Grace & Truth Chapel
131 Fardale Avenue ~ Mahwah, New Jersey
Phone 201-327-6226 ~ E-mail gtchapel@juno.com

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"Past Salvation: Completed" (posted March 1, 2004)

Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
   - Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21

We come to a word of very large meaning, so large indeed that it may be used in a sense that covers other gospel words such as justification, redemption, reconciliation. An instance of the large meaning which may be attached to it is found in Hebrews 2:3, where the mighty intervention of God on man's behalf is spoken of as "so great a salvation."

The very fact that salvation is offered implies that those to whom it is offered are in peril of some sort: they are in danger of perishing. Indeed, in 1 Corinthians 1:18, the contrast is drawn between those who perish and we who are saved, and the same contrast in almost exactly the same words appears again in 2 Corinthians 2:15. Again we read, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Salvation and perishing are clearly directly opposed as to their meaning.

God's salvation is a deliverance from every peril which in the past or present or future could possibly threaten us. Inasmuch as sin lies at the root of every peril that threatens us, the New Testament very appropriately opens with salvation from sins: "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

Again and again we find in Scripture that salvation means exemption or deliverance from the penalty of sins, the wrath of God. The gospel is "the power of God to salvation for every one who believes.... For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven" (Romans 1:16, 18). A little later in the same epistle we read, "We shall be saved from wrath through Him" (5:9). Again we read, "God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:9). And yet again, in 2 Thessalonians 2:12-14, we find that salvation is put in direct contrast with condemnation: All who do not believe the truth will be condemned, while those who believe have salvation.

The Old Testament has as its chief theme the dealings of God with Israel, His people, in view of the coming of the Messiah. Hence, the consequences of sins as regards God's governmental actings are mainly in view. When Israel sinned, God in His government brought up enemies against them, and when they repented He saved them. The New Testament brings into view the eternal consequences of sin, and the way in which every individual soul of man is subject to God's judgment and the infliction of wrath from heaven. From that wrath we are saved.

It is in this connection that salvation may be spoken of as a past and completed thing, so that believers can speak of themselves as those who are saved (1 Corinthians 1:18). The Lord Jesus is our Deliverer from the wrath to come, and we can never be more secure than we are today, before the wrath actually falls. When we speak of ourselves as saved, the emphasis seems mainly to lie on the fact that once we were engulfed in every kind of evil and defilement, and now we are rescued out of it all. "We ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But ... He saved us" (Titus 3:3-5).

Frank B. Hole
Adapted from The Great Salvation (Central Bible Truth Depot, Ltd., London)



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