Jesus Christ As The Redeemer And Savior Religion Essay

Jesus Christ As The Redeemer And Savior Religion Essay I believe the doctrine of Salvation focuses on Jesus Christ as the redeemer and savior of the world. God sent Gods Son into the world to seek and save that which was lost (Luke19:10).Scripture is filled with accounts of the revelation of God breaking into human life as a surprising gift and unsettling commission. The word revelation is used in different contexts, some are trivial and others are serious. Revelation has to do with the knowledge of God and ourselves that is surprising and disturbing because it is an event that shakes us to the core. Jesus came to earth fully God and fully human to offer himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin rejoining us to God who created us. The New Testament scriptures declare Jesus came as God (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:8) and man. Jesus is Lord, but Jesus lived among us as man that we might know that God is tangibly concerned about the totality of our deprived [or depraved?]human existence. Through faith in Jesus Christ humanity now enters into the same relationship with God that Jesus enjoyed prior to, during and after his earthly ministry. As the second person in the Godhead, Jesus Christ offers humanity hope for a restored existence on earth as well as hope for life and death. Jesus death and resurrection represents for all Christians the perfect hope that we are created by an all-loving God who does not desire to destroy creation, but sustain it eternally. We no longer need to fear an eternal death or separation from God. For God so loved the world that God gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). His name shall be called Jesus for He shall save his people. Salvation is the greatest manifestation of Gods power. Creation was a great work of God; it was His breath, God spoke and it was done. But, when it came to our salvation He had to give more than His breath; He gave His blood (Acts 20:28). I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to God, and that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead for my justification. I believe salvation is an individual act; we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we believe in our heart and confess our sins. I believe that true salvation simultaneously includes justification, regeneration, and sanctification. I believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, which is beyond human comprehension (John 3:1-5), where humankinds old physical nature is born a new spiritual nature for the sake of having the potential to enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). I believe in the work of regeneration, the Holy Spirit is the initiating force for change and life for the believer. It is the spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing, the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63) He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5) I believe that the true outcome or sign of regeneration is manifested in righteous attitude, conduct, and good works,(1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 5:17-21; Philippians 2:12; Colossians 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:4-10). The work of regeneration is spiritual conversion accomplished without delay, and it is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, which is prompted through an individuals response by faith to the Word of God or the voice of the Son of God (John 5:24-25). The manifestation of evidence can be accomplished by or while the believer transitions from the initial conversion experience, to becoming more like the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). As soon as we are regenerated the Holy Spirit gives us a changed mind and attitude, a new heart, as well as new spirit. Thus, we are no longer slaves to ungodliness and worldly lust, but we live soberly, walking in the light and in the spirit so that we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh or the old nature. I believe justification is to be distinguished from regeneration in that while regeneration is the change of the sinners nature by the Holy Spirit, justification is the change of the sinners standing by a declarative act of God in which sins are remitted and the sinner is freed from condemnation. Justification is the expression of Gods judicial function. Justification proceeds on the imputing or crediting to the believer by God himself of the perfect righteousness, active and passive, of his representation and surety, Jesus Christ. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:10) Justification is not forgiveness of a man without righteousness, but a declaration that he possesses a righteousness which perfectly and forever satisfies the law, namely, Christ righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21;Romans 4:6-8). Sanctification is the believers spiritual experience, beginning with the renewed birth that occurs at the believers conversion experience, which is sometimes called being born-again. It is during this new birth experience that the instantaneous act of sanctification begins its work. Jesus Christ, even though he was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrew 4:15), which makes Jesus the perfect example of someone being able to live free from all moral impurity within the presence of temptation and worldly evil. And Jesus prayed, And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth (John 17:19). I believe that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, God chose salvation (offered freely), to those who would believe on his name, whom God graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies, justifies and glorifies, (Romans 8:28-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2). The purpose of Gods grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation (John 1:16) and the gift itself, which is the only begotten son of the Father full of grace and truth (John 1:14). I believe that election has a two-fold call, meaning all whom God calls to Godself will respond by faith, and all who come in faith as a response to the whosoever will invitation God will also gladly receive (John 6:37-40, 44; John 1:12; Acts 13:48: James 4:8). The grace of God is considered to be a great doctrinal truth, because according to Ephesians 1:4 it has been Gods plan for man before the creation of this world and it is also considered to be the core of our relationship with God. I believe our election is through His Grace. Election according to the foreknowledge of God, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2) I believe election is Gods gracious purpose for humankind to obtain eternal life. His purpose also includes His good pleasure for the elect to experience regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. It is the glorious demonstration of Gods sovereign goodness, which leaves man no room to boast, but should embrace humility. I believe our salvation is through Gods grace, because of Gods great love for us, he shows mercy by forgiving our transgressions and sins. Instead of the death that we should rightly receive as a reward for our sins we are made alive with Christ. Only Christ can deliver us the penalty of death and restore us to Divine favor and give everlasting life (John 3:16-19; I John 5:10-12).