, yet an individual has a choice to accept this gift. So it is in the hands of an individual to accept to be saved from sin, it’s consequences, and its power.
"....The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." - Luke 18:27

4    Is there hope for me?

Answer: “For to him that is joined to all the living there is HOPE: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.” – Ecclesiastes 9:4.

Note: For as a long as we are alive, there is hope that God can still reach us and transform us. We should make things right with God while there’s still an opportunity. This is why the Scripture says, “Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” – Isaiah 55:6. Read Jeremiah 29:13. This verse [Isaiah 55:6] suggest that there is going to be a time when God’s mercy won’t be found, and for this reason we are to seek Him while we still have a chance to do so. Read 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3,4. Are you willing to seek the Lord with all your heart? I hope your answer is yes. May the Lord bless!