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Salvation: The Path to God's Kingdom (Part One)
CGG Weekly by John ReissWe are deeply honored to be part of God's plan of salvation, a majestic design to save mankind from sin with past, present, and future dimensions. Salvation, or *soteria* (G4991), initially grants us freedom from the penalty of past sins through the blood of Christ's sacrifice. As we live according to God's way, it provides freedom from fear of eternal punishment for our present missteps. Ultimately, salvation promises a future resurrection to immortality, where we will live forever with God in perfect peace, harmony, and health, free from sin and its consequences. The Greek word *soteria* in the New Testament signifies deliverance, preservation, safety, and the theological concept of salvation. As seen in Luke 19:9, when Jesus declares that salvation has come to Zacchaeus' house, it is linked to faithfully changing one's way of life. This ongoing process, known as sanctification, involves becoming set apart by learning to live as God lives through obedience to His laws.
The True Savior of the World!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe term "salvation" (soteria, G4991) is central to understanding the role of Jesus Christ as the Savior in the New Testament. Frequently used alongside related terms like "save" (sozo), soteria underscores the saving actions of Jesus, as highlighted by Luke, who profiles Him as a savior from the angel's declaration in Bethlehem to the recognition by figures like Simeon and Anna of God's salvation in the infant Jesus. Luke initially emphasizes physical salvation, aligning with Old Testament themes, before later writings expand on spiritual dimensions. In the gospels and epistles, soteria encompasses healings and deliverances, portraying Jesus' works as acts of salvation. Examples include the Gerasene man's deliverance from demons and Jairus' daughter being saved from death, illustrating salvation as making whole through faith. Luke encourages viewing all such acts as salvation, reflecting Old Testament motifs of opening the eyes of the blind and proclaiming liberty to captives, fulfilled by Jesus as the Savior. Paul's writings further develop soteria as a comprehensive act by Jesus, involving His perfect life, atoning death, and ongoing intercession. Salvation is not self-achieved but is the result of Jesus' actions, sent by the Father to save the world. This includes deliverance from guilt, power, and pollution of sin through the Holy Spirit's transformative work within believers, culminating in a future glorification. Ultimately, soteria represents a complete deliverance, initiated by Jesus' life and sacrifice, sustained by His advocacy in heaven, and finalized in the promise of eternal life, positioning Him as the sole Savior of the world.
Acts (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn Acts 4, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks powerfully before the authorities, using the Greek word *soteria* (G4991), which carries a broad meaning of deliverance. This term, translated as "made well" in verse 9 and "salvation" in verse 12, allows Peter to transition smoothly from the concept of physical healing to spiritual deliverance. He employs *soteria* to emphasize deliverance on multiple levels, from sickness to the transformation from mortality to immortality. Through this word, Peter preaches the gospel, asserting that there is salvation under no other name but that of Jesus Christ. His defense highlights an act of kindness in healing, questioning why he should be held accountable for such a good work, and uses *soteria* to shift the discussion from physical restoration to the broader spiritual salvation offered through Jesus Christ.