Salvation In The New Testament


In our continued studies on the translated word "salvation", we now enter the New Testament. Here we will see a further transformation of the word into a realized fact. Some of the New Testament passages are just quotes from Old Testament writings and thus will carry the same meaning from the original writings.
The word for salvation in the Greek language is;
Soteria(4991). Taken from the root word Soze (4982) which means "to save". Soteria means "to save", "deliverance", "preservation", "salvation". Used of material and temporal deliverance in some passages. Used of spiritual and eternal deliverance in some passages. Used of the present experience of God's power to deliver in some passages. Used of the future deliverance at the second coming of Christ in some passages. Used inclusively of all the blessings of God in some passages. And occasionally standing for the Savior Himself in two verses. Used as an ascription of praise to God in one passage. And used to describe what God bestows upon us in one passage.

Luke 1:69 (KJV)
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

Luke 1:77 (KJV)
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Both of these passages are included in the prophecy of Zacharias, the father of John the baptist. Both of these discuss the deliverance that God provides for His people. Similar quotes are found in 1 Sam 2:1, and Psa 106:10.



Luke 2:30 (KJV)
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
We have mentioned Simeon in the temple. Luke describes this person who waited upon the salvation of the Lord. The prophets had written about a coming salvation which would be greater than what they understood salvation to be. This person along with Anna, had been waiting for the proper signs, and now they have come.

Luke 3:6 (KJV)
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
This word is taken from the greek word "Soterion" (4992) which describes the hope of eternal life, and also is used metaphorically as a helmet in Eph 6. This is also the word that Titus 2:11 uses as Salvation hath appeared unto all men.
This of course is a quotation from Isa 40:5. Here is a case where those in Isaiah's day did not understand what those in the New Testament day understood. By the time Luke was written, the understanding of eternal life had been known for about twenty years.

Luke 19:9 (KJV)
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
Zaccheus was a sinner who had just repented to Jesus. Jesus proclaimed that this person would now once again benefit from the blessings that God gives to His faithful ones.

John 4:22 (KJV)
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
As Jesus is speaking to the woman at the well, He describes the source of salvation. It is through the promise of blessings given to Abraham and his descendants by God. Also, we can understand that the God of the Jews is the only God that can produce salvation.

Acts 4:12 (KJV)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Here is the first recorded instance of salvation being used as something eternal in nature. Notice also now, that we are in the "last days" or the Christian dispensation. This salvation is that which saves us from our current problems, as well as provides a future deliverance in the end times.

Acts 13:26 (KJV)
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
Paul gives a very brief history of the Jewish people and proclaims that the salvation promised by God is that which Paul and his companions are proclaiming.

Acts 13:47 (KJV)
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Here, Paul is quoting Isaiah 42:6 as he describes to the Jews that their rejection is what caused the Gospel to be taken to the Gentiles who would receive it with gladness.

Acts 16:17 (KJV)
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
Of course, Paul was a little put out because of the girl with the spirit of divination, but she was speaking the truth. For Paul and his companions were bringing a way of salvation which had not been realized before that time for those people.

Acts 28:28 (KJV)
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Paul had just quoted Isaiah 6:9-10. Once again, Paul tells the Jews that they have rejected the salvation of God, but that the Gentiles eagerly wait for it and will receive it.

Romans 1:16 (KJV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
This usage is in the sense of deliverance from the bondage of sin, and also the promised hope of a relationship with God, realized in an eternal existence. Notice, that there are conditions placed upon receiving this salvation.

Romans 10:10 (KJV)
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
This usage is the deliverance of the spiritual and eternal nature. Although confession is necessary, it cannot be implied that confession is all that is needed to obtain this salvation. One still has to meet the requirements that God has given in order to be saved.

Romans 11:11 (KJV)
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Paul had just quoted Isaiah 29:10 and Psalms 69:22-23.
The message is that some of God's chosen would reject the way of salvation provided through Jesus Christ. And as a result, the message would be taken to the Gentiles to satisfy the needs of all mankind.

Romans 13:11 (KJV)
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
This usage is the eternal home in Heaven with God. Once we have obeyed the gospel, and been saved from our past sins, we must still labor on seeking the great reward of the faithful. The longer we live, the closer this salvation gets to us.

2 Corinthians 1:6 (KJV)
And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
Paul is using this as a present deliverance from sin and oppression. Paul's example should serve as a model for those people to follow. We also should follow the model of Paul.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Paul takes a quotation from Isaiah 49:8 and makes an application for all people. Why put off your salvation. Today is the best time to be saved. Do not take a chance that something could prevent you from accepting Christ as your source of eternal salvation. Just do it now.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (KJV)
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Salvation CAN be obtained, but it requires certain actions and deeds to be reached. For in the case of a fallen child of God, they must work repentance because of the sorrow they have. Working repentance is an action that shows we really have changed our hearts and course of action.

Ephesians 1:13 (KJV)
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Here, the word is used in the sense of a present deliverance mixed in with the future hope. Notice it is the gospel of Christ that gives us this hope. The gospel of Christ is the source of our salvation.

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Used metaphorically to describe a sort of protection, we must learn that the hope of our salvation should keep us in constant duty to God.

Philippians 1:19 (KJV)
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Paul is describing a deliverance from prison. NASB uses the word "deliverance" instead of salvation.

Philippians 1:28 (KJV)
And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
If the Philippians conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel (v.27) and stand firm in it, their adversaries will see the sign of destruction, but the faithful will realize salvation.

Philippians 2:12 (KJV)
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Used in both senses of present deliverance from the bondage of sin, and the hope of eternal life.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (KJV)
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
This passage more closely looks at the metaphor of the helmet and is more accurate than Eph 6:17. Because this passage describes it as the hope of salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV)
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Through Jesus Christ we can be saved spiritually and eternally.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV)
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
The idea of predestination is considered here. Notice that God made provisions that whoever would meet certain qualifications would receive salvation. Those who would reject those conditions would not receive salvation.

2 Timothy 2:10 (KJV)
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
This usage is the eternal life salvation.

2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The scriptures are the Old Testament. They would serve as a guide and tutor. They declared the future promise of salvation through Christ Jesus the Messiah.

Titus 2:11 (KJV)
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Salvation can only come from God. God's grace brought it to man. The gospel is that which saves. The gospel is the grace of God. That which we need for salvation is the grace of God.

Hebrews 1:14 (KJV)
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Speaking of angels, the writer is telling us that God is taking care of His children.

Hebrews 2:3 (KJV)
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
The usage is deliverance and future hope.

Hebrews 2:10 (KJV)
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
This one described as our captain is Jesus Christ. Further studies in the book of Hebrews will bear this out.

Hebrews 5:9 (KJV)
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Through His sufferings, Jesus endured the cross, and as a result, if we follow Him, we shall be saved eternally.

Hebrews 6:9 (KJV)
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
The things that accompany salvation are those things necessary to receive it. See the authors study "By What Is A Person Saved".

Hebrews 9:28 (KJV)
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Eternal life is promised for the continued faithful.

1 Peter 1:5 (KJV)
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Hope and deliverance is how this is used.

1 Peter 1:9 (KJV)
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:10 (KJV)
Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
This is the eternal life salvation which will be the end result of our faithfulness to all of God's will. Notice that the prophets wanted to know, but it was revealed to them that they could not have it. See Daniel 12. It was not for them, but it was for those of the Christian dispensation.

2 Peter 3:15 (KJV)
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
God is patient with us more than we deserve. As a result, God gives us more opportunities to put our lives on the right track.

Jude 1:3 (KJV)
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
All saints share in this common salvation.

Revelation 7:10 (KJV)
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Here the word is used in such a way as to describe what God has done for us. Since God provided salvation for us, we in turn by our acceptance and obedience provide a form of reciprocal effect. In other words, we offer to God the blessings that he bestows upon us.

Revelation 12:10 (KJV)
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
This verse is possibly describing the second coming of Christ. As Christ comes to deal out retribution to those who know not God, and keep not His commandments(2 Thess 1:8), it is inferred that salvation is coming to those who keep His commandments and truly know Him.

Revelation 19:1 (KJV)
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
In ultimate praise to Almighty God, we offer our blessings for what God has provided for us. Eternal salvation.

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