SALVATION

"Salvation" is the result of having been "saved." The verb "save" (sozo) had a variety of ancient meanings. It could signify to deliver, to heal, to liberate, to preserve, etc., depending upon the context. Most prominently in the N.T. it has to do with deliverance from the guilt and ultimate consequence (spiritual death) of sin. Some "salvation" facts are: (a) Ultimately, salvation is from God; no sinful creature has the ability to save himself (Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:4-5). (b) Salvation was made possible through the redemptive mission of Jesus of Nazareth (Mt. 1:21; Lk. 2:9-11; Acts 4:12; Rom. 3:21ff). (c) The plan of salvation is revealed in the gospel message (Rom. 1:16-17; Eph. 1:13). (d) Human beings have a role to play in salvation; they are not merely passive objects in the process (Acts 2:40; Phil. 2:12; 1 Pet. 4:17-18). (e) There is an immediate salvation at the point of baptism (Mk. 16:16), but there is also a salvation at the end of life (Rom. 13:11; 1 Pet. 1:5, 9), provided one has remained faithful to his Lord. (f) It is possible to "neglect" one's salvation and finally be lost (Heb. 2:3; Acts 8:13, 20).