Bible Study: Salvation – What Jesus Taught About It
Key text: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
I. Introduction: The Mission of Jesus
• Jesus' arrival on earth was not accidental but a deliberate act with a clear and central purpose: to save humanity from eternal separation from God.
◦ From the very announcement of His birth, Jesus' saving purpose was evident. The angel declared that He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Simeon recognized the infant Jesus as God's salvation, a light to the Gentiles and glory to Israel (Luke 2:29-30).
◦ Christ's entire earthly life, from His humble birth to His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, was intentionally directed towards fulfilling this profound mission of divine love and redemption for a lost world.
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.II. The Need for Salvation
• 1. What is the human condition after sin?
◦ Reading: Genesis 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Matthew 15:19
▪ The Scriptures paint a stark picture of humanity's fallen state. Genesis 6:5 describes the pervasive wickedness in Noah's time, highlighting the inclination of human thought towards evil. Psalm 51:5 acknowledges the inherent sinfulness from conception. Jesus Himself identified the source of evil actions as originating from within the human heart (Matthew 15:19).
▪ Therefore, human nature, apart from God's grace, is fundamentally corrupt and inclined towards evil thoughts, desires, and actions.
▪ This inherent sinfulness caused a fundamental separation and alienation between a holy God and sinful humanity (Isaiah 59:2). Sin erected a barrier that prevents a natural, unbroken relationship with our Creator.
III. God's Plan of Salvation
• 2. What is God's plan to save humanity?
◦ Reading: John 3:16; Galatians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8
▪ The core of God's plan is revealed in John 3:16, the most concise summary of the Gospel: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus was sent by the Father for this singular and ultimate purpose: to take upon Himself the burden of our sins and die in our place, offering the just for the unjust.
▪ This plan of salvation was not an afterthought but was eternal, conceived and planned by God before the very foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8). The sacrifice of the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" underscores the preordained nature of Christ's redemptive work. God, in His foreknowledge and love, had already prepared the way for our salvation before sin even entered the world.
IV. Jesus' Work for Humanity
• 3. How did Jesus define His mission?
◦ Reading: John 12:47
▪ Jesus Himself clearly articulated His primary purpose: "If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." His initial coming was marked by grace and an offer of salvation, not condemnation.
• 4. What did Jesus do for us on the cross?
◦ Reading: John 10:15; 1 Peter 2:24
▪ Jesus willingly and sacrificially laid down His life for us, His sheep (John 10:15). On the cross, He bore our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24). He took our guilt, the penalty of our sin, upon Himself, offering us the possibility of justification – being declared righteous in God's sight.
V. The Joy of Heaven and the Value of Salvation
• 5. What did Jesus teach about heavenly joy?
◦ Reading: Luke 15:4-7
▪ Through the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, Jesus vividly illustrated the immense joy in Heaven over even one sinner who repents. He emphasized that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
▪ Jesus portrays Himself as the Good Shepherd who diligently seeks out the lost sheep, representing humanity, and brings us home safely to the fold of God's love. The recovery of the lost brings immense joy to the heavenly community.
VI. Faith and Grace: The Path to Salvation
• 6. Does salvation depend on our works?
◦ Reading: Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16
▪ The resounding answer from Scripture is no. Salvation is not earned or attained through human effort or good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 unequivocally states: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Similarly, Galatians 2:16 declares that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.
▪ We are saved solely by God's unmerited favor – grace – which we receive through faith in Jesus Christ, not by anything we have done or could do.
• 7. How can a human being achieve salvation?
◦ Reading: Acts 16:31; 1 John 5:11-12; Romans 4:4-5
▪ Salvation is achieved through a personal act of faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31 provides the clear directive: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." 1 John 5:11-12 emphasizes that eternal life is found exclusively in God's Son; whoever has the Son has life, and whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. Romans 4:4-5 further clarifies that salvation is a gift received by faith, not a wage earned by works; God justifies the ungodly who put their trust in Him.
▪ Therefore, a human being achieves salvation by believing in and trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, acknowledging their need for His forgiveness and accepting His sacrifice on their behalf. Salvation is a free gift received by faith.
VII. The Place of Works in the Christian Life
• 8. What is the role of good works?
◦ Reading: Ephesians 2:10; James 2:17; John 15:5,8; Matthew 25:37-40
▪ While good works are not the cause or means of salvation, they are the natural and inevitable result of a truly transformed life. Ephesians 2:10 states that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 1 James 2:17 emphasizes that faith without works is dead, highlighting that genuine faith will always produce corresponding actions. Jesus Himself taught that those who abide in Him will bear much fruit, bringing glory to the Father (John 15:5,8). The examples in Matthew 25:37-40 illustrate how those who have truly encountered Christ will naturally express their faith through acts of love and service towards others.
▪ Therefore, good works are not the root of salvation but the fruit. Genuine faith, rooted in a transformed heart by the Holy Spirit, will inevitably produce actions that reflect the character of Christ and demonstrate the reality of our salvation.
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- Bible Study: The Magnificat Luke 1:46-55
- Bible Study on Grace
VIII. Conclusion
• Salvation is not a human invention or achievement but a profound plan of divine love, conceived in eternity before the creation of the world.
• We are saved exclusively by the unmerited grace of Jesus Christ, received through faith in His person and work, and not by any effort or good works of our own.
• When we accept Christ by faith, His perfect righteousness is credited (imputed) to our account, and our sin is transferred to Him.
• Good works are not the cause of our salvation but serve as visible evidence of a genuine faith and a life transformed by God's grace. They are the natural outflow of a heart changed by encountering the saving love of Jesus.
• Ultimately, it is Jesus who chose us and destined us for eternal life through His saving work (John 15:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:9). Our salvation is entirely dependent on His gracious initiative and our faith-filled response.
