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Salvation
Salvation implies a need for rescue from some imminent peril. Salvation is portrayed throughout the Old Testament by the perils experienced by people and the rescue that God provided to them. These historical accounts supply object lessons about a person’s inability to rescue themself, a person’s complete dependence on God for rescue, and the miraculous ways that God does rescue. While all of this can bring courage and encouragement for facing the real-world problems people experience today, the point of the object lessons is meant to help people understand the spiritual peril and salvation taught in the New Testament.
In the New Testament one finds that the greatest spiritual peril is humanity’s sinful nature and the consequence for the sinful actions it drives people to do. This sin results in a person being condemned before the Holy God. The New Testament repeatedly makes it clear that no amount of good deeds, church attendance, religious rites, pilgrimages, self debasement, or self denial (and the list goes on) can undo or make up for a person’s sins. Thus, people remain condemned before God.
However, a miraculous salvation has been provided by God. God took upon himself humanity in the person described in the New Testament as Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life. Then, by God’s design, Jesus Christ was able to offer His sinless life in proxy for humankind and receive in Himself the condemnation assigned to sinful people. This was accomplished through His death on the cross. After being buried, He rose from the dead. No, small miracle! Christ’s resurrection is God’s way of telling people that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice provided the needed rescue.
Finally, the New Testament teaches that salvation comes through repentance and faith. Repentance is coming to terms with the spiritual reality that I am sinful and have done sinful things. Further, I cannot undo my sins or fix my sinfulness. I am, therefore, justly condemned before God. Faith trusts that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection do, in fact, fully address all my sins and sinfulness before God, and that His promise of complete and eternal salvation for me is true.
Discipleship
In the New Testament Jesus desired people to follow Him and obey His teachings. He wanted people to turn away from sinful behaviour, worship God, and set living for God as the highest priority in their lives. This is what He taught and modeled throughout His life. He instructed His disciples to teach and model these same things. This they did. They also wrote down Jesus’ teachings, which are now contained in the Bible. As a result, Jesus’ teachings can still be read and studied by anyone who desires to be His disciple.
The first thing a person who wants to be a disciple of Jesus will learn is their need for salvation. Repentance toward God for one’s sinfulness and faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins is essential. This is sometimes referred to as “being saved” or “born-again”. The second thing a born-again disciple encounters is Jesus’ command to be baptized. Baptism (immersion in water) is a one-time, public rite that a disciple chooses to do. It is a ceremonial way that disciples identify themselves as followers of Jesus.
The third thing a disciple will be concerned with is joining a group of other disciples that meet together in a local church. Local churches are essential to a disciple’s spiritual wellbeing. They allow disciples the opportunity to learn together, worship together, and serve God together. Choosing a local church can be a daunting task with the large array of options available in Christianity. These guidelines may help:
– Teachings in the local church should be based on the Bible, not church traditions or group consensus.
– Teachings in the local church should be Christ-centered.
– A clear gospel of faith and repentance (not good works, good living, or religious rites) should be preached and taught.
– Disciples should have the opportunity to personally engage in corporate worship and prayer.
Finally, a disciple strives to live a life that is pleasing to Jesus Christ. It is not done out of obligation or requirement, but rather out of love and appreciation for the salvation and forgiveness that the disciple has been given by God.
Fellowship
Fellowship is essentially having things in common with other people. People are bound together through common interests, experiences, points of view, and beliefs. In terms of Christianity, fellowship is often focused around a local church. The primary thing the members have in common is that they have all received salvation from God through faith in Jesus Christ. One of the most tangible ways fellowship between Christians is expressed is by breaking bread together (some local churches refer to this as communion). While this is an important activity, fellowship runs much deeper. Three short thoughts are presented here for your consideration.
Members of a local church meet for many common purposes. One is evangelism. Evangelism is a common goal that ranges from having a public presence in the community to in-home Bible studies. Another activity is prayer. Prayer is a common practice, which is often focused on praying for missionaries, fellow believers, family, friends, neighbours, and the country. Financial donations are a shared duty in a local church. Giving to support gospel missions, aid disaster relief, help poor families, and support the local church’s operations is a common group funding objective.
The Bible teaches that Christians enjoy a fellowship with God the Father. Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ also forges a relationship with God the Father. Jesus is the common bond. As one studies the Bible they can learn of the great admiration and pleasure God has for His Son. His disciples also develop great admiration and pleasure in Jesus.
And, the Bible also teaches that we have fellowship with the Son, Jesus Christ. Baptism demonstrates two things Christians have in common with Jesus. Submersion in baptism shows that the Christian shares in Christ’s death. Coming out of the water shows that the Christian shares in Christ’s resurrection. Further, the Christian’s eternal future is directly tied to Jesus. It is more than simply arriving in heaven. It is being with Him, displaying His glory, and sharing in His kingdom.