Importance of salvation to Christianity
Introduction
Salvation is a central issue in Christianity. It is the gateway to eternal life. Generally, baptism and the acceptance that the crucifixion and the death of Jesus Christ on the cross were to atone for sins, qualifies one for salvation (Letter, 1952). The New Testament presents accounts for the life of Jesus Christ, his deeds, his death, resurrection, ascension to heaven and the lives of early Christians. Paul, an author of nearly half of the books in the New Testament, offers great insights on salvation. In his letter to Timothy, he states that all men qualify to be saved through Jesus Christ. However, his sentiments have been opposed from some quarters especially among the ancient authors in Christianity such as St. Prosper who argues that God predestined the people to save. Although, there have been controversies on the nature of salvation, in 1 Tim 2:3-4 and elsewhere, the Bible explicitly states that acceptance of Jesus Christ as the savior, qualifies one for salvation without there being predestination.
In order to understand the full context of what Paul wanted to inform his protégé Timothy, it is important to read the verses before and after 1 Tim 2:3-4. 1 Tim 2:1-6 Paul states, “I urge first of all that requests, prayers, intersession and thanksgiving be made for everyone 2 for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness, 3 This is good and pleases God our savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time.” Holy Bible-New International version (NIV).
In the above context it is clear that God wants all men to be saved. “who wants all men to be saved” (NIV). In the previous verse, the Bible states that things such as requests, prayers, and intersession among others are to be made for everyone and that they please God our savior. It is God the savior of all who is said to want all men to be saved. As such this verse rules out predestination for a certain group of people and qualifies all people for salvation.
Salvation is the gateway to knowing the truth, “all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (NIV). This statement means that those who are saved have an opportunity to know the truth. Truth is a much sought after issue in Christianity. The fall of man stems from his quest to know the truth. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit so that they would know the truth and this was against God’s commandments. By eating the fruit and seeking to know the truth against God’s instructions, mankind sinned and hence the death of Jesus to atone for man’s disobedience (Collins, 2008). It is therefore true to say that salvation offers Christians an opportunity to know the truth which Adam and Eve sought when they ate the forbidden fruit.
Salvation impacts into someone aspects such as Praying, requesting, interceding and thanksgiving all of which enable human beings to live “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”. The said aspects of salvation should be made for everyone including kings and those in authority. This aspect of salvation enables Christians to enjoy life on earth as they prepare for eternity.
Notably, the Bible states that “there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ”. This is important to Christians as it erases all doubt on who Christians should pursue in order to obtain salvation. As such salvation through Jesus Christ assures Christians of their desired relationship with God (Letter, 1952). It assures them that God has forgiven their sins and welcomed them back to his fold.
God is pleased when Christians pray for all in salvation. When the Bible states that, “this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior” it means that God is pleased with the deeds Christians do to or for each other (Collins, 2008). The word “acceptable” means to accept with satisfaction. As such, God waits with eagerness for the church or Christians to pray for the lost because that is consistent with His desires for salvation. Salvation enables us to bridge the gap between God and His people through prayers.
God intended that all men be saved. The scriptures in 1 Tim 2:3-4 have been backed by more teachings in Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (NIV). Because God reveals his grace to all men, then all men deserve to get salvation. Salvation and grace go hand in hand and therefore if one is saved then they obtain God’s grace. Letter (1952) notes that grace is sometimes equated to favor and therefore salvation opens someone up for God’s unmerited favor or grace. The grace of God gives Christians comfort, provision and joy in life and in the lord. People who have God’s grace enjoy abundance and blessings in their lives. Although they may face hardships in life, grace obtained through salvation enables them to face and overcome hardships and challenges.
St. Prosper is associated with the doctrine of predestination. In his doctrine, St. Prosper states that in Adam, all mankind has sinned and without God’s grace there can be no salvation to anyone. He asserted that God offers salvation to all people who attain faith and accept baptism. In his doctrine, St. Prosper teaches that before God created the world, He foreknew those who would believe and get saved (Letter, 1952). God predestined those people to His kingdom. St. Prosper states that no man needs to despair on salvation. Selection by God does not consider human exertion which is needless for progress in holiness or for recovery from sin (Letter, 1952). However, to acquire that state of grace in which all human beings are born anew unto Christ, men can beseech, pray and knock. St. Prosper stated that infants who die without baptism will be saved or not depending in God’s foreknow of their conduct had they grown up into adults (Letter, 1952). Although Christ died for the whole of mankind, some people will miss salvation because God knows beforehand that those people have no inclination to receive salvation.
The doctrine propagated by St. Prosper could have been informed by some Bible verses such as Ephesians 1:4-6 which states that God chose believers in Christ before the foundation of the world according to the good pleasure of His will. In Acts 13:48 the Bible also states that the reason why believers come to faith is because they were previously appointed to eternal life. Romans 9 states that God has mercy ion whom he desires and He hardens whom He desires so that salvation does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs but on God who has mercy (Romans 9:15-18). These among other verses seem to contradict what the Bible states in 1 Tim 2:3-4. The people who belong to this doctrine are mostly the Calvinists ant they hold a firm belief that God has predestined those who will get saved and get to eternity.
The people who take the words in 1 Tim 2:3-4 are the Armenians. These people believe that when the Bible states “all men” then it means that there is no exception. The whole human race can be saved by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Ephesians 1:4-6 means that God has chosen those sinners who make the choice to be in Christ. Instead of God Choosing whom He wills, it is sinners who are given a choice to follow Christ.
Conclusion
Salvation has always been at the heart of Christianity. The Bible presents accounts that at times seem to contradict each other on whether God wills all people to be saved or He has predestine some to get saved and others never to. In Acts 13: 48, Eph 1; 4-6 and other verses state that God predestined those He wants to save. However in 1 Tim 2:3-4, the Bible explicitly states that God desires that al people be saved. This verse is backed by that in Titus 2:11 among several other verses. This verse and several others indicate that salvation has several benefits. First God desires all people to be saved. Secondly, salvation is the gateway to knowledge. Thirdly salvation enables men to live peacefully with each other and this pleases God. In addition salvation through Jesus Christ erases all doubts on the eventuality of mankind. It is evident that God desires salvation of all men so that they are able to live with each other and also they are in a position to inherit the Kingdom of God.
References
The Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV)
Collins, G. (2008). Salvation for all God's other peoples. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Letter, P. d. (1952). The call of all nations. Westminster, Md.: Newman Press.
