The Lord: Saviour of the World
However, the one that means so much to all of us as poor, helpless sinners is "Saviour"- which immediately instills hope within one's heart concerning salvation.
The very name Jesus means "salvation." Matthew 1:21 states, Thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Multitudes today are trusting in man-made rituals to get them inside God's heaven. Yet, there isn't a ceremonial rite in all of Christendom's churches that can save a man. Jesus Christ alone is the only way to eternal life.
Multitudes today are trusting in man-made rituals to get them inside God's heaven. Yet, there isn't a ceremonial rite in all of Christendom's churches that can save a man. Jesus Christ alone is the only way to eternal life.
Christ's saving power
In Luke 2, the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, saying, Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (verses 10,11).
Also in Luke 2, Simeon had been waiting for the consolation or hope of Israel. He jubilantly exclaimed, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation (verses 29,30). He was looking upon the Christ child as he spoke those words.
Again in John 4, a wicked woman-who had five husbands and who was living under common law with number six-turned to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Then she excitedly ran back to the city and told the people about her newfound joy in this Saviour who had blotted out her sordid past. The men of that city listened to the Lord's discourses for two days and exuberantly stated, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world (verse 42).
In Acts 5, Peter and some of the apostles were threatened with punishment, even unto death (verse 33). However, the great Apostle Peter so loved Jesus. He believed so strongly in the fact that Jesus was the only way of salvation and eternal life that he was willing to die in order that the message might be proclaimed. I can almost hear this impulsive preacher saying, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour (verses 29-31). Acts 13:23 calls Him a Saviour, Jesus. Ephesians 5:23 says, Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Compare this verse with: 1 Corinthians 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.
The body of Christ, into which one is implanted at the time of regeneration, is the Church, and Ephesians 5:23 states that Christ is the Saviour of this body. Baptism, reformation, confirmation, works, creeds, and human efforts cannot place one into the true Church because only the Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour of this body. Amen!
The Apostle Paul stated that one of the reasons he was willing to endure suffering, torture, and even death was because of his trust in the Saviour. Death could only mean that the One who saved him would welcome him home to heaven. Hear him in 1 Timothy 4:10. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
In 2 Timothy 1:9 and 10, Paul went on to say that it was not a system of self-attainment through works that would place him eternally in the glory land, but rather a precious Saviour whose name was Jesus Christ. Listen to the simplicity of these instructive verses. [God] hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel [or through the good news].
Again, He hath abolished death. What wonderful words! And [He] hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Immortality speaks of eternal life-and it comes through the gospel or the "good news."
Do you get the impact? Eternal life is through the gospel and gospel means "good news."
This good news is explained in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 where we find that Christ died, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Put it all together and it simply says that everlasting life does not come through one's denominational record or good works.
It comes as a result of one's acceptance of the Saviour's death by the shedding of blood and of His resurrection. Titus 2:13 speaks of Christ's return by stating, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Notice that it is not Buddha, Mohammed, or Zoroaster who is the Saviour, but only the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is no other Saviour-Jesus is the only way. Second Peter 1:1 again calls Him our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Christ's earthly ministry
Rather, it depicts His ministry upon earth and speaks of His saving power.
Presently, we are living in a time of rebellion. Corrupted mankind is trying to destroy all of our foundational structures.
This trend can also be witnessed in the religious world as apostate, liberal clergymen mock the doctrines of the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, His blood atonement upon the cross, and His bodily resurrection.
Many laugh at the statement "Jesus Saves" as if the word "saves" were an invention of some simpleton.
This trend can also be witnessed in the religious world as apostate, liberal clergymen mock the doctrines of the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, His blood atonement upon the cross, and His bodily resurrection.
Many laugh at the statement "Jesus Saves" as if the word "saves" were an invention of some simpleton.
Our God predicted this would happen, and it is one of the signs of the end.
Second Peter 2:1,2: But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be [one of the signs] false teachers among you, who privity shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
There are two things one can do for these poor misguided souls:
(1) pray for them, and (2) thank God for their presence because it means that Jesus Christ is coming soon to call Christians home. Let them laugh. The term saved was placed in the Bible scores of times by a holy God. One had better investigate and accept this truth if he is interested in eternal life.
I could quote numerous verses proving that salvation is of God and that God put this word in the Bible.
However, let's limit our discussion to those which speak exclusively about Christ being the way of salvation:
Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost (Matthew 18:11).
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him [Jesus] might be saved (John 3:17).
Jesus said, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved (John 10:9).
I came not to judge the world, but to save the world (John 12:47).
Paul said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31).
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ [not rites, ceremonies, rituals, the Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule, or the Ten Commandments, but the gospel or the good news of Christ]: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (Romans 1:16).
We shall be saved from wrath through him (Romans 5:9).
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9).
In 1 Corinthians 15:1,2 we find this statement, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel [the good news] which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved.
How?
Verses 3 and 4: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and...he was buried, and...he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. This alone is the message of the gospel, the good news, the only way of salvation. Christ died, shed His blood, and rose again.
Christ's redeeming blood
Leviticus 17:11: It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
First Peter 1:18,19: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
It is not enough simply to state that Christ died-as so many intellectuals do today in order to do away with the sacrifice of His blood. A bloodless death on the cross would not have saved anyone. Let me repeat that. Had Christ died of a heart attack or of suffocation upon the cross, mankind would have been lost forever, for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Because of this fact, Christ came to earth to take upon himself a body with blood so that He might shed that blood for our sins (see Hebrews 10:5). When one receives this sacrifice of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, he is saved immediately.
Christ's redemptive purpose
This is exactly what Paul said. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).
Not only does this statement include everyone we know, but ourselves as well. Christ would have all men to be saved, including you and me (see 1 Timothy 2:4). [Christ] gave himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6).
Not only does this statement include everyone we know, but ourselves as well. Christ would have all men to be saved, including you and me (see 1 Timothy 2:4). [Christ] gave himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6).
The only reason some people will never get saved is that they do not realize that they are lost. They think they were born into sainthood just like the Pharisee in the temple.
He said, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are (Luke 18:11). However, Jesus said in Matthew 5:20, Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Why?
The Pharisees were so caught up in the admiration of their own goodness that they were convinced they needed nothing from God-nothing at all!
Yet, God says in Isaiah 64:6, We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Galatians 3:22: The scripture hath concluded all under sin. Thus, God not only wants to save mankind from the misery of sin in this life, but also from the eternal penalty into which sin will drag those who reject Christ. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth [eternity] on him (John 3:36).
Why?
Because he won't receive the Son.
Oh, my friend, if you are lost, the Saviour longs to save you.
You need saving because all are sinners and only through His blood can you be washed white.
You may be whitewashed because you've had all the rituals of the Church performed upon you, but you really need to be washed white to inherit eternal life!
Why not call on Him right now, saying, "Lord Jesus, come into my heart."
A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE
