The Message of The New Testament Church (I) – Salvation

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TOPIC: Salvation

TEXT: Acts 4:8-12

INTRODUCTION

This is December. As our custom is in The Father’s House, we take time every December to focus on the New Testament church of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this month, what we will be focusing on are:

• Salvation
• Sanctification and Separation
• Stewardship
• Service

1) SALVATION

Just as we have today, people back then had different schools of thought and philosophies on human salvation. Back then, we had the
• Epicureans – philosophy of sensual pleasure especial good food.
• Stoics – Philosophy that causes men to live as it comes because destiny cannot be changed
• Idolaters – Idols, deities etc.
• Atheism – No God at all
• Not sure – Unknown God
• Judaism –Seek God according to laws of Moses
It was against this background that Apostle Peter boldly made the declaration v12.

2) WHAT IS SALVATION?

From Acts 4:12 – Salvation Grk –SOTERIA – It has a 7 fold meaning i.e:-
a. Rescue –Acts 12:5-7

b. Safety – Prov.18:10, Isa.43:1-2

c. Deliverance – Col.1:13-14, 1John 4:4

d. Health – Isa.53:5, 1Pet.2:24, 3John 2
e. Settled – 1Pet.5:10

f. Wholesomeness – Mk.5:25-34, 6:56,Lu.17:17-19

g. Do well – Lu.23:39-43

3) DESCRIPTION OF OUR SALVATION

The New Testament has about 5 different ways our salvation is described. They are:
a) Common salvation – Jude 1:3
– It is universally available John 3:16, Rev.22:17, Tit.2:11

b) So Great a Salvation – Heb.2:3
– Great because
• It saves us from our sin and its consequence –Rom.6:23
• Makes fellowship with God possible – I John 1:7
• Makes God’s inheritance available to us Eph.1:17-23, Rom.8:17
c) An Abundant Salvation – Titus 3:5-6

d) A Costly Salvation – Psm.49:7-8; Eph.1:7

e) An Eternal Salvation – Heb.5:9; John.10:27-28.

CONCLUSION
What will you do with so great a salvation- Rev.3:20

Dr. Udoh
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