The Definition of Salvation

We have said that salvation is not composed of an accurate understanding and profession of belief in the truths of the several areas of knowledge of the Kingdom of God. "The righteous shall live by faith" has to do with how the righteous live, not with their profession of belief in the facts of redemption. The righteous live by trusting in God and not in themselves, by obeying the Lord in each decision of life.

Well then, if salvation is not a statement of "faith," just what is salvation?

Salvation is, first of all, deliverance from the wrath of God that will be poured out in the last days.

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (I Thessalonians 1:10)

After that, salvation is our change from Satan to God. The purpose of delivering us from wrath is to authorize us to begin the transformation of personality that is salvation.

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18)

Salvation includes:

• Deliverance from the wrath of God.
• The opening of the individual's eyes.
• The turning of the believer from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.
• The forgiveness of the believer's sins.
• An inheritance among those who are sanctified (set apart to God as holy) by faith that is in the Lord Jesus.

Salvation is the change from the bondage of Satan to the moral image of Christ and to untroubled union with the Father through Christ.

This is what salvation is . It is a change of what we are. It is a new creation. The first man, Adam, must be crucified. The new Man is Christ, who Himself is the Kingdom of God.

For in Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Galatians 6:15)

The mainspring of the Christian salvation is death and resurrection. If we would experience the new covenant we must enter the death of the Lord and enter the resurrection of the Lord. The degree of the Divine inheritance assigned to a son of God depends directly on his or her willingness to enter the death and resurrection of Christ.

• Salvation includes:
• Forgiveness.
• Deliverance and healing.
• Change into the image of the Lord.
• Union with the Father through Christ.
• A redeemed body.