Biblical Salvation: How You Can Be Saved for Eternity

By Ken Lenz

This manuscript explores the topic of spiritual salvation, based on the teaching of God’s Word. A section with "Discussion Questions" is included for use in either individual or group readings. The title "Biblical Salvation" was selected so as to give the sense that these brief chapters are not based on a particular theological perspective (including those that include seemingly logical persuasions), but rather, it is based on biblical teachings, such as that which is found in John’s Gospel account and Paul's Epistles.

The cover image depicts a wooden cross and an empty tomb. Christ died on a cross in offering an atoning sacrifice for our sin. His body was placed in a borrowed, secured, and guarded tomb; but three days later, He rose from the tomb as our Risen Savior. (Yes, it was a “borrowed” tomb, as He only needed it for three days.) The tomb is empty; and so is the cross! As we place our trust in the Savior and His “finished” work on the cross, we too receive new life––spiritual life, eternal life––in fellowship with God in heaven.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ken Lenz
• Release date: Jul 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005245801

Ken Lenz

Dr. Kenneth P. Lenz has served for over twenty-five years in church ministries and as a chaplain. He has also served on the religion faculty and Bible/theology faculty of several colleges. Courses Ken has taught include “Understandings of Religion,” “History of Christian Thought,” "Survey of the New Testament," and “New Testament Epistles,” among others. He has also taught “writing intensive” courses to help students in their writing skills. His earned Ph.D. included an emphasis in Eastern Orthodox Church history and liturgy, and he excels in the area of hermeneutics (biblical interpretation). Ken and his wife, Helen, have three grown children: Carrie, Evan, and Bryce.Books by this author include a trilogy published by Xlibris (offered in print and as e-books), which include:- Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism: As Taught in the Scriptures (398 pages)- Confession and Communion: As Taught in the Scriptures (108 pages)- God’s Son “Forsaken,” His Sacrifice “Finished!” (136 pages)E-books by this author published through Smashwords, include:- The Orthodox Church: An Evangelical Perspective- Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism: Expanded Edition- Branches of the Vine: A Fresh Look at John 15- The Bread of Life: A Consistent Sense of John 6- Christ, the "I Am" (in both English and Hindi)- Lordship Salvation: An Evangelical Perspective- Biblical SalvationFor more information, visit www.KenLenz.com

Book preview

Biblical Salvation

A purely biblical understanding of

how you can be saved for eternity!

Kenneth P. Lenz

Author of Christ, the I Am

Agape Book Ministries

Racine, Wisconsin

Copyright © 2021 by Kenneth P. Lenz, Ph.D.

e-Book ISBN: 978-1005245801

All rights reserved.

Brief portions may be quoted within the context intended,

in accordance with standard, ethical writing practices,

as long as the author and this source are properly cited.

Scriptural quotations in this book are taken from the

English Standard Version.

Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, in Wheaton, Illinois,

a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Italicized emphases and bracketed explanations

are often added by this author.

The cover image is reproduced with licensed permission.

Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Name: Lenz, Ken; author.

Title: Biblical Salvation / Ken Lenz.

Description: e-book edition. | Agape Book Ministries, 2021.

Identifier: ISBN – 978-1005245801

Subject: LCSH: Salvation.

BISAC: Religion / Christian Theology / Soteriology.

This manuscript explores the biblical teaching of salvation.

The cover image depicts a wooden cross and an empty tomb. Christ died on a cross in offering an atoning sacrifice for our sin. His body was placed in a borrowed, secured, and guarded tomb; but three days later, He rose from the dead as our Risen Savior. (Yes, it was a borrowed tomb, as He only needed it for three days.) The tomb is empty; and so is the cross! As we place our trust in the Savior and His finished work on the cross, we too receive new life––spiritual life, eternal life––in fellowship with God in heaven.

Other books and e-books by this author are listed under the brief

author biography at the end of this e-book, including the book entitled

God’s Son Forsaken, His Sacrifice Finished!

For more information, visit www.KenLenz.com

Table of Contents

(linked to the chapter headings)

Introduction

1 – What Is Salvation?

2 – Why Is Salvation Needed?

3 – How Is Salvation Provided?

4 – Who Can Be Saved?

5 – How Does a Person Receive Salvation?

6 – How Does Repentance Relate to Saving Faith?

7 – Can a Person Lose Their Salvation?

8 – What about Those Who Deny the Faith?

9 – How Does Salvation Affect Life Here and Now?

10 – Summary and Conclusion

Group Discussion Questions

Preface to the Appendix Chapters – A Personal Word from the Author

Appendix A – The Significance of How the Words World and Whoever Are Used in the New Testament

Appendix B – The Doctrines of Limited Love, Limited Atonement, and of Saving Faith Being Given to the Redeemed

Appendix C – How Do Good Works Relate to Saving Faith?

Endnotes

Brief Author Biography (and other book titles)

Introduction

This is a brief and basic book on the all-important topic of biblical salvation. Rather than approaching the topic of spiritual salvation from a particular branch or theological camp within Christianity, our emphasis is on what the Bible teaches. The chapter titles are in the format of being questions that follow a logical flow, beginning with the question What is salvation? and ending with a chapter that explains what difference it should make in one’s life, leading into a concluding chapter.

Bible passages are quoted from the English Standard Version (ESV), as that is a newer, easily understood, and essentially literal translation. Furthermore, other verses are briefly quoted in the text, and many additional references are cited in support of the points being made and for comparison (noted with cf.). My objective in writing was, as always, to arrive at the A B C’s of interpretation: being accurate, biblical, and consistent. This book applies that objective and is dedicated To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (Rev. 1:5). May God guide us all in the understanding and application of His Word.

1 – What Is Salvation?

The word salvation occurs over one hundred seventy times throughout the Bible. It is used in regard to the physical sense of being saved from mortal danger of bodily harm; however, it is also used more significantly in regard to the spiritual sense of being saved from eternal damnation. In other words, it is the spiritual salvation of one’s soul through God’s forgiveness of sin (also referred to as iniquity and trespass). Similarly, the word saves often occurs in regard to God saving one’s soul. The words redemption, regeneration, and reconciliation also are often used in the context of the spiritual salvation that God offers to us. Later we will consider these three words and their significance; however, in these early chapters we will merely consider the word salvation and how it is unveiled throughout Scripture. In fact, we might even understand the ultimate theme of the Bible to be an unfolding of God’s plan of salvation, as revealed from the Old through the New Testaments.

The following three Scripture references from the Old Testament highlight this theme of salvation, including the cross-references offered (cited with a cf.):

Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! (Psalm 79:8–9; cf. 24:5–6; 50:22–23; 65:3; 98:1–3)

You will say in that day: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:1–3; cf. 45:17, 21–22; 52:7–10; 53:3–12)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9; cf. 3:9; Matt. 21)

Notice that such passages from the Old Testament offer a glimpse into Messianic prophecies concerning the Messiah coming to ultimately atone for our sins (Ps. 79:9). The word atonement means to fully pay the penalty for sin and iniquity. Later we will consider how a satisfactory atonement was made. Other Old Testament prophesies that speak of atonement in regard

Reviews for Biblical Salvation

[agape.book.ministries · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very clear, biblical and helpful book. I like how the subtitle gives clarity to the title.